While Alex was attending the auction, Starlight left the Seven Tower.
She had already changed out of that low-cut, revealing combat suit and put on a hooded sports jacket and jeans. With a canvas backpack on her shoulders, she walked into the subway like a college girl who had just finished class.
Inside the station, huge posters of her covered the walls, and quite a few men were gathered in front of them.
"Starlight is really beautiful."
"Right? Look at that figure of hers, it's incredible."
"If only she were my girlfriend."
"You'd better be careful she doesn't sit you to death."
A mother and son passed by as well. The boy, not even ten yet, pointed excitedly at the poster, "Mom, look, it's Starlight."
"Don't look, keep walking. Kids shouldn't be looking at that."
Hearing all this, Starlight pulled up her hood and lowered it as much as possible to cover her face.
'So embarrassing.'
'Annie, what exactly are you doing?'
'Is this the life you wanted?'
'You wanted to be a superhero, not a stripper. Look at what you're wearing, you're practically about to strip naked and become an exhibitionist.'
Starlight quickened her pace. Just then, a subway train arrived. She stepped in and sat down near the door.
She hugged her backpack tightly and shrank into her seat, unwilling to make contact with anyone.
At that moment, another passenger sat down beside her. It was a woman, not very tall, with an asymmetrical hairstyle and an ear stud in one ear.
The woman chewed gum, blew a bubble, and with a pop, it burst. Then she kept chewing.
"Nice weather tonight, huh?"
Starlight froze for a second, wondering if she was being hit on.
Without responding, she took out a pair of earphones from her bag and prepared to put them on.
The woman beside her casually reached out, took one earbud, and put it in her own ear.
"What kind of music do you like?"
Starlight couldn't help but look at her, frowning slightly, "Miss, do we know each other?"
The woman blew another bubble.
At that moment, the subway slowly started moving. As it passed an advertising display, she glanced at Starlight's half-body image reflected in it.
"I know you, but you don't know me."
"Hello, Starlight."
"I'm Storm."
Starlight paused, then sized the woman up from head to toe, "Storm… sounds like a superhero name."
"Are you a superhero?"
Storm laughed, "I used to be."
Starlight said cautiously, "You're not one anymore?"
"Not anymore."
Storm took out a pack of gum, "After that damn Homelander killed my boss, not only can I not be a superhero anymore, I'm probably a wanted criminal now."
Starlight immediately realized she couldn't keep talking to this woman.
She stood up and said politely, "Excuse me."
"You're just leaving like that?"
"What, are you afraid of Homelander too?"
"It's right to be afraid. You work with that bastard. Who knows, one day he might just shoot lasers right at your chest."
Storm gestured at the two points on her chest.
Starlight ignored her and moved to the other side.
She had just sat down.
Storm immediately came over again and stuffed a phone into Starlight's hand.
On the phone was a surveillance video. It showed Homelander firing two beams of laser vision, killing Vought's former president, Edgar.
The phone slipped from Starlight's hand and fell to the floor.
"Oh my God!"
She covered her mouth, "Mr. Edgar was actually…"
Storm picked up the phone, smiling, "Exciting, right?"
"That guy who's always talking about justice turns out to be a murderer behind the scenes."
"Let me guess what he told you."
"He probably said Edgar went missing, right?"
"Let me guess again, Black Noir and Translucent probably 'went missing' too."
Starlight looked up at her, "What do you mean?"
Storm smiled, "You know exactly what I mean, don't you?"
Starlight shook her head, "I don't know what you want, but I can tell you this, I can't do anything."
Storm laughed, "You're pretty sharp, miss."
"I really do want your help."
"Look, you're a superhero, right?"
"What you did that night in Manhattan, at the Empire State Building, was amazing."
"You protected those people. I'm your fan, seriously."
"So now, don't you think you should step forward, protect the innocent, and expose Homelander's true face to them?"
Storm bent down and blew lightly into Starlight's ear, "Trust me, he's a demon."
"When he gets tired of playing hero, he'll go 'whoosh', lasers from his eyes, and everyone dies."
In that instant, Starlight remembered that night in the Empire State Building, when Alex fired his heat vision and killed several people.
She also remembered the conversation she had with Homelander earlier that morning in the Seven Tower.
A voice in her heart said, 'This woman is right, Annie, you have to stop Homelander.'
Just then, the subway reached a station. Starlight stood up, said nothing, and prepared to get off.
Storm didn't follow her, only speaking from behind.
"Ask yourself."
"If you're willing to help, this weekend, 4 p.m., I'll be waiting at Shelf Row A13 in the Federal Library."
Starlight tightened her grip on her backpack and quickly walked out of the subway, leaving.
The doors closed again, Storm sat back down.
Another figure appeared beside her.
