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Starting in 'The Boys' to Become the Ultimate Lifeform_chapter_0374_en
Chapter 374
Chapter 373: Dust Settles! Preparing to Depart!
"Whether you're a stray dog or a respected American hero, the choice shouldn't be difficult..." Xia Shang's tone was unhurried as he calmly fixed his gaze on Homelander.
"..."
Under Xia Shang's gaze, Homelander's expression became extremely complex. Emotions like anger, unwillingness, and struggle flickered across his face, but he ultimately pursed his lips tightly, lowered his head in silence, and looked at the wound on his abdomen that was oozing blood. His gaze gradually dimmed. There was nothing to say when you were outmatched; you just couldn't beat them. It was just that the taste of defeat was too bitter, and he found it truly difficult to accept.
"In the end, I lost."
Homelander raised his eyes to look at Xia Shang and said calmly, "Mr. Jervis, I only want to ask one question."
"Speak," Xia Shang said, his hands behind his back, as he slowly ascended into the air.
"Even if I lose, I want to understand why. Just how many people's superpowers have you plundered or copied?" Homelander asked.
"Anything you can think of, I've copied."
"Including me?"
"Including you."
After hearing Xia Shang's words, Homelander nodded slightly. "No wonder I lost to you. So my superpower was also copied by you."
【Talent Skill, the fusion condition for super strength has been met. Do you wish to fuse this ability?】
The moment the panel popped up, Homelander suddenly raised his head and shot towards the night sky like a cannon shell. Soon, he flew out of Xia Shang's field of vision.
"After fusing Homelander and their superpowers, it's time for me to leave," Xia Shang concealed his presence and vanished without a trace.
…………
The next morning, in a Villa in the New York Outskirts, Xia Shang sat in front of the television, watching the morning news.
"Major good news! Late last night, after Soldier Boy's raid on Vought Tower, he was successfully killed by Homelander! Our superhero, the guardian of the United States people, has once again proven to us that he has the ability and the determination to protect everyone's life safety. However, it is regrettable and unfortunate that in this terrorist attack incident, Queen Maeve tragically died...
She was a treasure of the United States and even the world, one of the United States' greatest superheroes. She used her life to stop Soldier Boy, who had defected to the Russian army. She deserves to be a role model for everyone." As the announcer's sorrowful voice gradually sounded, photos of Queen Maeve from before her death began to appear on the LCD screen.
"Next, let us bid farewell to Queen Maeve with the heaviest and most sorrowful hearts. She exchanged sacrifice for our peace, and the American people should always remember her."
Queen Maeve's black and white photo filled the entire television screen, but Xia Shang felt no ripples in his heart about this. For Queen Maeve, this ending could be considered complete and a release.
A few seconds later, the announcer's voice sounded again.
"Her soul belongs in heaven. We can only wish her well there. Finally, please welcome Queen Maeve's closest comrade, Mr. Homelander, to the broadcasting room."
The camera turned, and Homelander, with his abdomen wrapped in bandages, appeared on the television screen. His smile was somewhat forced, not as bright as usual, but the announcer could understand. After all, his comrade had died; no one would be happy about that.
Click! Xia Shang picked up the remote control and pressed the power off button.
Meanwhile, Billy and the others sat on the sofa in Hughie's house, staring intently at the television screen, their expressions heavy and silent.
"Do you guys feel like you've forgotten something very important?" Hughie broke the silence. "Our memories have been tampered with. There are hard logical flaws in a lot of things."
Billy, looking pensive, lit a cigarette and puffed on it. Amidst the swirling smoke, he couldn't help but furrow his brow. "But I can't remember what I forgot. Everything seems normal."
"If you can't remember, then forget it. Maybe we accidentally inhaled a nerve agent and had illusions," Frenchie pulled out two pieces of paper from the bag beside him. "These are your two medical reports. Instead of dwelling on that, why don't you think about how to extend your lifespan? The doctor said your body condition is very bad, and you can only live for one or two more years at most. And during this time, you absolutely cannot inject Temporary Compound V again.
Otherwise, your one or two years of lifespan might be shortened to a few months, or even a few weeks."
