Gangsters:Rise To The Top

The moment they stepped back into Dibrugarh Academy, something felt off.

The air was thick with tension, and the sight before them confirmed their worst fears. Broken walls, shattered glass, blood stains on the pavement—their stronghold had turned into a battlefield. Members of The Three Souls sat on the ground, groaning in pain, while others stood in shock, their eyes filled with fear.

Luna ran up to them, her face pale. "It was him," she said, her voice shaking. "A monster… he came for you, Mri."

Mri's eyes darkened. "Who?"

Aamon, standing behind the group, finally stepped forward. His expression was grim, his voice cold.

"Project Zero."

The name alone sent chills through their spines. Mri, Ishu, Kai, and the others turned to him.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Kai asked, his fists clenching.

Aamon took a deep breath before speaking.

---

The Legend of Project Zero

"In the world of assassins, mercenaries, and underground killers, there exists a nightmare that even the strongest fear," Aamon began. His voice was steady, but the weight of his words made everyone uneasy.

"Project Zero is not a person… he is a force of destruction. A phantom of death. No one knows where he came from, what he wants, or if he even has emotions. He is just a killing machine, a weapon without mercy."

Mri, intrigued but furious, asked, "What makes him so terrifying?"

Aamon's eyes darkened.

"Let me tell you a story. One night, 500 high-ranking assassins gathered in a secret facility in Eastern Europe. They were the deadliest in the world—trained killers, each worth a country's army."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"By morning, they were all dead. Every single one of them."

The air grew cold.

"One person…?" Dipankar muttered in disbelief.

Aamon nodded. "One person. One blade. No survivors."

Zaolat shook his head, his body stiff. "That's impossible. 500 assassins, each a master of combat, strategy, and survival… and he killed them alone?"

Aamon continued, "There were security cameras in that facility. The footage was leaked for a short time before it was erased by the World Government. But I saw it."

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a lower tone.

"He didn't fight them. He slaughtered them."

Everyone stood still.

"Project Zero doesn't just kill. He makes sure that no one can stop him. His speed is inhuman, his reflexes are beyond trained killers, and his strength…?" Aamon exhaled. "If you saw what I saw, you'd believe he isn't human."

Ishu finally spoke, his voice unsteady. "So… why is he after Mri?"

Aamon crossed his arms. "That's the mystery. No one knows who controls him. No one knows his purpose. But if he was sent here… it means someone very powerful wants Mri out of the picture."

Luna looked away, fists clenched. "And we couldn't stop him… we weren't strong enough."

Ishu's rage burned inside him, but he kept his composure.

"Where is Priyanshi?"

Aamon's expression hardened. "He took her."

Ishu's body froze. The mention of Priyanshi's name felt like a dagger to his chest. His breathing became uneven, his mind racing.

Kai placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ishu, breathe. We'll get her back."

Ishu looked down, his fists shaking. "I'm going to kill him."

Kelly turned back to Aamon. "You've seen him fight. What are our chances?"

Aamon hesitated. "Individually? Zero."

Kai scowled. "Then what about together?"

Aamon met his gaze. "Then we might stand a chance."

Mri exhaled. "Then we prepare for war."

---

The Shadow That Lurks

Meanwhile, in an unknown location, a dark figure stood alone in a dimly lit room.

A large screen in front of him displayed an image—Mri.

The figure, dressed in an all-black combat suit, held a blood-stained blade in one hand and a crumpled photograph in the other.

The photograph?

It was of Ishu and Priyanshi.

Slowly, Project Zero's cold, emotionless eyes shifted toward the camera.

And then he typed in the keyboard.

"Target acquired."