The gym was electric with tension as Jared ramped up his training. After hearing about Super Light's arrogant rise, he had barely taken a break, pushing his limits in preparation for their inevitable clash. The punching bag, which once absorbed his frustration, now lay in tatters in the corner, replaced by a more durable, reinforced model that still struggled to handle his blows.
Kaia watched silently from the sidelines, occasionally stealing glances at Jared as he worked. She had always admired his determination, but this time, there was something different, an edge, a ferocity in his focus. It was clear that Super Light had gotten under his skin.
"Jared," Kaia called out, breaking the silence. "Don't overdo it. You're already stronger than half the useless villains on the Receipt list."
Jared paused mid-punch, turning to face her with a smirk. "Stronger isn't enough. Not if I want to crush him."
Kaia sighed but smiled. "Fine. But you'll need to keep your ass up when you face him. Don't let his Idiotic taunts get to you."
Later that night, Jared sat in the dimly lit gym, a towel draped around his neck. The air was cool, the hum of the fluorescent lights the only sound. Kaia had gone home for the evening, leaving Jared alone with his thoughts. He stared at the TV mounted on the wall, replaying footage of Super Light from the news. The man's afterimages, his lightning-fast movements, and his smug demeanor
It all replayed in Jared's mind like a taunt.
He clenched his fists. "Speed, huh?" he muttered. "Let's see how fast you really are. Douchebag!"
The next day, Jared stood atop a skyscraper overlooking the bustling city below. Kaia had sent him the location of Super Light's latest attack a bank heist in the downtown district. From his vantage point, Jared could see the chaos unfolding. Super Light zipped in and out of the bank, carrying sacks of money faster than the security cameras could track. Police cars surrounded the area, but none of the officers dared approach. Their fear was palpable.
"Pathetic," Jared muttered under his breath. He leaped off the building, landing with a thunderous crash that sent a shockwave rippling through the street. The impact cracked the pavement, and the sound drew the attention of everyone in the vicinity, including Super Light.
The flashy villain stepped out of the bank, his arms full of cash, his afterimages trailing behind him like a spectral entourage. He stopped abruptly, his bright white-and-black suit gleaming in the sunlight as he noticed Jared.
"Well, well," Super Light drawled, his voice dripping with condescension. "If it isn't the wannabe Asshole guy from the lower ranks. What brings you here? Looking for an autograph?"
Jared's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I'm here to put an end to your little show."
Super Light laughed, a sharp, grating sound that echoed across the street. "End my show? You've got jokes! Do you have any idea who you're talking to? I'm the fastest thing alive. You won't even be able to touch me."
Jared's smirk was ice-cold. "We'll see about that."
Super Light's eyes gleamed with amusement as he took a step forward. "Tell you what. I'll give you a five-second head start. Go ahead! run. Maybe if you're lucky, I'll let you keep your dignity."
Jared didn't move. He didn't flinch. Instead, he cracked his knuckles, his gaze locked onto Super Light. The tension was palpable, the crowd that had gathered watching with bated breath.
"Suit yourself," Super Light said with a shrug. Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished.
The air around Jared shifted, a whirlwind of movement and sound as Super Light's afterimages darted around him. The villain's voice echoed from every direction, taunting him.
"Too slow! Too predictable! You're nothing but an--"
Before Super Light could finish his sentence, Jared moved. Faster than the human eye could track, Jared lunged forward, his hand outstretched. There was a deafening *boom* as Jared's speed shattered the sound barrier, dispersing Super Light's afterimages in an instant.
The crowd gasped as Jared's hand closed around Super Light's neck, lifting him off the ground. For the first time, the arrogant villain's expression shifted from smug confidence to wide-eyed shock.
"W-what—how?!" Super Light stammered, his voice trembling.
Jared tightened his grip, his red eyes glowing faintly as he leaned in. "You're not as fast as you think, douchebag!!" he growled.
With a powerful throw, Jared sent Super Light hurtling across the street, the villain's body crashing into the side of a building. The impact left a massive dent in the structure, and Super Light groaned as he slumped to the ground.
Jared walked toward him, his steps slow and deliberate. The crowd parted to let him through, their murmurs of disbelief growing louder with each passing second.
Super Light struggled to his feet, his once-pristine suit now torn and covered in dust. He glared at Jared, his expression a mix of rage and desperation.
"You got lucky!" he spat. "That's all!"
Jared smirked, cracking his knuckles again. "Lucky? Let's go again. I'll show you the difference between us. Douchebag."
Super Light hesitated, his confidence clearly shaken. He glanced around, realizing that the crowd was no longer cheering for him. The smug grin he had worn so confidently was gone, replaced by a look of fear.
Jared stopped a few feet away, crossing his arms. "What's wrong? Scared?"
The villain clenched his fists, his body trembling with frustration. But before he could make a move, the sound of approaching sirens filled the air. Police reinforcements were on their way, and Super Light knew he was out of time.
"This isn't over! I will make you fuck yourself for calling me a douchebag!" he shouted, his voice cracking as he darted away, disappearing into the distance with a trail of afterimages.
Jared watched him go, his expression calm and unreadable. He knew Super Light would be back, but that didn't bother him. If anything, it made him more determined.
As the crowd erupted into cheers, Jared turned and walked away, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Back at the gym, Kaia was waiting for him, a worried look on her face. When Jared walked in, she immediately rushed to his side.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Jared nodded, dropping onto a bench with a satisfied sigh. "He ran away. Guess he couldn't handle the pressure."
Kaia smiled softly, handing him a water bottle. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Jared chuckled, taking a long drink. "Not yet," he said, his eyes gleaming with determination. "But I'm getting there."
Kaia rolls an eye as she sat down on a nearby seat
"Yeah,yeah, don't hurt yourself too much. Idiot."
Then Jared has an idea
"I think since I defeated CockMan, I should be up in the leaderboard somewhere. Maybe I should check and see Miss vang."
Kaia raised an eyebrow.