Chapter 20: hunting the serpent's aid

The alley was dim, wet with the evening drizzle, and the smell of rain mixed with the faint tang of oil from nearby garages. Derek moved silently, every footstep precise, his mind replaying the events of the previous night—the first encounter with Lady Venom.

“She’s clever,” he muttered under his breath, crouched behind a dumpster. “But she can’t cover all her bases.”

A shadow shifted across the wall. Derek’s eyes narrowed. A figure emerged: a man clad in black tactical gear, a scar running down his left cheek, his eyes cold and calculating. He moved with the kind of confidence that spoke of someone trained for one purpose: eliminate threats.

“Looks like we have company,” the man said, his voice smooth, almost mocking. “You must be the Cold Genius. Lady Venom mentioned you. Said you were… persistent.”

“I am,” Derek said, stepping into view, leather jacket damp from the drizzle, katana glinting faintly in his hand. “And I don’t like surprises—especially dangerous ones.”

The side villain smirked. “Then let’s make this interesting.”

Derek lunged first, testing his opponent’s reactions. The man sidestepped easily, raising twin batons that sparked faintly at the tips. “Impressive speed,” he said. “But you’re not the only one with skills.”

“You’re about to find out,” Derek replied, his grip tightening on his katana. He struck, precise and calculated, but the side villain blocked with the batons, sparks flying where metal met metal.

“You think a blade is enough?” the man taunted, spinning the batons in a fluid motion. “Lady Venom always wins.”

“We’ll see about that,” Derek said. He rolled back, avoiding a sweeping strike, and launched a series of calculated kicks, aimed at pressure points, testing his opponent’s defenses.

“Clever,” the side villain said, ducking under one strike and delivering a spinning backhand. Derek blocked, staggering slightly. “But predictable. You rely on patterns.”

“Patterns? Maybe,” Derek muttered, ducking a low strike, “but every pattern has a flaw.” He twisted his body, delivering a swift kick to the man’s midsection, followed by a spinning strike aimed at the head. The man blocked, but Derek could see the momentary surprise in his eyes.

“You’re good,” he admitted, swinging both batons upward in a wide arc. Derek ducked, rolling across the wet pavement. “But good isn’t enough.”

Derek sprang up, katana ready. “I’m more than good.” He feinted left, then pivoted right, striking at the man’s side. The man parried, then countered with a swift punch to Derek’s shoulder. Derek grunted, feeling the impact, but he maintained balance.

“Not bad, genius,” the side villain said, grinning beneath the tactical mask. “But your arrogance will get you killed.”

“Confidence isn’t arrogance,” Derek replied, landing a precise kick to the man’s knee. “It’s preparation.”

The fight intensified. Sparks flew as katana met batons, boots skidded across puddles, and rain soaked the combatants to the bone. Derek used his environment: jumping off walls, flipping over crates, sliding under swings, while the side villain adapted quickly, matching his every move with precision and force.

“You’re faster than I expected,” the man said, panting slightly, swinging both batons in a coordinated strike. Derek blocked, then spun low, using his katana to trip his opponent. “But speed without strategy is useless.”

“And strategy without execution?” Derek countered, delivering a swift series of blows. “Pointless.”

The side villain staggered back, wiping blood from a split lip. “Impressive… but I don’t fail.”

“You fail when you underestimate your opponent,” Derek said, eyes locked. “And I’m not the one underestimating here.”

They clashed again, moving like shadows over the wet asphalt, trading strikes, blocks, and counters. Derek feigned left, then launched a spinning overhead slash. The side villain ducked, rolling under, then lunged with a low kick. Derek jumped, avoiding contact, landing behind him with katana poised.

“You’re relentless,” the man hissed, attempting another strike, but Derek caught his wrist, twisting it and sending the baton flying.

“Persistence wins,” Derek said. He moved in, delivering a precise strike to the man’s shoulder, then to the leg, each hit calculated to weaken but not kill—yet. “And I don’t fight dirty… unless necessary.”

The side villain lunged, desperate now. Derek sidestepped, twisting him mid-air, and slammed him onto the wet pavement. “Game’s not over,” Derek said, standing over him. “But your moves are running out.”

“Even if I lose,” the man growled, pushing himself up, “Lady Venom will avenge me. You’ll regret crossing her.”

“I’ve already faced her once,” Derek replied, smirking faintly. “And I’m still standing. This isn’t about vengeance—it’s about justice.”

The man charged again, wild and reckless, swinging batons in desperate arcs. Derek blocked, sidestepped, and with a precise motion, disarmed him, sending both batons skidding across the puddles. The man stumbled back, panting heavily.

“You… you’re not like anyone I’ve faced,” he admitted, fear creeping into his tone. “You’re… different.”

“I’m prepared,” Derek said firmly, lowering his katana but keeping his guard up. “And being different is my advantage. You’ll see it the hard way.”

Finally, Derek pressed forward, exploiting an opening. He swept the man’s legs, tripping him onto the wet ground, then pinned him with a controlled hold. The fight was over. Not fatal, but decisive.

“You lose,” Derek said, eyes cold, voice steady. “Tell Lady Venom—I’ll be ready when you come back. And I’m not afraid.”

The side villain struggled but gave a faint nod. “You… haven’t seen the worst yet.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Derek replied, releasing him. The man scrambled to his feet and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Derek alone in the rain-soaked alley.

Derek wiped his katana, looking toward the skyline. “One down,” he muttered. “But she has more. Lady Venom… you’re next.”

The night echoed with distant sirens and the faint whisper of wind through broken windows. Derek’s gaze hardened. Every step, every fight, every calculated strike brought him closer to understanding Lady Venom and dismantling her plans.

And he knew, without a doubt, that the battle had only just begun.