Translucent's death sent shockwaves through Vought International. Two members of The Seven effectively removed within a week—The Deep disgraced and fled, Translucent dead in a suspicious explosion.
I monitored their internal communications using the surveillance software, listening as executives and handlers scrambled to control the narrative.
"This can't be coincidence," Madelyn Stillwell's voice came through the speakers in our hideout. "Someone's targeting our assets systematically."
"Could be The Boys," Ashley Barrett suggested nervously. "Butcher's crew has been—"
"Butcher works with explosives and guns. This is different. The Deep's confession felt... coerced somehow. And Translucent's death was too clean, too professional."
"What are you suggesting?" another voice asked.
"I'm suggesting we have a Supe problem. Someone with powers we don't control, operating outside our oversight, eliminating our people."
There was a pause. Then Homelander's voice, cold and precise: "You think there's a rogue Supe hunting us?"
"I think it's possible."
"Good." Homelander's tone made my blood run cold even through a recording. "I'm bored anyway. A hunt sounds fun."
The recording ended, and our team sat in silence.
"He knows," Hughie said quietly. "Homelander knows someone's coming for The Seven."
"He suspects," I corrected. "He doesn't know it's me specifically. Not yet."
"But he will," MM added. "You keep killing his teammates, he's going to figure it out eventually."
"By then, I'll be strong enough to fight him." I said it with more confidence than I felt.
Butcher lit a cigarette, studying me through the smoke. "How many more powers do you need before you think you can take him?"
It was a good question. Homelander had super strength that could level buildings, speed rivaling jets, flight, heat vision that could cut through anything, and near-invulnerability. He was essentially Superman without the moral compass.
I had seven powers, but were they enough?
"I need more," I admitted. "His raw power level is still beyond mine. I need strength enhancement, more durability, maybe energy projection beyond just electricity."
"So we keep hunting," Butcher said. "Who's next on the list?"
I pulled up the files we'd compiled. "There's a Supe called Compound King—real name Marcus Chen. Super strength, enhanced durability, generates energy shields. He's been running underground fighting rings where normal humans are forced to fight Supes for entertainment. Dozens of deaths, all covered up."
"Sounds like a real peach," Frenchie muttered.
"He's perfect. I take him down, absorb his strength and shielding abilities, and I'm one step closer to matching Homelander."
"What about collateral?" MM asked. "These underground fights probably have audiences, guards, infrastructure."
"I'll use my hypnosis to evacuate civilians first, then my invisibility to get close to Compound King. Quick, clean, minimal collateral damage."
We spent the next several hours planning the assault, identifying the location of Compound King's next fight, mapping escape routes and potential complications.
As we worked, I caught Hughie watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read. Concern? Fear? Fascination?
"What?" I asked during a break.
"Nothing, just... you're talking about killing people really casually now. A few weeks ago you were nobody. Now you're planning assassinations like it's normal."
He had a point. The transition from regular person to serial killer of supervillains had happened fast—maybe too fast.
"Does it bother you?" I asked honestly.
"I don't know. These people are monsters. They deserve it. But I wonder where it ends, you know? When do you stop? When you can beat Homelander? When Vought's destroyed? Or when you've absorbed every power in existence and you're the strongest being alive?"
It was the question I'd been avoiding asking myself.
"I don't have a good answer," I admitted. "I'm making this up as I go, trying to do the right thing in a world where right and wrong are complicated. All I can promise is that I'm trying to stay human, stay moral. That's why I need you guys—to remind me what I'm fighting for."
Hughie nodded slowly. "Okay. Just... don't lose yourself in all this power, alright? The world doesn't need another Homelander."
"Agreed."