Dismissing the information panel visible only to himself, Richard observed Hughie standing paralyzed at the roadside. The young man remained frozen in shock, clutching the severed hands of his girlfriend Robin—the only parts of her that remained intact.
Just moments ago, Hughie had been envisioning a beautiful future with Robin. In an instant, she had been reduced to bloody fragments by a passing "superhero."
The speedster responsible appeared equally stunned by the accident. Covered in Robin's blood and viscera, he resembled a butcher fresh from a slaughterhouse rather than a beloved public figure.
"I'm sorry, I can't stop. I can't stop," the blood-spattered A-Train stammered, briefly removing his stylish blue-and-white goggles to address the traumatized Hughie.
After this halfhearted apology, he replaced his goggles, continued muttering "I can't stop" like a mantra, and activated his super-speed, vanishing down the street in a blur.
Only after A-Train had completely disappeared did Hughie gradually emerge from his stupor, crying out Robin's name with anguished desperation.
Though Hughie represented a central character in The Boys universe—arguably its protagonist—Richard found himself disinterested in the man's plight. Setting aside that Hughie currently existed as an ordinary civilian, Richard doubted he would find the man compelling even after Compound V granted him teleportation abilities.
Compared to Hughie, Richard's attention focused more intently on Starlight, who would soon join the Seven.
After a dispassionate glance at the grieving Hughie, Richard teleported without hesitation from the bloody street scene to a rooftop in the city center.
From this elevated vantage, he easily located Vought Tower—the iconic headquarters of both Vought International and the Seven. Though Richard harbored little affection for Vought as an organization, he acknowledged their exceptional talent for promoting and packaging "superheroes."
Even individuals with unremarkable abilities could become household names after receiving Vought's marketing treatment. The Deep exemplified this phenomenon perfectly. Evaluated objectively as a mutant, Deep would barely qualify as Delta-level. Yet through Vought's strategic packaging and promotion, he had secured a position among the world's premier superhumans.
Contemplating the distant Vought Tower, a strategy rapidly crystallized in Richard's mind.
Unlike his previous world challenge, this mission allowed a six-month timeframe. While half a year provided substantial latitude, becoming this universe's most famous superhero within that period would require careful planning.
Had the challenge demanded he become recognized as the strongest superhuman, the path would have been straightforward—publicly eliminating all Seven members would suffice. But strength and fame represented entirely different metrics.
Attaining recognition for superior strength required only demonstrating overwhelming power. Achieving fame as a superhero, however, necessitated appropriate packaging and publicity. Even possessing extraordinary abilities wouldn't guarantee celebrity status without strategic promotion.
Though Vought International operated with questionable ethics, they had indisputably mastered superhero marketing and image cultivation. Utilizing Vought's established promotional channels would significantly streamline Richard's path to completing this world challenge.
After brief consideration, Richard established his initial objective: joining the Seven.
Once accepted into their ranks, Vought would deploy its considerable resources toward promoting and packaging him. As for securing membership? The solution seemed elegantly simple—create another vacancy within the group.
If Richard's recollection proved accurate, Starlight would soon join the Seven, replacing the "departed" Lamplighter and becoming their newest member. Starlight's entry had resulted from her participation in a superhero audition conducted by Vought, where she garnered the highest popularity rating.
Though these auditions remained ongoing, Richard had no intention of securing his position through conventional channels. He envisioned a more direct approach to Seven membership: eliminating a current member—perhaps A-Train, Deep, or Translucent—thereby creating an opening.
With this vacancy established, he would approach Vought's leadership—either CEO Stan Edgar or Vice President Madelyn Stillwell—and persuade them to approve his admission.
Edgar and Stillwell weren't naturally compliant personalities, but this posed no significant obstacle. Between physical intimidation and telepathic manipulation, Richard possessed ample means to secure their cooperation.
Decision made, Richard contemplated which Seven member would make the most strategic target for elimination.
