Speak Frankly (Five Thousand Characters)

Midday...

"F*ck!"

A-Train was furious because he knew that if Shockwave beat him and became the world's fastest man, the company's next step would be to cede some of his resources to Shockwave. Then, Shockwave would naturally take his place as a member of The Seven, because The Seven never needed the second best; they only needed the best one. If you weren't the fastest, you'd be eliminated.

"Perhaps only Compound V can help me now."

After much thought, A-Train could think of no other way to protect his position except to continue using Compound V. Even though Compound V would put his body in a very manic state, making him difficult to control, and even though there was the precedent of him having crushed Hughie's girlfriend after using the compound...

In the following period, the entire Vought was busy with the competition between A-Train and Shockwave, as well as Jupiter's promotional work as the brand-new superhero, Free Man...

It wasn't until the afternoon, at Jupiter's behest, that a group of The Seven's superheroes gathered in The Seven's office for Starlight's induction ceremony.

"Everyone, although we've all been very busy lately, especially Homelander, who not only has to manage the company's major affairs but also contact the media and deliver handsome, powerful photos to various cities, we absolutely cannot neglect our beautiful newcomer..."

Jupiter still occupied the main seat. He was like the captain of The Seven, beginning his speech in front of everyone.

"Haha..."

"Stop joking about the photoshoot. It's ridiculous for a superhero to stand there like an entertainer, letting people snap photos."

Homelander seemed to be in a good mood. He chuckled lightly after hearing Jupiter's words, making a humorous self-deprecating remark.

"If anyone could earn five hundred million just by standing still and letting people take a few photos, I think they wouldn't be able to sleep for half a month. So even if you're an entertainer or an actor, you're the most expensive one in the world."

Jupiter shook his head and continued to praise him.

"Hahaha..."

Homelander laughed without speaking, seemingly agreeing with Jupiter's words.

"Hmm?"

A-Train, who had just entered, raised an eyebrow upon seeing Homelander and Jupiter laughing together.

"Hey! Maeve, when did their relationship get so good?"

A-Train lowered his voice and asked Queen Maeve.

"I don't know."

Queen Maeve shrugged. Who knew why these two monsters suddenly made up.

"..."

Black Noir still sat in his seat, silent.

"In any case, let's give Starlight a round of applause."

After going in circles, Jupiter brought the topic back to Starlight.

"Thank you, everyone! Thank you all so much!"

"You are all my idols. I never dreamed I would be selected as a member of The Seven..."

"I... In short, thank you all very much for giving me this opportunity."

Starlight looked at the superheroes in the room, whom she usually only saw on television. She stammered as she spoke, her words coming straight from the heart, filled with genuine emotion.

"Congratulations!"

Queen Maeve was the first to stand up and shake Starlight's hand.

"Congratulations!"

Next was A-Train, who was closest to Starlight.

"Learn well from Free Man. He is your role model, and I have high hopes for you!"

Next was the spirited Homelander. He seemed somewhat perfunctory and also in a hurry. -, ^ '~-.,,.-~ ~-.,,.-~' ^ '-, "Do you have something else to do later?"

Queen Maeve asked, looking at the seemingly hurried Homelander.

"I still have two more photoshoot sessions to finish. Although I've been with the photography crew all morning, they say you can never have too many photos taken of me."

Homelander replied to Queen Maeve with a hint of boastfulness in his tone.

"So, everyone, I apologize, but I must take my leave..."

Homelander said, turned around, and walked out of the conference hall.

"Then I'll go prepare for the competition too. In short, good luck!"

Upon seeing Homelander leave, A-Train immediately found an excuse to retreat.

"You too, good luck! Don't lose!"

The kind Starlight encouraged A-Train.

"Of course! I'm the fastest."

Upon hearing this, A-Train put on his goggles and instantly disappeared from the room.

"Then I'm leaving too. Have fun with your little world for two~"

Queen Maeve left with a flourish; she always had endless messes to deal with.

"..."

Black Noir gave a thumbs-up, seemingly his unique way of showing goodwill, and then also left the Seven's lobby.

"They're always so busy!"

Jupiter watched the members of the Seven, who had just arrived and immediately went about their own business. He flashed in front of Starlight and cupped her small face.

"I, I know..."

Starlight looked at Jupiter, who was so close, her heart pounding.

"Let's go for a drive..."

Before Starlight could say more, Jupiter wrapped an arm around her slender waist and, once again, flew out of the Seven's open window and into the sky.

"Hahaha..."

Homelander looked up. His X-ray vision seemed to have noticed Jupiter and Starlight's actions. He shook his head slightly, as if thinking Jupiter was still too naive.

Yes, Jupiter only liked them young, unlike Homelander...

Jupiter and Starlight flew in the air for a long time until night fell. Only then did Jupiter bring Starlight back to the ground.

The two went to their favorite restaurant and had dinner, staying until very late.

"Go back and get some rest early~"

Jupiter gently brushed aside Starlight's long golden hair and said with a smile.

