Black Robe: Rumble-rumble Fruit, Forcefully Kissing Starlight
Chapter 1: The starlight kiss
New York, Manhattan.
At 2:00 AM, Lu Ren was squatting on the roof of an unfinished building on 7th Avenue, a cigarette dangling unlit from his mouth, his eyes gazing emptily at the distant neon logo of Vought Tower.
"How the hell did I transmigrate to this godforsaken place?"
Lu Ren, an ordinary wage slave from 21st-century Earth, whose greatest feat in his past life was working overtime until he died of sudden cardiac arrest. He opened his eyes, and good grief, he had landed straight into the world of The Boys.
No system.
No cheat code.
No old man jumping out to say, "Young man, I see you have an extraordinary bone structure."
He was just an ordinary person, so ordinary that he was less noticeable than an extra walking down the street.
"In this world, Homelander is a lunatic, Starlight is still playing the innocent act, Black Noir is autistic, The Deep likes to mess with fish..." Lu Ren counted on his fingers. "What can I, an ordinary person, do? Join The Boys? Hang out with Butcher and that bunch of psychos? Isn't that just looking for death?"
He tried contacting Butcher, but when he called, the person on the other end said "Get lost" and hung up.
He tried looking for Frenchie, only to be chased away like a homeless person.
This world was full of malice toward him.
"Forget it, Starlight has a public speech at Vought TowerPlaza tomorrow. I'll go watch the excitement, treat it like chasing a celebrity." Lu Ren sighed. "At least I can see Queen Maeve's legs in person up close..."
He stood up, preparing to go downstairs, when suddenly a sharp pain struck his chest.
"Ah—!"
Lu Ren clutched his chest and fell to his knees, his vision blacking out in waves.
A bolt of Silver Lightning exploded from within him, and his entire body was enveloped in a blinding flash of thunder.
"F—f—f—fuck—!"
Boom! A scorched crater was blasted into the cement roof.
Lu Ren lay in the center of the crater, smoke rising from his body, his hair standing on end, and a puff of black smoke escaping his mouth.
At the same time, a cold, mechanical voice exploded in his mind.
[Ding! Host awakened. The Strongest Hero Binding System is officially activated.]
Lu Ren was stunned. A system? It's here? It's finally here?
[Detected host's initial awakening. Gifting a Newbie Gift Pack: Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability (automatically fused).]
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit? The one Enel had?
Lu Ren raised his hand, and sure enough, a tiny arc of silver electricity danced at his fingertips. Crackle. The arc pierced through a soda can nearby.
[Main Quest released: Become a widely discussed superhero in the US within seven days. Reward: Unknown.]
[Side Quest released: Perform a starlight kiss on Starlight and escape unscathed. Reward: Hero Points x 1000, Special Item "starlight kiss".]
Lu Ren's eyes widened, his mind going blank.
Perform a starlight kiss on Starlight? Is this system a bit... inappropriate?
But after freezing for a full three seconds, Lu Ren looked up and laughed.
"Hahahaha! I finally have a cheat code!"
Before his laughter could end, the power of lightning in his body suddenly surged, and with a "boom," he turned into a bolt of Silver Lightning and shot off the roof.
"Aaaaaah—I don't know how to control it—!"
The Silver Lightning rampaged through the sky over Manhattan, crashing through the glass of two buildings.
[Ding! Achievement unlocked: "Manhattan Building Crasher." Reward: Hero Points x 50.]
"Shut up, system!"
10:00 AM.
Vought Tower Plaza, packed with people. A giant LED screen played a promotional video for The Seven. Homelander was waving at the camera with a bright smile, Queen Maeve stood expressionless to the side, and Starlight, wearing her signature white skirt outfit, smiled sweetly.
Thousands of fans gathered below, holding light boards and chanting slogans.
"Starlight! Starlight! Starlight!"
"Homelander, I love you—!"
"Long live The Seven!"
Media cameras and microphones were aimed at the podium, and the live broadcast signal covered the entire nation.
Vought International's PR team was busy running around, ensuring this public speech was flawless.
"Dear viewers, this is Vought Tower Plaza. The Seven's newest member, Starlight, is about to deliver her first public speech!" The host said passionately to the camera. "It is reported that Ms. Starlight will announce her first major action plan after joining The Seven. Let us wait and see!"
"Next, please welcome—Starlight!"
The host shouted, and a spotlight shone on the side of the stage. Starlight smiled, wearing white high heels, and walked gracefully onto the podium.
"Hello everyone, I am Starlight."
Her voice was sweet and gentle, causing another round of screams from the crowd.
"I stand here today to share an important decision with you all..."
Before Starlight could finish her sentence, a thunderclap suddenly erupted from the sky. Rumble—!
Everyone looked up to see a bolt of Silver Lightning strike down from the sky, hitting the podium with precision. "Bang!"
The podium exploded, wood chips flying everywhere. Starlight was blown away by the shockwave and fell heavily onto the stage, looking completely bewildered.
"What's going on?!"
The audience below was in chaos. Just then, a young man with smoke rising from his body and hair standing up like a hedgehog crawled out from the shattered podium.
He was wearing a rumpled T-shirt and jeans, his face covered in dust, looking utterly disheveled. Yet, arcs of silver electricity danced across his body. Crackle, pop—!
Lu Ren shook his head and looked up, happening to see Starlight lying in front of him. A white skirt, long blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and that face of astonishment.
"Uh... hello?"
Lu Ren greeted her instinctively.
Starlight's eyes widened: "Who are you?!"
The audience below erupted.
"Who is that guy?"
"How did he come out of the lightning?"
"Is this part of The Seven's performance?"
Lu Ren's brain was still not quite clear; he had been dragged around Manhattan all night by the lightning and his whole body was numb. But when he saw that the person in front of him was Starlight, a crazy thought popped into his head.
[Side Quest: Perform a starlight kiss on Starlight and escape unscathed. Quest progress: 0/2.]
The system's notification sound rang out at just the right moment.
Lu Ren licked his lips.
He had already transmigrated anyway.
He had already awakened anyway.
He had already messed everything up anyway.
Why not... make it even bigger?
He reached out and grabbed Starlight's shoulders, and before she could react, he kissed her directly. Mmph—!
Starlight's pupils dilated, and she froze completely.
[Ding! Side Quest progress updated: Perform a starlight kiss on Starlight (1/2). Please complete the "escape unscathed" part as soon as possible.]
The entire venue fell into dead silence. Thousands of spectators, dozens of cameras, live broadcast across the US—everyone was watching a strange man covered in electricity, in front of the national audience, forcefully kiss the new member of The Seven.
Three seconds later.
"Ah—!"
Starlight screamed, pushed Lu Ren away, and slapped him across the face.
"Are you crazy?!"
Lu Ren had a red handprint on his face, but he grinned: "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."
