Prone to Getting Angry

"Damn it, how did this happen? Someone is interfering with my operation!"

"Who is it? Damn it all, who the hell is it!"

"Using Bulldogs around a town? Could it be that radical bitch Amanda Waller?"

"Goddammit, this is fucking ridiculous! That asshole is always working against me—why doesn't she just drop dead!"

Watching the final transmission of explosions and firelight on his screen, General Lane's composure completely shattered.

Although he hadn't confirmed that he'd captured Downton, he had at least seen a glimmer of hope.

Even if Downton had been toying with him and easily teleported away at the end, the man had at least left an opening for dialogue.

Having a sufficiently private conversation with such a sudden, super-powered individual would have been excellent!

General Lane had never expected to capture a miraculous superhuman like Downton in a single operation.

Failing to capture him was one thing—that was due to the superhuman's superior ability—but having his plan sabotaged was a reflection of his own incompetence as a general!

At this thought, General Lane gritted his teeth and slammed his fist against the wall of the command vehicle.

"Notify all squads to search for potential threats immediately. Also, patch me through to the Argus System; I want full control to investigate everything in the vicinity!"

"Wait, General!"

No sooner had the order left Lane's lips than a female soldier nearby reported to him, her face full of panic.

"The video feed from the café has suddenly cut out, and the signal from the Fourth Squad has vanished as well!"

"What?!"

At this, General Lane truly panicked, for the Fourth Squad was the unit he had assigned to protect his daughter!

"Move! Get back to the café, now!!!"

Just as General Lane was driving back like a madman, Lois Lane looked around in terror.

A moment ago, a sudden hum had echoed through the café, followed by sparks erupting from every electrical appliance in the room.

Then, Lois felt as if she were watching a scene from a movie.

Darts flashed through the air, and then two ninja-like figures used thin steel wires guided by those darts to slaughter everyone in the café.

"Who are you people!"

Lois shouted in shock while reaching for her phone, desperate to record the scene.

But clearly, the EMP had destroyed almost all electronic equipment, and her phone was no exception.

Seeing that her phone was completely dead, Lois scrambled to her feet in terror, intending to flee.

But before she could take two steps, she was pinned to the ground by the pursuing ninjas.

Lois felt a jolt to her neck, her eyes rolled back, and the ninjas quickly carried her away.

In a few short moments, the quiet café had been transformed into a living hell.

On the other side, at Kent Farm.

While Martha was in the house stewing beef, Clark worked at a leisurely pace, keeping an eye on the situation in Smallville.

When Downton was easily restrained, Clark couldn't help but show a look of confusion.

Was this what the military called "extraordinary"?

He looked quite ordinary, actually...

So, was he truly the only unique creature in this world?

Clark couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.

Even though he had heard of Downton's abilities from others, he had hoped Downton was hiding something, because he wanted a peer to appear in his world!

Clark was too young at this time; he was still full of expectations and fantasies about finding someone like himself.

But unfortunately, while he had heard that Downton possessed the special trait of immortality, seeing him in person confirmed that Downton's abilities were far too different from his own. They were clearly not the same kind of being.

And so, he remained alone.

A sense of confusion welled up in his heart again, and he let out a long, soft sigh.

Ever since his father and mother had revealed his origins—especially after his father had chosen to die before his eyes to keep his powers a secret—his world had been reduced to just himself and Martha.

His father had been dead for seven years, and his mother was growing older; the ruthless passage of time was gradually catching up to her.

Even with his incredibly brilliant mind, Clark couldn't simulate a world without his mother without knowing how he would ever survive in it.

How lonely such a world would be...

BOOM!!!

Suddenly, the sound of an explosion reached Clark's ears, and he couldn't help but freeze for a split second.

He had been lost in thought and hadn't noticed the air-to-ground missile approaching Downton.

However, he could currently only observe things within a thirteen to fifteen-kilometer radius of himself; anything beyond thirteen kilometers looked as blurry as if he were severely nearsighted.

Furthermore, he rarely fully engaged his five senses, so whenever he focused on observing the distance, his eyes and ears would feel itchy and hot, which was another reason he found it distracting.

His abilities were still growing.

But regardless, he had ultimately witnessed Downton's death with his own eyes.

Especially that dashing, nonchalant smile Downton wore before he died.

His smile left Clark stunned. Was this the sense of ease brought about by immortality?

As Downton's body turned to ash, Clark shook his head slightly.

Since the core of everything—that is, Downton—was dead, Smallville should stop descending into chaos.

This could be considered a good outcome, but could Downton really be reborn somewhere else?

If he could, where would he be reborn?

He wondered if he would be reborn within the range of his sight and hearing.

While thinking, Clark moved the rake, simultaneously scanning every area he could see without drawing attention to himself.

Not in Smallville Town, not near the explosion site, so, perhaps in the pastures near the town...

"Ahhh!!!"

A sudden scream interrupted his search, because that scream had come from Martha!

"Martha!!!"

In an instant, Clark's eyes turned red, and then, like a hurricane, he surged into Martha's kitchen, carrying infinite kinetic energy with him!

At the same time, Martha seemed to have anticipated Clark's actions, so she quickly shouted out.

"Don't be nervous, Clark, I was just startled!"

As her voice fell, Clark happened to stop right beside her, and then...

Clark swallowed hard, and then found himself staring face-to-face with a completely naked Downton.

Seeing the suddenly appeared Clark, Downton realized exactly where he had landed.

He had actually landed in Superman's house, for heaven's sake!

Although this Superman looked a bit different from the one in the movies, his super speed couldn't be faked.

Who else but Superman could possess super speed and be called Clark by the middle-aged woman standing next to him!

Facing the gaze of Superman and his mother, Downton smiled awkwardly.

"Uh, if I said I couldn't control where I appeared, would you believe me?"

"Why wouldn't I? I've seen more miraculous entrances than yours."

Across from him, Martha immediately responded to Downton while gently gripping Clark's arm.

"Relax, Clark. No one would choose to strip completely naked before robbing a farm."

"This is Kansas, not Florida."

"However, I must offer a piece of advice: you had best go to the bedroom with my son and let him get you a set of his clothes to wear."

"If I were still young, I wouldn't mind whistling while slipping you some pocket change."

"But I'm old now, and I can't look at these things—it's easy to get worked up..."

I beg everyone to keep reading; my follow-up numbers are terrible.