The remaining thugs closed in, while Jessica was like a tiger among sheep.
Though Homelander's special training had been painful, the results were obvious. She was faster now, and her reactions were sharper.
She used to rely on brute force and throw wild punches. Now, she understood how to cause the greatest damage with the least amount of effort.
One thug tried to sneak up behind her and stab a knife at her neck.
Jessica did not even turn around. As though she had eyes in the back of her head, she backhanded him across the face.
Smack!
The thug flew away like a spinning top, slammed into the wall, and embedded himself in the gaps between the bricks. No one could pry him loose.
She weaved through the crowd, every movement smooth and flowing, filled with a violent sort of beauty.
In just two minutes,
the ground was covered with groaning thugs.
In the end, only one thug remained. Holding a large-caliber energy cannon, he aimed it at Jessica with trembling hands.
"D-Don't... don't come any closer!!"
Jessica stopped and adjusted her breathing slightly.
She did not charge forward.
She glanced at Dave and gave him a look.
Dave immediately understood. He zoomed the camera in and gave Jessica a close-up of her face.
Jessica slowly raised her hand and made a gesture Homelander had taught her: one palm held upright, pressing down slightly.
The bearing of a grandmaster.
"Drop your weapon," she said flatly. "Or break a few bones."
The thug hurriedly threw down his gun, clutched his head, and lay facedown on the ground.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Heavy footsteps suddenly rang out from nearby.
A colossal figure stepped out from the shadows.
O'Neil Black, "Bone Chewer."
He was even more terrifying in person than in the photographs.