Alex admired Superman and was willing to believe his words.
But that did not mean he would lose the ability to think, especially when hearing absurd and unrealistic lies.
So when Mr. Superman told him that the abilities of superhumans were just artificially created by taking drugs, his first reaction was to wonder if Superman had lost his mind.
Forgive his disrespect, because independent thinking was what he had always pursued.
And it was precisely because of independent thinking that Alex finally had to let his long-held worldview waver a little; he felt he had touched a real world hidden behind a glamorous curtain.
A world without falsehoods, dark to an unimaginable degree.
"That kind of artificial serum, originated decades ago, is called compound v?"
"I cannot believe my abilities are not heaven-sent, but artificially created by a bunch of lunatics; I have to see it with my own eyes."
Hearing him say this, Superman did not feel angry; he gave Alex a chance to witness it firsthand.
"Do you know the preaching pastor of the 'Capes for Christ' church?" Superman asked.
"I do."
Alex seemed to think of something, his expression somewhat wistful: "His name is Ezekiel, he dedicates everything to Christ, is hailed as a messenger of God, and often holds preaching events in various states. It was at one of his baptism events that I met my ex-girlfriend, but what does this have to do with what we are talking about?"
He did not know if it was an illusion, but he felt Superman's gaze on him at that moment was strange.
"Consider yourself lucky; a pastor and a little boy—I can only say your ex-girlfriend was safer than you."
After Superman said something that left him confused, he straightened his expression and said: "A lie requires countless lies to cover it up. As long as you look carefully, the truth is always there. You just need to do as I say, and very soon you will be able to confirm whether what I said is true or false."
Alex's eyes were firm as he looked at Superman and said: "Please tell me what to do!"
Superman smiled: "Bring your ear over."
...
Just like that, Alex contacted his new classmate after transferring, Matthew Culbert. Only then did he know that the other party not only worked part-time at the 'House of Superman' as well, but was also secretly training with Mr. Superman!
"Matthew, mind sharing a bit about the superhero training content? I can pay!"
"Please call me Culbert, classmate Williams. We aren't that close yet."
"Fine, at least tell me what your ability is. Seeing you at work, I always thought you were a normal person."
"Heh, my ability is nothing special, just simple flesh regeneration. Can you handle the task Mr. Superman assigned? If not, don't force it."
"Culbert, there is something I don't know if I should say."
"Hmm? It's nothing; I like people who say things to my face."
"That's good. You're like a three-year-old child worried about losing a favorite toy, but my intellect is at least college-graduate level compared to yours."
"..."
The first meeting between Gecko and Supersonic was not very pleasant; one thought the other was scheming, and the other thought the other was brainless.
However, it must be said that their bickering added momentum to this operation to some extent.
When Supersonic used his ability to overcome the risks and caught that retired old man from the hospital who looked kind-hearted, he did not hesitate too long as he usually would, but instead gave him a few solid hits.
Then this poor old man, who had been earnestly begging for sympathy just moments ago, immediately revealed his true colors and spilled the truth.
He really was an evil child trafficker who specialized in taking advantage of his position to receive and resell children. Even after retiring, he did not let go, and his business even grew, and he was deeply involved with that damned'Samaritan's Embrace' project!
They used infants for experiments under the guise of vaccine donations, injecting them with compound v?!
Supersonic broke down on the spot.
He prided himself on being smart, yet he almost believed the other party's performance full of lies. And the'Samaritan's Embrace' project, which sounded quite absurd, actually existed!
How could there be such evil people in the world?
They should all go to hell with their sins!!
Mr. Superman did not lie to him.
As for what to do next, Alex no longer had the slightest hesitation; he even used two hundred percent of his strength to complete it.
This retired dean of the Manhattan General Hospital, named Bryce Coleman, wailed for over two hours under his phone camera.
Alex, however, only felt that Matthew's movements were a bit too fast.
...
...
Vought International maintained the highest level of confidentiality regarding the production, research and development, transportation, storage, and distribution of compound v.
The clearance level was so high that not even a few members of 'The Seven' knew about it.
As Vought's ace, Homelander was one of the few superhumans who knew the truth about compound v, but he had not appeared at Vought Tower much recently.
Madelyn had her assistant notify him, and the reply she received was that Mr. Homelander was undergoing special training—specifically, researching combat optimization methods through videos and books.
"..."
Hearing this for the first time, Madelyn simply could not believe her ears.
The arrogant Homelander had always felt he was the strongest in the world. When would he ever calm down and study these things that he felt were completely unnecessary for him?
