For the next few days, Anirban stuck to a routine.
Go to school. Watch her from afar. Go home. Do his light training. Sleep with sore muscles.
It wasn't glamorous, and it wasn't heroic. But it was painful and exhausting, but it didn't matter to him because this is what he wanted. With every small task the system assigned, he felt a little better, a little stronger. He wasn't leveling up fast, but that was fine.
He had time. Or so he thought
---
[System Status – Anirban Roy]
Level: 1
XP: 22/100
Strength: 3
Endurance: 2
Intelligence: 4
Charisma: 5
Luck: 2
---
Then, on a quiet Saturday morning, it changed.
He was in the market, sent by his mother to buy onions and potatoes. Nothing strange. Nothing suspicious.
He was standing in line at a vegetable stall when it happened.
A man — well-dressed, probably mid-30s — bumped into someone ahead and said nothing. The other person turned to confront him, but the man raised one finger.
A finger glowing faintly blue.
The air around them trembled.
For a second — maybe even less — the angry man froze. Literally. His body stiffened, his eyes wide, and then... he forgot what he was saying. He blinked and turned around like nothing happened.
Anirban's heart jumped.
"Did I just...?"
The blue-glowing man walked away like nothing happened. But Anirban's eyes were glued to his back.
A system message appeared.
---
[System Notification]
Hidden Objective Detected: Trace of a Superhuman
Would you like to track this individual?
Warning: Strength far exceeds current level.
[Yes] / [No]
---
He stared at it, pulse racing. Finally. Proof. He wasn't crazy.
There were superhumans in the world.
He tapped [Yes].
Another window opened.
---
Tracking Engaged
Target: Unknown Superhuman
Status: Observation Only
Stealth Recommended
Rewards for successful tracking: +20 XP, ???
Penalty for failure: None
---
Anirban followed.
He kept his distance — heart pounding, legs moving on instinct. He didn't want to be seen, didn't want to be noticed. And yet... he wanted the superhuman to feel something strange, to maybe wonder who was watching.
Because that was his thing. He'd never confront. He'd watch. Learn. Wait.
The man turned into a quiet street and entered what looked like a small electronics shop.
Anirban stopped across the road, behind a tea stall. He ordered a cup, pretending to be casual. His eyes never left the store.
Minutes passed.
No movement.
Another notification appeared.
---
[Observation Logged]
+10 XP
Keep tracking or disengage?
[Continue] / [End]
---
He chose [Continue].
The thrill of being near one of them — a real superhuman — made his blood hum. He still couldn't fight them. Not yet. But this confirmed everything he believed.
And now, he had a target.
He wouldn't make contact. He wouldn't reveal his identity. But someday, he'd walk into that store again — not to watch, but to challenge.
He sipped his tea.
"Soon."
---
To be continued...