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Existence is change.
Kevin understood this principle a long time ago.
However, Kevin always believed that the changes he caused by existing in this world were not significant until now.
Aside from not reporting Translucent's situation and saving Kimiko, preventing her from joining the main group, Kevin didn't think he had changed anything major.
But Kevin never expected that change had existed from the very beginning.
Starlight, who should have known Hughie, now had no impression of him, proving they had never met before.
In other words, from day one, the plot's direction was completely different…
So, the skill point I gained that day, its source was actually Starlight?
Not letting Starlight… that influence, is it really worth a skill point?
Kevin stroked his stubble, deep in thought.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem with me not knowing him?"
Seeing Kevin fall into thought after she spoke, Starlight asked, surprised.
She even wondered if that person earlier was someone important; otherwise, why would Kevin react this way after hearing she didn't know him.
Coming back to his senses, Kevin smiled upon hearing her question, waving his hand and saying:
"No problem, I just said it casually. It doesn't matter if you don't know him."
Whether Starlight knew Kevin or not, it had nothing to do with him.
Anyway, it wouldn't affect Kevin's life.
Instead of worrying about that, he should focus on his skill points.
Just now, choosing to let Frenchie go and not capture him, such a small matter, earned Kevin a skill point. Kevin now had Seven skill points.
Only one more point, and he could upgrade Water Manipulation from LV3 to LV4.
To what extent LV4 Water Manipulation could reach, Kevin was honestly very excited, but before that, Kevin still needed to gain a new skill point.
Hmm, maybe he could spend a couple more days with Kimiko and see.
Ashley was pressing him, so Kevin no longer delayed. He returned to the lounge, found some random clothes, and headed straight for the ocean.
He needed to find the marine creature that swallowed Translucent's tracker so he could report back to Madelyn.
…
"How did it go?"
After separating from Kevin, Hughie rushed to meet up with Butcher and the others.
Inside the small minivan they rented, the bearded Butcher, with his signature wicked smile, pointed to a blue bottle on the table:
"Apparently, we succeeded."
"We succeeded, but we'd better leave quickly."
Frenchie, who had taken off his stealth gear and returned to his normal attire, urged Butcher:
"I only saw two Compound V in A-Train's backpack. Two Compound V, now minus one. Even an idiot would know he lost one. What do you think A-Train will do if he finds out he lost a Compound V?"
He would desperately search all of New York for them, the hateful thieves.
This was something that could be understood without thinking.
And their car was actually quite suspicious.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Hughie urged quickly.
Butcher smiled, signaling Mother's Milk, the muscular Black man in the driver's seat, to drive.
In the original story, Hughie and his group should have returned empty-handed and would not have obtained Compound V.
But the plot had already changed beyond recognition when Kevin saved Kimiko.
Kevin saving Kimiko made A-Train think there was a problem with his secret base, subsequently suspecting Kimiko.
And regardless of whether Kimiko leaked the information, to save Kimiko's life and prevent Homelander from knowing about it, A-Train would have to send Kimiko out of the country.
With Kimiko leaving the country, the Compound V that should have been with her could no longer stay there. A-Train would definitely retrieve it and carry it with him, which is why there were two intact Compound V in his backpack.
And thus, Frenchie succeeded in obtaining a complete Compound V.
Kevin was right, existence is change.
Every action he took, every decision he made, after a chain reaction, would greatly alter the original plot.
The only difference was whether he participated after the change.
Even his acquaintance with Hughie was still part of the change.
Butcher was now wearing what Hughie considered an ill-intentioned smile, asking Hughie:
"You know Kevin?"
Hughie, who had calmed down slightly after leaving the venue, nodded and said:
"Kind of. Last time I went out at night to buy something and ran into robbers, he saved me."
He had also met Kevin earlier at Vought building, but there was no need to tell Butcher that.
"Kevin seems to like you a lot. He couldn't have fallen for your butt, could he? I've never heard of him liking people besides fish."
Butcher spoke without restraint.
"What? What are you saying?! Everyone can see that Kevin and Starlight are together now. He was just sympathizing with me and comforting me. It's not as disgusting as you make it sound, okay? And I think Kevin is different from other Superheroes."
Hughie, who had now subtly made Kevin his new idol, couldn't accept Butcher's nonsense and immediately retorted to Butcher.
Butcher, however, scoffed:
"Hughie, you are too naive. Superheroes are all the same. They are all the same bastards, whether it's A-Train, or Homelander, or even Kevin, whom you have a good impression of now.
"Do you think Kevin letting Frenchie go, comforting you, and saying nice things to you is truly for your own good? Don't be naive, you silly boy. He obviously wants to use this to strike at A-Train! Think about it, if you really found dirt on A-Train, who would ultimately benefit?"
Hughie felt that Kevin comforting him was from the perspective of Hughie, a victim, considering him.
But Butcher believed that Kevin was merely trying to find dirt on A-Train through this method, thereby making A-Train withdraw from The Seven.
Others might not know, but Butcher, who had always investigated Superheroes, knew very well.
Kevin's position in The Seven was the lowest.
What kind of characters were the others in The Seven?
Homelander, the strongest Supe in the world today, invulnerable to weapons, fire, and water, able to fly and shoot lasers, with terrifying strength, truly the pillar of The Seven.
Queen Maeve, the most powerful and wise representative among female Supes. Vought intended to mold her into a character similar to the goddess Athena, a feminist icon.
A-Train, the fastest of all speedsters, graduated from Godolkin University as the top student, very talented in singing, and had released many solo albums.
Translucent, very strong physically and very commercially astute, very good at making money for The Seven, often appearing in TV dramas, variety shows, and interview shows, with a very high net worth.
Lamplighter and Black Noir were veteran Superheroes; they existed before Homelander joined The Seven.
Godolkin University's crime-fighting academy was named after Lamplighter.
Compared to them, what did Kevin have?
In terms of academic achievement, he graduated from Godolkin University ranked sixth. Compared to Maeve, who was ranked first, and A-Train, who later also ranked first, he had no advantage whatsoever.
In terms of ability, besides being able to perform some abilities in the ocean and talk to animals, he probably couldn't even beat Translucent on land.
In terms of status, he was a bully to the weak and timid, undoubtedly the lowest-ranked member in the entire Seven.
Before Lamplighter's retirement, he was undoubtedly at the very bottom. Only after Starlight arrived did his position in The Seven slightly improve.
And now that Translucent was dead and Starlight was a newcomer, Kevin's position in The Seven had undoubtedly risen.
If, during this period, A-Train also had dirt on him…
Then, with Black Noir not speaking much, Kevin could leap to become the third-highest-ranked member in The Seven.
So Kevin had a reason to look for dirt on A-Train, trying to pull A-Train down from his high position.
Butcher thought so and believed his guess was correct.
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