After Smith finished outlining the tournament format assignment, Eddie Brock raised his hand tentatively. "Boss, I have a proposal. Something that occurred to me while hosting the tournament and now managing the media company we acquired."
Smith gestured for him to continue. "Let's hear it."
Eddie glanced around the conference table, gathering his thoughts. Venom whispered encouragement in his mind, which didn't help his nervousness but at least showed support.
"My idea involves superheroes," Eddie began. "I've noticed that neither you, Boss, nor other public heroes have effectively monetized your personal image IP. There's a massive piracy market profiting from unauthorized merchandise."
He pulled out a tablet, displaying market analysis Venom had helped him compile. "The Fraternity has numerous extraordinary members. I'm proposing we form an official superhero team—seven members, matching the number of Dragon Balls for symbolic resonance."
Eddie's presentation gained confidence as he warmed to the subject. "This seven-person team would handle public-facing heroic activities. Punishing evil, protecting innocents, implementing the Fraternity's ideals. Meanwhile, the media company manages their public image—IP creation, brand development, media relations."
He swiped through revenue projections. "The potential income streams are substantial: fan economy, media copyright, advertising revenue, peripheral product sales, games and digital media, film and television adaptations."
Eddie met Smith's gaze directly. "The benefits are threefold. First, it promotes the Fraternity's ideals and normalizes extraordinary abilities in public consciousness. Second, it generates significant profit—the market for superhero IP could easily exceed one hundred billion dollars. DC Comics' revenue would pale in comparison to a real superhero team."
He paused, then continued. "Third, and most importantly, it addresses a growing need. Current superheroes like you, Iron Man, Blue Dynamo—you don't need the money. But as extraordinary people become more common, we'll see civilian heroes emerge. People with powers but not resources. This would provide them income and support."
Eddie's voice carried genuine passion now. "The wealth generated could fund charitable foundations. Superhero property insurance for collateral damage. Orphanages for children affected by superhuman conflicts. Relief organizations for disaster victims. We turn heroism into sustainable infrastructure."
Smith listened with growing interest, and a smile tugged at his lips. The proposal sounded very familiar. A corporate-managed superhero team consisting of seven members? Eddie had essentially described the plot of a TV series Smith remembered from his previous life—The Boys.
The difference was that Vought International had created their heroes artificially through Compound V injections during infancy, while Eddie proposed recruiting from genuinely extraordinary individuals.
Smith found the irony delicious. "Where would you recruit members for this seven-person team?"
Eddie smiled, clearly having thought this through. "Famous heroes like you and Tony aren't suitable. This team isn't worthy of your status—you're already beyond brand management."
He pulled up another slide. "My proposal: four to five team members recruited internally from the Fraternity. People we trust, who embody our values. The remaining two to three positions? Global open auditions."
Eddie's enthusiasm built. "The audition process itself becomes publicity. Media attention from day one, building IP and promoting ideals simultaneously. We're not just forming a team—we're creating a movement."
His expression grew slightly sheepish. "Though if you and Ivan Vanko would allow the company to manage your IPs—just licensing and merchandise, no public appearances required—it would tremendously help launch the brand."
Smith considered the proposal with genuine appreciation. A seven-person team with four to five Fraternity members ensured organizational control. The global selection process generated publicity while identifying talented individuals who might otherwise go unnoticed.
And with the World Martial Arts Tournament Announcer arriving soon via partner summon, Eddie would have more bandwidth for this project.
"Eddie, this is an excellent idea," Smith said, nodding approval. "I fully support forming the superhero team."
His tone grew serious. "However—and this is non-negotiable—the team's core values must align perfectly with the Fraternity's principles. No compromise. No wavering. These people represent us publicly."
Eddie nodded vigorously.
"For the open recruitment," Smith continued, "maximize public participation. Create a voting website where extraordinary candidates can showcase their abilities. Let the public vote for who they want on the team. Democracy meets hero worship."
Smith leaned back in his chair. "I'll license my IP to the company—genuine action figures, toys, that sort of thing. But no public appearances or promotional events. I'm not doing talk shows."
He smiled. "I'll speak with Ivan. He might be interested, especially if it includes his Baymax robots. As for Tony..."
Smith's smile widened. "I think he'd prefer investing in the company through IP licensing rather than direct management. Tell him it's a business opportunity. He responds better to profit motives than charitable appeals."
Eddie's eyes lit up with barely contained excitement. Getting licenses for GOD, Blue Dynamo, and Iron Man would make the company's launch explosive.
"Boss, what should we call the team?"
Smith felt a surge of transmigrator mischief. The setup was perfect—a corporate team of seven. But "The Boys" sounded too gritty for what they were building. They needed something that sounded expensive. Something that claimed superiority.
"The team will be called..." He paused for dramatic effect. "The Paragons."
Eddie blinked. "The... Paragons?"
Smith's expression remained perfectly serious. "The Paragons. Because they aren't just heroes, Eddie; they are the standard. The definition of excellence. The name implies that while other try their best, this team has already achieved perfection. It tells the public: these are the ones you look up to. It fits the corporate image—elite, untouchable, the absolute peak."
Eddie considered this, rolling the word around in his mind. Then, Venom apparently offered commentary because Eddie's expression shifted to a sharp, satisfied grin.
"Actually... yeah. The Paragons works. It sounds dominant. Superior. Venom says he likes the sound of being at the top of the food chain."
Smith hid his smile. "And the media company should rebrand as well. Change the name to Red Ribbon Corporation."
Eddie nodded, making notes on his tablet. "Red Ribbon Corporation. I like it—strong imagery, memorable branding. It pairs perfectly with The Paragons."
He looked up with genuine excitement. "Boss, if this works the way I'm projecting, Red Ribbon Corporation could become a second-tier company under Universal Capsule Company. Revenue potentially matching Vanko Industries within three years."
Smith could see Eddie's mind already racing ahead—publicity strategies, merchandising contracts, film rights negotiations. The man had found his calling.
"Everyone," Smith addressed the assembled leadership, "please support Eddie's proposal. Those of you who don't mind public exposure can contact him about joining The Paragons. Though remember—team membership won't be static. There'll be a rotation system to keep the roster fresh."
Around the table, reactions varied.
Wesley showed interest, his tactical mind already evaluating how public heroism could serve intelligence-gathering purposes.
Alexei practically vibrated with enthusiasm. The Red Guardian had spent years hoping his name would become as widely known as Captain America's. This was exactly the opportunity he'd been waiting for.
Yelena Belova exchanged glances with her adoptive father, clearly intrigued by the possibility of legitimate heroism after years as a controlled Black Widow asset.
Melina remained professionally neutral, but Smith suspected she'd counsel her daughter against joining. Too much public exposure created complications for someone with Yelena's background.
Eddie, meanwhile, was clearly hoping for heavy hitters. Selene and Michael Corvin would bring supernatural gravitas. John Wick's tactical genius combined with his Reaper symbiote. Wesley with Severance. Any of them would make the team formidable.
weight behind those words. "Understood, Boss. The Paragons will make you proud."