The World Watches in Fear

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Chapter 20: The World Watches in Fear

The night sky was ablaze with fire and destruction. Buildings lay in ruins, streets were cracked and torn apart, and the air was thick with smoke. The battlefield was no longer just between Kael-X and his enemies—it had become a global spectacle.

High above the chaos, several news helicopters hovered, their spotlights illuminating the carnage below. News drones zipped through the air, broadcasting the footage live to millions around the world. Every television screen, every smartphone, and every news station was tuned in, watching in horror as the Speed Villain tore through whatever stood in his way.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what you are witnessing is beyond belief," a news anchor's voice echoed through speakers across the city. "This… entity, known as Kael-X, has single-handedly taken down the most powerful military forces we have. And he's still standing."

Governments scrambled to respond. Emergency meetings were called, military leaders debated strategies, and civilians were urged to evacuate. But where could they run? Nowhere seemed safe.

Kael-X stood in the center of the destruction, his silver hair swaying as explosions reflected off his emotionless face. The ground trembled beneath him. He looked up at the helicopters.

"They think they can just watch?" His voice was barely a whisper, but in an instant—

BOOM!

A sonic shockwave blasted outward as Kael-X shot into the sky, heading straight for the nearest helicopter. The pilot barely had time to react before Kael-X's fist smashed through the side, tearing through metal like paper. The entire aircraft spun out of control, flames bursting from its engines.

"Mayday! Mayday!" the pilot screamed before the helicopter spiraled downward, crashing into a burning skyscraper.

The news anchor on the ground gasped. "Did you see that?! He—he just—"

Before he could finish, Kael-X appeared right in front of the news drones, his speed defying logic. He tilted his head, looking into the camera as if addressing the world directly.

"You enjoy watching?" His voice was cold, almost mocking. "Let me show you something worth watching."

With a flick of his wrist, he grabbed a drone and crushed it in his palm. The live feed cut out. The world went silent.

But the battle wasn't over.

From behind him, a powerful missile launched straight at his back—one designed specifically to counter Compound-X-enhanced beings. The military had deployed their final weapon.

Kael-X turned his head slightly as the missile approached at full speed.

And then…

The missile screamed through the air, a trail of fire blazing behind it. Unlike regular weapons, this one had been modified to track beings enhanced by Compound-X, ensuring that even someone as fast as Kael-X couldn't outrun it.

Kael-X didn't move. He simply watched.

They're getting desperate.

The missile was inches away—then, in the blink of an eye, Kael-X twisted his body sideways.

BOOM!

The explosion lit up the night sky, sending a shockwave powerful enough to shatter every window in the surrounding area. A massive fireball erupted where Kael-X had been floating.

On the ground, soldiers cheered.

"Direct hit!"

"He's done for!"

But their celebration was short-lived.

As the flames cleared, a figure emerged from the smoke, standing mid-air like a god untouched by mortal weapons. Kael-X floated above them, his silver hair swaying gently, his body unharmed. His eyes, though hidden by his hair, radiated a terrifying presence.

"That was interesting," he muttered.

Then—

WHOOSH!

Before anyone could react, Kael-X descended like a meteor, his body a blur as he crashed into the ground right in the center of the soldiers. The impact was devastating—concrete split apart, vehicles flipped over, and the sheer force sent dozens of soldiers flying like ragdolls.

Screams filled the air as chaos erupted once more.

The military's last hope had failed.

Kael-X stepped forward, his footsteps echoing in the silence left behind. A single soldier, trembling in fear, raised his weapon with shaking hands. His rifle was locked onto Kael-X's head.

"You… you monster…" the soldier whispered.

Kael-X sighed. "I'm not a monster."

With a swift motion, he vanished.

A split second later, he reappeared right behind the soldier, his breath cold against the man's neck.

"I'm something worse."

Before the soldier could react—BANG!

A gunshot echoed.

But not from Kael-X.

From a rooftop in the distance, a sniper fired a bullet enhanced with Compound-X energy—a bullet fast enough to rival even Kael-X's speed.

For the first time, Kael-X's expression changed.

He turned, his head tilting slightly as the bullet pierced through his shoulder. A small splatter of blood dripped onto the ground.

Silence.

The world held its breath.

Kael-X slowly looked at his wound. The bullet had actually hit him.

Then—he laughed.

A deep, eerie chuckle that sent chills down the spines of everyone watching.

"Finally," he whispered. "Something new."

His body trembled—not from pain, but from excitement.

He clenched his fist, his aura exploding around him. His strength surged. The wound closed instantly.

And then, with a burst of speed, he vanished from sight—heading straight for the sniper's location.

The world had just witnessed something terrifying:

Kael-X had finally found a challenge.

And he was enjoying it.

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To be continued