Just as the villain was about to speak, his expression froze on his face!
In the villain’s eyes, Phil saw a strong silver gleam, followed by a particle-formed light beam striking the villain’s chest directly, sending him flying backward.
Phil screamed in terror as the light beam severed his tie, and his body plummeted off the skyscraper!
But he didn’t fall – instead, he floated in mid-air.
A flash of light zipped past his side. The villain tried to fight back after getting up, but was pinned down and beaten to a pulp by this streak of light, completely powerless to resist.
Meanwhile, another airborne superhero concentrated, gently lowering the floating Phil back onto the building’s rooftop.
The still-shaken Phil clearly saw his saviors: two of Hope City’s superheroes.
One was “Silver Gleam,” and the other was an unranked but recently famous female superhero called “Crystal.”
“Silver Gleam” was a handsome white man with skin that shimmered with brilliant silver light. His superpower let him emit or transform into light beams, attacking enemies at incredible speed.
“Crystal” was a beauty with an angelic face and smoking hot body. She wore a white and gold bodysuit, and when using her powers, her eyes emitted an intense glow that sparkled like crystals, stunning beyond description.
“Silver Gleam” quickly dispatched the powerful villain while “Crystal” came to Phil’s side, slightly bending down and smiling condescendingly: “Mr. Phil, what a coincidence to meet again.”
“Silver Gleam” spoke with mockery: “Mr. Phil, your ‘moneypowers’ seem rather useless in this situation.”
“But don’t worry, Hope City remains one of the world’s safest cities because we’re here.”
“Come, let’s get a selfie!”
Without waiting for permission, Silver Gleam came beside Phil, pulled out his phone, and snapped a photo with a “click.”
Phil was drenched, hair disheveled, snot and tears streaming down his face, with a wet spot in his crotch – completely wretched. Silver Gleam, meanwhile, was clean and composed, creating a stark contrast between them.
…
Cut to: Phil and Silver Gleam’s selfie appearing on “Hope News” TV program.
A news commentator presented the event to viewers.
“Last night, a kidnapping occurred near Sixth Avenue. Simmons Media CEO Phil Simmons was held hostage by a criminal. Fortunately, superheroes ‘Silver Gleam’ and ‘Crystal’ happened to be nearby and rescued Phil immediately.”
“The criminal has been arrested by police and faces possible prison sentences exceeding ten years…”
“Interestingly, just three days prior at a charity gala, Phil Simmons donated one million dollars to the Superhero Association and publicly declared his love to superhero ‘Crystal.'”
“‘Crystal’ politely declined Phil’s advances, but Phil immediately tweeted that he’d never give up. Fellow ‘Crystal’ pursuer ‘Silver Gleam’ publicly stated he would compete fairly with Mr. Simmons.”
“Following this kidnapping incident, Mr. Simmons hasn’t appeared publicly, nor has he updated his Twitter. However, his personal physician reports that Mr. Simmons is physically fine, just experiencing mild shock-induced stress requiring rest. During this period, Mr. Simmons will close his doors to visitors and suspend all public activities…”
“Click” – the TV turned off.
“Crystal,” wearing casual clothes, lounged on her mansion’s sofa with a stern face: “This was far too heavy-handed. Unless Simmons is completely clueless, he’ll realize something’s wrong.”
“Sixth Avenue is the wealthy district with the most superhero patrols. Rarely would any criminal dare commit crimes there. Let alone stopping Phil Simmons’ car right on the street – practically shouting ‘arrest me’ to the superheroes patrolling above.”
“If you’d told me this plan beforehand, I never would’ve agreed.”
“The Simmons family has at least several billion in assets. Phil Simmons is the family’s only son. If anything serious happened to him, we’d both be implicated.”
“Silver Gleam” sitting nearby chuckled: “Honey, relax. You’re new to being a superhero – not understanding these things is normal. Just let me handle it.”
“We needed to make it obvious enough to scare that brainless playboy who only thinks with his lower half. To make him afraid and back off.”
“Otherwise, his persistence would create many problems for you and me.”
“That Simmons fellow must be scared witless right now, hiding in his mansion, calling for mommy in some model’s arms.”
“As for ‘revenge’… no need to worry. The Simmons family is just one of Hope City’s wealthy families. Besides money and real estate, they have neither power nor influence.”
“They’ve bought some politicians and third-rate superheroes through political donations, but they can’t prove anything. They won’t antagonize us over mere suspicions from a scare.”
“Even if Phil Simmons doesn’t grasp his own limitations, his father certainly does. Lane Simmons would never trouble us – he’ll just tell his son to control his urges.”
“Crystal” asked: “What if he wants to become a superhero himself?”
