Meanwhile, Axel approached Queen Maeve, who was beginning to look astonished.
Before she could speak, Axel grabbed her right hand, ripped off her wrist guard, and squeezed her wrist. Feeling the curve of her radius bone, he smiled, then raised his hand to cup her chin.
"I heard your wrist injury is an old one from when you saved someone in your youth?"
"Damn it, how do you know?!" Maeve exclaimed in surprise.
Her words were cut off as Homelander swooped in at top speed from afar, roaring, "How dare you!"
Crimson laser beams shot from his eyes, striking Axel squarely in the chest. Maeve instinctively prepared to dodge, knowing the blast could continue through him.
But Axel, feeling the scorching heat on his chest, simply nodded.
"Impressive, buddy. You still make me feel a bit of pain. Your laser is much stronger than I expected."
With that, Axel raised his right hand and grabbed Homelander's neck as the hero closed in.
Before Homelander could react, Axel slammed him to the ground and landed a crushing punch to his face.
Boom!
The first floor of Vought Tower shook violently, debris flying like waves across a storm-tossed sea. Axel sneered, "How dare I? Just like this," and before the dust could settle, stepped on Homelander's chest. He grabbed Homelander's right hand and yanked it hard.
Snap!
Homelander screamed, "Ah ah ah ah!"
"Don't rush," Axel said with a smile, pressing his foot over Homelander's mouth to cut off the scream. Then he grabbed the other hand.
Snap!
Gritting his teeth, Homelander shot into the sky, but Axel was ready. He grabbed an ankle mid-flight and slammed him back to the ground.
Boom!
Debris continued to surge, cracks forming along the outer walls of Vought Tower. Axel held Homelander's left calf and used his elbow to break it violently.
Rip!
Blood sprayed like arrows, and Axel held Homelander upside down, shaking him like a rag doll. He looked around at the stunned staff.
"I came here to join The Seven, not to slaughter them. So, can someone tell me where I sign up to become a hero admired by the public? I remember how you cheered for Homelander just now. I'd like a cheer too."
Despite his words, the crowd was frozen in terror. Only Queen Maeve swallowed hard and stepped forward.
"The CEO isn't here. The highest-ranking person is Vice President Madelyn. If you want to join The Seven, you just… speak to her."
Axel pressed, kicking Homelander—who was writhing in pain—hard in the head.
Boom!
Maeve nodded again. "I believe with your strength… Madelyn will agree. If you don't know the way, I can take you."
"Then I'll trouble you," Axel said, casually tossing Homelander aside. His body rolled until he landed near A-Train, gasping for breath. Axel waved to the crowd.
"Take care of them. I like both. The Seven must have seven members. If two are gone at once, what's the point of me joining?"
Laughing, Axel linked arms with a nervous Maeve and entered the elevator. As the doors closed, Maeve destroyed the surveillance cameras, then whispered, "Who exactly are you?"
"What do you mean, 'who exactly'? Don't tell me you think I'm some old relic." Axel patted her arm lightly. "I'm very young. Can't you see the vitality in me?"
Maeve swallowed, seeing not vitality but unmatched ferocity. This was Homelander, the invincible Homelander, and yet Axel had broken his hands and feet with ease.
"Alright, then I'll assume you're some kind of newly born miracle," Maeve said, catching her breath. "But damn, who leaked Compound V to make a monster like you?"
"Hehe," Axel replied, playfully slapping her cheek. "Good thing you corrected yourself quickly."
The elevator moved in silence, Maeve's heart racing. When it opened, she whispered, "This is The Seven Tower, reserved for the team. Madelyn is the direct supervisor. She should be here."
"Okay, I'll follow your lead. Joining The Seven is all that matters," Axel said with a grin.
They entered Madelyn's office.
"Who is it?" Madelyn called from the dressing room. Before Maeve could answer, Axel had already walked in. The stylist pushed the door open, glaring at him.
"I'm still working," she said sharply.
"Then if you're not working, can we chat?" Axel asked. He casually tore off her left hand and placed it into her right.
"Hold it, buddy. Maybe it can be reattached," he chuckled, patting her backside before pressing down on Madelyn's shoulder, who tried to rise.
"Ah ah ah ah!"
The stylist screamed. Maeve quickly ushered her out and explained to Madelyn, "This is… I don't know his name."
Axel chuckled. "Axel."
"Madelyn, this is Mr. Axel. He just twisted Homelander's hands and right leg, and Homelander is now in a coma. So… what do you think?"
===
Look up "_Zeph" on Patreon to get access to chapters in advance.