Chapter 2: More Than Just an Ordinary Kid
Panting. Huff, huff. Van struggled to steady his breath. Did he notice me? Or maybe… he did.
"You know, sometimes you can be really weird, Van." Dame's voice snapped him from his thoughts.
At the corner of the room, a boy stood with his arms crossed, watching Van with a smug expression.
"Well, aren't you the silent observer?" Van mused sarcastically.
"I could ask you the same thing." Dame smirked.
Van's eye twitched. "You… I'm gonna wipe that smirk off your annoying face!"
"I'd like to see you try, Mr. Lightbulb." Dame chuckled.
Without another word, Van grabbed a pillow and launched it straight at Dame. The other boy dodged, retaliating instantly, and soon, the room erupted into a chaotic pillow battle.
---
In a makeshift dojo
In a dojo, a middle-aged man sat cross-legged, his entire body glowing with a golden aura. His breathing was steady, his presence powerful.
"That boy… if he saw me using my Beast Ki, things might get complicated." His fingers brushed against his long beard. "And that pendant around his neck… it's far too familiar. If my suspicions are correct, then that child… is more than just ordinary."
The old man chuckled softly, his gaze distant.
"Well then, young one… our paths will cross again."
---
Back at the Orphanage…
"You never told me about the new table tennis table they installed in the game room," Van said, pointing an accusing finger at Dame.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't blame me! You're the one who enjoys spying on people while they do their thing. Honestly, you remind me of those ninja guys in cartoons," Dame teased.
Van rolled his eyes. "Would you quit talking about things that aren't real and just lose to me already?"
"Oh? You wanna challenge me? Bring it on!" Dame smirked.
The match began, the sound of paddles smacking the ball filling the room.
---
In a Warehouse…
In a dimly lit warehouse, men in sleek red and black jumpsuits moved swiftly, packing crates of laundered money, drugs, gold, and advanced technology. The scent of smoke filled the air as a tall, muscular man with a cigar observed them with irritation.
"Wrap it up, boys! We ain't got all day," Zack grumbled. "You guys are slow as fuck."
With a flash of bright blue light in his eyes, Zack vanished from sight, only to reappear a second later across the warehouse.
"Oh, right. I forgot—you can't move like me." He smirked.
"Quit it, Zack." A tall, chubby man wearing red-and-gold gauntlets grumbled. "We all know you're a Kenai with superhuman speed. Can you stop rubbing it in?"
Zack turned to him, smirking. "Heyyy, Blubber, the last time I checked, I'm the one in charge here. So maybe you should shut up."
The chubby man—Theodore—crossed his arms. "I wonder why they put a whining cheetah in charge."
Zack's grin faltered. "What was that, Blubber?"
"Why don't you come over here and find out?" Theodore taunted, stepping forward, his gauntlets glowing with golden energy.
Before the fight could break out, the sound of a car engine echoed through the warehouse.
"Vroom, vroom! The next package is here, sir!" a worker announced.
Zack's smirk returned. "Looks like you're lucky today, Blubber. Next time, you won't be."
---
A New Arrival…
A man in luxurious clothing, draped in gold chains and watches, stepped into the warehouse. His eyes scanned the operation with disappointment.
"I thought you boys would be done by now," he sighed. "The boss won't be happy about this."
"Relax, Anthon," Zack said. "Everything's under control."
Anthon raised an eyebrow. "Sure it is." He tossed a small black metallic cube onto the table. "Anyway, I brought the Nexanium."
The room fell silent.
"That stuff is insane," Theodore muttered. "Even Goliath probably can't break it."
"The boss knows his stuff," Zack praised.
Before anyone could respond—
Wium! Wium! Wium!
Police sirens blared outside the warehouse.
Anthon clenched his jaw. "Tch. When will these blue zebras learn?" He sighed. "Nothing stomps on the Grim Cartel."
Outside, police officers lined up, their megaphones blasting.
"All operations must cease immediately! This warehouse is under investigation! We demand to inspect the premises!"
Zack cracked his knuckles, his eyes glowing dangerously.
"Let me handle this," Theodore stepped in, blocking his path.
"Move, Blubber."
"No. There's a smarter way to do this," Theodore insisted. "We don't need unnecessary deaths."
Zack rolled his eyes. "Fine. Ten minutes. Get rid of them, or I will."
---
Outside the Warehouse…
Theodore approached the officers with a calm smile.
"Good evening, officers. What seems to be the problem?"
One of the officers stepped forward. "We received reports of illegal shipments being moved here. We need to take a look inside."
Theodore nodded. "I understand. How about this—come back tomorrow, and I'll have all the papers ready for you."
The officers exchanged glances. They seemed to be considering it.
Then—
BANG!
A loud explosion shook the warehouse.
Theodore's expression darkened. "Damn it…"
The officers instantly turned hostile, raising their weapons.
"Looks like we're doing things my way," Zack grinned, vanishing in a blur of blue light.
In a flash, Zack hurled a barrage of stones at the police cars—at lightning speed. Windows shattered, sirens died, and officers were sent flying.
Gunfire erupted.
Zack's sharp blue eyes gleamed with bloodlust.
"You're all dead."
In just five seconds, he massacred every police officer.
The workers watching from inside felt a chill run down their spines. Zack was a monster.
Anthon sighed, shaking his head. "You just had to make a mess, didn't you?"
Theodore pinched his forehead. "This is going to be all over the news tomorrow…