The Predator and the Prey
Zeeshan didn't attack Aryan because he suspected something about him. No, his reasons were far more sinister. He attacked simply because he enjoyed watching a child writhe in pain. Zeeshan wasn't aware that Aryan was the very boy who had killed Wahab Sheikh — a fact that would have changed everything for him.
When Zeeshan launched his attack, Aryan wasn't fully prepared. The sudden assault sent Aryan flying back, crashing onto the ground several meters away. Rage boiled inside Aryan — not because he was hurt, but because of the sheer malice and cruelty behind the attack. Still, he restrained himself, controlling his temper with remarkable composure. He stood up slowly, stabilizing his breath and body, then looked Zeeshan in the eyes and said calmly:
"Friend, as far as I recall, we have no enmity between us. In fact, we don't even know each other. So, why did you attack me without provocation? Can you give me a reason?"
Zeeshan burst out laughing — a loud, mocking laugh that echoed through the trees. After a long moment, he wiped a tear of amusement from his eye and said, "Hey fool, have you ever seen a lion give an explanation before killing a jackal? No. He just tears it apart. And to me, you're that jackal. A brat like you has no right to know why I'm going to kill you."
As he spoke, Zeeshan's gaze fell on the storage ring on Aryan's finger. His eyes gleamed with greed, and his mind instantly shifted focus. "Originally, I just wanted to kill you for fun," he said, voice laced with avarice. "But now that I see that shiny little treasure on your finger, give me the ring and I'll grant you a quick, painless death."
Aryan's eyes narrowed. The anger he had been controlling began to intensify. A smirk formed on his lips. "So, even if I give you the ring, you'll kill me anyway? Then why should I give it to you at all? I might as well destroy it. And tell me something — are you some kind of bandit now? Mugging every person who dares enter this forest?"
Zeeshan's henchmen were growing restless. One of them, Akhil, frowned and stepped forward. "Zeeshan bhai, why are you even bothering with this kid? If you want his ring, just kill him and take it."
But Zeeshan waved him off. "No, Akhil. I don't want to do that. There's something different about this boy. Look at him — we're four fully trained fighters standing around him, and he doesn't even flinch. He's not ordinary. It's going to be more fun to break him."
Then, turning back to Aryan, Zeeshan studied him closely. Suspicion now colored his voice. "Tell me, boy... are you really not afraid of us?"
Aryan met his gaze calmly. "What's there to fear? Death comes for everyone. If I know I'm going to die, why waste my time fearing it?"
Zeeshan was taken aback. He hadn't expected a child to respond with such calm defiance. He narrowed his eyes further, mind spinning with thoughts. "Boy, did you get into trouble with someone else in this area? Tell me now."
His question startled even his own companions. Akhil once again stepped in, confused and frustrated. "Zeeshan bhai, why the delay? Just kill him already!"
Zeeshan glared at Akhil. "Didn't I tell you? This kid isn't normal. We're four against one, and he's not even blinking. That means something. What if this is the same boy who killed Wahab Sheikh? Sure, Wahab was no supreme martial artist — but don't forget, he was a peak-level Martial Spirit Gathering Level 6 warrior. If this boy could kill someone like him, do you even realize how dangerous he could be?"
Zeeshan turned back to Aryan, this time pacing slowly around him with sharp, calculating eyes. Then, in a cold, measured voice, he asked, "Are you the one who killed a member of our gang, Eagle Eye? If you did, I suggest you surrender now. We won't hurt you — at least not much. We'll just take you to our leader. He'll decide your fate. But don't worry, he won't kill you."
As Zeeshan was speaking aloud, he also received a telepathic message — a technique available to warriors who had reached Level 6 in Martial Spirit Gathering. It was Akhil again.
"Zeeshan bhai, what are you doing? Aren't you going to kill this kid?"
Zeeshan responded through telepathy.
