Soldier Boy gritted his teeth, lowered his center of gravity, and braced hard against the scorching shield. Bearing the terrifying heat and impact, he tried to force his way forward, close the distance, and fight at close quarters.
The battered shield could no longer withstand the searing, crushing force of the top-tier lasers. With a sharp crack, the metal shield broke straight through the middle, splitting in two.
The instant the shield shattered, Soldier Boy anticipated it perfectly and rolled neatly sideways, barely avoiding the remaining force of the lasers piercing through. He pushed off the ground and lunged forward, his clenched fist smashing toward Homelander's face with thunderous force.
Homelander's expression did not change. He reached out with precision and firmly caught Soldier Boy's incoming fist.
Both men felt a jolt of shock, their faces filled with disbelief.
Soldier Boy was astonished that his full-powered strike had been caught so easily with a bare hand.
Homelander was equally surprised. I just caught his attack like that?
The shock lasted only an instant. Savagery surged in Soldier Boy's eyes, and without hesitation, he raised his other fist and struck again with all his strength, his attack swift and fierce, without the slightest pause.
Yet the result was the same. Homelander raised his hand and caught it firmly, completely overpowering him.
Soldier Boy's brow furrowed deeply, his heart seething with anger, frustration, and resentment.
Damn it!
I still haven't recovered!
He had been imprisoned in Russia for decades, subjected to years of inhuman torture and brutal human experimentation. Vast quantities of drugs that suppressed his powers and broke down his physique had been pumped into his body year after year, leaving both his body and his powers ravaged.
Even as the strongest first-generation Supe, he could not repair decades of damage