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Kevin used four skill points to bring X24 back to this world.
To prevent X24 from being repatriated, Kevin even deliberately severed his head, separating his head and body.
However, Kevin was unsure if this would cause the skill tree to consider X24 a corpse. If the skill tree determined X24 was still alive, then Kevin would have no choice but to use skill points to keep him.
But X24's existence wasn't the main concern.
Kevin brought him over simply to study the Adamantium in his body.
Even if X24 couldn't remain in the The Boys world, it didn't matter, as Kevin still had alternative research materials.
That was Vibranium.
Ultron's Vibranium body was also sent to The Woods, an institution that Kevin had now transformed into his exclusive scientific research facility, specifically for studying items brought back from other worlds.
The same applied to Ultron's corpse, and to X24's corpse.
Including the agents brought back from Alkali-Transigen, it was all the same.
And the head of scientific research at The Woods Institution was Dr. Cardosa.
His position in The Woods was similar to Zander's at Alkali, except… his research capabilities were much weaker than Zander's.
But no matter how weak he was, he was still a high-achieving graduate with a proper doctorate, so studying the remnants left by Alkali shouldn't be a problem.
So when Kevin handed Alkali's data to Dr. Cardosa, in just three days, Cardosa had researched the secret to giving humans mutant abilities.
"This is a… special activation agent," Cardosa explained to Kevin in The Woods laboratory.
Kevin raised an eyebrow and asked, "Activation agent?"
"Yes, these agents themselves do not have the ability to bestow superpowers, but… if some people have something in their bodies that can be neutralized by these drugs, then this agent will give them unimaginable abilities."
"So, this agent itself is different from Compound V?"
Kevin understood Cardosa's meaning.
The green agent brought from Alkali-Transigen, tentatively named [X-Gene Agent], was not about creating superpowers out of nothing.
It targeted the X-gene that all humans possess in the Marvel World.
In the Marvel World, everyone carries the X-factor in their bodies; the only difference is whether the gene is activated.
Before the emergence of Alkali-Transigen, the activation of the X-gene was purely a matter of fate.
Those who could activate it became mutants; those who couldn't remained ordinary humans.
But Alkali-Transigen, by combining a master gene with the eggs of the Mexican girl used as an experimental subject, caused her to give birth to one X-gene-carrying child after another, such as Laura and others.
Through special cultivation methods, their genes became more susceptible to the agent's influence, thereby activating their X-genes and granting them mutant abilities.
So, in short, it was different from Compound V; this agent was useless for humans not from the Marvel World.
"Then… what about the genetic food?" Kevin asked with some reluctance about Alkali's genetic food.
The situation in the The Boys world was not too dissimilar from the Marvel World; many Supes and mutants with useless superpowers were plagued by their abilities their entire lives.
After Kevin obtained Alkali's research data on those genetic videos, he had been thinking about whether he could use this data as a reference to create a special agent that could make Supes lose their superpowers.
But if the genetic agent also only targeted mutants… then Kevin's trip to the Marvel World, apart from skill points, would only yield X24 as a gain.
Kevin really wanted to hear other possibilities from Cardosa.
But unfortunately.
"I'm sorry, sir…" Cardosa apologized to Kevin.
The principle of genetic food was also the same.
It only worked on mutants.
"Then it will at least… activate your inspiration, right?" Kevin asked again.
"Inspiration…?"
"See if you can use these to research a special agent that can eliminate Supe abilities."
"Sir, are you saying… you want to create a special serum… against Compound V?"
"Yes, that's roughly what I mean."
"…I'll do my best."
Although Cardosa didn't quite understand why the boss of Supes would want to research something that could counter them.
But since the boss said so, as an employee, Cardosa could only agree.
He couldn't possibly tell his superior, 'Sorry, I can't do it, find someone else.' If Cardosa really dared to say that, he was certain that the new CEO of Vought would immediately fire him.
Moreover, with two samples laid out, Cardosa wasn't entirely clueless.
Although Alkali's mutant agents only targeted mutants, there were still some elements within them that could be used as reference.
Perhaps with these, Cardosa could truly create a special agent capable of eliminating Supe abilities.
After entrusting this important task to Cardosa, Kevin gave a few more instructions before leaving The Woods.
X24 was confirmed dead. His mutant genes, without the injection of the mutant gene agent, could not maximize their self-healing ability.
Chopping off his head meant he was truly dead; he wouldn't revive like Wolverine.
And even Wolverine, in the movies, was never beheaded; presumably, even if Wolverine himself came, being beheaded would likely mean he wouldn't survive.
The Adamantium in X24's body could be researched, and Ultron's Vibranium body could also be researched.
Perhaps in the future, Kevin could try combining the two metals to create a completely new metal.
With this new metal, Kevin might be able to do more things.
Vought could also do more things.
