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"No… this can't be! My power works on everyone!" Kilgrave came unglued.
Compound-V had already forged formidable psychic resistance inside Anthony; after the System's upgrades, only the Mind Stone stood a chance of shaking his will.
Kilgrave's "mind control" was nothing more than a mosquito's whine.
"I order you—argh!"
Before he could finish, Jessica caught up and kicked his kneecap clean apart.
Crack!
"Aaaaargh!" Kilgrave rolled on the floor clutching his leg.
"You bitch! Love me—stop!"
"Die! You nearly ruined my life!" Jessica grabbed his collar and smashed her fist into his face.
Smack!
His nose caved in, blood gushing.
"I order… order…" Kilgrave babbled, still trying to command.
"So noisy," Anthony frowned.
"Jessica, move aside."
She froze, turning to see the Homelander's eyes… beginning to glow red.
"W-what are you doing?"
"Me?" He smiled.
"Helping you… end this forever."
Zzzt—
Before Jessica could react, two precise crimson beams lanced out.
"Hk—hk—"
Kilgrave's scream cut off.
He clutched his throat—no blood, just two cauterized black holes scorched shut by heat.
Mouth gaping, he tried to scream, to beg—no sound came.
Vocal cords, trachea, surrounding nerves: all vaporized.
"…"
He mouthed silent pleas.
"Hk… hk…"
Thud.
Gasping, eyes rolling back, he collapsed and twitched in mute terror.
The room fell silent.
"You…" Jessica's voice cracked. "You killed him?"
"An ability like that doesn't belong in this world," Anthony answered, perfect smile returning. "No prison could hold him, and I don't run Arkham."
"But—"
"Jessica, you weren't his first victim. If I hadn't come, your fists would've become his murder weapon."
She said nothing; she too operated outside the law.
Besides, the bastard deserved it.
Anthony stepped up, X-raying her with a glance.
"Tsk—tough body, plenty of power!"
"W-what do you want?" Jessica stayed wary; out of the tiger's den, into the wolf's.
"Me?" He tapped the eagle on his chest. "I'm the Homelander—seen me on TV?"
"I'm putting together a team."
He spread his arms as if embracing the New York skyline.
"A real superhero team. Not those lofty Avengers of gods and billionaires."
"One that truly protects the world—led by me."
He gave Jessica his "sincere" smile.
"You've got potential, lady. Just needs a little packaging."
"M-me?" Jessica blinked. "I'm just…"
"A drunk? A freak?" He cut in. "No—you're a born hero. You just need an agent."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because," he pointed at Kilgrave's corpse, "I just saved your life—and I can make you shine ten-thousand times brighter."
"I don't need to shine…"
"Yes, you do." His tone brooked no refusal. "You crave acceptance, hate those looks that call you monster. You crave… popularity."
Jessica fell silent.
The bastard was right.
"All right." He extended a hand. "Say your name, warrior—loud!"
"Jessica," she hesitated. "Jessica Jones."
"Jessica Jones…" He rubbed his chin theatrically.
"Too plain. Needs punch."
He sized her up—defiant, unbreakable.
"Attitude of a queen… got it."
He snapped his fingers.
"Code-name from now on: Queen Jones!"
"…What?" Jessica rolled her eyes.
"Dumbest damn name I've ever heard."
"You'll get used to it." He laughed, handing her a card.
Sleek black, gold "V" in the center—Vought International.
"Vought," he said. "My media company. Call when you're ready. Quit wallowing in the gutter, Queen. Your stage is bigger."
"Now—" he glanced at Kilgrave, "NYPD and S.H.I.E.L.D. are on their way. Tell them how you heroically resisted and defended yourself. His rap sheet's thicker than a phonebook."
"What about you?"
"Me?" He grinned. "Real heroes don't steal credit."
He turned, cape billowing.
"Don't forget—Vought's waiting, Queen."
Whoosh!
A streak of blue light shot skyward, vanishing into the night.
Jessica Jones stood amid the wreckage, clutching the cold "V" card, staring at the drooling mute on the floor.
"…Queen Jones?"
She muttered a curse.
"Damn arrogant bastard."
Yet, for the first time in ten years, something in her felt… warm.
High above, Anthony sliced through the clouds, exhilarated.
Ding!
The System chimed.
Special Popularity +20 000!
Current total: 42 000.
"Special points… way trickier to farm," he mused.
A golden flash rippled across the panel.
Congratulations! Special Popularity threshold reached!
New function unlocked: Super-Hero Lottery Box!
Description: It's a looks-based world—and a looks-based system.
Spend 30 000 Special Points for one random draw.
Prizes: gear, rare bloodlines, unique powers, one-shot items, character summon cards from across the multiverse!
"…Lottery box?"
He alighted atop the Empire State Building, surveying the city.
"Thirty grand a pop—got exactly forty-two."
A wild grin split his face.
"Then let's give it a shot."