Chapter 26: This Is Your Own Doing, Clara!
If you were Clara.
Your Superpowers are the same as Shazam from DC next door: super strength, Super Durability, high-speed flight, releasing lightning, and immortality.
And your opponent is a guy who can block your lightning, fire Laser Vision from his eyes, and release terrifying energy using * *.
How would you deal with him?
In this regard, our Clara has already performed a textbook-level mistake.
As a noble ranged spellcasting flying unit, she did not put distance between herself and Ian the moment she encountered him to kite him from afar, which sealed her defeat.
"Taste my Ultimate Bladder Sword!"
Facing the terrifying energy released by Ian that was enough to cut through the air.
Clara's expression changed drastically, and she quickly pulled back, trying to escape.
But unfortunately... it was already too late.
That terrifying energy instantly shot onto her beautiful, fair face, but the outpouring of energy did not cause Clara even the slightest injury.
However, it was like some kind of eternal brand of shame, making Clara almost go mad.
"Damn yellow monkey, f*ck! You pissed me off!"
Clara hovered in mid-air, with Ian's energy still remaining on her face, looking very disheveled.
"Oh?" Ian raised an eyebrow and mocked, "I thought that since you've lived for over a hundred years, your mental state wouldn't be so fragile, but now it seems..."
"You, an old woman who has lived for over a hundred years, are no different from those giant babies raised in laboratories."
"I'm going to kill you!!"
Clara roared, and her hands suddenly swung forward forcefully, bringing with them a dense patch of purple plasma lightning that quickly tore through the airflow, emitting a violent whistling sound.
The air was violently agitated, and the free electrons in mid-air were gradually condensed, turning into a roaring purple lightning bolt.
Accompanied by the sound of breaking through the air, this terrifying lightning instantly rushed in front of Ian.
Rumble!! The lightning flashed, illuminating this dark alley and the few corpses lying on the ground.
"Now, you should be dead?!"
Clara floated in mid-air like a deity and sneered.
Ever since she became a superhuman, she had awakened this terrifying plasma lightning ability.
In the past, a casual bolt of lightning from her could destroy a tank made of steel.
And now, under her full-power lightning attack, I'm afraid that damn yellow monkey is already dead, right?
Thinking of this, Clara immediately prepared to fly away.
However.
"Is that all?"
From within the slowly dissipating smoke, a deep and hoarse male voice suddenly rang out.
"Clara, who injected compound v, the first superhuman in the world."
"The Statue of Liberty from decades ago... possessing Superpowers that ordinary people can hardly imagine."
"Is that really it?"
The smoke gradually dissipated, and in the darkness, the tall man's figure walked out step by step.
He raised his head, and his black eyes condensed with a scarlet, blazing red glow.
Almost in an instant, a pressure that felt like it had substance suddenly surged over Clara's entire body like a rainstorm.
She subconsciously flew back one meter, wanting to put some distance between herself and Ian.
But after realizing that she was actually somewhat afraid of the yellow monkey in front of her, Clara was instantly enraged.
How could she be afraid of these damn, lowly yellow monkeys?
In her view, these guys were a race even more trash than black people, and as a noble white person, how could she possibly be afraid of a damn yellow monkey?
Thus, an angry expression instantly appeared on Clara's face, and her azure blue eyes stared fixedly at Ian below.
"You are afraid of me." Ian said calmly, his face devoid of any expression, but Clara seemed to see mockery on his face.
"No!" She roared, and even with Ian's energy on her face, she still glared with wide eyes.
"It's impossible for me to be afraid of a damn yellow monkey like you!"
"Go to hell!"
She roared, her hands condensing purple lightning far exceeding what she had used before, and she suddenly accelerated, charging fiercely toward Ian like a cannonball.
And Ian, facing the charging Clara, did not have a shred of fear on his face, just looked at her calmly without moving his feet.
After all, his goal had been achieved; as long as he provoked Clara and made her close the distance with him, he could directly catch this guy.
Otherwise, Clara could fly, and he couldn't; if he let her escape, that wouldn't be good.
Boom!! The two collided with a bang, Clara slammed fiercely into Ian, crashing directly through one side of the alley wall, with gravel constantly falling to the ground and rolling in all directions.
A few homeless people were awakened by such intense movement and hurriedly looked up in this direction.
Thus, they saw crimson Heat Vision instantly tear through the airflow, shooting fiercely onto the wall, melting the stones on it.
Following that were streaks of purple lightning intertwining and clashing with this ray.
Seeing this terrifying scene, a sentence popped into the minds of these homeless people—This is a Vought International superhero fighting against a supervillain!
"F*ck! Damn yellow monkey, go to hell!"
Clara released lightning frantically, but unfortunately, Ian, relying solely on his Energy Absorption and tripled physical Super Durability, directly blocked her lightning.
Feeling her lightning being constantly absorbed by the man in front of her, Clara's expression changed abruptly, realizing that she had been tricked.
"F*ck! Cunning yellow monkey!"
She cursed angrily and immediately prepared to soar into the sky to keep kiting this guy with lightning.
But Ian had already noticed her intention, rushed forward, grabbed Clara's neck with both hands, and pushed forward forcefully with his body.
"F*ck!"
Feeling the abnormality behind her, Clara's expression turned extremely gloomy.
"F*ck! Damn yellow monkey, let me go!"
But Ian ignored her words completely, just keeping his right hand around Clara's neck, while raising his left elbow and fiercely elbowing the back of Clara's head.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The three-fold increase in combat power made Ian's strength much greater than before.
And the energy absorbed earlier was also, under Ian's control, added to his body, making his strength much stronger than before.
And under the eruption of this powerful strength, blood gradually stained Clara's beautiful face.
She struggled desperately, but it was to no avail; her eyes gradually unfocused, and her body swayed unsteadily.
Seeing her in this state, Ian stopped the elbowing, just tightly gripping the other's neck to prevent her from escaping.
"I'll give you two choices: either be my dog, or... be beaten by me until you become my dog!"
Clara ignored Ian and just kept struggling, wanting to escape.
Seeing this, Ian smashed his elbow into the back of her head again, then grabbed the woman, clutching her hair with his right hand to force Clara to face him.
"Clara, you only have one choice: be my dog, otherwise..."
"I don't dare to imagine how cruel what you have to face next will be."
Clara raised her azure eyes and looked at the yellow monkey in front of her with a face full of anger.
"Give up that thought! Damn yellow monkey, it's impossible for me to be your dog!"
"You will never be able to make me bow to you inferior races!"
"You only deserve to be ruled by our noble Aryan race!!"
"Very good, it seems... you are not a sensible person."
Ian nodded, his face devoid of any expression, but the atmosphere dropped to freezing point.
"As a stubborn old German woman, I admire your perseverance, and I hope you can withstand... the punishment I bring you next!"
As the words fell, Laser Vision flashed in Ian's eyes, directly burning away all of Clara's clothes.
"F*ck!"
Clara's face was full of shame and anger, her whole body trembling with rage.
"You... you damn yellow monkey, don't you dare do that kind of dirty thing to me!!"
"This is your own doing!"
Chapter 27 Clara: I'm not clean anymore
"I..."
"I... I'm not clean anymore."
Three days later.
Clara lay naked in the small alleyway, her eyes unfocused and dazed, looking like someone who had been broken.
Ian pulled up his pants, looking at her with cold eyes, and said:
"You have one more chance. Do you want to be my dog, or be forced to be my dog?"
Hearing his cold voice, Clara finally regained her senses, her unfocused eyes gradually recovering, looking at him with some fear.
It was as if... she was looking at some extremely terrifying existence.
After all.
In these three days, she had experienced things she had never experienced in the last hundred years.
Clara had never imagined before that she would be so humiliated by the 'yellow-skinned monkey' she looked down upon the most.
She was the first super-human in the world!
As long as she wanted, she could completely slaughter all the ordinary people in this world and create a new world.
But for these three days, Clara was first suppressed by Ian, and then began to continuously endure the impact of the other party's energy.
That surging energy came in waves, almost making Claracollapse and break her defenses.
But this was not where Clara truly broke her defenses.
What truly made Clara break her defenses was that after being severely punished by Ian, she subconsciously felt some attachment to Ian.
After three days, that feeling had made Clara somewhat accustomed to it, even addicted, reluctant to leave.
As soon as this feeling arose in Clara's heart, it made her break her defenses.
She was of the noble Aryan race, how could she be fucked to this extent by a yellow-skinned monkey?
But the facts were right there. Clara could feel that her body had already adapted to Ian, and even... couldn't live without Ian.
"I'll ask you one more time, do you want to be my dog?"
"I..."
Clara's lips moved slightly, her gaze fixed on this tall Asian man standing in front of her, looking at her naked body with cold eyes.
"I will."
After saying this, she seemed to have lost all her strength, finally yielding to the feelings of her body.
After all.
Without Superpowers, she was just an extreme racist.
But in the face of her body's reactions, Clara eventually lost to her body's reactions.
Seeing Clara's sensible appearance, Ian nodded with satisfaction and grinned, revealing a faint smile.
"Very good."
...
Three days later.
Vought Tower, 99th floor, executive president's office.
"Mr. Ian... is there something you need us for?"
A-Train stood in front of the desk, his eyes full of fear as he looked at Ian.
He had originally been preparing to race against Shockwave and then humiliate him severely.
But he never expected that Grace would contact him directly, saying Ian wanted to see him, so A-Trainimmediately abandoned the race and returned to Vought Tower.
Of course, it wasn't just A-Train who came here.
The Deep, the newly joined Starlight, and a woman A-Train didn't recognize but who looked at him with some disdain, all stood in the office.
"Sir, did you call us here because there is something important you want us to do?"
The Deep's body was tense, standing straight as if he were a soldier undergoing inspection, with a flattering smile on his face.
Ever since Stan Edgar died, he had been inquiring about this new CEO, wanting to curry favor with him and advance further in The Seven.
However.
What made The Deep a bit confused was why Homelander and Queen Maeve didn't come?
Did Mr. Ian only call the few of them?
"That's right." Ian nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
Starlight stood on the far edge, her hands tightly clasped in front of her, her face full of confusion and excitement.
She had joined The Seven for less than two weeks and had not fully adapted to life at Vought Tower.
It is worth mentioning that after Ian killed Stan Edgar in March, he forbade The Deep from bullying other teammates.
So Starlight was still the same as she was at the beginning, she hadn't eaten The Deep's caviar, but it was estimated that she would soon be able to eat Ian's salad dressing.
Ian's gaze fixed on Clara, and then he introduced:
"This is your new teammate, the new addition to The Seven, Stormfront."
"I called you here today because there is a mission."
As he spoke, Ian pressed the remote control on the table.
At the same time, the holographic screen on one side of the office lit up, displaying satellite images of a remote town on the screen.
The town was surrounded by dense forests, with only one winding road connecting it to the outside world.
"Harmony Fort." Ian pointed to the town on the screen and explained.
From Clara's mouth, he learned that there might be clues about compound v there.
"On the surface, this place is a retirement community, specifically for housing elderly superheroes and retired Vought employees."
"But in reality..."
He paused, his gaze becoming sharp.
"It is one of Vought's early secret research centers."
"There is an abandoned laboratory underground at Harmony Fort, which may contain sealed original samples of compound v."
"compound v?" The Deep frowned slightly.
"Isn't that something that was phased out long ago? The formula for compound v has already been updated to the fourth generation."
Ian did not answer, just looked at him coldly, his dark eyes seemingly containing a lion.
Feeling that pressure, The Deep immediately shut his mouth, not daring to speak again.
"compound v is the original version developed by Frederick Vought in 1944."
"It is not stable enough, has huge side effects, and the mortality rate for adults is as high as over ninety-nine percent."
Ian stood up and walked slowly to the floor-to-ceiling window, with his back to them.
"But it is precisely because it is strong enough that the Superpowers it catalyzes are much more powerful than the existing versions."
"Soldier Boy, Torpedo, Gunpowder, Soldier Angel, and Stormfront... they all injected compound v."
Hearing that Stormfront had injected compound v, The Deep turned to look at Clara standing to the side, his face full of surprise.
