A ten-million-dollar actress could never deliver work like this.
In fact, in certain shady corners of the entertainment industry, even actresses paid that much could only glare at the camera or rely on CGI. Herman felt his choice had been right, while Jean Grey thought he was playing with fire.
Using S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in a production… only someone of Herman's level would dare such a reckless move.
"I hope you know what you're doing."
Jean gave him a long, searching look.
I've always been clear-headed.
Who could possibly know S.H.I.E.L.D. better than me?
Herman answered with a smile. Still wearing the Homelander suit, he stepped out from behind the camera. Lately, he'd been stretched thin, juggling both directing and acting, and now it was time for another Homelander scene.
The atmosphere on set was harmonious enough—though only in a delicate way.
Herman had run into a few issues while filming, though never because he failed to embody the role.
In that regard, as Skye had said, even when he held back, his performance still exploded off the screen. After days of watching him as Homelander, the mutant students had started looking at him strangely. Skye had more than once shouted that Herman was Homelander in the flesh.
"I'm just committed to the role!" Herman would snap at Skye one moment, then drop into character the very next.
"God loves all people! I love this world!"
Herman had even written some of Homelander's lines himself. With a twisted grin, he acted out a scene where Homelander fantasized about slaughtering an entire crowd.
Even without props, the extras watching felt their scalps prickle.
They thought the actor in front of them was downright terrifying.
Of course, that was just a filming anecdote—it wasn't an accident on Herman's part, only proof of his talent.
The only real mishap involving him was something only Shadowcat Kitty knew… and for a time, she treated it as her own little secret.
"It snapped! It snapped! Homelander—no, Director, your wire snapped!"
It happened during a scene of Homelander hovering in midair.
Herman always found wirework uncomfortable, so he would secretly use telekinesis, making it look as though he were still suspended by wires.
That day, the cable actually broke—but he stayed floating. Only Kitty's cry alerted him.
Luckily, the three S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were off filming elsewhere, so no one but Kitty noticed.
"You saw wrong."
Herman calmly used his telekinesis to make the broken cable look intact again, then explained with a straight face.
"My eyesight's perfect! Both eyes! There's no way I saw wrong!" Kitty insisted, even pulling out her medical exam records.
Herman paused a beat. "If I told you I also had an invisible wire holding me up—one that fools can't see—would you believe me?"
Kitty stayed silent for a very long time.
"Do you think I'm still a child?"
She fixed her gaze on Herman.
After a long silence, Herman sighed, admitted his slip-up, and even asked Shadowcat Kitty to keep it secret. Kitty, of course, agreed with excitement.
Oh my god!
This powerful ally could actually fly!
That was beyond cool.
Already a fan of Herman, Kitty now idolized him even more.
Girls, after all, tend to admire men who are both handsome and strong. Herman fit that image perfectly. And from Professor Charles, Kitty already knew Herman was pursuing a "great" endeavor.
Naturally, the more she saw of him, the deeper her admiration grew.
The thought of sharing a secret known only to her and Herman filled Kitty with joy and excitement.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents remained unaware of this.
Not that it mattered—Herman had already used his psychic powers to eavesdrop on Natasha's calls with Baldy, Nick Fury, more than a few times.
For some reason, these agents loved making calls in bathrooms. And since telepathy wasn't the same as eyes, Herman didn't think of his eavesdropping as perverted.
In any case, S.H.I.E.L.D. now strongly suspected Herman was a deeply hidden mutant.
And really, who wouldn't?
Anyone with half a brain could see it.
The mutant students treated Herman exactly as they would one of their own... and Herman wasn't the least bit worried about S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance.
He kept his focus on filming the series.
...
The pace of production was incredibly fast.
Because Herman had already mapped out every scene in his head, he showed a level of directing skill worthy of a Hollywood veteran, running multiple sets at once each day.
In just over ten days, the first season of The Boys was completed—a speed that could only be described as miraculous.
This was thanks not only to Herman's own efforts but also to the actors' performances—mutants, after all, had a natural grasp of how to portray superpowered beings.
Bad takes?
Those only happened when someone forgot their lines.
During those ten-plus days of shooting, Herman also unlocked two new identities. Unfortunately, luck hadn't been on his side—both were only Bronze-level.
During those ten-plus days of shooting, Herman also unlocked two new identities. Unfortunately, luck hadn't been on his side—both were only Bronze-level.
[Bronze-level Identity—Genius Chef!]
[Note—Once activated, this identity is permanent!]
[Beyond being a fallen director destined for greatness, you harbor a passion for cooking. Fortunately, you possess unparalleled talent in this field.]
[Any dish you've tasted, you can perfectly recreate. Over the years, you've secretly accumulated extraordinary culinary skills.]
[Now, you yearn to showcase your craft and amaze everyone.]
[Identity Exclusive Quest: Receive 1,000 compliments on your cooking!]
[Quest Reward: Glowing Cuisine!]
The first identity was that of a chef.
The quest was simple enough to complete.
Herman personally cooked a meal on set for the extras and actors.
To guarantee success, he used premium ingredients... For extras whose daily lives weren't exactly luxurious, being served lobster and abalone was enough to earn their enthusiastic praise.
And just like that, Herman easily completed the quest using Charles's money, gaining the ability to create Glowing Cuisine.
Just like the radiant dishes from Cooking Master Boy, this was practically a superpower—food that literally glowed, heightening its flavor to astonishing levels.