The Insignificant Mortal

Bio-Field: Retains all effects of 'Steel Body +2'. You can now use the Bio-Field to shield yourself and nearby objects from harm, isolate environmental influences, and extend the field to objects you touch to protect their structure.

Seeing this line of text, Azu couldn't help the grin spreading across his lips.

He'd finally upgraded to 'Bio-Field'.

This was an ability Homelander from "The Boys" didn't possess. As for Azu, now that he had it, he no longer had to tank enemy attacks with his own body.

All attacks would be intercepted by the 'Bio-Field'. Unless they could pierce through it, no matter how powerful, they'd never touch Azu's body.

Beyond that, Azu could also use the field to isolate environmental effects on himself.

High altitudes no longer chilled him, and even diving into magma wouldn't harm him.

Finally, he could extend the field to people or objects he touched. That way, whether he lifted a person or an object, whatever he contacted wouldn't be crushed by immense pressure but would accelerate or stop along with him.

Bio-Field bolstered defense, Heat Ray boosted offense, Self-Replication enriched tactics.

Combined with other Talents and items, Azu could truly feel himself growing stronger.

Just then, the command hall door opened.

Clutching an electronic tablet, Ashley strode in quickly.

"We've got trouble, Homelander."

In a good mood, Azu looked her way.

Ashley turned on the TV, and a video began playing on the screen.

In the footage, Azu descended from the sky, landing in a military camp. Not long after, he tossed an officer into the air.

The camera cut to a bloodstain, the officer's mangled corpse blurred with mosaic.

Then, more clips appeared on screen.

One showed Azu tearing open an ambulance body, another captured him blowing up the Vought Mall Parking Lot.

Watching these images, Ashley winced in frustration, glancing back at Azu from time to time. But Azu just wore a faint smile, seemingly unbothered.

At that point, a host appeared on screen.

"This is just too much."

"I remember not long ago, Homelander himself said that even superheroes have to follow the law."

"Is this what he calls 'following the law'?"

"As you can see, Homelander arbitrarily disrupts public order and damages public property. And in a recent incident, he even killed an officer!"

"In my view, he's a thug! A demon!"

"Now, let's hear what Colonel Yuri has to say."

The camera shifted, and Colonel Yuri, who had handled the Silver Tree Town incident, appeared on screen.

The colonel gave a slight nod to the camera, and the host spoke.

"Colonel Yuri, I heard a small town was placed under temporary military control a couple of days ago?"

Colonel Yuri nodded. "Yes, that's correct."

The host continued, "It seemed like a serious situation. You even set up a temporary camp there—the one in the video at the start, right?"

Colonel Yuri hummed in affirmation. "Right, that one."

The host looked at him. "Then could you tell us what happened that day? I mean, the part involving Homelander."

"I've received word that Homelander wasn't supposed to be involved in that day's events, nor was The Seven. Is that true?"

Colonel Yuri nodded a third time. "That's true."

"At the time, we received orders to impose military control over a town. This fell under military jurisdiction, and in principle, no outsiders were allowed to interfere."

The host pressed on. "But Homelander interfered anyway, didn't he?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

Colonel Yuri shook his head. "I don't know where Homelander got the information. He just—'whoosh'—appeared in the camp."

The host winked at the camera. "No doubt about it, his landing was stylish. I bet he practiced it a lot in secret."

"So, can you tell me how that unfortunate officer ended up being thrown out by Homelander?"

"Does this constitute the murder of a military officer on Homelander's part?"

Colonel Yuri hesitated visibly, then said, "It was an accident."

"Sergeant Mike was emotionally agitated at the time. He tried to stop Homelander from interfering, and his words were quite harsh, even disrespectful."

"So I think Homelander didn't do it on purpose—he just didn't control his strength."

The host sighed. "Poor Sergeant Mike. Just for some harsh words and a bit of impropriety, he got tossed into the sky by Homelander, playing flying man—without a parachute, no less."

"Regardless."

"Homelander has already violated multiple Federation laws. The Department of Homeland Security has now filed a consolidated complaint with the Federation Supreme Court regarding this and other matters."

The host pointed at the camera. "Yes, Homelander."

"The Federation's laws are no joke. You've crossed the line."

"Now it's time for you to pay for your reckless actions."

"I've received word that the Federation's Supreme Court has issued a subpoena to Vought, ordering that in three days, Homelander must appear at a hearing."

"At that time, he can explain and defend his actions."

"I can hardly wait to lend an ear."

"Let's see whether Homelander is the Angel who protects us and the Federation."

"Or an uncontrollable, wanton demon!"

"We'll go to a commercial break, then return to the studio to discuss more details with Colonel Yuri."

Ashley picked up the remote, turned off the TV, and turned to look at Azu.

"Homelander, the Security Bureau's many accusations are all stacked against you. I've already scheduled a meeting with the legal team—you'll need to see them this afternoon."

Azu laughed heartily, spreading his hands. "Look at these politicians in our country. They don't even mention what I've done, what I've stopped."

"Those gut-stuffed bastards can sit in their offices sipping coffee, can get down to some primal moves with their mistresses at night, can enjoy a good life."

"It's because someone drove away the darkness for them—someone like me."

"And now, all they care about is that I damaged public property, that I turned some guy who doesn't even know basic respect into a human projectile."

"Seems like these big shots have been living too comfortably."

Azu narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth curling up.

Maybe it was time to remind them just how small they really were.