Homelander and Queen Maeve were immediately excluded from consideration.
Regarding Homelander, premature elimination of this universe's effective "final boss" would diminish the experience's overall entertainment value. Traditionally, one saved the ultimate challenge for last.
As for Queen Maeve, Richard's dismissal stemmed from practical considerations rather than personal preference. Though essentially this universe's Wonder Woman analog, Maeve fell significantly short of Diana's appearance and capabilities. Richard excluded her not from any particular interest, but to prevent Starlight from becoming the Seven's sole female member, which would further imbalance the team's already skewed gender ratio.
Having ruled out Homelander and Queen Maeve, Richard evaluated his remaining options: Deep, A-Train, Translucent, and Black Noir.
After brief deliberation, he selected the Deep as his target. Though the character featured prominently in the series, his abilities remained unimpressive.
Richard's decision to eliminate Deep and create his Seven opening stemmed not only from the aquatic hero's limited power set but from another crucial consideration: preventing Deep from sexually assaulting Starlight on her first day with the team.
In the Boys universe, only one female character truly captured Richard's interest: Starlight.
As for the others—Queen Maeve, Stormfront, Popclaw—they failed to intrigue him. Richard freely acknowledged his lustful nature, but his appetites weren't so indiscriminate that any woman would suffice. Though driven by desire, he maintained particular standards.
Decision made, Richard wasted no time. He immediately deployed his telepathy, focusing on Vought Tower in the distance.
He couldn't confirm whether the Deep currently occupied the building, but even if absent, someone inside would know his whereabouts.
With minimal effort, Richard extended his telepathic scan throughout the entire tower. Fortune smiled upon him today—after a brief mental sweep of the premises, he successfully located the Deep.
Having locked onto his target, Richard initiated teleportation without hesitation.
In an instant, Richard materialized like a specter within the Deep's private quarters. The aquatic hero stood before a large aquarium, admiring the exotic fish within while scrolling through his phone, likely checking his social media presence and Vought approval ratings.
Absorbed in his narcissistic routine, the Deep initially failed to notice Richard's arrival. Only when one of the fish darted nervously to the corner of the tank did the Deep catch Richard's reflection in the glass.
Though startled by the unannounced visitor—and perplexed as to how he had bypassed security—the Deep quickly composed himself, attempting to project the confidence expected of a member of The Seven.
"How did you get in here? This area is restricted." The Deep's voice carried a forced authority, masking his evident discomfort. "If you're from PR, you should've called ahead. Vought has protocols."
Richard offered no response. Instead, he slowly raised his right hand.
Hellfire!
Before the Deep's bewildered eyes, Richard summoned a finger-thick tendril of hellfire above his extended index finger, the supernatural flame casting eerie shadows across the room.
Is he another supe? The Deep's expression shifted from annoyance to genuine concern at the sight of the dancing flame.
Before he could voice further objections or call for backup, the hellfire streaked from Richard's hand like a bullet, striking the Deep's chest with unerring precision.
"ARGHHH!" The hellfire's searing heat elicited an agonized howl as excruciating pain consumed the Deep's entire body. He staggered backward, colliding with his prized aquarium.
Though his powers ranked unimpressively among the Seven, years as a public "hero" had honed the Deep's survival instincts. Enduring the scorching pain in his chest, he instinctively swatted at the flames while lurching toward the aquarium, intending to extinguish the fire with water.
His reasoning followed common logic—water traditionally quenched flames.
Unfortunately, he failed to understand that Richard's summoned fire was no ordinary combustion, but hellfire drawn from infernal depths. This supernatural flame defied natural laws, capable of incinerating souls. Neither aquarium water nor even the depths of the ocean could extinguish hellfire before its energy naturally depleted.
Richard neither prevented the Deep's desperate self-preservation attempts nor silenced his screams. Instead, he calmly teleported from the room, abandoning the doomed hero to his fate.
