New York, Homelander's suite in Vought Tower.
Jessica appeared directly in the spacious bedroom via Blink.
At this time, Miss Skynet had only just left.
Homelander hadn't had time to put on his clothes yet. He sat naked on the edge of the bed, holding a glass of warm after-action milk, preparing to take a sip.
Jessica saw Homelander sitting on the bed at a glance, an excited light flashing in her eyes.
She thought Homelander was specifically waiting for her to return to continue the two-person interaction that Skynet had just interrupted.
"I knew you wouldn't be satisfied so easily."
A cool, wicked smirk appeared on Jessica's face as she spoke, tearing open the tight battle suit she was wearing.
Homelander's hand, holding the milk glass, froze in mid-air.
Looking at Jessica, who lunged back onto the bed like a leopardess, a trace of imperceptible helplessness flashed in his eyes.
He sighed secretly in his heart and silently placed the milk glass back on the nightstand.
One hour later.
Jessica walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a bath towel. While drying her wet hair with a towel, she reported everything that happened in Puerto Rico and the details of Skye's disappearance to Homelander.
After listening, Homelander nodded slightly.
"Coulson's team is very professional; they can handle the search."
"Now, I have a new mission for you. This matter is extremely important," Homelander said solemnly.
Jessica stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Homelander.
"A new job?"
"That's right. Hidden in the World is a dark organization called 'The Hand'." Homelander's tone became serious.
"They have existed for centuries, committing all kinds of evil. Their reach extends across the globe, they hide deeper than HYDRA, and their operations are extremely secretive."
"The Hand?" Jessica frowned. "Sounds like the name of a third-rate gang."
"Much more troublesome than a gang," Homelander said coldly. "Assassinations, trafficking, organs, drug manufacturing—they're involved in everything."
"Most importantly, this organization possesses a magical item known as 'Dragon Bone'. They use it to resurrect the dead and brainwash them into their puppets. For centuries, they have harmed countless lives in the World."
A hint of surprise flashed in Jessica's eyes. "Resurrection? Does such a thing really exist?"
"It exists. So your priority moving forward is to keep a close eye on this organization." Homelander emphasized, "Find their lair. Then, destroy them completely."
"As for the Dragon Bones in their possession... they must be kept safe and handed over to me. This thing will be of great use in protecting Earth."
Jessica nodded seriously. "Understood. Looking for trouble with gangs is something I'm good at. Where should I start looking?"
"No need to start from scratch." Homelander smiled slightly. "I've arranged for an informant to infiltrate the interior of The Hand."
"You can work together from the inside and out. Skynet will send all the intelligence to your terminal later."
Homelander paused and continued to instruct.
"During the mission, if you encounter talents with special abilities, you can evaluate them and consider recruiting them into Vought's ranks."
Jessica carefully noted these instructions.
After explaining the mission details, Homelander gently stroked Jessica's cheek and said in a heavy tone:
"Jessica, although the Skrull crisis has passed and human society seems to have returned to peace, it is actually riddled with holes and lurking dangers everywhere."
"I am in the spotlight and need to guard against unknown threats from outer space; I don't have the energy to clean up this darkness within Earth."
"Therefore, I need someone I can absolutely trust to help me clear out these poisonous insects hiding in the dark."
Homelander gazed affectionately into Jessica's eyes.
"That person is you, my love. Without you, I cannot support this World alone."
Looking at the "weary tenderness" in Homelander's eyes, Jessica's heart was repeatedly struck by emotion and heartache.
"I will do it well." Jessica held Homelander's hand, her voice gentle and firm. "As long as it's what you want..."
But a hint of irrepressible reluctance still flickered in her eyes.
"But if that's the case, we'll have much less time to see each other in the future."
Homelander immediately put on an inseparable expression, pulling Jessica tightly into his arms with his chin resting on the top of her head.
"I know it's hard, Jessica. I also wish I could see you every day." Homelander's words were full of helpless tenderness.
"But we are superheroes who protect humanity; being together normally is a luxury. With great power comes great responsibility."
"Our sacrifice today is so that all of humanity can have a tomorrow without fear. Once we have settled all of this..."
"...I will give you what you want, I promise."
Homelander's suggestive hint was like a shot of adrenaline, making Jessica's heart race and her blood boil.
Prompt! Gained special popularity value +20,000! (From Jessica Jones)
"I... I'll go prepare right now! The Hand... they're dead meat!"
She stood on her tiptoes and gave Homelander a deep kiss on the lips.
"Wait for my good news."
Then, Jessica got dressed and disappeared from the room with a "shua" sound.
Seeing that Jessica had left, the affection on Homelander's face vanished instantly.
He picked up the glass of after-action milk again and tilted his head back to drink it all in one gulp.
He then lay back on the bed, staring at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, and sighed inwardly.
"Holy shit, even for Superman, the ammunition depot isn't inexhaustible..."
Just then, a voice from deep within the Earth echoed in the air of the room.
"Great Master."
"Yes, Ego." Homelander recognized Ego's voice. "Is there progress?"
"As you expected, Master." Ego reported the progress with a hint of uncontrollable excitement.
"Through the infiltration of divine power during this time, I have reached a balance of life levels with this God seedling."
"So, you can begin the assimilation?" Homelander asked.
"Yes, Master." Ego's tone became serious. "I am ready for the final assimilation. But I must remind you..."
"...Once I complete the assimilation, Arishem the Judge, the Ancient God responsible for seeding this Planet, will surely sense the abnormality immediately."
Ego's warning was not alarmist.
Arishem the Judge is one of the oldest beings in the Universe; his wrath can easily wipe out a galaxy.
"He will surely descend upon Earth," Ego added. "You need to be prepared to face this ancient deity."
But there was no fear on Homelander's face.
"Go ahead and assimilate him, Ego." Homelander gave the command to the air. "As for Arishem the Judge..."
"...I will make him debut in the center position."