Just then, a roar came from the sky. A red and blue figure flew in at supersonic speed and hovered above the plaza. Homelander.
He wore his signature cape, wearing that classic fake smile, but his eyes were terrifyingly cold.
"Oh?"
Homelander looked down at Lu Ren, his voice not loud, but clearly transmitted into everyone's ears.
"You've got some nerve."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Queen Maeve, Black Noir, The Deep, A-Train, and Translucent arrived one after another. The Seven, all present.
Homelander landed slowly, walked up to Lu Ren, and looked down at him.
"Do you know what you just did?"
Lu Ren looked up at Homelander, his heart beating like a drum, but he held it together. Can't be a coward. If he's a coward, he's dead.
[Detected powerful enemy "Homelander". It is recommended that the host maintain a provocative stance to gain more Hate Points. Hate Points can be exchanged for items in the shop.]
"I know." Lu Ren shrugged. "Kissed a member of The Seven, so what? Is it illegal?"
Homelander laughed, a very fake and cold laugh.
"Not illegal."
He leaned forward, scarlet lasers gathering in his eyes.
"But I will make you regret being born into this world."
Laser eyes, charged and ready to fire. The audience below screamed and fled, but the media cameras didn't budge—Vought International wanted to record all of this.
"Homelander, wait!" Queen Maeve frowned. "There are civilians here—"
"Civilians?" Homelander didn't even turn his head. "Deal with them later."
He stared at Lu Ren, the red lasers growing brighter. Lu Ren took a deep breath. Now is the time.
"Regret?"
Lu Ren curled his lips, and his body suddenly exploded with a blinding flash of Silver Lightning.
"You're the ones who should regret it."
Boom—! A pillar of Silver Lightning several meters in diameter erupted from Lu Ren's body, shooting straight into the sky.
Homelander's lasers fired, but the lightning was faster. The Silver Lightning and the red lasers collided in mid-air, erupting with a deafening roar.
"What?!"
Homelander's pupils contracted. His lasers had actually been blocked. No, not blocked. The lightning had directly swallowed the lasers.
The next second, Lu Ren turned into a bolt of lightning and shot up into the sky.
"Trying to run?!"
Homelander immediately gave chase. But the speed of the lightning was ridiculously fast; in the blink of an eye, it had surged into the atmosphere. Homelander stopped in mid-air, his face livid.
Chapter 2: Interview Invitation
He looked at his hand; the bolt of lightning from earlier had struck his finger, leaving behind a charred mark.
He, Homelander, the strongest superhero on Earth, had actually been injured by some unknown punk?
[Ding! Side quest completed: Kiss Starlight and escape unscathed. Reward: 1000 Hero Points, special item "starlight kiss" has been added to your inventory.]
[Achievement unlocked: "Homelander's Rage", reward: 500 Hero Points.]
[Achievement unlocked: "The Seven Assemble", reward: 300 Hero Points.]
In the plaza, Starlight covered her mouth and stared up at the sky, her face full of disbelief.
Queen Maeve remained silent.
The Deep's mouth hung open: "What was that ability?"
A-Train swallowed hard: "Faster than me..."
Translucent's voice came from thin air: "Homelander didn't catch him."
Black Noir stood motionless, lost in thought.
The national live broadcast cameras had recorded everything exactly as it happened.
The internet exploded instantly.
"Who is that guy?!"
"Silver Lightning! Oh my god!"
"He kissed Starlight and actually got away from Homelander?!"
"A new hero? Or a villain?"
Vought International's PR department was in chaos, phones ringing off the hook, executives slamming tables and roaring.
Meanwhile, Lu Ren had already transformed into lightning, landing in an abandoned warehouse in Brooklyn.
He deactivated his lightning form, plopped onto the ground, and gasped for air.
"Damn... that scared the hell out of me..."
Lu Ren touched his lips; the taste of Starlight's lipstick still lingered there.
He savored the moment for a few seconds, then muttered to himself, "Starlight is amazing."
[Main quest progress updated: National buzz 98%, completed. Rewards are being distributed...]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Superman Serum (Basic) x 1, 5000 Hero Points, Mystery Lottery Ticket x 1.]
Lu Ren's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly opened his system inventory.
Superman Serum? Can it turn him into a Superman?
And the mystery lottery ticket, wonder what he can get from that...
Just then, the system prompt sounded again.
[New main quest released: Join The Seven, time limit: 30 days. Reward: Unknown.]
[Hidden quest triggered: Make Homelander break down. Quest description: Severely damage Homelander's self-esteem and make him lose emotional control. Reward: Legendary Tier Item x 1.]
Lu Ren looked at these two quests and let out a long breath.
Join The Seven? Make Homelander break down?
He looked at the Superman Serum in his hand, then at the pink-glowing "starlight kiss" in his system inventory.
Lu Ren revealed a slightly dangerous smile.
This screwed-up world is going to change starting today.
Brooklyn, abandoned warehouse.
Lu Ren sat on the ground and opened his system inventory.
[Superman Serum (Basic): After injection, comprehensively enhance physical attributes; strength, speed, stamina, and senses reach the level of a young Kryptonian. Note: The debuff of being vulnerable to Kryptonite remains, but this world's Kryptonite... probably doesn't exist, right?]
"Young level?" Lu Ren raised an eyebrow, "Clark Kent could lift a tractor when he was a kid; that's enough."
Without hesitation, he chose to use it directly.
A silver syringe appeared in his hand, filled with flowing, deep blue liquid.
"Hope it doesn't hurt too much."
The needle pierced his arm, and the blue liquid was pushed into his veins.
At first, there was no feeling, but three seconds later — "Ahhh!"
Lu Ren sprang up from the ground, crashed through the warehouse roof, fell heavily back down, and smashed a two-meter-wide crater into the floor.
His muscles expanded, his bones grew, and every fiber in his body was being torn apart and rebuilt.
This process lasted for a full thirty seconds.
Thirty seconds later, Lu Ren crawled out of the crater and looked down.
Good grief. He was originally 1.78 meters tall, but now he was at least 1.85 meters. His T-shirt had been stretched into a tight fit, and his abs felt as hard as a washboard.
He casually picked up a piece of scrap I-beam and squeezed it gently. The I-beam was crushed into a ball like modeling clay.
"Not bad, not bad."
[Ding! Superman Serum fusion complete. Current status: Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability + Basic Superman bloodline. Warning: The coexistence of two powers may lead to unpredictable synergistic effects, please use with caution.]
Synergistic effects? Lu Ren didn't pay much attention.
He then opened the mystery lottery ticket.
[Using mystery lottery ticket...]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Skill Book "Self-Cultivation of a Hero" (Passive Skill: Gain +30% favorability bonus when speaking with any Supes).]
"...What a name." Lu Ren rolled his eyes, but clicked to learn it anyway.
The book turned into golden light and merged into his mind; he felt as if he had finished watching all one hundred episodes of the online course "How to Become a Popular Superhero."