Butcher looked at Starlight's advertisement outside and said, "You're a terrible negotiator. Why not just kidnap her outright?"
"Showing her the footage directly, are you trying to scare her off?"
Storm spat out her gum and stuck it under the seat, "You don't understand women, Butcher."
"When dealing with women, you've got to be direct."
"Less beating around the bush. When you strike, you go straight for the heart."
"Trust me, she'll come."
"Like you said, she's one of the few superheroes with a conscience."
"She genuinely wants to be a hero, doesn't she?"
"Hero? Haha, what a joke."
———
[Monday Morning, Federal Department of Defense]
Men holding newspapers or coffee, and women carrying their favorite handbags, were hurrying toward the building's entrance when a loud boom sounded overhead, followed by a powerful gust of air.
The men's newspapers were plastered to their faces, and coffee spilled onto their shoes.
The women's handbags flew into the air, and their hair whipped into their eyes.
Then the ground trembled slightly. The staff of the Department of Defense saw two figures land in the open space.
Homelander and Queen Maeve!
Today, Alex wore his vibranium suit, a red cape flowing behind him, and brought Maeve flying straight to the Department of Defense.
Seeing that he had startled everyone, he laughed and waved, then led Queen Maeve toward the entrance.
Security checks were required at the entrance, along with showing work IDs.
Naturally, Alex passed through without obstruction.
Soon, they arrived at the Superhuman Supervision Office.
Alex walked in and greeted the staff inside.
"Good morning, everyone."
Then he said to Maeve, "Take a look at our office."
"This is where you'll be working from now on."
Maeve smiled, "You're not serious, are you?"
"You want me to work at the Department of Defense?"
Alex shrugged, "Why not?"
"You should know, I can't stay here often, but I need someone to keep an eye on things."
"I've thought about it for a long time, and I think you're the most suitable candidate."
"You're more responsible than I am, Maeve."
"I believe you can handle this job."
Maeve put her hands on her hips and looked around, "I don't think they'll agree to this."
"After all, you're the head of this office, right?"
Alex took her hand, led her to his desk, and pressed her shoulders, making her sit down.
Then he said, "Precisely because I'm the head of this office, I'm officially appointing you as my agent."
"The only question is whether you're willing to accept the job."
Maeve laughed, "I don't really mind."
"But dressed like this, I don't think it's appropriate for me to come and go in this building."
"I noticed a sign at the entrance that said 'proper attire required.'"
Alex took two steps back and pointed at her, "I think your outfit can give people here a different kind of feeling."
"For example, it might make them more motivated."
"Wow, Queen Maeve. If I were them, I'd be competing to perform well."
Maeve burst out laughing at his flattery, her mood brightening.
But just then, someone came to ruin the moment.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
With a series of firm footsteps, Jenny Cloment, director of the Contract Administration Bureau under the Department of Defense, walked in.
As if he had forgotten their previous unpleasant encounter, Alex laughed and introduced her to Maeve.
"Look who's here, Ms. Jenny Cloment, director of the Contract Administration Bureau."
Maeve smiled and extended her hand, "Good morning, ma'am."
However, the director showed no smile and didn't shake Maeve's hand.
Alex's expression immediately turned cold.
Jenny Cloment said in a firm voice, "Homelander, I hope you understand that the Department of Defense is not your Seven Tower."
"There are too many classified secrets here. You can't just bring people in as you please."
Alex's lips curled slightly, "Even Maeve?"
The director nodded, "Yes, even Queen Maeve."
Alex raised his hand in a gesture,n"Here's the thing. I have too many things to deal with every day."
"So I'm appointing Maeve as my agent. From now on, you'll be seeing her every day."
The director replied forcefully, "Personnel appointments in the Department of Defense must follow formal procedures. Unfortunately, I have not received any notice regarding Queen Maeve's appointment as a Defense official, let alone her contract."
After speaking, Jenny took out a document and slapped it onto the desk.
"This is your contract with the Department of Defense. Take a look. If there's no problem, sign it, Mr. Minister."
Then she turned and left the office without looking back.
Maeve spread her hands, "Looks like I can't help you much."
Alex watched Jenny Cloment's departing figure, "I don't think so."
He looked at Maeve and smiled, "I'm the chosen one. So anyone who gets in my way, even God will make them move aside."
Maeve pressed his shoulder, shaking her head with a smile. At that moment, she saw Jenny Cloment in the corridor outside suddenly turn around, dash toward a window, and jump out.
Everyone in the corridor froze. Then someone screamed, and people rushed to the window.
"Oh my God," Maeve immediately jumped out the window as well. When she reached the ground, she saw the director lying in a pool of blood, her body twitching slightly.
Maeve quickly checked her pulse and found she was still alive. She shouted, "Call an ambulance!"
At that moment, she happened to see Alex standing by the window.
A bright smile was on his face.
