As expected, the notification sound for the arrival of popularity value rang on time.
Notification! popularity value + 422351!
Notification! popularity value + 392552!
Notification! popularity value + 473888!
...
"As expected of me, no matter the result, I always win!"
Homelander was very satisfied with his acting.
Tony finally woke from his daze at this moment.
He had originally thought he had ruined everything and would be spurned by everyone.
But Homelander not only didn't blame him, but instead pressed the forfeit button directly to protect his father.
Notification! Special popularity value + 30000! (From Tony Stark)
Steve Rogers looked at the back figure in the center of the arena wearing the stars and stripes cape, let out a long sigh of relief, and his eyes were filled only with respect.
"He did what I always wanted to do, but couldn't."
Thor slammed his fist heavily against his chest and said: "This is the true King! Odin above, I am willing to give up the throne for him!"
"He is too great... This unwavering heart is my lifelong pursuit." Peter was deeply moved.
The Ancient One crossed her arms and nodded slightly. She had to admit that Homelander's control over human hearts had reached a masterful level.
Notification! Special popularity value + 10000! (From Steve Rogers)
Notification! Special popularity value + 10000! (From Peter Parker)
Notification! Special popularity value + 10000! (From the Ancient One)
Notification! Special popularity value...
On the field.
Howard, standing to the side, let out a muffled groan.
As the match was officially declared over, the winner had been decided.
The demonic contract from Mephisto that constrained him to fight in the arena also released its control.
The red light in Howard's eyes completely dissipated.
Hellfire faded from his armor, and he regained his clarity and reason.
"Thank you, young man." Howard's voice carried deep exhaustion. "You saved my son's life, and you also saved his heart."
"This is what I should do, Mr. Stark. Vought never gives up on family." Homelander nodded shamelessly.
Tony had already taken off his armor and came before Howard.
He looked at his father, his lips trembling, like a child who had suffered every grievance.
Howard stepped forward and gently patted Tony's cheek.
"You've grown up, Tony." Howard's eyes were full of pride. "The battle just now, you did very well. You are smarter than me, and you are more like a hero than I am. I am proud of you."
"Dad," Tony finally smiled. "When the match is over, come back to Earth with me. I have a lot of new technology to show you..."
"I don't have time, Tony." Howard looked at his hands, which were gradually dissipating. After the Hell contract was lifted, this temporarily pieced-together demonic body was about to collapse. "I have to go back to find your mother..."
"Then I'll go too! Let's go to Hell together and bring Mom back!" Tony said hurriedly.
Howard did not answer Tony's words, a look of relief appearing on his face.
"I love you, son."
Boom!
A ball of Hellfire rose from beneath Howard's feet.
The flames dissipated.
Howard Stark's figure completely vanished from the arena.
"Dad—!!!"
Tony lunged forward with all his might, but he only grabbed a handful of scorching air.
Only Tony remained, dazed on the spot.
He had just found his father, only to watch him rush off to that hopeless Hell.
A huge sense of powerlessness was about to swallow him whole.
At this moment, a large hand rested on his shoulder.
"The living cannot go to Hell, Tony." Homelander comforted him softly. "Him going back is his responsibility as a husband. He didn't let you go because he was protecting you."
"I don't need protection!" Tony's eyes dimmed, and he sighed sorrowfully: "Besides, I can't even protect my own parents..."
But at this moment, Homelander's tone suddenly became sharp.
"The match is still continuing, Tony. Now is not the time to cry!"
"But, after this damn match is over..."
"I will take you to slaughter our way through Hell!"
"And bring Howard and Maria back!"
Slaughter through Hell?!
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience couldn't help but "wow".
Homelander said it lightly, but the domineering aura of treating dimensional gods like weeds shocked everyone substantially.
What kind of arrogance was that?
That was Hell! The ultimate abyss where countless demon lords resided and souls never returned!
But strangely.
Looking at that upright figure standing in the center of the arena, looking at his eyes that looked down upon everything.
Almost no one doubted the truth of this statement.
Tony's eyes, which had lost their luster, gradually reignited with flames.
It was a fighting spirit mixed with the flames of revenge and hope.
That's right.
As long as Homelander is here, what does Hell count for?
If he says he can slaughter through Hell, then he definitely can!
Tony straightened his back and wiped the dust off his face.
He didn't have any extra nonsense, just looked into Homelander's eyes with the most solemn tone of his life and said in a deep voice:
"Thank you!"
Notification! Special popularity value + 30000! (From Tony Stark)
"Let's go." Homelander turned around, his stars and stripes cape fluttering behind him. "There are still debts left to settle."
...
The two returned to the preparation platform.
The atmosphere seemed somewhat heavy. The current score was one to two.
The Earth camp was behind.
This was not an ordinary competitive arena; it concerned the survival of all humanity.
The next, fourth match, would be the crucial match point.
"Alright, guys." Homelander clapped his hands, breaking the silence. "Don't look so lifeless, it's not time to be depressed yet."
He flipped his wrist, and the lottery tube appeared in his hand again.
"The rules are the same." Homelander shook the lottery tube, and the bamboo sticks inside made a clattering sound. "It's up to fate."
Everyone's expression was grave.
"Damn it! This time it must be me!" Thor rushed up first.
But Spider-Man was faster than him. A strand of web stuck directly to a bamboo stick, and with a swoosh, it was pulled back into Peter's hand.
Peter flipped the bamboo stick over and looked at the inscription on the bottom.
The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up. He excitedly raised the bamboo stick high, showing it to everyone.
On it, two square characters were carved.
"Glory".
"It's me! I drew it! Principal Homelander!" Peter was so excited he did two backflips.
But everyone fell silent.
No one expected that this crucial match would have fate fall upon this underage child.
When the seven-person list was originally selected.
Everyone agreed to bring Peter Parker along entirely because of Homelander's insistence.
But in the hearts of all the adult heroes, this was just an "outing" to take the kid out to see the world.
Their original plan was for them, the top combatants, to directly win four consecutive matches and lock in the victory in advance.
They never intended to let Peter actually go on stage to face those terrifying alien killers.
But now, the plan was all messed up.
Not only did they lose two matches in a row, but now the weakest link had been drawn.
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