Mongor

When Jay saw the room filled with strange green light and the horrifying test subjects, he thought he wouldn't see anything more astonishing today. Unfortunately, he had once again underestimated the surprises this building had in store for him. As he and Helena walked among the biological tanks, the sounds of machinery and grinding gears suddenly assaulted his ears.

He couldn't see through the lead-lined walls, but his hearing was unaffected. He alertly pulled Helena behind a row of biological tanks, peeking through the gap to see two discreet automatic doors sliding open in a metal wall. It turned out an elevator was hidden there. A middle-aged man with graying temples emerged from the elevator. He wore a sharp suit and custom-made designer leather shoes, looking quite dapper. However, his face appeared extremely unnatural. His facial muscles seemed stiff, devoid of any expression, and his eyes lacked any spark, like a walking corpse.

Jay recognized him. It was Leslie Bulwell, a high-ranking official in the World Federal Government, a frequent face on television. Jay remembered that every time he saw that face on TV, it was filled with righteous indignation, as if he were deeply dissatisfied with everything. Jay had almost believed that look of outrage was etched onto his face from birth; he never imagined this official would be so lifeless, like a zombie.

The two crouched behind their cover, speaking in hushed tones, watching the expressionless official walk through the rows of biological tanks and stand blankly before a dark wall. He reached out and pressed something on the wall. A chime, perhaps indicating successful identification, sounded from within the wall, and a hidden door opened before him. The official strode in, and the door was about to close behind him.

Jay reacted swiftly, grabbing Helena by the collar with one hand and pulling her along. They shot out like a blur, successfully slipping through the door just as it was about to close.

When Helena regained her senses, Jay had already dragged her through the new hidden door at an incredible speed. The sudden acceleration caused a violent discomfort in her internal organs. Annoyed, she slapped away Jay's hand from her collar and was about to lash out when she noticed Jay's expression of utter astonishment. She instinctively looked forward and her jaw dropped in surprise, her annoyance vanishing instantly.

Though the scene was almost unbelievable, all the high-ranking officials of the World Federal Government they had ever heard of or seen were gathered in this room. In the center of the room grew a giant plant, its branches twisted, its numerous roots clinging to the ground like tentacles, and its thick main trunk piercing the ceiling. At its base was a circle of reclining chairs, and in each chair lay an official. Branches extending from the plant's main trunk wrapped around their heads. Each of them had a vacant gaze and a contented smile on their lips.

The sight sent an involuntary shiver down Jay's spine. The official who had led them in also found his designated chair with practiced ease and sat down. A branch extended from the main trunk and wrapped around his forehead.

Helena tiptoed around the giant plant. Its massive body obscured the computer mainframe behind it. Fortunately, the computer was not encrypted, perhaps because the perpetrators never expected anyone to reach this point. Helena quickly turned it on and soon found everything she needed—all the data and records of human experimentation in this base, complete surveillance and control over the mental state of every high-ranking government official, and even written records of every decision and choice made by the government under Mongor's remote control.

The two felt their spirits lift. This was the objective of their mission, and it was even better than they had expected. It seemed almost too easy, so easy it made them suspicious.

"Alright, we got what we came for," Jay whispered. "It's time to head back."

Helena nodded in agreement, but another voice suddenly echoed in the room, breaking the silence like distant thunder: "Don't rush off yet, kids. You've come to my domain, and we haven't had a proper chat."

Jay's pupils contracted. He spun around abruptly and saw a tall, burly giant standing behind them, his crimson eyes radiating a mixture of excitement and cruelty.

Mongor, the ruler of Warworld, had arrived in person.

The atmosphere seemed to instantly thicken by several times. Their hearts leaped into their throats, and they instinctively held their breath. Mongor walked past them to the giant plant in the center of the room, his hands behind his back, admiring its form with a look of intoxication, as if admiring a work of art.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Mongor said, as if to himself.

If everyone in your homeland has an equally terrible sense of aesthetics, that's truly a sad story, Jay thought.

"'Black Benevolence.' I experimented with this plant on Kal-El—Superman, as you call him—and the results were quite good. This, however, is a variant," Mongor said. "It allows people to see what they desire most, to be forever lost in their most wonderful dreams, and to welcome death in the happiest way. Look how happy they are smiling."

"It's over, alien," Helena said in a low voice. "We have decisive evidence. Your manipulation of this world is finished."

Mongor glanced at her, his red eyes showing perhaps amusement, perhaps disdain, but absolutely no sign of tension.

"It was only a matter of time before someone discovered the truth; this was expected. I just didn't anticipate that the first ones to find this place would be two snot-nosed brats."

Mongor turned to face them, a strange smile on his face. "Perhaps you think this situation was all my plan, perhaps you won't believe what I'm about to say—but you're wrong. The way things have turned out like this has genuinely exceeded my own expectations. I thought someone on this planet would eventually notice. Even if the general populace didn't react, surely some of Earth's costumed superheroes would have uncovered the truth. But the reality is, none of them did. Not a single one. No one even raised a question. Aren't you curious why that is?"

The two stared at him intently, remaining silent.

Mongor grinned. "It's because, deep down, humanity wants to be enslaved by me."

"Bullshit," Helena spat out the words through gritted teeth.

"That is the truth," Mongor continued. "The war with Apocalypse Star shattered your will and stole your hope. Humanity needs someone to rule them, to establish a unified, better world. Look at what I've built—a unified world free from war and conflict. This is something Superman never achieved in his entire life. You think I'm the villain, but I say I am the greatest savior in human history."

"You can save that speech for those you took to the gladiatorial arenas," Helena said sternly.

Mongor shrugged. "Apologies, I'm not accustomed to working for free. Besides, it's just a small interest payment compared to what I provide."

Helena opened her mouth, annoyed, wanting to retort, but Jay interrupted her with a light laugh. "Honestly, I'm not a racist. The idea of an alien president doesn't sound entirely absurd."

Helena looked at him in surprise, her eyes filled with disbelief. Mongor also cast him a surprised glance.

Jay immediately followed up, "But if it's some ugly creature with a wrinkled face that looks like dried excrement, then forget it. After all, the president has to represent our image, right? What if it gives our friends on other planets the impression that all Earthlings are such ugly freaks? That would be terrible."

Mongor's smile froze instantly. Unconcealed rage replaced it on his ashen face. His eyes flashed without warning, and two highly concentrated energy blasts shot through space, striking Jay directly in the chest. He was propelled into the air, engulfed in a ball of fire, and slammed heavily against the wall behind him.

"Jay!" Helena cried out in concern.

"Don't worry, Helena," Jay said, grinning as he climbed out of the intense flames. Most of his clothes were burned away, and the remaining parts were still alight. "I'm fine."

He tore off his burning outer clothing, revealing the vibrant "S" symbol and dark blue uniform beneath. His red cape cascaded down his back.

Mongor stared in stunned surprise for a moment, then his eyes flashed with delight. "Kryptonian!?"

(Thanks to book friend Wan Shui Shu Ren for the 100 Qidian coins, book friend Jin Shi Xian Ren for the 200 Qidian coins, and book friend Ban Juan Qing Shu for the 1000 Qidian coins!

Also, requesting recommendations from book friends with reading lists!)