The Ultimate Kryptonian Interface

Tempest landed heavily on the pavement, the sharp crack of thunder echoing in her wake. Electricity danced across her armor, reflecting the anguish and rage that churned inside her. Her eyes locked on Volt's crumpled body, and her breath hitched as her composure fractured.

"We failed," she muttered, her voice low but trembling with fury.

Inferno descended next, flames flickering like a dying candle around him. "No, you failed," he spat, his words igniting the simmering tension. "If you'd caught him—"

"Enough!" Vanguard's commanding voice cut through the growing discord. His golden armor gleamed under the city lights. the unwavering symbol of the team's strength and unity. "Now isn't the time for this. Volt is gone, and we need to regroup."

Cryo knelt beside Volt, his icy hands encasing the fallen hero in a frost-bound cocoon. "He didn't stand a chance," Cryo murmured, his tone eerily detached. "The precision of these injuries.. this wasn't just brute force. Knox planned every strike."

Tempest's fists clenched, her electricity sparking with raw, uncontained energy. "He's toying with us. First Volt, now Seraph, and the rest of us are next unless we act now."

"Rushing in will only get us killed," Warden said, stepping forward. His metallic frame radiated calm authority as he placed a hand on Tempest's shoulder. "Knox is more than we anticipated. We need to regroup, strategize, and prepare."

"He's not invincible!" Inferno snapped, flames roaring brighter as his frustration mounted. "He's just another villain with a God complex!"

Seraph finally spoke, her tone cutting through Inferno's bluster like steel. "You didn't fight him. I did. He's no ordinary villain. His power, his precision... Knox knows exactly what he's doing. And he's enjoying it."

The group fell into a tense silence, their gaze lingering on Volt's lifeless form.

Phantom materialized from the shadows, his form shifting like smoke. "This was a message," he said darkly. "He wanted us to find him here, to see what he's capable of."

"And we did," Echo added, her voice rippling with ethereal resonance. "But if we fall apart now, he's already won."

Vanguard nodded, his jaw tight. "Cryo, preserve the body. The rest of us—regroup at HQ. We'll figure out our next move there."

As Cryo worked, Tempest stepped away from the group, her body trembling with rage and desperation. Her mind raced as she replayed the fight, the taunting smirk Knox had worn as he fled.

"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm not letting him get away."

With a furious scream, Tempest unleashed every ounce of her power. Lightning tore through the sky as she launched herself into the air, chasing after Knox with blinding speed.

...

Knox soared above the city, the wind whipping past him as Kaelina's voice echoed in his mind.

"You know they'll never stop coming for you, right?" she teased.

"They can try," he replied, smirking. "But they'll fail. Just like Volt did."

Kaelina's voice softened, tinged with amusement. "That's quite the body count you're building. Don't forget the reward for this one—you earned it."

Before he could respond, a crackling surge of electricity cut through the air behind him.

"Not so fast!" Tempest screamed, her body a blazing conduit of lightning as she closed the gap between them.

Knox glanced back, his smirk fading. "Persistent, aren't you?"

Tempest struck like a thunderclap, her power wrapping around Knox as she grabbed him mid-air. With a roar, she redirected her momentum, hurling him backward toward the city at breakneck speed.

Knox spun through the air, his body crashing through a building and landing in a crumbling heap on the street below. He groaned, shaking off the dust as he stood, his crimson eyes glowing with irritation.

Tempest landed nearby, her electricity flaring as she panted from exertion. "You're not running this time," she growled.

The rest of the heroes arrived moments later, their presence a wall of defiance. Knox stood, brushing off the debris from his jacket, his grin returning as he faced them.

"Finally," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "The gang's all here."

"Knox," Vanguard began, stepping forward, "you've crossed the line. Surrender now, and we'll make this easier for you."

Knox laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "You think this is difficult for me?" His body began to radiate dark energy, the air growing heavy with his power.

Before the heroes could react, Knox launched himself into the sky, his speed leaving a shockwave that cracked the pavement below.

Tempest immediately gave chase, lightning crackling as she pushed herself to her limits. But despite her effort, she couldn't close the gap. Knox disappeared into the night, leaving the heroes behind.

Knox landed on a distant rooftop, his breathing steady as he surveyed the chaos he'd left behind.

"Well, that was dramatic," Kaelina mused, her tone playful. "Ready for your reward?"

Knox smirked, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "Let's hear it."

A glowing screen appeared before him, displaying the mission completion details.

[Mission Completed!]

Reward: 5% added to your Superman Template

Bonus: 10x Training Effect for 1 Week

"Not bad," Knox muttered, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "Not bad at all."

Kaelina's voice turned sly."Oh, and don't forget; they'll be back, Stronger, angrier, and more desperate. You've made quite the impression."

Knox gazed toward the distant Hero Citadel Tower, his crimson eyes narrowing.

"Let them come," he said softly, his voice a promise. "I'll be ready."