Resource Reuse

"Who's Next Superhero?" is more than just a reality show; it's a money-printing machine running at full power.

Vought's New York headquarters, conference room.

Wu Yanzu sat in the main seat, toying with a Montblanc pen in his hand, a amiable smile on his face befitting a superior.

Opposite him sat representatives of mayors from various cities, including Chicago, Detroit, Miami, and Seattle.

These politicians, who usually act arrogantly in the city hall, now resembled a group of primary school students waiting for their teacher to correct their homework, sitting upright with fine beads of sweat on their foreheads.

"Everyone," Wu Yanzu's voice wasn't loud, but it was deafening, "I think you may have misunderstood something."

He pushed a thick stack of contracts back, which spread smoothly across the conference table.

"Walt doesn't sell mercenaries."

"What we offer is... a brand. It's a sense of security. It's a reason for your citizens to feel safe enough to turn over and go back to sleep when they hear noises in the alley in the middle of the night."

The Los Angeles mayor's representative wiped his sweat, his voice trembling slightly: "But, Mr. Starr... the $200 million annual 'hero service fee' takes up almost 10% of our police budget..."

"Last year in Los Angeles, property damage caused by superhuman crimes alone reached $350 million," Wu Yanzu interrupted him, a cold glint in his eyes. "Not to mention the plummeting approval ratings that can't be measured in monetary terms. Mayor, for your re-election campaign next year, I think you'll need some... strong endorsements?"

"Their role is far more significant than you imagine!"

He pointed to the large screen behind him.

On the screen, the resumes of the heroes signed by Wot are being displayed on a scrolling screen.

"Look at these kids." Wu Yanzu introduced his children like a kind father. "Frost Jack, his freezing ability is extraordinary. If a large fire breaks out in Los Angeles in the future, how much damage can he help you recover? And 'Iron Lady', although she is not pretty enough, she can withstand RPGs. The Miami gangs will face their doom."

"Even though they didn't make it into the Super Seven, they're still part of Vought. They'll receive professional training, understand the boundaries of the law, and most importantly..."

Wu Yanzu leaned forward, revealing his signature smile.

"...They are obedient."

"If any of you sign up, these heroes could arrive in your cities as early as next month. They'll have the full Wot package, and even their own comics and merchandise. Your cities will have their own guardian spirits."

"Of course, if you think it's too expensive..."

Wu Yanzu shrugged and leaned back.

"You know S.H.I.E.L.D.'s phone number. You can go to Nick Fury and see if he can send that acrobat with a bow and arrow to help you take the bullets."

"..."

Five seconds later, the representative of the mayor of Chicago was the first to pick up a pen.

"Where do I sign, Mr. Starr?"

……

Just one week.

The speed at which Vought expanded its territory was suffocating Pentagon analysts.

The hundreds of superpowered individuals who were eliminated in the preliminary selection were not thrown back into society like trash.

Instead, they were transformed into "city heroes" by Walter's contract.

Ashley divided the massive holographic map of the entire United States into countless small pieces.

"St. Louis City Hall just sent a contract! They're willing to pay $180 million annually to hire three city heroes to assist the police in combating gang crime in the South District!"

"The Detroit Police Department has also given in! Although they don't have the money, General Motors is willing to sponsor them! As long as the hero's cape has the Chevrolet logo on it!"

"Philadelphia, Boston, Miami... My God, the mayors of these cities are all lining up to give us money!"

Ah Zu sat in a huge leather boss's chair, his feet comfortably propped up on the conference table, swirling a glass of blue Water Superpower drink in his hand, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

"See that, Ashley?"

He pointed to the screen.

"This is called resource reuse."

While selecting the "Top 100" elites to enter the next round of the reality show, those superhumans who were eliminated, had mediocre abilities, unattractive appearances, or were simply unlucky were not kicked out by Vought.

Instead, Azu offered them an irresistible "B-level contract".

You can't make it into The Seven? No problem.

You can go to Cleveland and become a "city guardian".

You could go to Seattle and become a "rain patrolman".

Major cities are vying to buy it. After all, who wouldn't want a living "superhero business card"? Even a second-rate one is better than a fat cop who only knows how to eat donuts.

The truly top-tier "monsters" were left in New York to continue fighting for the next game.

The list of the top 100 has been released.

In the advanced training center built by Walter Reed specifically for reality shows in upstate New York, a silver blur vanished instantly on the track, the resulting wind pressure overturning the scoreboard next to it.

"call out--!"

Pietro Maximov, standing at the finish line, with silver hair and wearing a flashy silver bodysuit.

"0.02 seconds?" He looked at the timer, grimacing in annoyance. "How can it be so slow? Is this machine broken?"

"Not bad." Wu Yanzu stood in front of the observation window on the second floor, holding a glass of bourbon in his hand. "This kid is arrogant, but he has the right to be arrogant. A speed-type ability user, a natural center."

Ashley reported from the side, "Especially young women, they're totally smitten with this 'bad boy'."

"Where's that red pervert?" Wu Yanzu asked.

Ashley's expression instantly turned as if she had swallowed a fly.

"Wade Wilson..." She clicked on another surveillance video.

In the video, Wade is wearing a tan bodysuit that he sewed himself, with several blades between his fingertips, frantically poking countless holes in the training robot while chattering incessantly.

"I am not your father, I am just your weapon! I am... Wolverine! Hahahaha...!"

"..."

"It's quite abstract..." Ashley had to admit, "but he has the highest engagement rate on social media..."

"As long as he doesn't poop on stage, I can tolerate it."

"She's outside, that Skye..."

Ashley suddenly lowered her voice, "She looks...not in a good mood. She's been waiting outside your office for two hours."

A glint of light flashed in Wu Yanzu's eyes.

"Let her in."