URBAN VILLAIN SYSTEM-Chapter 29: Dealing With a Clown [3]

"Tony...!"

Lily’s voice broke through the air, sharp with disbelief and urgency as the iron ball tore across the field like a projectile meant to kill. She was too far. Even with her speed, even with her control over life energy, she knew she wouldn’t make it in time.

Around them, every member of the Frost family froze.

No one moved... No one spoke.

They all understood the same thing. If that ball hit him... Tony Clark would die.

The iron sphere cut through the air with terrifying force, carrying enough momentum to shatter bone and crush a skull instantly. It closed the distance in a heartbeat.

And yet...

Tony simply stood there, watching.

Julie even closed her eyes as she couldn’’t watch the aftermath.

But Then-

The ball stopped.

Just like that... As if the force behind it had vanished into nothing.

For a split second, no one understood what they were seeing. Then their eyes followed the ball.

Tony’s hand was raised. His palm... Holding it, like it weighed nothing.

A stunned silence swallowed the entire field.

"What...?!!!"

John Frost’s voice came out faint, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Before anyone could react further, Tony casually flicked his wrist, spinning the iron ball on his fingertip as if it were nothing more than a toy. The heavy sphere rotated smoothly, balanced with impossible precision.

The sight shattered whatever composure remained among the Frost family members.

Julie’s mouth parted slightly, her usual nervous expression completely gone. She stared, unable to process what she was witnessing.

Lily had already moved, her body cutting through the field in a blur, but she slowed abruptly as she reached him. Her eyes locked onto the ball... then his hand... then his face.

"How did you stop that?!" she asked with a genuine confusion.

She had seen everything clearly... There was no life energy.. No technique. Just- Raw physical strength.

Tony glanced at her as if the question itself was strange. "What do you mean?" he said casually. "It’s just a ball."

And with that, he tossed it back toward her.

Lily caught it instinctively, but her eyes remained fixed on him, searching for something she couldn’t yet understand.

Before she could press further, a group of Frost family girls rushed forward, their earlier caution completely gone.

"That was amazing!" one of them exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "How did you do that? Was that some kind of technique?"

"You didn’t even use life energy!" another added, stepping closer. "I didn’t feel anything from you!"

Tony smiled faintly, letting their curiosity swirl around him without answering directly. One of the younger girls stepped closer than the rest, her expression full of admiration. Without thinking, Tony casually patted her head, as if indulging a child.

The atmosphere shifted.

Where there had been tension... There was now fascination... But not for everyone.

Lily turned slowly. Her gaze landed on John.

He stood at a distance, still frozen, his earlier confidence completely shattered. The ball had been meant to humiliate... perhaps even injure.

Instead... It had exposed him.

"John," Lily called out loudly with a cold look.

He didn’t respond immediately.

Her grip on the ball tightened slightly. "What exactly were you trying to do?" she asked, her tone no longer questioning, but accusing.

John’s expression hardened as he regained himself. He straightened, forcing a dismissive wave of his hand. "You’re overreacting," he said. "It was a miscalculation. It happens in a game."

Lily’s eyes sharpened. "Don’t insult my intelligence. I saw the direction. I saw the force. You did that deliberately."

John smiled casually, feigning annoyance. "Nothing even happened to him," he replied. "Why are you making it sound like I committed some crime? If anything, it just proves he’s not as useless as people say. Well done, Tony..."

His gaze shifted toward Tony.

Tony watched him for a moment.Then he suddenly began laughing loudly.

"What’s so funny?" John snapped, irritation surfacing again.

Tony shook his head slightly, as if trying to hold back his amusement. "I was just thinking," he said slowly, his tone dripping with mockery. "For someone at your level... that kick was disappointing."

The surrounding girls stiffened.

John’s expression darkened.

Tony continued, his voice calm but cutting. "I thought a Grandmaster would at least have some power behind his attacks. But that?" he gestured lightly. "That felt like it came from someone who could barely stand. Maybe my grandmother could have kicked it better."

"Also, you should avoid games like this. You might hurt yourself, grandma!" Tony added casually.

For a moment... There was silence.Then... Laughter broke out.

The Frost girls couldn’t hold it back, their laughter echoing across the field as they looked at John.

Even Lily’s lips curved slightly.

John’s face flushed red.

"You...!" he snapped, stepping forward, his aura flaring slightly. "Don’t push your luck. You wouldn’t survive a real fight with me."

Tony didn’t back down.

"Hahahaha... Now you are threatening like my fat aunty!" he replied calmly.

The words hit harder than any strike.

John’s control snapped.

"You useless piece of trash!" he shouted, his voice rising. "You’re stuck at the bottom while pretending to act superior! You’re nothing but a disgrace, fool, idiot, waste, black suitcase, evil boy..."

His words spilled out rapidly, one after another, filled with anger, frustration, and humiliation.

Lily tried to intervene, but he didn’t stop.

Tony watched him quietly.

Then... He moved. One step... Two... Until he stood directly in front of John.

Tony looked down slightly... As if looking at something beneath him.

John’s voice faltered. "What are you..."

’SLAP!’

The sound cracked through the air.

Sharp.

Clear.

Final.

Everything went silent.

John staggered back, his head snapping to the side as the impact landed. A thin line of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth as he struggled to process what had just happened.

Julie’s eyes widened... Lily stood frozen.

The entire field fell into absolute silence.

Tony remained where he was. Unmoved... Unshaken.

"You talk too much," he said quietly.

John slowly turned his head back, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Tony’s expression didn’t change.

"I’ve heard people like you my entire life," he continued. "Talking behind my back. Calling me useless. Laughing at me." His voice wasn’t loud.

"And you know what?" Tony leaned slightly closer.

"I crushed all of them under my foot... You are not any different."

The air turned heavy.

"Remember, I am the prince of the Clark family and soon, a member of this family as well. Know your place before speaking."

He stepped back. Just one step... Giving space... But not retreating.

The silence remained.

Every single person present felt it. Not the slap... Not the insult... But the presence. The audacity... The certainty.

Lily stared at his back, her thoughts momentarily blank.

This wasn’t the Tony she had expected... This wasn’t the "waste" everyone spoke of.

John stood there, unmoving. His cheek is still burning. His pride... Shattered.

His eyes slowly lifted... Locking onto Tony.

And in that moment... Everyone held their breath. Waiting for John’s reaction.