Silver Gleam laughed: “Who? Phil? Absolutely impossible. How could someone like him become a superhero? That’s the most ridiculous joke I’ve heard all year!”
“So honey, rest easy. I guarantee that pants-wetting Simmons will have neither face nor confidence to bother you again.”
As Silver Gleam spoke, he moved closer to “Crystal.”
“Crystal’s” eyes instantly lit up with crystalline brilliance, using telekinesis through meditation to push Silver Gleam aside.
“Honey, seriously?”
Silver Gleam looked helpless.
“Crystal” gave a cold smile: “I’m still in public observation period. My manager says absolutely no scandal can surface at this stage, or it’ll affect my ranking.”
Silver Gleam shrugged: “It’s fine, nobody will know…”
“Crystal’s” smile gradually disappeared: “Get out.”
Silver Gleam sighed helplessly: “OK, OK.”
He went to the mansion’s side door, glancing back reluctantly, but only heard a “bang” as “Crystal” telekinetically slammed the door shut.
Silver Gleam could only sigh and quickly transform into a silver light streak flying into the distance.
…
Meanwhile, in central Hope City, the magnificent Simmons Tower.
Phil Simmons, face dark, knocked on his father’s office door.
His father Lane Simmons had golden hair and a robust build. Though nearly sixty, he remained energetic with the commanding presence of a business mogul.
Lane Simmons looked up at his son: “Yes?”
Phil gritted his teeth, forcing out words: “Father, I want to become a superhero.”
Lane Simmons, reading a newspaper, put it down and removed his reading glasses, sizing up his son: “How much money do you need?”
Phil answered without hesitation: “One billion.”
Lane Simmons paused, then grew serious: “I’ll give you two billion, but with one condition.”
“No matter what happens in the future – whether you’re imprisoned or disgraced, crippled or abandoned by everyone – as long as you’re alive, you can never give up.”
“If you can’t do that, leave now and never mention this again.”
Phil’s face darkened further, veins bulging from clenched teeth: “Father, I won’t disappoint you!”
Lane Simmons nodded slightly. Without another word, he turned toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Between the towering buildings, countless superheroes flew back and forth. Giant promotional posters of superheroes adorned the buildings, all proclaiming their special status in this city.
Phil Simmons also overlooked this magnificent city, a plan gradually forming in his mind.
“In the decades since World Captain’s death, superheroes – World Captain’s ‘successors’ – have perfectly integrated into society.”
“Once, there were many ways to become a superhero. Many heroes were lone wolves, and quite a few fell from grace after losing public trust.”
“Every few years, the strongest superhero might change.”
“But in the past twenty years, this has changed. The paths to becoming a superhero have dwindled to just a few. Superheroes now belong to corporations or organizations, no longer acting solo. Superhero rankings have become fixed, rarely changing.”
“The top four superheroes haven’t changed ranks in ten years.”
“To become a superhero requires roughly four steps:”
“Step one: Find a way to become an apprentice and successfully debut.”
“Each year, several major talent agencies or corporations in Hope City scout aspiring superheroes, sign contracts, and nurture them with company resources.”
“Debuting independently can be problematic – facing suppression or smear campaigns from other agencies. Without PR support during crises, independent debut means freedom but also significant risk.”
“The quickest path is joining talent shows run by major companies. Superhero mentors arrange extensive training to ensure apprentices have potential.”
“Step two: Debuted superheroes accumulate supporters and gain preliminary powers. Abilities vary with supporter count. Popular heroes like ‘Crystal’ gain powerful abilities upon debut.”
“This ‘observation period’ requires maintaining image, stable mission execution, publicity, building connections. Some fools reveal scandals at this stage, losing supporters and powers, becoming discarded.”
“Step three: Participate in superhero elections.”
“With connections, supporters, and approval from capital, corporations, and public, superheroes become spokespeople for groups, stating platforms, representing fan bases, executing major missions to prove abilities.”
“At this stage, superheroes become valuable assets, attracting advisors who strategize for them.”
“Step four: Become top-tier superheroes, the most powerful and prestigious figures in the city or entire nation.”
“Media periodically ranks top heroes based on polls and estimated abilities. The top 10 make the list, while top 4 become power centers. They maintain close ties with politicians and corporations, even influencing national decisions. This ranking is every superhero’s ultimate dream.”
“Regardless of stage, superheroes must carefully avoid scandal exposure. Such incidents cause supporter loss and power decline in a downward spiral that’s hard to stop.”
“The quickest route to superherodom is talent shows.”
“But I have a better idea.”
“I’ll create my own talent show. It’ll be called ‘Successor.'”