Chapter 2 – Panic
Although Vought International had used Compound V to create countless superheroes, the substance had serious limitations. It couldn't be used on adults—it worked best on minors, and newborns like Xiao showed the greatest potential.
To obtain more infant test subjects, Vought partnered with hospitals under the guise of treating polio. Behind the scenes, the company offered parents large sums of money if they consented to have their child injected and signed a confidentiality agreement.
Parents were also promised that if the child developed superpowers, the company could recruit them as a contract hero, earning fame and fortune for the whole family. For many, the offer was irresistible. Money, prestige, and the chance for their children to thrive—how could they refuse?
With financial leverage, Vought could mass-produce superhumans and use them to generate immense wealth, eventually becoming a corporate behemoth controlling both heroes and media.
When Xiao understood the world he had been reincarnated into, he was initially thrilled. If this was really the world of The Boys, then the mysterious potion he had absorbed as a baby was none other than Compound V—the cornerstone of this universe.
In other words, Xiao could awaken superpowers of his own. The thought of wielding abilities like the heroes he had seen in TV shows and comics excited him so much that sleep became impossible.
Xiao's family, in theory, didn't need to participate in Vought's compensation plan—their wealth would have sustained them. But ten years ago, life was not so easy.
Twenty years prior, Xiao's father, Xiao Xingxiu, had immigrated from China and founded Xiao's Paint Factory. Business went well at first, and he even married a beautiful local woman, Theresa. Their prosperity, however, sparked resentment from local competitors, and under combined pressure, the Xiao family nearly went bankrupt.
Faced with financial strain, Xiao's father signed the Vought contract without hesitation. Not only would it potentially grant his son superpowers, but it would also provide funds to stabilize the family business. Theresa, however, had a different view. She never wanted her son to be a test subject and carried guilt for "selling" him to secure the family's wealth. Her deep love for Xiao drove her to protect and nurture him in every way possible.
Thanks to her care, Xiao adapted easily to this world in his early years. A loving mother made the strange new life feel safe.
But the world outside was not so innocent. One day, Xiao saw on television a muscular superhero lift a car purchased with a five-year loan and hurl it into a house bought on a twenty-year mortgage.
Panic gripped him. Superhumans could strike at any time, and ordinary people were as fragile as ants. Especially when his family, like most citizens, blindly idolized superheroes, Xiao felt the weight of loneliness pressing down on him. Everyone seemed to blame him for being awake alone, and that isolation cut deep.
For years, he had longed for his superpowers to awaken. Every year, his parents would take him to Vought's testing facilities, endure mechanical assessments, and ensure he was given every chance—but nothing happened.
His ordinary performance brought relief to his parents, but also a quiet disappointment. In a world where superheroes were idols, it was natural for them to dream of a superpowered child. Who wouldn't want a hero of their own?
Xiao, too, felt conflicted. He craved power, yet feared the awakening itself.
According to Vought research, most superpowers awakened under extreme stress—fear, anger, or other intense emotions. Areas with the highest concentration of violent crime had the highest success rates, though the dangers were obvious.
Even knowing this, Xiao hesitated. His small frame couldn't withstand the risks—kidnapping, beating, or worse. He struggled with the desire to awaken and the fear of the consequences, and for years, did nothing.
But fear wasn't enough to stop him forever. Eventually, the constant threat of unpredictable superheroes in the world pushed him toward a decision: he would try.
Before he could act, however, his mother, Theresa, found him. She grabbed him by the collar, carried him back, and delivered a stern scolding. His father, Xiao Xingxiu, was reprimanded as well. Theresa warned in no uncertain terms: if anyone tried to push Xiao toward awakening again, she would divorce them.
Xiao's father blamed himself. Had he not pressured his son with high expectations, Xiao wouldn't have risked such reckless methods.
From that day forward, superheroes were never mentioned in the Xiao household again, and all related posters and memorabilia were removed.
Still, Xiao's curiosity and determination remained. He sought other ways to awaken his powers. He had heard stories of children leaping from buildings to trigger abilities, tales of the "sons of the motherland" achieving their first awakening through daring feats.
When Theresa discovered this plan, Xiao was disciplined again. Only then did she finally listen to his worries—about superheroes, about his family, about the dangers he foresaw. Both parents were moved by his understanding, though they couldn't help laughing at his youthful naivety.
"Xiao, do you even know where we live?" Theresa asked gently, cradling his head. "The North District of Brooklyn—the safest area in the city. No superhero dares to step foot here, money says it."
Her words reminded Xiao that in all these years, he had never seen a superhero nearby. In the freest country in the world, not a single incident had occurred close to home. The reality of his safety finally sank in.
Xiao rolled his eyes internally. He had been scaring himself all along.
Comforted, he let go of the idea of forcing an awakening. He accepted his ordinary life and the security it brought. Childhood became carefree—he didn't have to work, he could reach for food, and clothes were always within reach. For the first time, Xiao allowed himself to simply enjoy life.
⭐ Enjoying the story?You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon!Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects.Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims