[Extraction in progress…]

[Extraction successful!]

The system's prompt rang out instantly—

and with it, the crushing, eldritch force that had threatened to swallow Alex whole... vanished.

The Crimson Gem embedded in Cain's chest flickered once—

then disintegrated into fine scarlet dust, swept away by a breeze that came from nowhere.

Alex stumbled a step back, chest heaving.

"Hah…"

He exhaled sharply, a cold sweat clinging to his skin despite the chill in the air.

Every muscle in his body still tensed, bracing for a threat that no longer existed.

That gem…

Even now, with all the power he possessed, he'd felt utterly insignificant before it—

like a mortal facing down a primordial storm.

It hadn't been magic.

No—it was older than magic. Darker. Deeper. A curse wrapped in divinity,

like something that had slumbered at the bottom of the universe since before time began.

Without the system to anchor him, Alex knew exactly what would have happened—

he'd have been devoured, twisted, and reborn as a vessel for something else.

A pawn. A monster.

Another Juggernaut.

And that was a fate he would never allow.

The Juggernaut had never been unique.

The gem chose its host—

and could just as easily move on once it burned one out.

In the comics, even Colossus had worn that mantle once.

But to Alex, that kind of power—

the kind that whispered promises while sinking hooks into your soul—

No thanks.

It came from a god of chaos, a being whose very name warped reality.

It wasn't strength.

It was servitude, dressed in the illusion of invincibility.

Fortunately, the system was above such things.

While others made pacts, Alex extracted and absorbed.

Now, the gem's corrupted might was nothing more than fuel.

A cool, mechanical chime sounded:

[Origin Points gained: +2000]

Alex straightened, feeling the surge settle into his veins.

His system interface flickered open before his mind's eye:

[Host: Alex]

[Age: 16]

[Speed: 1102 m/s]

[Strength: 1421 tons]

[Physique: 1510] (Avg. healthy adult male: 10)

[Mental Power: 1566] (Avg. healthy adult male: 10)

[Current Template: Homelander (Unlock Progress: 80%)]

[Abilities: X-Ray Vision (Intermediate), Super Hearing (Intermediate), Heat Vision (Intermediate), Flight (Intermediate)]

[Origin Points: 2026]

Alex's lips curled into a grin.

Perfect.

The interface shimmered again.

[Detected surplus Origin Points. Proceed with enhancement?]

The system's voice had a sharpness now—

as though it was anticipating this moment as much as he was.

Alex didn't even blink.

"Enhance."

The world seemed to pause.

Then—

[Congratulations! Homelander template unlock progress: 100%!]

The words blazed across his mind.

One hundred percent.

Alex clenched his fist.

The air around him crackled, tension snapping like static across his skin.

A low hum filled his ears—

not from the environment,

but from himself.

From within.

Finally…

After all this time, after grinding through enemies, battles, and near-death trials—

He was the real deal.

[Host: Alex]

[Age: 16]

[Speed: 1389 m/s (Mach 4)]

[Strength: 2234 tons]

[Physique: 1910]

[Mental Power: 1966]

[Current Template: Homelander (Unlock Progress: 100%)]

[Abilities: X-Ray Vision (Advanced), Super Hearing (Advanced), Heat Vision (Advanced), Flight (Advanced)]

[Origin Points: 26]

Every stat had skyrocketed.

His strength now allowed him to lift entire skyscrapers with ease.

His speed pushed the limits of human perception—Mach 4 and rising.

His durability and mind were fortified beyond conventional measurement.

And now?

He didn't just imitate Homelander.

He was Homelander—

at his absolute peak.

But that raised the inevitable question—

What next?

Would the system offer new templates now?

Would he evolve into something even more?

The screen remained silent.

For now.

But Alex wasn't worried.

Power had a way of attracting opportunity.

It always did.

Behind him, a voice broke the silence.

"What just happened? The gem—it's gone?"

Charles' voice was tight with concern, his eyes fixed on Cain's chest—

now bare, the wound closed but the gem gone.

Gone without a trace.

He turned to Alex, frowning, searching for answers.

He didn't have all the pieces—

but he knew who was behind it.

"I destroyed it," Alex said simply, brushing dust from his jacket.

There was no point in explaining more.

"He won't turn into that monster again."

Charles held his gaze for a long moment.

Then nodded, tension fading from his posture.

That was enough for him.

He didn't need to know how.

Only that it was done.

It confirmed his suspicion—

the gem had been the source of the transformation.

And now it was gone.

Another voice, low and groggy, cut through the room.

"Charles?"

Cain Marko stirred.

His eyelids fluttered open, unfocused at first—

then sharpened as he spotted two men looming over him.

His chest was bare, his shirt torn open.

"What the hell are you doing?!" he bellowed, scrambling upright.

Alex: "…"

Charles: "…"

The silence was deafening.

Both men immediately took a cautious step back.

Cain was confused, furious, and half-conscious—

a bad combination.

But then, something hit him.

He paused. Looked down.

The gem—was gone.

His power…

His connection…

Nothing.

His heart raced.

Panic clawed its way into his throat.

"YOU—WHAT DID YOU DO?!" he roared, voice thick with betrayal.

His aura flared for a second—then fizzled out.

Charles raised a calming hand.

"Cain, calm down. It's over."

But Cain was too far gone to listen.

Grief and rage blurred his vision.

Alex had already turned away, done with the melodrama.

"Charles, let me know when Havok wakes up," he said coolly.

And with that—

A sudden boom cracked through the air—

a sonic shockwave rippling outward—

As Alex launched into the sky,

leaving behind only a gust of wind and the echo of his departure.

He didn't look back.

He didn't need to.

Power like his?

It never looked back.

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