Chapter 11: Everyone is a Traitor!
The air suddenly fell silent.
It was so quiet that even the sound of the fans spinning inside Tony's armor could be heard clearly.
Nick Fury's single eye narrowed slightly.
He stared fixedly at the man in front of him, who was a head taller and was currently looking down at him with an expression as if he were looking at an ant.
The atmosphere was tense, one could even say it was on the verge of exploding.
"Mr. Arthur,"
Fury took a deep breath, suppressing the shudder in his heart from being stared at by an apex predator, his voice remaining firm.
"This is procedure. Any asset that exceeds the scope of conventional control must..."
"Asset?"
Arthur interrupted him directly, his lips curling into a playful yet dangerous smile.
"Did you just say I'm an asset?"
"Hahahaha!"
Arthur suddenly burst out laughing. The laughter was hearty, but it made everyone present feel their scalps tingle.
While laughing, he slowly took a step toward Fury.
Just one step.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents behind Fury instantly raised their firearms.
The dark muzzles of the guns were all pointed at Arthur's head in unison.
"Wow, so this is how S.H.I.E.L.D. treats a savior?"
Arthur didn't even glance at those gun barrels.
He just continued to stare at Fury, and deep within his eyes, two red flames began to flicker faintly.
"I just helped you send a bunch of alien trash back to their hometown and saved all your lives in the process."
"And now you're pointing guns at me?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This is truly disheartening."
A layer of fine cold sweat broke out on Fury's forehead.
He felt it.
That terrifying sense of oppression, as if with just a single thought from the other party, he would instantly be turned to ash.
But he couldn't back down. He was the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the gatekeeper of Earth's line of defense.
So, he turned his gaze toward the nearby Avengers, the meaning in his eyes clear:
It's your turn to step up. This is for the safety of the Earth.
However.
The scene was extremely awkward.
Tony Stark directly snapped his faceplate back down, pretending to look at the scenery, and even whistled.
"Jarvis, the weather is nice tonight, perfect for a barbecue."
"Sir, the current air quality index indicates heavy pollution, and it contains a large amount of alien viral residue."
"Shut up, those are seasonings."
Tony directly ignored Fury's silent plea for help.
Was he kidding?
Help that Black Braised Egg deal with his own savior and company shareholder?
Tony Stark might be a jerk, but he wasn't that much of a jerk.
Besides, he had long been annoyed by these S.H.I.E.L.D. bureaucrats.
"Nick, as much as I'd love to help you, this suit's energy is down to 3%. I couldn't even start a microwave."
Tony shrugged, his tone full of schadenfreude.
"And I think heroes don't need to fill out forms, right?"
Fury's face darkened even further.
He then looked toward Thor.
The Prince of Asgard was swinging his hammer, looking at Fury with an expression as if he were looking at an idiot.
"You expect a warrior capable of crossing the void with his bare body to undergo some assessment by you mortals?"
Thor sneered:
"In Asgard, only the most cowardly of cowards are locked in cages for inspection."
"This warrior has earned my respect. I will not swing mjolnir against a comrade-in-arms."
After saying that, Thor even nodded at Arthur, looking like he was saying, "I've got your back, buddy."
Fury's heart sank halfway.
His last hope, Bruce Banner.
As it turned out, Dr. Banner pushed up his glasses and shrank back, his face full of resistance.
"Don't look at me, Director."
"The last person who wanted to assess and study me was General Ross. Later... well, Harlem still hasn't finished being rebuilt."
"The feeling of being treated like a lab rat is really terrible. I'm on Homelander's side."
Good grief.
Everyone is a traitor!
Fury felt like his one eye was going to go blind from anger.
Why was this team of Avengers so hard to lead?
As for Natasha and Barton?
Although these two were loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents, they were also the most observant.
Looking at Arthur's eyes, which were already starting to glow red, and then at the small handguns and bow and arrows in their own hands.
If they were to make a move, that wouldn't be a fight; that would be throwing their lives away.
So, the two of them maintained a tacit silence and even quietly took half a step back.
"It seems everyone doesn't quite agree with your proposal, Mr. Director."
Looking at this scene, Arthur felt an immense sense of satisfaction.
That's how it should be!
A just cause attracts much support, while an unjust one finds little.
I have strength, I have money, and I have popularity. What right do you have to fight me?
He took a step forward, and that mountain-heavy Bio-electric Field was released without reservation.
Crack!
The floor tiles beneath Fury's feet instantly splintered into several fine cracks.
The surrounding Agents holding guns felt as if a giant boulder were pressing against their chests.
Even breathing became difficult, and the guns in their hands were trembling violently.
"Listen, Fury."
Arthur's voice was low and magnetic, yet it carried an unquestionable dominance:
"I don't want to go to any S.H.I.E.L.D., and I don't want to undergo any bullshit assessment."
"I don't even want to know what you're thinking."
"I only know that I'll go wherever I want to go, and I'll do whatever I want to do."
"You can treat me as a friend, and we'll get along very pleasantly."
Arthur slowly lowered his head, the red light in his eyes becoming increasingly intense.
It was as if two red giant stars were about to erupt; the surrounding air began to warp and fluctuate due to the high temperature.
"But if you want to treat me as an enemy, or an asset."
"Then I don't mind making your so-called S.H.I.E.L.D. disappear directly from the map."
"Believe me, I can do it."
A threat!
A naked threat!
And it was a threat directed at Earth's biggest spymaster in front of everyone!
If someone else had said this, Fury would have already ordered everyone to open fire.
But facing Arthur...
Fury looked at those terrifying red eyes and had no doubt.
As long as he dared to say a single "no," two beams of Heat Vision would boil his brains in the next second.
How was this a superhero?
This was clearly a nuclear bomb in human skin! An ancestor who could explode at any moment!
Damn it, he had to immediately start a weakness file on him.
If a counter-strategy wasn't established, Earth would be finished sooner or later.
But before that, to survive and to avoid letting the situation reach a complete deadlock...
Fury gritted his teeth, his dark face tensed to the limit.
Just at this critical moment of confrontation, when Fury was about to be forced to back down.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...
A strange sound of sparks suddenly rang out among the crowd.
Immediately following.
A circle sparking with golden energy appeared out of thin air on the rooftop platform of Stark Tower.
Those sparks rotated and expanded, instantly forming a golden portal large enough for a person to pass through.
A chilly wind from the Himalayas, mixed with a faint scent of sandalwood, blew out from within the portal.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.
Even the red light in Arthur's eyes flickered slightly.
"Wow, this portal, this cold wind, this bald head... isn't this the Ancient One?"
On the other side of that golden portal.
A figure wearing a yellow monk's robe, with a bald head and an ethereal temperament, slowly walked out.
She held a folding fan in her hand, and her face wore a calm smile that seemed to see through all things in the World.
The Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One.
She ignored the surrounding Agents armed with live ammunition and the startled looks of the Avengers.
Her deep eyes, full of wisdom, looked straight at Arthur, who was preparing to lash out.
"Young man, don't be so angry."
The Ancient One's voice was gentle, yet it seemed to possess a certain magic that could soothe the agitation in one's heart.
"If you don't mind, would you like to come to Kamar-Taj for a cup of tea?"
"I think we have some things to talk about."
"About your power, and your soul that does not belong to this World."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Arthur's pupils suddenly constricted.
This bald woman even saw through that?!
Chapter 12: See You Later, Guys
The Ancient One's voice faded.
Everyone's eyes darted back and forth between the bald woman in yellow robes and Arthur.
Nick Fury's face, already dark, was now so dark it looked like ink could be squeezed out of it.
He felt that the situation today had completely spiraled out of control.
First, there was a defiant, ridiculously strong Homelander.
And now, a bald woman playing with sparkler rings had popped up?
When did Earth become so crowded?
"Sorcerer?"
Tony Stark's eyebrows shot up behind his faceplate.
He looked at the sparking portal, on the other side of which were swirling snow and ancient-looking buildings.