[Current Hero Points: 5800. Shop unlocked.]
Lu Ren scanned the shop; there were many items: healing potions, strength boosters, temporary invisibility cloaks... but what really interested him was a special item priced at 5000 Hero Points.
[Vought International Interview Invitation (Special Item): After use, Vought International's PR department will actively contact the host, inviting them to participate in the candidate interview for The Seven. Note: No one will know the origin of the item; the system will automatically generate a reasonable backstory.]
"5000 points... just enough." Lu Ren didn't hesitate and bought it directly.
A gold-embossed envelope appeared in his hand, stamped with the Vought International logo. Use. The envelope turned into light particles and vanished.
Three seconds later, his phone rang. An unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Hello, may I speak to... Mr. Lu Ren?" A sweet female voice came from the other end, carrying professional enthusiasm, "I am Ashley Barrett from Vought International's PR department. We noticed your... brilliant performance at Vought Tower Plaza today and would like to invite you to the company headquarters for a formal meeting. Do you have time? Three o'clock this afternoon?"
Lu Ren was stunned for a moment. Vought International's efficiency was too high.
"Yes." He tried to keep his voice sounding calm, "What time? Where?"
"Three o'clock this afternoon, the conference room on the top floor of Vought Tower. We will have a visitor's pass ready for you. Looking forward to meeting you!"
The call ended. Lu Ren looked at his phone screen and slowly revealed a smile.
He knew what Vought International was like. They didn't care who was right or wrong; they only cared about traffic, buzz, and commercial value. Today's televised farce had spread his name and face across the entire country.
A mysterious man who could unleash Silver Lightning, escape from right under Homelander's nose, and kiss a new female hero of The Seven. This was the script Vought International dreamed of.
"They don't want a hero; they want a product." Lu Renmuttered to himself, "Then I'll be a product for once."
[Main quest "Join The Seven" progress updated: Interview invitation obtained. Next step: Pass the interview.]
Two-fifty in the afternoon. Vought Tower, first-floor lobby.
Lu Ren changed into clean clothes—a white overcoat, a white shirt, no tie. He had styled his hair with electric arcs, making him look like a model who had just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
"Mr. Lu Ren, this way please." The receptionist smiled and handed him a visitor's pass, her eyes unable to hide her curiosity. This man had kissed Starlight this morning.
Taking the elevator straight to the top floor, the doors opened to reveal a capable-looking woman in a red suit skirt and black-rimmed glasses waiting at the door. AshleyBarrett, PR Director of Vought International.
She wore a standard professional smile and reached out her hand: "Mr. Lu Ren, nice to meet you. I am Ashley."
"Hello." Lu Ren shook her hand. Ashley's palm was a little damp—she was nervous.
"Please follow me, the executives are already waiting for you in the conference room."
Passing through the hallway, giant photos of The Sevenhung on the walls on both sides. Homelander was in the center, his smile as bright as a mannequin's.
The conference room door opened. Six people sat at the end of the long table, all in suits, expressions serious. In the center sat an elderly man with white hair but a spirited demeanor: Stan Edgar, CEO of Vought International.
Beside him sat the heads of the legal department, marketing department, and hero management department. No Homelander. No members of The Seven. This was a purely commercial meeting.
"Please sit, Mr. Lu Ren." Stan Edgar spoke with a smile, his voice as steady as a news anchor, "Thank you for coming. I'll be direct—we want you."
Lu Ren pulled out a chair and sat down, his expression calm: "What do you want me to do?"
"Become a hero." Edgar crossed his fingers, "A formally registered hero, a signed Supes under Vought International. We will tailor your image, backstory, and commercial promotion plan to make you the next household name."
"What are the terms?"
"Standard rookie contract, signing bonus of five million dollars, renewable annually. 15% share of hero merchandise sales revenue. Commercial endorsements are separate." Edgar's tone was like he was discussing a routine business deal, "But that action of yours today has caused us some trouble."
He pressed a remote control, and the conference room's large screen played the morning's news footage. The scene of Lu Ren kissing Starlight was played in slow motion repeatedly.
Headlines from major media outlets — "Mysterious Man Kisses Starlight in Public, The Seven Lose Face?" "Homelander Fails to Catch Unidentified Supes, Public Questions Vought Security Capabilities" "Starlight Speaks Out: Feels Violated, Demands Severe Punishment for Perpetrator"
"Starlight's PR team is very unhappy." Edgar said, "On her personal social media account, fans are organizing a petition demanding you be arrested."
"So what?" Lu Ren asked.
"So," Edgar smiled, "we have come up with a win-win solution."
He stood up, walked to Lu Ren's side, and looked down at him.
"You will publicly apologize to Starlight, stating it was a momentary impulse and that you have deeply reflected on your mistake. We will arrange a joint press conference; you bow your head, Starlight accepts the apology, and then you officially sign with Vought to become a candidate member of The Seven."
"You call that win-win?" Lu Ren frowned.
"Of course it's win-win." Edgar's smile didn't change, "You gain a hero identity and a position in The Seven, Starlight gains public sympathy and a boost in approval ratings, and Vought International gains a new product line and an excellent PR story—the prodigal son returning, audiences love that."
Lu Ren was silent for a few seconds. The system didn't indicate a quest failure, meaning this path was viable.
But — "I have one condition." He said.
Edgar raised an eyebrow: "Speak."
"I can apologize, but I want to talk to Starlight alone. Before the press conference, let me have a face-to-face talk with her."
Edgar looked at Lu Ren for two seconds, then nodded: "Very well. I will arrange it."
[Hidden quest "Make Homelander break down" trigger condition updated: Homelander has learned of the interview news, Rage + 15%.]
The system prompt almost made Lu Ren laugh out loud. Homelander must be watching this meeting in the surveillance room.
Meanwhile, on another floor of Vought Tower. Homelander stood in front of a giant surveillance screen, arms crossed, his face livid.
The screen showed real-time footage from the conference room. He watched Lu Ren sitting there, watched Edgar talk about this stranger as if he were a product, and watched everyone planning the future for this "Silver Lightning."
"He kissed my teammate." Homelander said in a low voice, "In front of the whole world."
Queen Maeve stood behind him, not saying a word.
"And Edgar wants to sign him."
"Yes." Queen Maeve finally spoke, "Because Edgar only looks at data and profits. That person's buzz is currently number one in the nation, surpassing you."
Homelander turned to look at Queen Maeve, his eyes cold: "Surpassing me?"
"The trending topics list for the past forty-eight hours." Queen Maeve held up her phone, "'Silver Lightning' is ranked first, you are third, and second is Starlight."
The air was silent for two seconds. Then Homelanderlaughed. It was the kind of laugh that sent chills down one's spine.
"Interesting." He turned and walked out the door, "Very interesting."
"Where are you going?" Queen Maeve asked.
