"No way, I'm going to report him!"
Starlight grew angrier the more she thought about it. "That kind of guy doesn't deserve to be a superhero. What he's doing is wrong."
She spoke righteously but hesitated as she turned.
If she exposed this to the public, she'd definitely end up on Vought's blacklist.
Her dream of becoming a superhero would be over for good.
"Hey, girl, what are you standing there for? Go report him!"
Charlie egged her on from the side. "If you don't know where to report him, I can give you a number. Call them, and you'll definitely succeed."
"I…"
Starlight was still hesitating.
But soon, as Old Steve finished his speech and stepped off the stage, he shared good news with Charlie.
At the same time, Starlight saw a glimmer of hope for joining The Seven.
"Spider-Man, that dark guy seems to have bolted overnight. That means there's another open spot in The Seven."
Hearing this, Starlight's face lit up with excitement.
Charlie, meanwhile, grew thoughtful. "Black Noir ran?"
Old Steve pondered for a moment. "Yeah, I think that's his name. He always gets nervous around me. What's his deal? Does he think I'd eat him or something?" He was genuinely puzzled.
Charlie, however, knew the reason.
Black Noir was once a partner of the old-school hero Soldier Boy but later betrayed him to join The Seven.
Old Steve not only resembled Soldier Boy but also far surpassed Homelander in strength.
After learning this, Black Noir must have been gripped by fear, assuming Old Steve had ulterior motives.
Naturally, he wouldn't stick around.
With Black Noir's hasty exit from The Seven, a new spot opened up. Old Steve was determined to save it for his beloved Spider-Man.
But under his expectant gaze, Charlie shook his head and declined.
"No, I don't want to join The Seven right now."
"What?"
Old Steve was baffled, and Starlight, overhearing this, was utterly shocked.
This guy refused to join The Seven? How could that be?!
And that damn old man—not only did he climb the ranks through shady means, but he was also casually arranging The Seven's roster with his influence. That level of authority made reporting him pointless.
This world was too murky.
Her heart trembled. Then, seeing Charlie pull Old Steve aside to argue about something, and recalling how Charlie refused to join The Seven, admiration sparked in Starlight's eyes.
This man rejected The Seven because he didn't want to become a sleaze like that old guy.
He must hate these underhanded dealings as much as I do. He wants to join The Seven through his own efforts to prove himself, not by relying on friends to become the perfect superhero in everyone's eyes.
Yes, that must be it.
Otherwise, there's no reason he'd refuse The Seven.
Starlight was utterly convinced.
…
On the other side, Charlie patted Old Steve's shoulder.
"Keep up the good work. I'm heading out."
Old Steve hurriedly tried to stop him. "Spider-Man, not even considering it?"
"Nope."
As Charlie turned to leave, he glanced back. "You guys have always looked out for me, and I know it. I'm grateful.
But this time, I want to try doing it on my own. I believe I can win this round, no doubt."
Under the spotlight, with background music swelling, Charlie's figure shone brightly.
The scene sent Old Steve into an emotional spiral, tears welling in his eyes. "Spider-Man, you've finally grown up." Waving slightly, he choked back sobs. "Wahhh~ Spider-Man, I'll miss you…"
Suddenly, the director's cursing broke Old Steve's moment.
"Hey, hey, hey! Who's messing with the lights? Turn them off! You think electricity's free?!"
"Oh my God, sorry, I'll turn them off right away…"
The staff quickly apologized to the director, and the spotlight on Charlie vanished. Old Steve snapped out of his inexplicable emotions.
Watching Charlie leave, Old Steve wiped a tear from his eye. "What the heck? So random. But I've got some talent for this."
Muttering to himself, he pulled out his phone and called G'iah.
"Hey, darling, I just had an idea. A story about a Captain from last century—a kid injected with super-soldier serum who saves a team of soldiers and becomes a superhero. Low investment, huge profits. Trust me, I don't want money. I'm just helping you make bank while boosting my popularity. Yes, yes, a silicone mask works. I was pretty handsome when I was young…"
"Uh, excuse me."
