Inside a certain video and audio store, Hughie was watching the live broadcast of the Federal Savings Bank robbery on TV. On the screen, Homelander threw that big metal man into the sky.
The camera shook. Up in the sky, Homelander fired lasers from his eyes and took down the robber in just a few moves.
"So cool!", Hughie looked full of envy and copied Homelander, widening his eyes.
"What are you doing? You done with your work?", his boss Gary's voice came from behind.
"Have you prepared the stuff Mr. Rob wanted?"
With his honest-looking face, Hughie hurriedly said, "I'll get on it right now, boss."
"Be smart about it."
Gary muttered, "If it weren't for the fact that you're pretty good with this equipment, I'd have fired you a long time ago."
Hughie lowered his head. After the boss walked past, he hesitated, wanting to say something.
"I'm heading out for a bit," Saying this, Gary left.
Hughie fiddled with the audio equipment. He was good at this and always managed to put together the best sound setups for customers.
At this moment, another clerk whistled and patted his shoulder, "Robin's here to see you."
A short while later, Hughie and his girlfriend Robin were walking down the street.
"So, did you bring up the raise with Gary?", Robin hopped off the curb and jumped back up again.
Hughie stammered for a long time before squeezing out, "Didn't see him this morning."
"Tonight, tonight I'll definitely bring it up."
Robin smiled, "Once you get a raise, you can move out. Then we can enjoy our time together."
Hughie held her hand and nodded. Happiness filled his chest.
The next instant, his vision blurred.
Robin suddenly vanished.
Then Hughie felt something wet and warm splash onto his face.
After that came a splattering sound.
For some reason, a pool of dark red liquid had appeared on the street.
"Robin?"
Only then did Hughie come back to his senses.
And then he realized—
He was still holding his girlfriend's hands.
But those hands only went as far as the forearms.
———
[Super-Speed Movement: Proficiency 3/10]
[Steel Body: Proficiency 1/10]
[Superhuman Strength: Proficiency 1/10]
Looking at the two new lines of information glowing in front of him, Alex didn't open the shop right away.
Instead, he opened his status panel.
[Name: John (Homelander)]
[Life Level: Level 5 (Superhuman)]
[Status: Normal]
[Talents: Laser Eyes +1 (2/30), Flight (9/10), Super-Speed Movement (3/10), Steel Body (1/10), Superhuman Strength (1/10)]
[Items: Dim Proficiency Essence *10]
'Hmm, aside from [Flight] being close to leveling up, the rest are still far from the next level. Especially [Laser Eyes].'
Using these abilities could increase proficiency. Once proficiency reached the requirement, they could be upgraded.
'Also...'
Alex looked at [Dim Proficiency Essence].
[After use, increases the proficiency of any one talent by 2.]
'Good stuff.'
'It can quickly raise proficiency.'
For now, he didn't use the [Proficiency Essence], nor did he open the [Shop].
Alex landed on the ground and walked toward Queen Maeve, "Need a lift?"
Maeve spread her hands, "I can't think of a reason to refuse."
Alex reached out and wrapped an arm around Maeve's waist. Not slim, but without a trace of excess fat.
To accommodate the flight, Maeve pressed her whole body against him.
This gave Alex a full view, and thoughts like "so big" and "so white" drifted through his mind.
Then, while waving to the pedestrians around them, Alex held Maeve and slowly rose into the air.
Once the two reached a height of a hundred meters, they whooshed off into the distance.
.
.
.
Very soon, they arrived at The Seven's headquarters.
Alex landed on the platform, released his grip, put his hands behind his back, and smiled, "Free tonight?"
"I've got something I want to talk to you about."
Maeve casually adjusted her hair, "Just talk?"
Alex smiled.
Of course, if talking led to something else, he wouldn't mind at all.
They were both adults. Wasn't that perfectly normal?
But Maeve just chuckled and said, "Sorry, no time tonight. I've got plans with a friend."
Alex nodded. Then the two took the elevator downstairs.
As they stepped out of the elevator, the newly promoted assistant Ashley said excitedly, "That was amazing, Homelander."
"Your approval rating just went up by 0.3%!"
"Your remarks at the press conference earlier, plus what you just did at the Federal Savings Bank, actually made your approval go up!"
Maeve asked curiously, "What did you say at the press conference?"
Alex smiled, "That's exactly why I wanted to talk to you tonight."
"So, want to change your mind?"
Maeve laughed softly, shook her head, and turned to leave.
Ashley then said nervously, "I've already done the 'cleanup,' but Mr. Edgar is here. He's waiting for you in the lobby."
———
[The Seven's Command Hall]
When Alex walked in, he saw a figure from behind.
It was Edgar, the CEO of Vought.
Edgar turned around, looked at Alex, and spread his hands, "May I ask why you killed Madelyn?"
Alex smiled calmly, "She insulted me."
Edgar's eyebrows rose slightly.
A thoughtful look appeared on his face.
Then he said, "You may not know this, but Madelyn had recently been dealing with members of Congress, preparing to get you, to get superhumans, into the national defense system."
"This would have helped improve our group's performance."
"But you killed her at this moment—"
Alex kept one hand behind his back and raised a finger with the other, "First, Congress will never allow superhumans into the national defense system. Even if we used some small tricks and managed to get in, we'd only end up being seen as a thorn in their side."
"Second, improving the group's performance isn't limited to entering the defense system."
"Lastly, if Madelyn succeeded in getting us into the defense system, don't you think the next step would be for her to get the board to replace you and let her become CEO of Vought?"
Edgar smiled, "So you were helping me?"
Alex didn't answer.
Edgar shook his head, "But losing her at this time is still somewhat unfavorable for us."
"I just got word that the Department of Defense intends to work with another emerging weapons development group."
"They're probably preparing to use it to keep us in check."
"I needed Madelyn to share some of the pressure."
'An emerging weapons development group?'
'Why haven't I heard of that?'
'Forget it, that's not important.'
Alex glanced at the clock and smiled, "It's almost noon, Mr. Edgar. Care to have a meal together?"
Edgar looked up and smiled, "I still have a client to meet."
"Let's keep it short, Homelander. I hope nothing like this happens again."
"Or rather, before you take action, could you give me a heads-up?"
Alex lightly tapped his chin, "I can agree to that."
"And I can also let Vought continue to be The Seven's backing, even turn a blind eye to the little things you do right under my nose."
"But there's one condition."
"From now on, The Seven are run by me."