It sent a chill down Maeve's spine, and she couldn't help but glance again at the director on the ground.
Using "mind invasion" to make the director attempt suicide, Alex then heard news playing on a television nearby.
["Just last night, a shocking murder case occurred."]
["More than eight people were found dead in a basement. According to the investigation, the perpetrator is likely this woman."]
["The police have now issued a warrant. If any citizens see this woman, please report it immediately."]
["Once again, this is an extremely dangerous individual."]
On the TV, a blurry photo appeared, but it was still clear that it was an Asian woman.
She crouched on top of a cabinet like a wild beast, covered in blood. It was the "Wolf Girl," Kimiko.
Alex looked at the photo on the TV, and the smile at the corner of his mouth slowly widened.
———
[Night]
[On the Outskirts of New York]
Inside a broken-down car, a mother was comforting her two children in the back seat.
"Don't worry. I've already called roadside assistance. They'll be here soon."
At that moment, several motorcycles drove up outside. The riders were men with ear piercings and tongue studs.
They had already driven past, but then turned back, circling the car.
"Mom, I'm scared."
The two children huddled together.
The young mother climbed into the back seat, hugging them, "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
Just as she finished speaking, a face suddenly pressed against the car window, scaring the children into screaming.
The man outside laughed, "Ma'am, need help?"
"Open the door, get out. We'll take you back to the city."
The young mother quickly said, "No need, thank you. I've already called roadside assistance. They'll be here soon."
"That won't work, ma'am."
The man outside suddenly pulled out a gun, "In that case, I'll just have to kill you and take some money."
"Please, don't hurt us," The young mother's face turned pale with fear.
At that moment, the roof of the car shook, as if something had landed on it.
The man outside froze, looked up, then shouted, "What the hell is that monster?"
Suddenly, the mother and her two children saw the man being lifted into the air by something, his body rising above the window.
They heard his screams and gunshots from above the car. Outside the window, his legs kicked wildly, then quickly went still.
Then with a whoosh, those legs were pulled upward and disappeared.
The motorcyclists who had been circling the car screamed, as if they had seen something terrifying, and sped away as fast as they could.
After that, nothing happened. Everything went quiet.
A while later, roadside assistance arrived.
Only then did the mother dare to get out of the car. She saw a few drops of blood on the roof, and a feather.
In the end, the broken-down car was towed away, and the two children fell asleep safely in their mother's arms.
All of this was witnessed by a pair of eyes.
Levin!
After using the "Druid" gene serum, he had transformed into a harpy-like creature, flapping his wings as he hovered in midair.
He casually tossed the corpse he had carried high into the sky into the mountains beside the road.
At that moment, Levin's ear twitched. Then he saw a figure appear before him.
Alex glanced at Levin and smiled, "Ready?"
"There's work to do."
———
The next day—
Inside a cell, Frenchie and Mother's Milk heard the door open, and two police officers walked in.
"Time to go to prison, you bastards."
The two looked at each other.
Before long, they were shoved into a prison bus.
They sat there in silence.
After a while, Frenchie spoke, "Damn it, Butcher won't come to rescue us."
The burly black man snorted, "I knew it. I shouldn't have gotten involved in this mess."
Frenchie said, "If I ever get out, I'm going to settle the score with him. I'll shove a homemade grenade right up that bastard's asshole."
The burly man shook his head, "That's probably not going to happen."
He looked toward the Snow Princess sitting in front, "Unless you can charm that beauty and get her to let us go."
"Otherwise, brother, we're going to rot in prison this time."
Frenchie whistled at the somewhat absent-minded Snow Princess.
"Hey, pretty lady."
"How about this, let us go, and I'll have my buddy here satisfy you. He'll make you scream with pleasure."
The Snow Princess snorted and waved her hand. A small ice arrow shot past Frenchie's face and embedded itself into the vehicle.
"Shut up."
"Or I'll freeze that thing of yours, and you'll never be able to use it to please a woman again."
Frenchie immediately said, "No, no, I was just joking."
Then he said to the burly man across from him, "Looks like you're not charming enough."
The burly man closed his eyes, too lazy to respond.
At that moment, the prison bus was suddenly struck violently, lifting the entire vehicle off the ground.
After a dizzying spin, Frenchie and the burly man were thrown together.
The Snow Princess was also knocked flat on her back.
Then the vehicle groaned as it was torn open.
From outside, through the gap in the torn metal, a pitch-black bear paw with sharp claws reached in.
Frenchie was startled, not even caring that his forehead had been scraped and was bleeding. He screamed, "A bear!"
"It's a bear!"
"A bear-man?"
He saw the paw tear a hole in the bus, and then outside, a man covered in coarse black fur, looking like a bear but with a clearly human face, peered inside.
"Do you want to come out?", the bear-man asked.
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