Become a Homelander and a Marvel superstar

Frank stared at the unfamiliar white old man for a full three seconds.

Then, with a flick of his thumb, he released the safety from the pistol and holstered it back into its holster, as if he had no doubt whatsoever.

Nick Fury watched Frank holster his gun, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"You really believe it's me looking like this?"

Frank tore a relatively clean piece of cloth from the corpse beside him and wiped the blood off his hands.

"The world has changed, old man. Aliens are lining up to come to Earth these days, and superheroes are fighting in the sky all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if you turned into a talking dog tomorrow."

"Appearances can change, genes can mutate," Frank sneered. "But I can smell that arrogant smirk about you from three blocks away."

Fury gave a noncommittal hum.

He knew Frank; this was the man's style. He then tucked the pistol inside his trench coat.

Two veterans who fought side by side in the trenches more than two years ago reunited in this special way.

"That's enough of the reminiscing." Frank gestured with his chin towards the mafia boss still lying on the ground, barely clinging to life. "You just said you wanted me to hand him over to you? What do you want to do with him?"

Fury walked past Frank and toward Costa, who was already covered in blood.

You'll find out soon enough.

Fury grabbed him by the collar of his suit and lifted him up.

Costa stared in horror at the one-eyed man before him, a nameless fear rising within him.

Suddenly, a ring of orange fire, like hellfire, ignited around Fury's pupils.

The voice became low and deep, as if it were an echo made up of many people.

"Look into my eyes!"

Costa instinctively tried to close his eyes, but an invisible, terrifying force forced his eyelids open, compelling him to look directly at the hellfire.

In an instant, all the sins he had committed in his life—the people he had killed, the drugs he had sold, the cries of the innocent people whose families had been destroyed because of him—all the pain and despair were magnified countless times and poured into the depths of his soul.

"Aa ...

Costa let out a piercing scream.

Frank stood by and witnessed the whole thing. He had no intention of stopping it; on the contrary, he felt that this punishment was just right for the scum who had murdered his family.

A few seconds later, Costa's screams stopped abruptly, and his entire body, starting from his eyeballs, turned into a charred corpse.

Fury released his grip, letting out a long, hot breath. He could clearly feel the vengeful fire lurking within him, which, after devouring this sinful soul, had returned.

"Is this your new trick?" Frank asked coldly. "It looks like you made a deal with the devil."

"This is the power I reclaimed myself," Fury said without changing his expression. "A person must rely on themselves."

Frank looked at the body on the ground, then at Fury.

"What exactly do you want, Fury?"

The flame in Fury's eyes faded.

"This world is rotten, Frank. But people are still living in a false peace..."

"They have no idea that darkness is creeping beneath their feet. War is about to begin, a war that will tear humanity apart from within, and it must be stopped at all costs."

"Those high and mighty superheroes are just clowns entertaining the masses."

Fury reached out his hand to Frank.

"Frank, come help me."

"Help me burn those scum who want to devour this world to ashes."

Frank looked at Fury's outstretched hand and remained silent for a moment.

He didn't shake hands, but simply lit a cigarette and said a few words.

"I don't care who I cooperate with or how ruthless their methods are, as long as they are murderers."

"Just tell me who the next target is."

Fury sensed Frank's determination, withdrew his hand, and smiled slightly.

"Since we're going to debut as a group, we need a catchy name." Fury stroked his chin. "How about 'Souls of Vengeance'? It sounds really intimidating."

"Revenge your mother!" Frank sneered, retorting without any politeness.

"Sounds like you're finding a replacement for your ex-wife. I'm not going to use any of those fancy terms, I'll just call him The Punisher."

"If you don't like it, then get out."

Fury didn't get angry when he was criticized; he just smiled gently.

"Very good, let's call him The Punisher."

The two walked side by side out of the factory littered with corpses and disappeared into the New York night.

……

Alaska, Skrull Park.

The day after Fury left.

A heavy transport plane bearing the Vought logo landed on the base's tarmac.

Dozens of armed personnel wearing VGD combat uniforms entered the central square of the base.

The park's public address system was simultaneously activated, with mechanical and electronic voices echoing throughout every living area, canteen, and activity plaza.

"Attention all Skrulls. This is not a drill."

"Everyone, immediately cease your current activities and proceed to the central square to assemble."

"I repeat, everyone, assemble in the central square immediately. Disobedience will be considered an act of hostility towards the Vought Group."

This cold, impersonal announcement instantly caused an uproar within the quarantine area.

"What happened? Why are we gathering?"

"Is the Earth government going to carry out a massive purge against us?"

A flurry of panicked murmurs erupted from the crowd.

"Everyone, stay calm! Don't panic!"

Talos loudly reassured his fellow countrymen around him.

"Don't do anything rash. Follow the instructions on the loudspeaker and assemble in the square. Fury is here; he won't let Walter do anything reckless. He promised to protect us."

Talos's reassurance calmed the panic somewhat.

Thousands of Skrulls surged toward the central square.

Once everyone had arrived, the leading official began issuing a proclamation regarding the transformation of all Skrulls.

In the square, thousands of Skuru refugees gathered, and when they heard the announcement read out, "Unstable elements undergo removal surgery, permanently losing their mimicry abilities," a strong protest and commotion immediately erupted in the crowd.

"They are stripping us of our last shred of dignity!"

"We are Skrulls! Without shapeshifting abilities, what are we?!"

"We want to see Fury! He assured us it was safe here!"

An angry roar echoed across the square, and some young Skrull warriors even began to clench their fists and approach the armed personnel on the platform.

The situation is on the verge of erupting.

"General Talos! Say something!"

"Did you bring us here just to have our teeth and claws pulled out?!"

Faced with the angry questions from his people, Talos stood at the front of the crowd, his face extremely grim.

He suppressed his anger and shouted at the supervisor who had spoken.

"I need to see Director Nick Fury. Immediately!"

"He will absolutely not agree to this renovation plan!"