The Only Way to Deal with Scum Is to Be Even More Scummy

The next day, Vought International mobilized all its resources to search for that bastard.

But they had little to show for it. The IP addresses used to upload each video were different, and it was obvious the other party had anticipated their reaction. Analyzing the videos hadn't helped at all.

With the 24-hour mark fast approaching, Homelander grew more and more irritable. He barged straight into the Information Department.

"Don't tell me you still haven't found anything."

Homelander's oppressive presence was overwhelming. With his temper so unstable, the entire department fell silent.

At last, in the suffocating atmosphere, someone broke through the murderous tension filling the office.

"W-we found it!"

Isha, in the Information Department, was terrified, her voice trembling. "I-it's The Invisible Man's signal. Seventy kilometers south, in an abandoned factory."

"Good. Don't tell anyone about this."

Homelander glanced at Isha and patted her on the head. Then he looked around the department, his voice icy. "Otherwise, I'll make sure you understand the consequences!"

"Y-yes. I-I won't tell anyone."

Isha stammered out her promise, insisting that she wouldn't tell a soul.

Under Homelander's oppressive gaze, the rest of the Information Department employees nodded along, all agreeing to obey the madman.

Then Homelander strode out of the department, his eyes dark as he looked toward the CEO's office. "No one can control me. No one—not even you, Madelyn!"

Without telling anyone, Homelander flew straight into the sky, trailing a deafening sonic boom before vanishing into the clouds.

Seventy kilometers was a short distance for Homelander. He would reach it in no time.

Looking down at the abandoned industrial site from above, Homelander turned into a shooting star and plummeted to the ground, crashing through the roof.

Boom!

The impact sent a shock wave through the factory, smashing it apart.

Amid the swirling dust, Homelander strode through the wreckage like a god. "You wanted to see me, didn't you? I'm here. Where are you? Come out."

He tried to use his X-ray vision to search the place, but zinc alloy blocked his sight in many areas of the factory.

Suddenly, a puppet riding a bicycle wobbled out from a corner.

"Hello, John. I want to play a game with you."

The familiar line sent Homelander into a rage. His eyes glimmered with a terrifying red light.

"Oh, calm down, John,"

The puppet's lower lip moved up and down, producing a mechanical voice. "I wouldn't recommend using Heat Vision to burn it. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what might be in the next video."

The terrifying red glow in Homelander's eyes slowly faded. He forced down his anger. "Who are you?"

"I'm a businessman, John."

The puppet rode its bicycle right up to him. "I happen to know a few secrets. Secrets about you, John, and about Vought Company and Compound V."

Those blood-red eyes stared straight at Homelander, making him deeply uncomfortable, as if he were being seen through.

"Sometimes, knowing too much isn't a good thing."

Homelander dropped all pretense. His gaze turned vicious and cruel. "If you dare tell anyone, I swear I'll find you, rip off your limbs, and let you die slowly, screaming in agony!"

"How scary. I'm just a puppet."

The puppet shook its head as if it really had been frightened, then continued, "What do you think the public would do if they knew you weren't a hero by birth, and hadn't been blessed by God, but were instead a monster created by Vought International using Compound V?"

"You dare!"

Homelander's eyes glowed red again. The veins on his face bulged as he snarled viciously.

If this got out, his fan approval rating—he couldn't even imagine it. Just picturing it made Homelander feel as if the sky were falling.

He needed people to approve of him. He loved being adored. If he lost that, it would feel like he'd lost everything!

So he couldn't lose it!

"Wow, how scary. It's Homelander's signature skill, Heat Vision!"

The puppet rode its bicycle backward a few steps, tilted its head, and said, "How about we make a deal, John? One that benefits both of us. What do you say?"

"What deal?" The red glow faded from Homelander's eyes, and his voice turned cold.

He might be impulsive, but he wasn't stupid. He immediately guessed that this was the other party's real goal.

"It's simple. I want a permanent supply of Compound V."

The puppet got straight to the point. "In exchange, I'll tell you a secret you'll be interested in."

"So your target is Compound V." Homelander sneered, full of himself. "What secret could you possibly know that would interest me?"

"Don't you want to know where your son is?"

The puppet said it casually. "Of course, you can look for him yourself. But first, would Vought International really tell you?"

What did it mean to catch two fish with one bait?

This was it!

Thank you, Rebecca. As a useful pawn, even though we've never met, you're just too handy!

Alvin understood Homelander's weaknesses very well. A son who shared his blood was enough to make Homelander take notice.

Of course, even if Homelander really went to Vought International to ask for the truth, Alvin still had a second plan ready.

Sure enough.

The information Alvin had dropped left Homelander stunned. "My son?"

Since when had he had a son?

Had Vought secretly used his genes to clone one?

"It has nothing to do with Vought. Your son was born naturally, inherited your genes, and was born with the same abilities as you." The puppet followed up with another bombshell.

This time, Homelander was truly thunderstruck.

He stared wide-eyed at the puppet, looking incredulous. "I-I actually have a son, and he inherited my genes?"

"That's right. His name is Ryan."

Seeing that the time was right, the puppet dropped another bombshell. "As payment, I'll also give you another piece of information: Vought International has a contingency plan to kill you immediately if you ever lose control and cross the line."

Before he could recover from the shock of suddenly having a son, Homelander was hit with another revelation, leaving his head spinning.

"N-no, impossible!" Homelander was clearly getting angry. He snarled, "I'm invincible! I can do whatever I want! Vought can't kill me!"

But the puppet gave no answer. It only sat there in eerie silence.

Its eyes seemed to regard Homelander like a clown, and a chilling snicker came from its mouth.

It offered no explanation. Silence was the sharpest blade of all, easily cutting through Homelander's confidence and darkening his expression.

"A weapon with tremendous power must have a way to control it."

The puppet paid no heed to Homelander's feelings and continued on its own. "That's true of nuclear weapons, and it's true of you. Why would you think Vought has no way to control you?"

"I accept your deal. It's settled."

Homelander's brow twitched, a vein stretching across his face. "Compound V, right? That's easy. How do I contact you?"

"No need. I'll contact you."

The puppet rode its bicycle into the shadows.

"Wait. Where's The Invisible Man?"

Homelander suddenly remembered why he had come here and hurriedly asked.

"Ah, I almost forgot~"

The puppet stopped and let out a strange laugh. "Sorry. That guy was so noisy, I blew him to pieces."

Hello, I'm Emperor. The Imperium is corrupt and the people are suffering. Send me a monthly pass, and when I rise from the Golden Throne, I'll appoint you Regent!