"Jarvis, analyze that ring. Is it some kind of quantum teleportation technology? Or a holographic projection?"
"Sir, it is impossible to analyze. It is some unknown form of energy, and the temperature on the other side shows minus twenty degrees."
"Alright then."
Tony spread his hands. Even facing such a supernatural phenomenon, he remained stubborn:
"While your magic tricks are impressive, shouldn't you pay some electricity fees for opening an air-conditioning vent on top of my building?"
The Ancient One tilted her head slightly, looking at Tony with a smile that remained calm, as if looking at a naughty child.
"Mr. Stark, the truth of the World is often hidden beyond the boundaries of science."
"As for magic..."
The Ancient One lightly shook the folding fan in her hand and pointed at Thor, who was warily gripping his hammer nearby:
"Perhaps you can ask this Prince of Asgard."
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Thor.
Thor felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at. He dropped his usual boisterous attitude, and a hint of solemnity appeared in his eyes.
As a god who had lived for a thousand years, his battle instincts told him something.
This slender, bald woman before him contained an extremely terrifying power within her.
She was even more mysterious than his father, Odin.
"This is indeed magic."
Thor said in a deep voice, mjolnir faintly crackling with lightning:
"In Asgard, this is very common. But in Midgard... I didn't expect anyone to still master such power."
Hearing the God of Thunder's personal certification.
Natasha and Barton exchanged a look, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
Well then.
Today had certainly been an eye-opener.
Aliens, Superman, Thor, and now even a sorcerer had appeared.
What the hell was S.H.I.E.L.D. doing before? Running a kindergarten?
The calmest person present was none other than Arthur.
He looked at the Ancient One, but inside, he was overjoyed.
He was just worrying about how to solve the fatal weakness of having zero Magic Resistance, and this was like someone bringing a pillow just as he wanted to sleep!
What does Superman fear?
First is Kryptonite, second is magic.
There is no Kryptonite in this World, so the only shortcoming is magic.
If he could go to Kamar-Taj for further study.
Get some magic defense equipment, or simply learn a couple of spells.
Then in this Marvel Universe, wouldn't he be able to go anywhere he pleased?
Thinking of this, the red light in Arthur's eyes instantly retracted.
His face once again wore that signature smile, full of love and peace.
He turned around, looking at the ashen-faced Nick Fury, his tone full of mockery:
"It seems, Mr. Director."
"Your intelligence work isn't all that great."
"Such a powerful sorcerer lives in the Himalayas, and you actually didn't know?"
"And you want to perform an assessment on me? I think you should first assess your own professional competence."
This was simply adding insult to injury.
Fury's single eye twitched, but he couldn't refute it.
Because what Arthur said was the truth.
He indeed did not know of Kamar-Taj's existence.
For the control-obsessed King of Spies, this was an utter humiliation.
"How about it, young man?"
The Ancient One ignored Fury's predicament and extended her invitation to Arthur again:
"The tea at Kamar-Taj is quite good; I think you will like it."
Arthur straightened his collar and strode over to the Ancient One.
"Of course, it would be an honor."
"As it happens, I also have some questions I'd like to ask the Sorcerer Supreme."
Like how to max out my Magic Resistance and such.
Arthur added silently in his heart.
Seeing Arthur agree, the Ancient One nodded with satisfaction.
She turned around and waved the folding fan in her hand.
The golden portal instantly expanded a bit more.
"Everyone, let today's events end here."
The Ancient One's voice, though soft, clearly reached everyone's ears:
"As for this Mr. Arthur, I will take him away for the time being."
"Nick Fury."
The Ancient One's deep eyes looked at Fury, as if she could see through his soul:
"Do not try to find us, and do not try to use your so-called methods."
"Because we are everywhere, yet nowhere to be found."
Having said that.
The Ancient One was the first to step into the portal.
Arthur followed closely behind.
Just before crossing the portal, he stopped.
He looked back at the Avengers behind him.
Specifically, he glanced at Tony.
He gave a meaningful smile and even waved his hand:
"See you later, guys."
"Remember to keep a close eye on Stark Industries' stock for me; that's my pension."
The next second.
The two disappeared into the portal.
Zzzzt, zzzzt, zzzzt.
The golden sparks rapidly contracted and finally vanished completely into the air.
As if they had never appeared.
Leaving only the group of people on the rooftop, bewildered in the cold wind of the sunset.
"He just left like that?"
Dr. Banner pulled up his pants, looking completely dazed.
"Well, looks like I should go too."
Tony spread his hands.
Although he was full of curiosity about that magic, now was clearly not the time to delve into it.
"Since everyone is dispersing, who's responsible for fixing my building?"
"Nick, does this bill come out of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s budget?"
Nick Fury: "..."
Motherfucker!
...
Meanwhile.
In a quiet Zen courtyard in Kamar-Taj.
Arthur only felt the scenery before his eyes change.
From modern skyscrapers, he instantly arrived at this wooden courtyard filled with an ancient atmosphere.
The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, and the distant snow-capped mountains were partially visible through the mist.
That sense of tranquility instantly calmed his heart, which had been somewhat restless due to the killing.
"This is Kamar-Taj?"
Arthur looked around.
With his Super Vision, he could see a group of sorcerers in training robes practicing combat in a distant plaza.
Hmm, they looked a bit weak.
It felt like they wouldn't even withstand a single breath from him.
"This is a holy land of magic, and also a secret line of defense protecting Earth."
The Ancient One walked to a tea table and sat down, skillfully beginning to brew tea.
Her movements were fluid, carrying a unique rhythm.
"Please sit, guest from another World."
Arthur wasn't polite either and sat down directly opposite the Ancient One.
He knew that in front of the Ancient One, who possessed the Time Stone, playing dumb was meaningless.
"Since the Sorcerer knows my origin."
Arthur picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Hmm, a bit bitter, not as good as Cola.
He put down the teacup and asked bluntly:
"Then you bringing me here shouldn't be just to treat me to tea, right?"
Chapter 13: I Won't Shave My Head
The fragrance of tea wafted through the air as white steam rose.
Sorcerer Ancient One's technique was steady; the emerald tea liquid swirled in the cup without a single drop splashing out.
She was in no hurry to answer Arthur's question. Instead, she gently set down the teapot, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Young man, you truly are impatient."
"Even if you possess power that exceeds the speed of sound, sometimes you need to stop and savor the bitterness and sweet aftertaste of the tea in this cup."
Arthur looked at the steaming cup of tea before him but did not reach for it.
He crossed his arms and leaned back against the not-so-comfortable wooden backrest of the chair.
His face wore that signature, flawless smile.
"I can't help it, Sorcerer."
"I've always liked being direct."
"As you know, I'm a busy man."
Arthur pointed out the door, as if he could see through the layers of snowy mountains to the bustling World on the other side of the ocean.
"I came all this way with you. If it's just to sit here drinking tea to cultivate my character, I'm afraid I really won't be able to stay still."
"After all..."
Arthur leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming increasingly gentle.
"There are still so many people in this World waiting for me to save them."
"Every minute and every second, innocent citizens are calling for Homelander. Of course, more people are calling the name Superman now."
"To let them down would be the greatest dereliction of duty for a superhero like me."
While saying this, what Arthur was actually thinking was:
Wasting a minute of my time is wasting tens of thousands of popularity points!
That's Heat Vision, that's the Man of Steel, that's a max-level Bio-electric Field!
This bald old lady doesn't know a damn thing about brand management!
The Ancient One looked at Arthur's compassionate facade, her folding fan gently tapping against her palm.
She smiled.
It was the kind of smile that saw through the clumsy lie of a naughty child.
"From your tone..."
The Ancient One took a small sip of tea, her gaze deep.
"You don't seem to be all that serious about saving the World?"
"Serious?"
Arthur acted as if he had heard a hilarious joke.
He spread his hands, and the arrogance and confidence etched into his bones were released without reservation at that moment.
"Sorcerer, you might have some misunderstanding about me."