"To meet our new friend." Homelander said without looking back, "Give him a... welcome ceremony."
In the conference room, the meeting had just ended. Lu Ren walked out of the conference room and was just preparing to take the elevator downstairs when the security door at the end of the hallway suddenly opened on its own.
Homelander leaned against the doorframe, holding a Starbucks cup in his hand, wearing that signature fake smile.
"Hi." He raised the coffee cup, "Got time to talk, rookie?"
Lu Ren's footsteps stopped. There was no one else in the hallway. The cameras... he didn't know if Homelander had turned them off beforehand.
"Talk about what?" Lu Ren asked.
Homelander took a sip of coffee, walked over slowly, and stopped in front of Lu Ren. They were about the same height, and their eye level was almost perfectly aligned.
"I didn't catch you today." Homelander said, his tone like he was talking about the weather, "I mind that."
"Then you should practice running more."
Homelander's smile stiffened for a moment.
"You know," he leaned in closer, his voice low enough that only the two of them could hear, "the last person I minded is no longer around."
"Bankrupt?"
"Dead." Homelander's blue eyes stared straight at Lu Ren, "I killed him."
The air in the hallway seemed to freeze. Lu Ren could feel the oppressive aura radiating from Homelander; it was a dangerous vibe that made one instinctively want to run away.
But his body was calm. Under the dual support of the Superman Serum and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he discovered that he wasn't actually afraid. No, not that he wasn't afraid. It was that his body simply didn't consider Homelander a threat.
"Then you'd better not kill me." Lu Ren smiled, "Otherwise you'll be trending again — 'Homelander Murders Rising Star', how's that for a headline?"
Homelander stared at him for five seconds. Then he suddenly laughed. It was a sincere laugh — no, not sincere, it was the excitement of finding a new toy.
"I like you." Homelander patted Lu Ren's shoulder with enough force that a normal person would have their collarbone shattered instantly, "Perform well, rookie. When you join The Seven, I'll take... good care of you."
Chapter 3 Midnight Visitor
Homelander turned and left.
His pace was light, like an elementary school student going on a field trip.
Lu Ren stood where he was, looking down at the shoulder that had been patted—his clothes had a hole where the epaulet used to be, but his skin was completely unscathed.
[ Homelander Anger Level: +30%, Current Status: Paranoid Curiosity. Warning: Homelander has developed a morbid interest in the host; please remain vigilant. ]
Lu Ren brushed the dust off his clothes and walked into the elevator.
The moment the elevator doors closed, he let out a long breath.
" Damn... "
The lunatics in this world were even crazier than he had imagined.
But it didn't matter.
He looked at the "starlight kiss" item glowing with pink light in the system interface, then looked at the newly refreshed task list.
[ Main Task: Pass Vought International Interview (In Progress) ]
[ Side Task Refreshed: Meet with Starlight in private and resolve the conflict. Reward: Hero Points × 1000, Starlight Favorability + 20. ]
[ Hidden Task: Homelander Mental Breakdown Progress 30% / 100%. ]
Lu Ren pressed the button for the first floor.
He had to meet Starlight tomorrow.
She was one of the women in this world you definitely shouldn't mess with—not because of her powers, but because her fans would cyberbully you until you quit the internet.
But Lu Ren had the "starlight kiss" item given by the system, plus a 30% favorability bonus.
He licked his lips.
" Tomorrow... I'll try to see if I can keep her from hitting me. "
The elevator reached the first floor, and the doors opened.
Lu Ren walked out, and his phone vibrated.
A text message from an unknown number.
" This is Butcher. Tomorrow at 2 PM, the fried chicken shop in Williamsburg. Don't be late—or I'll shove your head up your own ass. "
Lu Ren looked at the text message and remained silent for three seconds.
Butcher.
The true protagonist of The Boys, the paranoid maniac bent on killing every single Supe.
He had come looking for him too.
" Things are getting lively now. " Lu Ren tucked his phone back into his pocket.
He looked up toward the top floor of Vought Tower, where Homelander's figure was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking all of Manhattan.
He then turned and disappeared into the sea of people in Manhattan, while Vought Tower behind him remained brightly lit.
---
11:00 PM, Lower Manhattan.
Lu Ren stood on the rooftop of an abandoned apartment building, clutching the Kryptonite detection radar he had just redeemed—a palm-sized circular dashboard with green ripples pulsing on the screen.
[ Biological Sample Tracking Radar Activated... Range: One kilometer radius. ]
" Let's test the waters first. "
He pressed the start button.
The needle on the dashboard spun crazily for three seconds before steadily pointing southwest. The green ripples on the screen turned into a blinking red dot, marking the distance: 840 meters.
[ Matching biological sample detected. Location: Hells Kitchen area, approximately 15 meters underground. Sample ID match: Soldier Boy cell line—Codename "Deep Freeze-6". ]
" Hells Kitchen? " Lu Ren frowned, " Isn't that place a gathering spot for gangs? "
He stuffed the radar into his pocket, his body transformed into a bolt of Silver Lightning, and he darted out from the rooftop.
This time, he controlled it much better than before. At the very least, he didn't crash through any buildings, only sparking against a few outdoor air conditioning units.
He landed silently. In front of an unremarkable old warehouse on 9th Avenue, Hells Kitchen.
Lu Ren deactivated his lightning form and stood across the street, sizing up the building. It looked dilapidated on the outside, with windows boarded up, but the entrance was equipped with three high-definition cameras and a fingerprint access control system.
" Doesn't look like an ordinary warehouse. "
He used his x-ray vision—one of the new skills brought by the Superman Serum—to take a look.
Sure enough, there was something underground.
An underground space of about 200 square meters, brightly lit and filled with various instruments and glass containers. A few people in white lab coats were busy, and several refrigerated cabinets sat on the lab benches. The cabinet doors were translucent, and inside, rows of cryovials and petri dishes could be vaguely seen. The walls were plastered with microscopic images of cells and dense data charts.
Soldier Boy's cell samples.
More than one. There were at least dozens of petri dishes and cryovials of various sizes.
" An underground biological laboratory? " Lu Ren narrowed his eyes, " People in this world have been studying Soldier Boy's cells, wanting to replicate his powers? "
He had to be careful. Although these cell samples didn't have radiation and wouldn't weaken his powers, Vought International had clearly invested heavily in this laboratory.
" Need to use remote methods. "
Lu Ren retreated two blocks, and after confirming a safe distance, condensed a ball of Silver Lightning in his right hand.
" Mantra. "
This was one of the abilities of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—perceiving surrounding living and non-living entities through electromagnetic waves. Unlike the biological sample tracking radar, Mantra allowed him to "see" every detail inside the underground laboratory.
Six people. Two were operating incubators, three were recording data, and one was sitting on a sofa in the corner, legs crossed, holding a glowing green stone in his hand.
That man sitting there...
Lu Ren's pupils constricted.