Although Starlight did not understand the value of compound v, hearing the mortality rate of over ninety-nine percent from Ian, she couldn't help but look at Clara beside her with newfound respect.
And A-Train was full of curiosity, wondering if Ian was also a super-human who had injected compound v.
After all.
The other party's record of single-handedly clearing out the entire security force of Vought Tower was terrifying.
Not only that, even Stormfront, who had injected compound v, listened to Ian, so how strong was the other party... exactly?
Could he be better than Homelander?
Starlight couldn't help but say: "But sir, if this compound vis so dangerous, why do we want to find it?"
"Because of compound vi."
Ian took a document out of his desk drawer and threw it directly onto the table.
"Dr. Vogelbaum is working on the research and development of compound vi."
"The core goal of compound vi is to develop a super-powered agent that surpasses all versions of compound v."
"But the doctor needs a reference, a vial of undiluted original compound v."
"So..."
Ian nodded slightly, expressionlessly scanning these subordinates in front of him.
"I need you to go to Harmony Fort and find that abandoned laboratory."
"And then..."
"Help me bring back the original solution of compound v!"
Chapter 28: Bio-electricity Rotation!
Stormfront Clara led the other three members of The Seven away, heading to Harmony Fort to help Ian find the first-generation compound v.
Currently, there aren't many powerful superhumans in Harmony Fort.
As long as Gunpowder or the generation of superhumans like Soldier Boy don't interfere, this lineup is sufficient to handle any unexpected situations.
After sending them all away, Ian left his office, stepped into the elevator, and made a trip to the laboratory on the B2 underground level.
This floor is a place specifically used by Vought International to conduct some dangerous experiments.
compound vi will be researched here by the team led by Dr. Vogelbaum.
As long as Homelander and Queen Maeve don't cause trouble, it remains quite safe here.
"So... Mr. Ian, how do you plan to treat John (Homelander's childhood name), and Queen Maeve and the others?"
Inside the laboratory, Dr. Vogelbaum, wearing a white lab coat, stood beside Ian and asked in a low voice.
"I have already had Madelyn contact them." Ian's gaze remained fixed on the laboratory.
"If they are willing, they can work for me. After all, they worked for fame and popularity before, and working for me can also grant them these things."
"But if they insist on standing in my way, then I'm afraid I'll have to be sorry."
Hearing Ian's words, Dr. Vogelbaum nodded.
He is the head of the Homelander project and has been responsible for him ever since Homelander was born.
To him, although Homelander is not his own son, he has at least accompanied him for decades.
It's impossible to say there are no feelings.
A series of experiments on mice were being conducted in the laboratory.
For example, combining diluted Second-generation Compound V with Temp V, and then injecting it into the mice.
But unfortunately, the mortality rate of this serum is extremely high; Ian basically hasn't seen any mice survive.
"How long do you think it will take to develop compound vi?"
Ian asked, as the Marvel Universe is still facing the approaching army and fighter jets.
If he doesn't have absolute strength, he will very likely die at the hands of the army, or be captured again and locked up.
This is not what Ian wants.
"It might take more than five years." Dr. Vogelbaum replied after a moment of contemplation.
"compound vi has already begun preliminary research. Although there is a direction, there are still many difficulties to face."
"And... there is another important project—Superhuman Gene Editing. This project is even more difficult."
He leaned closer to Ian and whispered.
"You know, things like gene editing are considered taboo internationally."
"Once discovered, it's very likely that our entire group will be investigated by the CIA, which is not a good thing."
"Don't worry about that." Ian said in a deep voice, "I only need results. I will resolve any obstacles; you just need to focus on helping me produce results."
To him, this project is the first method he has to improve his strength and resolve the crisis in the Marvel Universe.
Once successful, it will greatly improve his strength, and the crisis in the Marvel Universe can also be resolved along the way.
...
"I cannot hang myself on one tree. Although the gene editing project has great potential, the difficulty is not small either."
"I need to find other ways to improve my strength."
Returning to his office and sitting in his chair, Ian thought of the web novels he had read in his previous life.
Those high-flying cultivators, in essence, also cultivate by absorbing external energy.
"Besides gene editing, perhaps... I can also try to cultivate and improve through the Energy Absorption ability."
His black eyes brightened slightly, and thoughts raced through his mind.
"My Energy Absorption can absorb external energy to strengthen myself, and..."
"After the battle with that Level 4 Mutant in the Marvel Universe, my spirit broke through its shackles to some extent."
"I should be able to control the absorbed energy."
As he pondered, the names of many web novel protagonists he had read in his previous life floated into Ian's mind.
Ye Tiandi, Huang Tiandi, Han Li, Xiao Yan, Tang San, Gu Zhenren...
Those cultivators continuously grew stronger by absorbing external energy.
He could also absorb external energy to strengthen his own power.
So...
There is no reason he can't do it!
"Perhaps in the future, other Ians from worlds capable of cultivation will appear in the mysterious space, but for now... I can try it out in advance!"
Thinking this, Ian walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, drew the curtains, and let the sunlight shine in, spilling onto his body.
The warm sunlight spilled onto him, bringing a hint of heat, but more importantly, a warm current filled with thermal and light energy.
It works!
Ian was delighted and immediately closed his eyes, quietly absorbing this light energy.
However...
After ten minutes or so, he frowned slightly.
"Why does the absorption efficiency feel a bit low?"
"Is it because the distance is too far, causing energy loss in light and heat, or is it... because the sun's radiation is blocked by the Earth's atmosphere?"
"And... radiation seems to be a type of energy, right?"
As the energy was gradually absorbed, Ian's brain became more active, and the speed of his world-shaking intelligence increased.
"If I remember correctly, there is quite a bit of enriched uranium in The Boys' world, and my current body defense should be much higher than Homelander's."
"After this attempt yields results, I will go and try to absorb the radiation energy from enriched uranium."
Time passed bit by bit, and the energy contained within the sunlight was gradually absorbed into Ian's body.
He could clearly feel that his entire body was warm, as if bathing in a mother's womb.
Even...
Muscles, bones, nerves... in these body tissues, Ian could clearly feel something beginning to gradually grow stronger and rotate.
That thing was moving very fast, like the lightning and thunder striking in nature, or... the lightning that Clara had condensed in her hands before.
Ian furrowed his brows, wanting to use his spirit to control that rampaging Bio-electricity, but it was very difficult.
It was like trying to catch a loach in a muddy pond; every time he reached out thinking he was about to grab it, the next second it would slip away again.
Half an hour, one hour, two hours...
Time gradually passed, and the sunlight diminished bit by bit.
As the sun was about to set, Ian suddenly jolted, and that current seemed to have been controlled by him, rotating in his chest.
Bio-electricity Rotation!
Feeling the slight tingling sensation in his chest, Ian's face lit up with joy.
"It's feasible!"
His hypothesis was correct; he could control this enhanced Bio-electricity!
...
Just as Ian was preparing to continue absorbing light and thermal energy, attempting to rotate his own Bio-electricity and refine the cells in his body,
"Mr. Lamplighter, the BOSS is still resting inside; please do not disturb."
Grace's voice suddenly rang out from outside.
Following that, a rough man's voice came through.
"Shit! Who do you think you are? I'm going in today!"
Chapter 29: The Arrogant and Overbearing Lamplighter
"By what right does he have Dr. Vogelbaum collect our genetic material?"
Lamplighter stood outside the CEO's office, wearing a black jacket and toying with a Constantine-themed Zippo lighter in his hand.
"This is the Boss's idea."
Grace stood before him, arms crossed over her chest, holding a folder, and said with a calm expression.
Ever since Ian had absorbed the tumor in her brain, Gracehad discovered that her brain was processing information faster and faster.
Not only that, but she also seemed to have lost some of her primal biological emotions.
For example, negative emotions like fear and panic that could affect her rationality.
This made Grace wonder if it was because of Ian that her abilities had gradually begun to change.
"If you have any questions, you can ask your assigned agent later; the Boss is very busy right now and has no time to see you."
Grace looked at Lamplighter in front of her, her face devoid of any ripples.
The other party had long since quit The Seven and had become a has-been superhero.
Even with the Superpowers of pyrokinesis and flight via fire, he was a thing of the past.
Having been brought out of the underground containment chamber by Ian and having witnessed his lethal aura, Grace felt absolutely no fear toward Lamplighter.
"Busy and has no time to see me?" Lamplighter sneered. "Who are you trying to brush off? Do you really think I'd believe such a story meant for children?"
"You're the one handling everything within the company, so what could he possibly be busy with?"
Lamplighter sneered, and with a snap, the lighter in his hand ignited, the flames burning fiercely and growing larger in his palm.
Grace raised her eyes and glanced at him indifferently, not even twitching an eyebrow, and said in a calm tone:
"The Boss's work content does not need to be reported to you, and you have no right to inquire about the Boss's affairs."
"Oh, no need to report to me? I don't have the right to ask about his affairs?"
The sneer on Lamplighter's face slowly faded, his expression turning gloomy as he glared viciously at Grace.
He had worked at Vought International for so many years and was a founding member of The Seven!
Back when he was smiling in his uniform in front of the cameras, that damn Ian didn't even know where he was!
Now that this guy had sat in the CEO's chair, he was acting so high and mighty?
Clearly, Lamplighter had no idea how Ian had become the CEO of Vought International.
As a has-been hero, no one would tell him about it.
And if Lamplighter knew that Stan Edgar had been killed by Ian, he would probably be scared to the point of wetting his pants.
"Don't give me that. Yesterday… that old geezer Vogelbaum actually came with an authorization form from Vought International headquarters, demanding that I provide blood and genetic samples."
The flames on Lamplighter's right hand grew taller as he spoke, word by word, clearly furious.
"I don't care what you want to do with my genetic material, but surely I should at least have the right to know?"
"I don't want some random son of mine showing up out of nowhere later, claiming he was born in a lab."
...
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Inside a secret room, Madelyn watched the live surveillance feed from in front of the CEO's office at Vought Tower.
Her brows were furrowed tightly as she turned to look at the man beside her, who was wearing a tight blue combat suit and a red, white, and blue cape.
"Sending Lamplighter to test that guy… what if he finds out we're the ones pulling the strings? Wouldn't that be… very troublesome?"
"Madelyn, calm down."
Homelander nodded slightly, his gaze fixed intently on the surveillance footage, his expression emotionless.
"Your heart is beating a little too fast. Is he really that terrifying?"
"I'm afraid he's even more terrifying than we imagined."
Madelyn recalled the scenes of Black Noir and Stan's deaths, as well as the fact that even sonic weapons were ineffective against Ian, and felt a lingering fear.
"Is that so? Too bad you didn't get the surveillance footage from that night." Homelander shook his head in regret.
At this time, he had not yet broken free from the control of Vought International; he only knew from Madelyn that Stan, who was like a father to him, was dead.
Therefore, he only wanted to drag Ian down from that CEO position and take it for himself.
"Now that Stan is dead, the resources for superhero operations have all been diverted elsewhere, which harms our interests."
Queen Maeve stood to the side, still wearing that silver-grey combat skirt that looked like it belonged to a primitive tribe, her well-toned figure wrapped within it, accentuating her curves.
"You said that guy has great power, but none of us have seen it, and we have no concrete intelligence."
Homelander remained expressionless, his blue eyes fixed intently on the image on the surveillance screen.
"But we can send someone to test him, and that idiot Lamplighter… is the best candidate for the test."
...
"I'll say this one last time."
Lamplighter shoved the lighter into his pocket, took a step forward, putting himself only half a meter away from Grace, and stared intently at the executive secretary.
"Move aside."
Grace glanced at him indifferently, not moving an inch, not even blinking, and said calmly:
"Please leave, Lamplighter."
"Do not disturb the Boss, and do not do anything you will regret."
"Anything I will regret?"
As if he had heard some huge joke, Lamplighter threw his head back and laughed twice, his eyes immediately turning sinister.
"Miss Grace, unless he is Homelander, how could he possibly do anything that would make me regret it?"