Though Richard departed, the hellfire enveloping the Deep intensified rather than diminished. Within mere seconds, it completely engulfed the aquatic hero, reducing him to ash where he stood.
From Richard's appearance to the Deep's complete incineration, less than ten seconds elapsed.
As the Deep's remains settled as ash upon the floor, urgent knocking thundered against his chamber door. The familiar voice of Vought security personnel called out, responding too late to the hero's final screams.
In the CEO's office on Vought Tower's 82nd floor, Richard reclined in the visitor's chair, regarding Stan Edgar—Vought International's current chief executive—with unnerving composure.
Rather than teleporting away after eliminating the Deep, Richard had materialized directly within the executive suite. His unexpected appearance caused Edgar, previously engrossed in document review, to frown slightly.
Though Edgar couldn't identify his visitor, he immediately recognized Richard as another superhuman.
Before Edgar could speak, Richard preemptively addressed him. "Allow me to introduce myself briefly. I'm Richard Wesley, a superhuman."
"I intend to join the Seven and enjoy the privileges of superhero status."
"As Vought's CEO, arranging this should prove trivial for someone of your influence."
"Regarding available positions, you needn't concern yourself. Before our meeting, I eliminated the Deep, creating a suitable vacancy within the Seven's roster."
The Deep is dead? Edgar's expression grew complicated upon hearing this declaration.
After several moments of measured silence, he responded cautiously. "And if I decline your proposition?"
"Simple. You'll accompany the Deep to hell," Richard stated with chilling indifference.
Though Richard could easily have employed telepathy to manipulate Edgar's subconscious thoughts, he deliberately chose not to. Having already embraced his attitude, pretense seemed unnecessary.
Direct intimidation aligned more naturally with his approach than subtle mental tampering.
"I don't know who you are, but I—" Edgar began.
Richard interrupted before he could complete his thought. "Life is precious. Consider your words carefully before proceeding."
"Furthermore, don't place hope in Homelander's intervention. I've confirmed he's currently absent."
"Even were he present, he couldn't save you."
Richard's measured tone carried absolute certainty.
For ordinary individuals, Homelander represented an insurmountable force. For Richard, however, a single Octoslash would reduce the flag-caped "hero" to dismembered fragments.
Edgar studied Richard with an increasingly complex expression, multiple scenarios clearly racing through his analytical mind.
Though unable to gauge Richard's true capabilities, one fact appeared evident: Richard genuinely dismissed Homelander as a significant threat. His expression, tone, and demeanor radiated absolute confidence.
After more than ten seconds of deliberation, Edgar ventured, "If you truly surpass Homelander, I could arrange your admission to the Seven, but—"
Once again, Richard curtly interrupted. "Let me clarify. I'm not requesting—I'm commanding."
"You will comply with my directive."
"This isn't a negotiation, and I'll entertain no additional conditions. Should you find existence wearisome, I'm perfectly willing to facilitate Vought's leadership transition."
Had a deceased Edgar offered equivalent utility to a living one, Richard wouldn't have bothered with this extended dialogue.
Observing Richard's mounting impatience, Edgar frowned. "If you're joining the Seven, surely I should understand what abilities you possess?"
"I command every power Homelander possesses, and at superior levels," Richard replied.
"Moreover, I wield numerous abilities beyond his repertoire."
"Super strength, enhanced durability, super speed, heat vision, enhanced senses, pyrokinesis, electrokinesis, aerokinesis, cryokinesis, teleportation, telepathy—all number among my capabilities."
"Since seeing supersedes believing, I'll provide a demonstration."
Without further preamble, Richard teleported directly beside Edgar. Before the executive could react, Richard gripped his shoulder and teleported them both to a position hundreds of kilometers distant, suspended high above a dense forest.
"Pay close attention," Richard instructed Edgar. "What you're about to witness occurs but once in a lifetime."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more than 60 chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~