Soldier Boy looked thoughtful and said nothing.
He knew all too well what the supervillains were about.
Some time ago, Homelander had leaked Compound V to create supervillains and boost superheroes' prestige.
But Soldier Boy had already told him to stop. Homelander had readily agreed and promised to wipe out all the existing supervillains.
So what was the fat shopkeeper talking about?
There were still supervillains in several nearby cities. Had Homelander overlooked a few stragglers?
Just then, the news on the convenience store's television suddenly cut to another scene, and the anchor's grave voice rang out.
"Breaking news: multiple Supe criminals have recently been moving through the areas surrounding New York, committing crimes.
"Police say their identities and motives remain unknown, but they can confirm that these individuals are not acting alone and may well belong to an organization. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and contact the police immediately with any information."
On the screen, one horrifying crime scene photograph appeared after another. The brutality was appalling.
Soldier Boy put down his beer bottle. Multiple Supe criminals? An organization behind them, too?
He keenly sensed something amiss.
Even if some supervillains had slipped through the net, they would be a scattered rabble. They could not have formed an organization.
The news continued, the images on the television constantly changing.
Flame-ravaged ruins, devastated streets, wrecked vehicles, victims' families weeping bitterly.
As he watched, an unpleasant suspicion surfaced.
"Is this the work of Compound V leaked in the past, or Homelander?"
A cold light flashed in Soldier Boy's eyes. If it was the former, that was fine. He could simply kill those supervillains.
But if it was the latter... that would be terrible.
Homelander was paying lip service while secretly continuing to create supervillains.
"Let's hope it isn't him," Soldier