At that moment, a girl called out to Old Steve, timidly raising her hand. "With an opening in The Seven, can I apply?"
Old Steve hung up the phone, sizing her up.
Hmm, skinny and inexperienced—not his type.
"Sorry, I'm not interested in pulling strings for a girl like you, but…"
He suddenly remembered that this girl had been close to Spider-Man earlier.
"You and Spider-Man—what's your deal?" he asked.
"Spider-Man?"
Starlight blinked.
That must be the nickname of the guy from earlier.
In an instant, a wicked idea popped into her head.
"He… we're friends," she blurted out, immediately feeling guilty.
She wanted to join The Seven so badly.
So, so badly.
This made her the kind of person she despised most.
But the result was surprisingly delightful.
Old Steve grinned. "Nice. Worthy of the dream girl of nine billion universes. Spider-Man's friend? I've got your back."
"What?"
Starlight couldn't believe it. "You're agreeing just like that?"
"Of course."
Old Steve thumped his chest. "Leave it to me. With my pull, you'll definitely join The Seven."
"That's amazing, sir! I… I'm so thrilled. Thank you!"
"No big deal. We're all friends."
"Uh-huh!"
At that moment, Starlight completely forgot about Old Steve's shady climb to power.
No, it wasn't shady or backdoor dealing—it was smartly leveraging his advantages for mutual benefit.
This was called equivalent exchange! And this old gentleman was a good man who'd do anything for his friends.
Mom, I'm going to make it!! Starlight screamed internally.
…
Meanwhile, at a coffee shop below Vought's building.
"Why refuse to join The Seven?" Clark asked Charlie curiously, adjusting his camera.
Charlie smiled faintly. "If I wanted to join The Seven from the start, I wouldn't have waited for Old Steve's invitation."
"I thought that was your plan."
Clark adjusted his black-rimmed glasses. "Now they all have fan points, and you're like me—zero. Keep this up, and we'll lose."
Charlie sipped his coffee. "Relax. The rules this time feel off, and there's no contestant list. Winning this match isn't that simple."
Because of Compound V, Vought was bound to implode eventually. Joining The Seven had advantages but also drawbacks.
Most importantly, it made you too obvious a target, easily ganged up on by other contestants.
Even without violence, there were plenty of ways to bring down The Seven.
So, he changed his plan on the fly.
Thinking this, he looked at Clark. "What about you?"
"Me?" Clark raised an eyebrow. "What about me?"
"You're not going to start moving?"
"This is my first time playing a game like this. Better to keep a low profile."
As Clark spoke, his expression shifted slightly. He turned to look out the window.
"Crap, someone's in danger."
His super vision and hearing picked up a nearby incident. Without hesitation, Clark rushed to the restroom.
The next moment, a blur swept through the coffee shop as a red-and-blue figure rocketed into the sky to save civilians nearby.
Charlie blinked. "That's keeping a low profile?"
Soon, as passersby on the street shouted Homelander's name, Charlie's interest piqued.
Homelander's here too! When Homelander meets Superman, a certain twisted amusement started to take shape.
So, he stepped through a portal and vanished from the coffee shop.
Wait, did I forget to pay?
…
On a skyscraper rooftop, a group of thugs holding hostages was cornered by police.
Reporters swarmed the area, putting immense pressure on the officers.
Failing to save the hostages could ruin their careers.
Luckily, a superhero arrived to save the day.
"Whoa, look, it's Homelander!"
As a reporter shouted, a red-and-blue figure flashed by, knocking out all the thugs holding hostages.
Whooosh~~
Amid the unconscious thugs, the red-and-blue figure stood with his back to the crowd.
His sleek suit hugged his chiseled muscles, and his towering, steely frame exuded an irresistible charm. Even his profile was flawless, stunning everyone present.
"It's not Homelander!"
"A new superhero?"
"Oh my God, look—it's Homelander now! He's here!"
"Is this guy one of Homelander's crazy fans?"
"Shit, seeing him, I suddenly feel weird. Homelander's suit looks cheap, and he doesn't even work out. So lame."
