The rainstorm finally stops. As the dark clouds disperse, Raymond continues his rampage through the streets, shattering one glass window after another. His eyes are wild, clouded by a vengeful fury that seems to consume him. The quiet echo of breaking glass fills the air, and the city trembles in the aftermath of his violent spree. The damage is catastrophic, with the loss toll exceeding millions of dollars, leaving storefronts in ruins and citizens in fear.
Michael’s Mission:
Before stepping into the midday heat, Michael turns to his four remaining underlings. “This mission isn’t for you,” he says firmly. “Raymond’s too dangerous, and weaklings like you would only get in my way.” The team already lost their newest member, Sausage-Lips, just days ago, and he isn’t willing to risk more lives.
Under the harsh glare of the midday sun, Michael trails Raymond, keeping a careful distance as he watches in silence. Raymond tears down the street, smashing storefronts with merciless precision. But Michael waits, calculating—it’s not yet the time to strike. He needs the perfect setup, a place where the odds will bend to his favor.
Raymond’s fists pound into the concrete, each impact detonating shockwaves that ripple outward, warping the solid ground. Even from a distance, Michael feels the tremors, a stark reminder of the deadly risk of confronting him on open ground. His eyes shift upward, scanning for anything sturdy—a ceiling beam, an overhead banner frame, a suspended art installation—that could keep him aloft, out of reach of those bone-crushing vibrations. He’ll strike, but only when he identifies an advantageous location.
As he stalks his prey, memories flood Michael’s mind. He recalls the scene from the skyscraper where he and Colin overlooked a previous encounter between Raymond and the police. Colin, with his Golden Eyes activated, scans the battlefield with an analytical gaze. “What do you see, boss?” Michael asks curiosity etched on his face.
Colin responds, his tone steady and insightful. “Captain Lam. You’ll find yourself and Raymond are perfectly evenly matched. To defeat him, you’ll need a split second of opening.” He pauses, his expression shifting as he continues. “But remember, your mission is not just to stop him. You must ask him to join the Humboldt Association—by force if necessary.” Michael nods, the weight of Colin’s words settling heavily in his mind. This mission isn’t about public safety or restoring peace; it’s about advancing the Association’s agenda and serving Colin’s own interests.
Setting the Stage for Battle:
As they enter the mall, Michael spots exactly what he needs—high ceilings with decorations and fixtures hanging from above. This is the battleground he’s been searching for. Taking a deep breath, he steps forward to approach Raymond.
“Raymond, join the Humboldt Association,” Michael says, his voice steady. “We could use your strength. You don’t have to keep destroying everything.”
But Raymond is deaf to his words, his eyes clouded and lost in the chaos swirling around him. The only sound he seems to register is the shattering glass around him. He mutters dismissively, “You’re wasting your breath. I hear only the sound of breaking glass.”
“I take it as a no, then?” Michael replies, trying to remain calm. “I respect your decision. I’ll just leave you alone, then. I’ll be heading on my way.”
It’s a lie, a calculated move to lower Raymond’s guard. As Michael strides past him, he suddenly spins around, launching a swift, powerful kick straight into Raymond’s chest. The impact is devastating, sending Raymond hurtling into a concrete wall several meters away. Blood spurts from his mouth as his body crumples to the ground with a dull thud.
It would have been far easier for Michael to finish Raymond with a single blow—be it a swift hand chop to behead him or a sharp stab to the heart to end the fight quickly—if it wasn’t for the mission to capture him alive. Frustration simmered just beneath his calm exterior as he assessed the unfolding situation, meticulously weighing his options in a moment thick with tension.
The mall falls silent, but only for a heartbeat. Shoppers and bystanders, drawn in by the spectacle, converge around the scene. They stand in awe, mesmerized by the confrontation unfolding in the middle of the bustling space. It’s a rare sight—a clash of titans in real life—and most of them fail to grasp the peril. Enraptured by the drama, they remain blissfully unaware that standing too close could lead to serious injuries—or worse.
As Michael surveys the crowd, his expression remains calm and emotionless. They’re far too close for comfort. One misstep, and Raymond’s concussion punch could unleash shockwaves through the ground, knocking people unconscious—or worse. Yet, Michael feels careless about the fate of these strangers; his focus is unwavering, fixed solely on the fight. Raymond has already regained his footing, wiping blood from his mouth, his eyes blazing with defiance as he prepares for the next round.
Fight Begins:
Raymond swings a wild punch at Michael, who effortlessly dodges it with a graceful sidestep. In response, Michael retaliates with a quick kick aimed at Raymond’s ribs, but Raymond anticipates the move and blocks it with his forearm.
Undeterred, Raymond launches a powerful swing intended to catch Michael off guard, but Michael bends down beneath the fist, using the momentum to spring back into a counterattack. The two fighters continue to exchange blows, each matching the other’s speed and strength. It becomes a relentless dance of strikes and blocks, drawing gasps and shouts from the onlookers.
The intensity of their battle escalates as they trade more than a hundred exchanges, neither gaining a decisive advantage. Raymond’s fists strike like hammers, powerful and relentless, while Michael’s agility allows him to evade most attacks with grace. The crowd around them gasps and cheers, captivated by the breathtaking display of skill and ferocity, their eyes glued to the fierce confrontation unfolding before them.