"Mhm!"

Starlight's face flushed. She nodded slightly, turned around, and entered her house without a word.

She ran into her room and wrapped herself entirely in her blanket. Peeking through a corner of the lifted curtain, she watched Jupiter soar into the sky, his figure disappearing into the night.

"Snap!"

Just as Starlight was lost in thought gazing at the night sky, her pitch-black room was suddenly lit up.

"Is that your man?"

A slightly mature female voice, tinged with amusement, reached her ears.

"Mom~"

Starlight looked at the mature woman behind her, her eyes filled with a hint of resentment.

After Jupiter sent Starlight home and said goodbye, he turned into a bolt of lightning and flew into the sky. He had other things to do.

In the basement of a ruined factory on the outskirts of the city.

"Did that bastard agree?"

Billy Butcher, returning from a busy day, asked Frenchie and Hughie, who had stayed behind.

"Not yet. I have to say, aside from his weak superpowers, he's otherwise worthy of his identity in the Seven. For example, his will is very tenacious," Frenchie said, stroking his chin with a chuckle.

"Hey! It's been a whole day. No one has come to save you all day. Admit it! The Seven have forgotten about you. They might even be looking for a new member to replace you right now?! Cooperating with us is your best option." Billy Butcher looked at The Deep, who was lying in a cage, and said in a deep voice.

"Screw you!"

The Deep lay in the cage and cursed at Billy Butcher. He would never cooperate with the person who had treated him so miserably. More importantly, The Deep firmly believed that The Free Man, who had assigned him this task, would personally investigate when he didn't return. That would be the end of these bastards.

"It seems you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Then don't blame me for being ruthless." Billy Butcher sighed. In front of The Deep, he took a still-wriggling salmon out of his backpack.

"What are you going to do?"

The Deep looked at Billy Butcher, his eyes filled with rage.

"As you can see, I'm going to eat it raw right in front of you." Billy Butcher gently stroked the fish and smiled at The Deep.

"F*ck! How can you be so cruel? How can you eat a live fish raw?" The Deep hadn't expected Billy Butcher to be so brutal.

"Hahaha..."

Billy Butcher burst into laughter at his words.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fish. If you're in a lot of pain, tell the superhero in the cage~" Billy Butcher was deliberately provoking The Deep. The best way to make someone submit is to provoke them and then tell them they are powerless to change the situation.

"Screw you!"

The Deep was furious. He was truly furious because, at that moment, the fish was crying out for help, but he really couldn't do anything. He didn't even have the strength to get out of the cage.

"You will pay for this!"

"You will face divine retribution!"

"The Free Man won't let you get away with this!"

The Deep cursed Billy Butcher before him.

"Sigh..."

Billy Butcher let out a helpless sigh.

"You brought this on yourself!"

As Billy Butcher spoke, he took out a nearby kitchen knife and sliced the salmon in front of him in one go. Fresh blood splattered all over The Deep, who was inside the cage...

"Ah!!!"

The Deep roared in anger, seemingly on the verge of a mental breakdown.

"Hey! Does he really think the fish is one of his kind?"

Frenchie asked, looking at the screaming Deep.

"If you could talk to dogs, maybe you'd think they were your kind too."

Billy Butcher smiled slightly at Frenchie's words.

"You really are an asshole."

Frenchie's face fell instantly as he heard Billy Butcher's roundabout insult.

"Whoosh!"

"Boom!"

Just as the two were chatting, The Deep was collapsing, and Hughie was finding it hard to watch, a roar echoed in their ears.

"Beep beep beep..."

The next second, the anti-theft alarms of countless cars blared outside the ruined factory.

"Motherfucker!"

Billy Butcher's face fell instantly, as he was all too familiar with that sound.

"Shit!"

Frenchie looked at the flustered Butcher and realized the danger outside.

"Shhh..."

Billy Butcher blew lightly on his fingers, his expression somewhat panicked.

"Everyone calm down, don't make a sound, he won't find us."

Billy Butcher lowered his voice, speaking softly to the group before him. He casually turned off the lights in the room, plunging them into darkness. Everyone could only see each other by the faint glow emanating from the partially operating machinery.

"I know!"

Frenchie felt his heart pounding in his chest, vowing he had never been so nervous in his life.

"I..."

Hughie wanted to say something.

"Shhh..."

"Don't make a sound!"

Billy Butcher was a little angry and anxious, fearing that Hughie's voice would alert the monster outside.

As the three held their breath, not daring to exhale, the entire building and street fell silent.

"I told you, it's fine!"

Billy Butcher wiped the sweat from his forehead, forcing a faint smile onto his face.

"I'm here! I'm here!!"

Just as the three were about to believe they were safe, The Deep, who had been lying in the cage, suddenly shouted.

"WTF!?"

Hearing The Deep's shout, Billy Butcher's expression held a hint of annoyance. He grabbed a glass from the table and hurled it at The Deep.

"Smack!"

The glass passed through the gaps in the cage holding The Deep and hit him directly on the head.

