Chapter 12 – Rizz, Recon, and Reluctant Feelings
The morning air was crisp as the golden rays of the sun stretched lazily over the hills of Ghanekhadi. A faint mist still clung to the slopes, rolling over the valleys like a slow-moving river. Birds chirped in the distance, their songs blending with the faint chatter of tourists filling the streets.
Inside their hotel, the four gathered for breakfast before splitting into their assigned groups.
Yash and Mithra.
Abhishek and Samay.
Wearing their disguise amulets, their supernatural presences were hidden from any unwanted attention, making them blend seamlessly with the regular tourists.
As Yash adjusted the amulet around his neck, he glanced at Mithra. "So, how does this thing work? Do I look different to normal people now?"
Mithra sipped her tea calmly. "Not exactly. Your appearance remains the same, but anyone with supernatural awareness won't recognize you. It's like erasing your supernatural footprint."
Yash smirked. "So basically, I'm still hot, just untraceable."
Mithra rolled her eyes. "You're something, alright."
Abhishek and Samay, munching on their breakfast, watched the exchange with barely concealed amusement.
"Dude, this is gonna be fun," Abhishek whispered to Samay.
Samay smirked. "Either Yash gets punched, or he gets a girlfriend. Either way, we win."
After finishing breakfast, the four left the hotel and split into their respective groups.
Yash and Mithra strolled through the streets of Ghanekhadi, the town bustling with activity. Shops lined the streets, selling everything from woolen shawls to wooden carvings of local deities. The aroma of vada pav, misal pav, and hot chai filled the air as food vendors set up their stalls, luring in early customers.
Yash, hands in his pockets, glanced at Mithra. "So, how strong are you, exactly?"
Mithra raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Well," Yash shrugged. "I need to know if I should be mildly impressed or extremely impressed."
Mithra smirked. "I'm a 4th Circle Chakra user. Close to reaching the 5th Circle."
Yash blinked. "And that means…?"
Mithra sighed, realizing she had to explain things properly. "The supernatural world follows a ranking system based on chakra cultivation. It goes like this—
1st Circle: Chakra Awakening – Basically, the starting point where one awakens a chakra point.
2nd Circle: Gaining control over chakra and learning basic aura techniques.
3rd Circle: Liquefying the chakra—turning it into a fluid-like state inside the body.
4th Circle: Creating a chakra core and awakening an elemental affinity.
5th Circle: Fusing the element with the chakra core, allowing advanced abilities.
6th Circle: Sage Mode—achieving deep spiritual and physical connection with the world.
7th Circle: Domain Construction—a personal domain of power, putting users just below demigods."
Yash whistled. "So, you're one step away from turning into a human flamethrower?"
Mithra smirked. "Something like that."
"And Abhishek and Samay?"
"They're also 4th Circle."
Yash hummed thoughtfully. "So, do I have a chakra core or whatever?"
Mithra shook her head. "No. You're using Mantra, which is different. You haven't awakened your chakra yet."
Yash raised an eyebrow. "Wait, yet?"
Mithra sipped her chai, smirking. "I'll help you awaken it after this mission."
Yash grinned. "Damn. Now I really want to know what kind of chakra I'll awaken."
As they continued their investigation, Yash and Mithra asked around discreetly, searching for any signs of unusual activity.
The problem?
Most of the locals mistook them for a couple on a honeymoon.
"Bhaiya, your wife is very beautiful, haan," one of the older shopkeepers commented with a grin. "You both look good together."
Before Mithra could correct him, Yash immediately put an arm around her shoulder, smirking. "I know, right? I'm very lucky."
Mithra elbowed him in the ribs. "We're not a couple."
The shopkeeper just chuckled knowingly. "That's what they all say in the beginning, beta."
Yash gave Mithra a smug look. "See? Even uncle agrees."
Mithra groaned, rubbing her temples. I swear to god, this man will be the death of me.
Their next stop was a hotel where they hoped to gather intel on any suspicious travelers.
The lobby was small but well-maintained, with wooden furniture and the faint scent of lavender in the air. A young receptionist, likely in her mid-twenties, sat behind the desk, casually scrolling through her phone until she noticed them approaching.
She straightened up with a polite smile. "Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you?"