"There are so many people in the World who need saving. Even if I were God, I couldn't save them all."
"Of course."
Arthur shifted his tone and picked up the teacup, feeling the warmth through his fingertips.
"With my abilities, if I truly want to save someone, it's an effortless task."
"Whether it's an alien fleet or a nuclear crisis."
"To me, it's just a matter of blinking an extra time."
"As for being serious..."
Arthur drained the tea in one gulp and casually tossed the priceless antique teacup onto the table with a crisp thud.
"When you are powerful enough to ignore the rules."
"The word'serious' itself is a redundant burden."
"I don't need to be serious. I only need to—"
Arthur pointed to the sky, his smile brilliant.
"Do as I please."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
The Ancient One looked at the man before her, who was arrogant to the extreme.
In her long life, she had seen countless geniuses, madmen, and even gods.
But she had never seen anyone like Arthur, who had carved arrogance into every inch of his soul.
"Arrogance is a sin, you know."
The Ancient One's voice remained calm, without a hint of anger.
"Perhaps."
Arthur shrugged indifferently.
He was fed up with this cryptic dialogue.
I'm here to learn how to stack magic resistance, not to listen to an ethics lesson.
"Alright, Sorcerer."
Arthur's smile faded, and his gaze sharpened as he looked directly into the Ancient One's eyes.
"Stop beating around the bush with me."
"Let's speak plainly."
"Why exactly did you bring me here?"
"And..."
Arthur lowered his voice slightly, with a hint of dangerous probing.
"How did you know that I don't belong to this World?"
This was his biggest secret.
Although he knew the Ancient One possessed the eye of agamotto and could see through timelines.
But being called out as a transmigrator to his face still made him very uncomfortable.
The Ancient One simply set down her teacup calmly, her hands tucked into her sleeves, as if stating a simple fact.
"I can feel that your soul is out of sync with the frequency of this World."
"You are like a drop of water falling into a pan of oil. Although you seem to merge..."
"In essence, you are not a soul birthed by this Universe."
"You come from outside."
"In fact, you are not within any timeline I can observe."
Arthur's heart skipped a beat.
Damn.
This old lady really has some tricks up her sleeve.
But he remained outwardly unfazed and even blurted out a guess:
"So, I'm from another Multiverse?"
"Just like it's written in the comics?"
The Ancient One was momentarily stunned.
She clearly hadn't expected Arthur to throw out this concept so bluntly.
"You know about the Multiverse?"
A hint of surprise finally colored the Ancient One's tone.
At this point in time, even S.H.I.E.L.D. was still playing in the mud.
The number of people in this World who could understand the concept of the Multiverse could be counted on one hand.
Arthur just smiled and didn't speak.
Maintaining a sense of mystery was the first rule of acting cool.
More importantly, she clearly didn't know he came from another, higher-dimensional Universe.
The Ancient One gave him a deep look but didn't press further.
As the Sorcerer Supreme, she had seen too many incredible things.
Someone who knew about the Multiverse was rare, but still within the realm of understanding.
"It would seem so."
The Ancient One nodded, acknowledging Arthur's statement.
Then, her expression became serious.
"However, the reason I brought you here isn't because of that."
"Visitors from the Multiverse are rare, but not unheard of."
The Ancient One stood up and walked to the edge of the courtyard, looking at the mist-shrouded Himalayas in the distance.
"I sought you out because I can feel the powerful soul force within you, capable of shaking reality."
"As well as your body, which can be called a god among men."
"This World needs balance."
The Ancient One turned around, her back to the light, her shadow stretching long in the sunset.
"I have seen the timelines, seen countless futures."
"Your appearance is a complete accident."
"You are like a chess piece that suddenly barged onto the board, disrupting the original layout."
"But..."
The Ancient One paused, her gaze burning as she looked at Arthur.
"This is also a new kind of balance."
"Originally, I already had a suitable candidate for the next Sorcerer Supreme."
"In the distant future, he would go through trials and eventually take up my mantle."
"But because of your appearance, the future has become blurred."
"So, I've changed my mind."
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
Why did this sound so familiar?
Stealing Doctor Strange's job?
"How so?" Arthur asked.
The Ancient One didn't answer directly. Instead, she looked down at the cup of cold tea on the table.
The tea was like a mirror, reflecting her wise yet slightly weary eyes.
"In the future, you will bring great disaster to Earth."
The Ancient One's voice was soft, yet it exploded in Arthur's ears like a clap of thunder.
Arthur's heart sank.
Bringing disaster to Earth in the future?
Could it be that he would really fall out with those guys at S.H.I.E.L.D. later on?
"However."
The Ancient One shifted her tone and looked up, her gaze becoming incredibly firm.
"Compared to the true ultimate darkness that is about to sweep through the entire dimension."
"The trouble you bring is nothing."
"In short, the Earth dimension will experience many, very serious disasters in the future."
"Dormammu's covetousness, the erosion of the Dark Dimension, even an overlord from the depths of the Universe..."
"I have watched countless timelines, trying to find a way to break the deadlock."
"In the original timeline, the chances of winning were slim to none."
"But now, because of your existence, a variable has appeared in that originally dim future."
The Ancient One walked up to Arthur and even bowed slightly, a gesture of equality or even a request.
"Only you possess that power."
"The power to break all despair with absolute violence."
"So."
The Ancient One reached out. In her palm floated a magic book emitting an ancient aura.
"John Gilchang."
"I ask you to stay in Kamar-Taj and study magic with me."
"Not only to supplement your weaknesses."
"But also so that in the future, you will have the qualification and the ability..."
"To become the next Sorcerer Supreme."
Arthur looked at the magic book, then at the Ancient One's serious face.
Only one thought was in his mind:
This is a high-level play!
Sorcerer Supreme?
That title sounds...
Even more exciting than Homelander, doesn't it?
And most importantly.
If I become the Sorcerer Supreme, who would dare use magic against me in the future?
Wouldn't that mean I could truly do whatever I want in this Marvel Universe?
"Deal."
The smile on Arthur's face became much more sincere at this moment.
"But let's get one thing straight: I'm a fast learner."
"And, I won't shave my head."
Chapter 14: Enchanting Heat Vision?
The Sorcerer Ancient One looked at the tall man before her, especially that head of blond hair.
She couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle.
"Kamar-Taj indeed has many rules, but the one about shaving one's head..."
The Ancient One touched her own smooth forehead, her folding fan tapping lightly in her hand.
"That is only to help sorcerers better cast aside distracting thoughts and sense magic more purely."
"But for you."
The Ancient One paused, a playful glint in her eyes.
"I think if I made you shave your head, you would probably turn around and leave."
"That's for sure."
Arthur nodded as if it were a matter of course.
Was she joking?
If Homelander lost his hair, would he still be Homelander? He'd be Saitama-sensei!
Would he still have fans?
Would he still have popularity points?
Heads can roll, blood can flow, but the hairstyle must stay!
"Since the Sorcerer is so reasonable, let's not waste time."
Arthur rubbed his hands together impatiently, his eyes burning with excitement.
"Let's get started!"
"I can't wait to feel what this so-called magic actually tastes like."
Actually, he was mainly impatient to max out his magic resistance!
As long as his magic resistance was maxed out, he, John Gilchang, would be truly invincible in this Marvel Universe!
When that time came, he could do whatever he wanted!
"Young people are always so impatient."
The Ancient One smiled slightly, not at all annoyed.
She slowly stood up, her yellow robes swaying gently with her movements.
"Come, stand here."
The Ancient One pointed to an open space next to the tea table.
Arthur didn't hesitate, taking a few steps over and standing there casually.
He looked like an iron tower.
"Are you ready?" the Ancient One asked.
"Of course!" Arthur was full of confidence.
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure!"
Arthur was a bit speechless.
Why was this old lady being so dawdling?
I'm already Superman, okay? I have a Man of Steel, okay?
Could learning magic be more uncomfortable than taking a bath in the Sun?