He was wearing a black suit, his hair combed slick and shiny, and his face bore an uncomfortable sense of superiority.
Seems familiar?
" Ashley Barrett? " No, that's the name of Vought's PR director. This person is... Stan Edgar's assistant? No, look closely, that face—
Lu Ren remembered.
Dr. Vogelbaum.
Vought International's chief scientist, one of the main developers of compound v.
" Interesting. "
Lu Ren did not alert the other party. His goal right now was to confirm the existence of Soldier Boy's cell samples, not to stir up trouble.
He noted down the address, then left silently.
---
1:00 AM, Lu Ren returned to the abandoned warehouse in Brooklyn.
He had just sat down and hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath when the warehouse's iron door was kicked open.
" Bang! "
A two-meter-tall brute stood at the doorway, face full of flesh, wearing a leather jacket, holding a sawed-off shotgun in his hand.
Butcher.
Behind him followed two people: a thin Black woman with sharp eyes; a young white man wearing a baseball cap, spinning a folding knife in his hand.
" You're that lightning kid? " Butcher walked in, the muzzle of the shotgun pointed straight at Lu Ren's face, " You look decent enough. But do you know what I hate the most? "
Lu Ren leaned against the wall, expression calm: " Hate the most? "
" Liars. " Butcher grinned, revealing a set of somewhat crooked teeth, " Especially when Supes lie. You bastards all think you're better than everyone else, able to bully ordinary people whenever you want. "
" I don't think I'm better than anyone else. "
" Then what was that kiss with Starlight this morning? " Butcher raised an eyebrow, " If you weren't relying on your powers, would you dare to kiss her? "
Lu Ren was silent for a second.
To be honest, he was indeed relying on his powers. But that wasn't the point.
" Are you here to fight me, or to talk business? " Lu Renasked, " If it's a fight, the shotgun in your hand is useless against me. If it's business, put the gun down, and let's talk properly. "
Butcher stared at him for five seconds, then laughed.
He laughed crudely.
" Interesting. " He threw the shotgun behind him, and the dark-haired woman behind him caught it, " Fine, let's talk. "
He brazenly pulled over a broken chair, sat down, and crossed his legs.
" I'm Billy Butcher. These two are my partners: Monique and that idiot kid called 'Frenchie'. "
" My name is Serge. " The young man in the baseball cap muttered.
" Same thing. " Butcher waved his hand, " Let's talk business. We know Vought International found you; they want to sign you, get you into The Seven. "
" News travels fast? "
" I have eyes inside Vought Tower. " Butcher's expression turned serious, " Do you know why they're looking for you? It's not because you have potential, not because you can bring in traffic—though that is one of the reasons. The real reason is that they want to control you. "
" Control me? "
" compound v. " When Butcher said the word, his voice carried suppressed anger, " All Supes' powers come from compound v. Including you. You have V in your system too, otherwise how could you have awakened your powers? "
Lu Ren was stunned for a moment.
He didn't have compound v. He had the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and the Superman Serum; it had nothing to do with this world's compound v.
But Butcher clearly didn't think so.
" You think you were born with it? " Butcher sneered, " Don't be naive. Vought International started injecting newborns with compound v decades ago to create Supes. You're just one of their countless experiments, only your power is rarer, so they want to reclaim you now. "
Lu Ren didn't refute this.
Letting Butcher believe he had V in his system was actually more convenient. If he told Butcher he wasn't a product of compound v, Butcher either wouldn't believe him or would see him as an even greater threat.
" So what do you want me to do? " Lu Ren asked.
" It's simple. " Butcher leaned in closer, " You join The Seven and act as our mole. Vought International's dirt, Homelander's weaknesses, the truth about compound v—you help us get the evidence, and we'll help you expose them. Then you won't have to be their puppet anymore. "
[Recruitment request from the Butcher faction detected. Accept? Accepting will unlock the "The Boys" side quest line. Refusing will affect the subsequent plot direction.]
Lu Ren looked into Butcher's eyes, which were a mixture of anger and anticipation.
Accept? Refuse?
If he accepted, he could obtain information from both Vought International and The Boys, which would be helpful for both main quests and hidden quests. But the risk was also high—Butcher was a madman who could turn on him at any moment; Vought International wasn't a pushover either.
If he refused, Butcher might treat him as an enemy. Although he wasn't afraid of Butcher, having one more friend was better than having one more enemy.
"I can help you," Lu Ren said, "but there are conditions."
Butcher's eyebrows twitched: "Speak."
"First, I won't help you kill people. Especially those Supeswhose crimes don't warrant death."
"Fine." Butcher agreed readily.
"Second, you need to help me investigate someone."
"Who?"
"Dr. Vogelbaum."
Butcher's expression changed.
"How do you know that name?" His voice suddenly became very dangerous.
"I saw him in the underground laboratory tonight," Lu Rendidn't hide it, "He's still alive, researching a cell sample underground."
Butcher was silent for a long time.
Finally, he stood up and reached out his hand: "Deal. But if you dare to mess with us, I'll shove your lightning up your ass."
Lu Ren took his hand.
The palm was large, with plenty of strength, like an iron pincer.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Lu Ren said.
Butcher didn't respond to the word "pleasure," turning around and leaving with Monique and Frenchie.
The iron door closed again.
[Side quest updated: Join The Boys. Quest objective: Provide Butcher with at least three pieces of valuable dirt on Vought International. Reward: Hero Points × 2000, special item "Butcher's Trust".]
---
3:00 AM.
Lu Ren lay in the hammock in the warehouse, staring at the ceiling, his mind in a mess.
He had to meet Starlight tomorrow morning and Butcher in the afternoon. He had to balance the information on both sides and couldn't slip up.
He opened his system inventory and looked at the special item glowing with a pink light.
[starlight kiss: After use, you can obtain a "forced forgiveness" effect during a conversation with Starlight. Note: This item can only be used once and is ineffective on anyone other than Starlight.]
"Forced forgiveness..." Lu Ren muttered, "Isn't this just a get-out-of-jail-free card?"
He thought about it and decided to save this item for a critical moment. For tomorrow's private meeting, it was better to rely on sincerity—or at least, looking sincere.
[Ding! System prompt: 9 hours until the "private meeting with Starlight" quest. It is recommended that the host prepare an apology in advance and avoid low-EQ expressions like "Your lips are so soft."]
"Mind your own business," Lu Ren rolled his eyes.
He closed his eyes, trying to get some sleep.
But just after closing his eyes, a faint sound of footsteps rang out outside the warehouse.
It wasn't Butcher; Butcher's footsteps were as heavy as an ox.
These footsteps were very light and steady, like someone who had received professional training.
Lu Ren opened his eyes, and his Heart Net automatically activated.
A person wearing a black bodysuit stood outside the warehouse, back against the wall, holding a katana in their hand.
Black Noir.
Lu Ren almost fell out of the hammock.
