[Willis Pharmaceutical Company, Laboratory]
Dr. Kyle, wearing a biohazard suit and fitted with an electronic prosthetic eye, walked in and saw a corpse placed on the table, cut cleanly in half.
"Who did this?"
Dr. Kyle raised his head.
Everyone shook their heads.
One person said, "By the time we got there, Chimera No. 1 was already dead."
Dr. Kyle said in a deep voice, "Then here's the question, gentlemen. Why did Chimera No. 1 get out?"
"You're holding a Department of Defense budget, and you can't even keep track of a single test subject?"
A lab staff member said, "Doctor, we were also surprised. We didn't expect this test subject to endure it and undergo genetic mutation."
"The previous test subjects basically all died."
Dr. Kyle said, "I don't want to hear your explanations. In any case, this is an important project."
"I'm going to tell the Minister that the 'Super Soldier' project is fundamentally unworkable. Only my 'Chimera Project' is the real way to counter Homelander."
He looked at the corpse in the lab, walked over, and spoke in a low voice.
"Compound V is already quite mature, quite stable. There's no room left for improvement."
"Even if Dr. Vogelbaum racks his brain, he still won't be able to create a superhuman stronger than Homelander."
"Clinging to superhumans is not a viable path."
"I got my inspiration from the mutated residents of Sylvester Town. If we want to defeat a monster like Homelander, humanity has to create a monster of its own."
As he spoke, Dr. Kyle took out his tools and began collecting cell samples from the test subject, preparing for future research.
———
[You have successfully resolved this incident.]
[Disaster level assessment for this incident: E+]
["Successful" evaluation reward settlement: Dim Proficiency Essence ×38]
[Your shop has been updated with new items.]
Looking at the information displayed on his retina, Alex calmly opened the shop and checked the updated items.
[Your shop has been updated with a new item.]
[Mutant Gene Modification Serum · Druid]
[Description: A mutant serum infused with fragments of other biological genes. After use, it will modify the original genes and grant one chance of full-body restoration. After the modification is complete, the user can freely transform between three forms, Bearman, Werewolf, and Harpy, and possess different abilities.]
[Price: Dim Proficiency Essence ×60]
"Druid, huh…"
"Pretty convincing, actually."
"Yeah, this should suit Levin."
Alex exchanged for it and temporarily stored it in his inventory.
At this point, he only had 15 'Dim Essence' left, while his 'Proficiency Essence' still totaled 49.
Since he had no plans to upgrade talents for now and wasn't sure whether he'd need to purchase anything next, Alex didn't use up those Proficiency Essences.
He accelerated away. His First Cosmic Velocity immediately came into play, and in just a few seconds, he had already returned to the Seven Tower.
———
The next day, Alex convened a shareholders' meeting, mainly to announce that he had taken control of Vought and acquired Edgar's shares, and then stated that he would appoint a new CEO.
These matters were just formalities for him; basically no one dared to oppose.
So the meeting only took him about half an hour.
After returning to the Seven's command hall, Alex ran into Ashley. His assistant said nervously, "Homelander, someone from the CIA is here."
Alex was a bit surprised and gave a short "Oh," "Where are they?"
"In the command hall. It's Deputy Director Susan Raynor."
Ashley glanced toward the entrance of the command hall.
Alex smiled slightly and walked over with his hands behind his back.
'So it's the deputy director. If I remember right, in the original story, she got her head blown off by Victoria Neuman.'
'Poor thing.'
As he spoke, Alex walked into the command hall and saw a woman standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. He deliberately gave a light cough, and the woman turned around.
"Good morning, Homelander," Deputy Director Susan Raynor smiled brightly. Her eyes gleamed, like a leopard that had just caught its prey.
Alex clasped his hands behind his back, his smile warm and radiant, "Good morning, ma'am. What can I do for you?"
Susan Raynor chuckled, "I didn't expect Homelander to be such a gentleman."
"Yes."
"There's something I'd like to ask your help with."
Alex cast a 'True God's Eye' on the deputy director.
In his mind, her inner thoughts immediately sounded.
['Finally got you, damn Homelander. With Compound V in hand, let's see how you refuse to comply!']
'Compound V?'
'So this woman has already been in contact with Butcher?'
Alex's smile grew even brighter as he said, "What kind of help? As long as I can do it, I'll definitely help."
"It's my honor to serve the CIA. Besides, we're colleagues now, aren't we?"
Alex was referring to his identity as a supervising minister.
Susan smiled, and her inner thoughts were transmitted into Alex's mind, ['Ridiculous. That so-called Superhuman Supervision Department is just a useless office.']
['It was something the Minister came up with on the spot just to brush you off. And this clown is actually proud of it. How laughable.']
At the same time, the deputy director said, "Here's the thing. I'd like you to withdraw from the Department of Defense."
"At the same time, regarding your plan for superhumans to join the military, I hope your Vought company will terminate it on your own."
Alex walked to the deputy director's side, smiling as he said, "Oh? Then why should I withdraw from the Department of Defense?"
"I can't think of a reason why I should."
"I've already thought of one for you."
The deputy director took out a test tube filled with swirling blue liquid and placed it on the table.
"This is your company's Compound V. Don't tell me you don't know what it is!"
"You've been promoting that superhumans are chosen by destiny, chosen by God."
"But in reality, it's all a scam by your company. Unfortunately, Homelander, it looks like you're not some chosen one, and you're certainly not God."
"If you withdraw from the Department of Defense on your own, then I can keep this secret for you."
"Otherwise, I just happen to be attending a press conference. Maybe the media would be very interested in it."
Alex took a step back, "Wow, ma'am, you're impressive."
"You went straight for our weak point the moment you acted."
Seeing Alex's exaggerated expression, Raynor suddenly felt a bad premonition.
Then she saw the corners of Homelander's mouth curl upward. The smile was still there, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
"But I refuse, ma'am."
"I refuse to withdraw."
The deputy director said firmly, "Very well then. Looks like the only option is to let the world know this secret, to let them know what kind of filthy dealings your Vought company has been up to!"
After saying that, she picked up the test tube and walked toward the door.
Then she heard Alex speak.
"Go ahead. But let me lay it out for you, what kind of consequences would follow if you reveal this."
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