However.
The moment the words left his mouth.
The Ancient One moved.
Without any warning, and without any magical fluctuations.
She simply raised her hand lightly, seemingly slow but actually as fast as lightning, and struck out with her palm!
The target—Arthur's chest!
In Arthur's Super Vision, this palm strike was as slow as a snail crawling.
His instinct was to block or simply dodge.
After all, no one can just hit Superman's chest.
But then he thought better of it.
This old lady probably wouldn't harm him.
Moreover, he wanted to see what kind of tricks this so-called Sorcerer Supreme actually had.
And so.
He didn't move, taking the palm strike head-on.
He didn't even activate his Bio-electric Field.
Thud!
A muffled sound.
There was no pain like he imagined, nor that feeling of a heavy impact.
Arthur only felt his entire body lighten.
Immediately after.
"Holy crap?!"
An exclamation escaped his lips.
Arthur discovered with horror that his perspective had changed!
His entire being flew backward uncontrollably, light as a feather, without any weight.
While the "him" that should have been standing there.
Was currently standing straight with eyes tightly shut, hands still in his pockets.
"This... this is?"
Arthur looked down at his hands.
They were translucent!
They were even emitting a faint golden light!
He tried to clench his fists; there was no physical sensation of touch, only a surge of pure energy.
"Astral Projection?!"
Arthur realized it instantly.
This was the move the Ancient One used in the movie to teach Doctor Strange a lesson!
Except, this feeling...
Was so wonderful!
Arthur did a somersault in the air, feeling like he had turned into a cloud, or perhaps a gust of wind.
Completely freed from the shackles of the physical body, his thoughts became clearer than ever before.
Even the tiny dust particles in the air around him became colorful in his eyes.
"She actually managed to knock my soul out?"
Arthur floated back to his physical body, stroking his chin (though he couldn't feel it), his face full of novelty.
"So this is what Astral Projection feels like? It's actually pretty cool."
"If it were an ordinary person, they would be screaming in terror by now."
The Ancient One withdrew her hand, looking at Arthur floating in the air, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.
"Not only are you not afraid, but you also figured out the situation immediately."
"Your soul strength is much more powerful than I imagined."
"That's a given."
Arthur floated proudly in the air, striking a Superman flying pose.
"After all, I am Homelander. Not only is my body strong, my soul has to be top-notch too."
"In that case."
The smile at the corners of the Ancient One's mouth deepened.
She looked at this man who remained full of confidence and arrogance even in soul form.
"Then I will show you what this World truly looks like."
"What?" Arthur was momentarily stunned.
Before he could react.
The Ancient One struck again.
She reached out her finger and tapped lightly on Arthur's translucent forehead.
"Open your eye."
Boom!
Arthur felt his vision go black, followed by the World spinning!
"Aaaaaahhhhhh—!!!"
He felt like he had been thrown into a giant kaleidoscope-themed washing machine!
His entire being was instantly catapulted out!
One second, he was in the meditation room at Kamar-Taj.
The next second, he was in the midst of a brilliantly bizarre and kaleidoscopic scene!
Countless colors and geometric shapes spun, exploded, and reassembled wildly around him.
He saw Universes splitting like cells!
He saw Worlds growing out of countless palms!
He saw time flowing backward and space folding!
"Holy hell! This is more intense than being on drugs!"
Arthur shuttled through the gaps between dimensions, the visual impact nearly shattering his soul.
This was far more shocking than watching IMAX in a theater!
Is this the Multiverse?!
Suddenly.
The scene shifted.
A space that was pitch black, silent, and filled with an aura of despair and terror appeared before his eyes.
Deep within that endless darkness.
Two massive Planets, burning with purple magical fire, slowly opened like eyes.
Dormammu!
The ruler of the Dark Dimension!
Even with just a fleeting glance, Arthur felt that suffocating sense of evil and power.
If it were the old him, he might have felt fear.
But now?
"Tsk, what a big face. You're really ugly."
Arthur gave him a middle finger in his mind.
Once I learn magic, I'll treat your Dark Dimension like my back garden!
Whoosh!
Before he could take another look.
A massive suction force pulled him back.
Arthur felt like he was being yanked back by a giant rubber band.
Past countless stars, past countless dimensions.
Thump!
A muffled sound.
Arthur snapped his eyes open, gasping for air.
The heavy sensation of his soul returning to his body hit him instantly.
He looked down; his hands were solid again, and his feet were on the ground.
He was back.
"How do you feel?"
The Ancient One still stood in the same spot, her pose hadn't even changed, wearing that unfathomable smile.
Arthur shook his somewhat dizzy head.
"I feel..."
He stood up straight, the shock in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by an even more fanatical light.
"That was so damn exciting!"
"So this is the Multiverse? This is the World of magic?"
The Ancient One nodded, not at all offended by his crude language.
"And what did you see?" the Ancient One asked.
"I saw a lot."
Arthur took a deep breath, recalling that brief experience.
Suddenly.
As if remembering something, he raised his hand and made a grasping motion in the air.
Super Vision activated unconsciously, but this time, it seemed a bit different.
"Besides all those flashy things..."
Arthur squinted, looking at the seemingly ordinary air around him, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"I seemed to... see Earth covered in blood vessels?"
"Glowing things, like meridians, densely covering the entire surface of the Earth."
"And..."
Arthur pointed beneath his feet.
"This place seems to be a giant node?"
As soon as he said this.
The Ancient One, who had maintained a calm smile, finally changed her expression.
A flash of genuine surprise appeared in her eyes.
"You saw the Magical Ley Lines?"
"On your first Astral Projection, you actually saw the Vishanti's magical defense network and the Ley Line Nodes?"
The Ancient One looked at Arthur as if she were looking at a piece of peerless unpolished jade.
This kind of talent was simply unheard of!
Even for her back then, it had taken years of meditation to barely perceive the existence of these things.
And this man had seen them with just one glance!
"Indeed."
The Ancient One took a deep breath, the smile on her face becoming even more satisfied.
"I was right to choose you."
"Your talent even surpasses that of the previous Sorcerers Supreme."
"John Gilchang."
The Ancient One turned around and strode out of the courtyard, waving her folding fan.
"Follow me."
"Even though you are exceptionally gifted, we must still start from the basics."
"Now, I will teach you the most basic magic—the Raggadorr's Rings."
"Which is what you commonly call a Magical Shield."
Arthur's eyes lit up.
Magical Shield?
Isn't that the golden light circle?
Cool!
Without a word, he followed her directly.
"Coming, coming! Sorcerer, can this thing block a nuclear bomb?"
"If I add a magical enchantment to my Heat Vision, can it shoot straight through dimensions?"
Hearing the series of wild questions coming from behind her.
The Ancient One stumbled slightly, almost losing her cool sorcerer image.
Enchanting Heat Vision?
This young man's ideas...
Were really a bit dangerous.
Chapter 15: That Damn Bald Head...
Sorcerer Ancient One lightly tapped the folding fan in her hand.
She led Arthur through the quiet cloisters and arrived at a spacious Martial Arts Arena.
There were already quite a few sorcerers dressed as Ascetics practicing here.
Hoo! Ha!
The air was thick with the mixed scent of sweat and incense.
Arthur had his hands in his pockets, watching the group of magic apprentices with great interest.
In the center of the arena, two sorcerers were sparring.
One of them pulled his hands apart, and a golden Magical Whip appeared out of thin air.
With a crackling sound of sparks, it lashed out fiercely toward the opponent.
The other person was not to be outdone, drawing a circle with both hands in front of his chest.
Zzzzt!
Complex geometric patterns instantly lit up, and a Shield of the Seraphim covered in runes manifested out of thin air.
Snap!
The whip struck the shield, splashing a series of brilliant sparks.
"Cool!"
Arthur couldn't help but whistle.
To be honest, this was much more exciting than movie special effects.
Watching magic particles dancing in the air from such a close distance was simply too cool!
And most importantly...
