Chapter 2:Silent Observer

Marcus stood in front of his apartment window, the early morning sunlight streaming in. He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth on his skin. Ever since he had completed Saitama's training and received the Superman bloodline, he had felt different—stronger, faster, more attuned to the world around him. But his journey was far from over. To unlock his full potential, he needed to absorb sunlight, just like Superman.

A soft chime interrupted his thoughts. Marcus opened his eyes to see a translucent panel hovering in front of him, displaying various stats and information. He had grown accustomed to the System's presence over the past two years, but this was the first time it had shown him something like this.

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**Current Ability: Superman (Basic)**

- Strength: 10%

- Speed: 10%

- Flight: 5%

- Durability: 15%

- Heat Vision: 5%

- Solar Absorption: 20%

- Mental Ability: 0%

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The percentages were low, but they represented the beginning of his journey toward ultimate power. He knew that with time and exposure to sunlight, his abilities would continue to grow.

Marcus focused on the panel, willing it to disappear. As it faded from view, he took a deep breath and considered his next move. The storyline of "The Boys" was about to begin, and he needed to be prepared. He remembered every detail from the show, every plot twist, every character arc. This knowledge gave him a unique advantage, but it also came with a heavy burden. The world of "The Boys" was brutal and unforgiving, and he needed to tread carefully.

His phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw a news alert: "Superhero Saves School Bus in Queens." It was a typical headline, one that would have gone unnoticed by most people. But Marcus knew better. This was the beginning—the first domino to fall in the chaotic chain of events that would define the series.

He quickly dressed and left his apartment, heading to Vought International. The skyscraper loomed over the city, a symbol of power and corruption. As he walked through the bustling lobby, he nodded to a few familiar faces, careful to maintain his low profile. His position within the company was both a blessing and a curse—it gave him access to valuable information, but it also put him at risk of exposure.

Marcus made his way to his small office on the lower floors, where he was tasked with mundane administrative duties. He sat at his desk, pretending to review some documents while he formulated his plan. He needed to find a way to observe the key players in the unfolding drama without drawing attention to himself.

That afternoon, as he was filing some reports, he heard a commotion from the office next door. Curiosity piqued, Marcus stepped out into the hallway and saw a group of employees gathered around a television screen in the break room. He joined them, catching a glimpse of the news broadcast.

The screen showed a man named Hughie Campbell, visibly shaken, holding a press conference. Marcus recognized him instantly—the show's protagonist, whose life was about to be turned upside down. Hughie was demanding an apology from A-Train, the speedster who had accidentally killed his girlfriend, Robin, in a horrific accident.

The footage cut to the scene of the accident, showing A-Train's super-speed collision with Robin, her body disintegrating in an instant. Marcus felt a pang of sympathy for Hughie. He knew how this event would set Hughie on a path of vengeance and resistance against the corrupt superheroes and Vought International.

As Hughie's press conference continued, Marcus noted the cold, dismissive response from Vought's PR team. They spun the incident as a tragic accident, emphasizing A-Train's status as a hero and downplaying the need for any apology. It was classic Vought—control the narrative, protect the brand at all costs.

Over the next few days, Marcus kept a low profile, continuing his training and observing the events unfolding around him. He saw Hughie's grief turn to anger, his desperation driving him to seek justice. Marcus watched from the shadows, knowing that Hughie would soon be approached by Billy Butcher, the ruthless leader of The Boys, who would recruit him into their vigilante group.

Marcus's routine remained unchanged: intense morning workouts, absorbing as much sunlight as possible, and then blending into his role at Vought. Each day, his powers grew incrementally.

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**Current Ability: Superman (Basic)**

- Strength: 12%

- Speed: 12%

- Flight: 7%

- Durability: 18%

- Heat Vision: 7%

- Solar Absorption: 25%

- Mental Ability: 0%

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His progression was slow but steady. He could feel the changes in his body, the enhanced strength, the increased speed. But he knew he had to be patient. Rushing into action prematurely could be disastrous.

