"That feeling… it was you who gave it to me. The very first gift."
Starlight did make Fenris feel something, but feelings came in many forms.
She was bound to pay the price. And if she was going to, why let The Deep benefit from it? Why not him?
The greatest advantage of knowing the story ahead of time was seizing the opportunity before anyone else.
"I believe that line. But–" Starlight sized him up, clearly not buying that he had any say in getting her into the Seven. "If you just wanted to get to know me, you didn't need to use such a clumsy lie. That kind of thing is easy to see through."
Strange, coming from someone who fell for a few sweet words and ended up paying the price. The Deep's lies weren't even clever.
Ring ring ring! Ring ring ring!
Fenris's phone rang. Only Queen Maeve had this number.
He picked it up and put it on speaker. Maeve's slightly nervous voice came through.
"It's me, Maeve. There's a mission that requires me and Homelander to respond. I... I'm worried there might be trouble."
Maeve was afraid that Homelander would take the opportunity to do something to her during the mission.
And she had every reason to be afraid. That kind of thing was entirely in character for Homelander.
"Could you... could you come over?"
Even over the phone, her cautious and hopeful tone was obvious.
Fenris glanced at the shocked Starlight, wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She didn't resist.
"You're mine now. If you're in trouble, of course I won't just sit back. Send me the address."
Maeve sighed in relief. "Okay, I'll send it right away."
"By the way, Lamplighter has retired and left the Seven. Do you have the right to recommend a new member?" Fenris suddenly asked.
Starlight snapped her head up, eyes bright with interest.
"I can recommend someone for the second round of selections. As long as their powers aren't too weak, it should be fine."
"What if Homelander adds his support?"
"Then there won't be any problem at all."
Fenris nodded slightly, gave Starlight a deep look, and asked with a pointed tone, "So, rejecting a certain candidate wouldn't be a problem either?"
"Right. That would be even easier."
"Got it. See you in a bit."
"See you soon."
After ending the call, Fenris looked at Starlight, who had a complicated look and was hesitating to speak. Though she was somewhat innocent, she wasn't stupid. She had clearly understood what he meant.
"It's no longer about me wanting to know you. Now, you have to know me."
Fenris handed her his phone.
She hesitated for a few seconds, then took it, entered her number, and dialed him. After the call connected, she hung up and returned the phone to him.
"I'll wait for your call," Fenris said as he gave the phone a little shake, and silently vanished from sight.
Starlight stood there wide-eyed, reaching out to where he had disappeared. Her hand grasped at nothing.
…
Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!
The last surviving bank robber was cornered in a dead end. Homelander and Queen Maeve approached from either side. Bullets bounced harmlessly off them and fell to the ground.
"Don't kill me! Please don't! I'm begging you!"
The robber dropped his gun and fell to his knees in panic and terror.
"You shouldn't be alive," Homelander said coldly, grabbing the robber by the neck and lifting him off the ground.
Maeve watched grimly as Homelander turned to glare at her.
"What are you trying to say?" she demanded.
Homelander's gaze was venomous, as if he could rip her apart with his eyes.
"I said... you shouldn't be alive."
With those chilling words, he drove his hand through the bank robber's chest.
In that moment, the ruthless aura and years of intimidation from Homelander made Maeve feel as if she were the one being impaled.
Her body trembled slightly. Her gaze faltered as she instinctively lowered her head.
"No need to be afraid. I don't have to fear him anymore. He... he's no longer an unbeatable demon."
"That's right. No need to be afraid."
Maeve took a deep breath to steady herself. Her eyes grew firm as she looked at Homelander.
To Homelander, that unshaken look in her eyes was the ultimate insult. A challenge.
With a heavy snort, he tossed the lifeless robber aside like trash. His gaze on Maeve grew red and hot, as if he was ready to burn her down with a glance.
Bang!
A beam of red-hot heat vision suddenly struck the back of his knee. Caught off guard, Homelander collapsed to his knees in front of Maeve.
"Who did that?!"
Homelander snarled, eyes blazing with fury, until his rage was snuffed out like a fire meeting the ocean, like a barking mutt catching sight of a stick in its master's hand. He deflated in an instant.
"It's me. Got something to say?" Fenris floated down from mid-air, the red glow fading from his eyes, replaced by a smirk.
The fear Homelander felt toward Fenris was the same kind of fear he had long instilled in Maeve. Not just similar, identical.
The person Homelander least wanted to see was Fenris. Fenris, on the other hand, was more than happy to see him. Every time meant another reward.
Like last time, when he gained heat vision. This time, he'd gotten Flight.
"Nothing to say? Then I'll speak."
Fenris walked over to Maeve and looked down at the silent Homelander.
"She's mine now. If you don't have the power to flip the table on me, then don't go around acting like you do."
"If you're a dragon, then coil yourself. If you're a tiger, then lie low. If you're a dog, don't bark at me unless you want to get kicked."
"You of all people should know this: no matter who it is, cut open and skinned, in the end, they're just meat."
"So? Anything to say?"
Faced with Fenris's warning, Homelander had nothing to say. Silence was his only option.
Fenris picked up the robber's gun and handed it to Maeve. She looked at him, puzzled.
"Didn't you all used to do this? After killing someone, you'd stage the scene to make it look like there was a struggle. This time, it's your turn to pull the trigger."
Realization dawned on Maeve. Her expression turned amused as she pointed the gun at Homelander, who was now back on his feet, and pulled the trigger.
Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!
The gunfire rang out like thunder. Bullets rained like a storm.
Usually, Homelander would shoot her to create the illusion. Who would've thought she'd get the chance to return the favor? The bullets didn't hurt him, but the act itself… was incredibly satisfying.
Fenris felt even more satisfied.
As expected, the reward dropped right on cue.
Ding!
Battle detected. Reward acquired–