Jared's heart thudded in his chest as he made his way through the bustling streets, his gaze fixed on the towering glass building ahead. It loomed high above the city, its sleek, modern design reflecting the sunlight, casting a dark shadow over the people below. The sign above the entrance read, in bold letters, "Become Villain.Co - Rewrite Your Future".
Around him, others walked with purpose, each one drawn to the same destination. Some were tall and imposing, others wiry and sharp-eyed, all of them dressed far better than Jared. His worn clothes and unkempt appearance made him stand out, but no one seemed to care. They were all too focused on their own ambitions, on their own hunger for power.
Jared's stomach growled loudly as he approached the building, a sharp reminder of his days surviving on scraps. The scent of grilled meat from a nearby food truck almost pulled him off course, but he shook his head, refocusing on the task ahead.
This was his chance. This was the moment that could change everything.
As he stepped through the revolving doors, the first thing that hit him was how cold it was inside. The building's air conditioning was turned up high, making him shiver in his thin, dirty clothes. The lobby was enormous, with sleek marble floors, high ceilings, and dark, metallic walls that gleamed under the bright overhead lights. Large screens on the walls displayed various villain recruitment advertisements, showcasing footage of dangerous looking people in elaborate uniforms, commanding armies of machines or causing widespread chaos.
Jared's eyes were drawn to the front desk, where a line of people waited, eager to sign up. But it wasn't the line that caught his attention..it was the woman standing behind the counter.
She was stunning, with jet-black hair pulled into a high ponytail, her eyes sharp and cold beneath thick lashes. Her black leather outfit was tight, accentuating every curve, and a pair of sleek, red glasses sat perched on her nose, giving her an air of cold, calculating precision. She didn't just command attention, she demanded it. Her very presence made the air feel tenser, heavier.
Jared had seen her before. She wasn't just any receptionist. she was Miss Vang, the queen of plans and gadgets. Top 12 in the Women's Bad League, but her confidence, the way she carried herself, made it clear she considered herself number one.
As Jared approached the desk, he could feel her eyes on him, appraising him like a predator sizing up weak prey. Her lips curled into a smirk as he stepped forward, his heart hammering in his chest.
"You here to sign up?" Miss Vang's voice was smooth, almost mocking. She didn't bother to hide her disdain as she looked him over, her eyes lingering on his stained shirt and the slight wobble of his belly as he shifted nervously from foot to foot. "You look horrible. Are you sure you've got the right place?"
Jared's throat went dry, but he nodded. "Y-Yes. I want to be a villain."
Her laugh was sharp and cold. "A villain, huh? Look at you. You're not cut out for this. You're barely surviving as it is." She leaned forward, her smirk widening. "You'd probably be the starvation causer, if anything. Just waste away before you even get a chance to do something evil."
Her words cut deep, the insult slicing through whatever fragile hope Jared had clung to. His vision blurred with sudden anger, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He could feel the heat rising in his chest, the pressure building in his head. His eyes, usually dull and tired, flashed with a sudden, unnatural red glow. For a brief moment, it felt like something was about to snap.
But then, just as quickly as the rage came, Jared forced it down. He couldn't afford to lose control. Not here. Not yet.
He lowered his gaze, his voice soft but steady. "Please… I need this. I want to sign up. I know I don't look like much, but… just give me a chance."
Miss Vang watched him closely, her smirk fading as she noticed the change in him, the brief flicker of power, the raw potential hidden beneath the surface. She studied him in silence for a long moment before leaning back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Begging, huh?" she said, her tone still sharp but less mocking. "That's a start, at least. You've got some kind of spark in there, but let's be real. if you want to survive in this world, you're going to need a hell of a lot more than just desperation. I don't let just anyone in."
Jared swallowed hard, nodding. "I'll do whatever it takes. Just… let me in. I can be more. I can be stronger."
Miss Vang tapped her fingers against the desk, considering him. Finally, she stood up, towering over him even from behind the counter. "Alright, fine. I'll give you a chance. But there's one condition."
Jared's breath caught in his throat. "What is it?"
Her eyes narrowed, her voice dropping low, almost a whisper. "You don't just sign up and survive. You become the strongest. Or you're out. No second chances."
Jared hesitated for only a second before nodding, his heart pounding. "I'll do it. I'll become the strongest."
Miss Vang smirked again, a glint of amusement in her eyes as she extended her hand toward him. "We'll see about that. Welcome to the world of villains, Jared. Don't disappoint me."
Jared's hand shook as he reached out, his fingers trembling as they closed around hers. The handshake was firm, her grip strong and unyielding. As they shook hands, a strange sense of finality settled over him.
This was it. His old life was gone, and something new, something darker, had taken its place.
The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Jared had taken his first step down the path to becoming the villain he was always meant to be.