One evening, as Marcus was leaving the Vought building, he saw Hughie standing outside, looking lost and uncertain. This was the moment Marcus had been anticipating—the arrival of Billy Butcher. Sure enough, Butcher soon approached Hughie, his confident swagger and sharp wit on full display.

Marcus stayed back, using his superhearing to listen in on their conversation.

"Oi, mate," Butcher called out, his accent thick. "You Hughie Campbell?"

Hughie looked up, confusion and wariness etched on his face. "Yeah, that's me. Who are you?"

"Butcher's the name," he said, extending a hand. "Got a moment? I think we might have a common interest."

Hughie hesitated but took Butcher's hand. "What do you mean?"

"Let's take a walk," Butcher suggested. "This ain't a conversation for the open street."

Marcus followed them at a distance, blending into the shadows, his superhearing catching every word.

As they walked, Butcher began his pitch. "I saw what happened to your girl, mate. Bloody tragedy, that. But you're not alone. There are others out there who know what these bloody Supes are really like."

Hughie's voice trembled with emotion. "You saw? Then you know what A-Train did. He killed her, and Vought is just covering it up."

Butcher nodded. "A-Train's a bloody menace. But he's just the tip of the iceberg. These Supes, they're all corrupt. And Vought? They're the worst of the lot, covering up their messes, spinning their lies."

Hughie's anger was palpable. "So what? What can we do about it?"

Butcher grinned, a predatory gleam in his eye. "That's where I come in, mate. I've got a little team, see? We're dedicated to taking these bastards down. And I think you've got what it takes to join us."

Hughie's steps faltered. "Join you? I don't know anything about fighting or... or taking down Supes."

Butcher clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about that. We've got the know-how. What we need are blokes like you, people who've been hurt, who've got a reason to fight. You in?"

Hughie was silent for a long moment. Marcus could see the conflict in his eyes, the fear battling with the need for justice. Finally, he nodded. "I'm in. What do I have to do?"

Butcher's grin widened. "Good lad. First things first, we're gonna make sure you've got some dirt on these bastards. You keep your eyes and ears open, and when the time comes, we'll strike. And trust me, we'll make 'em pay."

Marcus watched as they disappeared into the night, feeling a mix of admiration and caution. Butcher was a force to be reckoned with, and his methods were ruthless. But Hughie needed someone like Butcher to guide him, to channel his rage into action.

Over the next few weeks, Marcus continued to observe from the shadows, listening in on Butcher and Hughie's conversations as they planned their moves. He watched as Hughie transformed from a grieving boyfriend into a determined vigilante, driven by a desire for justice.

Meanwhile, Marcus's own abilities continued to grow.

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**Current Ability: Superman (Basic)**

- Strength: 15%

- Speed: 15%

- Flight: 10%

- Durability: 22%

- Heat Vision: 10%

- Solar Absorption: 30%

- Mental Ability: 0%

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He felt the power coursing through him, his confidence increasing with each passing day. Yet, he knew he had to remain vigilant. The world of "The Boys" was filled with dangers, and he had to be ready for anything.

One afternoon, Marcus found himself in the Vought cafeteria, overhearing a conversation between some of the marketing team members. They were discussing a new PR campaign to rehabilitate A-Train's image, painting him as a hero who had been unfairly maligned by the media. Marcus shook his head in disgust. Vought's manipulation was relentless, and the public's perception was all too easily swayed.

As he returned to his office, Marcus's thoughts turned to the future. He knew that the conflict between The Boys and the Supes would escalate, bringing more chaos and destruction. He also knew that his role in this world was becoming increasingly important. With his growing powers and his knowledge of the series' plotline, he had the potential to influence events in significant ways.

But for now, his primary goal was to continue building his strength, to prepare for the challenges ahead. He couldn't afford to rush into action. Patience and strategy were key.

That evening, as the sun set over the city, Marcus stood on the rooftop of his apartment building,