"Mother f..."

Before The Deep could finish speaking, dark red blood oozed from his forehead. He rolled his eyes and lay unconscious in the cage.

"Go! Get him out of the cage. We need to move immediately. This place has been compromised and is no longer safe."

Billy Butcher knew their current location had been exposed. Based on his understanding of that entity, they would be found quickly. Staying any longer would be suicide. Therefore, regardless of whether it was safe outside, they had to act now.

"Okay."

Frenchie prevented The Deep from feigning unconsciousness. He picked up a stun gun from the table for self-defense and walked towards The Deep in the cage, making his footsteps as light as possible to avoid making any sound.

Frenchie was getting close to The Deep. At this moment, he could see The Deep, whose forehead was bleeding profusely inside the cage. However, even so, he still planned to use the stun gun in his hand to shock The Deep a few times to prevent him from suddenly waking up midway and affecting their plan to relocate.

"Zzzzt..."

The stun gun in Frenchie's hand was activated, and blue electricity crackled on it.

"Baby, don't you wake up, this will be over soon."

Frenchie said as he thrust the stun gun towards The Deep.

"Boom!"

The instant Frenchie thrust the stun gun towards The Deep, the ceiling above everyone's heads shattered, and a figure descended from the sky, landing in front of The Deep's cage. This figure separated The Deep and Frenchie, who was about to shock him, from Billy Butcher and Hughie.

"F*ck!"

Frenchie looked at the figure behind him and immediately grabbed the stun gun, attacking the person who had fallen from the sky.

"Adults shouldn't be waving around children's toys."

The white figure that descended from the sky quickly grabbed Frenchie's wrist, the one holding the stun gun, and applied slight pressure.

"Ah..."

Frenchie felt the force on his wrist, his expression changed, and he immediately cried out in pain, dropping the stun gun.

"If you like this toy so much, I'll give it back to you."

The white figure took the stun gun from Frenchie and aimed it at Frenchie before pressing the trigger.

"Zzzzt..."

As the crackling electricity landed on Frenchie, the thug performed a stunning dance right in front of the white figure before collapsing on the ground, foaming at the mouth.

"Did you increase the power?"

The white figure looked at Frenchie, who had been instantly stunned. He frowned as he looked at the civilian-grade stun gun in his hand. Logically, this model shouldn't have such power.

"Don't move!"

Just as the white figure was marveling at how insane these people were to have adjusted the stun gun's power to a level that approached torture, the bearded Billy Butcher pulled out a handgun.

"What!? Are you kidding me? Threatening me with a handgun?"

The white figure looked at Billy Butcher's handgun, somewhat speechless. It was ridiculous. Unless the handgun was made of Vibranium and could reach near light speed, it wouldn't have any effect on him.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

Billy Butcher didn't hesitate. He directly fired at... The Deep inside the cage behind the white figure!

Yes, Billy Butcher never thought his bullets could harm a monster, so his target had always been The Deep. No matter what, taking down one member of the Seven before dying would make his life worthwhile. It was just a pity that he would never be able to bring the damn Homelander to justice for his crimes.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

After a burst of gunfire, Billy Butcher threw away the handgun in his hand and raised both hands high.

"You think bullets can hit someone in front of me?"

Just as Billy Butcher was smiling, the white figure appeared in front of him and, right before Billy Butcher's eyes, opened his palm. Inside was a bullet that had been crushed into a metal lump...

Of course, the white figure never cared if the "fish-f*cking idiot" in the cage would be shot to death. However, if the idiot behind him were actually shot and killed in front of the white figure, the white figure would lose a lot of face.

"WTF, you're not Homelander, who are you?..."

When the white figure stood before Billy Butcher and threw the crushed bullet at his face, Billy Butcher finally saw that the man before him was not Homelander at all.

"You don't even know who I am?"

The white figure grabbed Billy Butcher by the neck and lifted him high off the ground.

"F*ck! You should at least know what your savior looks like?"

The white figure pulled Billy Butcher closer, pointed at the bearded man's nose, and roared.

"That..."

"Free Man, it's Free Man!"

"We met once at Vought Tower. I think there must be some misunderstanding between us."

Hughie, holding up a lighter, saw the white figure's face and said nervously.

"F*ck! What misunderstanding could there be!? Now find me a chair, brew the best black tea in this moldy room, and then talk to me about the useless ideas you've come up with against Vought and Homelander, ideas that are even more useless than a fish's seven-second memory."

The white figure released Billy Butcher's neck, letting him fall to the ground with a tumble. He then berated and insulted Billy Butcher and Hughie before giving his orders.

"What?"

Billy Butcher rubbed his neck, looking at the white figure before him with disbelief.

"Don't make me repeat myself. And turn on your damn lights. Are you still using public cables and not turning on the lights? Who are you trying to save electricity for? Let's talk in the open."

The white figure pointed at Hughie's nose.

"Okay."

Hughie immediately turned on the lights.

Instantly, the entire room became "bright," bright in every sense of the word!