10 Chapter 10

Krystian, crossing the threshold of Dr. Light's hideout, discovered a space that was minimalist yet functional. The atmosphere was dominated by stark colors and metallic shades, primarily white and gray, lending the place a specific, almost clinical character.

Before the massive computer screen, serving as the center of monitoring, Krystian noticed a classic black leather chair, on which he decided to sit to examine the layout of the hideout more closely. This screen, filled with code and data, provided information about the activities of superheroes and movement in Jump City, serving as the main source of information for Dr. Light.

The central part of the hideout was occupied by a laboratory area where Krystian observed laboratory tables with experimental apparatus, microscopes, and computers for data analysis. On the shelves were samples of substances and various scientific tools. It was there that he noticed a destroyed fragment of Starfire's glove, suggesting that Dr. Light might have been involved in a conflict with the Teen Titans.

In one corner was a small relaxation area equipped with a simple camp bed, a chair, and a small table. Krystian suspected that this hideout might be Dr. Light's main headquarters, given its minimalist, one-room character.

The lighting in the hideout was bright and artificial, mainly focused on the work areas, emphasizing the raw nature of Dr. Light's scientific work. Although Krystian did not like this aspect of the place, he acknowledged that it gave the hideout a specific, unwelcoming atmosphere.

Despite the lack of personalization and ornaments, Krystian contemplated the possibility of taking over the hideout for himself, but besides eliminating Dr. Light, he had no concrete plan. He realized that Dr. Light was too significant to be disposed of now, aside from the moral issues. His presence in the hideout made Krystian feel uneasy, yet it also fueled his ambition to become even stronger and capable of similar intrigues.

Without hesitation, Krystian swiftly deactivated his powers, his senses attuned to the faintest of sounds. With bated breath, he waited, knowing that the owner of the hideout would soon arrive and discover he was not alone in the covert space.

The steps were distinctly audible, and when the metallic doors swung open, the awaited visitor appeared before Krystian. Dr. Light seemed truly fatigued, with beads of sweat visible on his face. Apparently, sprinting through several streets with a bag full of stolen jewels from the jewelry store had been quite an effort for the villain.

In Krystian's eyes, Dr. Light presented a somewhat comical figure. In comics and animated series, his costume might not have aroused controversy or negative feelings. However, seeing him in more realistic colors, devoid of any animation, made his costume pulled straight from the Teen Titans series seem to give him a slightly comic-bookish appearance.

Dr. Light was clad in a one-piece, likely latex suit with metal accents. His face was exposed, including his beard, lips, eyes, nose, and half of his forehead. However, the rest was covered by something akin to a skin-tight latex hood with three metal accessories: peculiar round metal protectors covering his ears and a strange metal fin in the middle of his head. It looked rather comical, yet Krystian hoped these weren't just ornaments but some kind of technological accessories.

Dr. Light's chestplate was quite simple—a latex bodysuit clinging to his skin with the emblem of a lit lightbulb on the chest, a rather comical emphasis on the nature of his powers. However, beyond amusement, Krystian didn't bother to come up with any lightbulb jokes.

Moving on to the more interesting elements of Dr. Light's suit, he had a pair of metal gloves and boots. Their solid appearance somewhat redeemed Dr. Light's overall image in Krystian's eyes. Additionally, he also wore black latex pants.

Dr.Light, entering his office slightly groggy due to fatigue, initially did not notice Krystian sitting in his chair in front of the Central Computer. And without thinking, he casually threw the bag near Krystian. The bag hit less than a meter away from him, and the noise it made was really unpleasant. So Krystian said humorously, with a cheerful accent on his lips.

(Krystian)-Careful, Doc..haha...

Dr.Light who was turned away seconds after throwing the bag. After hearing Krystian's voice and the shock of the whole situation. Without thinking too much, Dr.Light pointed his hand straight at Krystian and after a while the beam shot towards the guest in the infamous villain's hideout.

Krystian, being aware of the type of villain he was dealing with, activated the power to slow down time while saying these simple words. He did it so skillfully that time seemed to pass more and more slowly, as if Krystian was using a knob to reduce the passage of time from second to minute and beyond.

Time was slowed down so much that the beam of light moved at a speed that was quite comical from Krystian's point of view. Because the surroundings, the machines, and Dr.Light himself seem frozen in time, the beam continues to flow in the air to the place the villains had aimed moments earlier. Krystian, comically, quickly walked to the fridge in the hiding place and took out a large plate with a long stick of sausage on it. And with the help of a fork, within a few seconds he fried the Sausage on the ray shot by the villains. Unfortunately, the beam slowly changed its position in space, which caused some fragments of the sausage to brown a little too much, and a characteristic burnt skin appeared on some fragments of the surface of the meat delicacy.

After cooking the meal, Krystian managed to place a plate of fried food on the table next to the bed and pour two glasses of orange juice, which he also found in the fridge. So that, at almost the last moment, when the beam almost reached the chair, you could remove the object from the line of fire and run for the long metal board that was leaning against the wall. Krystian saw that the board was old and dusty and guessed that DR.Light wouldn't be angry if he used it.

