AM I SUPERMAN?

Roy Harper's face contorted with anger, his voice laced with venom as he glared at Oliver. "You're full of crap! Just because you saved me doesn't mean you can talk nonsense about me."

Oliver remained calm, his tone measured. "I'm not lying, Roy. A friend of mine once injected Mirakuru. It twisted his mind and turned him into a dangerous lunatic."

Roy's fists clenched at Oliver's words. His eyes betrayed a moment of internal conflict before his anger resurfaced. "I heard you say I severely hurt someone by accident. You think I don't know that? But don't pretend to understand me!" He sneered. "You think you can guide me? Teach me control? You don't even understand my strength. I could crush your neck right now!"

Before Oliver could respond, Roy lashed out, his fist flying toward Oliver's face. But Oliver, ever agile, dodged effortlessly, his movements calm and precise.

Roy's frustration mounted. The more Oliver avoided his attacks without retaliation, the more his Mirakuru-induced rage consumed him. His punches came harder and faster, but Oliver continued to evade, his expression betraying no fear.

In the corner of his eye, Roy caught sight of Kaius, standing a short distance away, watching the altercation with an amused expression. That smirk only fueled Roy's rage.

"What the hell are you laughing at?!" Roy growled, redirecting his fury toward Kaius. Without a second thought, he swung a powerful punch aimed at Kaius's face.

Oliver tensed as he watched the scene unfold. While he appeared composed earlier, he knew that a single hit from Roy could leave him with a broken bone—or worse. Seeing Roy turn his attention to Kaius gave him a moment of relief. At least Kaius can handle this.

Roy's punch connected with Kaius's face, but instead of causing damage, the impact was like a hammer striking steel. A resounding thud echoed as the force of the punch sent Roy stumbling backward. He stared at Kaius, wide-eyed and incredulous.

"What… what the hell are you?"

Kaius, still unmoved, raised an eyebrow. Before he could answer, Oliver stepped in, a wry smile on his face. "He's the guy who can take you down."

Roy's anger surged at Oliver's words. Under the influence of Mirakuru, his reasoning was clouded, his pride wounded. He didn't stop to think about why his punch had no effect on Kaius. All he knew was that someone dared to challenge him.

"You think I can be taken down?!" Roy roared, his muscles bulging as he flexed his enhanced strength. "You don't know anything about my power!"

Roy charged at Kaius, his fists swinging wildly, the air whistling with the force of his blows. "I can punch through walls, heal faster than anyone, and you think you can guide me? You're nothing!"

Kaius remained still, watching Roy's movements with the calm detachment of someone completely unfazed. As Roy's next punch flew toward him, Kaius caught it effortlessly, holding Roy's fist in place like it weighed nothing.

"You're strong," Kaius said, his tone even. "But strength without control is just destruction."

Roy struggled to free his hand, but Kaius's grip was unyielding. Turning to Oliver, Kaius asked, "Can I kill this kid now?"

"No!" Oliver said quickly, his voice tinged with worry. "He's under the influence of Mirakuru. Just… knock him out. Leave him half-dead if you have to."

Kaius sighed, looking back at Roy. "Fine. Half-dead it is."

As Roy's fist barreled toward Kaius with unstoppable force, Kaius calmly extended a single finger.

Thud.

Roy's punch stopped dead in its tracks, a muffled sound echoing through the air. Before Roy could process what had just happened, Kaius flicked his wrist and delivered a resounding slap to Roy's face.

Smack!

The impact sent Roy hurtling through the air like a rag doll, crashing into a wall with a deafening boom! The force of the collision caused the abandoned factory's walls to crumble in places, chunks of debris scattering across the ground. Oliver winced at the sight, his teeth gritting instinctively.

"Oh, strong energy? Resilience is strong? That's funny," Kaius remarked, his voice laced with amusement. He stood unbothered, hands on his hips, while Roy groaned beneath the rubble.

A guttural roar erupted from the wreckage as Roy emerged, his face twisted in fury. Mirakuru's effects clouded his judgment, fueling his anger. He charged at Kaius like an enraged bull, his eyes blazing with reckless determination.

Kaius didn't move until the last moment. As Roy came within striking distance, Kaius calmly delivered a single punch straight to his midsection.

Boom.

Roy doubled over from the impact, but Kaius wasn't done. He delivered a series of rapid, punishing blows, each one accompanied by a sharp remark:

"I hear you're strong? Let's test that!"

"You heal quickly? Let's see how quickly!"

"You think you can roar at me? Who gave you permission?"

Each punch carried enough force to shatter stone. Oliver, standing off to the side, couldn't hide his discomfort. Watching Roy get pummeled relentlessly, he began to question whether calling Kaius had been the right decision.

Eventually, Roy crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain. His attempts to fight back were futile; every time he tried to rise, Kaius knocked him back down with terrifying precision.

By the time Oliver found the courage to intervene, Roy was lying motionless on the ground, barely clinging to consciousness. "Kaius," Oliver called out, stepping forward cautiously. "That's enough. You've made your point."

Kaius paused, his gaze shifting to Roy. "You think so?" He grabbed Roy by the front of his shirt, hoisting him up with one hand. Despite his enhanced strength, Roy dangled limply, his body battered and bruised.

"Your name's Roy, right?" Kaius asked, his tone stern. "Now, tell me—do you submit? Can you control your emotions?"

Roy's swollen face twitched as he tried to speak. Blood trickled from his mouth, and one of his eyes was nearly swollen shut. "I… I…" he mumbled, his voice weak and slurred.

Kaius frowned. "Can't hear you," he said, shaking his head. "Clearly, you still don't agree."

Before anyone could stop him, Kaius slammed Roy back to the ground and began pummeling him again. Each blow reverberated through the factory, the sound of fists meeting flesh like thunderclaps.

Roy's internal monologue was one of pure despair. Why is this happening to me? I just wanted to prove myself! Now I'm being treated like a punching bag!

Finally, Oliver couldn't stand by any longer. Risking a stray punch from Kaius, he rushed forward and grabbed his friend's arm. "Kaius, stop!" he shouted. "If you keep this up, you'll kill him!"

Kaius halted mid-swing, glancing down at Roy. The young man was barely conscious, his body broken but still alive thanks to his Mirakuru-enhanced durability.

"Fine," Kaius muttered, stepping back and crossing his arms. "One more chance." He crouched down, staring directly into Roy's bruised and swollen face. "Roy, listen to me. This is your last opportunity. Do you accept my guidance? Can you control your emotions?"

Roy tried to speak, his lips trembling, but his injuries made it nearly impossible to form words.

Oliver knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Roy, just nod," he urged gently. "Let us help you."

With great effort, Roy gave the faintest nod, his head barely moving.

Kaius stood up, satisfied. "Good. That's a start." He turned to Oliver. "Get him to a safe place. Once the Mirakuru antidote arrives, we'll deal with the rest."

Oliver nodded, silently grateful that the ordeal was over. Together, they began the process of getting Roy back to safety, leaving the ruins of the factory behind.

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