Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman

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Henry learned about the incident in India almost immediately.

The nano-scale filtration and purification machine triggering its self-destruct mechanism was no small matter.

That enormous piece of equipment wasn’t designed to destroy itself over a few bumps or scratches. Someone had clearly opened it up and started digging around inside, trying to uncover its secrets.

The moment a bright red warning notification appeared in the corner of his augmented-reality display, projected through his glasses onto his retina, Henry knew that Sujay Patel’s evaluation was effectively over.

Whether Sujay had personally participated or not didn’t really matter.

If he couldn’t keep a business partner under control and prevent them from entertaining dangerous ideas, then he wasn’t competent enough to work alongside a Kryptonian.

If Henry had to step in and clean up every mess himself while his assistant could only handle tasks a monkey could perform, then he might as well hire an actual monkey.

Why bother with a human?

It certainly wasn’t because he was too cheap to pay proper wages and wanted to compensate a genius with bananas.

As expected, it didn’t take long for Sujay Patel to call and once again demand additional ”filters.”

His words were laced with thinly veiled threats.

He made it abundantly clear that if Henry didn’t provide more machines, he shouldn’t expect to receive any of the profit-sharing payments that had been promised.

Henry’s response was simple.

He blocked the number.

No further contact would be necessary.

Shortly afterward, Kingo called as well.

He explained everything he knew and sighed regretfully.

”I’m sorry, Henry. I didn’t realize that kid would be so easily tempted. A few kickbacks were all it took for him to switch sides.”

Henry laughed.

”It’s fine. I never intended to build a huge business from this in the first place. I just needed somewhere to verify the drug’s effectiveness.

”If spending that amount of money helped me understand what kind of person he is, I’d say it was worth it.”

Kingo sighed.

”The truth is, any important venture needs your personal attention.

”People always dream about finding trustworthy subordinates, staying home, and counting money while others handle everything.

”Usually, that’s exactly how you end up losing both your money and your business.

”Building something worthwhile is never that easy.”

Henry chuckled.

”Oh? Listening to you, it sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”

”The experience of getting stabbed in the back, perhaps?”

Kingo answered solemnly.

”You know I’ve lived on Earth for seven thousand years.

”Most of that time wasn’t spent wandering around blindly looking for Deviants to kill.

”Besides Ikaris and Makkari, the rest of us aren’t significantly faster than ordinary humans when traveling long distances without transportation.”

Kingo never hid much information about the Eternals from Henry.

At the very least, he had introduced all nine of his companions—including Thena and Gilgamesh—to him, just in case they ever crossed paths and misunderstandings arose.

Ikaris was the only Eternal capable of true flight.

Makkari was the speedster.

The others could move quickly, but their long-distance travel speed was only comparable to that of world-class marathon runners.

Fast, certainly.

But not impossibly fast.

That was the point.

”So,” Kingo continued, ”we often relied on human organizations to provide intelligence regarding Deviant activity so we could hunt them down.

”Whether we dealt with humans as equals or ruled them through myths and divine authority, they still needed incentives.

”People don’t devote themselves to causes simply because someone gives them a slogan.

”And whenever cooperation exists, personal interests inevitably follow.

”I think you can imagine the kinds of absurd situations we’ve witnessed over thousands of years.”

He paused.

”Humans only refrain from betraying you when there’s no benefit in doing so.

”I won’t accept arguments on that point.

”Unless you’ve accumulated seven thousand years of experience and reached a different conclusion.”

Henry burst out laughing.

”Haha. My friend, after putting it that way, what exactly am I supposed to say?”

”Don’t worry.”

Kingo’s tone brightened.

”I can compensate you for the losses Sujay caused.

”What do you need?

”Money?

”Jewels?

”Want a diamond even better than the Koh-i-Noor?

”How about a kilogram of one?”

Henry immediately replied:

”It wouldn’t happen to be Sersi-brand, would it?

”If so, I’d like a ton.”

Sersi, one of the Eternals, had once been Ikaris’s wife.

In fact, theirs was the only actual marriage among the Eternals.

Most Eternals felt little to no romantic desire, merely distinguishing between people they liked and people they liked less.

Sersi’s power was matter transmutation.

As long as something wasn’t alive, she could freely alter its atomic structure and molecular composition.

According to Kingo, the legend of turning stone into gold originated from Sersi.

Faced with Henry’s outrageous request, Kingo laughed and cursed affectionately.

”Even Sersi couldn’t produce a ton of diamonds in one go.

”Besides, I haven’t seen her in ages.

”Who knows where she is these days?”

Since the people Henry encountered in this universe differed from the movie versions he remembered before transmigrating, he couldn’t help locate her.

Unless Sersi openly revealed her identity, finding her would be nearly impossible.

If she lived under an assumed name, not even government records would help.

So Henry changed the subject.

”By the way, is Karan doing alright?

”His nephew caused this whole mess.

”Tell him I don’t hold it against him.

”He shouldn’t take it personally.”

”Of course.”

Kingo nodded.

”Honestly, he’s one of the disappointed parties too.

”Karan tried to warn Sujay.

”The kid just wouldn’t listen.

”Under those circumstances, even the truth doesn’t accomplish much.

”You understand, right?”

”I do.”

Henry nodded.

”Still, haven’t you promoted anyone else from the Patel family?

”Or is Karan the only one working closely with you?”

Kingo chuckled.

”My movie studio has existed far longer than Karan has worked for me.

”Several members of his family hold positions within the company.

”But if they’re unsuitable, I let them go.

”I don’t extend Karan’s level of trust to everyone.

”Actually, this whole situation reminds me that quite a few members of that family have started getting ideas above their station.

”I should probably keep a closer eye on them.”

Then he suddenly added:

”Oh, Karan does have a daughter.

”She takes after her mother and is quite beautiful.

”She’s currently studying in Britain.

”I’ve been considering training her to eventually succeed Karan and assist me.”

Kingo laughed.

”Having someone familiar with the truth helps a lot more than faking my own death every few decades and pretending to be my own son.”

Then he asked:

”Do you need help?

”I could send Yamika to work for you.

”Karan still has years left before retirement, so there’s no rush.

”You can think of it as helping me train the girl.”

Henry immediately declined.

”That’s unnecessary.

”If she’s still in school, let her focus on studying.

”I don’t even have a suitable position for her right now.

”Someone capable of managing a film company and serving as your chief aide would be wasted working for me.”

Kingo sounded amused.

”Really?

”You’re not interested?

”She may be brown-skinned, but she grew up studying in Britain.

”Her manners and taste are excellent.”

Henry groaned.

”Seriously?

”Why do I suddenly feel like I’m trying to be your friend while you’re trying to become my father-in-law?

”That girl isn’t secretly your daughter, is she?”

Kingo burst into laughter.

”Hahaha!

”Don’t ever say that in front of Karan.

”He’d fight you to the death, Kryptonian or not.

”He worked incredibly hard to win over his wife.

”I had nothing to do with it.

”The girl just happens to be one of my biggest fans.

”She’s sweet and charming.

”How could I not look after her a little?

”And it’s not like I’m asking you to marry her.

”I just suggested a capable assistant.”

”We’ll see.”

Henry laughed.

”I don’t have any work worthy of her talents right now.

”If I actually need an assistant in the future, we can revisit the idea.”

”Fair enough.”

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