"Is it that bad?" Hughie took the medical report Frenchie handed him and mumbled softly.
But after reading the report, he fell silent.
…………
In the blink of an eye, five months had passed. During this time, Xia Shang had successfully fused Homelander's super strength and Billy's laser eye, as well as Hughie's teleportation and Golden Boy's full body ignition.
He looked at the panel floating in front of him, which displayed the ability description for full body ignition.
【Talent Skill: Full Body Ignition】
【After fusion, the player can ignite flames with a temperature of up to two thousand degrees Celsius on their skin surface. These flames cannot harm the player, and the player can freely control the temperature and shape of the flames. In addition, the flames can briefly leave the body to attack targets at a greater distance. At the same time, the temperature and duration of the flames are tied to the player's stamina...】
"Two thousand degrees, about what I expected." After reading, Xia Shang closed the ability description on the panel and then opened the fantasy value section to check the current amount of fantasy value.
【Current fantasy value: 27200】
Five months ago, when he killed Soldier Boy, he gained 4500 fantasy value, accumulating over twenty thousand. But later, Maeve's death and other things continuously added some fantasy value to him. Now his fantasy value was approaching thirty thousand, already meeting the conditions required to upgrade the world.
【Detected that player's fantasy value meets the requirements. Do you wish to upgrade to a higher world level?】
In the upper left corner of the panel, a pattern resembling a golden staircase glowed slightly, as if prompting Xia Shang that he could go to a higher world level at any time.
"Upgrade." Xia Shang invested ten thousand fantasy value into it without hesitation.
Instantly, the panel shattered with a bang, turning into a light cluster mixed with various colors, which smashed into Xia Shang's chest.
【Main World: X-Men】
【World Level: Three Star】
【Player Stay Duration: Unlimited】
【Friendly Reminder: Three-Star World involves universe-level power, but there is only one timeline. Any action by the player cannot split off a new timeline. This means that once the time node where the player is located disappears, the player will also be completely destroyed.】
"What does that mean?" Xia Shang didn't have time to think. His body turned into countless light particles and dissipated into the air.
(end of chapter)
"Whether you're a stray dog or a respected American hero, the choice shouldn't be difficult..." Xia Shang's tone was unhurried as he calmly fixed his gaze on Homelander.
"..."
Under Xia Shang's gaze, Homelander's expression became extremely complex. Emotions like anger, unwillingness, and struggle flickered across his face, but he ultimately pursed his lips tightly, lowered his head in silence, and looked at the wound on his abdomen that was oozing blood. His gaze gradually dimmed. There was nothing to say when you were outmatched; you just couldn't beat them. It was just that the taste of defeat was too bitter, and he found it truly difficult to accept.
"In the end, I lost."
Homelander raised his eyes to look at Xia Shang and said calmly, "Mr. Jervis, I only want to ask one question."
"Speak," Xia Shang said, his hands behind his back, as he slowly ascended into the air.
"Even if I lose, I want to understand why. Just how many people's superpowers have you plundered or copied?" Homelander asked.
"Anything you can think of, I've copied."
"Including me?"
"Including you."
After hearing Xia Shang's words, Homelander nodded slightly. "No wonder I lost to you. So my superpower was also copied by you."
【Talent Skill, the fusion condition for super strength has been met. Do you wish to fuse this ability?】
The moment the panel popped up, Homelander suddenly raised his head and shot towards the night sky like a cannon shell. Soon, he flew out of Xia Shang's field of vision.
"After fusing Homelander and their superpowers, it's time for me to leave," Xia Shang concealed his presence and vanished without a trace.
…………
The next morning, in a Villa in the New York Outskirts, Xia Shang sat in front of the television, watching the morning news.
"Major good news! Late last night, after Soldier Boy's raid on Vought Tower, he was successfully killed by Homelander! Our superhero, the guardian of the United States people, has once again proven to us that he has the ability and the determination to protect everyone's life safety. However, it is regrettable and unfortunate that in this terrorist attack incident, Queen Maeve tragically died...
