E/N : Wassup people! How you all doing?
I hope good.
Yeah, nothing's particular to talk about, just wanted to say hi!
Yep, that's it.
Your Allfather Author - PrimorDious.
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Chapter 28.
Hughie was irritable and depressed. No matter where he went, he saw advertisements for the superhero A-Train. Even the convenience store where he worked displayed products bearing the A-Train's image.
Each time he glimpsed the A-Train's portrait, memories of his girlfriend—killed in an accident—flooded back to him.
This feeling haunted Hughie like a nightmare, trapping him in an inescapable cycle of grief.
During a lonely night shift, Hughie had lost interest in the television interviews featuring superhumans. As he deliberated whether to continue with his lawsuit, an uninvited guest appeared—a bearded man.
"You're Hughie. I know your girlfriend wasn't in the middle of the road at the time, but on the side. A-Train lied," the bearded man stated bluntly.
His words shocked Hughie. How could this stranger know such details?
"Who are you? How do you know that?" Hughie asked, surprised.
"I also know you didn't sign the confidentiality agreement or accept the tens of thousands in compensation from the Vought," the bearded man continued.
These additional revelations stunned Hughie even further.
"Who the **** are you? Are you stalking me?" Hughie demanded, his tone serious.
"I'm Butcher, Billy Butcher. Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is, do you want to do something for your dead girlfriend?"
Eventually, Hughie left with Billy. During their journey, Hughie learned that Billy claimed to be an FBI agent. Of course, Hughie didn't yet know this was a deception—Billy was no longer affiliated with the FBI.
Nevertheless, Billy shared some genuine information. He told Hughie that superheroes indirectly killed hundreds of ordinary people each year, incidents that the Vought Group suppressed to prevent public awareness.
The death of Hughie's girlfriend was merely one humble tragedy among hundreds of similar accidents.
"But why haven't so many incidents been reported?" Hughie wondered. Even with the Vought Group's influence, they couldn't possibly conceal everything.
"The Vought Group can't hide everything," Billy explained. –"But when incidents do get reported, they use their powerful public relations capabilities to shift blame to the victims—just like they did with your girlfriend."
"The Vought Group's superheroes have extensive influence. Combined with the 'superhero effect' that brings substantial benefits to various industries, plus –their connections with government officials, no one wants to see a superhero fall from grace."
"Even the general public—even unreasonable people—don't want their admired superheroes exposed in scandals. They'd rather believe such stories are media smear campaigns."
Billy's words struck Hughie forcefully as he recalled what happened to his girlfriend. Indeed, the A-Train had completely shifted blame to her, and the public unanimously supported the superhero.
No one had spoken fairly on his girlfriend's behalf. People preferred to believe whatever the righteous superhero A-Train claimed was the truth.
"Nobody dares to provoke or challenge them," Billy continued. "But I am their nemesis. If they cross the line, I'll punish them in my own way."
His declaration made Hughie look at him sideways. He couldn't fathom what kind of confidence allowed this man to make such bold claims.
"So, How about you come with me?" Billy asked.
Meanwhile, Li Yue was facing Queen Maeve's curiosity.
She studied him carefully with an inquisitive look, then without speaking, simply walked past him.
"Strange," Li Yue muttered. He didn't linger but left the headquarters of the Seven directly.
'I hope you and that girl named Starlight can truly maintain your principles—not be eroded by darkness or defeated by reality, like I was,' Queen Maeve thought after seeing Li Yue and Starlight, both newcomers to the group.
She had once been like them, dreaming of becoming a universally respected superhero. Unfortunately, things hadn't gone as planned. She hadn't maintained her original intentions and had eventually degenerated into her current state, becoming someone she once would have despised.
"Why am I so concerned? Whatever happens to them has nothing to do with me," she finally thought with a self-deprecating smile. She fixed her makeup and departed with perfect composure.
Billy had taken Hughie to a hidden location with an inconspicuous, tightly closed iron door.
After Billy threatened the gatekeeper, they were reluctantly allowed entry.
Who would have imagined that behind such a humble iron gate lay a magnificent nightclub?
After entering, Hughie realized this was a place where superheroes indulged themselves. Here, those usually elevated, untouchable figures removed their disguises and revealed their true natures.
Billy explained that this establishment allowed them to satisfy their unsavory desires without paparazzi intrusion. Almost all male members of the Seven had visited, engaging in various unseemly activities.
Hughie recognized many familiar faces—superhumans who regularly appeared on television.
He immediately identified Ezekiel, the elastic man who traveled nationwide preaching that superhumans with innate powers were God's chosen children, encouraging more powered individuals to join the Vought Group.
It was shocking to discover the disparity between their nearly perfect public personas and their uncomfortable private behavior.
Billy and Hughie didn't remain in the main area but proceeded directly to a private room.
There, Billy instructed the person who had –let them in to retrieve surveillance footage.
The content of this video enraged Hughie completely.
It showed the A-Train joking with his friend about Hughie's girlfriend Robin in a private room the previous night, laughing callously about the incident.
The A-Train displayed no guilt whatsoever, treating Robin's death as casually as if he had hit an insect with his windshield on the highway.
After watching the video, Billy produced police records proving that Robin had not been robbing any bank on the day she was killed.
"The A-Tran lied publicly, obviously hiding something. Where did he go afterward? What was in his shoulder bag?" Billy questioned.
"These issues need clarification. I already have a plan. All you need to do is agree to accept the Vought Corporation's compensation and request a personal apology from the A-Train."