This stuff is stylish!
As a superhero, whether you're strong or not is temporary, but whether you're stylish or not is a lifelong matter!
Imagine this: in the future, he'd be choking Thanos with his left hand while conjuring a golden magical greatsword with his right.
That imagery, that level of prestige—wouldn't his popularity points skyrocket?
"Is that what you're going to teach me?"
Arthur pointed at the sorcerer conjuring the shield, looking eager to try.
"Exactly."
The Ancient One nodded slightly and led Arthur to an empty spot.
The surrounding sorcerers who were practicing all stopped their movements.
They curiously sized up this stranger wearing a white lab coat and standing impossibly tall.
"magic is the visualization of one's own spiritual power into real-world energy."
The Ancient One said while slowly raising her hand.
Her movements were very slow, like she was practicing Tai Chi.
"Concentrate your spirit, feel the stray energy in the Universe, and then..."
Hum!
With a flip of her wrist.
An exquisite, complex magical shield emitting a divine golden light instantly formed in her palm.
"Construct it."
The Ancient One dispelled the magic and looked at Arthur: "You try."
"That's it? Drawing circles, I'm good at that."
Arthur reached out his hand with full confidence.
Relying on the terrifying computing power and memory of his super brain.
The complex hand seals the Ancient One had just performed were broken down into the most basic action frames in his eyes.
Without any hesitation.
Arthur took a deep breath, and his mental power concentrated instantly.
He flicked his wrist sharply!
Zzzzt—!
Unlike Doctor Strange, who struggled for ages only to produce a few sparks.
In an instant.
A golden magical shield, even a size larger and more dazzling than the one the Ancient One had just demonstrated.
Appeared directly in front of Arthur's arm!
The complex patterns were clearly visible, and it was even slowly rotating!
"Holy crap? It worked?"
Arthur himself was stunned for a moment.
He shook his arm, and the magical shield steadily followed his movements without any sign of dissipating.
This is magic?
Doesn't seem that hard, does it?
The sound of collective gasps instantly echoed around them.
"Hiss—"
"Success on the first try?"
"My God, I practiced for three whole months back then just to draw a complete circle!"
"Who is this guy? Is he the illegitimate son of some Great Dimensional Archmage?"
Those sorcerers who had practiced for years looked at the flawless magical shield in Arthur's hand, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.
This was too discouraging!
Even the always-calm Ancient One had a flash of amazement in her eyes.
Although she knew Arthur was exceptionally gifted, this speed of mastery... it was as if this magichad been created by him in the first place.
"It seems your talent is indeed enviable."
The Ancient One nodded, her tone carrying a hint of approval.
"Keep it down, keep it down."
Arthur dispelled the magical shield. Although a humble smile was on his face, his smugness was practically overflowing.
"It's mainly because a famous teacher produces a high-level apprentice. You taught well, Sorcerer."
The Ancient One shook her head helplessly.
In the time that followed, the Martial Arts Arena completely became Arthur's personal show.
Magical Whip?
One look, and he got it!
Magical Blade?
A couple of gestures, and it was done!
His terrifying talent for learning instantly and mastering immediately.
It made the surrounding sorcerers go from shock to numbness, and finally, they even felt like crying.
Comparing yourself to others really is infuriating!
However.
Arthur was clearly not satisfied with these cold weapons.
He wanted the coolest one.
That sparking 'Anywhere Door' that lets you go wherever you want!
"Sorcerer, where's that Sling Ring?"
Arthur rubbed his hands together, looking at the Ancient One expectantly.
The Ancient One didn't waste words and casually tossed him a Sling Ring.
Arthur caught it and slipped it onto his finger, recalling Doctor Strange's movements from the movie in his mind.
"Think of the place you want to go in your heart..."
"Draw a circle..."
Arthur closed his eyes, and the place he had been longing for surfaced in his mind.
That penthouse apartment that cost him a hundred million US dollars and was scrapped before he even had a chance to enjoy it!
He raised his right hand and drew a circle in the air.
Zzzzt zzzzt...
Golden sparks began to fly.
A huge sparking teleportation Portal, over two meters in diameter, opened out of thin air!
Through that ring of sparks, the scene on the other side was clearly visible.
It was Manhattan at dusk.
And...
A mess of ruins.
The original luxurious floor-to-ceiling windows were gone, and the expensive leather sofa had turned into a pile of torn stuffing.
That Sky Pool he loved most was currently so bone-dry it didn't have a drop of water, and half of a Chitauri flyer's wreckage was stuck inside it.
Seeing this scene, Arthur's originally excited face instantly darkened.
A surge of nameless anger rushed to his head.
"Those damn Chitauri scum!"
"My hundred million! That was a whole hundred million!"
"Do you have any idea how much the renovations are going to cost!"
It was precisely this agitation of emotion.
The originally stable Portal suddenly began to tremble violently.
Zzzzt... Pop!
The golden sparks instantly extinguished, and the Portal vanished into thin air.
"Eh? What the hell?"
Arthur was stunned, maintaining his circle-drawing posture with a look of utter confusion.
"Why is it gone?"
"Impatience and irritability."
The Ancient One's voice sounded at the right time.
She was waving her folding fan with an "I knew this would happen" expression.
"magic requires focus, and even more so, it requires peace."
"Your talent is indeed unparalleled, John."
The Ancient One walked up to him and said earnestly:
"But your heart is filled with too much desire and anger."
"If you cannot control your emotions, your magic will be like it was just now—liable to collapse at any moment."
Arthur curled his lip.
"Got it, got it. I'll pay attention next time."
At that moment.
A young sorcerer nearby, who was working hard to draw a circle but couldn't even produce a single spark, looked at Arthur with a pained expression.
Then he looked at the Ancient One.
"Sorcerer Supreme..." the young sorcerer asked pitifully, "Why could he open a Portal on his first try?"
"Didn't you say not to seek quick success?"
"This... this is just too discouraging, isn't it?"
The Ancient One glanced at the apprentice, sighed helplessly, and shook her head:
"If you had his talent for molding the rules of space like playdough, then you wouldn't have to worry about seeking quick success either."
Saying that, the Ancient One looked back at Arthur, but before she could speak.
Arthur had already leaned in front of the apprentice with a helpful face, revealing Homelander's signature 'kind' smile:
"Hey, buddy."
"Don't lose heart."
"If you really can't learn it, I can teach you!"
"As long as you call me Teacher, I guarantee..."
*Cough, cough!*
The Ancient One coughed heavily twice, interrupting Arthur's "eagerness to teach."
If she let him teach, she feared the style of Kamar-Taj would be led astray into a ditch.
"Alright, John."
The Ancient One folded her fan, her expression returning to seriousness:
"Since you have already mastered the basic magic."
"Then today's lesson will end here."
"For the rest, go back and practice more on your own."
"Remember, come back here on this day every week."
"Next time, I will teach you more advanced magic."
As soon as he heard 'advanced magic,' Arthur's eyes instantly lit up.
"Don't wait until next time, Sorcerer!"
Arthur got anxious and said quickly:
"There's no time like the present. Look at me, I'm in such good state right now, my energy is so vigorous."
"How about we learn it right now?"
"I learn things very fast, really. Teach me a couple more moves?"
The Ancient One looked at this insatiable fellow, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
"Young man, you must know when to stop."
The Ancient One said softly:
"For some things, it's not yet the time."
"Since you want to go back and see your house so badly..."
"Then go back."
Before her voice had even faded.
The Ancient One's finger pointed downward extremely casually.
Zzzzt!
A huge golden Portal instantly opened under Arthur's feet without any warning!
Arthur only felt the ground vanish beneath him.
That sensation of weightlessness hit him instantly.
"Holy crap?!"
"You bald head, you're playing dirty?!"
"You have no magical ethics—!!"
Accompanied by a scream.
Arthur fell straight in.
The next second.
Thud!
He fell heavily into a pile of building debris, kicking up a floor's worth of dust.
