The next day, Seven Tower.
The skyscraper, scarred from the recent battle, was unrecognizable.
Under the watchful eyes of passersby, construction crews began repairing the building.
In just a week, Seven Tower was restored to its former glory.
Back in his office, Homelander's heart was heavy.
His once-grand office had been downgraded to a standard one.
The largest, most luxurious office now belonged to Captain Carter.
The second-largest? That went to the old geezer who climbed the ranks through a woman.
Homelander instinctively glanced toward G'iah's office, activating his X-ray vision for his daily peek.
One look, and his heart took another crushing blow.
"NO!!"
A shout unleashed his pent-up frustration. G'iah lay in Old Steve's arms, her face flushed as she traced circles on his chest with her finger.
"Darling, you've got so many moves. Not one's been repeated. Amazing."
She lit a cigarette for him, ever attentive.
Old Steve took the cigarette, savoring it before exhaling a slow puff of white smoke.
"Woman, you've only seen one percent of what I'm capable of."
"Is that so?"
G'iah's eyes lit up, eager to probe further.
But Old Steve used it as leverage. "Movies, series, variety shows—I want to boost my popularity as fast as possible. You get me."
G'iah nodded. "No problem. It's already arranged. But you still haven't told me—who's this Spider-Man to you?"
At the mention of Spider-Man, Old Steve tried to brush it off.
But G'iah's face turned serious. "Tell me the truth. Is he your son?"
"Nani?" Old Steve's body jolted, squinting at this blind woman.
"Why would you think that?" he asked.
G'iah rolled her eyes. "I saw you. You were the most excited one out there."
"He's just my friend. No blood relation."
"I don't believe you."
"You have to believe me."
Old Steve sat up on the bed, his face solemn. "Since you're still curious, I'll put it this way: that guy's an invincible force. Don't mess with him, or he'll ruin everything you've got."
G'iah's expression grew grave.
"That terrifying?"
"Absolutely."
"Even Captain Carter's no match for him?"
"Of course not."
He leaned in, whispering to G'iah, "Here's a secret—don't tell anyone—but Spider-Man's greatest superpower is sensing…"
"What?"
"Sensing—"
Old Steve suddenly glared in Homelander's direction, roaring, "Asshole, you dare spy on me? Die!"
BOOM!!
A deafening crash, and Homelander's office was obliterated. The demonic muscleman pinned the pathetic Homelander, slamming him against the wall.
Cough, cough~
"No, let me explain…"
Homelander, choked and struggling, his face red, frantically slapped at Old Steve's hand. Under the shadow of death, he could only beg pitifully.
Seeing Homelander's desperate will to live, Old Steve tossed him to the ground and leisurely pulled the curtains to cover his hulking frame.
"You're lucky I don't want to kill you."
Old Steve glared coldly. "Next time, I'll cut off your little patriot."
Hiss!
Thoroughly intimidated, Homelander gasped, head bowed, not daring to say a word.
When Old Steve left, Homelander collapsed, gasping for air.
Drenched in sweat, his eyes still held lingering fear.
The old man's strength was even more terrifying than he'd imagined.
And if even he feared Captain Carter…
That night, their fight seemed like a draw.
In reality, she was just toying with him.
The thought plunged Homelander into deep despair.
The commotion drew attention.
Homelander glanced at A-Train and others watching from outside, his pride stung. He slunk away, flying out of Seven Tower to who-knows-where.
At the coast, Homelander had ditched his suit.
He didn't want to be recognized as the Homelander who got crushed by a monster.
That suit no longer symbolized his honor but an indelible shame.
Sitting on a coastal rock, he gazed at the endless sea, soothing his wounded soul.
How long had it been since he'd felt this calm?
Never.
The almighty Homelander, who could do anything, had never bothered with something as trivial as this.
But now, the invincible Homelander was a laughingstock.
For the first time, he felt the peace and healing the sea offered.
A man collecting shells nearby noticed the brooding Homelander.
He approached, greeting him. "Hey, you look like you're alone." Charlie smiled faintly.
Homelander instinctively dodged eye contact, but then Charlie added, "You look like an actor. A comedian."
Homelander relaxed, turning to face Charlie with what he thought was a charming smile.
In the past, he'd have been furious if someone didn't recognize him.
But now, it felt like a relief.
"Yeah, you got it. I'm John. Nice to meet you," he said.
"I'm Charlie. Charlie Parker."
Charlie set down his tools and sat beside Homelander.
The two shared the sea breeze.
"You don't seem happy," Charlie said.
Homelander wanted to keep up the facade, but seeing his casual clothes, he realized he wasn't a superhero right now—just an ordinary man.
Finally, he glanced at Charlie's profile.
For some reason, he felt an urge to open up for the first time.
"Yeah, I'm not happy."
Homelander lowered his head. "It's work stuff. Before those two showed up, I was the only standout employee. No one could touch me.
But now, I've failed. I feel like everyone looks down on me. I'm scared, and I don't know what to do."
"Have you tried fighting for it?" Charlie smiled.
Homelander shook his head. "It's pointless. It's not something effort can fix. I can't beat them. I'm too weak."
"No, that's not true."
Charlie stood, facing the sea. "I used to be like you—weak, someone anyone could take down. But if you don't give up and keep pushing to get stronger, you can change everything."
Homelander stared at Charlie's back, puzzled.
"Like me?"
"Oh, I get it."
He realized. "You got sidelined at work too, right?"
"Something like that."
Charlie picked up his tools, turning to Homelander.
"I think I know why you're unhappy. You've only lost to yourself—to your own cowardice.
So, buddy, stop comparing yourself to others. All you need to do is surpass the old you. That's enough."
With that, he walked into the sunset, waving without looking back.
