Villain With The Absolute Evil Sytem

Seeing his punch had no effect, Boulder immediately stepped back, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion. The sheer strength of his blow should have at least staggered Lumian, but the man hadn't even flinched. Boulder clenched his fists, his body tensing as he prepared for what may come next.

Lumian's gaze wandered, casually sweeping the smoky surroundings as if searching for something—or someone.

"Stone," he called out, his voice calm but cutting through the silence like a blade. "I know you're here. Don't waste my time by hiding. If Boulder's around, you're never far behind."

A tense silence followed. Boulder's jaw tightened as he watched Lumian.

"I came alone," Boulder finally said, his voice gruff and tinged with desperation. "I couldn't let someone kill my friend without retaliation."

"Oh?" Lumian's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Interesting."

Without warning, Boulder lunged, unleashing a furious barrage of punches aimed at Lumian's head and chest. Each swing was wild and heavy, but Lumian sidestepped them all effortlessly.

As Boulder's onslaught continued, Lumian's smile grew wider. Then, in a low, mocking tone, he added, "Maybe if I kill this one too, you'll show yourself."

Boulder's fist came hurtling toward Lumian's face one last time, but this time, Lumian caught it mid-swing with an iron grip. Boulder froze, his muscles straining against Lumian's unyielding hand.

With a swift motion, Lumian delivered a devastating punch to Boulder's midsection. The impact sent a shock rippling through his body as Boulder's eyes rolled back, an empty scream escaped his mouth. His massive body was flung backward, landing several feet away with a heavy thud.

Lumian strolled toward the crumpled figure, tilting his head as he observed the motionless man. "I hope that didn't kill you," he muttered, crouching down to check Boulder's pulse. Feeling the faint thrum beneath his fingers, he chuckled. "Good. I have a job for you."

Lumian grabbed Boulder by the neck, lifting the giant man into the air as if he weighed nothing. He turned his head, his voice echoing in the silent close.

"Come out, Stone. Or I'll break every bone in his body. Then, I'll kill him."

The silence persisted, stretching unbearably long. Lumian's smile deepened, though his patience didn't waver.

Crack.

Lumian snapped one of Boulder's fingers.

The man moaned in pain, his voice muffled as tears streaked down his face. Another crack, and another finger bent unnaturally. Boulder's pained groans turned into agonized screams as Lumian snapped his arm at the elbow, the sound echoing sharply in the narrow alley.

"Next is the shoulder," Lumian said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of menace.

Before he could act, a gunshot rang out, splitting the air.

BANG!

Lumian's head jerked backward as the bullet struck, the force snapping his neck at an odd angle. From the shadows, Stone emerged from a trash bin, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"I got you!" Stone shouted, stepping into the light. He began walking toward Lumian and Boulder, each step brimming with satisfaction.

But as he approached, his confidence faltered.

Lumian's body remained upright, his head still tilted backward unnaturally. Slowly, Lumian straightened his neck, snapping it back into place with a sickening crack. His eyes locked onto Stone, and his lips stretched into a wide, eerie grin.

"There you are," Lumian said, his grip on Boulder loosening. The injured man fell to the ground with a heavy thud, his groans barely audible.

Stone froze, his legs trembling as fear overtook him.

"I shot him," Stone whispered, his voice quivering. "I know I shot him. A person doesn't survive that…"

Lumian chuckled, the sound low and chilling. "So, this was the plan? Distract me with Boulder while you line up the shot?" He stepped forward, his movements deliberate, predatory. "Clever by your standards. But ultimately, futile."

Stone's eyes darted toward Boulder's broken form, his fear intensifying. His hands shook, the gun in his grip suddenly feeling far too heavy.

"Who are you?" Stone stammered, his voice cracking under the weight of his terror.

Lumian tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Who am I? Who else would I be if not Lumian? I am Lumian."

The name struck Stone like a hammer, his face paling as understanding dawned. His body acted on instinct, turning to flee like prey in the presence of a predator.

But before he could take more than a few steps, Lumian appeared beside him, his speed unnaturally fast.

