Chapter 92 Clara: He’s nothing compared to you, that scum...
He absolutely had to have a word with Guardian later; he couldn’t let this slide.
No! He couldn’t talk to him! If he rushed over to confront him, wouldn’t that be admitting that he was the one being portrayed as the villain?
Homelander crossed his arms, his face twisted in conflict. That would be so embarrassing!
Lucas was doing this on purpose; it was definitely a trap. If he jumped in, he would be mercilessly mocked by that guy!
Homelander fell into an unprecedented state of conflict.
[Homelander — Emotional change: conflicted, stifled, embarrassed, secretly aggrieved, petty revenge]
[Evolution Points gained: +5, 100]
After dropping Ryan off at home, Homelander took a deep breath, took off into the air, and flew toward Vought Tower.
As he took off, he deliberately adjusted his legs. Pigeon-toed became duck-footed.
Vought Tower. Homelander wanted to see if Lucas was there. He felt he could also invest in a movie, perhaps using the image of a caped hero to subtly mock Guardian.
The character image had to be righteous and upright. But behind that righteousness, the caped hero would actually be a sex-crazed maniac, even running into the streets to snatch up blondes.
"You’re subtly mocking my milk addiction, huh! Well, I’ll mock your faith addiction. Come on, let’s hurt each other!"
As it turned out, Guardian wasn’t there.
Lucas was busy chatting with Becca about having Ryan play the role of Mark. Invincible, after all, should run for at least six seasons.
"A billion dollars, kid! A star-studded cast! Animation, live-action, feature films—we’re bringing it all. Ryan will debut as a teenage hero."
Becca didn’t agree. Lucas stared at her, just kept staring... Eventually, Becca agreed.
Because Lucas said that if she didn’t agree, he would bring Butcher here... to let Butcher see how well his wife was living, having a child of her own, and a "husband" who adored her. It was hard for Becca not to agree.
Homelander didn’t find Guardian, but Edgar took the initiative to call him over.
"Homelander, perfect. I’d like to introduce you to a new member."
Standing beside Edgar was a woman. She had black hair, wasn’t very tall, and carried a sharp, old-era intensity in her eyes. "Clara."
The woman took the initiative to reach out, her smile a bit too enthusiastic. "You can call me Stormfront. I’ve been following you online for a long time, Homelander. I think you are the most perfect existence."
Homelander ignored the hand. "I don’t recall approving her joining The Seven."
Edgar adjusted his suit collar and glanced at Homelander. "Do I need your approval to do things? John, know your place. There are many eyes watching you and Guardian right now."
"I don’t need to worry about Guardian; he’s only been here for a few days, and he’s already helped Vought win the favor of many investors. But you... I’m very worried about your mental state..."
Homelander instantly turned red with rage. So everyone thought his mental state was unstable? Did he look that much like a madman?
Homelander tried to calm his emotions as much as possible. "Don’t let me down, John!" Edgar patted Homelander on the shoulder. These words seemed to have magic, and Homelander’s temper vanished immediately.
As soon as Edgar left, Homelander’s eyes became so dark and sinister they seemed to drip with venom.
Stormfront, however, didn’t seem to notice his coldness; instead, she leaned in closer and asked casually, "By the way, have you seen Guardian’s latest movie? ’Parallel Crisis’. It’s shot quite well, an anti-hero perspective. For a superhero of his stature, it’s surprising he’d go film a movie with such a contrary image."
"And his acting isn’t bad either, very fitting for the original character." Homelander’s expression darkened further. She was touching a sore spot.
"There’s one thing I need to make clear to you. Edgar agreed to let you join The Seven, but I didn’t approve it, understand? Take your ridiculous cape and roll back to where you belong!"
"Any trash can in Brooklyn will do—let those Johns admire your ass, but don’t you dare touch The Seven! You don’t deserve it!"
Homelander’s rapid-fire thunderous remarks left Stormfront feeling a bit of a rush. As expected of Soldier Boy’s seed! It was as if they were cut from the same mold. That little mouth just wouldn’t stop!
An ordinary person would have been scared and run away after getting yelled at by Homelander. Stormfront, however, was not afraid; instead, she chuckled and patted Homelander on the chest twice. "Don’t be nervous. I’m not your enemy."
She leaned into Homelander’s ear, thinking she was catering to his wishes, and said, "That scum is!"
The next second, Homelander grabbed her by the neck and lifted her entire body up with one hand. His eyes flared with a dangerous red light. "What kind of thing are you, a racist Nazi trash!"
"How dare you curse Guardian in front of me? My brother is the only one I can curse!"
Stormfront’s feet were off the ground, yet she showed no signs of panic. She was a Supe from the last century, with a physique on the same level as Homelander’s, and she wasn’t even afraid of his Heat Vision.
Stormfront even had the leisure to roll her eyes. "Brother? Are you sure he treats you like a brother?"
"If you were brothers, why does he steal all the spotlight and take all the glory for himself, while letting you... become the eternal runner-up?"
"Haven’t you noticed? The public loves him more and more! Regent, Regent—the whole street is calling his name!"
"But has anyone been calling your name during this time?" Homelander’s hand, which was gripping her neck, tightened abruptly. "Shut up! Shut up! He wouldn’t do that to me!"
"What if?" Stormfront refused to shut up. Her voice was intermittent from being choked, yet every word was piercing. "What if one day they decide that having Guardian is enough... and feel that you, this old-era Homelander, can... be replaced?"
"No, they won’t!" Homelander practically roared. "He is my best friend! My brother! We are equally strong! We saved the children on Little St. James Island together!"
"He will never replace me, and he will never betray me!" After roaring this, even Homelander himself was stunned.
[Homelander — Emotional change: anger, defense, heartfelt identification with and reliance on Guardian, rare emotional exposure]
[Evolution Points gained: +14, 200]
Stormfront watched the furious Homelander quietly, feeling a bit surprised. Homelander actually trusted Guardian this much?
She began to change her strategy. "I know you two have a good relationship. I’m not saying you should fall out; I just want to ask a question..." Stormfront gripped Homelander’s hand and slowly broke free from his restraint.
"You should have realized by now that in this grand show the whole world is watching, he is the absolute protagonist. And you? You can only be a supporting role, the... green leaf standing by his side to highlight how great he is."
"Are you willing to accept this, John? You are the dignified Homelander, the strongest Supe in the United States, the man who has stood above everyone for decades. Are you willing to be a sidekick to some greenhorn who only debuted a few months ago?"
The raging fire in Homelander’s red eyes showed signs of wavering. Stormfront was an old fox who had lived for many years; she keenly captured that tiny crack in Homelander’s resolve.
"Don’t worry. I have a way. I have a way to turn you from a supporting character into the protagonist. To make the whole world remember who the real Homelander is."
Homelander stared at her intensely. He knew this woman was up to no good. But... he might as well see what she was planning!
[Homelander — Emotional change: wavering, secret unwillingness, stirred ambition, intense conflict with trust]
[Evolution Points gained: +3, 600]
Lucas had just returned from Becca’s place when he saw Homelander’s new status. Oh? Who messed with Homelander again?