Black Noir? At this hour? Coming here?
Vought International's most mysterious and silent hero, known for never speaking and never taking off his helmet. In the plot of "The Boys," Black Noir's identity is... never mind, it's not important. What's important is, why did he come to find him?
Lu Ren didn't move.
He pretended to still be asleep, keeping his breathing steady.
Black Noir stood outside for a full five minutes, then... left.
The footsteps gradually faded away, disappearing into the night.
Lu Ren opened his eyes, his brow furrowed.
[Unknown behavior detected: Black Noir conducted a close-range observation of the host. Motive: Unknown. It is recommended to remain vigilant.]
"This guy... he couldn't be trying to kill me, right?" Lu Renthought for a moment, then shook his head, "No, if he wanted to kill me, he would have just done it."
Black Noir was just observing him.
But why?
Lu Ren recalled Black Noir's backstory from the original "The Boys"—he had been severely injured by Homelander, had deep psychological trauma, and never spoke because of Homelander's violent threats.
"Maybe... he's looking for an ally?"
This thought made even Lu Ren feel it was absurd.
Black Noir is Homelander's most loyal... no, he isn't loyal, he's terrified. Terrified to the point that he doesn't even dare to speak.
A person dominated by fear for over a decade would secretly observe a rookie who just popped up in the middle of the night?
"Forget it, I'll think about it tomorrow."
Lu Ren forced himself to close his eyes.
There were still many things to do tomorrow.
---
9:00 AM.
A small meeting room at Vought International.
Lu Ren arrived early. He was wearing a white shirt and dark blue casual pants, his hair neatly groomed, looking like a decent person.
The door opened.
Starlight walked in.
She wasn't wearing her signature white skirt today, but a light blue knit sweater with jeans, and almost no makeup on her face. But even so, her beauty still made it impossible to look away.
"Hello." Lu Ren stood up, trying to make his smile look harmless.
Starlight didn't smile. She stood at the doorway, arms crossed over her chest, her eyes as cold as a winter lake.
"Do you know how many people want to send you to prison?" She spoke, her voice much deeper than on TV.
"Probably a lot," Lu Ren said honestly.
"One million," Starlight said, "My fan petition already has one million signatures. Your face is now number one on the most hated list in the entire country, surpassing that teammate of mine who likes to harass female colleagues."
"The Deep?" Lu Ren blurted out.
Starlight froze for a moment, then the corners of her mouth twitched involuntarily—she almost laughed, but held it back.
"Don't change the subject." She went cold again, "You asked to talk to me alone, what do you want to talk about?"
Lu Ren took a deep breath.
The "starlight kiss" item in his system inventory was flickering, but he didn't use it.
He wanted to try without using the item first.
"An apology." Lu Ren looked seriously into Starlight's eyes, "Not the PR apology arranged by Vought International, but my own personal apology to you. I did a very asshole thing this morning, not respecting your wishes and embarrassing you in front of the whole world. I'm sorry."
Starlight was silent.
She looked into Lu Ren's eyes, seemingly judging whether he was sincere.
"Is that all?"
"Not just that," Lu Ren said, "I also want to tell you one thing—you joined The Seven, not because you really wanted to be a hero, right?"
Starlight's pupils constricted sharply.
"What did you say?"
"You were forced." Lu Ren's voice was calm and firm, "Your mother signed the contract and sold you to Vought International. You don't like that revealing uniform, you hate those male teammates who touch you inappropriately, and you don't even agree with Vought International's values. But you can't quit because you can't afford the penalty fee, because your mother needs money, and because you have no way out."
The air in the meeting room seemed to freeze.
Starlight's expression changed several times, from shock to anger, from anger to fear, from fear to... an indescribable emotion.
"How do you know all this?" Her voice trembled slightly.
"I don't just know this," Lu Ren didn't answer her question, "I also know that you are a good person. A truly good person shouldn't be trapped in this shitty place."
Starlight lowered her head, biting her lip.
Lu Ren could see her eyes turning red.
"So... what do you want?" She raised her head, her voice returning to calm, but the redness at the corners of her eyes betrayed her, "You're telling me this, are you trying to threaten me? Or pity me?"
"Neither." Lu Ren stood up, walked in front of Starlight, this time without any boundary-crossing actions, keeping a polite distance, "I want to help you."
"Help me?"
"When you want to leave Vought International, I'll help you leave," Lu Ren said, "When you want to expose them, I'll help you expose them. When you want to continue being a hero but don't want to be manipulated by them, I'll help you fight for your freedom."
Starlight's eyes widened: "Are you crazy? Do you know how big Vought International is? How strong Homelanderis? How could you possibly—by yourself—"
"I'm not by myself," Lu Ren interrupted her, "And... I'm stronger than you think."
He raised his hand, and a wisp of silver electric arc jumped from his fingertips.
The electric arc drew a heart shape in the air, then dissipated.
Starlight looked at the heart shape, and finally couldn't help but laugh.
"I won't trust you just because of a few words."
"I accept your apology, but stay away from me in the future. As for what you said... I'll pretend I didn't hear it."
She turned to leave.
Chapter 4: The Fried Chicken Deal
"Starlight." Lu Ren called out to her.
Starlight stopped in her tracks, not turning around.
"If you ever need help," Lu Ren said, "come find me."
Starlight paused for two seconds, then opened the door and walked out.
The moment the door closed, Lu Ren heard a very, very soft sound.
"...Thank you."
[Side quest "Meet privately with Starlight and resolve the conflict" completed! Reward: 1000 Hero Points, Starlight Favorability +20.]
[Current Starlight Favorability: 25/100. Relationship status: Changed from "Offended Stranger" to "Suspicious Character who is a bit weird".]
Lu Ren looked at the favorability score.
"Suspicious character who is a bit weird... at least it's better than 'Enemy who wants to kill me'."
He checked the time.
9:40 AM.
There were still over four hours until the 2:00 PM appointment with Butcher.
"Back to the warehouse first to organize the information."
Just as he walked out of the meeting room, his phone rang.
It was Ashley calling.
"Mr. Lu Ren! Good news!" Her voice was as excited as if she had won the lottery. "The board just unanimously approved your signing proposal! Tomorrow at 10:00 AM, we're holding a press conference to officially announce you joining Vought International as a reserve member of The Seven!"
[Main quest "Join The Seven" progress update: Signing completion 70%, officially achieved after the press conference.]
"Fine," Lu Ren said, "but I have one requirement."
"What requirement?"
"At the press conference, I want to stand next to Homelander."
There was a three-second silence on the other end of the line.
"Are you sure?" Ashley's voice became cautious.
"I'm sure."
"...Okay, I'll go communicate it."
The call ended.
Lu Ren walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor.
The mirrored elevator wall reflected his face—a young, confident face with a hint of danger.
Standing next to Homelander.
This requirement was enough to make Homelander's anger spike again.