"Please move aside and let me in, otherwise… I'm going to do something that will make you regret it."
He lowered his head, looking down at the 27-year-old woman before him, his voice cold.
It was as if, if Grace didn't move, he would injure her in the next second, or… subject her to other forms of abuse.
But unfortunately.
Grace ignored him entirely, simply giving him a cold, machine-like glance.
"I am calling the Armed Squad."
The Armed Squad?
This damn woman was actually going to call the Armed Squad to deal with him?
Lamplighter found it laughable and said disdainfully:
"I once saved forty-seven lives in the Chicago fire, I've been on the cover of Time magazine, I have my own star on the Walk of Fame, and you?"
He poked Grace's shoulder with a finger and whispered:
"You are just… an ordinary person without Superpowers, working for Vought International."
"Don't block my path."
The moment the words fell, Lamplighter raised his right hand, splayed his fingers, and aimed at Grace's face.
The smell of scorching filled the air, and flames danced in his palm, like a small sun awakening within his flesh.
The surrounding temperature rose abruptly, and the shadows in the corridor shook violently under his firelight.
"If I slap you with this, your face will probably be burned beyond recognition, right?"
Lamplighter grinned, revealing a cruel smile.
"But don't worry, I can control the heat; I won't let you die, it's just… going to hurt a lot."
"So, move aside!"
Looking at the ball of fire growing brighter before her, there was not a ripple in Grace's eyes.
Reason told her that she should back away, or call security, or do something.
But the thing inside her body called fear had indeed ceased to exist.
Grace just stood there, motionless, simply staring coldly at Lamplighter.
Clearly, she had told Lamplighter with her actions that she would not move.
"Very well, it seems you really don't know what's good for you."
Lamplighter sneered, exerted force with his right hand, and swung it forward violently.
Grace stared at him intently, expressionless; she could even feel the scorching heat rushing toward her, making her face feel slightly parched.
"Miss Grace, I hope you don't regret this!"
Lamplighter said cruelly, even subconsciously squinting his eyes, as if he had already foreseen Grace's fate.
However.
Sizzle!!
A crimson beam of light shot out suddenly from behind Grace, piercing precisely through Lamplighter's wrist.
In that instant, time seemed to stretch out, long and slow.
Grace could clearly see the skin on Lamplighter's wrist turn red, then white, and finally vaporize directly under the extreme heat.
Muscle, blood vessels, bone…
These human tissues were exposed layer by layer, then evaporated by the high heat in the next microsecond.
Lamplighter's right hand was severed cleanly at the wrist, falling to the ground, dripping with blood.
He looked at his bare wrist, blinked, and was stunned for two seconds.
Then…
The intense pain surged up like a tidal wave.
"Ahhhhh!"
His face instantly turned deathly pale, and he screamed, clutching the stump of his right wrist with his left hand, trying to stop the gushing blood.
But unfortunately…
The blood still poured out from between his fingers, running down his arm into his sleeve, dyeing the entire jacket red.
Lamplighter stumbled back a few steps, his back hitting the corridor wall, and slid down the wall to sit on the floor.
"Shit! My hand… my hand…"
He was covered in cold sweat, his peripheral vision suddenly sweeping over the charred object on the floor.
It was his right hand.
It was the right hand Lamplighter used to ignite fire, fly, strike various cool poses in front of the camera, and even perform traditional craft.
But now, his right hand had turned into a piece of charcoal.
"Who… who is it?!"
Lamplighter jerked his head up, his gaze passing over Grace to look behind her.
The door to the CEO's office was wide open.
A figure stood in the darkness, and on that person's eyes, a dangerous and blazing red light flickered.
Chapter 30: Who in the world would experiment on themselves with enriched uranium?
"BOSS."
Under Lamplighter's gaze.
The woman he had assumed was frigid and devoid of any emotion quickly turned around and gave the man a deeply apologetic bow.
"I am very sorry, I couldn't stop him."
Lamplighter raised his eyes, staring intently at the Asian man who was a full 1.9 meters tall and powerfully built, his heart filled with shock and bewilderment.
BOSS?
This is the new CEO of Vought International?
What the hell was up with those glowing red eyes and that crimson beam from just a moment ago?
Isn't that Homelander's ability?
Lamplighter's mind was full of question marks, as if a hundred thousand "whys" had just popped into his head.
"It's fine, you've done well enough."
Ian raised his right hand, patted Grace on the shoulder, and nodded in consolation.
He had basically guessed most of what happened outside just now.
So, before things escalated to a more serious level, he walked out and used Laser Vision to block Lamplighter.
"Lamplighter?"
Ian strode forward, walking step by step to stand before Lamplighter, looking down at him.
"Weren't you looking for me? Now that I'm standing right in front of you, if you have any questions… you can ask me directly."
A shadow instantly loomed over Lamplighter. He gripped the stump of his right wrist with his left hand and took two unnatural steps backward.
A tangible pressure instantly surged toward him from all directions like a tide.
At this moment, he felt that the person in front of him was not just a man, but an apex predator of the natural world.
"You… are you really the new CEO?"
Lamplighter couldn't help but swallow, feeling his voice tremble slightly.
"Authentic and genuine." Ian remained expressionless.
Lamplighter nodded slightly, feeling goosebumps rise all over his body.
Dangerous! The person in front of him was absolutely extremely dangerous!!
His senses were sending this message to his brain from every part of his body.
"I just wanted to ask, what exactly does the company want to do by collecting our genetic samples?"
"That matter," Ian said in a cold voice, "is not for you to know."
"Now… you have your answer."
Lamplighter nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, seemingly unable to withstand such immense pressure.
"Yes, yes, yes, I have my answer."
Fixing his gaze on the tall Asian man before him, he couldn't help but tremble.
Like encountering some kind of natural predator, Lamplighter's muscles were tense, and his heart pounded wildly, as if it were about to jump out of his chest.
Who on earth was this guy?
Why was his presence so imposing?
Lamplighter felt that even the aura of the former CEO, Stan Edgar, might not be as strong as this Asian man's.
"Um…" His voice lowered subconsciously, like a primary school student seeing their parent's angry expression, "Can I go now?"
