"Sorry, no offense intended, but Idol, why didn't you ask him about his previous criminal details? Maybe there's other intelligence that could help us."
"Oh."
Shawn glanced at the pile of rotten meat on the ground and immediately stopped paying attention. "This guy's name is Ezra Barrett. After the police wake up, you can have them look into it. I believe there will be results."
Being chopped into two pieces so brutally, identification might be difficult.
Hearing Superman say this, Drummer Boy scanned the crowd still sleeping at the scene and couldn't help asking, "You aren't going to wait for them to wake up before you leave?"
Shawn nodded. "Mm."
Drummer Boy was puzzled.
He didn't understand. Isn't becoming a superhero about hoping to maintain order while letting more people know and worship you?
Leaving now, they won't know about your great achievements when they wake up.
Shawn smiled slightly and took a look at this kid.
[Name]: Alex Williams (Drummer Boy)
[Gender]: Male
[Age]: 15
[Abilities]: Sonic Clap LV3, Physical Enhancement LV1, Supersonic LV0
[Evaluation]: City-level. Both physical fitness and speed have decent potential. Can clap hands to emit sonic wave attacks; a Superhuman waiting to grow.
Drummer Boy was still very young and far from being fully grown.
With this tiny bit of strength, it's understandable that he was toyed with by Bat-Freak and almost lost his life.
Fortunately, the result was satisfactory, and the process was commendable.
Shawn saw humility, sincerity, and perseverance in him—qualities rarely seen in the world of The Boys.
Nothing else to say about that.
It's just that this guy's outfit is a bit familiar; seems like I've seen it somewhere?
"Having you here is enough."
Facing Drummer Boy's question, he patted the other's shoulder and said with a smile, "You performed well just now, Alex. Faced with potential danger, you didn't turn a blind eye; instead, you chose to step forward. You are a true hero."
"By the way, give that young man sleeping over there a slap."
'Shoo—!'
Without waiting for the boy to answer, Shawn put his hands behind his back, turned into a red and blue streak of lightning, rose into the air, and vanished into the sky in an instant.
Drummer Boy stared blankly at the night sky, where a conspicuous trail had been cut through the clouds far in the distance.
"Superman..."
A moment later, he murmured softly, "Now, you really are my idol."
He looked at the two patrol officers on the ground. Dalton, the middle-aged man in a cowboy hat, was snoring like thunder, while young Brad was frowning as if having a nightmare. His sleeping posture was good, but if his guess was right, that was who Superman was talking about.
Drummer Boy hesitated for a moment, then walked over without any psychological burden. "To have the righteous Superman say that, your character must be terrible, kid."
'Pa~~!!'
His slap was very forceful.
Brad was forced awake in a daze. He felt his right cheek numb and swollen. "I feel like I've been punished. Is this hell?"
Compared to his delirium, the others were much luckier.
More than half an hour later, the hallucinogenic pheromones remaining in their bodies were completely expelled.
Everyone woke up with lingering fear.
Senior Officer Marcus looked at the body camera that had been on the whole time, his expression indescribable, like he was constipated: "We were fighting against thin air for half a day?"
Fortunately, everyone was still alive, and they all knew why they had survived.
The position where Marcus had laid down was quite deliberate; key figures had ended up in the frame by the end.
...
America International Channel: "We now interrupt with a morning news flash. The world-shocking 'V'-shaped serial dismemberment murder case was solved early this morning. The killer has been confirmed as a Superhuman named Ezra Barrett. He drifted through many places and, while continuing his crimes in Rendell Town, Texas, he was discovered by the town's patrol officers. He was eventually killed by the superhero 'Drummer Boy' and 'Superman,' who arrived upon hearing the news."
"Town police revealed that they rushed to the scene the moment they received the report and engaged in a fierce gunfight with the killer but were outmatched. 'Drummer Boy' subsequently appeared and played an extremely important role, while Superman was the one who sealed the deal, saving everyone's lives."
A video from a body camera was released.
Although the beginning and end were cut, it was edited fairly and restored the course of events relatively authentically.
Viewers of the video could truly feel the danger when the gunshots rang out, the helplessness of the law enforcement officers when they fell into a state of confusion, and the heart-stirring moment when the two superheroes arrived to save the day.
The video's view count exploded, and there were all kinds of comments underneath.
"What exactly is the background of the killer, Ezra Barrett?"
"Bro, the police report is already out. This is a tough character who can kill without a trace!!"
"No wonder he was hard to catch. Ezra's Superpower allows him to secrete sweat glands and odors that make anyone who smells them fall into chaotic illusions!!"
"More case details exposed; many of the dismembered victims had smiles on their faces until death."
"Shit, just reading the text scared the piss out of me!"
"Thanks to the law enforcement officers, thanks to Drummer Boy, thanks to Superman!!!"
At this point in the comments, the focus of the public's attention suddenly changed.
"Drummer Boy, that lead singer of the all-superhero boy band'Super-Sweet'?"
"What a piece of shit name. I almost forgot that group existed."
"That's him. I heard that because his popularity was declining, he had a huge falling out with Vought Music. I didn't expect him to still be silently sticking to his duties as a superhero."
"Drummer Boy is the best idol singer. He is not only powerful, but his former hit 'Make My Kiss Rock' is also my favorite song to listen to!!"
"Heh, you fans just shout slogans but don't pay up. Vought International is already considering terminating the contract renewal with Drummer Boy. It's said that he has developed serious psychological problems."