Michael, quick as a flash, launches a flurry of punches, but Raymond blocks each one by crossing his arms in front of his chest like a shield. Then, with a sudden explosion of force, Raymond smashes his fist into the ground, unleashing his signature move—the concussion punch. The resulting shockwaves send massive vibrations rippling through the mall, causing nearby shoppers to stagger, some suffering concussions and vomiting from the sheer intensity of the impact. The smell of bile quickly fills the air, adding to the chaos and making the mall reek with an unmistakable stench.
Every time Michael thinks he has the upper hand, Raymond proves resilient, absorbing the hits and countering with brutal force. The battle drags on, both fighters locked in a fierce stalemate, each refusing to yield. Sweat drips from their brows, breaths growing heavier, yet their determination remains unshaken, fueling the relentless clash between them.
Michael glances around, breathing heavily as his energy begins to deplete. He desperately seeks an opening—a split second to turn the tide.
In a moment of quick thinking, Michael seizes the opportunity to grab a nearby cup of hot tea from a bystander and hurls it at Raymond, aiming to catch him off guard. The hot liquid splashes across Raymond’s face, and he reacts instantly, his eyes burning from the boiling tea. Clutching his face with both hands, he stumbles back, roaring in pain as the surprise attack takes him off guard.
Sock Attack:
Seizing the moment of his opponent’s vulnerability, Michael quickly removes one of his shoes and then his sock, preparing for his infamous sock attack. But just as he is about to strike, Raymond displays a cunning smirk for the first time. It takes Michael off guard; he never thought this rampaging madman could possess emotions—let alone intelligence.
In that fleeting moment, Raymond capitalizes on Michael’s surprise. His earlier act of feigning blindness from the hot tea had lured Michael in closer than intended. As Michael moves to execute his sock attack, Raymond unleashes a sudden and powerful concussive punch to Michael’s gut, catching him completely off guard. The blow sends vibrations coursing through Michael’s body, powerful enough to knock out an ordinary fighter.
As the shockwave hits, Michael’s golden flame glasses—his prized possession—shatter into pieces. The golden flame remains intact, but the glasses, like every other glass object around, are no match for Raymond’s vibrations. Michael, severely nearsighted, is now at a distinct disadvantage.
Despite the damage, Michael’s body holds up, his strength preventing a full concussion. He coughs up a small amount of blood but remains standing, his focus unwavering. However, his sock, which has been flung from his hand during the blow, flies into the mouth of an unsuspecting bystander. The poor man swallows it and collapses instantly, unconscious.
Raymond, witnessing the effect of the sock, realizes that it is a dangerous weapon in Michael’s arsenal. He needs to be careful.
Now at a disadvantage due to his poor eyesight, Michael finds himself receiving more hits. Raymond’s concussive punches keep coming, and though Michael is growing more accustomed to the vibrations, he knows he can’t keep up for much longer. As blows are exchanged, Raymond suddenly executes a sweeping kick, tripping Michael and sending him crashing to the ground.
Before he can recover, Raymond seizes the moment. He yanks off Michael’s other shoe and grabs the remaining sock, shoving it into Michael’s mouth with brute force. Pinning Michael to the ground with his entire body weight, Raymond presses his elbow against Michael’s jaw, preventing him from spitting the sock out.
Time is running out for Michael. His breathing becomes shallow as he struggles beneath Raymond’s oppressive weight. Desperate, Michael uses both of his arms to grab Raymond’s elbow, pushing with all his might. To his shock, Raymond feels himself being lifted. Michael’s strength is incredible—he is forcing Raymond’s entire body upward.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Michael spits the sock out. But it isn’t far enough—just as the sock reaches the edge of his mouth, Raymond uses his free hand to press it back in, covering Michael’s mouth with his palm. Michael fights to push Raymond’s hand away, but the foul smell of the sock overwhelms his senses. He can’t make it in time; the stench is overpowering, causing his arms to drop limply as he faints.
Aftermath:
The mall falls silent, the watching crowd too stunned to speak. They can’t believe it. Captain Michael Lam, the formidable Class A fighter, has been defeated. Raymond stands victorious, his chest heaving with heavy breaths. Without wasting a moment, he resumes his rampage, smashing glass windows in the vicinity, his fury seemingly insatiable.
As videos of the fight flood social media, they go viral on platforms like YouTube, spreading shock and awe across the city. People can’t get enough of the spectacle, and the footage fuels a growing sense of fear and fascination.
The news of Raymond’s destruction spreads like wildfire through the streets. The authorities scramble to contain the situation as fear ripples through the community. At the police station, an emergency meeting is called. Police chief Grayson, along with other officials, gathers in a tense room to discuss their next steps. To everyone’s surprise, the strongest S-class fighter on Earth is present, ready to weigh in on the chaotic events unfolding in the city.
With the tension thick in the air, a question lingers: Can even the most powerful fighter hope to stop Raymond’s rampage, or has the chaos only just begun?
Micheal is quite strong!