[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman":3,"chapter-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-502":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1722008,2198,"Chapter 502 502: A Long-Overdue Contact","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-502",502,"\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For 40 advanced chapters, visit my Patreon:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patreon - Twilight_scribe1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a salaried employee, Henry would have loved nothing more than to hide in Sydney, Australia for the rest of his life—collecting paychecks without working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even acted on a whim and secretly taken some time to visit the hidden residence of those two Eternals, intending to provide some after-sales service. Perhaps the Eternals still had some mysterious pickling stones or a favored kitchen cleaver lying around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after arriving, he discovered that Gilgamesh and Thena had already left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had been gone for quite some time—it clearly wasn't because they were deliberately avoiding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Kingo knew where they had gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Henry wasn't about to make an international call just to ask something like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In April, Henry prepared to fly back to Los Angeles because someone he hadn't heard from in a long time had contacted him, saying they wanted to meet at Stark Pictures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack Reacher, Captain of the U.S. Army Military Police Special Investigations Unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time Henry had seen him was about a year and a half ago. Back then, he had only been a lieutenant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the time since, Reacher had contacted Henry only once through the covert communication channel Henry had given him—to request operational funds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the amount and delivery method, it was probably money used to buy someone off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry hadn't asked too many questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply followed Reacher's instructions and placed $100,000 in a suitcase at the designated drop point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had been around the middle of last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now was there finally some result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason there had been no updates until now was because Henry himself had requested it:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No unnecessary progress reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fewer contacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, both of them knew full well they were investigating something dangerous enough to get people killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving as few traces as possible was the best protection for everyone involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Henry honestly wasn't that invested in the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This should have been something Tony Stark handled personally—the people who died had been his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow the whole matter had landed on Henry's shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't he only supposed to be the guy who offered bad ideas?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Henry's attitude toward responsibilities that actually fell within the scope of his salary, expecting him to be enthusiastic about unpaid extra work was wishful thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether Jack Reacher had taken public funds and spent them enjoying himself, or skimmed something off the top—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither Henry nor Tony Stark particularly cared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reacher's secret investigation had always been a speculative move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it produced nothing, that would have been expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When disappointment has piled up enough times, getting no result hardly feels disappointing anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now Reacher had proactively requested a meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that he had truly uncovered something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of urgency, Reacher's matter deserved top priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Henry didn't hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After informing Charlize Theron and the Stark Pictures team, he boarded a flight back to Los Angeles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, fate had terrible timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Henry sat on the plane, an alarm device he himself had distributed began emitting a signal audible only to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The direct flight from Sydney to Los Angeles took nearly fourteen hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two hours had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn't even crossed the equator yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he waited until landing, whoever triggered the alarm would probably be dead by then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he go into the bathroom, phase through the aircraft hull using his powers, and rush off to the rescue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, this flight happened to be packed—likely with a tour group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he occupied the restroom too long, a flight attendant would probably open the door to check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looks like it was finally time for the prototype to see real combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seated in first class, Henry pulled a specially made glasses case from his carry-on bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside were not only a pair of glasses, but also ten custom-made rings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He put them on all ten fingers in a precise order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glasses projected a retinal display showing a distant location in California:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Henry's secret bases—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheep Cave Valley Laboratory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within his field of vision, his pet wasn't roaming wildly across the wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, it lay quietly not far from the lab, with the starry sky behind it, radiating utter laziness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Henry tapped together the rings on his thumbs and index fingers to activate the remote-control system, it seemed to attract Kitty's attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiger raised its head and looked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ventilation hatch on the outer shell of the container lab automatically opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prototype support unit codenamed Little Duck detached from its charging dock, activated its hovering system, and floated out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Borrowing from Kree technology, an anti-gravity device powered by one microliter of gravitonium allowed the box-shaped machine—with two multifunction mechanical claws—to levitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On its front were three lenses:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>one for close focus\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>one for long range\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>one for special functions\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The claws flexed experimentally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lenses each ran a quick test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the speaker emitted Henry's voice, simulated through brainwave control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kitty, time to head out. Come get suited up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitty: It's nighttime. Rest hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, Henry thought. This thing even understands work-life balance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left with no choice, he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One tiger meal. Premium.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitty: Which suit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a low growl, Kitty leapt down from where it had been resting and padded toward the lab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the airplane, Henry tapped the ten rings together in another sequence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lower section of the container shell opened into the tiger-armoring access tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already familiar with the process, Kitty walked right inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within was a special platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mechanical arms attached armor pieces onto Kitty's body one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it emerged, Kitty had grown to more than double its original size—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly the size of a cow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It no longer resembled a tiger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, it looked like a leopard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With yellow plating and black spots, the armor made Kitty resemble a metal panther.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the shoulder blades was a clear recessed slot—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfectly sized for Little Duck to fit into.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The support unit's claws now acted like clasps and connectors, locking tightly into the armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the upper camera lenses protruded outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Duck-Panther Armor Prototype—equipped!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At a moment like this, we really need epic battle BGM. Maybe I should add a few tracks to the music library.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitty: If there's something to do, hurry up. If not, I'm taking this off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitty roared and shook its head dramatically, as if trying to fling the armor off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, the earliest prototype actually would have flown apart if it did that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it stayed intact, the machine would've malfunctioned from the violent vibration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, people who train dogs and cats to wear clothes were incredible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had taken nearly a full year of revisions before the tiger armor reached its current state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, even if Henry wanted to show off, there was no audience to applaud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only living being present was a tiger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better not perform music to cattle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembering the person still waiting for rescue, Henry abandoned his self-congratulatory mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No point in having the grand entrance ready—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only to arrive and find the target already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🎉 Power Stone Goal Announcement! 🎉\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'll release one bonus chapter for every 500 Power Stones we hit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me know what should I do\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your support means everything—let's crush these goals together! Keep voting, and let the stones pile up! 🚀\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>",1261,"2026-06-06T15:31:35.574Z",1,"novelbin.me","9b7a8b8e2d0a7773da2dc2d4653a3bbda645f44fa0d6dde4b046d5f9771bcf62","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-503","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-501",556,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmarvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-cover.jpg"]