Arthur scrambled out of the ruins in a sorry state, spitting out the plaster dust in his mouth.
He looked up.
Surrounded by shattered glass walls, with Manhattan at dusk overhead.
It was exactly that penthouse apartment of his that cost a hundred million but had now turned into a Syrian-style ruin.
"That damn bald head..."
Chapter 16: Welcome Back, Homelander
He looked around; the once priceless Persian carpet was now just a tattered rag.
His favorite imported Italian leather sofa was now hanging miserably from a steel bar, looking like a dried salted fish.
"Whew—"
Arthur took a deep breath, trying his best to suppress the urge to slice the Earth in half with his Heat Vision.
Calm down.
Be elegant.
After all, he was now an American idol, the Homelander.
"Fortunately, I had the foresight to buy the most expensive commercial insurance."
A cold sneer curled the corner of Arthur's mouth as he pulled out his phone.
He skillfully dialed the insurance company's VIP line.
"Beep— Beep—"
"Hello, distinguished Mr. John Gilchang, this is All-American Mutual Insurance. I am happy to be of service."
A sweet customer service voice came from the other end of the line.
"Happy? I'm not happy."
Arthur kicked away a concrete slab blocking his path, his voice cold:
"My house, that Manhattan penthouse, was blown up by those alien scumbags."
"Start the claims process for me right now."
"My demands aren't high: compensation at the market price plus emotional distress damages. Let's round it up to two hundred million dollars."
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, followed by the sound of typing.
"Um... I am very sorry, Mr. Arthur."
The customer service representative's voice began to tremble, seemingly reading from a script of some clause:
"According to the notice we just received from headquarters, since the New York incident has been characterized as an act of war caused by an 'alien invasion'..."
"According to Article 73, Clause 4 of the insurance policy, this falls under... Force Majeure."
"Therefore, I'm sorry, but we cannot fulfill the claim."
Arthur's grip on the phone tightened slightly.
He laughed out of pure anger.
"Force Majeure?"
"When that salesman knelt before me begging me to buy insurance, he beat his chest and told me that even if aliens came and tore down my house, you guys would pay."
"And now you're telling me 'Force Majeure'?"
"The aliens actually showed up, didn't they? And that counts as Force Majeure?"
"Sir, I am truly sorry, but these are company regulations..."
"Regulations?"
In Arthur's eyes, a red light began to flicker dangerously.
Crack!
The phone finally gave out, turning into a pile of electronic scrap in Arthur's hand.
"A bunch of Vampires, capitalists!"
Arthur cursed as he threw the phone's remains into the rubble.
These people are even more hateful than the Chitauri!
The Chitauri want your life, but these insurance companies want your money!
How can I stand this?
Arthur took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
The house was gone, but life had to go on.
He walked over to what used to be the walk-in closet, now just a half-standing wall.
He rummaged through the dust for a while.
"Good luck."
Arthur pulled out a black suit wrapped in a garment bag.
This was a handmade, expensive suit he had custom-ordered for the Stark Industries shareholders' meeting.
He hadn't expected it to survive in the rubble.
Rustle.
Arthur changed into the sharp black suit right there in the ruins.
Standing by the balcony, which was now just a steel skeleton, he straightened his tie.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over him, casting a long shadow.
In the distance stood the equally battered Stark Tower.
The iconic "STARK" sign was missing an "A," but it still stood tenaciously.
"Since those unscrupulous merchants won't listen to reason, I'll find someone who knows the law to reason with them."
Arthur looked at Stark Tower, a smile playing on his lips.
Tony Stark.
This wealthy tycoon not only had money but also the top legal team in the U.S.
In a time like this, who else would I look for?
Just as well; I left in a hurry earlier and didn't have time to catch up properly with my good friend.
Vroom!
The Bio-electric Field vibrated slightly.
Arthur's figure vanished instantly, leaving behind only a visible ripple in the air.
...
Stark Tower, penthouse luxury apartment.
Although it had taken a heavy hit, it was Tony's home base after all.
The defense system had been somewhat effective; there was at least a living room where one could sit.
Tony Stark was slumped on the sofa, holding a glass of whiskey with ice, staring somewhat blankly at a holographic projection screen.
On the screen was a replay of Arthur tearing apart warships in space and tanking a nuclear bomb with his bare body.
"Jarvis, play it again in 0.5x slow motion."
Tony took a swig of his drink, his voice a bit raspy.
"Sir, this is the thirty-seventh time you have watched it."
Jarvis's magnetic British accent contained a rare hint of concern:
"According to data model analysis, Mr. Arthur's physical strength has exceeded the hardness limit of any known element on Earth."
"His flight speed broke Mach 150 at the final moment, and the resulting kinetic energy..."
"Jarvis, speak in plain terms." Tony rubbed his brow.
"Simply put, Sir, if he wanted to, he could tear the mark vii and you inside it to shreds like a wet paper towel."
Tony's hand trembled, spilling a bit of his drink.
Though he wouldn't admit it, a deep sense of helplessness and anxiety had begun to gnaw at his heart like a venomous snake.
Is this the power of Superman?
Compared to a monster like this, his proud tin can was practically a child's toy.
"Sir, a high-energy signature is approaching!"
"It's extremely fast! Unable to lock on!"
Jarvis's voice suddenly became urgent.
Before Tony could react.
Boom!!
A violent sonic boom echoed from the direction of the balcony.
The bulletproof glass door that had just been repaired rattled from the terrifying wind pressure before it could even be opened.
A dark silhouette appeared out of thin air on the balcony, as if teleporting.
A gust of wind rushed into the living room, messing up Tony's meticulously styled hair and blowing a pile of blueprints off the table.
"Holy crap?!"
Tony was so startled he nearly jumped off the sofa, throwing his glass away.
"Jarvis! Where's my suit?!"
"Calm down, Tony."
A familiar voice spoke.
Arthur walked in from the balcony with an elegant stride.
He was wearing that sharp black suit and even reached out to catch the glass Tony had thrown; the ice inside hadn't even melted yet.
"Such good liquor; what a waste it would be."
Arthur gently placed the glass on the table, a signature kindly smile on his face.
Tony's eyes widened as he looked at the man before him, unscathed and even in a new outfit.
Not long ago, this guy had been taken away by that Bald Magician.
And he's back already?
"Where... where did you pop out from?"
Tony feigned composure and straightened his collar, trying to regain his billionaire swagger:
"Besides, if I recall correctly, my security system hasn't authorized you yet, has it?"
"Security system?"
Arthur sat casually on the opposite sofa, crossing his legs:
"For a hero who just saved the World, things like doors are just decorations."
"Besides, I flew here."
"Flew?" Tony arched an eyebrow. "From the Himalayas?"
"Pretty much."
Arthur shrugged, not bothering to explain much about the magic.
"I just did a bit of further study over there and had a cup of tea while I was at it. The taste was okay, just a bit weak."
Tony: "..."
Further study? Tea?
Did you go on a tour of another dimension or something?
Seeing Arthur's relaxed and comfortable manner, the anxiety in Tony's heart actually lessened slightly.
At least this guy seemed communicable now.
And he was a guy who cared about his outfit.
"Fine, Super Boy."
Tony poured another drink, his tone returning to its usual snark:
"That outfit is nice; you look like a Mafia Godfather preparing for a funeral."
"So, why were you in such a hurry to get back?"
"Did that Bald Magician kick you out because you were eating too much?"
Arthur didn't mind Tony's teasing.
He leaned forward slightly, his smile fading as he became a bit more serious.
"No, Tony."
"I came to see you because I've encountered a very serious, very troublesome problem."
Seeing Arthur's serious expression, Tony's heart skipped a beat.
Are more aliens coming?
Or did that Bald Magician predict some kind of apocalypse?
"What is it?" Tony set down his glass, his expression solemn. "Did Loki escape again?"
"It's more serious than that."
Arthur took a deep breath and said word by word:
"My house was blown up."
"And then, that damn insurance company actually refused to pay."
