Chapter 7: The Resignation

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6

"Arjun is lying!"

"I never expected him to be this kind of person!"

"Reporting one or two extra is one thing, but exaggerating by one lakh? Does he take us for fools?"

Everyone present voiced their discontent.

The words stung more than any demon’s claw. Some faces looked away, unable to meet my eyes. I felt a flash of memory—being blamed in school when the neighbour’s window broke, Amma whispering, "Sach bolna, beta. Sabar rakh. Truth always wins in the end."

Rajeev said, "How about this: you apologise to the victim and help calm public opinion."

He said it as if solving a housing society dispute, expecting an apology would make everyone forget the leak in the water tank.

Kunal added, "I think we need to re-examine Arjun’s loyalty. I don’t feel safe with him guarding the border."

Before he could finish, I raised my voice, "I quit!"

With that, I tore the badge from my chest.

It clattered to the table—a sharp sound, final and heavy, like the slam of a wooden gavel in a local court.

The peon in the corner paused, ladle halfway to his mouth, as the room froze.

The room erupted in chaos.

Rajeev and Kunal were caught off guard—

Perhaps they hadn’t expected me to resign so decisively.

I saw a couple of junior staff exchange nervous glances, as if fearing the boss would now turn on them.

"You think you can threaten us like this?"

Rajeev’s expression darkened.

Kunal sneered, "Arrey Arjun, do you really think you’re still the only SSS-level powerhouse? We have three SSS-level ability users now."

He exchanged a glance with Rajeev.

The two of them instantly released a tremendous aura.

The pressure was so intense that many in the room couldn’t even open their eyes.

A peon in the corner muttered a prayer under his breath, clutching his locket.

"So strong!"

"This is the power of an SSS-level ability user?"

"My god—before, one SSS-level was enough to guard the border, but now we have three. Can we finally go on the offensive?"

"With them here, Arjun isn’t so important anymore."

The room buzzed with excitement.

Just then, the third SSS-level powerhouse stepped forward.

Her appearance caught me completely off guard:

I felt my heart skip a beat. The air felt charged, as if the city’s old transformer was about to blow. Everyone’s eyes turned, breath caught in anticipation, the faint echo of a devotional song playing somewhere outside. And as her eyes met mine, I knew—everything was about to change.