Kingpin remained calm as Yi talked about internal strength. "The smallest unit doesn't matter," Kingpin said, waving his hand dismissively. "All that matters is proving it can be transferred between people."
Bullseye nodded. "So, what's the next move? Should we hand out the Manual to our subordinates?"
"Not yet," Kingpin replied, leaning back in his chair. "Noah requested we keep this under wraps for a month. Let's spread the word that it's my exclusive training method for now."
Kingpin knew his subordinates all too well. If the cultivation method leaked, every two-bit thug would be practicing it by tomorrow.
"Noah?" Bullseye's interest piqued. "Is he the one who taught you this technique? And… are you seriously planning to make something this valuable public?"
Kingpin smirked. "Yes, the same Noah who wiped out every vampire in New York last night. As for making it public, think about it. If we want maximum gain, we need as many people as possible practicing the technique. Secrets don't stay hidden forever. Better we control the narrative and leverage it for political power—like a mayoral bid."
Kingpin's gaze turned sharp. "Besides, Noah is no fool. If he's sharing this, he's got more up his sleeve. Best not to push him."
He paused before adding, "Here's the plan: send some of our men to Africa. Offer the warlords tens of millions to round up 100,000 people for us."
His subordinates exchanged glances, quickly catching on. Kingpin foresaw that once Zixia's art spread, the demand for test subjects would skyrocket, driving prices up. This was his chance to stockpile resources.
Meanwhile, the internet was ablaze with a viral video of Noah's battle against the vampires. News outlets touted him as a hero, a symbol of humanity's strength in the face of mutant threats.
Clips of his superhuman speed and strength captivated viewers. Slow-motion replays showed him moving at 100 meters per second, faster than the eye could follow. Fans were awestruck by his punches, which struck like cannonballs, leaving craters in the ground.
Some eagle-eyed netizens recognized him as the same mysterious figure who thwarted a bank robbery just ten days prior. Noah's reputation as a vigilante hero soared.
Back in his apartment, Noah—was rudely awakened by his phone's jarring ringtone.
"Hello?" Noah groaned, his voice still thick with sleep.
A polite voice on the other end spoke quickly. "Good morning, Mr. White. This is Yak. Mr. Fisk sent us to assist you. We're waiting at Aiken Stadium. Are you available?"
Noah yawned, stretching under the blanket. "Got it. I'll be there in three minutes."
"Going out again?" Camilla, lounging beside him, asked. Her body still tingled from last night's "workout." Despite being a vampire, even she felt drained. Yet, the experience was exhilarating.
"Yeah, I've got stuff to handle. There's blood in the fridge—help yourself if you're hungry," Noah replied casually before vanishing into the shadows.
In the city streets, Noah's sprint was barely perceptible to onlookers. The faint rhythmic thuds of his footsteps were the only sign of his passage. He made it to Aiken Stadium in just under three minutes.
At the stadium, a group of engineers awaited him, their faces betraying a mix of awe and nerves.
"You're the team Fisk mentioned?" Noah asked, his gaze sharp.
Yak, the team leader, stepped forward. "Yes, sir. We're here to fulfill your requirements. What modifications do you need?"
Noah outlined his vision: a customized stamping machine for extreme training. The engineers nodded, quickly catching on to the intricate specifications.
"Good," Noah said. "Get to work. I'll check back later."
From the stadium, Noah headed to the factory where Smith had been overseeing the construction of his temporary training equipment. Inside, a massive steel stamping machine stood ready.
Smith greeted him with a grin. "Noah, this is it! We've modified the machine to meet your specs."
He gestured to the setup. "Once you're strapped in, the machine will apply 200 tons of force to your body at a rate of 20 strikes per second. Meanwhile, your lower body will be compressed evenly, and your free arms can handle weights for additional training."
Smith pointed to a set of wires. "Oh, and this connects to a generator. When activated, it'll send an electric current through your body to enhance muscle response. No rest required—just pure, continuous training."
Noah examined the machine, his expression unreadable. "Looks good. Let's test it out."
Minutes later, Noah was strapped into the machine. The restraints held him firmly in place as the mechanism hummed to life. With a nod to Smith, Noah gave the signal.
The machine roared, delivering precise, bone-shaking blows to Noah's body. Sparks flew as electricity coursed through him, pushing his muscles to their limits.
"Now this," Noah said through gritted teeth, "is what I call a proper workout."
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I am very lost on where to take this story. And I already have a lot of ideas for other stories. And the fanfiction I talked about in an announcement was shelved because of my exams... I will only write it if I'm able to pass. So, pray for me.