Ishan had just stepped out of the hotel to explore the city when he noticed some disturbance in a narrow alley. Behind him, he could hear hurried, fearful voices urging everyone to move aside, to clear the way. Within seconds, the entire street emptied. Following the crowd's example, Ishan too moved to the side, watching as a cloud of dust rose in the distance — something massive was rushing toward him.
Whatever was coming was easily the size of an elephant — perhaps larger — and yet it moved with astonishing speed. The ground trembled beneath its weight. Soon, the figure came into view — a monstrous beast, with a broad back and a structure almost like a war chariot fixed upon it. Upon that seat sat a young man, his lips twisted into a devilish grin, his eyes glimmering with arrogance and contempt for everyone around.
Ishan's attention shifted from the rider to the beast. It was immense, far larger than an elephant, its presence alone radiating menace. A sharp horn jutted from its head, like the blade of a sword. Its eyes were buried behind armored ridges, and its body resembled that of a rhino — but its speed rivaled that of a galloping horse.
Digging through his memories, Ishan recalled its name — "Pin-Tip Rhino." It was called so because of its needle-sharp horn that could pierce through metal. A creature native to the outer zones of the Dark Forest — fierce, territorial, and bloodthirsty. Though it was herbivorous, it had a strange love for violence and chaos.
Taming such a creature was nearly impossible for ordinary people; only powerful warrior factions could achieve it. The Pin-Tip Rhino could reach a maximum of the 8th Stage of the Physical Level, limited by its own physiology, yet its thick hide and brute strength often allowed it to overpower even a 9th Stage Physical cultivator.
Creatures like this were prized mounts — rare, expensive, and dangerous.Though the Physical Level was only the foundation of cultivation, in this region the density of Prana Energy was so low that even Vital Core Level experts were rare. Hence, a beast of this level was considered an apex predator here.
Ishan himself had reached the 7th Stage of the Physical Level during his climb up the mountains — he'd been forced to push his body to its limits. Though he couldn't match the beast in raw power, his combat experience, precision, and instincts far surpassed any ordinary warrior.
Back on Earth, he had faced creatures that shouldn't even exist — beasts that defied natural law. Only now did he realize that the martial systems of this world were rooted in the same principles… Earth had merely not yet evolved to connect with them.
As Ishan was lost in thought, a small boy ran out into the middle of the alley. His mother screamed and chased after him, but the nearby women grabbed her, holding her back — they couldn't let her throw her life away. In times like these, even quarrelsome neighbors turned protectors.
The mother cried helplessly, begging anyone nearby to save her son.Ishan's eyes narrowed. Is there truly no law here? he thought bitterly. How can anyone bring such a beast into these narrow streets?
His memories of this city told him it did have laws — but here, the rule was simple: The strong make the laws, and the weak are born only to obey.
In a blur, Ishan stepped forward, moving faster than the eye could follow. The youth atop the beast noticed the motion but merely sneered and muttered coldly, "Another fool seeking death."
He didn't slow his mount. Didn't even look.
Ishan's rage ignited. Arrogant bastard.
He locked onto the beast's every movement — the rhythm of its steps, the shifting of its weight, the unstable point of balance whenever it lifted its front and back legs simultaneously. He smiled faintly. There — the opening he needed.
In one smooth, fluid motion, he stepped forward, positioning himself between the child and death itself. With perfect timing, he struck the beast's foreleg — not with brute force, but precision. The blow was soft yet perfectly calibrated.
The massive creature stumbled violently, its balance shattered. Ishan knew what would happen next and instantly moved back, scooping up the child in one arm and returning him safely to his mother.
All of this happened in less than thirty seconds. The crowd stood frozen in disbelief, barely processing what had occurred. The mother collapsed to her knees, clutching her child, tears of relief streaming down her face as she showered Ishan with blessings.
A thunderous crash echoed — the Pin-Tip Rhino had fallen, sending up clouds of dust. Its immense body trembled, coughed blood, and fell still. The young rider was hurled through the air, tumbling like a rag doll before slamming into a stone wall.
Staggering up, dizzy and furious, he turned toward the lifeless beast — then toward the crowd, his face twisted in fury. "Who dares touch my mount!? Come out and face death — or I'll wipe out your entire family!"
Ishan, standing beside the mother and child, stepped forward calmly, his expression unreadable. "You said… you'll destroy my family?"
His tone was light, almost amused — yet his gaze held the calm of a predator.How laughable — this arrogant whelp dared to threaten him, a descendant of the Singhania Family, the family that even the Royal Boss Clan hesitated to provoke.
The young man saw the mockery in Ishan's eyes and went red with rage. "You bastard! Do you even know who I am!? I can destroy your family before you take another breath!"
Ishan tilted his head, brushing his hair back lazily. "I've met many fools in my life… but I don't seem to recall you among them. Must be new around here. Or maybe I just lost count of how many idiots like you I've beaten."
Gasps rippled through the onlookers — shock, disbelief, awe.No one had ever dared speak to that young man like this.
"You… you insolent trash!" the boy roared, his face flushed with fury. "I'm the Young Master of the Kunji Family! No one in Sherpur dares to breathe before my clan! How dare you humiliate me!?"
Ishan's expression shifted slightly. Kunji Family…? He searched his memories — then remembered.
The Kunji Family had once been founded by Bhanu Kunji, a loyal retainer of the Singhania Clan. After retirement, Bhanu had settled here, still sending gifts every year to Ishan's family out of respect and gratitude.
"So you're from Uncle Bhanu's family?" Ishan said softly. "Strange… as I recall, he was a wise, humble man. You don't seem like his blood. Did you forget the values he taught, or were you simply born without them?"
The crowd fell silent. The arrogant youth froze, shock flickering in his eyes. "How dare you… how dare you speak my family head's name so casually! You must have a death wish!"
He drew a dagger and lunged forward.
To Ishan, the attack looked childish — almost slow. He caught the boy's wrist effortlessly, twisted, and struck him across the face with a sharp slap.
"Seems Uncle Bhanu never raised you himself," Ishan said coldly. "No matter. For his sake, I'll teach you what manners mean."
Before the youth could reply —
A deep, thunderous voice erupted from behind the crowd:"How dare you lay a hand on a member of the Kunji Family, boy!