Chapter 5

"Damn it."

Rick's voice was quiet but it contained a multitude of emotions.

It was Thursday, he'd jogged home from work as usual and was excited to see Super Durability upgraded to level 6.

Unfortunately this turned out not to be the case.

Super Durability level 5 was strong, roughly the same level as displayed by Annie January in the show.

If his other attributes like strength and speed were on a similar level, Rick would have the confidence to try changing the future and keeping Robin alive.

Sadly, Rick was still a one-trick pony.

Even worse, the seemingly invincible system had finally shown a crack.

[ Check in complete! Congratulations you have received: Super Durability Level 5.1. ]

The familiar voice had been followed by a surge of euphoria, but once the euphoria faded, Rick realised what had happened.

"Fuck."

Rick realised that he'd gotten cocky. He'd started to assume that the system would simply continue enhancing his powers without limits.

Fate had stepped in to give a firm fuck you to this assumption.

If each check-in rewarded 0.1 of a level, it would take over a week for Rick to reach level 6.

This speed of advancement seemed like a snail's pace to Rick. He'd gotten much too used to his powers doubling or tripling each day.

'What do I do?'

Sitting down at the table Rick forced himself to calm down and think logically.

'I can already tank sniper rounds, rockets aren't a problem either. Unless someone orders an air strike on me I should be relatively safe.'

His defence wasn't yet at the invulnerable level he had hoped for, but for now it would suffice.

'I need a new power.'

The thought gradually became firm in his mind.

Upgrading Flame Control further would probably turn him into a copy of Lamplighter. Although offensive ability was important, Flame Control was currently the only power that he could train without relying on the system.

Therefore there was no need to keep checking in at the Walmart.

"I need to quit my job."

Rick wasn't conceited enough to think that he could stumble across a useful power on his first try.

The limitation of midday check in meant that holding down a job, while also trying to find a new suitable location, was simply impossible.

Although he didn't realise it, the rapid increase in his strength had also had an effect on Rick's mentality.

He didn't hesitate for a second before turning in his notice of resignation.

Over the last few days Rick had devoted all of his free time into training Flame Control.

Although the system didn't notify him of any changes, he could feel that his connection to fire was slowly and steadily advancing go the Third Level.

Compared to strengthening Super Durability which would require him to go through torture as a young Homelander once did, Rick naturally preferred to train his power of Flame Control.

In a week or so Rick felt confident that he could successfully advance Flame Control to the Third Level.

'I wonder how the system will react.'

Since he was now no longer employed, Rick began planning his schedule for the following day.

8:00, wake up.

8:30, eat breakfast.

9:00 - 11:30, train.

11:30 - 12:00, check in at first location.

Although he had hoped to upgrade Super Durability to level 10 before looking for a new power, Rick had already planned out a few locations to check in.

The first on his list was a lake a half hour's drive from his apartment.

The rest of the day went by without incident.

Tony was shocked to see a notice of resignation appear in his inbox, but after a quick conversation about a made up new job, his shock soon turned into congratulations.

A few other employees expressed their well-wishes towards Rick and went for drinks at a nearby bar to celebrate.

Rick stayed for a couple drinks, unbothered by the jeers of his colleagues as he ordered fizzy drinks rather than alcoholic ones, then returned home.

The silence of the apartment greeted him.

A few minutes later, a fluctuating amber glow could be seen leaking out from the curtains of Rick's apartment.

'Thank fuck he doesn't have thermal vision.'

Homelander could see through anything but zinc. His hearing was sharp enough to hear a cry of help tens of miles away.

Fortunately he couldn't see heat signatures, otherwise he might've noticed a small apartment on the outskirts of New York city lit up like a jolly Christmas tree.

At 2am Rick finished his training and got into bed.

Thanks to the repeated boosts to his stamina, his energy levels had reached the point where he only needed 5 or so hours of sleep to function in his best state.

The extra hour spent in bed was simply a lie in.

Lying in bed and listening to the shouts of an angry neighbour above him, Rick reflected on the last few days.

'All this rushing about. I'm either training or thinking about Homelander bursting through the ceiling.'

Rick had been constantly pushing himself to get stronger.

If he wasn't strong enough then he wouldn't be able to save Robin.

But...

'I'm not a hero.'

He didn't have Starlight's thirst for justice or Butcher's determination to wipe out supes.

The last few days of intensive training had strengthened his power of Flame Control by 20 or 30%, but when was the last time he'd actually sat down to rest?

"I haven't watched TV in a week." Rick said with shock.

He didn't like scrolling endlessly on his phone, but he still enjoyed sitting back and unwinding to a few episodes of his preferred shows.

A hero would've set aside his own personal desires and worked until his fingers bled in order to save an innocent woman.

But Rick wasn't a hero.

Instead of going to sleep, Rick reached for his phone and turned on the bedside light.

The distinctive sound of Netflix opening soon followed.