Even though he was already one of the strongest beings on Earth, the thrill of opening a loot box still made his heart race.
"Please be something good this time," Antony muttered inwardly.
"Hell, even kryptonite would do. At least I'd finally know what that stuff actually looks like."
Ding! Extraction complete!
Two glowing orbs appeared inside his consciousness.
The first orb burst open, revealing a delicate blue vial.
Item: Compound V (Pure Version) ×1
Description: Core technology of Vought Industries. Modified by the System to remove all side effects.
Effect: Grants a normal human random superpowers, or enhances an existing superhuman's abilities.
Note: Due to the removal of side effects, potency has been reduced. For the host's current physique, the enhancement is negligible—roughly equivalent to drinking a can of energy drink.
"..."
Antony stared at the small blue vial that had materialized in his hand, speechless.
"So… an actual Vought energy drink?"
"Useless for me… but no side effects."
He casually rolled the vial between his fingers, his gaze drifting to Ashley, who was absorbed in her tablet, then to Jessica Jones, sitting nearby with her trademark don't-talk-to-me expression.
"Next."
The second orb radiated intertwined black-and-white light.
Item: Combat Module — High-Level Martial Arts: Aikido
Description: Tired of relying on brute force? Sick of fighting like a street brawler?
Once loaded, the host will instantly master grandmaster-level Aikido theory and combat application.
Effect: Force redirection, neutralization, absorption. Hard and soft in harmony.
Greatly enhances fine control over strength and close-combat adaptability.
Passive:Tranquil Mind — significantly boosts mental resistance.
"…Aikido?"
Antony froze.
This was in the loot pool?
He'd been expecting Infinity Stone fragments or maybe Batman's utility belt.
"Homelander doing Aikido…"
The mental image was… unsettling.
But then he thought it through.
"Wait. This actually solves a problem. I won't accidentally rip people in half every time I touch them."
And if he ever got jumped by trained fighters like Soldier Boy or Butcher—when raw stats weren't overwhelmingly lopsided—he wouldn't get dogpiled like an idiot.
Without hesitation, he selected Load.
Hmmm—
A cool current flowed through his entire body, then surged into his brain.
Fragments of knowledge flooded in.
Listening force. Neutralizing force. Releasing force.
Ward-off, rollback, press, push.
Pluck, split, elbow, shoulder.
The esoteric principles blended seamlessly with the violent, godlike power inside him, forming a strangely perfect balance.
He flexed his fingers.
Before, his strength had been like a raging flood—either uncontrollable devastation or forcibly restrained.
Now?
He felt like the one controlling the dam.
The power flowed smoothly, precisely, effortlessly.
"Exhale…"
Antony released a long, steady breath.
"Sir!" Ashley called out excitedly from the side, scrolling furiously on her tablet.
"Twitter has completely exploded! The top three global trends are all ours!"
"Number one: #SuperSeven."
"Number two: #QueenJones."
"Number three: #WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility."
She looked up, eyes full of awe.
"That line is incredible. Our entire PR team is losing their minds trying to figure out how you came up with something that deep. Was that improvised?"
"Of course," Antony replied calmly, sipping his champagne.
"Just something I felt in the moment."
Suddenly—
Screeeeech!!
The limo slammed to a hard stop.
"Shit!" the driver cursed. "Some drunk ran into the road!"
The inertia hit hard.
Ashley screamed as her tablet flew from her hands and her body pitched forward, about to smash into the table.
Jessica reacted instantly, reaching out—
But someone was faster.
Antony didn't even lift his back from the seat.
His left hand drifted out—boneless, effortless.
Just before impact, the back of his hand lightly rested on Ashley's shoulder.
A single motion.
A brush… and a guide.
The momentum vanished—like a drop of water sinking into the ocean.
Ashley felt herself gently redirected, settling back into her seat without even a strand of hair out of place.
"…I'm… okay?" she whispered, stunned.
Jessica's hand froze midair, eyes wide.
She knew how violent that stop had been.
If she had grabbed Ashley, it would've left bruises—maybe worse.
But Antony?
That movement had been lighter than brushing dust off a sleeve.
"You…" Jessica swallowed. "Was that… karate?"
Antony withdrew his hand, adjusting his cuff as he closed his eyes, feeling the energy flow inside him.
"No, Queen."
"This… is kung fu."
------
Beverly Hills – Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel, Grand Ballroom
The victory banquet for Homelander: Origin was in full swing.
Unlike the chaos of the premiere, this was a feast of power and capital.
Hollywood executives. Wall Street sharks. Political elites.
Laughter, crystal glasses, designer suits.
Antony had changed into a dark blue velvet suit, champagne in hand, moving effortlessly among the titans of industry.
"Mr. Starr! Congratulations! This is a historic box-office miracle!"
"Antony, our firm is extremely optimistic about Vought's next quarter—"
"Homelander, I have a niece working at the Pentagon who absolutely adores you—"
He smiled, exchanged pleasantries, but his eyes drifted toward the corner of the room.
Jessica Jones.
The newly crowned "Queen Jones" looked utterly out of place.
She clutched her champagne like it was poison, standing stiffly as a few wealthy businessmen surrounded her.
Their eyes roamed openly over her still-unremoved combat suit.
"Oh, Miss Jones, that outfit really highlights your figure…"
"Ever considered doing a photoshoot on my yacht?"
Jessica's fists tightened.
She was one heartbeat away from slamming their heads into the champagne tower.
Then—
A hand settled gently on her shoulder.
"Excuse me, gentlemen."
Antony' voice was warm, polite—yet carried an unmistakable edge.
He stood behind her, smiling pleasantly, eyes cold enough to freeze bone.
"This lady…"
He slipped an arm around Jessica with deliberate ease.
"…is with me tonight."
--------------
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