The thought that this universe might also have an "administrator" watching him made Alex feel uneasy. It meant that everything he did was being watched closely by an invisible pair of eyes.
If what he did didn't match the "administrator's" expectations, it would be corrected.
"Midnight Boiling" and "Destroyer" were the two best examples.
What if one day the "administrator" suddenly "corrected" him?
Or what if the "program" developed a bug?
Would he suddenly be erased?
This thought had stayed with Alex ever since the "Destroyer" incident ended.
It was also why he had been in a low mood for those few days.
It took him several days to get himself somewhat back to normal.
And these things only strengthened his desire to become an "administrator."
Fortunately, in the Marvel Universe, he had used the "Infinity Gauntlet" to meet that universe's "administrator" once.
The administrator had agreed to report his "wish." If it was approved, he would receive an "ultimate mission."
After completing the mission, he would be able to become an "administrator," and should be assigned to manage a multiverse.
In terms of his previous life's understanding, only after becoming an "administrator" would Alex be like Sun Wukong, having jumped beyond the Three Realms and no longer being subject to the Five Elements.
"What are you thinking about, Mr. John?"
"Why aren't you eating?"
"Is my cooking not good?"
Across the dining table, Caitlin hadn't heard Alex eating for quite a while and couldn't help asking.
Alex came back to himself and said, "No, it has nothing to do with you."
"I've just had too many things bothering me lately."
As he spoke, Alex picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
Caitlin didn't know what was troubling him. She nodded and said, "There really have been a lot of things to worry about lately. The super-meteorite incident is over, but the cities suffered so much damage."
"A lot of people were killed or injured. People as lucky as us are only a minority."
"Some people have lost their homes, while others have lost their loved ones. Every day when I pass by the church, I hear people crying softly. It's really tragic."
Alex took several mouthfuls of rice and said, "It would have been even worse without the Homelander."
Caitlin nodded, "You're right. We really have the Homelander to thank. Otherwise, even more people would have died."
"By the way, Mr. John, I don't know if you've heard about something."
"The Guardians of the Homeland."
Alex paused, "What's that?"
Caitlin lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "It's a charity organization that only appeared recently. It was founded by an agent appointed by the Homelander."
"Its purpose is to provide relief to people traumatized by the disaster, heal their emotional wounds, and provide them with as much financial support as possible."
"I heard that the Homelander doesn't want too much publicity, so this organization operates quietly. It hasn't advertised in newspapers or magazines, and word of it has only spread through the streets and neighborhoods."
The corner of Alex's mouth twitched.
'When did I ever appoint an agent?'
'When did I ever establish this damn Guardians of the Homeland?'
'Aren't they using my name to scam people?'
'Damn it! I hope I don't catch that so-called agent.'
'Otherwise, he'll be in for it!'
After dinner at Caitlin's place, Alex helped wash the dishes before saying goodbye and leaving.
———
[The Next Day]
He walked into the Seven's Tower.
It felt like he hadn't been back for a long time.
As soon as he entered the Seven's Tower, the noisy lobby fell silent.
Then someone suddenly shouted, "Long live the Homelander!"
The cheers for the Homelander immediately rose one after another.
Everyone clapped hard and gave Alex thumbs-up.
Alex put his hands behind his back and smiled in acknowledgment, but didn't stop. He went straight into the elevator.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, someone called out, "Wait!"
A hand then reached inside.
The elevator doors opened, revealing Starlight's beautiful face.
Starlight had changed back into her original suit. Although it wasn't as alluring as the suit designed by Vought, it had its own fresh, girl-next-door feel.
When she saw Alex, her eyes lit up. Breathing a little quickly, she said nervously, "Homelander, can I come in?"
Alex smiled and shifted slightly to the side, "Obviously, there's still plenty of room. Come in."
Starlight slipped inside.
The elevator doors closed.
There were only Alex and Starlight inside the elevator.
The atmosphere became a little strange.
Alex looked straight ahead, but he knew Starlight was constantly sneaking glances at him.
Alex cleared his throat, "Did a flower grow on my face?"
Starlight let out a little "Ah" and quickly shook her head, "No, sorry. I shouldn't have been so rude."
