Mortals don't dare speak of it openly.
They themselves fear the power of superhumans—so they allow this system to continue as a way to keep those powers in check.
They tacitly elevate superhumans into superheroes, let them indulge in fame and fortune, and convince them that the only path forward is to remain heroes.
As long as superhumans stop committing atrocities and stop harming civilians, then… spending some money is a small price.
To them, worshipping superheroes is no different from worshipping gods.
So even if ordinary people witness a superhero killing a criminal on the street, they choose to ignore it—or even applaud it.
At its essence, it's sacrificing the life of a stranger in exchange for their own safety.
Because once superhumans stop being praised, awaken to their own power, and break away from their "hero" identity…
they will realize that life is easier without mortals.
Mortals have no means to resist and can only be slaughtered.
This is the cycle of logic that binds not only superhumans, but also capital and the fans.
No matter how wealthy or powerful a human is, they are still just a human—and humans fear superhuman power.
Even if they hold the leverage to ruin a hero, it remains only a threat—never something they dare use.
They understand too well how evil superhumans can be.
Anyone who knows the truth tries to keep their presence as low-key as possible, praying that the superhumans—trained to be living weapons—never notice them.
Those who dared to overstep—those who thought they could truly control superhumans with a bit of leverage—were crushed without mercy.
Before god-like beings, their lives are as fragile as ants.
Capital may threaten, but it can never truly act.
Everyone knows the destruction a cornered beast can unleash.
Thus, capital often compromises with superheroes.
The same applies to fans.
At first, their worship and donations served to restrain superhuman misconduct.
But as time passed, they witnessed too many "great feats."
The earliest generation died off, and new fans only grew more feverish—eventually idolizing superheroes completely.
This is the solid triangle of superhumans, Vought capital, and the fan economy that defines the world of The Boys.
Capital controls public opinion and fan flow.
Fans endorse superhumans, pushing them into hero roles.
More powerful superheroes are then used to suppress rogue Supes.
Superheroes can destroy capital, yet they're cornered and forced into obedience.
Capital controls superhumans, but never dares to push them too far.
The three keep each other in check, compromise with each other.
They form a rotating wheel—whichever side is stronger rises to the top, pressing the other two beneath it.
One must admit: whoever designed this closed-loop was a true sociological genius—
a master of psychology who perfectly understood each group's fears and interests, maintaining world stability through this fragile balance.
But what Xiao couldn't understand was Vought.
They clearly cannot control superhumans—
so why insist on creating beings that can overturn all order?
They spent astronomical resources maintaining this logical circle.
There are countless ways to make money—why cling to superhumans?
Unless Vought must.
And that returns to the core question:
Why does Compound V grant humans such overwhelming power?
Xiao doesn't know—but he doesn't dare investigate.
Not yet.
Your position determines your mindset.
As a superhuman, Xiao intends to seize initiative—and take control of the world.
After all, Xiao doesn't want the Supes of his future world to remain liars, hypocrites, traitors, and villains.
He only needs to understand the true nature of this world—
then lead his people out of this three-way cage of checks and balances, and build a new system of his own.
The best way to break the cycle has always been right in front of every superhuman—
but they've never accepted it.
Just look at what the heirs of large capital families actually do every day, and the answer becomes obvious.
Do you think their lives are nothing but parties, banquets, yacht trips, and mindless luxury?
Impossible.
If every heir lived like that, those families would have collapsed long ago.
What every heir must do is learn—
learn endlessly.
Knowledge, insight, strategy, disciplines—every field imaginable.
Top tutors pour knowledge into their minds, teaching them rules, teaching them frameworks.
Then the heirs use their massive capital to keep trying, failing, and learning—training themselves to apply what they've studied.
Even mistakes they know are mistakes must be made firsthand, to temper their character.
Only after countless trials do they become unshakable—someone who can face any crisis without faltering,
someone whose expression does not change even as mountains crumble,
someone worthy of leading the family to prosperity.
To put it bluntly, the reason superhumans cling so tightly to the "superhero" label is because…
their education level is too low.
Especially the strongest Supe—Homelander.
If he had learned more, if his mind held broader knowledge,
he wouldn't have done so many idiotic things, developed so many twisted hobbies, or been controlled for decades by mere mortals and their dogmas.
…
That night, Xiao thought deeply.
He slept late, planning every step for his future in The Boys world.
The next day, Xiao carried his luggage and equipment to Vought Tower.
"Ohhh, bro! You're finally here!"
Homelander arrived the moment he heard the news, diving down from above.
He gave Xiao a dramatic bear hug, sniffing around like an excited animal.
Seeing the blond woman he'd missed so much, his eyes lit up, and he leaned toward her like an eager puppy:
"Mrs. Theresa! You're here too? It's so great to see you!"
Theresa: "…"
"John, can we speak in my room for a bit?."
Xiao rolled his eyes, grabbed Homelander by the back collar with one hand, and dragged both him and the luggage toward the entrance.
"Nooo~~ Mrs. Theresa, save me!"
Homelander screamed as he was dragged across the ground, leaving long claw-like scratches behind him.
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