[Hidden quest "Make Homelander break down" progress: 47%/100%.]
The elevator door opened.
Lu Ren walked out of Vought Tower, and the Manhattansun made him squint.
He raised his hand to block the sun, and in the light leaking through his fingers, a nearly invisible arc of electricity crackled.
Tomorrow, the press conference.
The day after, The Seven.
And after that...
He glanced at the newly refreshed item in the system store.
[Complete Kryptonian Serum: 100,000 Hero Points. After injection, gain full Kryptonian abilities (Adult Clark Kent level). Note: Purchasing this item requires completing the "Join The Seven" main quest first.]
100,000 points.
He only had 6,800 right now.
"Better start saving up."
Lu Ren strode off, heading toward Brooklyn.
Behind him, on the top floor of Vought Tower, Homelanderstood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the figure walking further and further away.
There was no smile on his face.
Maeve, standing beside him, watched his profile and for the first time felt that this man looked... a bit uneasy.
---
1:58 PM, Williamsburg.
The place Butcher chose was called "Carol's Chicken," located next to a laundromat. Two letters were missing from the sign, turning it into "Carol's Bird." The grease on the glass door was as thick as amber, making it basically impossible to see if anyone was inside from the outside.
When Lu Ren pushed the door open, the bell on the door rang, sounding like the prelude to some cheap funeral.
There was only one person in the shop—not Butcher, but an elderly Black man with gray hair, his apron covered in grease, dozing on the counter.
"Where's Butcher?" Lu Ren asked.
The old man lifted his eyelids to look at him, then pursed his lips toward the back: "In the back. Don't stomp the floor down."
Lu Ren walked through the kitchen, pushed open a door held together with duct tape, and walked into a narrow backyard.
Butcher was indeed there.
But he wasn't alone.
A tall Black man leaned against the wall, arms crossed, with a shaved head and a small goatee, his eyes as gloomy as a storm. Lu Ren recognized him—Marvin Milk, but everyone called him "MM." The deputy leader of The Boys, a former Army sergeant, with severe mysophobia and a deep-seated hatred for Supes.
Squatting at his feet was a young woman, her black hair tied into a neat ponytail, wearing overalls, and currently disassembling the firing pin of a pistol. She looked under twenty-five, but the expression in her eyes was like a veteran who had been through war. Kimiko—a silent girl modified by compound v, possessing strength and healing abilities beyond the average person, yet currently squatting there quietly like an inconspicuous thug.
"You're here." Butcher sat on an overturned paint bucket, holding a bottle of beer in his hand. "This is MM, that Japanese girl is named Kimiko. Do you know them?"
"I don't," Lu Ren said. "First time meeting them."
Butcher grinned, though it was unclear whether he believed it or not.
"Sit."
Lu Ren looked around; there was no second chair, so he leaned against the doorframe and stood.
"Tell me your intel." Butcher got straight to the point. "What was Dr. Vogelbaum doing in that lab you saw last night?"
"Researching a type of cell sample," Lu Ren said. "There were a large number of petri dishes and cryotubes in the underground lab, preserving some kind of biological material. Dr. Vogelbaum was watching it himself; it looks like a core confidential project for Vought International."
"What kind of cell sample?" Butcher pressed.
"I haven't figured out exactly what it is yet." Lu Ren lied; he didn't want to expose too much at the beginning. "But the security level of that lab is very high, and Dr. Vogelbaum—personally overseeing it—means this thing is very important."
Butcher took a sip of beer and rested the bottle on his knee, seemingly digesting the news.
"Have you heard of 'Soldier Boy'?" he asked suddenly.
Lu Ren certainly knew.
Soldier Boy—the first generation of Supes, Homelander's biological father, an American symbol during the Cold War. In the original work, he was frozen by the Russians for decades, later released, and became an important character in the third season.
"I have." Lu Ren tried to keep his tone casual. "A hero from the WWII era, who went missing later."
"He didn't go missing." Butcher's gaze sharpened. "He was sold out by Vought International. The Russians turned him into a test subject and froze him for decades. I recently got wind—someone wants to get him out."
"Who?"
"Don't know." Butcher shrugged. "Could be the Russians, could be Vought International's old rivals, maybe even Vought International themselves—after all, they were the ones who sent him away in the first place. Now they want to take him back and use him as a weapon."
"Use him as a weapon? Against whom?"
Butcher looked at Lu Ren and didn't speak.
But that look said everything.
Homelander.
"You mean," Lu Ren said slowly, "Soldier Boy is the only existence that can defeat Homelander?"
"I don't know if he's the 'only' one." Butcher stood up and stretched. "But you've seen Homelander's eyes, right? That thing shoots lasers. Unless there's someone as tough as him who can take those lasers, no one is going to beat him."
"So you're looking for Soldier Boy."
"I'm looking for anything that can fight." Butcher walked up to Lu Ren and lowered his voice. "Including you, Lightning Boy. You tanked Homelander's lasers; the whole country saw it on live TV. Do you have some secret you haven't told me?"
Lu Ren didn't back down.
He stared straight into Butcher's eyes, which were a mixture of paranoia, madness, and a near-pathological obsession.
"Everyone has their own secrets," Lu Ren said. "You have plenty of secrets too, Butcher. Like your wife."
The air suddenly fell silent.
MM lowered his crossed arms, and Kimiko stopped disassembling the gun.
Butcher's expression changed—not with anger, but with that look that only appears when someone pokes an old scar, a mix of pain and murderous intent.
"Don't you fucking mention Becca." His voice was so low it sounded like it came from underground.
"I didn't," Lu Ren said calmly. "I'm telling you, don't dig into my secrets, and I won't dig into yours. We're working together not because we trust each other, but because we have the same goal—you want to destroy Vought International, and I want to... live a little more freely."
Butcher stared at him for five seconds, then suddenly laughed.
"Fuck you," he cursed, but there was no real malice in his tone. "You've got real guts."
He turned and went back to sit on the paint bucket, resuming his laid-back demeanor.
"Fine, no secrets. Tell me about your plan—you're having the press conference tomorrow to join Vought International, how do you intend to be our mole?"
Lu Ren had already thought it through.
"I will try my best to stay within The Seven and access their core information. Homelander, Edgar, the manufacturing location of compound v... I can help you investigate these. But you need to do one thing for me."
"What thing?"
"Help me find someone," Lu Ren said. "A woman named 'Neuman.' Victoria Neuman. She works in Congress and is a member of the Committee on Superhuman Affairs."
MM and Butcher exchanged a look.
"You know her?" Butcher asked.
"I don't know her, but I know she's not an ordinary person." Lu Ren didn't reveal more—in the original work, Victoria Neuman was a Supe hiding among humans who could make people's heads explode with a glance. She was a pawn planted by Vought International in the government.
"This woman has powers," Lu Ren said directly. "She can pop heads from a distance. She is a critic of Vought International on the surface, but in reality, she is one of them."
