Become a Homelander and a Marvel superstar

SkyNet nodded and continued its report.

"Everything was running smoothly during the first week of your disappearance. Miss Jessica, Agent Skyker, and Miss Nebula came to inquire about your whereabouts multiple times."

"I told them, as you instructed, that you had gone to Asgard for special training."

"They believed it?"

"Yes, they accepted that explanation," Skynet replied.

"But the situation changed in the second week."

"The false information you deliberately spread, that Blacksteel was Homelander's weakness, has begun to spread wildly in the underworld. Moreover, this rumor has mutated and evolved into the claim that Homelander was secretly assassinated by Blacksteel's weapons."

Azu sneered.

"These bastards have some nerve."

"At first, everyone scoffed at these rumors," Skynet continued. "Your invincible image was deeply ingrained in people's minds. Nobody believed you could be killed."

"But as you continued to be late in appearing, everyone began to feel uneasy. Miss Jessica even came to see me three times a day to confirm whether you had returned."

"By the third week after your disappearance, the rumors were no longer confined to the underground world. They began to spread like wildfire online and even in street newspapers."

"I traced the source of the information, and the mastermind behind all of this is the Shining Light Society."

"At the time, I couldn't determine whether this was part of your grand plan, and in order not to disrupt your scheme, I did not take any forceful measures to intercept it."

Azu nodded slightly; SkyNet's judgment was logical.

When his intentions are uncertain, inaction is the best course of action.

"continue."

"Chief Ashley organized the public relations department to refute the rumors," Skynet continued, "but because you haven't made any public appearances, all the refutation statements have lacked persuasiveness, and public panic has begun to spread."

"Are those rats like Casillas getting impatient?" Azu asked, rubbing his temples.

"Yes." Skynet nodded. "The public outcry over the past twenty days, coupled with your continued absence, has convinced Casillas and the Radiant Society that you are either in deep trouble and unable to extricate yourself in the short term, or even that you have truly perished."

"In either case, this is an excellent window of opportunity for them to fight back."

"Just two days ago, the Radiant Society mobilized all of their hidden armed forces, an armed army composed of cyborgs, in conjunction with the fanatic mages under Kaecilius, to launch a full-scale attack on the Hong Kong Temple."

Skynet displayed a virtual screen showing images of fighting raging through the streets of Hong Kong.

"The heroes who remained in Hong Kong were fighting on the defensive to protect the main structure of the temple from damage. They immediately sent an urgent request for assistance to Vought headquarters."

"Jessica, in her capacity as acting president, has transferred most of the heroes from VGD headquarters to Hong Kong for support. That's why the base is currently empty."

Azu, staring at the battle scene on the screen, suddenly asked, "Where's Casillas? Is he in Hong Kong too?"

SkyNet shook its head.

"After the attack began, Casillas's whereabouts were concealed by an unknown force. I was unable to pinpoint his exact location."

Upon hearing this, Azu suddenly smiled.

"I see." Azu waved his hand. "Alright, no need to say more. I know where that rat is."

"Skynet, I'm giving you a task." Azu sighed helplessly, "Find Jessica the best history teacher from the Eastern Kingdom."

"Tell her to learn the Thirty-Six Stratagems! She can't even see through such a simple feint attack."

"Do you need me to activate the Terminator Force and head to Hong Kong?" Skynet asked.

"No need." Ah Zu turned around. "Hong Kong is just bait. The real target is right beneath our feet."

……

Greenwich Village.

177A Black Street, New York Temple.

As darkness fell, the sky gradually darkened.

The temple was not lit; only the faint moonlight streaming in through the round skylight barely illuminated the ancient building.

In the center of the hall, Stephen Strange stood quietly.

His appearance had changed considerably since then.

Strange's eyes were sunken, with heavy dark circles around them, giving him a gloomy aura.

Behind him, a dark red cloak floated in the air.

At that moment, an orange spark suddenly ignited in the shadows of the temple hall.

Casillas stepped out of the portal, his gaze immediately locking onto Strange, who was standing in the center of the hall.

Kaecilius was slightly taken aback when he saw Strange's haggard appearance.

"You look terrible, Doctor and Wizard."

"You are restless; I can see the longing in your heart. Dormammu will grant you eternal peace."

Strange rubbed his temples and yawned.

"Don't get me wrong, Casillas. I've just been lacking sleep lately."

"However, seeing your face suddenly makes me feel much more energetic."

Strange lowered his hand, his eyes sharpening.

"What, haven't you learned your lesson after I kicked you in the stomach last time? Do you need me to give your pathetic stomach a massage again?"

Upon hearing this, Casillas's face immediately darkened.

That kick was not only a physical pain, but also a spiritual humiliation.

But he was no longer the same person he once was, because Dormammu had granted him new power.

He was confident that he could avenge his previous defeat.

With this thought in mind, intertwined with his mission and old grudges, Casillas said no more.

He raised his hands and quickly formed hand seals.

"Click—"

The ground shattered as if it were glass, and a dark purple dimensional rift was torn open in the center of the hall.

"Let's witness true darkness!"

A chilling roar emanated from the crack.

Immediately following were tall, faceless figures.

A monster with only one eye on its head crawled out of the crack.

This is... Dormammu's army of heartless beings!

Strange looked at the monsters and, with his photographic memory of the book's contents, immediately recognized their origins.

The Heartless are extremely powerful stone-skinned monsters in the Dark Dimension. They have no sense of pain, possess immense strength, and can emit dark rays from their eyes.

He knew that a tough battle was ahead, so he forced himself to stay alert and tried to put his fatigue behind him.

"Kill him," Casillas coldly ordered.

The twenty-odd mindless individuals simultaneously turned their heads, their crimson single eyes locking onto Strange.

Seeing this, Strange's spine lit up slightly, and he immediately activated Sionstein.

At the same time, he quickly clenched his hands, and golden magical energy condensed in his hands, transforming into two runic round shields, the Rings of Raghadore.

Looks like we'll have to have an extra meal tonight.

Strange muttered something to himself.