The Boys: I'm the Origin of Compound V

Chapter 8: Into the Fold

Frenchie's workshop was chaotic: tools scattered across workbenches, half-assembled gadgets on every surface, and a haze of cigarette smoke hanging in the air. Adam shifted uncomfortably by the doorway, his eyes scanning the mess.

"Come in, mon ami," Frenchie said, gesturing with a wrench in one hand and a cigarette in the other. "Don't be shy. Chaos inspires brilliance."

"Brilliance or tetanus?" Adam muttered, stepping inside.

Frenchie laughed, tossing the wrench onto a nearby table. "You survived the warehouse. That's more than most can say. But if you want my help with your 'mission,' you need more than guts."

Adam ignored the system's prompt. "What's the next step, then? Proving myself again?"

Frenchie shook his head, leaning against the workbench. "Non. You've done enough to show you're not useless. Now we need to see if you can work with the team."

"The team?" Adam asked, his interest piqued.

Frenchie smirked. "Oui. There's more to this fight than you and me, mon ami. And you'll meet them soon enough."

The meeting place was a rundown apartment that smelled of mildew and cheap beer. Frenchie led Adam up a creaky staircase, stopping in front of a battered door.

"You sure about this?" Adam asked.

Frenchie grinned. "Non. But it'll be entertaining."

He knocked twice, the sound echoing down the hallway.

The door opened to reveal a tall, broad-shouldered man with piercing eyes and a smirk that practically screamed trouble. Billy Butcher.

"And who's this, then?" Butcher asked, his accent thick as he looked Adam up and down.

"A new recruit," Frenchie said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

Butcher leaned against the doorframe, blocking Adam's path. "You don't look like much. What's your story?"

Adam met Butcher's gaze. "I've seen what Vought does to people. I want to help stop them."

Butcher raised an eyebrow. "That's a bloody noble sentiment. But what makes you think you're up for the job?"

"I survived a hit from my own team, got hunted down, and I'm still standing," Adam replied. "You need someone who won't back down. That's me."

Butcher's smirk widened as he stepped aside. "Fair enough. Get in here."

The apartment was cramped and cluttered, with mismatched furniture and the faint smell of burnt toast. In one corner sat a nervous-looking young man hunched over a laptop. Hughie.

"Frenchie brings strays now?" Hughie asked, his voice uncertain.

"Not just any stray," Frenchie said. "This one has potential."

Hughie looked at Adam, his expression skeptical. "You sure about that?"

"Oi!" Butcher barked, clapping a hand on Adam's shoulder. "If Frenchie says he's got potential, he's in. For now."

"Great," Adam muttered, brushing off Butcher's hand.

Frenchie took a seat on the couch, pulling out another cigarette. "Now that we're all friends, let's talk business. We've got a job tonight."

"What kind of job?" Adam asked, crossing his arms.

"Nothing fancy," Butcher said. "A supe's been causing trouble, and we need to put the fear of God—or us—into him."

"Which supe?"

"Translucent," Frenchie replied. "He's been snooping where he doesn't belong. Time to teach him a lesson."

Adam frowned. "How do you fight someone you can't see?"

Butcher grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief. "That's where the fun begins, mate."

The abandoned warehouse was silent except for the faint hum of fluorescent lights. Adam crouched behind a stack of crates, his heart pounding as he watched Butcher, Frenchie, and Hughie set up their trap.

"Thanks for the warning," Adam muttered under his breath.

"What's that?" Frenchie whispered, glancing over.

"Nothing," Adam replied, shaking his head.

Frenchie smirked but said nothing, turning back to his work.

They had lured Translucent to the warehouse with a fake lead, setting up an electrified cage as a trap. Adam had to admit, the plan was clever.

"Ready?" Butcher asked, his voice low but steady.

Frenchie gave a thumbs-up. "Ready."

Moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the space. Adam tensed, scanning the shadows.

The trap was sprung in an instant. Translucent appeared, his body shimmering back into visibility as he thrashed against the electrified bars.

"Bloody brilliant," Butcher muttered, a grin spreading across his face.

Adam couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he was finally making progress.