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Stan Edgar was quite pleased with Homelander's panicked expression. After keeping him frozen for a full ten seconds, he smiled and shook his head, saying, "No, Dr. Vought successfully deciphered the genetic code within the X-Gene that provides superpowers. So, to be precise, users of Compound V are not Mutants, but rather, more superior humans!"
"Perhaps this is because Dr. Vought already realized at that time that anomalies like Mutants would one day be shunned and eliminated by this World!"
Homelander let out a long sigh of relief upon hearing this, finally stabilizing himself from the shock of his "Mutant origin" that had dominated him.
No way.
Who made Homelander care most about his own fame in this World?
And Mutants are almost universally recognized as 'trash,' with many people not even considering them human.
If Homelander also became one of the Mutants, wouldn't he instantly go from a beloved superhero to a reviled street rat?
Hiss… that scene was too beautiful; Homelander didn't even dare to imagine it!
At this moment, Stan Edgar continued, "Later, in 1944, Dr. Vought keenly noticed subtle changes in the World's landscape, so he secretly went to the Allied Powers…"
"While Oppenheimer was still trying to develop the atomic bomb, Dr. Vought's Compound V had already been applied on the battlefield."
"The sudden emergence of Soldier Boy and a host of other 'man-made' superheroes shattered the myth that only Mutants could possess superpowers.
And they successfully shined brightly in the war, killing many fascist soldiers and playing a crucial and decisive role in various key battles."
"So, after the war, Dr. Vought's crimes were successfully pardoned by the heads of various nations…"
Although Stan Edgar spoke with great emotion.
Homelander was already getting impatient.
He wasn't interested in these historical figures or their deeds at all.
Of course.
Except for his own glorious deeds.
No, are you giving me a history lesson here, rambling on and on?
"Stan, while this story is fascinating and tells me the origin of Compound V, you, goddammit…"
Homelander interrupted impatiently, "Ahem, I mean, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Even though the conversation was interrupted several times, Stan Edgar's face showed no sign of anger, maintaining a professional fake smile, as steady as an old dog.
"I just want to tell you one thing: if you simply think that our Vought Corporation is just a company that relies on superheroes to survive, then you are greatly mistaken."
"We are actually a pharmaceutical company, and you, Homelander, are not the most valuable asset in the company."
"Our most valuable asset is the secret formula for Compound V, personally developed by Dr. Vought."
"And your previous act of leaking some of the Compound V has caused extremely significant hidden dangers for the company."
Homelander's eyes immediately became a little flustered upon hearing this.
But it wasn't out of fear; rather, it was the awkward reaction of a child caught doing something naughty by an adult: "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Stan Edgar's tone suddenly became stern, his gaze fixed on the other party without blinking. "Then let me remind you… While Madelyn was in charge of the company, you secretly provided Compound V to some terrorists.
The purpose was to quickly integrate the Super 7, which you led, into the Department of Defense's defense system, thereby putting them on the same platform as the Avengers."
"But you never considered that this practice, which would lead to endless troubles, could very likely directly destroy the reputation and foundation that Vought Corporation has built over a long time."
Faced with such blatant accusations, how could Homelander tolerate such nonsense? He immediately stepped forward in anger and loudly reminded him:
"Sir, I really don't like the way you're talking to me right now, not at all, so you'd better apologize to me quickly…"
But this time.
Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Stan Edgar, who showed no fear.
"I like your self-serving actions even less, and your foolish behavior of disregarding company requirements and putting the company in danger."
"While you're preening for the cameras, my people have to rush all over the World like fools, patching up the messes you've made."
"Please remember, you are not the only superhero in this World. Vought Corporation can promote you, and it can also sideline you."
"Thor, Hulk, even Iron Man… there are too many guys in this World who can defeat you. If you lose the company's support… you're nothing!"
"So, I called you here today just to inform you of one thing."
"That is… from now on, no matter what decision I make, I don't need your approval, nor do I need to inform you in advance. You just need to follow instructions once you receive them!"
The aura around Homelander gradually receded with each of Stan Edgar's sentences.
By the end, his eyes had even started to become unfocused, and his resolve wavered.
"Alright, don't you have another interview coming up?"
Stan Edgar raised his hand to check the time on his wristband, then returned to his desk and pointed towards the door, calmly dismissing him.
The necessary warning had been delivered.
Continuing to speak might make the enraged Homelander completely lose face.
This was not the outcome he wanted.
So, stopping the conversation here was most appropriate.
As a professional manager.
His grasp of human nature and psychology was immeasurably superior to Madelyn, that 'flesh-peddling' woman.
Homelander stood still, his expression constantly changing.
But in the end, he suppressed the urge to unleash a massacre within him and turned to leave in a huff.
Because, just as Stan Edgar had said.
There were countless superheroes who could replace him now.
Therefore, he needed to leverage Vought Corporation's immense financial resources and vast influence to maintain his current 'popularity' and prevent being forgotten by the public.
In comparison, Vought Corporation indeed held the dominant position.
"John!"
As he took the elevator back to his lounge, Homelander suddenly heard someone call his name.
And that name was rarely known by anyone except the researchers in the laboratory where he was born.
So he looked around warily, only to find that the voice was coming from his own Shadow, reflected on the mirror-smooth elevator wall.
Σ(⊙▽⊙"a???
WTF???
"Am I actually hallucinating?"