Alex naturally wasn't going to hold it against her. Since they'd already started talking, he casually said, "I heard from Ashley earlier that you took a long leave. So, your vacation's over?"
Starlight looked up at Alex, "During the Midnight Boil incident, I watched my teammates like Supersonic die right in front of me. I was really scared at the time, so I took leave and went home."
"I originally thought I might not be able to continue being a superhero."
"But you inspired me, sir."
Starlight's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Alex froze for a moment, "I inspired you?"
'When did I inspire you?'
'Why don't I remember?'
Starlight nodded hard, "Yes, you did, sir."
"I saw Miss Angelina declare war on those alien invaders on your behalf."
"Your refusal to give in made me understand what a true hero really is."
"A true hero should be like you, refusing to retreat in the face of desperation and refusing to surrender in the face of a powerful enemy."
"Fight to the very end, with no fear of death!"
'Wait, girl. I think you've misunderstood something.'
Alex awkwardly cleared his throat, "Is that so?"
Starlight's breathing gradually grew heavier, "Yes, that's right."
"So at the time, I decided to make you my role model."
"So I returned to the battlefield. During that battle, I successfully overcame my fear."
"And found my original purpose again."
"I'm very grateful to you, Homelander."
"I…"
"I…"
Starlight lightly bit her lip and was about to say something when the elevator doors opened.
They had reached their destination floor.
Outside the elevator, Ashley was about to enter when she saw Alex and cheered.
"Homelander, you're finally back."
"I have a lot of things to report to you."
"Please, give me five minutes."
Alex stepped out of the elevator, "I'll give you ten minutes, Miss."
"You're so generous," Ashley's face seemed to glow as she spoke, looking radiant.
After they left, Starlight finally stepped out of the elevator. She rubbed her forehead.
"Annie, what are you thinking?"
"Do you think you're still a child?"
"This isn't school, and the Homelander isn't the captain of the basketball team you have a crush on."
"This is your workplace. Stop with those stupid fantasies."
She had barely finished speaking when a voice came from behind.
"You like the Homelander?"
Starlight jumped and turned around. It was a young girl with an ID badge hanging from her chest that read "Intern."
"I don't," Starlight hurriedly defended herself.
The young girl smiled, "It's perfectly normal to like the Homelander. I like him too."
"He's the hero who saved the whole world, the dream lover in many woman's heart. I've dreamed about him more than once, and even opened my arms to him in my dreams."
"It's perfectly normal for you to have those thoughts, Miss Starlight. Why don't you join our Homelander Fan Club? You're not fighting alone."
Starlight hurriedly said, "I have something to do. Sorry."
She quickly walked toward the command center, thinking that girls these days were really crazy.
———
[Crime Analysis Department]
Alex walked in with his hands behind his back and found that half the department's personnel were gone. He didn't know whether they were on leave or had died in the disaster.
Fortunately, the person he was looking for was still alive.
Anika was listening to music through her headphones as usual.
Since she was the only one nearby, the girl had taken off her shoes and propped her long, fair legs up on the nearby desk.
Alex saw that she was eating an almond chocolate bar.
'Just how much does she like chocolate?'
Alex walked up behind her and took off her headphones.
Anika tilted her head back. When she saw Alex, she jumped and hurriedly stood up, only to fall onto the floor. The skirt she was wearing left her backside raised high toward Alex.
"Sorry, boss. I didn't realize it was you."
Anika scrambled to her feet, covering her head and not daring to look at Alex.
Alex shook his head and said to the carefree girl, "Investigate an organization for me. The Guardians of the Homeland."
"I heard the founder of this organization borrowed my name and claims to be my agent."
"I suspect they're using the Homelander's name to collect money. If you find any evidence, notify me immediately."
Anika nodded repeatedly, "I'll start investigating right away. I'll notify you as soon as I have any news."
"Good. Keep up the work."
Alex lightly patted her shoulder before leaving the analysis department.
———
When he arrived at the command center, only Maeve was there.
She seemed to be in a low mood and was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, apparently thinking about something.
Alex had already heard about her situation from Ashley. He walked over to Maeve and looked at the city outside the window.
"I'm sorry about what happened to your friend."
Maeve turned and glanced at Alex before smiling, "You actually know how to comfort people. I'm starting to wonder if you're an impostor."
