"Is this a modern city? Oh, it's New York again."
Malrick had transmigrated on a sunny morning. He floated above the city, taking in the towering skyscrapers, their glass facades reflecting dazzling sunlight.
Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square—familiar landmarks confirmed his location.
He wasn't in a hurry to determine the exact world. His primary goal was to pass the time, and he had two tasks: conduct genetic research and bask in the sun for thousands of years to advance toward Golden Superman.
Technically, he could do this in the Marvel Universe alone using the world ring and time acceleration. But spending millennia in isolation seemed dull. Visiting other worlds was far more engaging, and it offered the chance to experiment with turning the Rege Duo Clone into an abstract concept in a foreign world.
Malrick hovered, his battle suit morphing fluidly into casual clothes: a white-and-blue short-sleeved shirt and cargo shorts. He activated his transmigration ability, attempting to contact the World Consciousness.
Hello? Are you here?
No response.
He concluded this world either lacked a World Consciousness or, like DC, the world level was too high to respond. Activating his super hearing, he picked up words like "Homelander," "Newman running for Vice President," and "Butcher."
"This is The Boys? Then there's likely no World Consciousness. The only thing worth noting is Compound V."
The Boys world depicted ordinary humans resisting "superheroes." Here, superheroes were industrialized, commercialized, and treated like celebrities, completely separated from civilians. Most were corrupt. Behind it all, Vought International manipulated everything like a market maker.
Its founder developed Compound V during World War II, the source of superhuman powers. Injecting it into infants granted permanent abilities; into adults, it often caused death or loss of control.
From the information he gathered, Newman was running for Vice President, and Homelander had seized total control of Vought International.
"This must be the time of the fourth season," Malrick murmured, unconcerned. He was far too powerful to be threatened by anything here.
Looking up, his consciousness extended across the Universe until it touched its boundaries.
One M-body, assigned to genetic research in the world ring, detached and soared into the sky. Transforming into a stream of light, it shot upward like a reverse meteor.
"Let's see if it can become an abstract concept."
Malrick guided the M-body to merge with the Universe itself. He expected resistance, but the process went smoothly. The M-body became part of the Universe, and The Boys world gained weak but growing abstract rules: Justice and Order. Over time, these rules could strengthen to ironclad laws, becoming abstract entities similar to the fundamental rules of the Marvel Universe.
"Since there's no World Consciousness, this is going smoothly," Malrick noted. "In fact, I could become the World Consciousness here if I choose."
The Cosmic-Level M-bodies he deployed could easily transform into abstract entities and take control of the world.
He then scanned Manhattan, planning to visit Vought International for Compound V. Naturally, he intended to encounter A-Train while there.
"Oi! Good morning, handsome fella!"
A voice called from behind. A middle-aged man in a long trench coat, bluish stubble covering half his face, and a long scar above his right eye stepped forward.
"I bet you're Vought's newest young hero, aren't you? The aura of justice practically radiates off you!"
The man, Billy Butcher, took a long drag from his cigarette, his eyes sharp and calculating.
"We don't seem to know each other," Malrick said calmly, descending toward him. He found Butcher interesting.
Butcher, an ordinary man fueled by a lifelong hatred of Homelander after his wife was wronged, spent years fighting superheroes. Now, even nearing death, he protected Homelander's son, Ryan.
"Now we do. Call me Butcher." His smile was sharp, his eyes gleaming.
"You were staring at the Vought building. Having some trouble? Maybe I can help." He gestured toward the building behind him—the CIA building—implying he had the means.
Malrick, reading the situation, realized Butcher mistook him for a naive new superhero, perhaps aiming to recruit him as an informant or spy within Vought. Malrick's youthful appearance—enhanced by a bio-field—reinforced the illusion.
"I do have a problem," Malrick said casually, hands in his pockets. "I'm planning to go to Vought International."
"Oh? Sounds dull. Care to share?" Butcher's mind raced, thinking he might subtly guide this "new hero" to uncover Vought's secrets.
Malrick continued, unfazed: "I'm planning to borrow—no, steal—some Compound V. Would you give me a ride?"
"…I'm sorry, what did you say?" Butcher blinked, dropping his cigarette in shock.
___
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