"Go?" Ian tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "Of course. When did I ever say you couldn't?"
"That's good."
Lamplighter breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought that when the other party came out, he would likely be butchered and lose his life.
He hadn't expected to merely lose a hand; he was truly lucky.
Thinking this, he immediately prepared to turn and leave.
However.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Lamplighter was instantly shocked, almost subconsciously shaking off the hand on his shoulder.
"Let's go, come with me to the laboratory downstairs."
Ian put his arm around Lamplighter, just like he was hugging a brother, and led the guy toward the elevator.
Lamplighter was trembling all over in fear, unable to stop begging: "Sir, I have family at home, please…"
"Don't say so much. I just resolved one of your puzzles, now shouldn't you resolve one of mine?"
"But…"
"There are no 'buts'." Ian's eyes gradually condensed with a crimson glow. "Either you come with me, or… I turn you into a corpse and take you there anyway."
Lamplighter: "…"
He was terrified.
Although he was a super-human created by Vought International and possessed greater defensive capabilities than an ordinary person, facing Ian's Heat Vision, his defenses were like decorations—completely useless.
Furthermore… the other party's strength was also significantly greater than his.
How could he possibly escape?
"I… I'll go with you."
Lamplighter said with a mournful face, barely managing a smile that looked uglier than crying.
Ian nodded, led the other party into the elevator, and pressed the button for the B2 basement level.
The elevator began to descend, the floor numbers ticking down one by one, changing rapidly.
B1.
B2.
"Ding."
The elevator door slowly opened, and a corridor appeared in their line of sight.
Completely different from the luxurious style of the upper floors of Vought Tower, the walls here were white tiles, and the floor was anti-static industrial flooring.
The cold-toned fluorescent lights on the ceiling emitted a faint glow, making everything around look as if it had faded.
Ian walked out of the elevator, Lamplighter following behind him, his steps slightly unsteady.
"Where… where are you taking me?"
Ian didn't answer him, just turned left and right along the corridor, soon finding his destination.
Lamplighter looked up ahead and saw, at the end of the corridor, a heavy alloy blast door standing before him.
Under the pale light, the yellow radiation warning light on the door frame was flashing slowly.
The trefoil symbol made Lamplighter feel a slight sense of unease.
He recognized that symbol.
In fact, any old employee who had worked at Vought for over ten years basically recognized it.
That was… the radiation symbol.
In the early days, Vought International had made many attempts in the field of nuclear energy.
They had attempted to create super weapons powered by radioactive isotopes, combining them with superheroes to influence all of America.
Unfortunately, the project was later sealed.
But those raw materials were not moved away; instead, they were stored in a radiation-proof isolation room deep beneath the building.
Of course, Homelander had also been experimented on here when he was a child.
And now, Ian was leading him toward that damned dangerous place.
"Shit! Wait… wait!"
Lamplighter's voice changed pitch, his legs gripping the ground tightly, like a beast that had smelled the scent of a slaughterhouse.
"There's nothing but enriched uranium in there, what the hell are you trying to do?"
"Guess?" Ian raised an eyebrow and walked over with Lamplighter.
He raised his right hand and used his palm print to unlock the electronic lock of the blast door.
Since becoming the CEO of Vought International, his palm print could open every door in this building.
The door slowly opened, and a dry, metallic-smelling odor surged out from the gap, causing Lamplighter to wrinkle his nose.
As they walked in, the sensor lights inside the room turned on automatically, extending row by row into the depths of the room, illuminating a huge enclosed space.
Ian could see that in the center of the room, a semi-transparent radiation-proof isolation shield, like an inverted glass bowl, was placed over an experiment table.
Inside the isolation shield, several rows of lead containers were neatly arranged, all with yellow radiation warning signs printed on their shells.
At this moment, a somewhat bald old man hurriedly rushed over from the other end of the corridor.
"Mr. Ian, Ms. Grace informed me that you were coming to the radiation lab; I thought she was joking."
Dr. Voughtbaum was practically running as he spoke in an anxious tone.
"But now it seems, it wasn't a joke. What are you going to do?"
Ian pushed Lamplighter into the room and said without looking back: "Experiment on myself with enriched uranium."
He wanted to try it out.
To see if, after absorbing the radiation energy of the enriched uranium, he could fully activate the Bio-electricitywithin his body.
Of course.
Lamplighter, next to him, was also a lab rat to be used for reference.
Not only could he observe what would happen to the other party under the effects of enriched uranium, but when the guy was about to die, he could also attempt to absorb Lamplighter's life force.
It was killing two birds with one stone.
Ian had always been a smart man.
And after hearing his words, Dr. Voughtbaum was stunned, frozen in place.
In this world, who would be the death-defying guy to experiment on himself with enriched uranium?
Chapter 31: Is He Even a Superhuman Anymore?
Dr. Vogelbaum had never imagined that there would actually be someone in this world who wanted to experiment on themselves using enriched uranium.
You have to understand, even Homelander couldn't withstand the radiation from enriched uranium, so it was even more impossible for other Superhumans.
Seeing Ian about to close the door with Lamplighter to conduct the experiment, Dr. Vogelbaum hurriedly stepped forward and asked anxiously:
"Mr. Ian, I understand you want to test something, but the radiation source here is weapons-grade enriched uranium."
"Once the containment shield is opened, the radiation dosage in the inner operating room will reach over 400,000 microsieverts per cubic meter within thirty seconds."
"This number is three times that of the core area of the Chernobyl accident site."
"Even Homelander would suffer severe cellular damage when facing this level of radiation!"
He paused, then immediately fixed his gaze on the ashen-faced Lamplighter and said in a low voice:
"And you are bringing him along; Lamplighter's Superpowers offer no protection against radiation."
"He won't last more than ten minutes inside before he starts showing signs of acute radiation syndrome: vomiting, internal bleeding, skin ulceration..."
"Shit! I heard you, I heard every damn word! You bastard, let me out!"
Upon hearing this, Lamplighter thrashed about like a fish out of water, using all his strength to try and break free from Ian's grip.
"You're crazy! That's enriched uranium! Do you have any idea what it feels like to die from radiation poisoning?"
