"Listen, mister… I don't know anything about numbers or codes, and she's not some '002'—she's my assistant doctor, got it? And I'm just an ordinary doctor. You'd do better to keep your theories to yourself… and maybe focus on what actually matters right now."
Om said it coldly, pressing the gun hard against Bali's head.
For a moment, silence hung in the air.
Then Bali smiled.
Not a normal smile… something darker.
"Interesting… the way you're holding that gun, the way you're ready to pull the trigger… that's a 'numbers' style too. And you're saying you're not one of them? Why should I believe you?"
Before Om could respond, Maya's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Boss! Don't listen to him—he's trying to manipulate you!"
But Om didn't even glance at her.
Instead… he did something no one expected.
He calmly removed the bullets from the gun… and threw them in one direction.
Then he tossed the empty gun… in another.
The metallic clatter echoed across the room.
For a split second… even Bali was surprised.
And then—
A wicked grin spread across his face.
"Well… that was your mistake, boy. You have no idea—my hands are far more dangerous than that gun. Come on… let's settle this like men."
The moment the words left his mouth—
Bali lunged.
Fast. Brutal. Like a predator unleashed.
Om had no idea about Bali's true strength… but he didn't step back either.
He moved forward.
Ready to fight.
Ready to strike.
But before he could even make his move—
BOOM!
A punch.
A single punch.
Bali's fist slammed straight into Om's chest with terrifying force.
And in that instant—
Everything changed.
Om's expression twisted.
His eyes widened, almost bulging out from the sheer impact.
A sharp breath escaped him… mixed with spit.
And then—
His body lifted off the ground.
Like he weighed nothing.
He was thrown back… flying through the air…
Until—
CRASH!
He slammed into the wall with a sickening thud.
The entire room seemed to shake.
Om dropped to the floor… face down… motionless.
That one punch…
Was enough.
He had lost consciousness.
"Om… my son!"
Sharda's scream tore through the silence.
At the same time, Riya, Soumya, and Isha cried out in panic—
"Brother!!"
But before anyone could move—
A thunderous roar exploded in the room.
"Silence… absolute silence! Until I kill him, I don't want to hear even a single sound from any of you!"
It was Bali.
His eyes were wide… burning with rage… as he glared at Om's family.
Sharda's voice trembled as she stepped forward slightly.
"Sir… please… have mercy. Leave my son… he's just a child. Please, I beg you…"
"Hey! Madam—stay exactly where you are… or I'll blow up this entire house."
The threat hit her like a shockwave.
Her legs froze.
She couldn't move anymore.
Not a step.
Not even a breath.
Meanwhile—
Bali walked over to Om's body.
He grabbed Om by the hair… yanked his head up roughly.
Om's face was barely conscious… lifeless… yet breathing.
Grinding his teeth, Bali sneered—
"What happened, huh? Lost your attitude already? How stupid can you be… throwing away the gun in your hand? Kids these days… they think they're heroes. They don't know when to speak… and when to shut up."
But inside Om's mind—
Something else was happening.
He looked unconscious…
But he wasn't.
Not completely.
His thoughts were racing… faster than ever.
Damn… even after years of training, after building a body stronger than stone… this man still managed to hurt me…
He's not normal.
There's something behind this strength… something dangerous…
As if hearing his thoughts—
Bali spoke again, pride dripping from his voice.
"Boy… I've been blessed by demons. Each one of my arms holds the strength of ten elephants. And you thought you could kill me? Am I some kind of joke to you?"
And then—
He snapped.
Grabbing Om's face, Bali started raining punches.
One after another.
No pause.
No mercy.
Each blow landed harder than the last.
Om's body jerked with every hit… pain spreading through his chest, his ribs, his face.
Blood began to drip… slowly at first…
Then faster.
Across the room, Maya watched—tears streaming down her face.
Sharda… the uncles… the aunts… his sisters—
Everyone was crying.
Helpless.
Broken.
The uncles clenched their fists in frustration… hating themselves.
Because they couldn't do anything.
Not a single thing.
They couldn't even save their own family.
After a while, Bali stepped back.
Om's face was now covered in blood… dripping onto the floor.
Maya's sobs grew louder.
And strangely—
Bali enjoyed it.
"Wow, Singhania… this is fun. I haven't enjoyed a beating like this in a long time. Hey 003… I'll kill you and him last. Slowly. I want to enjoy it. First, I'll wipe out this entire family… and that disgraceful woman Savita… right in front of you."
And then—
Something unexpected happened.
Om… smiled.
A faint… bloody smile.
The moment Bali saw that—
His anger shot through the roof again.
"What is wrong with you people? You're on the edge of death… and you're smiling? Is this some new trend—laughing before dying?"
He stepped closer.
Grabbed Om's face again.
Pulled him up slightly.
"First that 003… now you. Tell me… why are you smiling, huh? Is this a joke to you? Am I here to entertain you? Speak! Why are you laughing?!"
Om's lips moved.
A weak voice… barely audible.
Bali frowned.
"What did you say?"
He leaned closer.
Closer.
And then—
Om smiled wider.
"I don't like… barking dogs."
For a second—
Time stopped.
Then—
Rage.
Pure, uncontrollable rage exploded inside Bali.
"You dare—?!"
He grabbed Om's hair tightly.
His face twisted into something monstrous.
"Looks like you'll be the first one to die today… enjoy your time in heaven!"
And with that—
Bali pulled back his fist…
Muscles tightening…
Veins bulging…
And launched it forward at full speed—
Straight toward Om.