BANG!
The sound of the gunshot sliced through the air like a sudden thunderclap. All senses in the area seemed to freeze for a moment. A golden-tipped bullet flew like a spear of judgment, aimed straight at the head of the man who had been smiling cruelly.
But it wasn’t enough.
With almost insulting calm, the villain raised his hand and… stopped the bullet with a single finger.
“Another crazy one coming to bother me,” he muttered angrily, clearly annoyed.
His eyes turned to the source of the shot—and then he saw him: a figure walking slowly toward the scene. He wasn’t running, yelling, or showing any urgency. Just walking, as if he’d stepped out of his car to grab a coffee.
The man wore a perfectly tailored dark three-piece suit. He had sunglasses on despite the cloudy sky, and an expression of serenity that bordered on indifference. His thick, full beard was neatly groomed, and his hairstyle seemed immune to the wind that carried dust across the asphalt.
“I really don’t like people who pick on the weak,” he said calmly, as if discussing business and not facing down an attempted murderer. “Messing with kids… that’s for cowards, don’t you think?”
The villain looked at him with a mix of confusion and mockery.
“And who the hell are you, you crazy bastard? You think you’re in a damn movie? Walking in like Robocop at a crime scene—if you’re gonna do something, do it, you clown in a suit.”
“Wooow, easy there, buddy. You should relax and take one last look at the sky,” the man replied, with the faintest smile. “You know this isn’t going to end well for you.”
The villain let out a dry snort of laughter. He glanced at the bullet still pinched between his fingers, spun it once, and dropped it to the ground.
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“What is this crap? Bullets? Where’d you even get this? Don’t you know these things are obsolete?”
“I like antiques,” the man said as he calmly buttoned his coat, with the poise of a surgeon. “I thought it’d be enough for someone like you. Why don’t you play with me and leave the kids alone?”
The tension stretched like a string about to snap.
“Fine then, you bearded bastard,” the villain growled, stepping forward. “Let’s play. I needed to test a new technique anyway.”
“I always have time for a good fight,” said the man with a half-smile. “But in your case, I think it’ll be more of a one-sided beatdown.”
At that moment, the man in the suit turned slightly to the side, without even looking directly, and said in a neutral tone:
“Hey kid, grab the girl and get out of here. This won’t be pretty.”
Axel nodded and ran off with the girl in his arms. Fueled by adrenaline, his body seemed to draw energy from nowhere.
Then the suited man turned his attention back to the villain, now removing his black leather gloves.
“I’ll give you the honor of the first strike. Let’s see if you can surprise me.”
The supposed villain didn’t need any more invitation. He crouched like a sprinter at the starting line and launched forward at ridiculous speed. He looked like he might break the sound barrier. When he reached the man, he aimed a punch straight at his face. The air vibrated so hard that a thick cloud of dust burst up from the impact.
But the man didn’t move.
With an open palm, he stopped the punch cold.
A shockwave exploded from the point of contact. Dust, stones, and papers flew through the air. The concrete beneath their feet cracked with a deep growl.
The villain’s eyes widened in shock.
“How…?” he muttered.
The man brushed the dust off his shoulder with two fingers, unbothered.
“That was it?” he said, adjusting the collar of his shirt.
The villain took a step back. His smile was still there—but now, it was trembling.
“Interesting.”
“You still have a chance to back out,” the man offered. “You know it’s my turn now, and there’s nowhere to run.”
“DON’T YOU DARE UNDERESTIMATE ME, YOU ARROGANT PIECE OF SHIT!” the villain roared—and launched himself forward once again.
