Who Exactly Is That High-Level Figure

[So you really know Ryan? Homelander's son?]

Even though she had already boarded the ride-share back to New York, the viewers in her livestream still couldn't believe it.

With connections like that, how are you still struggling so much??

"Come, come, look closely, is this the Ryan from yesterday's interview or not!"

Countess of Crows nearly shoved her phone into the face of the boy sitting beside her in the car.

Of course, that was just a figure of speech; she wouldn't dare actually do it.

Ryan smiled shyly at the audience on the screen, then turned his head back to face the window.

Seeing this, Countess of Crows didn't dare bother the boy again and could only angrily return to bickering with her viewers.

[Level 1 Superpowers: Heat Vision, Super Strength, Super Stamina, Super Vision, Super Hearing, Super Smell, Flight, Self-Healing, Minor Bio-electric Field]

[And one unique Level 4 Superpower: Steel Body]

Ryan's thoughts remained fixed on his own abilities.

As of now, he only possessed these ten skills.

Without Super Speed, Super Reflexes, Super Brain, or Freeze Breath, and unable to grow infinitely stronger by basking in the sun, his ceiling would be nothing more than a second Azu if not for the Best Actor System.

Thinking of Azu, Ryan couldn't help but recall the bursts of hearty laughter that had drifted into his dreams last night.

It seems he is very happy, so my choice was not wrong.

Change Homelander?

Ryan shook his head in his heart; the answer was a firm no.

A soul that has already taken shape is not something others can easily alter.

I only ask that he does not become any worse.

Bad enough that everyone hates him, opposes him, and tries every possible way to kill him—that should not be his ending.

After all, the last madman who attempted a massacre and dreamed of conquering the world...

If Azu truly walks down that dead end, his fate is predictable: certain death.

Ryan did not want to see that scene unfold, because he could feel that Azu truly wanted to pour his heart out to be good to him.

Whether it is tit for tat or heart for heart, in any case, he was determined to protect this man.

Therefore, the next step was to continue strengthening the public's adoration for Azu, rather than letting him become self-destructive and completely lose control as in the original plot.

As for the dirt on Azu that hadn't been exposed yet but was being held by others.

Thinking of this, Ryan turned his head to glance at Countess of Crows, whose cheeks were puffed up in anger at her livestream.

Little girl, your lucky day has arrived.

The arduous and crucial task of narrowing the distance between the public and Homelander, allowing the masses to see and feel a real Homelander bit by bit, would be left to you.

Ryan had thought it through even more clearly.

He wanted Azu to appear in the public eye more often, rather than always being the powerful, perfect, and unreachable super-idol from Vought's scripts.

At the same time, the more he appeared, the more Azu could slowly desensitize.

He would gradually grow accustomed to the gaze of ordinary people, accustomed to normal kindness and adoration, and would no longer collapse, fly into a rage, or fall into self-denial over a single doubt or a moment of neglect.

"What do you mean you can't find him!"

Inside the "Department of Public Opinion, Sentiment, and Public Image Monitoring"—referred to internally by staff as the Risk Control Group—everyone on the morning shift shivered at this low shout.

The head of the department shrank into the corner, wishing he had the superpower of Translucency.

As for Anika, the data tracking analyst being questioned by Azu, she was so terrified she couldn't even speak clearly.

"Si-si-sir, I looked, you saw, I, I searched every corner of the building, but I just couldn't... couldn't... ch-ch..."

Seeing the red glow in Homelander's eyes, her teeth began to chatter even harder.

"Keep looking!"

Azu commanded, enunciating every word: "Use every surveillance system to search the entire city, send out all field personnel and have them look too, you must find my son!"

"But... ch-ch... but, I, I need... authorization."

Whoosh! Crackle—

Azu couldn't help himself; a blast of Heat Vision instantly totaled a computer.

Although he desperately wanted to kill this damn, long-winded woman, there were too many people here; he couldn't kill them all.

"THEN-AUTHORIZE-IT!"

Anika looked pitifully toward her supervisor, and Azu followed her gaze.

The supervisor first flashed a sycophantic smile, then immediately picked up his phone without a word: "Hello, Vice President Ashley? I need Level 1 authorization to... WH-WHAT!!!"

"What is it now? Tell Ashley to get over here immediately." Azu's patience was nearing its end.

The supervisor wore a mournful expression. "Sir, Ashley, she's been... she's been laid off! The reason is... she's the high-level executive!"

Vought International, at the first-floor entrance.

Ashley was wailing as security guards tossed her out the door. She frantically tried to rush back in several times to beg Mr. Edgar, but was blocked every single time.

Completely crushed by fear, she collapsed to the ground, lost and helpless.

Having lost her position as Vice President of Hero Management, she also knew far too many secrets; at this very moment, she could feel the desperate sensation of being watched.

It's over!

There's no chance of a comeback this time. I, I'm dead!

Her phone rang, and a flash of wild joy exploded in Ashley's eyes. Is it Mr. Edgar? Does he regret it? Is there still room for negotiation?

She fumbled for her phone in a panic, not even bothering to check the caller ID, and answered instantly.

"Hello, Vice President Ashley? I need Level 1 clearance..."

"I've been laid off!"

"Damn it, An—no, no, no, dear Anton, you have to help me. Go tell Mr. Edgar that I'm not that high-level executive... Beep, beep... Hello?"

Ashley stood up, looking utterly soul-broken.

Everyone sweeps the snow from their own doorstep; hasn't Vought International always been like this?

Rather than pinning her hopes on these rotten people, she might as well find a place to jump and end it all, freeing herself from this endless torment and fear.

Just as Ashley was sinking into total despair, a familiar name suddenly rang out from behind the crowd gathered to watch the spectacle.

"Make way, please make way. Don't crowd, you're scaring Ryan."

Ryan!!!

Ashley snapped to her senses, her unfocused pupils suddenly contracting.

She knew Homelander too well.

He was a selfish, cold-blooded public idol with zero empathy, and she was nothing more than an expendable tool. Homelander would never fall out with Edgar over her.

But Ryan was different; he was a good boy.

He was a kind, gentle, pure child, like a little angel fallen to earth. He would surely sympathize with her plight and would certainly be willing to help her.

In this desperate situation, he was her last, her only straw to grasp!

Scalding blood instantly flooded her entire body, and her deadened frame was refilled with strength. Ashley shoved through the crowd like a madwoman, rushing toward the center.

"Get out of the way! All of you, get out of the way! Don't block me..."

She shrieked and shoved, pushing with all her might through the surging tide of people.

It felt like a long time had passed, yet also very brief, when Ashley suddenly felt the pressure in front of her vanish. She jerked her head up.

The boy, carefully shielded by a strange girl...

"Little Master Ryan!!!"