Krystian wanted to make a good first impression, but he also didn't want to destroy the room. So he came up with the idea of using the beam as a marker and writing or rather burning one word on the board and placing the board right above it, he had prepared a stand for the boards especially for this purpose. But first, Krystian had to come up with a word to put on the board. The obvious choice would be for his name to be villain/hero/anti-hero. However, he couldn't think of one at the moment and due to time pressure, he thought about it.

He didn't want a name that directly says that he controls time. It seemed stupid, and the light bulb on Dr.Light's chest further agreed with Krystian's thesis. So he kept thinking until he remembered the incident in the Bank where one of the people called him Baba Yaga. It's a funny memory, but it wasn't the name he chose.

Hex.

In colloquial language, "Hex" can also mean a charm or delusion, or an element related to magic or sorcery. However, remembering this dictionary definition, Krystian focused on one of the quoted meanings. Delusion. Upon reflection, Krystian may have seemed to many people as a sort of specter, visible for a split second when he deactivated and activated his time-stopping power at that moment. So the person would think they were experiencing a delusion or premonition. So the name Hex seemed perfect to him. And these three letters using the luminous DR laser. Lighta Krystian slept on a metal board and placed it behind him to deactivate the time slowdown after a while.

Krystian expected another attack from DR.Light, but instead of attacking, he grabbed his head and was apparently struggling with an intense headache. Apparently, the slowing of time caused him to be directly exposed to Hex's power and deactivate it. The doctor's brain gained too much information in a really short period of time, and that's where the headache came from. Which apparently disappeared after a few seconds. However, Krystian did not want to give a chance to start a fight and started the Dialogue he had been waiting for.

(Hex)-Sorry for such an unexpected visit, doctor....

Light did not allow the dialogue to continue and interrupted him again by pointing his hand at him in which a bright light appeared again and with an angry smile on his face he threatened Krystian.

(Dr.Light)-Do you dare to invade my territory? Speak quickly before I decide to make an example of you. What brings you here? Be warned, your life may depend on your answer. I suggest you choose your words wisely if you want to leave this place with a good head on your shoulders.

Krystian was amused by the sight of this man who apparently did not notice the giant plaque and did not guess how it could have been created. Or this villain's self-confidence was so great that he still believed he had the upper hand.

(Hex)-You can call me Hex. And no kidding, you fired a beam from 5 meters away and it didn't produce the result you wanted...

(Dr.Light)-Hexxx...I've never heard of you....Hex...are you a wizard?

(Hex)-No...Hehe...though you made me feel better. So I'll let you in on a secret. How fast do you think I have to be to use your beam as chalk on a blackboard?

(Dr.Light)-###/ for a second. You are a speedster. Correct?

(Hex)-Perhaps, but as you understand and you will certainly investigate it when I am gone. I'm something similar. However, we will not concern ourselves with the nature of my existence, let's talk.

Saying this, Krystian pointed to the table, right next to Dr.Light's bed. Where, after directing his gaze, Light saw a plate full of baked meats, two empty plates and glasses of orange juice.

(Dr.Light)-How?

(Hex)-I'm fast and believe it or not I couldn't do much in a second.

After a short while, Krystian and Dr. Light sat down at the table together. Although speculating, Dr.light agreed to it more out of fear when he realized what a dangerous entity he was dealing with.

(Dr.Light)-So what do you want?

(Hex)-I would like to offer you my services, Doctor?

It seemed as if the weight in Dr.Light's heart had disappeared and a cheeky smile appeared on his lips.

(Dr.Light)-What services do you offer, HEX?

(Hex)-Let's say if there's something you really want, I'll get it. Of course not for free, I will need a few things from CB. And you'll get what you want, like the diamond that was stopped from being stolen from the museum by the green gremlin from the Teen Titans. What do you think?

At this point, Krystian appreciated the newspaper found in his room and the fact that he had taken the time to read it.

(Dr.Light)-Lumondetionise Crystal....What do you want in return?

(Hex)-What I want...many things but only some you can give me. Take into account that I can get anything for you. But for now, in exchange for the crystal, I want you to give me the contact details of a person who can sell many things... many valuable, hard-to-obtain things... and I will bring this crystal soon.

(Dr.Light)-When will you bring it?

(Hex)-First thing in the morning, just before your morning coffee? What do you think?

(Dr.Light)-It seems too easy... how can you be sure that you will succeed?

Krystian didn't answer, instead he stopped time. And slowly he took the gloves off DR.Light's hands. Surprisingly, there is a buckle on the inside that you have to use to make the gloves come off without any problems. Similarly, the shoes featured a simple scheme that was not only barely visible. But really pleasant for the user. If these accessories were a different style, maybe Hex would consider stealing these two items. However, instead, he placed his gloves and shoes on the table and wrote a simple sentence on a piece of paper he took from the desk and placed in front of Dr. Ligt.

 "Because I'm Hex."