Alex kept a straight face, "You're worth doing this for."
Maeve's eyes moved slightly. After a moment of silence, she said, "I want to take a vacation."
Alex nodded, "You really should take some time to rest and recover. Go ahead. Come back whenever you feel like it. I'll talk to Ashley."
He then took out a credit card, "Buy whatever you want."
Maeve smiled and pushed the credit card back, "I have money."
"And not long ago, I received a reward from the federal government. A full hundred million dollars, tax-free."
"But thank you anyway."
She rose onto her toes and lightly kissed Alex on the cheek.
Alex smiled. He didn't turn around, but watched Maeve leave in the reflection of the floor-to-ceiling window.
———
[Several Days Later]
"I'm here."
On a New York street, Alex looked around and then spoke into his phone, "Where are you?"
After receiving Alex's assignment, Anika had spent quite a bit of effort and finally found the way to join the Guardians of the Homeland online.
To join the Guardians of the Homeland, one needed a recommendation from a member.
Anika had found a member for Alex. The other party said that as long as he was given a certain benefit, he would recommend Alex for membership.
After getting his contact information, Alex contacted him directly and arranged to meet him here.
Not long after putting down his phone, Alex saw a suspicious-looking man wearing a baseball cap emerge from a nearby alley.
He waved at Alex.
Alex walked over, thinking that if this guy dared to mess with him, he'd kill him and then dock Anika's bonus for the quarter.
"John?", The man named Parick asked.
Alex nodded, took several dollar bills from his pocket, and placed them in Parick's hand.
Parick counted them, stuffed the money into his hat, and walked ahead.
"You're lucky. The Guardians of the Homeland are holding a new-member initiation tonight. I can recommend you for membership."
Alex followed behind and asked, "Can joining the Guardians of the Homeland really get you financial assistance?"
"Of course," Parick said, "But newly joined members don't qualify. New members have a probation period ranging from one week to one quarter. The length of your probation depends on your contribution to the Guardians of the Homeland."
Alex smiled, "What's the probation requirement?"
As he walked, Parick said, "If you want to pass the probation as quickly as possible, all you have to do is donate money to the Guardians of the Homeland. The donations will be recorded and given to brothers and sisters who are in need and have passed the review."
"You can also complete various tasks issued by the Guardians of the Homeland."
"If you're a woman, you can pass the probation immediately by accepting the purification ritual."
"But whether you're qualified to receive the purification ritual requires certification by the 'Light Singer.'"
"Who is the Light Singer?", Alex asked casually.
"It's Mr. Reed. He's the agent appointed by the Homelander."
"And he's also the founder of the Guardians of the Homeland."
Alex smiled, "How do you know he was really authorized by the Homelander?"
'After all, I don't know any Mr. Reed.'
Parick looked at him impatiently, "You don't need to know that much."
"Besides, the Homelander appeared at the gathering two days ago and personally admitted it."
"A lot of brothers and sisters saw it. There can't be any mistake."
'Tsk!'
'The Homelander even showed up?'
'So I became the leader of some organization without even knowing it?'
The more Alex learned, the more absurd he found it.
"By the way, do you have money on you?"
"At least a thousand dollars?", Alex nodded.
"Then it'll be easy."
Parick stopped and knocked on a small red door.
The door opened a crack, and a pair of eyes peered out.
"It's me, Parick, buddy."
Only then did the door open.
Parick pointed at Alex and said, "He's the new member I'm recommending tonight."
A burly man with a braided beard behind the door nodded and stepped aside to let them through.
Alex followed Parick through a graffiti-covered passageway and into a spacious hall where the walls had been knocked through.
There were many sofas scattered around the hall, with a few tables holding candles placed here and there. Seven or eight people were already seated on the sofas.
Parick brought Alex to one of the sofas.
"Wait here first."
"The gathering will start soon."
"Remember, don't say anything."
"I'll answer the questions for you. If you want to get in successfully, you'd better listen to me."
Parick gave him a few instructions.
[🙇🏻 You Can Support the Story Through P@tr3on—AmbitiousTranslator. It also has 40+ Chapters of all the novels and fanfics. Thanks for reading~]