Butcher's expression changed completely.
"How do you know that?"
"I said, don't dig into my secrets," Lu Ren straightened up. "Believe it or not, it's up to you. But if you want to take down Vought International, relying on a few street thugs and a shotgun isn't enough. You need a breakthrough at the political level—Victoria Neuman is that breakthrough."
Chapter 5: Kimiko
Everyone fell silent.
In the backyard, there was only the sound of sirens from the distant streets and the faint clinking of gun parts in Kimiko's hands.
"I'll have someone look into her," MM finally spoke, his voice steady. "If it's true, this information is worth a lot."
"It's not just worth a lot," Butcher stood up and tossed his empty beer bottle precisely into the trash can in the corner. "It's worth everything, goddammit."
He walked up to Lu Ren and extended his hand.
"We're partners. But if you lie to me, I'll still shove your lightning up your ass. I'm serious this time."
Lu Ren shook his hand.
The grip was firmer than last time.
---
When they left the fried chicken shop, it started to rain in Manhattan.
Lu Ren stood on the sidewalk, the rain hitting him and bouncing off automatically—not because he was consciously controlling it, but because the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's ability created a static electric field around his body, repelling water droplets as they approached.
He looked like he was wearing an invisible raincoat.
"Cool," a voice came from behind.
Lu Ren turned around; it was Kimiko.
She had followed him out at some point and was standing at the entrance of the fried chicken shop. The rain had soaked her hair, but she didn't seem to care.
"Something up?" Lu Ren asked.
Kimiko walked up to him and looked up. She was a head shorter than him, but her gaze was just as intense.
She raised her hand and made a few quick gestures: pointing her index finger at Lu Ren, swiping it in front of her face, and finally clenching her fist—"You're lying."
"Huh?"
She gestured again: pointing a finger at herself, making a "speaking" motion, then pointing at Lu Ren's mouth, and finally shaking her index finger from side to side—"You said you didn't know us, but you pronounced my name perfectly. Americans can't say 'Kimiko' right. You know who I am."
Lu Ren was silent for a second.
This girl's observation skills were better than he had expected.
She gave Lu Ren a sharp look and continued gesturing: pointing at Lu Ren, then making a "follow" gesture—"Butcher told me to follow you."
"Follow me?"
She nodded and gestured: "Tomorrow's press conference, lots of people, bodyguard." Then she shrugged—"But I don't think you need one."
"True, I don't," Lu Ren smiled. "But you can help me with something else."
Kimiko tilted her head.
"Keep an eye on the people at Vought International for me, especially Ashley in PR. That woman knows a lot of things she shouldn't, and she starts running her mouth after a couple of drinks."
Kimiko nodded and turned back toward the fried chicken shop.
---
Lu Ren did not return to the warehouse in Brooklyn.
He found a motel in Midtown Manhattan that didn't require ID, paid cash, took the key, and went into his room.
The room was small: a bed, a TV, and a bathroom without even a window.
But it was enough.
He lay on the bed, staring at the yellow water stain on the ceiling that had bulged from a leak, organizing the information he had gathered today in his mind.
First, Butcher is looking for Soldier Boy.
Second, Victoria Neuman. This woman needs to be dealt with as soon as possible, otherwise, she'll eventually blow the heads off Butcher's team one by one.
Third, Black Noir was watching him last night. What exactly does this mute warrior want?
Just as he was thinking, the TV suddenly turned on by itself.
It wasn't the remote—the power plug wasn't even plugged in.
The TV screen was full of static, but a face could be faintly seen within it.
"Hello, Lu Ren."
The voice sounded like it was coming from far away, yet it also resonated directly inside his head.
The face in the static gradually became clear.
A young woman, black hair, light-colored eyes, with a cryptic smile.
Lu Ren didn't recognize her.
Although he hadn't actively accessed the system, it flashed a notification at the edge of his vision. He suppressed the urge to check the system and relied on his memory: Who was this woman in the original story?
"Who are you?" he asked.
"You can call me 'Mindstorm'," the woman's lips didn't move, but her voice was clear. "Or call me... someone who wants to make a deal with you."
"What kind of deal?"
"Vought International wants you to be a hero," the woman said. "I can make you a real hero—not the kind they package, but the kind people need and fear. You know there's something under this city even scarier than Homelander, right?"
Lu Ren's heart skipped a beat.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You do," the woman's smile widened slightly. "The underground lab in Hells Kitchen, those green rocks, Dr. Vogelbaum... you know it all. But did you know that's just the tip of the iceberg? Deeper in this city, in the subway tunnels and abandoned shelters that no one dares to enter, there's more."
"Like what?"
"Like a virus that can turn Supes into ordinary people," the woman's voice dropped very low. "Like a person who has been imprisoned for forty years; her blood can cure any disease and kill any living thing. Like a door, and behind that door is something Vought International doesn't want you to see."
The static on the TV screen suddenly flickered violently, then returned to normal.
The woman disappeared.
Lu Ren sat up, his back drenched in cold sweat.
It wasn't because of fear.
It was because of what the woman had said—the virus, the imprisoned person, the door.
"The secrets of this world," Lu Ren muttered to himself, "are far more than I expected."
He stood up and walked to the window.
The rain had stopped. The Manhattan skyline glittered in the night, and Vought Tower stood like a silver needle piercing the heart of the city.
Tomorrow, he would stand on that stage, next to Homelander, facing the eyes of the entire world.
Before that, he needed to figure one thing out—
How the woman called "Mindstorm" had found him, and what her true purpose was.
He reached into his pocket and felt a small object.
It was something Kimiko had quietly slipped to him during their handshake—a button-sized listening device.
This girl, claiming to be his bodyguard while secretly planting a bug. Butcher really didn't trust anyone.
Lu Ren placed the bug on the table, neither crushing it nor throwing it away.
He picked up the notepad and pen from the nightstand, wrote a note, and placed it under the bug.
The note read:
"Buy me a drink next time."
He left the bug in the room and walked out of the motel.
There were still many places to go tonight.
The underground lab in Hells Kitchen, the blind spots of the Vought Tower surveillance, and the "abandoned shelter" mentioned by the woman on the TV.
After the rain, the air in Manhattan was filled with the scent of damp asphalt and the fishy smell of the distant Hudson River.
Lu Ren took a deep breath, his body transforming into a bolt of silver-white lightning, silently melting into the night.
What he didn't notice was that inside a black van parked across the street, a telephoto lens had precisely captured the moment he transformed into lightning.
The sound of the shutter was masked by the wind after the rain.
Inside the van, a person lowered the camera, picked up a phone, and dialed a number.
"Boss, target confirmed. Abilities as described in the report."
"Very good," the voice on the other end was old and dry. "Continue observing. Don't alert the target."
"Yes."
The call ended.
The person in the van raised the camera again, aiming it in the direction where Lu Ren had disappeared.