Another invitation!

Mesmer's gaze fell on the phone screen, and he instantly looked as though he had been struck by lightning. His face turned ashen, and his heart seemed to plunge into a bottomless abyss.

Why did that message have to arrive right now?

If he had simply insisted that he had said nothing, he might have had a slim chance of survival. But now, that message had sealed off every way out. No matter how he tried to explain himself, no one would believe him.

His survival instinct overwhelmed every last hope of getting lucky. Mesmer trembled like a leaf in the wind, the blood at the corners of his mouth smearing across his cheeks, leaving him a wretched sight. His voice broke into a sob as he pleaded hoarsely:

"I'll tell the truth! Don't kill me! Please, don't kill me! A-Train's been looking for that Frenchie all along. I only told him I had information, but I made it clear that I only dared tell Homelander. I didn't reveal a single thing to him! I just wanted Homelander to take me back to Vought... My daughter doesn't even know me anymore. Only if I go back to Vought and become a superhero again can I be there for her. Please understand, just this once!"

He babbled incoherently, tears mingling with blood as they streamed down his face. His abject desperation did seem somewhat genuine, but everyone present was already seething over his betrayal. No one felt the slightest pity.

Solomon shook his head, his eyes betraying not a flicker of emotion. He stepped forward, slung an arm around the still-dazed Hughie, and headed out of the alley, his tone as casual and laid-back as ever:

"What comes next isn't suitable for kids. Take your time dealing with it. I'll sit this one out."

Hughie still hadn't processed the confrontation or Mesmer's pleas. He stumbled along as Solomon pulled him away, when Butcher's ice-cold voice suddenly came from behind them, dripping with undisguised mockery and murderous intent:

"Understand? Of course I understand you. An animal like you shouldn't be alive."

No sooner had he spoken than a series of dull thuds came from behind them, muffled yet jarring.

Hughie instinctively tried to turn and look, but Solomon stopped him.

"Don't look."

Solomon's voice softened a little as he changed the subject.

"How have you been lately, Hughie?"

Hughie snapped out of his daze and swallowed, his face as white as paper, his voice still trembling.

"N-not great... Hiding in a basement every day, scared out of my mind. Every night, I'm afraid to sleep, afraid I won't wake up the next morning, afraid Homelander will suddenly show up at the door."

Solomon patted his shoulder and sighed softly. He could understand Hughie's torment. For an ordinary person caught up in a conflict between Supes, surviving this long was already lucky.

"Yeah, anyone would feel that way in your situation. But you're already in too deep. There's no getting out unscathed. Butcher's a ruthless bastard, but I have to admit, he can keep you alive."

Hughie forced a smile that looked worse than crying. A trace of melancholy entered his eyes, and his voice was full of longing. "Sometimes I really miss the old days, when I didn't have to hide, when I didn't have to live in fear every day..."

"What about you?"

He turned toward Solomon, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"You must be doing a lot better than us, right?"

Solomon paused, an almost imperceptible trace of amusement flashing through his eyes.

His life wasn't just a lot better. It was downright fantastic.

He had nothing to fear, spent every day right under Homelander's nose, and could fight Supes from time to time, growing stronger by the day. The feeling of doing as he pleased while steadily growing stronger was simply too satisfying.

But he didn't tell the truth, merely saying lightly:

"Not bad. A little better than you. After all, I'm not in as deep as you guys. Call me if you need help down the line. If it's within my power, I'll help."

Never forget who dug the well when you drink the water. He had always remembered that saying.

If not for Hughie and the others, he would never have had the chance to defeat Translucent, much less gained the strength he had now. Giving Hughie a hand was hardly any trouble.

Just then, Mother's Milk and Frenchie emerged from the alley. Mother's Milk still looked shaken as he approached Solomon, his voice full of gratitude:

"Shen, thank you so much! If you hadn't spotted Mesmer in time, word about us might already have reached Homelander. Then my family would've been in danger too. The consequences don't bear thinking about."

Solomon waved a hand and glanced into the depths of the alley. Butcher was still frantically gripping Mesmer's head and smashing it against the ground. The evening breeze carried over the pungent, nauseating smell of blood.

He looked away and offered a calm warning:

"Keep this up, and Vought's people will find you sooner or later. By the way, have you found any leads on Compound V?"

Mother's Milk glanced at Frenchie beside him. They exchanged a look before he said slowly:

"We found a package containing Compound V at the supermarket. We followed the trail and discovered it had been sent by a religious charity controlled by a Supe-the Samaritan's Embrace. That Supe's holding the Faith Expo tomorrow. We're planning to check it out. We might find more leads there. Shen, want to come?"

Solomon lowered his head in thought. The Faith Expo was already happening tomorrow. It seemed he wouldn't need to go to any more trouble helping Butcher and the others.

He had unexpectedly defeated Mesmer today and gained the ability to read memories.

As long as he could meet Ezekiel and make a little physical contact, he could easily read his memories and learn which hospital the Compound V had been shipped to. There was no need to go through all the hassle of visiting the expo with Butcher and the others. It would be both troublesome and inefficient.

"No. Follow the leads yourselves," he said firmly. "I don't want to get in too deep and bring trouble down on myself."

He had barely finished speaking when Butcher's irritating voice came from behind him, carrying a teasing edge.

"Oi, Shen, come on. We need you. We fucking need you!"

Solomon rolled his eyes hard and unceremoniously flipped him off over his shoulder, his voice full of impatience.

"Fuck you! Butcher, can't you fucking say anything else?"

Butcher wiped the blood spattered across his face and flashed a roguish grin, though there was a measure of sincerity in his attempt to recruit him:

"You've saved us twice. That's why we want you on the team. If that's not enough, I can lick it for you. Come on, Shen. We really need you!"

Frenchie, Mother's Milk, and Hughie all turned their eyes toward Solomon, their gazes full of anticipation.

Although Solomon hadn't spent much time with them, every time he showed up, he helped them solve a major problem. This time, he had outright saved all their lives. With Solomon joining them, they would undoubtedly feel far more confident about taking on Vought.