"Conquer yourself, become a true warrior. A warrior is lonely, always fighting, holding on to victory, and thus becomes profoundly alone.
So, John, can you handle it?"
Charlie's figure faded into the twilight. Homelander stared at the spot where he vanished.
After a while, a cool sea breeze snapped him out of it.
"Warrior…"
Homelander mused.
Then he stood, shouting, "What the hell? Listening to some random guy? Damn it, I'm Homelander, the superhero who does whatever he wants!!"
He clenched his fist, roaring to the sky, "I'll get revenge! I'll take back what's mine!!"
"But… talking to that guy did make me feel better."
…
When Charlie returned to his short-term rental apartment, it was 8 p.m.
He prepared a fancy dinner for himself, pouring two glasses of juice.
While eating, he reflected.
This Resurrection Match had little concrete info.
Not even an end date was mentioned.
So, he suspected the real popularity contest hadn't started yet.
Carter and Old Steve had decent popularity lately, especially Carter, who had at least a million fan points.
Vought's plan to boost her fandom was working.
Old Steve wasn't bad either, with a few hundred thousand fan points, but he couldn't touch Carter.
Even the unlucky Homelander had more fans than Old Steve.
Time was too short.
Thinking this, Charlie stood before a full-length mirror. With a thought, a string of numbers appeared above his head.
[999,999]
Nearly a million fan points didn't mean a million fans.
The conversion rate was complex, and Charlie didn't get it.
But pulling off this much with one move? He was satisfied.
Barely an internet celebrity.
Lost in thought, he finished dinner.
As he headed to the kitchen to wash dishes, a massive crash came from downstairs.
BOOM!!
The floor trembled, and screams echoed from outside.
"No way, again?"
Charlie shook his head helplessly.
No need to guess—a terrorist attack was happening nearby.
He poked his head out the window, seeing thick smoke rising and flames below as people screamed and fled.
Charlie was now one of the people trapped in the apartment.
Before he could act, cosmic energy flashed in the night sky. Carter arrived first, saving civilians.
Then Homelander and the others showed up.
BOOM!!
Amid howling winds, Homelander spotted Charlie at the window during the rescue.
It's him?
His expression shifted. Driven by some twisted impulse, he flew to the window.
"Hey, remember me?"
Charlie: "???"
"Who're you?"
Homelander: "…"
"Me, John. We met at the beach," he said, head held high, imagining Charlie's shock and admiration.
Charlie's mouth twitched. "Sorry, you're wearing clothes. Almost didn't recognize you."
Homelander: "…"
This guy's so calm.
It was disappointing.
Whatever, save him first!
As he reached out, Old Steve roared.
"Keep your filthy hands off!"
Old Steve fired his web-shooters, swinging onto the balcony via webbing and warning Homelander.
"You've got one second. Scram!"
Homelander: "???"
"You guys?"
"We're friends," Charlie said, then glared at Old Steve. "What're you standing there for? Go save people."
"Don't be mad, I'm on it."
Old Steve shot Homelander a glare before dutifully swinging to other floors to rescue people.
Seeing this, Homelander was stunned.
"You damn—"
"Relax, it's normal," Charlie said dismissively, patting Homelander's shoulder. "I'm ready. Fly."
Homelander: "…"
What a weird guy.
And that terrifying old man actually listens to him? Unbelievable.
His head spinning with questions, Homelander flew Charlie to safety.
Thanks to The Seven's efforts, the rescue was completed smoothly.
No one was injured in the incident.
Well, except the poor sap whose gas exploded at home.
In the end, led by Carter, The Seven basked in the crowd's praise and cheers.
But The Seven only had six members.
In the distance, Butcher lowered his binoculars, thoughtful.
"What'd you see?" Hughie asked beside him.
Butcher said, "There's a guy. He's close to Homelander, maybe a friend."
"A friend? A normal guy?" Hughie found it hard to believe.
Butcher shook his head. "Not sure yet, but we can try contacting him."
"Alright, I'll do it," Hughie volunteered.
…
Meanwhile, at Old Steve's luxury apartment.
"Hahaha, pretty nice, huh?"
Old Steve invited Charlie to his place, and Charlie was thrilled.
He couldn't afford rent anymore.
This was perfect.
"Where's my room?" he asked directly.
Old Steve shrugged. "Pick any room."
"Sweet."
Charlie opened a random door and was shocked by the sight.
On a pink bed, G'iah, dressed to impress, awaited Old Steve's attention.
Their eyes met, and both saw awkwardness in the other's gaze.
Click~
Charlie calmly closed the door and turned to Old Steve.
"Where's Carter staying?"
Old Steve scratched his head. "Next door. Why?"
"Oh, I'll stay there. Have fun."
Charlie paused, then added, "Take care of yourself."
"What?"
"Nothing. Bye~"
"Wait, Carter's place is boring. Hold on, I'll set you up with something fun—"
"No thanks. Your thing's got wrinkles. Not my type. See ya. Oh, and keep my identity secret."
"No—"
Bang!
The door slammed shut, and Charlie left.
Old Steve was still puzzled. "Why'd he change his mind so suddenly?"
He shook his head.
The next second, G'iah stepped out, timidly saying, "Darling, you don't mind, right?"
"Why are you here?"
Old Steve froze, then it clicked.
"Asshole, it's because of you."
He was pissed.
"You're sleeping alone tonight. That's your punishment."
G'iah: "???"
…
Meanwhile, at Carter's luxury apartment.
Evil Carter was sharpening her knives with a wicked glint.
Charlie eyed her fiery gaze and turned to leave without hesitation.
The righteous Spider-Man wouldn't team up with an evil Captain Carter!
In the end, after some hesitation, he knocked on Homelander's door.
"Homelander, open the door. It's me, your new friend."