Beyond the body

World introduction

The year is 120 AC

Human civilization have advanced beyond imagination, but progress has divided the world into three distinct realms.

High above the clouds stood the Sky City, a floating paradise reserved for the richest and most powerful people on Earth. Its advanced technology and luxurious lifestyle were far beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

On the surface lay the Ground Cities, vast regions filled with nations, cities, towns, and villages where most of humanity lived their everyday lives.

Beneath them all existed the Underground City, a hidden world divided into three regions: the bustling Market Region, the vast Transport Region, and a harsh land of endless deserts, eternal cold, and everlasting night.

This final region was feared throughout the world, for it had become the homeland of criminals, outcasts, and underground organizations.

Three worlds.

One civilization.

And in the year 120 AC , the balance between them was soon going to  crumble

In a town (name  of town :- Alltown)

The afternoon sun reflected across the calm waters of the lake.

ROBB sat at the end of a wooden pier, holding a fishing rod while staring at the water with determination.

Five minutes passed.

Then ten.

Then twenty.

Nothing.

Not a single fish.

Beside him, Sumita glanced at his empty bucket and laughed.

"Still no luck?"

ROBB sighed.

"The fish have declared war on me."

"I think they're just smarter than you."

"That was unnecessary."

Sumita laughed again.

At twenty-four years old, she was already a well-known doctor. Despite her busy schedule, she still found time to spend with one of her closest friends.

The two continued talking as the afternoon drifted by.

Work.

College.

Life.

Nothing important.

Nothing extraordinary.

Just another peaceful day.

Eventually, the sun began to set.

Golden light spread across the lake.

Sumita stood up and stretched.

"I should get going."

"Back to saving lives?"

"Someone has to."

ROBB smiled.

"See you later, Doctor."

"Take care, ROBB."

The two waved goodbye and went their separate ways.

---

ROBB climbed onto his bike and started the ride back home.

As he traveled through the streets of the Ground City, his thoughts drifted toward the past.

Toward his father.

Years ago, his father had served as a police officer.

A disaster had struck the Underground City's Transport Region.

Travelers became trapped as panic spread throughout the area.

While others fled, his father rushed in to help.

He saved countless lives.

But he never returned.

The city remembered him as a hero.

ROBB remembered him as his father.

Now, years later, there was no family waiting for him at home.

Only memories.

Fortunately, he wasn't alone.

He had friends.

Friends who had become the closest thing he had to a family.

A small smile appeared on his face.

"You'd probably tell me to stop skipping responsibilities."

The wind carried away his words as he continued riding.

---

Not long after reaching home, a message appeared on his phone.

It was from Bheema.

Come over if you're free.

ROBB smiled.

Bheema was one of his closest friends and a second-year college student.

Although his family owned the largest mansion in the Underground Market Region, Bheema currently lived in the Ground City while attending college.

With nothing else planned, ROBB got back on his bike and headed over.

A short while later, he arrived.

"You're late," Bheema said.

"I came the moment I saw your message."

"Which was thirty minutes ago."

"I needed preparation time."

"For what?"

"For riding my bike."

Bheema rolled his eyes.

The two spent the evening talking.

College.

Future plans.

Funny memories.

Random nonsense.

Yet throughout the conversation, ROBB noticed something.

Bheema smiled.

He laughed.

But there was sadness hidden behind his eyes.

As though something was weighing heavily on him.

ROBB considered asking.

But chose not to.

If Bheema wanted to talk about it, he would.

Hours passed before either of them realized.

Eventually, ROBB stood up.

"I should get going."

"See you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

Before leaving, ROBB placed a key on a nearby table while checking a message on his phone.

Then he casually walked out.

Completely forgetting about it.

The key belonged to his late father's old house.

A house that had remained empty for years.

---

Night had already fallen when ROBB's phone rang.

"Hello?"

A deep voice answered.

"Is this ROBB?"

"Yes."

"My name is Raghav."

ROBB immediately recognized him.

Raghav was a fifty-six-year-old man interested in renting his late father's old house.

"Oh, Mr. Raghav."

"I was hoping we could meet tonight."

"Sure."

"I'd like to discuss the house and inspect it before making a final decision."

"No problem."

The two agreed on a location and ended the call.

---

A short while later, ROBB arrived on his bike and met Raghav.

The older man appeared friendly and straightforward.

They spent some time discussing rent, maintenance, and other details.

Everything seemed to be going well.

Finally, Raghav nodded.

"The house sounds perfect."

ROBB smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Then let's go take a look."

ROBB confidently reached into his pocket.

Then froze.

His smile vanished.

He checked again.

Another pocket.

Then another.

Nothing.

His eyes widened.

The key.

The house key.

Earlier that evening, while visiting Bheema, he had left it on the table.

And forgotten all about it.

Raghav noticed his reaction.

"Something wrong?"

ROBB rubbed his forehead.

"I left the key at my friend's house."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Raghav laughed.

"That important, huh?"

"Unfortunately."

"Go get it. We can inspect the house afterward."

ROBB let out an embarrassed sigh.

"Sorry."

"It happens."

With that, ROBB quickly got back onto his bike.

---

The streets were mostly empty.

Streetlights illuminated the road ahead as ROBB rode through the city.

His mind replayed the mistake over and over.

"How do you forget a house key when someone is literally waiting for it?"

He shook his head.

Then—

A bright light suddenly appeared ahead.

His eyes widened.

A car.

It was moving far too fast.

"What the—"

The headlights rushed toward him.

The roar of the engine filled the night.

ROBB tried to react.

Too late.

CRASH!

A deafening impact echoed through the street.

His bike was thrown aside.

Pain exploded throughout his body.

The world spun violently.

Lights blurred.

Sounds faded.

And then...

Everything became dark.

End of Chapter 1