Butcher immediately understood what place Jordan was referring to.
A nightclub that provided special services to superhumans. People without connections couldn't even find out which way the door faced.
A knowing smile appeared on his face. At this moment, Jordan was no longer quite so intimidating in his eyes.
After all, what kind of good person rushes to a place like that?
"And what about the compensation?" Butcher leaned back in his chair, feeling he'd regained control. "I think we should be trading on equal terms?"
Jordan ignored him, picked up a napkin, and scribbled on it with his fingernails dampened with water.
"Didn't you dream of bringing down Homelander and Vought International?"
Upon hearing that name that caused him such heartache, Butcher sniffed hard, his face visibly darkening.
"Oh right, I almost forgot you investigated me," he said, a smirk playing on his lips, revealing his signature menacing smile. "Yeah, so what?"
"Let's talk about some really exciting news."
Jordan handed over the napkin, which Butcher took and read aloud with a puzzled look. "Compound V? What is this? A new miracle drug?"
"The Samaritan's Embrace, a charity funded by Vought Corporation. You know it, right?"
"Of course. Their 'leader' Ezekiel is that pervert who shouts against homosexuality but often sleeps with three or four men at once. He also frequents the place you're going to."
"Every year, that organization sends free charity packages to children's hospitals around the world under the name of 'polio vaccine.'"
"What do you mean?"
Butcher frowned, and as a former special agent, he quickly grasped the key point. "You sayin' those vaccines are actually all Compound V?"
"Yes. This substance is the key to creating superhumans. Go to the nearest large children's hospital, take a look at the newborns who need critical care in their intensive care unit, and you'll understand."
"Remember to find one where Vought security personnel are stationed."
Butcher's hand holding the napkin trembled slightly. Jordan's meaning was already crystal clear. He was practically saying it outright.
Even a complete novice could guess the truth.
Are the superhuman heroes under Vought Corporation actually mass-produced using this so-called Compound V and human babies as materials?
Since it was illegal activity carried out covertly, there were bound to be many failed cases every year.
Where did the babies who failed the experiment go?
Oh, these heartless bastards...
If this news was true, then it really was—
This is amazing!
Based on the information available, Butcher immediately connected it to more shady dealings.
A hint of excitement flashed in his eyes, and he even ignored Jordan, suddenly getting up to leave.
As if I don't exist, right?
Just as Butcher took his first big step, he was stopped in his tracks and found that his body had suddenly lost control. He couldn't move at all.
It feels like being gagged by this damn guy in the alley!
Butcher, whose only movable part was his eyes, glared fiercely at Jordan. The hope of revenge was right in front of him. He would even dare to bite Homelander himself at this point.
"You just said it was a fair trade, and the deal isn't finished yet. We can talk about anything else after tonight."
Jordan also stood up, pouring cold water on the crazed avenger in front of him.
"Find me a hotel room now. I need to rest for a while."
"Oh, and remember to pay the bill."
Butcher staggered for a moment, then found that he'd suddenly regained control of his body.
He swallowed back the curses that were about to spill from his mouth, straightened his collar, and put the napkin with "Compound V" written on it into his pocket.
"You're right. Fair trade."
With that, he strode toward the counter.
Vought Tower, 82nd Floor
Edgar, the CEO, stood by the window with his back to the door, looking down at New York City.
His secretary was reporting the day's latest news when Edgar was slightly taken aback.
"How could a superhuman not recorded in the database possibly fight Homelander to a standstill?"
"Yes, sir. We discovered that someone had used a drone to capture some footage, so we bought the copyright."
"They ended up on a resort beach on Long Island. Without fighting, but something incredible happened."
Edgar took the tablet computer handed to him by his subordinate, which was playing a blurred, magnified video.
Two figures, one blue and one black, clashed from the city sky to the sea, with the blue figure representing Homelander even being blasted into the ocean by the black figure.
Edgar was still somewhat dismissive of this, but then he saw the black figure suppressing the tsunami with one hand.
"The first thing is to find that person, and if he's willing, tell him that the Seven welcomes him to join."
Edgar watched the video carefully and then calmly gave the order.
Having led Vought for many years, he knew very well that Homelander could not do the same thing.
"The second thing is to check where there are records of Compound V flowing out over the past thirty years."
"The third thing is to send someone to Dr. Vogelbaum and tell him that his retirement is over. We need the latest type of superhuman inhibitor."
Jordan emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, a few tempting water droplets still clinging to his muscular chest.
The hotel was located in the heart of Manhattan. Butcher had looked pained as he paid for the room, but felt reassured and checked in.
Room service brought black tea and snacks. F-boy appeared and pushed the food cart to the open-air balcony. After Jordan found a comfortable position and lay down on the hotel's beach chair, F-boy handed over two fantasy cards.
[Fantasy Card: Heat Vision (Homelander)]
Type: Ability Card The Boys universe. Homelander's superpowers—a budget version of Superman's heat vision.
Effect 1—Laser Eyes: Emit high-energy rays from eyes capable of melting steel. Power adjustable.
Effect 2—X-Ray Vision: Enter X-ray mode for selective penetrating vision. Cannot see through substances containing zinc.
[Fantasy Card: Steel Body (Homelander)]
Type: Ability Card The Boys universe. Homelander's superpower allows him to withstand close-range automatic rifle fire and even modern explosives.
Effect 1—Super Defense: Body is impervious to bullets and blades. Only superhumans with similar enhanced strength can inflict limited damage. However, attacking weak points makes it easier to break through defenses.
Effect 2—Accelerated Recovery: Recover from injuries faster than average humans, but not as quickly as superheroes who possess exceptional self-healing abilities.
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