"Idiot. If this is the same boy, think about how dangerous he must be. He looks no older than 16 or 17. If he's already strong enough to take down Wahab, imagine how powerful he could become. Our leader might not want to kill him — he might want to recruit him, or better yet, ransom him to his family for a massive reward. Either way, it could earn us a fortune and a lot of favor."
Realizing Zeeshan's plan, Akhil nodded in admiration. His boss was always clever, never making rash decisions that could cost them.
Meanwhile, Aryan had been listening, observing, calculating. When Zeeshan asked him again, Aryan smiled and said mockingly, "And what if I don't tell you the truth? What are you going to do?"
Zeeshan's face twisted with rage. "Tell me the truth and I'll give you an easy death. You've already admitted to knowing too much — now you're going to die anyway, so prepare yourself."
Aryan laughed — a bold, fearless laugh. "You people and your threats! Gangsters like you always think fear works on everyone. But you're wrong. Sometimes, silence is more powerful. You want to know who killed Wahab Sheikh?" Aryan paused. "I did. And today, I'll kill you too."
His words struck like thunder. Zeeshan and his companions were stunned for a moment — then their rage exploded.
"You idiot," Zeeshan growled. "That was your biggest mistake. You shouldn't have admitted that. Now your death is inevitable!"
Zeeshan roared and launched an attack. "**Fire Fist!**" he shouted as a flaming punch surged toward Aryan.
Aryan felt the tremendous force and deadly energy emanating from the strike. He instinctively scanned Zeeshan's cultivation level — and what he saw shocked him.
**Half-Step Level 8 in Martial Spirit Gathering.**
With that kind of power, Zeeshan and his allies together could challenge a fully established Level 8 Stage One warrior. Aryan had no chance in a direct clash.
He tried to dodge the blast — but it was too fast. The impact hit him squarely, sending him flying a hundred meters. Trees snapped in half, the earth cracked, and where Aryan landed, a deep crater formed. Bones fractured, his body broken, Aryan couldn't even stand.
But Aryan wasn't helpless.
Reaching into his pocket, he took out a healing pill and placed it in his mouth. Within seconds, his injuries began to mend at a visible pace. In under five seconds, he was back on his feet.
Still, Aryan knew the truth — he couldn't win this fight.
So, he made the only logical choice: escape.
He turned and bolted in the opposite direction.
Zeeshan and his men watched as Aryan ran, and Zeeshan laughed. "Running now, kid? You can run or not — it doesn't matter. Death is coming either way!"
He and his companions chased after Aryan. Within moments, they caught up and surrounded him.
Zeeshan snatched Aryan's storage ring and then punched him across the face, sending him flying again. Another crater formed where Aryan landed, injuries piling on.
But Aryan refused to give up. He stood again.
Zeeshan laughed even louder this time. "Still running?" he mocked.
He struck again, another powerful attack — Aryan was thrown again, his body crashing through the dirt and trees.
Pain seared through Aryan's body. He felt like death was approaching fast.
But then, an idea struck him.
He began circulating his energy throughout his body — and slowly, his wounds began to close.
In moments, he was healed again.
Aryan stood up, panting, determined.
He now understood something crucial: His teacher had lied to him — not out of malice, but to teach him a lesson. A powerful one. Never trust anyone blindly — not even mentors, friends, or loved ones. Always question, always analyze. Only believe when you're truly convinced.
It made sense now. The lie wasn't meant to mislead him, but to sharpen his instincts.
But that lesson would have to wait.
He needed to escape this place — now.
As Zeeshan and the others advanced again, something extraordinary happened.
A spatial wormhole opened in the sky. A glowing hand emerged from it and, before anyone could react, grabbed Aryan and pulled him through.
Zeeshan and his gang froze, stunned.
"What the hell was that?" Akhil gasped.
They had just witnessed something they couldn't comprehend.
Fear replaced their arrogance.
They had only one thought now: Report everything to their boss.
But the question remained —
**Who was the person who saved Aryan? Was it a friend... or a new enemy? Or he was Vaibhav Shrivastava.
To find out, stay tuned with *I Can Learn Anything*.