Homelander's expression froze in awkwardness.
What… just abandoning him like that?
Logan disappeared around the corner, only to be thrown back even faster.
Homelander quickly scrambled to his feet, abandoning his flashy flight ability, and snuck away quietly.
---
"Ha!" Vex pointed at the satellite feed, mocking, "Baldy, is this your planet's hero?"
Fury "..."
He didn't even have the time to care about the odd nickname Vex used.
That Homelander… he's practically an embarrassment to Earth!
Lewis also looked upset—she had even been a fan of his for a while…
"There's a situation!"
"The main Kryptonian ship has split in two, now hovering over the U.S. and Russia!"
On the screen, two parts of the ship unleashed powerful energy beams toward the ground, flattening everything within dozens of kilometers!
"Hm?" Vex raised an eyebrow. "This thing…"
"You recognize it?" Fury asked anxiously.
"I'm not sure... Get me the data on these devices."
Without needing Fury's command, Hill was already on it.
"It seems to be some kind of gravity enhancement device. They're increasing Earth's mass!"
"Wow!" Vex feigned surprise. "You guys are lucky. It's a planetary modification device, meant to transform Earth into a new Krypton."
Fury's face darkened.
These bastards planned to wipe out all life on Earth to rebuild their home!
At that moment, Hill rushed over and whispered in Fury's ear, "The World Security Council is demanding your immediate participation in an urgent meeting…"
"Absolutely not!" Fury roared in anger. "Have they lost their minds? Don't think I don't know what they're planning! 200 cities are under attack—are they planning to drop nukes everywhere? They better not get in the way! Tell them to sit tight!"
Hill stayed silent.
Fury turned sharply, fixing his gaze on Vex.
If there was any chance for Earth… he'd have to make a painful sacrifice.
"If you can stop those lunatics, I'll introduce you to Hill!" Fury said through gritted teeth.
Hill, already familiar with Vex's reputation, looked at him calmly, showing no signs of anger at being offered as part of the deal.
It was like… she had resigned herself to it.
After all, what did her own fate matter when the entire planet was at stake?
But Vex found it somewhat uninteresting.
A forced prize might quench thirst, but it felt far more satisfying to win it on his own.
Plus, Hill wasn't exactly "strong," so the reward for her wouldn't be too high—no need to rush things.
On the other hand…
"He's here! Superman has appeared!" an agent shouted excitedly. "He's in Metropolis! He just punched a Kryptonian flying through the air! He's so strong!"
"That female Kryptonian is strong too, she's holding her own against Superman!"
Vex turned to look.
There was a cold, aloof female Kryptonian, fighting back even after being pinned down by Clark, immediately standing back up and resuming the battle.
—Now this girl, she's got potential. Marry her, and the reward will be explosive!
Since Clark had made his escape...
Vex could now begin his own plan.
He glanced at Fury and responded to the earlier topic first—
"I'm not some stallion who jumps at every woman I see," Vex said, putting on a show of dignity. "I'd rather have a rare, high-quality artifact."
"Deal!" Fury agreed instantly. "I'll make sure it's a prize you'll be satisfied with!"
At this point, Vex could say whatever he wanted, and Fury would agree!
And of course...
Hill, being his trusted aide, wouldn't need to be sacrificed after all.
Vex gave Lewis a playful slap on the rear.
"You stay here. Don't run around."
"Okay." Darcy, already used to his antics, clung to Vex. "Come back safe!"
"Don't worry. They can't kill me."
After a leisurely French kiss, Vex blasted a laser through the observation window, flying out before using the [Horse Talisman] to restore the glass.
His destination was clear—the North Pole.
A direct confrontation?
He was a strategist, only brutes rushed in without thinking.
Upon arriving at the Kryptonian ship, he found that it had already been breached.
And there stood the infamous General Zod.
—The last remaining "Genesis Chamber" of Krypton was here. Reviving Krypton required both this and the "Codex."
Just as Vex entered the ship, a blur of motion lunged at him!
Vroom!
Vex activated his time-stopping field, freezing Zod mid-attack, his fist mere centimeters from Vex's face!
Vex released Zod's head, allowing him to regain consciousness.
"I'm not here to fight. Give me ten minutes to talk, alright?" Vex smiled. "Let me introduce myself. I'm from the M78 Nebula, not a native of this planet."
Zod's expression twisted in frustration!
He had been subdued so easily?
If Vex wanted to kill him right now...
"Whatever you want to discuss, release me first!"
"As you wish."
Vex retracted the time-stopping field, leaving only a thin layer around his own body.
This way, any attacks entering the field would be halted in time.
"I'm here to propose a deal." Vex smiled. "I quite like this planet, and I can't let you destroy it, so…"
"You want to stop the rebirth of Krypton?" Zod's eyes widened. "Dream on! No one will ever—"
*Vroom!*
The time-stopping field expanded again.
Though Zod had tried to retreat, his speed couldn't match Clark's, and he was frozen thirty meters away.
Vex strolled over casually, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation.
"You're way too hot-headed. Let me finish first, alright?" Vex said, with a hint of amusement. "How about this: I'll let you go, and you give the order for all the Kryptonians around the world to stand down. Whether we fight or not, we'll decide after we've finished our talk."
What could Zod do?
He couldn't hit him, and he couldn't run.
His only option…
"Don't think for a second you can use my life to stop Krypton's return to greatness!" Zod shouted fanatically. "Kill me! I will never stop Krypton's revival!"
Vex rolled his eyes.
"You Kryptonians are so stubborn, aren't you?"
"Fine, I'll spell out my deal."
"Reviving Krypton doesn't have to happen on this planet."
"I just so happen to have a… well… an almost uninhabited life-sustaining planet."
Using telekinesis, Vex picked up a handful of ice and shaped two spheres, one larger and one smaller.
Pointing to the smaller one, he said—
"This planet's conditions are a bit worse than Earth's, but it can still sustain human life."
"It has two suns, though, so the nights are short, and it gets pretty hot."
"But for you Kryptonians, that's probably a good thing."
That's right!
The planet Vex was referring to was none other than the one Hive was on.
Of course,
He wouldn't give it away for free—he'd extort something highly valuable in return. After all, the planet was practically perfect for the Kryptonians!
Zod seemed tempted by the offer.
If the planet was as Vex described, it would actually be better suited for Kryptonian life than Earth!
But there was one problem...
"We Kryptonians have searched for a suitable planet for billions of years and found none. Why should I believe you?" Zod asked skeptically.
*Snap!* Vex clicked his fingers. "I knew you'd say that, so…"
He opened the [Golden Gate], releasing the black teleportation stone.
With a single punch, he shattered the high-strength glass.
Then, using the [Rabbit Talisman], he vibrated his arm at high frequency, sending shockwaves through the air.
Gradually, he increased the vibration frequency.
At a specific point,
The solid black teleportation stone liquefied and rushed toward the two of them.
°°°
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