Homelander could hardly believe his eyes.
Just as he hesitated whether to use his Heat Vision to destroy this damned elevator, he heard his Shadow advise:
"John, quickly pull yourself together. It's not your fault… Stan, that black guy, always hated you. He said those things just to crush your confidence and turn you into a docile dog obedient to Vought Corporation!"
"Don't forget, you are Homelander, supreme in heaven and on earth. How can you let mere mortals dictate your words and actions… You must also become stronger."
Homelander was stunned, feeling a sense of finding a kindred spirit, and subconsciously asked, "Then what should I do?"
The blurry Shadow replied, "First, you must drive that interfering black guy out of the CEO position and gain absolute control within Vought Corporation…"
Ding—
The elevator reached the 66th floor, and Homelander walked out thoughtfully.
...…
...…
And as the situation further escalated.
Karl Merks, located in Sokovia, naturally also noticed the feedback from the prestige points.
In less than half a day, over 500,000 prestige points had already been accumulated.
This speed was faster than outright robbery!
...…
Name: Karl Merks
Age: 19
Identity: Lord of the Warp (warhammer 40k)
Current Prestige: 4,029,999
Current Dimension Scale: 1,469.61 cubic meters
Current Dimension Strength: Level 4 Breakthrough Dimension (0 / 10,000,000)
...…
However.
Currently, Karl Merks paid no attention to the outside discussions.
Firstly, he trusted Old Zhan's screen control ability; even if he didn't explicitly instruct him, he would never let public opinion spiral out of control.
Secondly, the hotter the public opinion, the more beneficial it was for Karl Merks… After all, people sit at home, and prestige points comes from the sky. Isn't that great?
If it were you, would you actively intervene?
So, no matter whether this time it was Nick Fury, that black guy, who orchestrated this farce behind the scenes, or the Monarch Organization, or some other random entity…
The one who would ultimately win big would definitely be Karl Merks.
If anyone truly couldn't stand it, then they should just come to Sokovia and talk to him face-to-face!
Karl Merks always preferred to subdue people with 'virtue'!
Roar—
At this moment, Godzilla, who had been unconscious, woke up again.
Perhaps it was scared by King Kong, as the somewhat dejected Godzilla, as soon as it opened its eyes, clumsily rolled over on the spot and then scrambled to its feet somewhat awkwardly.
Buzz… Buzz buzz… Buzz buzz buzz…
Accompanied by an increasingly urgent buzzing sound.
The neutron flux within Godzilla's body began to transmit upwards along its caudal fin, finally converging in its mouth into a ball of Atomic Breath, shimmering with brilliant blue light.
Seeing this, King Kong showed no weakness, directly summoning the Symbiote Suit A02 to cover its entire body, also preparing for battle.
Karl, look, it's not my fault this time; it started it first!
However.
Karl, shimmering with golden light, then floated between the two Titans, preventing the battle from occurring.
"Godzilla, we are not your enemy."
Karl used the power of the mind stone to successfully break through the communication barrier between species, projecting his words into Godzilla's consciousness.
Roar—
Godzilla let out an angry roar of dissatisfaction, but it didn't rush to attack.
Because it not only felt no hostility from Karl, but also a warm and abundant special energy.
The closer it got to the golden light emanating from the other party, the faster its depleted energy recovered.
Even the pain from its injuries became less severe.
Nice!!!
As I expected.
Karl was very pleased with Godzilla's current performance.
Apparently, the pure Cosmic Secret Energy emanating from him successfully caught Godzilla's attention.
This way, he also held the bargaining chip for negotiations.
But Karl knew very well that the more critical the moment, the less he could act hastily.
In his opinion, Godzilla was like a lone wanderer, accompanied by solitude throughout its long history of nearly 250 million years.
Establishing trust with such an untamed and powerful Titan would certainly not be accomplished overnight.
And he had already secretly tried to establish a connection with Godzilla using the ORCA device + Mind Chains.
However, as previously speculated, the psychic power was hindered by an exceptionally powerful mysterious force, ultimately ending in failure.
So, for now, he had to proceed gradually.
So Karl immediately changed the subject, informing Godzilla telepathically that there were actually many powerful ancestral Titans still existing deep within the Earth's core.
They might be awakened one by one in the future.
At that time, Godzilla alone would not be able to deal with so many powerful enemies simultaneously.
So Karl suggested that Godzilla could form a Monster Alliance with King Kong, and when powerful enemies appeared, the two Titans could face them together.
And he, as King Kong's guardian, would provide them with a continuous supply of Cosmic Secret Energy to replenish their own energy.
Godzilla did not immediately respond after hearing this, but silently absorbed the Cosmic Secret Energy for a while before stubbornly turning and leaving.
Soon, its massive form disappeared beneath the sea.
"Karl, that old guy is very impolite, why didn't you let me hit him?"
King Kong pointed in the direction Godzilla left, shook his giant fist, and telepathically asked in confusion.
"Handsome, do you remember your experience on Skull Island?"
Karl did not directly answer the question, but said earnestly:
"Its experience is actually similar to yours, but it has endured much longer loneliness and solitude than you, so it naturally doesn't trust others as easily."
"Let's just give it more time to accept…"
The kind-hearted King Kong immediately recalled his lonely past experiences on Skull Island and said with a sense of empathy:
"Well, that being said, it really is quite pitiful."