"You're not going anywhere," Lumian said, his tone casual as he struck a pressure point on Stone's neck. The smaller man collapsed instantly, unconscious before he hit the ground.

Lumian straightened, looking down at the two bodies before him.

"Well," he said with a smirk, hoisting Stone over his shoulder and dragging Boulder by the arm. "Now we're making progress."

With ease, Lumian carried the men back to his abode

The cold splash of water jolted Boulder and Stone awake. Both men sputtered and gasped, their bodies shivering as they tried to make sense of their surroundings. 

Boulder groaned, his injured arm sending sharp pains through his body. His vision cleared, and he spotted Lumian sitting at a desk across the room, hunched over a book. Lumian seemed completely absorbed, his fingers trailing across the pages as he read.  

"You!" Boulder bellowed, his voice filled with rage and defiance. "I'll make you pay for all of this!"  

Lumian didn't look up. He simply raised a hand and waved dismissively, his eyes still scanning the text in front of him.  

This only infuriated Boulder further. "Don't you ignore me!" he shouted. "Untie me and Stone if you dare! Let's settle this properly!"  

Stone, sitting nearby, tried to interject, his voice cautious. "Boulder, wait—"  

But Boulder, blinded by anger, ignored him entirely. He thrashed in place, expecting to feel ropes or chains restraining him. Yet as he moved, his arms and legs felt no resistance. Confused, he looked down and realized his limbs were completely free.  

Stone sighed and slapped a hand to his forehead. "That's what I was trying to tell you," he muttered.  

Boulder stared at him, bewildered. "We're… not tied up?"  

"No," Stone said with exasperation, "we're not."  

"Oh"

Boulder's confusion turned to frustration. "Then we should take this chance and attack him! It's two against one!" He began rising to his feet, his large frame trembling with pent-up fury.  

"Stop!" Stone said, jumping in front of him and blocking his path. "Don't be rash! Think about it for a second!"  

"What's there to think about?!" Boulder growled.  

Stone pointed a trembling finger at Lumian, who still hadn't moved from his spot at the desk. "That's the Lumian," he said, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "I don't care if he looks different now—he is Lumian."  

Boulder frowned, his brow furrowing in disbelief. "And how do you know that? What proof do you have?"  

Stone glanced nervously at Lumian, then back at Boulder. "Because he said so," he admitted. "And… I believe him. Something about him makes me know he's telling the truth."  

Boulder snorted. "You're letting his words get to your head! I don't care who he claims to be—he's just a man."  

"Is he though?"

Stone grabbed Boulder by his good arm, his voice desperate. "Even if he isn't who he says he is, think for a second! He left us untied after we tried to kill him. You know what that means? It means he doesn't see us as a threat at all. And based on what happened earlier… he's right."  

Boulder froze, his anger wavering as Stone gestured toward his mangled arm. The memory of Lumian's inhuman strength, the ease with which he had overpowered them, came rushing back.  

Finally, Lumian's voice cut through their conversation, calm yet laced with authority. "At least one of you has some brains."  

Both men turned to look at him. Lumian had closed his book and was now staring at them, his eyes cold and calculating.  

Lumian continued, his tone as sharp as a blade. "The only reason you're both still breathing is because I have a purpose for you."  

As he spoke, an oppressive aura filled the room, pressing down on Boulder and Stone like an invisible weight. Neither of them could move, their bodies frozen as if paralyzed by Lumian's presence.  

Lumian stood, his gaze piercing through them. "Make no mistake," he said, his voice low and deliberate, "the moment you outlive your usefulness, you'll be discarded. If you value your lives, you'll follow my orders without question."  

The tension in the room was suffocating. Boulder, for all his bravado, found himself unable to meet Lumian's eyes. Stone, trembling, simply nodded.  

"Good," Lumian said, his expression softening slightly. "Then we can get started."  

The weight lifted, and both men exhaled deeply, as though they had been holding their breath the entire time. Lumian turned back to his desk, casually flipping through the pages of his book as if nothing had happened.  

For Boulder and Stone, however, one thing was clear: they were no longer in control.