Tony: "???"
The air suddenly went silent for three seconds.
"That's it?" Tony looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"What do you mean, 'that's it'?!"
Arthur slammed his hand on the table and stood up, full of indignation:
"I spent a hundred million on that! A hundred million! That's my hard-earned money!"
"Those Vampires actually told me something about 'Force Majeure'? Did I save the World just so they could save on claim payouts?"
Looking at the man before him who possessed the power of Superman, now fuming over a house payment like a petty commoner.
Tony froze for a moment, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Pfft... Hahahaha!"
"Are... are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious!" Arthur straightened his suit with a look of dead seriousness:
"So, Tony."
"As my friend and a major shareholder of Stark Industries."
"You must have one of those incredibly powerful legal teams that can turn black into white and argue the dead back to life, right?"
"Let me use them."
"I'm going to sue that son-of-a-bitch insurance company."
"I'm going to make them pay until they don't even have their underwear left!"
Tony looked at Arthur, and the fear in his eyes completely dissipated.
It was replaced by a sense of kinship, a feeling of "So you're just a regular person after all."
As long as there are desires, as long as one is greedy for money, things are easy to handle.
The most terrifying thing is a god with no desires or needs.
"Alright, my major shareholder."
Tony snapped his fingers, a confident smile characteristic of a capitalist appearing on his face:
"Although this sounds like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."
"But since you've asked."
"Jarvis, call my Chief Legal Team."
"Tell them that if they don't sue that insurance company into bankruptcy, all of next year's bonuses are canceled."
"Also..."
Tony looked at Arthur and raised his glass:
"Welcome back, Homelander.""}],
Chapter 17: I Want to Drape the Entire Country Over Myself!
"Welcome back, Homelander."
Tony raised his glass, a searching light flickering in those big caramel eyes.
"But seriously, that name sounds... well, how should I put it, a bit retro? Or are you planning to run for President?"
Tony leaned back on the sofa, his posture relaxed.
Arthur swirled the red wine in his hand.
"What, not calling me Superman anymore?"
"Give me a break."
Tony rolled his eyes and pointed at Arthur.
"You've corrected us several times already. If I kept calling you Superman, wouldn't that make me look pretty tactless?"
"But speaking of which..."
Tony leaned in a bit closer, his face full of curiosity.
"Why Homelander? Homelander? It sounds like the protagonist of some extremely insecure patriotic propaganda film."
Arthur smiled slightly.
Here it comes.
The classic persona-building phase.
He set down his glass. Though he was sitting, a divine aura of compassion instantly emanated from him.
At this moment, he wasn't the mundane person suing an insurance company for a hundred million in housing payments, but the symbol of America.
"Tony, you don't understand."
Arthur's voice was deep and magnetic.
"This country, this World, is on the brink of falling apart."
"People need a symbol, something more than just a superhero who flies around saving cats."
Arthur stood up and walked to the shattered floor-to-ceiling window, his back to Tony.
At that moment, his silhouette appeared incredibly tall.
"They need an existence as warm as home and as strong as a father, someone who can represent the purest will of this land."
"Home, homeland, motherland."
"I don't fly for myself; I fly for every soul on this land yearning for security."
"That is the Homelander."
Having said that, Arthur slowly turned around, his face wearing that impeccable smile full of divinity and paternal love.
Simply perfect!
This set of classic rhetoric from The Boys, placed in this simple Marvel Universe, was practically a dimensional strike.
Tony was stunned as he listened.
He held his glass, forgetting to take a sip for a long time.
Good grief.
This level of awareness?
Tony felt that if he recorded these words and sent them to Steve Rogers...
That centenarian would probably be so ashamed he'd eat his shield.
This was more Captain America than Captain America!
"Whoa..."
Tony blinked and set his glass down.
"To be honest, although it sounds like a show, I have to admit, it's very stirring."
"I like your kind of... well, extreme patriot."
Tony stood up, seemingly having made a decision.
"Since your awareness is so high, I won't beat around the bush."
"Interested in joining us?"
"The Avengers?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, that 'Super Boy Group' the One-eyed guy put together." Tony spread his hands.
"The name's a bit tacky, and the members are all freaks—like a certain grumpy alien with a hammer, and a certain fossil in tights."
"But, we need a patriot like you."
Tony looked at Arthur with a rare look of seriousness in his eyes:
"Besides, the top floor of Stark Tower has empty rooms. It's a bit drafty now, but the view will be great once it's fixed."
Arthur was overjoyed inside.
Isn't this exactly what he wanted?
With the Avengers as an officially endorsed platform, wouldn't gaining popularity points be like adding wings to a tiger?
And by joining the Avengers, if S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted to try any funny business in the future, they'd have to think twice.
Most importantly, this was a long-term meal ticket!
"Of course."
The smile on Arthur's face grew even brighter.
"Fighting evil and protecting peace has always been my dream."
"It would be an honor to join the Avengers."
"Ha! Excellent!"
Tony snapped his fingers.
"I'll throw a party tonight so everyone can meet! It's also a good time to celebrate the joy of not being dead."
Arthur nodded nonchalantly.
Parties were a staple for the wealthy; he naturally wouldn't refuse.
"But Tony."
Arthur pointed to the expensive but now somewhat dusty suit he was wearing.
"Since I'm making my official debut as a superhero, I can't keep wearing this, can I?"
"I don't want the media calling me 'Suit-man' or 'White-collar Superman'."
"Of course not!"
Tony slapped his forehead.
"Look at my memory. How can a superhero not have a uniform? That's the key to brand image!"
"Jarvis!"
"Sir, I am here."
"Start a new project, code name 'Homelander'. We need a top-tier battle suit."
Tony waved his hand, and a holographic projection instantly unfolded in the center of the living room.
"Tell me, how do you want it designed? Bulletproof? Blast-proof? Or maybe add some thrusters?"
Tony asked enthusiastically.
"No need for those flashy features."
Arthur waved his hand. "My body is the best defense."
"I just need it to look... cool."
"It must have a cape; that's the soul."
Arthur walked to the holographic projection and began to gesture.
In his mind, that classic Homelander suit was already well-etched.
That was the guarantee for popularity!
"The primary color should be blue, a deep kind."
"The epaulettes should be gold, with that sense of military authority."
"I don't need an'S' on the chest; that's too old-fashioned. Give me an 'A'! A golden 'A'! It stands for Avengers, and it also stands for America and the Americas!"
"Most importantly..."
Arthur turned around and pointed to his back, his eyes fanatical:
"The cape! The cape should be the pattern of the Stars and Stripes! The American flag!"
"I want to drape the entire country over myself!"
Even Tony Stark was stunned by this design concept.
Draping the national flag over one's body?
This was too... too arrogant!
But on second thought, wasn't this the best interpretation of the name "Homelander"?
"Jarvis, do as he says."
A hint of admiration appeared in Tony's eyes. This kind of arrogant aesthetic was right up his alley.
Soon, in the holographic projection...
A blue skin-tight battle suit slowly took shape.
Golden epaulettes, a large golden 'A' on the chest, and the Stars and Stripes cape fluttering in the wind behind him.
That sense of oppression, representing absolute power and authority...
And most importantly, that feeling of representing America, came rushing at them.
"Perfect!"
Arthur snapped his fingers, looking at the suit as if he were looking at the countless popularity pointshe was about to receive.
A Homelander without this skin would have no soul.
Only by wearing it and looking down upon all living things from a height would he be the true, complete form!
"Good taste, really good taste."
Tony stroked his chin in appraisal.
"It'll be ready by tomorrow morning. It uses the top-tier materials from Stark Industries; the breathability is definitely better than that suit of yours."
Just then...
The sound of high heels clicking on the floor was heard.
Pepper Potts came walking over quickly, holding a tablet.
Although they had just been through a major battle, this powerful woman had clearly entered work mode already.
"Tony, Mr. Arthur."
Pepper nodded to Arthur, a hint of awe in her eyes.