"The information above is false. Vought International cares for and protects every hard-working superhero, and the contract renewal with Drummer Boy is currently in progress!"
Where there are fans, there is disdain.
Because of Vought International's positioning, Drummer Boy's previous reputation was polarized. Some people saw the video and the mocking voices grew even louder.
"Heh, powerful? How could you tell?"
"The way he was fighting the air in the dark looks exactly like my neighbor with Down syndrome."
"Really laughed my ass off. Drummer Boy standing there shouting slogans at the wall is just so uncool and cringe-inducing!!"
"There's a reason Vought isn't renewing his contract..."
"A sweet boy can't beat a criminal; isn't that a normal thing?"
...
It's hard to imagine what Drummer Boy's mood would be if he were checking his mentions with anticipation and saw this video.
But there is no doubt that bad publicity is still publicity.
A topic of heated public discussion represents traffic and exposure, and being controversial makes people remember him more.
This washed-up singer and superhero, who had originally faded from the public eye, was now once again receiving attention.
Vought International's superhero brand department is likely already taking action at this moment, striving to reconnect with him.
In the storm of public opinion, a small group of people remained clear-headed.
"As ordinary people, I applaud the law enforcement officers of Rendell Town. A vicious criminal that even the FBI and the heroes under Vought couldn't capture was tracked down by them."
"I'm a local from Rendell Town. There were two patrol officers in there; their marksmanship is excellent!!"
"Is no one paying attention to Superman? His final save was really too cool!"
"Superman has never let anyone down!"
"Did you see Superman's Heat Vision? I feel like his strength is comparable to Homelander!"
"It's a pity he's not like other heroes; he doesn't accept interviews at all."
"I don't believe there is such a righteous superhero in the world."
"To the guy above, do you dare say that to Superman's face?!"
"Video verified as authentic. Does anyone know what Superman said to Drummer Boy before he flew away?"
...
In Rendell Town, the Subway store in the southern district suddenly became extremely popular.
After mainstream media reported that they had bravely fought the Superhuman criminal and successfully survived, this place soon became a local hotspot.
Even tourists from other surrounding areas came here, wanting to see for themselves what kind of badass characters these two part-time patrol officers were.
Expert marksmen? And part-timers at that?! We're all ordinary people, so how can your lives be so cool?!
People kept coming over to greet Brad.
Over these past few days, Brad had gotten used to it.
All the changes were because of Superman.
He, Brad, had once again had close contact with Superman.
Before, Brad was just an average fan of Superman, but now, like Dalton, he had become his most loyal supporter.
"Superman saved my life and even specifically asked Drummer Boy to bring me a message. That's what you call a connection!"
At first, seeing that most of the internet was praising Superman, the two felt a sense of pride, which matched their impression of Superman.
But as the topic gained traction, they gradually realized something was wrong. The positive comments about Superman were actually being drowned out by a large number of internet trolls!
As time passed.
The focus of attention shifted to the devastating impact that uncontrollable Superhuman crime had brought to the world, and how Vought International conducts professional training for superheroes.
Who the fuck is interested in these topics?!
A major case that ended a vicious Superhuman crime, with no losers.
But the drawbacks of wild, individual heroes were fully exposed.
Except for the spontaneous actions of ordinary people, no other large institutions or organizations spoke up to vouch for Superman.
"These pieces of shit, they really have the nerve!!"
Brad's face was still half-covered with bandages, and he gritted his teeth: "They still refuse to acknowledge Superman's contribution to society, thinking that his actions disrupt order!"
In comparison, Dalton seemed much calmer.
He was busy installing a new sign for his small shop. After fixing the huge logo of 'House of Superman' at the very top of the shop, he said with a smile, "Their mouths belong to them; who cares what they say?"
"Take a look..."
Dalton climbed down the ladder and looked up to observe the shop's new name, showing a satisfied smile after a moment.
He took a puff of his cigarette and asked Brad, "Do you think Superman will like it if he sees this name?"
Brad looked at the eye-catching logo, which was red and blue, the same color as Superman's combat suit, and was a bit uncertain.
"I think Shawn is right. If Superman finds out, he'll definitely ask us for an endorsement fee."
"Hahahaha~~!!!"
Looking at the customers coming in and out of the front door, which had increased several times over, Dalton laughed heartily and proudly: "Forget the endorsement fee; even if I had to give the whole shop to Superman, I'd be willing."
Brad curled his lip: "When are you not just saying nice things?"
Dalton didn't care at all. "This is the 'House of Superman.' In the future, it will be open to all righteous people. Get what I mean? Superman cannot be the only one fighting. While he is busy punishing evil and promoting good, there should be a group of equally warm-hearted people behind him, clearing the thorns and obstacles for him, blocking all the backstabbing arrows and slander!"
Brad couldn't believe it; this old guy was actually smart for once.
He murmured, "Buddy, you want to be the one who speaks up for Superman?"
"Not me, it's us—it's everyone who will join the 'House of Superman' in the future."
Dalton adjusted the cowboy hat on his head and looked at the new logo, his eyes full of smiles, as if he saw some kind of delightful future.
He said firmly, "Moving forward on the right path, one day grievances and misunderstandings will be left behind. People will eventually understand that Superman's justice and persistence are exactly what they have been pursuing all along!!"
Brad was silent. He looked at the new shop name, and a light gradually rose in his eyes.
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