Killgrave!

"I thought you missed me."

Natasha lazily traced circles on Lynch's chest as she spoke casually.

"Turns out it's about this."

She stopped her movements and looked at Lynch, puzzled.

"But why don't you check it out yourself? You could easily find them, right?"

Lynch shrugged innocently and replied, "I'm pretending to be an ordinary person, remember? For something like this, I've got to leave it to you guys."

That's truly how he thought, and how he had acted for a while now. Under multiple layers of life force suppression, Lynch had sealed away most of his powers. Currently, his abilities were just about where they were when he first gained them—only super strength, speed, and endurance remained.

Hearing this, Natasha shook her head helplessly. She knew Lynch had been keeping a low profile lately, often hiding away to "experience life." Even she rarely got to see him.

But how many ordinary people would involve themselves in a case like this, a serial disappearance? Ordinary people would avoid it at all costs!

No regular person would rush to investigate like you!

Still, Natasha didn't feel like exposing his little facade. Both she and S.H.I.E.L.D. preferred Lynch to stay in his current state of mind. If gods existed in this world, they'd rather that god be simple and kind.

"Alright, I'll give the orders to start the investigation. If they're still in New York, we'll find them soon."

With that, Natasha got up to arrange the task.

…

A few hours later, Natasha received word that S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had tracked down the whereabouts of Kilgrave and Jessica.

Lynch and Natasha drove to a grand-looking residence and rang the doorbell.

"Are you sure they're here?" Lynch asked as the bell rang for a while. He glanced around the house, trying to peer inside. But with his x-ray vision suppressed, he couldn't see what was going on inside.

"There's a good chance," Natasha replied, her eyes sharp. When she was on a mission, she became the Black Widow that enemies feared.

"My colleague told me that Jessica was seen leading one of the women from the missing persons list toward this place."

Her voice was steady and professional, describing the situation quickly.

"According to the records, the homeowner here is also a sexy woman, and she's currently missing."

"Hmm."

If Natasha said so, it was probably right. But Lynch couldn't help but think Kilgrave was quite the sleaze. He just couldn't resist controlling and toying with any attractive woman he saw—what a twisted pervert.

Just as Lynch was about to say something, the doorbell stopped ringing. The intercom clicked on, and a faint sound of a woman sobbing could be heard.

"Who is it?"

Lynch's face darkened immediately. With his hearing, he instantly caught the sound of a woman crying. But it wasn't just the sobbing that made his expression change; he also heard several heartbeats and breathing patterns in the background.

This meant that there were multiple people in the place where the woman's sobs were coming from. And who else could be with Kilgrave here?

Exchanging a look with Natasha, Lynch was certain they had found the right place.

He moved closer to the intercom, his voice icy and full of menace.

"Kilgrave! You're done."

With that, Lynch kicked the door open and charged inside.

As they reached the door to a room, Lynch paused, waiting by the entrance. He could hear a series of hurried footsteps coming toward them—someone was on their way.

"Click."

The door opened, revealing the petite figure Lynch had anticipated.

"Jessica Jones?"

Looking at the soft yet worn-down face of this younger Jessica, Lynch couldn't help but sigh internally. The sight of her red, tear-filled eyes, the traces of weeping—this was clearly a girl who had been manipulated and broken by Kilgrave.

In the end, Kilgrave had hurt Jessica too.

Seeing Lynch, Jessica's controlled body trembled, her pupils dilating in shock. The tears that had been interrupted by Kilgrave's assault now poured down again.

Superboy! He's here!

Am I saved?

…

Despite the flood of thoughts rushing through her mind, Jessica couldn't stop herself from lunging viciously at Lynch—Kilgrave had ordered her to "kill the intruder."

"Thud."

Lynch, not dodging, took Jessica's punch squarely to the chest, causing him to step back slightly.

"That actually hurt a bit."

Lynch muttered, immediately grabbing hold of Jessica's shoulders.

She struggled fiercely in his grasp, landing an elbow on his face.

"Ow."

This time, Lynch grimaced. Jessica's strength was nothing to scoff at.

He remembered from the original storyline that Jessica had strength in the range of several tons, though the version in live-action adaptations was notably weaker, with no big heroic moments. Of course, that was likely due to budget constraints—big action scenes cost money, after all!