"The legal team you requested has arrived; they're in the conference room downstairs."
"The top insurance claim lawyers in all of New York are there. They say that as long as there's an insurance contract, even if God tore the house down, they could make Heaven pay until it's bankrupt."
Hearing this, Tony turned to look at Arthur, a cynical smile appearing on his face.
He made a "please" gesture.
"Come on, Homelander."
"The assembly of lawyers you wanted is complete."
Arthur straightened his collar, a menacingly "kind" smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Thanks, Tony."
"I think that insurance company probably won't be getting any sleep tonight."
Chapter 18: You're Dying, Tony
Shortly after.
It had to be said, this was the power of money.
A group of elite lawyers in suits with generally high hairlines sat around the conference table.
"Mr. Arthur, are you saying that the salesperson made a verbal promise during the pitch that 'alien invasions are also covered'?"
The lead barrister pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses.
"Of course."
Arthur leaned back in his chair, playing with a pen in his hand, smiling with a kind of 'nuclear' benevolence.
"My memory has always been excellent; I even remember exactly which corner of that contract he circled at the time."
"Then this will be easy to handle."
The barrister closed the folder, his tone as confident as if he had already ground the opposition into the dirt:
"Even if it's a verbal promise, as long as there's a chain of indirect evidence, combined with pressure from the Stark Industries legal department... rest assured, Mr. Arthur."
"After tonight, that insurance company's stock price will be in a very embarrassing state, and their CEO will likely need sleeping pills to drift off."
"That couldn't be better."
Arthur nodded with satisfaction, stood up, and straightened his suit.
I love watching capitalists engage in dog-eat-dog fights, especially when the side doing the biting is my dog.
After seeing off the group of elite Vampires, Arthur followed Tony into a private elevator directly to the underground garage.
Although he had long known Tony was a filthy rich tycoon,
The moment the elevator doors opened, Arthur couldn't help but shout "Holy shit" in his heart.
In his line of sight, from the classic Shelby Cobra to the latest Bugatti Veyron,
To those limited-edition supercars that only existed in concept sketches, they were neatly parked across thousands of square meters of space.
The lights hit the smooth car paint, reflecting nothing but the scent of money.
"Pick any one you like; consider it an onboarding gift for a new comrade-in-arms."
Tony casually tossed a bunch of keys onto a nearby table.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Arthur marveled as he walked through the collection.
In his previous life, he hadn't even accumulated this many cars in Los Santos.
Even after transmigrating and making a fortune by buying stocks at rock-bottom prices,
He had only bought houses and decorated them; he hadn't really put much heart into consumables like cars.
Now, looking at these industrial works of art, Arthur admitted his man-heart was stirred.
Since he was Homelander, he had to drive the flashiest car!
Arthur's gaze swept across the luxury cars, finally locking onto a supercar with an extremely exaggerated design and a body of solid gold color.
Gumpert apollo, the Sun God!
This name, this color—it was practically tailor-made for a man like him who relied on the Sun to grow stronger!
"This is the one."
Arthur walked over and patted the golden hood.
"The name sounds auspicious, and it's flashy enough."
"Good eye. This car goes zero to sixty in just 3 seconds. Although it's slow as a turtle compared to you, it's among the fastest things running on the ground."
Tony commented, then walked toward his own signature Audi R8.
However,
Just as Tony pulled the car door open and prepared to sit inside,
His movements suddenly froze.
"Cough... cough cough!"
Tony suddenly clutched his chest, his face turning pale as paper in an instant, fine beads of cold sweat seeping from his forehead.
A burning, intense pain spread from the reactor in his chest, crawling through his blood vessels to his entire body.
With movements both practiced and frantic, he pulled a small device out of his pocket that looked like a glucose monitor and pressed his finger onto it.
*Beep beep.*
The device emitted a piercing alarm sound.
[Blood Toxicity: 24%]
Tony looked at the number, his eyes dimming for a split second before he quickly resumed his cynical disguise.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the metallic taste in his throat, and turned to wave at Arthur, who was about to get into his car.
"Hey, big guy, you go on up first."
Tony's voice sounded a bit weak, but he struggled to keep his tone upbeat:
"I just remembered I have some... uh, private business to handle. You know, geniuses are always busy."
Arthur's hand, which had been pulling the car door, stopped in mid-air.
He turned his head and looked at the struggling Tony, his eyes, possessing Super Vision, narrowing slightly.
Actually, he didn't need Super Vision at all.
As a transmigrator who had seen the entire Marvel collection, he knew exactly what Tony's current situation was.
Palladium Poisoning.
The Ark Reactor that was keeping him alive was slowly killing him.
It seemed that although the Battle of New York was over, Tony hadn't had time to solve this problem yet.
The battle just now had even deepened the poisoning.
According to the original plot, Tony should have solved this problem long ago.
But looking at it now, his transmigration must have caused a shift in the timeline.
"This is a great opportunity to farm some favorability..."
Arthur thought deviously to himself.
Saving Tony Stark would not only secure his long-term meal ticket and dividends,
But it would also make this proud genius owe him a favor so large it could never be repaid.
This deal was a massive profit!
*Thud.*
Arthur closed the door of the apollo and did not leave.
Instead, taking long strides, he walked behind Tony in a few steps.
At this moment, Tony was leaning against the Audi, his hand trembling as he prepared to take Chlorophyll Juice from the storage compartment.
Suddenly, a broad and powerful palm patted his shoulder.
"Hey, I told you I'm busy right now..."
Tony instinctively turned back, his face full of impatience, wanting to drive away this meddling fellow.
However,
Arthur didn't give him the chance to finish his sentence.
He lowered his head, staring directly at the reactor on Tony's chest that emitted a faint blue glow.
There was no joking expression on his face, and his tone was terrifyingly serious:
"Tony, your situation is very serious."
Tony froze for a moment, then his eyes darted away:
"What are you talking about? I'm fine, I just have a bit of low blood sugar. You know, the battle just now took a lot out of me..."
"Stop pretending."
Arthur directly interrupted his excuses.
He even reached out a finger, lightly tapping the skin around the reactor through the shirt:
"Those black vascular patterns are already about to crawl up to your neck."
"If you don't find a way to clear the Palladium Toxins from your body soon,"
"I'm afraid before those shrapnel pieces pierce your heart, you'll have already gone to meet God due to heavy metal poisoning."
Tony Stark's large eyes, which were always full of pride and banter,
Were now wide and round, his face full of disbelief.
This was his biggest secret!
Except for Jarvis, no one knew!
Not even Pepper or Rhodes knew!
How did this guy who dropped from the sky know? And with such precision?
"You... how do you know?"
Seeing Tony's'seen-a-ghost' expression, Arthur felt a secret thrill.
Yes, that's the expression.
Be shocked, mortal!
Arthur pointed to his own eyes, a mysterious smile curling at the corners of his mouth:
"Tony, did you forget who I am?"
"My eyes can't just fire lasers; they can also see through many things."
"What you commonly refer to as—X-ray Vision."
"In my eyes, you're like an X-ray film."
Arthur leaned in closer, lowering his voice:
"I see those shrapnel pieces embedded in your flesh, and I see those toxins throwing a party in your blood."
"You're dying, Tony."
Of course, Arthur would absolutely not tell him that he hadn't actually turned on his X-ray Vision just now.
What's the fun in looking at a middle-aged man's naked body?
That would cost extra!
But that didn't stop him from using this excuse to put on a grand act.
After hearing this, Tony was completely stunned.
His mouth hung open as he looked at Arthur's eyes, then down at his own chest.
He instinctively tightened his collar, as if that could block that damn X-ray Vision.
"What the fuck..."
Tony muttered to himself, his worldview once again under assault:
"Your eyes can serve as a CT scanner in addition to being a welding torch?!"
"That's not scientific!"
"However..."
Tony's gaze suddenly became somewhat complicated, the look of a drowning man grasping at a straw:
"Since you can see it... do you have any solution?"