"Then, using that opportunity, plant this bug in their headquarters at the Seven Tower. Can you do it?"
Billy stared at Hughie, anxiously awaiting his reply.
"I..." Hughie hesitated.
In the end, he couldn't agree to Billy's plan. His cowardly nature emerged, affecting his decision.
Billy had no choice but to accept it. He had known Hughie was timid and unlikely to resist, but he hadn't expected that even with video evidence of the A-Train insulting his girlfriend, Hughie would still lack the courage to act. Billy couldn't help but look down on him.
Meanwhile, Madeleine, Vice President of Vought, was discussing cooperation with a politician.
She proposed that the Vought Company would station a superhero –named "Prince of Zambia" in his city, ensuring superhero protection for his constituents.
The politician generally agreed with Madeleine's proposal. However, Madeleine boldly demanded $300 million annually, resembling a mother-in-law requesting an extravagant gift from her son-in-law.
Naturally, the politician refused to be taken advantage of and countered with $200 million per year.
Madeleine rejected this outright, insisting on the full amount.
"I think you'll agree if you don't want the 'Compound V' matter exposed," the politician remarked casually, dropping a significant hint.
"What Compound V?" Madeleine asked.
Though shocked by the politician's knowledge, her experience as a senior Vought Company executive showed in her composure. Her face betrayed no panic as she calmly questioned him.
"Something that could completely destroy your superhero reputation. I don't think you want it exposed. People need superheroes, and our cities need them too, but there are pros and cons. The price you're demanding is simply too high."
"I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about Compound V," Madeleine insisted. "If you want a superhero stationed in your city, the cost remains $300 million, not a penny less."
"In that case, let's end our discussion for today. I'm leaving tomorrow night. I hope to receive good news from you before then," the politician stated, rising unhurriedly and departing without further comment.
Madeleine remained seated on the sofa, silent, her expression constantly shifting as she contemplated her next move.
Outside the conference room, a figure in tights stared intently at a photograph.
Time passed quickly, and dawn arrived. People gradually awakened and filled the streets, hurrying to their workplaces, concerned about being late.
Meanwhile, Li Yue hastened to the Seven's headquarters. This world was truly remarkable—he had become an official superhero. However, like any employee, he needed to report to headquarters before operating freely.
Today would be Li Yue's first meeting with all members of the Seven, of which he was now part.
Upon arriving at headquarters, no one stopped him. All staff recognized Li Yue as the newest member of the Seven.
His presence inevitably drew attention, with several young women in work attire openly admiring him.
Li Yue ignored these glances, proceeding directly to the elevator that would take him to the Seven's meeting room.
Having visited once before, he was familiar with the route and quickly reached his destination.
Upon entering, Li Yue realized the other six members had already arrived—he was the last one.
His appearance drew everyone's attention, all eyes turning toward him. The intensity of their collective gaze would have made an ordinary person unbearably uncomfortable, perhaps even causing them to lose control of their bladder.
Li Yue, however, remained unaffected by their scrutiny and continued walking with steady steps.
One of the six, dressed in blue tights with red and white stripes on his cape, stood facing the window, his back to Li Yue.
"Look everyone, our new partner has arrived. Let's give him a round of applause!" the man announced, turning around with a brilliant—though to Li Yue, utterly fake—smile.
"Homelander! I can finally meet you. I've always been your fan. I'm truly delighted to see you today—may I have your autograph?" Li Yue exclaimed, displaying a smile even brighter than his greeter's, like an excited fan meeting their favorite celebrity.
This man was the leader of the Seven, the Vought Group's ace superhero: Homelander—a combination of Captain America and Superman, possessing superhuman strength while serving as the people's spiritual leader–, much like Captain America.
This persona, however, was merely his public façade. In reality, his true nature was beyond imagination.
Homelander approached Li Yue, extending his right hand for a handshake.
Although Li Yue hesitated briefly, he wouldn't miss such an excellent opportunity. He extended his own hand to grasp Homeland Superman's.
To Li Yue's surprise, the expected pain didn't materialize. He had anticipated that Homelander would exert crushing force during their handshake to demonstrate his superiority. Li Yue had read many novels where such scenarios played out.
Unexpectedly, Homeland Superman didn't follow that routine, offering only a genuine handshake.
This provided Li Yue with the opportunity he'd been seeking. He had been pondering how to make contact with Homelander without arousing suspicion.
For an instant so brief no one noticed—not even Homelander himself—the figures of Li Yue and Homelander seemed to flicker.
Homelander felt only a sequence of sensations: initial surprise at Li Yue's handshake, followed by mild pleasure, and then a sudden mental stupor.
"Li Yue? Li Yue? Are you alright?" he asked, quickly releasing his grip and tapping Li Yue's shoulder.
"Ahem, sorry. Seeing my idol made me too excited. I need to visit the bathroom to compose myself," Li Yue replied, then hurried away without looking back, leaving the Seven staring after him in bewilderment.
In truth, Li Yue wasn't overwhelmed by meeting Homelander.
The reason for his momentary stupor was that after making contact with Superman, his consciousness was instantly drawn into his consciousness, where he watched blue energy coalesce into an enormous hand that grasped a third star.
Unlike his previous experience, this time the giant hand didn't withdraw easily but remained in a prolonged stalemate before finally retracting. Simultaneously, Li Yue discovered strange new sensations manifesting within his body.
...…..
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