Chapter 49 Demonstrating Decision-Making Before the Guardians
"Yes, sir! I accepted a gig, a TV show called ’Supernatural’. It has a dual-protagonist setting, and I’m playing one of them. But the producers haven’t found the other lead yet. If you are interested..."
"Not interested."
Lucas interrupted sharply.
’Supernatural’? Interesting!
Let the other lead be Soldier Boy.
Speaking of which, is Soldier Boy still making a fortune in Moscow lately?
Isn’t this just adding to the chaos?
Vought is facing internal and external troubles, and he’s over there sleeping in Moscow!
Mister Marathon shrank back, suspecting this was part of Guardian’s play.
Lucas turned to look at Ashley.
"Mister Marathon and Shockwave, are they clean in private? Any history of drug use? And any other bad habits?"
Although they had discussed it last time, Mister Marathon was a bit cleaner than A-Train.
But all these Supes were questionable.
If anyone could be like Maeve, only occasionally smoking some weed, they would be considered a well-adjusted, good person.
Mister Marathon’s expression changed, and just as he was about to speak—
"Sir, you can ask me directly..."
Buzz.
Homelander’s eyes lit up with red light.
"I’ve found you exceptionally noisy since just now. If you can’t zip your mouth shut, I’ll weld it shut for you myself!"
Homelander was fuming.
"I, I’m sorry, Mr. Homelander, I didn’t mean..."
"Shut the fuck up!!"
Homelander was furious.
He didn’t like Mister Marathon to begin with!
And he was still making noise here!!
[Mister Marathon — Emotional Outburst: Fear, Humiliation, Resentment (Homelander)]
[Evolution Points Gained: +4,211]
Lucas glanced at Homelander, not expecting this god-tier assist from the other side.
"Alright, stop scaring him."
Homelander shrugged, "He asked for it."
Ashley hesitated and looked at Mister Marathon.
Truth be told, not only had she taken kickbacks from Shockwave, but she hadn’t missed out on Mister Marathon either.
Eating from both sides, it wasn’t shameful.
But now, with the person right in front of her, the money already received, and she still had to badmouth him?
"Speak. Homelander and I will back you up. You are the safest ordinary person on Earth, no need to be afraid."
Ashley swallowed, and exchanged a glance with Mister Marathon.
Brother, don’t blame me, both big deities are sitting right here!
Mister Marathon looked pale and desperate.
Ashley opened her tablet and pulled up two files.
"Mister Marathon, in Vought’s files, he ranks mid-to-lower among speedsters. He has a history of drug use and inappropriate interest in minors. To be honest, sir, I don’t think the Mister Marathon you selected is suitable to join The Seven!"
"Bingo!"
Homelander clapped his hands like a mischievous child.
He laughed a few times while pointing at Lucas.
"I told you Mister Marathon wasn’t suitable!"
Lucas ignored him and signaled for Ashley to continue.
Mister Marathon raised his hand to argue, "That wasn’t me, my account was hacked before!"
No one paid attention to him.
Homelander even looked disgusted.
"Of course, sir, I’m not questioning your decision, because even the Shockwave I recommended isn’t a good person either. He also has an extensive history of drug use, an unclean private life, and is a famous bi... bisexual in the circle. It’s said he has many tricks."
"Under Vought, there isn’t a speedster with a clean record yet."
Lucas nodded. Compared to these people, A-Train was indeed a bit better.
If the other party could slowly change for the better, then customizing a "prodigal son returns" persona for him wasn’t impossible.
After all, America was exceptionally tolerant of these things.
The actor who played Iron Man in his past life was a typical example.
"Then leave it vacant for now. Better to have nothing than something inferior."
He looked at Mister Marathon.
"You can go now."
Mister Marathon wanted to say something, but Homelander was already fuming.
Laser eyes were intimidating!
Mister Marathon closed the door and went out. A suppressed roar came from the hallway.
"Fuck!!"
[Mister Marathon — Emotional Outburst: Humiliation, Anger, Fear, Despair]
[Evolution Points Gained: +6,845]
"Pedophile." Homelander’s tone was full of disdain, "Is such trash worthy of entering The Seven?"
"In such a huge Vought, can’t find a few saints as clean as me?"
Lucas stroked his forehead.
Even being a bit lustful like him would count as a perfectly good person.
Maeve hummed, not wanting to speak.
If you really want to be precise, you, Guardian, sit at the same table as The Deep.
Homelander shook his head, "The quality of Supes needs to be improved. I remember you had two assistants, what were their names... Cate and Jordan?"
"They went back to prepare for review; they have final exams."
Homelander spread his hands, helpless.
The Seven remained incomplete; what kind of The Seven was this?
"Why don’t you join and fill the vacancy of The Deep or A-Train? Bro, we can fight side by side!" Homelander tapped Lucas’s chest.
Lucas glanced at him, "Sure, let me be the captain, you go fuck yourself!"
Homelander shut up.
The atmosphere in the hall began to become harmonious.
Ashley was about to breathe a sigh of relief when her phone suddenly vibrated.
She glanced at the screen, and her expression changed.
"What’s wrong?" Maeve asked.
"The Deep... he’s on TV."
Ashley turned the phone screen around.
On the screen, The Deep was wearing a white casual suit, sitting in a bright studio, with the spokesperson of the Church of the Collective sitting opposite him.
The Deep attended a confession event.
His expression seemed rehearsed: repentant, sincere, painful, and even faintly possessing a rebirth after liberation.
"I am deeply sorry for my past behavior."
The Deep faced the camera, his eyes slightly red, "I hurt Starlight, I hurt many people, but with the help of the Church of the Collective, I have found my true self."
"Fuck off!!" Homelander was fuming frequently today.
What triggered him was The Deep’s next sentence.
"As for returning to The Seven, I dare not ask for it. I only hope Mr. Guardian can give me a chance to let me prove that I have changed."
The screen cut to the barrage and comment section.
[Has The Deep really changed? Crocodile tears, right!]
[Sisters, like for my brother, let’s get it up! The Deep is so handsome!!!]
[What the hell is the Church of the Collective?]
[So it was Guardian who kicked him out? I thought it was Homelander!]
[So that means Guardian is the big brother of The Seven?]
After watching, Lucas returned the phone to Ashley.
"Church of the Collective, what kind of organization is this?"
He looked at Homelander, "Bro, didn’t you say only you could control The Seven? How come I feel like any Tom, Dick, or Harry can kick you?"
Homelander looked at Lucas and didn’t speak.
"I think... their target might be you, sir," Ashley said.
"How dare they? Is my hand blade not sharp enough?"
Lucas fumed for a second.
"Brother, look, you’re getting anxious again!" Homelander hurriedly stopped Lucas.
"They are just a bunch of clowns." Homelander flicked his cape, "Ashley, go warn the Church of the Collective. If they dare to use Guardian to stir up trouble for The Deep, I will have Vought sue them all. Is a sex offender worthy of staying in The Seven?"
"Also, go find a few more superhero representatives in the fields of environmental and animal protection. I don’t believe that in such a big America, we can’t find a suitable candidate?"
Homelander’s expression was arrogant.
[Homelander — Emotional Fluctuation: Disgust (The Deep), Desire for Control (The Seven), Desire for Performance (Displaying decisiveness before Guardian)]
[Evolution Points Gained: +7,823]
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
Something didn’t seem right.
Forget it, never mind!