Jared's fists pounded into the heavy bag with rhythmic precision. Each strike sent it swinging violently, the force behind his punches evident in the loud *thwack* that echoed through the gym. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his breath was steady as he threw jab after jab, letting his raw power speak through every hit. The gym was quiet this early in the morning, with only the hum of the ceiling fans and the occasional creak of the old building breaking the silence.
Just as Jared landed a particularly powerful right hook, the door creaked open. Kaia, wearing her usual bright smile, walked in earlier than usual, her presence instantly lifting the atmosphere. Jared paused for a second, wiping his brow with the back of his hand as he greeted her.
"Morning, Kaia," he said, grabbing a bottle of water from the nearby bench and taking a long drink. He extended another bottle to her. "Want some?"
Kaia shook her head with a smile, "I'm good, thanks." She placed her gym bag down at the reception desk, then waved over her shoulder as she headed toward the locker rooms. "Be right back."
Jared nodded and took another gulp of water, feeling his muscles relax for just a moment before he was back at it. His fists collided with the punching bag once again, each blow releasing the tension that had been building since his fight with CockMan. Every strike was a reminder that he was still far from reaching his goal—to be the #1 villain.
A minute later, Kaia returned from the changing room. She was dressed in thick black yoga pants and a tight-fitted yoga shirt, her pink hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. Her smile was warm, and her eyes sparkled as she watched Jared continue to hammer away at the bag, admiring his hard work and dedication.
"You're relentless," she teased, walking past him and heading toward the small TV mounted in the corner of the gym. "Do you ever take a break?"
Jared smirked, his eyes never leaving the bag as he threw another punch. "I'll rest when I'm #1."
Kaia chuckled softly as she turned on the TV, the volume automatically adjusting to a moderate level. The morning news came into focus, a typical broadcast of weather updates and trivial reports. But something quickly caught both of their attention. The news anchor's tone shifted to something more serious, and the headline plastered across the screen was bold and attention-grabbing:
**"NEW VILLAIN ON THE RISE: SUPER LIGHT AIMING FOR TOP 5 SPOT IN VILLAIN CO RANKINGS!"**
Jared's fist paused mid-punch as he heard the announcement, and he raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. Kaia's attention was also fully on the screen now, her smile fading as she sensed the importance of what was being reported.
The screen cut to a video clip of a man in a sleek, black-and-white suit zipping through the streets at a blistering speed. His figure was a blur, leaving a trail of glowing afterimages that confused both bystanders and authorities. The man's face was hidden behind a mask, but his eyes gleamed with confidence and arrogance. The reporter's voiceover added to the growing tension in the room.
"This new villain, calling himself 'Super Light,' has been making waves across the city. His lightning-fast speed has allowed him to evade capture effortlessly, and his ability to create afterimages makes it nearly impossible for anyone to know where he truly is. Authorities are baffled by his precision and control, and already, Villain Co's rankings committee has taken notice. Super Light is now expected to climb to the number five spot within the rankings by the end of the week."
The screen cut to footage of Super Light single-handedly taking down a squad of heroes. His movements were so fast that the heroes were left swinging at thin air, unable to keep up with him. In another clip, Super Light dashed through a series of buildings, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake as entire structures crumbled behind him. His smirk, even behind the mask, was unmistakable.
Jared's brow furrowed, his fists tightening as he watched. There was something about Super Light's arrogance, his smugness, that instantly rubbed Jared the wrong way. He hated the showy type—those who flaunted their power without any real substance to back it up. The way Super Light moved, the way he taunted heroes like they were beneath him, struck a nerve deep within Jared.
"That guy's a punk," Jared muttered under his breath, his frustration growing as the reporter continued.
"Super Light claims that no one can match his speed, and he has already set his sights on the top five rankings of Villain Co. His ultimate goal, however, is to surpass all current competitors and become the #1 villain, a title that many say is well within his reach."
Kaia glanced at Jared, noticing the way his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. Before she could say anything, she felt his hand slip around her waist, pulling her slightly closer. The contact was brief, but it sent a rush of warmth through her body, and she couldn't help the blush that rose to her cheeks.
Together, they stood in front of the TV, watching as Super Light boasted about his superiority in an interview. His voice was cocky, his words dripping with arrogance. "No one can catch me. I'm untouchable. Anyone who thinks they can stop me is just deluding themselves."
Jared's grip on Kaia's waist tightened for a moment before he realized what he was doing and released her. He stepped forward, cracking his knuckles, his eyes still locked on the screen. His mind was made up.
"Looks like I've got someone to take down before I can be #1," he said, his voice low but determined.
Kaia, still flustered from the brief contact, watched him with wide eyes. She could see the fire in his gaze, the sheer determination that radiated from him. She didn't need to ask if he was serious, she knew he was. Jared wasn't the type to let someone like Super Light stand in his way.
As the news report ended, Jared turned away from the TV and faced the punching bag again. But this time, his punches were fueled by something different. There was an edge to his movements, a precision that hadn't been there before. His focus was no longer on the simple task of training, it was on something bigger.
Jared threw one last powerful punch, sending the bag swinging wildly, before looking back at Kaia. She was still standing by the TV, her blush having faded but her expression serious.
"I'm going to crush him," Jared said, his voice cold and confident. "Super Light doesn't know what real speed is."
Kaia nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I believe you."
As Jared cracked his neck and loosened his shoulders, the gym felt charged with a new kind of energy. This wasn't just about training anymore. This was a battle for supremacy, and Jared had his sights set on taking down anyone who dared stand in his way, starting with Super Light. And he WILL make it to top 1 spot.