Exchange Conditions

On the bustling street, Butcher passed a newsstand. "One copy of The Daily Horn."

The newspaper's front page carried a photo of Homelander sending a guy in Battle Armor flying into the sky.

The headline read: "A-Train's Brother Takes Revenge on Society, Punished by Homelander."

Butcher let out a cold laugh. Then the bearded man looked toward the bar across the street, lit a cigarette, and smoked half of it.

"Fuck it, might as well take a look around."

He tossed the remaining half of the cigarette to the ground, ground it under his shoe twice, and crossed the street with the newspaper.

A moment later, Butcher slipped into the bar.

The bar reeked of countless smells. Women danced on poles while a group of junkies huddled in dim corners, smoking marijuana.

"This world is fucking awful."

Butcher's lips curled upward. "But I like it."

He sat at the bar and had just ordered a Depth Charge when someone said, "Get him a whiskey too. It's on me."

Butcher looked up at the bespectacled white man. "What should I call you?"

"A name is only a codename. What you call me isn't important, is it, Mr. Butcher?" The white man sat down and wiped his glasses. "I'm glad you contacted me. This is a good start."

Butcher drank his Depth Charge and said, "Cut the bullshit. You'd better really have the 'power' to fight those Supers, like you said."

"Otherwise, I'll carve up that pretty face of yours, then let a few big brutes enjoy your warm rectum!"

The white man put his glasses back on and smiled. "Come with me."

Butcher drained the Depth Charge along with the whiskey before following the white man. They passed through the wild dance floor, made their way down a passage packed with men and women, and finally reached the alley behind the bar.

A truck was parked there.

The white man made a phone call, and the truck's cargo compartment opened. Cold light came on inside.

He gestured toward the truck with his chin. "The 'power' you want to see is in there."

Butcher smiled. "If you're screwing with me, I'll find your mother and make her come so hard she'll fly to heaven."

The white man laughed. "Mr. Butcher, you really do have heavy tastes. But don't worry, I haven't lied to you."

"We don't have that kind of time."

Butcher gave a humorless snort and climbed into the truck, heading toward the back of the cargo compartment.

Numerous wires were spread across the floor. A table stood nearby, covered with various instruments.

And before him stood a steel Battle Armor dominated by black, accented with luxurious gold, and bristling with weapon platforms.

"Overlord 5. Powered by a small nuclear reactor, it has a radiation-blocking system to ensure the wearer's physical safety."

"A thruster system has been added, allowing short-distance flight and improving the wearer's climbing ability."

"Its weapons include small rapid-fire machine guns on both arms, small guided missiles on the shoulders, retractable small aircraft cannons, Laser Cutting Waves powered by the reactor, and more."

"It's no exaggeration to say that even a complete athletic idiot could beat a Super into shitting himself while wearing it."

The bespectacled white man walked up behind Butcher and gave him a detailed introduction.

The bearded man narrowed his eyes slightly, then shook his head. "I can't afford something like this."

The white man smiled. "I can give it to you, along with maintenance, testing, and other services."

"On one condition."

"Help us kill Homelander."

Butcher laughed. "You have a weapon like this. Why not do it yourselves?"

The white man smiled. "We have our reasons. You don't need to know that much. What do you think?"

The bearded man nodded slightly. "Fair enough."

"But."

Butcher shook his head. "I'm not used to being used."

He walked toward the cargo compartment's entrance.

The white man did not chase after him. He merely said from behind, "Do you still want to wait a few more years, Mr. Butcher? Another eight years?"

"Without our help, you can't kill Homelander."

"Or are you willing to accept his offer? Take ten million and reconcile with your wife?"

Butcher stopped, malice surging in his eyes.

*

*

*

Seven Tower.

In the command hall, Azu looked at the newly updated item in the shop.

Overlord 3: Night Assault

Description: An upgraded version of the Overlord Armor. Its reduced size better conforms to ergonomics, it adds an intelligent AI assistance system, and emphasizes nighttime combat capabilities.

Battle Armor specifications: Height 2.05 meters, weight 4.6 tons, second-generation Arc Reactor, night vision mode, sniper mode, stealth mode, Tungsten Steel Tactical Longsword, Modular Sniper Equipment, Small Thruster, Laser Cutting Gun.

Price: Dim Proficiency Essence × 40

Azu closed the shop.

Although the new item was more reliable than the previous Battle Armor, his assessment remained the same: useless.

He now had forty-five Proficiency Essences. Once he gathered five more, he could purchase the NK Gene Modification Potion, a targeted Compound 5.

When the time came, he would give Angelina an injection, and Azu would gain another Super enforcer.

However, he did not intend to bring Angelina into The Seven.

Instead, he intended to cultivate that woman into one of his underground forces.

At that moment, the command hall's doors opened.

Azu saw Vought's president, the Black man Edgar, walk in.

Behind him were The Deep and a blonde girl.

Starlight, Annie!

Azu narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze settling on Edgar.

Edgar smiled. "The Deep told me you have some plans."

The Deep's expression changed. He looked uneasily at Azu, then shrank back behind Edgar.

Edgar smiled. "Don't blame The Deep. I was the one who asked about you, and only then did he tell me."

Azu looked at The Deep with a smile. "Is that so?"

The Deep hurriedly said, "Yes, boss."

Azu's lips curled up. He did not pursue the matter further and instead looked at Starlight. "And this is?"

"This is Miss Annie. She has a lovely nickname: Starlight."

Edgar walked over to Azu, sat on the table, and said, "I think Miss Annie's abilities and image are both excellent. She would help improve The Seven's approval ratings."

Azu raised his head and looked at the Black man. "If I remember correctly, I said that from now on, I would have the final say in The Seven."

"I know."

Edgar spread his hands. "That's why I established a reserve squad for The Seven. They can support The Seven at any time. Miss Annie is its first member, as well as its Captain."

"She won't interfere with any of your decisions, but please give her the right to observe."

He lowered his voice again. "Do me a favor. If I don't do this, it'll be difficult for me to explain myself to the other members of the Board of Directors."

"You want The Seven to keep receiving the company's financial support too, don't you?"

Azu laughed and lowered his voice as well. "I have one condition."

"I have a friend. I hope she can study by your side and learn how to run a company, a corporation."

"What do you think?"