Chapter 9: John, I Want to Play a Game with You!

【Navigator: Alvin】

【Race: Human】

【Class: Scavenger】

【Anchor World: None】

【Remaining Energy: 0.1 Unit】

【Remaining Source Power: 0 Unit】

【Anchor World: None】

【Remaining Time: Seven Days】

Upon waking, Alvin stared at the Navigator’s interface and pinched the bridge of his nose: “Time flies—before I knew it, it’s already the third day.”

He had long since given up hope of recharging the Navigator system.

He had asked if electrical power could be used to replenish energy, but the reply was no—the reason was too complex, essentially that the energy level was too low.

Unless it was an entire United States-level power supply, it was negligible to the Navigator system.

Nuclear energy met the requirement, but the problem was, it needed to be at least “controlled nuclear fusion” level—and the world of the Black Robe Patrol clearly had not yet broken through the technological barrier.

In summary, Alvin had only seven days left.

“Next, it’s Homelander.”

Alvin took a deep breath, for this decision was dangerous.

Homelander, the most dangerous character in the entire series, modeled after DC’s Superman.

Though universally weakened, he was still far from something an ordinary person could provoke—misstep once, and a laser blast could end you.

Moreover, Homelander was unquestionably a twisted, deranged type.

This character was like Superman’s dark mirror—a “Superman” raised not by the Kents, but in a warped environment.

Of course, Alvin was no fool—he wouldn’t throw his life away.

Though Homelander appeared monstrous and extreme in every way, he was in truth more like someone starved for love, desperate for attention, and inwardly fragile.

This stemmed from Vought’s manipulation—they had planted psychological seeds in him during childhood.

They implanted in him: the need to be loved, mother fixation, craving for approval, longing for recognition—psychological defects all.

One absurd scene in the series: Homelander is invulnerable, flies at supersonic speeds, and his heat vision obliterates everything—yet he panics wildly because his approval rating dropped by 9.5%.

He constantly shouts, “I am God,” then stands atop skyscrapers at night, jerking off at the moon.

At least, in Alvin’s view, early Homelander was far from insane—he was still within a controllable state.

If handled with care, even Homelander... might be open to negotiation.

“I hope Butcher’s side is going smoothly.”

After a quick wash, Alvin left the hotel.

Next, he needed to prepare—facing Homelander was too dangerous; he wouldn’t consider it until the Temporary Compound No. 5 arrived.

He used a public phone by the roadside to call Butcher: “I need Huey. Can you simulate the invisibility chip’s signal?”

“What are you planning?”

Butcher’s voice was clearly tense.

“Nothing. Just inviting a friend.”

Alvin’s tone was light, as if chatting over tea.

But to Butcher, it only deepened his dread: “Listen, don’t do anything stupid—if Homelander finds out, we’re all going to die with you!”

“Relax, Mr. Butcher.” Alvin looked up at the towering Vought Building across the street and smiled faintly: “I don’t play with my life.”

The top-floor conference room of Vought resembled ancient Greek architecture, perfectly blending modern and classical styles.

In the vast circular hall, the most prominent feature was the triangular conference table, and beside it, the seven chairs belonged to the world-famous, beloved Seven: The Seven.

Queen Maeve, Black Noir, Deep One, and Trainwreck had already arrived, ready for the daily meeting.

Soon, Homelander entered, striding into the chamber and glancing around as usual—his brow furrowed: “Where’s the Invisible Man?”

“Probably stayed up too late last night?” Trainwreck shrugged, unconcerned.

Homelander’s face darkened, clearly displeased. He sat in his designated seat, about to reprimand them, when Personnel Director Ashley burst in, pale and frantic: “N-no! Something terrible has happened!”

“Ashley, calm down.”

Homelander maintained his authority, voice low: “What happened?”

“The Invisible Man—he’s been kidnapped!” Ashley swallowed hard and nervously handed over a USB drive: “I just received a courier package addressed to you. I thought it was a fan’s gift—but inside was a video of the Invisible Man’s kidnapping!”

The Invisible Man was kidnapped?!

The faces of the Seven members all changed.

Homelander didn’t take the USB drive—he glanced at Trainwreck, who understood instantly, walked over, retrieved the drive, and plugged it into the display unit beside them.

After a flash of static, the video began.

In dim yellow light, an abandoned room, filthy and littered, walls covered in yellowed stains.

In the center of the room stood a steel cage welded from rebar—empty to the eye, yet filled with continuous curses.

“That’s the Invisible Man’s voice!” Trainwreck said.

Then the video cut out, flashing static.

After a few seconds, just as they thought it was over, a pale mask suddenly appeared on screen.

The mask immediately induced discomfort.

Its cheekbones and nose bridge jutted sharply, while its eye sockets and jaw sank inward—the proportions were grotesquely unbalanced.

Blood-red spirals were drawn on the cheekbones, lips painted as if soaked in fresh blood, two crimson eyes with black pupils stared directly through the screen like a horror movie demon.

Even seasoned criminals couldn’t prepare them for the visceral and psychological revulsion the mask provoked.

“Hello, John. I want to play a game with you.”

“Many live their lives without knowing why—merely drifting with the current.”

“Some are born blessed, doted on by parents, yet never learn gratitude; others spend their entire lives trying to make up for childhood loss.”

“God granted you boundless power, at the cost of stripping away everything else.”

“You crave ‘love,’ yet willingly drown in a sweet nest woven from lies, fooling yourself.”

“So I’ve given you two choices.”

“The game is simple: find my location and rescue the Invisible Man.”

“I’ve implanted a bomb inside him. Twenty-four hours remain. If you fail... I’ll release this video.”

“Then people will discover their all-powerful god is merely a pitiful, love-starved, psychologically broken mortal.”

“And you, John... will fall from grace forever.”

“That is the cost of the game.”

The video froze on the mask’s chilling pupils, sending a chill down their spines.

“J-John... who’s John?”

Deep One, still confused, asked blankly.

Then he saw the pitying glances from Queen Maeve, Trainwreck, and Black Noir.

CRASH!

The next second, Deep One flew backward like a cannonball, slamming into the display.

As he slipped into unconsciousness, Deep One’s mind cleared: “Oh... so Homelander’s name is John.”

The atmosphere in the conference room plunged to freezing.

Homelander radiated terrifying killing intent, his eyes dark and savage, like a volcano about to erupt: “Find him. Find him now. I’ll kill that bastard myself.”