Even without these metals, Vibranium and Adamantium alone could generate revenue for Vought.
But that was for later.
Now, Kevin needed to first consider Vought's transformation.
First was the matter of Compound V; Kevin needed to issue another statement, pinning all the blame on Edgar.
Then, use this reason to recall the Compound V remaining on the market.
Including the Compound V given to newborns in various hospitals, and that rubbish like the "Super Villains Program."
The Woods Institution could be retained, but the Sage Grove Institution and other institutions researching adult Compound V could all be dissolved.
Kevin didn't need them.
After dealing with these, finally, he would deal with the excess Superheroes.
These issues were not difficult for Kevin, who was now the CEO of Vought, to handle. The only relatively troublesome part was Homelander and Stormfront.
Of course, in terms of strength, these two would no longer be a problem for Kevin, but if they teamed up and he pushed them to the opposing side, then in the future they might cause Kevin trouble elsewhere.
So, should he first try to appease them, or… just be ruthless and kill them…
A hint of murderous intent towards Homelander flashed in Kevin's eyes, but it disappeared in an instant.
Because he remembered what Charles had said to him.
—Don't become the person you hate.
"…Damn it, he must have hypnotized me before he died." Kevin muttered to himself, thinking of Charles.
Although Kevin knew very well that Charles's ability was extremely weakened at the time, it was impossible for him to use his ability to hypnotize him, and Charles couldn't do it.
But that didn't stop Kevin from thinking that way.
"Homelander… Hmm, Homelander."
Kevin was still pondering Homelander's problem when his phone suddenly rang.
It was a call from Ashley, who had now taken over Kevin's former Senior Vice President position, becoming the current Vice President.
"Sir… I'm so sorry to disturb you at this time, but… but there's something you absolutely must come and see!" Ashley said nervously to Kevin as soon as the call connected.
Hearing the panicked tone on the other end of the phone, Kevin frowned slightly: "I understand. I'll be there soon. Wait for me in the office."
With Kevin as her backer, Ashley was no longer the minor character in The Seven who was bullied by Homelander in the original plot.
Now, Homelander had to consider Kevin's expression when disciplining her, because he knew that Ashley was now Kevin's dog, managing The Seven for him.
But Ashley was obedient and knew how to adapt.
She never abused her power in The Seven, and Homelander's attitude towards her hadn't changed much from before.
So, under normal circumstances, Ashley wouldn't be so panicked.
Unless, something truly big had happened.
…
The situation was worse than Kevin had imagined.
When Kevin returned to Vought Tower, he found a large crowd of protestors gathered at the entrance of Vought Tower.
They held large signs with pictures and posters of Homelander, but crosses and horizontal lines were drawn over the photos and posters.
They also called Homelander an executioner, a war criminal, and so on.
Seeing this scene, Kevin vaguely remembered something. His expression unchanged, he walked into Vought and returned to his office.
In the office, the heads of the Public Relations Department and Legal Department were waiting for him, along with Ashley.
Seeing Kevin return, Ashley looked very nervous. She swallowed, her voice trembling as she said, "Sir, I'm so sorry, I… I couldn't keep an eye on Homelander, I…"
"Save your apologies for later. First, tell me what happened."
"It's a Super Villain, sir. Homelander killed a Super Villain, but…" The head of the Public Relations Department hesitated for a moment before continuing, "…but at the same time, he also accidentally killed an ordinary person, and he didn't apologize."
As he spoke, Ashley had already turned on the TV in the office and showed Kevin the video that had been circulating online.
The video content was simple: in a place that looked like somewhere in Africa, a Super Villain who could control strong winds was causing trouble.
Homelander descended from the sky like a divine being, and a blast of heat vision took the Super Villain's life.
If the video ended there, it would have been a perfect video to promote Homelander's positive image.
But unfortunately, the video was not over yet.
After the Super Villain died, the person filming the video quickly moved behind the Super Villain.
And there, a young black man was also lying on the ground.
His chest had a long wound, burned by the heat vision.
Homelander, while killing the Super Villain, had also accidentally injured him, leading to his death.
The video ended there, and the people from the Public Relations Department, Legal Department, and Ashley all fell silent, waiting for Kevin's reaction.
Kevin took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and then asked Ashley, "Does Homelander know about this?"
"He… he's on set. I haven't told him yet…"
"Go tell him about this, and then tell him not to take any action until we've figured out a solution."
"Uh… me… me go?" Ashley pointed at herself, stunned.
"Of course." Kevin smiled at her. "Don't worry, if he really has any opinions, tell him to come find me. He won't hurt you."
Ultimately, Ashley was just a messenger.
When Homelander heard the message Ashley brought, he would understand that it was Kevin's intention.
At that point, he would naturally come to Kevin, and not cause trouble for Ashley.
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