But it must be said that Madelyn understood Homelander very well. She quickly realized why Homelander had such an abnormal behavior.
Because of Superman.
Although that mysterious aerial sparring performance in the footage was only a few minutes long, and the footage where the figures could actually be observed and identified was even scarcer.
There was no conclusion on the outcome from the outside world, and it was hard to reach a consensus on whether it could even be defined as a clash.
But Homelander's fragile and sensitive heart, which had never grown up, was very likely truly hurt.
"Sigh, poor John, he has always been putting on a brave front."
Madelyn keenly realized this, and her mood was somewhat pleasant.
She was able to secure her position as Vice President of Vought International not only because of her excellent work ability, but precisely because of her analysis and understanding of Homelander's personality, and that complex intimate relationship that could not be spoken of to outsiders.
Homelander needed to be healed, now.
Madelyn knew the opportunity to further control Homelander had arrived.
It just so happened that in the morning, she received news that a large truck filled with compound v, secretly being transported to Los Angeles, had lost contact midway.
Not only was there no news from the driver and the security personnel, but the cargo was also nowhere to be found.
The transport department's last location for the truck was on a mountain road shortly after leaving New York.
Given that it involved compound v, this matter required Homelander to step in.
Madelyn found Homelander in that dilapidated underground laboratory. He had chased all the researchers away and was quietly lost in thought by himself.
When Madelyn saw this scene, she felt something surging in her chest, and then she really did it.
"John, how long are you going to keep throwing a tantrum?" Madelyn slowly approached Homelander, her voice filled with pity and helplessness.
Homelander was fiddling with an experimental vessel, his expression without much fluctuation: "Throwing a tantrum? I'm not a child."
Madelyn: "No matter the reason, we all hope you can pull yourself together."
She was like a mother trying to encourage her son to be strong.
Homelander: "I'm fine."
"Really?" Madelyn gently held his hand, her voice soft: "But I think Homelander has been carrying too much lately. He might need a little help, need someone to be quiet with."
"..."
Homelander had been doing fine originally; he had finally managed to convince himself not to think about the failure that day.
But when he heard Madelyn say this, he suddenly felt a bit aggrieved, so he tried to tense up, his cheek twitching, and said to Madelyn:
"You guys do not care about what is wrong with me at all. You only want to know who Superman is, where Superman is, what Superman is going to do, as if he were Vought's ace."
Superman?
Madelyn secretly laughed. Even if Superman were truly willing to cooperate with Vought, he could not be Vought's ace like Homelander.
This mysterious superhuman who walked out of some small workshop or black organization's laboratory, currently looked completely different from Homelander.
He seemed to have no personality flaws; in other words, Vought lacked the means to control him.
Given Superman's excessively powerful strength, before finding a practical and reliable leverage point, Vought would adopt an observational, cold-treatment approach.
"Let the damn Superman go to hell..."
Madelyn gently hugged Homelander, pressing his head against her softness. In an instant, Madelyn felt Homelander's body stiffen, then quickly relax.
A smile curled on the corner of her mouth as Madelyn held him like that, gently rocking:
"The reason we are overly concerned about him is because this involves whether there is an unknown leak of compound v. This matter can be big or small. If you, John, are unhappy because of this, then I sincerely apologize to you now. You know, John, Vought International is thriving because of you, but just a small problem could ruin the current good situation."
"I will not let any of this happen. You have to have confidence in me."
The powerful Homelander let her do as she pleased, lying in her arms with a dazed look, making a somewhat muffled sound: "Anyone who wants to have ideas about Vought International must be punished by Homelander. You know, I am the strongest; they cannot withstand my anger."
Madelyn stroked Homelander's head: "I should not have come to disturb you. You need rest, but this matter encountered today, perhaps only you can solve it smoothly."
Homelander's mouth curled slightly, "What matter is so tricky?"
Madelyn: "Still compound v. A transport truck went missing when leaving New York. This batch of goods is the latest improved stable version, and the quantity is huge. If it falls into the hands of those with ulterior motives, it could very likely cause unimaginable losses to Vought."
"Someone dares to target our supply chain?"
Homelander's eyes were slightly cold, his voice solemn: "It seems it's time to find all those little mice hiding in the dark."
"Don't worry, Madelyn, I will take action." Homelander held the woman's hand.
Being needed by the company, being needed by Madelyn, Homelander felt his heart become firm, and he once again became that omnipotent guardian of Vought.
Inside the isolated, dilapidated laboratory, came Madelyn's infatuated laughter.
Just like a relieved mother, finally seeing her child become sensible, so comforting and pleasant.
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