The quiet street of the outer district had fallen into deep silence.
Most homes had already extinguished their lanterns, and the distant sounds of the market had faded into the night.
Only the soft whisper of wind moved between the houses.
But that calm hid something dangerous.
Three figures now stood within the street.
Rudra Sen.
Devika Agnivarna.
Captain Varun.
The Rakshaks had arrived.
The Street Below
Devika landed lightly beside a wooden fence and looked around the quiet road.
"This is the area you sensed?"
Rudra Sen nodded.
"Yes."
Varun stepped beside them, his spear resting against his shoulder.
"Which house?"
The hunter studied the buildings carefully.
His eyes moved slowly from one window to the next.
Listening.
Feeling.
Searching.
"…Somewhere close."
Devika sighed.
"Helpful."
But she remained alert.
Because even a weak fragment of Arivaan was still dangerous.
Inside the House
Aarav sat motionless on the floor.
His breathing remained slow.
Controlled.
Just like Arivaan had taught him earlier.
But inside the shared mind—
Panic was rising.
"They're outside."
Arivaan remained calm.
"Yes."
Aarav clenched his fists.
"What if they come in?"
Arivaan studied the faint system interface.
System Recovery: 42%
Detection Risk: Critical
"…Then we adapt."
The boy whispered desperately.
"I don't want to be discovered!"
Arivaan chuckled softly.
"Neither do I."
But despite his calm voice—
Even Arivaan understood the danger.
Rudra Sen was not a careless hunter.
If the man sensed something unusual—
The house would be searched immediately.
Which meant they needed to remain completely invisible.
No system abilities.
No unusual thoughts.
Just silence.
Arivaan whispered quietly.
"Focus on the flame."
Aarav closed his eyes tighter.
The small mental flame burned steadily inside his mind.
The Hunter's Instinct
Outside—
Rudra Sen slowly walked down the street.
Each step was careful.
Measured.
He stopped beside the first house.
Closed his eyes.
Listened.
Nothing.
The hunter moved to the next building.
Still nothing.
Devika watched him from a few steps away.
"You're scanning mentally."
"Yes."
"Anything?"
"No."
Varun frowned slightly.
"That's strange."
Rudra Sen nodded.
"Yes."
Because he could still feel something faint.
A subtle disturbance.
But every house felt normal.
Every mind calm.
No mental signatures.
No influence techniques.
Nothing.
Which made the situation even more suspicious.
The Final House
Rudra Sen eventually reached the last house on the street.
A small home near the market road.
The very house where Aarav sat meditating.
Inside—
Aarav felt the presence instantly.
"He's right outside!"
Arivaan nodded mentally.
"Yes."
The boy's heart began racing.
Arivaan immediately whispered.
"Slow your breathing."
Aarav forced himself to obey.
Outside the door—
Rudra Sen stopped.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
The faint ripple of mental energy brushed his senses again.
Weak.
Very weak.
But close.
Very close.
Devika stepped beside him.
"What is it?"
The hunter didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He placed one hand against the wooden door.
Listening.
Feeling.
Inside the house—
Aarav's concentration nearly broke.
"He's touching the door!"
Arivaan remained calm.
"Hold the flame steady."
The boy struggled to keep the mental image stable.
The tiny fire flickered.
But it didn't disappear.
Outside—
Rudra Sen closed his eyes.
Searching deeper.
Inside the house—
He could feel three minds.
A woman asleep.
A man resting.
And a child meditating.
The hunter frowned slightly.
"…Meditating?"
Devika raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Rudra Sen stepped back slowly.
"That boy inside."
Devika looked toward the window.
"What about him?"
The hunter's expression grew thoughtful.
"…Nothing."
Varun frowned.
"That doesn't sound convincing."
Rudra Sen shook his head.
"The mind is calm."
Devika crossed her arms.
"So we move on?"
The hunter glanced once more at the quiet house.
Something about it still felt strange.
But there was no clear evidence.
No disturbance.
No influence.
Finally—
He turned away.
"Yes."
Inside the house—
Aarav nearly collapsed in relief.
"He's leaving!"
Arivaan smiled faintly.
"…Good."
But his attention remained sharp.
Because Rudra Sen paused once more at the end of the street.
The hunter glanced back toward the house again.
Just for a moment.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Strange."
Then he continued walking.
The Rakshaks disappeared into the night.
Inside Aarav's mind—
Arivaan leaned back against the system interface.
"That was close."
Aarav groaned.
"I almost fainted!"
The system panel flickered softly.
Recovery Progress: 44%
Arivaan smiled faintly.
Because even the greatest hunters could miss the quietest prey.
And tonight—
The Brainwashing Villain had passed his first true test.