But Ian's hand was like an iron clamp, gripping his neck tightly and unmoving, holding him like a chick.
Helpless.
Intense helplessness and despair made Lamplighter look toward Dr. Vogelbaum; he seemed to have found his last straw of hope and pleaded desperately:
"Doctor, Doctor, please stop him! He's a lunatic! If he gets engulfed by enriched uranium radiation, he'll definitely die too!"
Dr. Vogelbaum stood where he was, looking at Lamplighter's face, which was distorted almost beyond recognition by fear, and was slightly stunned for a moment.
"Mr. Ian, I suggest we at least conduct a round of in-vitro cell culture tests first... before proceeding with this experiment?"
"Otherwise, if an accident happens..."
"Doctor." Ian turned around, looking straight at the thin, elderly scientist, his eyes full of confidence. "I know what I'm doing."
Relying on his Energy Absorption and his own inherently powerful defense, Ian was confident he could withstand the radiation from the enriched uranium.
Thinking of this, he immediately closed the door and activated the containment shield.
The high-intensity enriched uranium was instantly exposed to the air, and the terrifying radiation rushed in all directions like a starving beast.
Ian could feel a needle-like stinging pain spreading throughout his entire body.
Although this sensation was uncomfortable, he could still endure it.
Beside him, Lamplighter began to scream frantically.
"Aaaaaah! Shit! I don't want to die..."
Dr. Vogelbaum stood outside, watching this scene with his heart in his throat.
After all, even Homelander couldn't withstand the radiation from enriched uranium; could Ian really block it?
Meanwhile, Homelander, Queen Maeve, and Madelynwere all watching this scene through surveillance video.
"Shit! This guy is a real lunatic. 420,000 microsieverts per cubic meter..."
Homelander stood with his arms crossed over his chest, quietly watching the scene on the screen, and couldn't help but sneer.
"Maeve, do you know what that number means?"
Queen Maeve was holding an unfinished protein shake, her gaze locked firmly on the screen.
Hearing Homelander's words, she frowned slightly and replied:
"It's about the same as the center of a nuclear explosion. You mean you can't withstand it either?"
"Uh..." Homelander's face twitched slightly, and he said stubbornly, "Of course I can withstand it!"
Although he truly couldn't handle the radiation from enriched uranium, he was Homelander; how could he admit he couldn't do it?
"That guy is just asking for it." He changed the subject, sneering, "Just watch, Maeve, that level of enriched uranium is enough to kill him."
"Maybe we won't even need to intervene before Vought International is back in our hands."
Hearing his words, Queen Maeve stared intently at the screen, falling into deep thought.
The way he was acting was just too confident. Could it be... could that guy actually withstand the radiation from enriched uranium?
Beside them, Madelyn clenched her fists tightly, gritted her teeth, and stared at Ian and Lamplighter on the screen with a face full of resentment.
"You must die!" she prayed in her heart. "As long as this guy is dead, I won't have to live in fear anymore!"
Once Ian was dead, she wouldn't have to serve him, and she could even take Vought International for herself.
Inside the radiation room.
Lamplighter was engulfed by radiation, his entire body trembling.
Heat. Heat surging from the depths of his bone marrow, as if someone had shoved a red-hot iron rod into the marrow of every one of his bones.
Then slowly, slowly rotating it and pushing it in.
Lamplighter was in so much pain that he couldn't help but open his mouth to scream, but only a hoarse sound like a leaking bellows squeezed out of his throat.
Not only that, but his skin surface also began to flush with an unnatural redness.
As time passed, this flush began to spread and deepen, turning from pink to dark red, as if something was burning beneath his skin.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ian stood where he was, his posture unchanged from when he first entered.
But if you looked closely, you could see that a faint, ghostly blue light was appearing on the surface of his skin.
It was as if... the radiation drifting in the air was being absorbed by his cells.
At this moment, Ian was closing his eyes, gritting his teeth and holding on.
Pain. Every cell in his body was in pain.
Radiation poured onto him like a torrential storm, piercing through skin, muscle, and bone, colliding with every atom inside him.
He could feel the cells inside him frantically storing all the energy they were absorbing.
Gradually, the sensation of electric current in Ian's chest grew stronger and more intense.
Bio-electricity. This is the current generated by organs, tissues, and cells during life activities, existing within every living organism.
Generally speaking, the stronger the Bio-electricity, the more powerful the organism's vitality.
And at this moment, by using Energy Absorption to absorb the radiation energy from the enriched uranium.
Ian could feel the Bio-electricity inside him getting stronger with every passing second.
Even... he felt his eyes gradually becoming hot and itchy.
Lamplighter slumped in the corner, his left hand had already peeled completely, and large patches of red spots had appeared on his face.
His lips were cracked and bleeding, his corneas were bloodshot, and he looked like a candle that had been left in an oven for twenty minutes.
Seeming to sense something, he lifted his head and looked at Ian with those bloodshot eyes.
Then. He saw a scene he would never forget in his life.
He saw that around Ian's eyes, amidst the crimson glow, were densely packed, worm-like, ghostly blue electric arcs.
A terrifying aura shrouded the entire radiation room, making Lamplighter's breathing gradually become heavy.
At this moment, he felt as if he were seeing a deity from myths and legends, and he froze in place.
To be able to absorb this level of enriched uranium radiation.
Is he... even a Superhuman anymore?!
Chapter 32 Homelander: I fight Ian? Really?
Stinging pain!
It felt as if someone was pricking every one of your cells with countless needles.
This sensation was indescribable; for any normal person, it would be extremely difficult to endure such stinging pain.
But for Ian, he was actually somewhat enjoying these painful sensations.
Because he clearly knew that his cells were rapidly absorbing all the radiation energy in the room.
His body was also gradually becoming stronger while performing Energy Absorption.
The Bio-electricity within his body began to surge from all over, and then, following Ian's will, was controlled at his heart, gradually beginning to rotate.
The heart.
This is the most core engine of the human body.
Although it is just a muscle the size of a fist, contracting one hundred thousand times a day and pumping seven thousand liters of blood.
But for ordinary people and superhumans, the heart is incomparably important.