She was a treasure of the United States and even the world, one of the United States' greatest superheroes. She used her life to stop Soldier Boy, who had defected to the Russian army. She deserves to be a role model for everyone." As the announcer's sorrowful voice gradually sounded, photos of Queen Maeve from before her death began to appear on the LCD screen.
"Next, let us bid farewell to Queen Maeve with the heaviest and most sorrowful hearts. She exchanged sacrifice for our peace, and the American people should always remember her."
Queen Maeve's black and white photo filled the entire television screen, but Xia Shang felt no ripples in his heart about this. For Queen Maeve, this ending could be considered complete and a release.
A few seconds later, the announcer's voice sounded again.
"Her soul belongs in heaven. We can only wish her well there. Finally, please welcome Queen Maeve's closest comrade, Mr. Homelander, to the broadcasting room."
The camera turned, and Homelander, with his abdomen wrapped in bandages, appeared on the television screen. His smile was somewhat forced, not as bright as usual, but the announcer could understand. After all, his comrade had died; no one would be happy about that.
Click! Xia Shang picked up the remote control and pressed the power off button.
Meanwhile, Billy and the others sat on the sofa in Hughie's house, staring intently at the television screen, their expressions heavy and silent.
"Do you guys feel like you've forgotten something very important?" Hughie broke the silence. "Our memories have been tampered with. There are hard logical flaws in a lot of things."
Billy, looking pensive, lit a cigarette and puffed on it. Amidst the swirling smoke, he couldn't help but furrow his brow. "But I can't remember what I forgot. Everything seems normal."
"If you can't remember, then forget it. Maybe we accidentally inhaled a nerve agent and had illusions," Frenchie pulled out two pieces of paper from the bag beside him. "These are your two medical reports. Instead of dwelling on that, why don't you think about how to extend your lifespan? The doctor said your body condition is very bad, and you can only live for one or two more years at most. And during this time, you absolutely cannot inject Temporary Compound V again.
Otherwise, your one or two years of lifespan might be shortened to a few months, or even a few weeks."
"Is it that bad?" Hughie took the medical report Frenchie handed him and mumbled softly.
But after reading the report, he fell silent.
…………
In the blink of an eye, five months had passed. During this time, Xia Shang had successfully fused Homelander's super strength and Billy's laser eye, as well as Hughie's teleportation and Golden Boy's full body ignition.
He looked at the panel floating in front of him, which displayed the ability description for full body ignition.
【Talent Skill: Full Body Ignition】
【After fusion, the player can ignite flames with a temperature of up to two thousand degrees Celsius on their skin surface. These flames cannot harm the player, and the player can freely control the temperature and shape of the flames. In addition, the flames can briefly leave the body to attack targets at a greater distance. At the same time, the temperature and duration of the flames are tied to the player's stamina...】
"Two thousand degrees, about what I expected." After reading, Xia Shang closed the ability description on the panel and then opened the fantasy value section to check the current amount of fantasy value.
【Current fantasy value: 27200】
Five months ago, when he killed Soldier Boy, he gained 4500 fantasy value, accumulating over twenty thousand. But later, Maeve's death and other things continuously added some fantasy value to him. Now his fantasy value was approaching thirty thousand, already meeting the conditions required to upgrade the world.
【Detected that player's fantasy value meets the requirements. Do you wish to upgrade to a higher world level?】
In the upper left corner of the panel, a pattern resembling a golden staircase glowed slightly, as if prompting Xia Shang that he could go to a higher world level at any time.
"Upgrade." Xia Shang invested ten thousand fantasy value into it without hesitation.
Instantly, the panel shattered with a bang, turning into a light cluster mixed with various colors, which smashed into Xia Shang's chest.
【Main World: X-Men】
【World Level: Three Star】
【Player Stay Duration: Unlimited】
【Friendly Reminder: Three-Star World involves universe-level power, but there is only one timeline. Any action by the player cannot split off a new timeline. This means that once the time node where the player is located disappears, the player will also be completely destroyed.】
"What does that mean?" Xia Shang didn't have time to think. His body turned into countless light particles and dissipated into the air.
(end of chapter)
