Defeating A Villian

A/N: Looks like we reached both the goals of 100 powerstones and 150 powerstones, therefore there will be a Double Release on Monday, tomorrow. Since we easily hit our goal, the next goal is 200 powerstones for a Double Release, by next Sunday. Thanks for the support. Goal: 200 Powerstones by next Sunday.

---------------------------

Shiro crouched low in the forest, his massive Titan form carefully threading through the dense trees. Each step was measured; despite his colossal size, he ensured the trunks remained intact. 'I don't need to leave a trail for anyone to follow,' he thought. The ground trembled slightly with each step, but his meticulousness kept the damage minimal.

With his long strides, it didn't take long for him to reach the park. In a single smooth motion, Shiro stepped over the metal gate surrounding the park. His glowing eyes scanned the area, the full range of his metavision catching every movement within a wide radius.

Then, he saw it.

In his peripheral vision, a man with a grotesque drill protruding from his forehead was terrorizing the park. The villain moved erratically, swinging wildly at the terrified civilians. Several people were already lying injured on the ground, while others screamed and ran in every direction.

Shiro didn't hesitate.

He marched toward the chaos, the earth shuddering beneath his feet. The sight of his towering form stopped the fleeing civilians in their tracks. Their panicked screams ceased, replaced by a paralysing fear as they stared up at him, mouths wide.

The villain, too, froze when he saw Shiro's shadow looming over him. 'Mount Lady?' the villain thought as he turned slowly, the drill on his forehead whirring faintly. His face, initially filled with arrogance, twisted into terror when he realized Shiro wasn't the hero he expected.

"W-who the hell are you?!" the man yelled, his voice shaking. He grabbed a rock from the ground and hurled it at Shiro. The rock bounced harmlessly off his armored chest. "Stay back!"

The villain stumbled, trying to retreat, but his legs gave out beneath him. "My body… why can't I move?" he muttered, panic overtaking him. He crawled on all fours, desperately trying to escape, but his movements were sluggish and uncoordinated.

Shiro closed the gap in seconds. Reaching down with one massive hand, he effortlessly scooped the man off the ground, holding him by the back of his jacket like a child holding a doll.

The villain flailed weakly, his fear rendering him almost motionless. "P-put me down!" he stammered, his voice cracking.

Shiro tilted his head, scanning the area for a way to secure the man. 'I can't just leave him here,' he thought. His glowing eyes flicked from one corner of the park to another, but there was nothing immediately useful to restrain the villain.

Then an idea struck him.

'If I dig a hole deep enough, he won't be able to climb out,' Shiro reasoned. Carefully, he used his armored fingers to carve into the ground. The dirt yielded easily under his strength, and within moments, he had created a nine-foot-deep pit.

Satisfied with the depth, Shiro crouched down and gently lowered the villain into the hole. The man screamed incoherently, his words blending into panicked gibberish as he was deposited into the pit.

Shiro straightened and stepped back, surveying his work. 'That should do it,' he thought, nodding to himself.

[Congratulations! Mission Complete! Reward: 2000XP!]

The system's notification appeared at neck level.

'Great. Now to get out of here before someone shows up,' Shiro thought, turning back toward the forest. He paused, a grim realization dawning on him. 'Wait… the carcass. When I shift back, the Titan's body will remain. Shit. I didn't think this through completely.'

Groaning inwardly, Shiro hurried toward the dense cover of the trees. He moved swiftly, his massive frame weaving through the forest until he found a secluded spot far from the park.

Once he was certain no one was nearby, Shiro focused on reverting to his human form. The armor plating on his nape split open with a hiss, steam billowing out as his smaller body emerged. He stumbled slightly, climbing off the titan and onto the ground.

Behind him, the Titan's body slumped to the ground, the steam rising as it began to decompose rapidly. The armor melted away first, followed by the sinewy flesh, which peeled back to reveal the bare skeleton.

'The decomposition is faster than I remembered,' Shiro thought, his chest heaving from the exertion. Still, he didn't wait around to watch. He took off at a sprint, heading deeper into the forest and toward an alternate exit.

His thoughts raced as he ran. 'I can't afford to get caught. There are too many variables in this world—heroes, villains, the police… even the Hero Public Safety Commission. If anyone connects me to the Titan, it's over.'

He emerged from the forest into a quiet residential area, his pace slowing as he blended into the surroundings. 

…

Meanwhile, back at the park, the aftermath of the chaos was already in motion. Heroes and police had swarmed the scene, securing the injured civilians and gathering witness statements.

"What the hell happened here?" one officer muttered, staring down into the pit where the villain cowered.

"I don't know," the hero on the scene replied. "But whoever stopped this guy did it without leaving a trace."

Further into the forest, another figure was examining the half-decomposed Titan carcass. The man, dressed in a lab coat, crouched near the remains, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. He reached out to touch the steaming flesh but quickly withdrew his hand, the heat still too intense.

"This… isn't a quirk I've seen in any records," he murmured, his voice tinged with excitement. He adjusted his glasses and walked around the carcass, taking in every detail. "The body's decomposition is fascinating. It's almost like… it was designed to vanish without a trace."

The man paused, stroking his chin. "Could it be remotely controlled? Or…" He trailed off, his thoughts racing.

Glancing back at the park, he muttered to himself, "I'll have to report this to Master. If Master can attain this ability, its potential is… limitless."

…

Eight Years Later

The gym echoed with the sounds of sneakers squeaking against the hardwood floor and the rhythmic dribble of a basketball. Shiro stood at the top of the key, the ball in his hands. Two defenders hovered in front of him, their stances low and eyes locked on his every movement.

"Shiro, pass!" a teammate yelled, waving his arms in desperation.

Shiro didn't even glance in his direction. His focus was absolute, his Metavision allowing him to see every detail of the court without turning his head.

[Quest: Break 20 Ankles. Progress: 19/20]

'Just one more,' Shiro thought, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He feinted right, causing both defenders to lean in that direction, then crossed the ball behind his back to the left. As they scrambled to recover, he performed a lightning-quick spin move, leaving both players stumbling over their feet.

'There it is,' Shiro thought, his grin widening as he charged toward the basket.

He took two large strides and leapt into the air, finishing with a perfect layup just as the buzzer sounded. The referee's whistle echoed through the gym.

"Winners: Fuji Middle School!"

Shiro pulled his jersey over his face to wipe away the sweat, revealing his toned abs. From the bleachers, a chorus of high-pitched squeals erupted.

"He's SO HOT!" several girls shouted, holding up posters that read "Go Shiro!"

Shiro ignored the commotion, walking toward the bench with a calm demeanor. His teammates swarmed him, offering high-fives and pats on the back. He returned the gestures half-heartedly, his mind already elsewhere.

As he sat down, three men approached him, one extending a hand.

"Mr. Kobayashi," the man began, his voice smooth and polished. "I'm Daniel from Sierra Canyon School. We've been watching your games and would love to offer you a spot on our varsity team. We're one of the top high schools for basketball, and playing with us would be your ticket to the NBA."

Shiro stood, bowing slightly. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice firm. "I don't have any intention of going pro in basketball. My only goal is to become a Pro Hero."

The scouts were visibly stunned, but Daniel recovered quickly. "Are you sure? Without a quirk—"

"I do have a quirk," Shiro interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It just developed late."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, his expression calm but resolute.

'How could I want to be a basketball player,' he thought, staring at the system's interface hovering in front of him, 'when I've already come so far?'

[Total Points: 50,004]

---------------------------

Reminder: The next goal is 200 powerstones for a Double Release, by next Sunday. Thanks for the support. Goal: 200 Powerstones by Sunday for another Double Release.