**Chapter 52: We Might Be Under Surveillance**
Based on the current efficacy of the serum, completely fusing the Carbon Superlattice will require at least three to four more doses of Compound V.
Because Xia Shang possesses the talent of Extreme Control, he can clearly sense the limit his cells can withstand. Once the self-healing speed can no longer suppress the speed of mutation, he will immediately stop ingesting Compound V to ensure he doesn't run into problems.
Soon, with the second dose of Compound V injected into his body, the progress value on the Panel also increased to 53%.
"Am I reaching the limit so quickly?" After absorbing less than half of the third dose, Xia Shang could vaguely feel that the speed of cell repair was barely able to counteract the speed of mutation. It seemed he would have to wait a while, until the effects of the Compound V wore off, before continuing to absorb it.
Xia Shang put away the remaining serum and placed them in the Car Trunk.
The value on the Panel was currently 65%.
"The effect is better than I expected, but unfortunately, the cells in my body can't withstand such strong effects all at once."
Xia Shang slowly raised his right arm. Under his gaze, the entire arm began to turn invisible from the fingertips. After a few seconds, it completely disappeared from his line of sight. Unless one got extremely close, it would be difficult to spot any abnormality.
...
The next day, Billy, who had left Jersey City, prepared to find his former colleague, Marvin. Of course, compared to the name Marvin, Billy preferred to call him by his nickname, Mother's Milk.
Marvin was called Mother's Milk because after an incident, he developed a psychological disorder that could only be alleviated by drinking milk.
"I feel like the three of us are enough. There's no need to add anyone else," said Hughie, whose confidence was soaring after personally screwing over Homelander.
"To investigate A-Train and the other Superheroes, the three of us alone aren't enough. We need to add new strength. He used to be my colleague; he's very strong and trustworthy." Billy drove towards Mother's Milk's workplace.
Mother's Milk currently works at a Juvenile Detention Center, specifically responsible for disciplining troubled youths.
At first, the conversation between the two was unpleasant. Mother's Milk said his current life was good and he didn't want to work with Billy again. However, when he heard that Translucent had been killed, it piqued his curiosity. Although he knew Billy's goal was to deal with Homelander, who had raped his wife, he ultimately agreed to work with Billy again.
"Who killed Translucent?" Mother's Milk was quite curious about this.
Billy shook his head. "I don't know, but one thing is certain, that person is definitely on our side."
Next, they followed their plan and staked out the apartment where Crimson Countess lived.
"Crimson Countess used to be a third-tier actress, but now she's washed up," Billy said, watching Crimson Countess return from outside.
"I can tell. Otherwise, she wouldn't be living in an old apartment like this. But how do we know what's going on inside the apartment?" Hughie asked.
Billy frowned, thinking of a countermeasure.
To figure out what A-Train was doing, the best way would be to install a surveillance camera in their Room.
Finally, Hughie came up with a relatively perfect plan. Since he used to be an employee at an Electronics and Hardware Store and was familiar with things like cameras, he planned to use the web camera in Crimson Countess's Room, such as the cameras on her computer or television.
The prerequisite, however, was obtaining the internet protocol for Crimson Countess's Home.
"I think I can pose as a network customer service representative and, under the pretense of improving her home's internet speed, obtain access to her Home's internet protocol." Hughie had rich experience in home service and was the most suitable candidate.
"That's a good idea. You and Mother's Milk will carry out this operation together," Billy affirmed Hughie's plan.
They quickly began their operation.
Hughie and Mother's Milk first changed into work clothes, then knocked on Crimson Countess's door. Hughie used the excuse of entering to upgrade the router to secretly steal the network address.
The entire process went smoothly until they met A-Train in the Corridor.
A-Train didn't recognize Hughie. At this moment, he was annoyed about his lost savings. He had worked for Vought International for so many years and finally accumulated some savings, only for Xia Shang to take 70% of it.
"Shit, that guy is a bastard, a devil who eats people without spitting out the bones. He's even more detestable than Homelander," A-Train sat on the sofa next to Crimson Countess, venting his frustrations.
However, Crimson Countess was in a good mood. Just last night, A-Train had promised her that he would take her to participate in the race and announce in front of hundreds of thousands of people and the entire American Media that she, Crimson Countess, was A-Train's girlfriend.
"Let me help you relax," Crimson Countess squatted down by A-Train's feet.
"Forget it, I'm not in the mood right now. That guy and Shockwave are both annoying me."
"You won't lose. You're the fastest person in the world."
Watching the two exchange sweet talk, the three people standing in front of the surveillance camera were somewhat disappointed. They had originally thought they were about to witness a live sex show, which was really anticlimactic.
"By the way, who was that person A-Train was talking about? It sounds like he's really at odds with A-Train," Hughie stared intently at the screen, unwilling to miss any detail.
"I guarantee A-Train was screwed over by him," Frenchie said with certainty.
"How do you know?"
Billy looked at him curiously, and Frenchie shrugged. "The reason is simple. Because when you screwed me over, I cursed you like that too."
"Oh, shit, shut up," Billy's face darkened as he shifted his gaze to the surveillance screen.
A-Train's subsequent conversation excited all four of them because A-Train mentioned something called Compound V.
Just as they were about to continue listening, A-Train received a phone call. From the screen, it was clear that A-Train was very respectful towards the person on the other end of the phone, even seeming a little fearful.
"Okay, okay, I understand," A-Train nodded and bowed as he hung up the phone, then scanned the surroundings vigilantly. Immediately, he whispered in Crimson Countess's ear, "We might be under surveillance. Take the Compound V and leave this apartment immediately."
Seeing the two leave with a shoulder bag, Hughie and the others were very surprised. What was going on? They were fine just now, but after receiving a phone call, they suddenly had to leave. Did they realize someone was monitoring them? Impossible, their operation didn't reveal any flaws; they shouldn't have been discovered.
On the other side, Xia Shang, standing in front of the giant floor-to-ceiling window of Vought Tower, put his mobile phone back in his pocket.
The reason he notified A-Train was simple: he didn't want Billy and the others' investigation into Compound V to ultimately frame him. If A-Train mistakenly thought Billy was working for him, the trouble would be huge. He was certain that A-Train would report the matter to Vought.
At that point, everything he was doing now would be meaningless.
In the future, wanting to contact Superheroes and analyze their abilities would become hellishly difficult.
As for whether it would affect Billy's investigation, Xia Shang stated it had nothing to do with him. Moreover, from the source material, Billy and his group were like chewing gum; once they stuck to you, you couldn't shake them off.
(end of chapter)