The Boys: Viltrumite Evolution Panel

The genes of a Viltrumite possess absolute stability; they can produce offspring with most alien races in the universe.

No matter how strange the offspring might look, as they reach adulthood, they will always revert to the physical appearance of a Viltrumite.

However, Thaddeus of the Viltrum Empire created the scourge virus, specifically targeting Viltrumite genes, which they could not develop immunity to. With the release of the virus, the entire Viltrum Empire suffered heavy casualties.

Billions died, with fewer than fifty surviving.

Every single one of them had traces of the scourge virus in their bodies, and these viruses were enough to kill Lucas.

Yet, the unique nature of his bloodline and genes saved him from becoming a victim of the scourge virus.

[Virus invasion complete — progress 100%]

[Immune antibody synthesis complete — progress 100%]

[Effect acquired: Immune to scourge virus (targets all similar specific protein structures, 100% immunity)]

After lying in the ICU for a full three days, Lucas slowly woke up.

"Holy shit!"

"The scourge virus couldn’t even kill me?"

"This is a biological weapon designed specifically for the Viltrumite genetic sequence!"

Lucas clenched his fists. His strength had not diminished because of the virus; on the contrary, he had gained immune resistance to all specific protein structures similar to the scourge virus.

In plain English, even the new type of scourge virus that Thaddeus had been hiding could not pose any threat to him!

"Lucas? You’re awake?"

Starlight had gone out to get water and returned to wipe Lucas’s body.

Just as she walked to the door, she saw Lucas standing there, seemingly deep in thought.

She immediately lunged forward and hugged Lucas tightly.

"Yeah, I’m fine."

Lucas patted Starlight’s firm buttocks.

"Looks like I’m not very popular; you’re the only one guarding the hospital room?"

Lucas teased.

Annie carefully checked every inch of Lucas’s skin; it was rock hard, and he was completely fine.

Although she had many questions, she immediately dialed Ashley’s phone number.

"...Yes... He’s awake..."

"...Homelander is arriving soon? Okay, never mind, I already see him..."

"...He’s really fine. As for his superpowers... I don’t know either, we’ll find out tonight..."

Annie hung up the phone.

Homelander had already smashed the door open and strode over.

"Hey! My good brother, it’s so good to see you’re okay!" Homelander, wearing a gas mask, said, "A bastard like you actually woke up? Did you threaten God to let you come back?"

Lucas raised a middle finger. "Fuck off, John!"

Seeing Homelander wearing a gas mask, he realized this guy’s brotherly love was truly fake.

"Take it off. I didn’t catch the virus. You look like a little sissy, with no manly spirit at all," Lucas said.

Homelander shrugged. "Brother, you’re not a biology expert. I’m not planning on losing my life here."

Serves you right if your brains get spilled everywhere.

Lucas didn’t force him. Regarding their inquiries, he just casually made up an excuse.

"It must have been a powerful psychic Supe. I defeated him in the dreamscape, and that guy must have died in some corner somewhere." Lucas’s excuse was impeccable.

Ten minutes later.

Edgar also arrived at the scene.

As a superhero under Vought, Guardian’s existence was already heavily tied to Vought; this was the reason why he and the board of directors disliked Vought’s entertainment-focused approach.

Edgar also listened to Lucas’s explanation.

He didn’t have many doubts about it, because Starlight lived with Lucas; if this had been a virus release targeting Supes, Starlight couldn’t have remained unscathed.

"Homelander, I’ve told you before, don’t use those bullshit underhanded tactics in secret. Do you think I don’t know about the things A-Train has been doing behind the scenes?"

"What good does it do us to ship compound v all over the world?"

"Do you know how complex human genes are? A tiny mutation is enough to change human genetic history. You are creating threats for yourself!"

Edgar "believed" Lucas’s explanation.

Perhaps a powerful Supe had indeed been born in the world, capable of remotely attacking the consciousness of Supes, thereby causing the target to fall into a coma.

Homelander’s expression was gloomy and uncertain.

With so many people around, Edgar dared to reprimand him to his face?

Did he not want to be the leader of The Seven anymore?

"Guardian, are your superpowers affected?" Like Ashley, Edgar was first and foremost concerned with Lucas’s superpowers.

Annie’s mouth moved, wanting to say something, but Lucas raised his hand to stop her.

Lucas looked at the bulletproof glass, and red light lit up deep within his eyes.

A blast of Omega Beams hit the glass, melting the entire pane.

He then picked up an empty oxygen tank and casually squeezed it with both hands, compressing the tank into a small metal ball.

Lucas’s feet left the ground, and he floated in the air, legs crossed.

"Oh, Maeve is wearing purple."

Seeing the late-arriving Maeve, Lucas said to Edgar.

Edgar was half-believing and half-doubting. "Maeve, what color are you wearing today?"

Maeve: "What?"

"Your panties!"

"Boss, that’s sexual harassment!"

"Never mind that for now, just tell me if it’s purple!"

Starlight: "..."

Homelander: "..."

Lucas: "..."

In the end, Maeve nodded and admitted it was indeed purple.

"It’s good that you’re fine. Welcome back to the warm big family of Vought. Fortunately, you weren’t in a coma for long, and the outside world hasn’t had a chance to find out about this. I hope that no one leaks a single word about today’s events."

Standing among a group of Supes, Edgar’s presence actually firmly suppressed Homelander’s.

"Now you can take off that ridiculous gas mask. Just wearing that thing won’t block the virus; you need at least a full hazmat suit. Learn some culture!"

Edgar took one last look at Homelander.

He left after saying that.

Lucas patted Homelander’s shoulder, laughing until he doubled over.

"Fuck off!"

Homelander swatted away Lucas’s arm.

He shouldn’t have worried about Guardian’s safety; he should have just let him die!

Homelander left, red-faced.

However, his movements as he left were significantly lighter, for instance, his pigeon-toed flying posture was even more seductive.

"So now, you can explain."

Annie crossed her arms and stared at Lucas, her gaze dangerous.

Maeve seemed to sense something and turned to leave.

"Good luck to you!"

She left that one sentence behind, leaving only Lucas and Annie in the room.

"Explain what?"

Lucas feigned ignorance.

"Don’t play dumb!"

Annie pinched Lucas’s ear, but with Lucas’s current defenses, he could barely feel the pain.

"You thick-skinned pig!"

Annie cursed in anger.

"Do you know, baby, during these three days I was in a coma, every minute and every second, I was thinking of you!" Lucas was disgusted by himself.

Annie blushed, punched Lucas, opened the window, and flew away.