Chapter 4 - There is No Shelter In Dubai

"Okay," Hari muttered to himself, stepping onto the street with newfound purpose. "All I have to do is find a place to sleep. Easy."

A gentle desert breeze ruffled his shirt. It was a nice breeze. Comforting. Warm. Slightly judgemental.

"Reminder: Sidewalks do not count as official lodging," the Mango System chimed cheerfully in his head.

"I KNOW," Hari hissed at no one in particular.

He had three dirhams in his pocket—donated by a very confused child who thought he was performing street theater—and exactly zero friends in this world. Also, a mild craving for mango juice, which wasn't helping the situation.

As he wandered the strangely familiar-yet-mango-deficient streets of Alternate Dubai, he tried his luck.

First Attempt: The Hotel Lobby

Hari strolled into the fanciest-looking hotel he could find, trying to exude "wealthy eccentric artist" instead of "confused man recently possessed by a mango-based system." It did not work.

"Reservation, sir?" the receptionist asked with a practiced smile.

Hari looked around, nodded slowly, and leaned in. "Do you accept payment in... spiritual growth and mangoes?"

"…Security."

He was gently escorted out while still yelling, "I HAVE POTENTIAL!"

Second Attempt: A Park Bench

It was beautiful. Serene. Flat.

Hari examined it with the expertise of a man whose dignity was in a full-time job interview with homelessness.

"Technically not a sidewalk," he said to the Mango System.

"Technically not a bed, either," it replied.

Third Attempt: A Mosque Courtyard

Out of desperation, Hari wandered toward a quiet courtyard, hoping divine vibes might make the Mango Gods lenient.

A kind old man sitting on a bench offered him dates and water.

Hari blinked at him. "Thank you... uncle."

The man smiled. "You look like you need it, son."

"I do," Hari said, chewing solemnly. "I was a mango baron. Now I'm a man-go-lost."

The man didn't laugh, but patted his back anyway.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky a golden hue that mocked him for craving the fruit it refused to give, Hari sat on a curb with a plastic bag under him.

"This is fine," he said out loud. "This is character development."

Then, without warning—

DING![Congratulations! You have completed: "Find Shelter (emotionally or physically, whichever comes first)."]Reward Unlocked: [Mango Perk #1 – Minor Nutrient Immunity]You can now go one day without food or water without collapsing. It's not glamorous, but neither is your life right now.

Hari stared at the floating translucent box in his vision.

"...Thanks. I think."

"You're welcome. Remember: great mangoes grow from hard dirt."

"…That's not even a real saying."

"It is now."

He sighed and leaned back against the wall, watching the stars blink into existence.

So this was what life had become—death, rebirth, awkward systems, and starvation perks.

But strangely, he wasn't mad.

He was... curious.

What kind of world was this? What kind of future awaited him? And most importantly—how could a place this sunny have no mangoes?

He would find out. And he would fix it.

Tomorrow.

Tonight, he was just grateful to not be arrested.