"Shh, keep it down…"
BOOM~
An airburst erupted as Homelander slowly descended to the scene.
He glanced at the defeated thugs, then locked eyes on the guy mimicking him.
Despite his irritation, he forced what he thought was a charming smile.
"Hey, my biggest fan, you did great. But I'm here now, so you can go. Oh, and you can get my autograph from my assistant. I'm rooting for you!"
Homelander enthusiastically stepped forward, offering a free hug.
The gesture instantly reminded Clark of last night's Getsuga Tensho.
He stepped back, disgusted. "No thanks. Bye."
Expressionless, he shot into the sky, giving Homelander no face.
Homelander instinctively glanced at the surrounding reporters, embarrassed. He signaled his assistant, then bent his knees in his signature flamboyant pose and flew into the sky.
High above, Clark noticed Homelander tailing him relentlessly.
Frowning slightly, he stopped mid-air.
BOOM~
Amid howling winds, Homelander caught up, still trying to maintain his composure.
"Hey, buddy, your powers are pretty good. I'm guessing flight and super speed?"
Clark's brows furrowed. "What are you getting at?"
Homelander clasped his hands behind his back, keeping his smile. "Nothing much."
He scanned the surrounding clouds, ensuring no planes were nearby, then slowly dropped his smile.
"It's simple. I want—"
BOOM!!
Before he could finish, his eyes glowed red, and heat vision blasted toward Clark, determined to make this guy pay.
"Hm?"
Clark, slightly startled, instinctively unleashed his own heat vision.
Zzzzt~
BOOM!!
In an instant, Clark's heat vision effortlessly overpowered Homelander's, carrying searing heat straight toward him.
"What?"
Homelander was stunned by Clark's terrifying strength.
Seeing the oncoming heat vision, he hurriedly soared higher, narrowly dodging the devastating blast.
"Asshole, how is this possible?"
Homelander's heart raced, but he wasn't ready to give up.
Before he could counter, Clark's voice came from behind.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"What?"
The moment he heard that voice, Homelander's scalp tingled.
Suppressing his fear, he turned and swung a punch, only for Clark to block it effortlessly with one hand.
BOOM!!
The air exploded, but the force capable of demolishing an armored vehicle dissipated harmlessly in Clark's palm.
Homelander's confidence was shattered.
Clark, gripping Homelander's fist, frowned. "I didn't provoke you."
"I know." Homelander forced an ugly smile, then his eyes glowed red again.
BOOM!!
This time, his heat vision hit Clark's chest square-on, but those exaggerated pecs, like forged steel, shrugged off the intense heat.
Finally, Clark understood.
This guy wanted to kill him.
His gaze sharpened, and he slowly raised his hand, clenching it into a fist.
The motion was deliberate. Homelander watched the fist come at him, but he had no way to dodge.
BOOM!!
A thunderous roar echoed through the sky.
On the city streets, Charlie looked up as the clouds dispersed, and a figure plummeted toward the coast.
Like a falling star.
The shining superhero star had met his greatest rival.
He stood no chance.
The gears of fate had misaligned, marking the start of a tragedy.
At an abandoned coastal factory, Homelander lay in a crater, staring blankly at the hole he'd smashed in the ceiling.
Through it, he saw Clark leisurely flying by.
Superman paid him no mind.
But Homelander's eyes welled with tears, his lips trembling.
He really wanted to cry.
No, he was already crying.
For three days straight, he'd been beaten up by different people.
This time was the worst.
He'd met a superhuman who looked like him, someone destined to replace him.
He was done for.
Everything he had would be taken away.
This world wasn't worth it.
He slowly climbed out of the crater, crouching in a corner, covering his face and sobbing.
After an unknown time, Homelander pulled himself out of his grief.
He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth. "No, I'll work out. I'll get ripped. I'll change!"
Even if he couldn't beat that guy, if he could outshine him in image, he still had a chance.
But when he returned to his room and saw his disheveled reflection in the mirror, his drive to change vanished instantly.
Being handsome is a gift.
He couldn't win. He just couldn't win!