Strong muscles, more oxygen, and more terrifying abilities all require the heart to pump blood at high speed.
Although Ian had three times the physical fitness and his heart's strength was also tripled, he felt this was still far from enough.
He had a premonition that once he tempered his heart with Bio-electricity, there would be an unprecedented improvement.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Like some kind of ancient war drum, the heart beat deep within his chest cavity.
Ian could imagine his powerful heart being coursed through by that rotating current of Bio-electricity.
Atrioventricular valves, semilunar valves, chordae tendineae, papillary muscles...
When the Bio-electricity rotated at his heart for the first time, Ian could feel his heart suddenly contract.
This was a premature atrial contraction caused by the electrical stimulation.
For ordinary people, this might cause palpitations, chest tightness, and even the risk of blood clots detaching.
But for Ian, this was a method to stimulate his heart and make it stronger.
And once his heart became stronger, his endurance, strength, and the efficiency of his Energy Absorptionwould also improve.
Not only that, a strong heart could also better cope with the risks of subsequent gene editing.
For Ian, this was worth a try.
As time passed, Ian's heartbeat became more and more powerful, and the sound grew louder and louder.
He was amazed to discover that he now... seemed to be able to absorb the life energy of living things.
Thinking of this, Ian opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Lamplighter, who had fallen to the ground nearby, waiting for death.
Thump, thump, thump!
The powerful heartbeat resounded throughout the entire radiation room, leaving the dying Lamplighter nearby stunned.
"What is going on? What... has happened to this guy's heartbeat? And... why is he looking at me?"
Lamplighter was both terrified and stunned.
It wasn't just him; Dr. Vogelbaum, who was waiting outside, was also staring intently at everything before him, his heart filled with anxiety and astonishment.
He had originally thought that during these few minutes, Ian's skin would ulcerate just like Lamplighter's.
But he was wrong.
Ian only looked like his skin had turned a bit red, and... his heartbeat had become louder.
It was as if the other party had really used the radiation energy to become a bit stronger.
Thinking of this, Dr. Vogelbaum's expression as he looked at Ian gradually changed, just like he was looking at a stronger, more terrifying superhuman.
You have to know, even a powerful first-generation superhuman like Soldier Boy could not manage to absorb energy and become stronger.
Because after they injected V1, which is the original compound v, their own strength was already fixed.
Unless they learned some fighting techniques or used some powerful firepower to enhance their strength.
Otherwise, their abilities and power were all fixed.
But now, Dr. Vogelbaum saw a superhuman who could improve their own strength.
"This is a powerhouse capable of overturning the entire superhuman world!"
"Fuck!" Seeing that Ian was completely fine inside the radiation room, Homelander cursed in a low voice.
"What is going on with this guy? Why is even the radiation of enriched uranium useless against him?"
"Is this guy... really a superhuman?" He said in a low voice, but these words were just heard by Queen Maeve next to him.
"Can't you also withstand the radiation of enriched uranium?" Queen Maeve raised an eyebrow and said, "Perhaps he is a superhuman as powerful as you."
Madelyn, who was next to them, also nodded, her gaze falling on Homelander, clearly also believing the lie Homelander had just told.
Homelander: "..."
"I can't withstand it! Fuck! What should I do now?"
That guy looked like he might be even stronger than him; could he beat the other party?
And if he couldn't beat that guy, would everyone discover that he, Homelander, was actually a useless guy?
In an instant, countless doubts crawled into Homelander's mind.
He even felt his breathing become difficult, and he couldn't help but open his mouth and gasp for air.
"What's wrong with you?" Queen Maeve asked suspiciously after noticing Homelander's abnormality.
"N-nothing." Homelander answered awkwardly, "Don't you think it's very stuffy in this room?"
"Oh shit! What is he doing?!" Madelyn interrupted their awkward conversation with a voice full of horror.
Homelander and Queen Maeve hurriedly looked up at the screen.
And then... they saw a scene they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
In the image, Ian was grabbing the dying, ulcerated Lamplighter with one hand.
Then... Lamplighter began to struggle violently, his body visibly becoming weak and aged.
"Shit!" Queen Maeve instinctively cursed, "Is this a demon?"
Homelander's muscles were tense, and he stood beside her motionless like a wax figure, just staring intently at this scene, his arms trembling slightly.
As for Madelyn... although her mental resilience was very strong, after seeing Ian in the radiation room absorbing radiation energy, and even absorbing something from Lamplighter's body.
Her face instantly turned deathly pale, her lips were trembling, and she murmured: "Damn it... how is this possible? How could there be such a superhuman in this world?"
Yeah, how could it be possible for such a powerful superhuman to exist in this world?
So Ian must have come from another world.
Homelander looked at Ian, who was gradually walking out of the screen, looking like nothing had happened, and even more energetic than when he went in, and suddenly felt the pressure double.
Did he really have to listen to Madelyn and fight this guy?
Could he win?
Under such immense pressure, Homelander turned and walked out directly, ignoring Madelyn's shouts behind him, and walked straight into the bathroom.
He cupped a handful of cold water and splashed it on his face, water droplets running down his chin and gradually dripping onto the countertop.
Homelander raised his head and looked at the man in the mirror with a face full of water droplets and panicked eyes.
"What are you afraid of?" He said to himself in the mirror, but his reflection in the mirror did not answer him, only looking at him with the same panicked eyes.
Homelander touched his left chest; his heart was beating very fast, several times faster than when he was flying at full speed.
Not only that, he felt even more as if someone had stuffed a block of ice into his chest cavity, the ice slowly melting against it, that coldness seeping along his blood vessels into his limbs and bones.
This was fear.
When was the last time he felt this emotion?
He could fly, he could fire Heat Vision, he could easily destroy a fully loaded Boeing 747.
But in front of that Ian, it seemed all of this had become pale and weak.
He, Homelander, was no longer the strongest?
"Can I beat him?" Homelander looked at his panicked, fear-filled self in the mirror and asked in a low voice, like a child.
This question was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring up circles of ever-expanding ripples in his mind.
If Heat Vision and super strength were useless against that guy?
Would that guy... beat him to death?