As a third-tier Marvel character, Jessica's solo series couldn't afford to feature massive, explosive action.

Besides, the show portrayed Jessica as deeply affected by PTSD, burdened with guilt and hatred for her powers, which probably explained her reduced strength too.

Without further thought, Lynch crossed his arms and pulled her into a tight hold from behind, firmly restraining her.

Pinned down, Jessica couldn't use her limbs to fight back anymore. So, she raised her foot and stomped down on Lynch's.

"Ow!"

Lynch yelped, frustrated, and quickly locked her legs with his own, keeping her completely immobile.

Now, Jessica was firmly under his control, unable to move. But Lynch was still left with a problem—Jessica was trying to bite him!

Though he knew she was acting under Kilgrave's control, Lynch couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed. How long had it been since someone hit him this hard?

With no other choice, Lynch used his head to press against hers, blocking her attempt to bite.

"Natasha!"

He called out to the doorway.

"Bring whatever you guys use to tie people up!"

"On it!"

Natasha, watching from outside, responded and went to get something.

Lynch remained pressed against Jessica, quietly waiting for Natasha.

After a while, Lynch glanced curiously at Jessica.

"Do you know me?"

He asked, puzzled. He had noticed something off about Jessica since their first encounter. The moment she saw him, her expression, eyes, and heartbeat all shifted subtly. At the time, he thought it was just her surprise at the intrusion.

But now, after being subdued, Jessica's expression clearly indicated she wanted to say something.

Jessica, hearing Lynch's question, shifted her eyes slightly as if answering him.

"Look left if yes, look right if no."

Jessica quickly glanced to the left, confirming.

Seeing her reaction, Lynch wasn't surprised; his appearance was already well-known in New York.

"Good to know. I'm here to rescue you, so don't be afraid."

Lynch reassured her, but unexpectedly, Jessica desperately looked to the right, as if signaling something.

"What are you…?"

After thinking for a moment, Lynch realized.

"Let me go?"

Jessica looked to the right again.

So she's worried about me.

Lynch chuckled silently.

"Don't worry; that guy can't control me."

Jessica didn't move her eyes anymore, staring intently at Lynch.

As they waited a long time without Natasha returning, Lynch began to worry. What if Natasha encountered Kilgrave?

Just then, Lynch heard approaching footsteps.

"Bang!"

As he turned, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back.

"Hehe."

A sinister male voice came from behind him.

"Am I done for?"

Kilgrave's disgusting face soon appeared before Lynch, wearing a smug grin as he raised a gun to Lynch's head.

"You're impressive, holding your own against Jessica for so long."

Kilgrave's face twisted with malicious glee as he pressed the gun barrel against Lynch's forehead.

"Tell me, is your head wearing a bulletproof vest?"

Lynch merely stared at Kilgrave, feeling a strange confusion.

Is this guy a caveman? Can't he recognize me?

In stark contrast to Lynch's calm demeanor, Jessica was in a panic.

She thought that while she didn't know why Lynch could withstand her earlier attack, he wouldn't survive a bullet to the head!

I'm going to kill him!

No! I need to save him!

I must…

"Die!"

Kilgrave laughed maniacally as he pulled the trigger.

"Bang bang bang!"

"No!"

Jessica shouted at the same moment the gun went off.

The smoke from the gun dissipated, leaving an awkward silence among the three.

Lynch looked at Jessica, surprised.

He hadn't expected her to break free from Kilgrave's control at such a moment.

In the original story, it took Jessica eight months to escape Kilgrave's mental grip and finally escape his clutches.

Kilgrave stared in shock at the unharmed Lynch, a flicker of fear rising in him.

But that fear lasted only a moment before it was replaced with wild excitement.

Kilgrave hadn't considered controlling Lynch before; he wanted to personally kill this insolent intruder.

Now that he saw a gun couldn't harm Lynch, Kilgrave quickly changed his mind.

He wanted to control this invincible guy—what an excellent bodyguard!

Lastly, Jessica looked relieved.

Her thoughts were simple:

Thank goodness he's okay!

"Are you alright?"

The freed Jessica finally spoke, eagerly asking Lynch.

"I'm fine."

Lynch smiled slightly, then turned his gaze to Kilgrave, his expression turning cold.

"So…"

Releasing Jessica, Lynch's tone was icy.

"What other tricks do you have?"