Yash stepped forward, leaning slightly on the counter, his signature smirk in place. "Hey there. You know, you have a really welcoming smile."
The receptionist blinked, caught off guard by the sudden compliment. "Oh… thank you?"
Mithra, standing beside Yash, crossed her arms. Oh god. Here we go.
Yash continued smoothly, his voice laced with charm. "My friend and I—"
Mithra frowned slightly at the friend part for some reason.
"—are on a bit of an adventure," Yash went on. "We're trying to track down some… unusual travelers. People who might've checked in recently, asked strange questions, that sort of thing."
The receptionist's polite smile stiffened slightly. "I'm sorry, sir, but guest information is confidential."
Yash let out a dramatic sigh. "Ah, I get it. You're just doing your job. And you must be really good at it." He rested his chin on his hand, giving her a soft, appreciative look. "It must be tough keeping track of all these guests and managing things so efficiently."
The receptionist shifted in her seat, the praise clearly working. "Well… I do try my best."
"I can tell." Yash grinned. "Someone as sharp as you probably notices everything. Like, say… a group of travelers who stood out recently?"
The receptionist hesitated. "Well… there was a group that checked in a few days ago. They didn't stay long, left quickly, and were asking about a mountain nearby."
Mithra immediately tuned in, her eyes narrowing. A mountain?
Yash, meanwhile, clasped his hands together. "You are amazing, you know that?"
The receptionist blushed slightly. "It's really not a big deal…"
"Of course, it is. You've been such a great help. Maybe I should get your number in case I need a guide while I'm in town?"
Mithra twitched.
The receptionist, looking flattered, quickly scribbled her number onto a small notepad and handed it to Yash. "I'd be happy to show you around if you'd like."
Before Yash could even reach for the paper, Mithra swooped in, snatching it from the desk.
"Thanks for the help, boyfriend," Mithra said sweetly, hooking her arm around Yash's. "But we really need to go."
The receptionist blinked in confusion. "Oh, you're…?"
"Yup, taken," Mithra said, flashing a smug smile as she pulled Yash away before he could react.
Yash, still processing what the hell just happened, let himself be dragged outside. The moment they were clear of the hotel, Mithra shoved him off.
"Stop flirting with every girl you see!" she snapped.
Yash stumbled but quickly regained his footing, his smirk returning. "Wow, domestic violence already? We just started dating."
Mithra scowled, internally screaming at herself for acting so impulsively. Why did I do that?!
"…We were wasting time," she muttered, turning away.
Yash chuckled, rubbing his chin. "You were jealous."
Mithra's back stiffened. "Shut up."
Still smirking, Yash decided to let it slide. "Anyway, what did we get?"
Mithra exhaled, forcing herself to focus. "The receptionist said a group stayed there a few days ago, checked out quickly, and asked about a nearby mountain—one that locals avoid because of wild animal attacks."
Yash's expression grew serious. "Huh. That's something."
Mithra nodded. "We should regroup and compare notes."
As they walked, Mithra subtly glanced at Yash from the corner of her eye. His usual playful expression had faded, his mind already piecing things together.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the note she had stolen.
She didn't know why she acted that way.
But one thing was clear—
She really didn't like watching Yash flirt with other women.
Meanwhile –
Abhishek and Samay, on the other side of town, were "investigating."
Which mostly meant them eating and flirting with the locals.
"You know, this misal pav is divine," Abhishek said between bites.
Samay, sipping on a cool glass of kokum sharbat, nodded. "Truly, the food here is on another level."
The tea vendor, who they had been chatting with, laughed. "You two are very chill. Most visitors don't talk much about food."
Abhishek grinned. "That's because they lack taste."
As they continued their banter, what looked like two idiots stuffing their faces was actually a carefully planned act.
They had already gathered bits and pieces of information from various sources, confirming that a few unusual guests had been in town, asking too many questions about a specific mountain area.
Samay glanced at Abhishek. "I think we have enough info."
Abhishek nodded, finishing his chai. "Yep. Let's head back."
They stood up, stretching, knowing that the real fun was about to begin.
As the two teams decided regroup, one thing was clear—
Something dangerous was waiting for them in the mountains.
And they were about to walk right into it.
-[End]-