Superman Is Dead

Rustle rustle

The sound of cracking frost echoed in the silent space. Mandarin walked up to Venom, slowly bent down, and picked it up.

"What is this thing? Some kind of parasite that can grant its host immense power."

Mandarin examined Venom in his hand, keenly sensing that the parasite wanted to possess him.

The blue ring instantly lit up, and a cold light flashed. Venom's originally soft body instantly became incredibly hard, then was encased in a layer of crystal-clear, solid ice.

"Although it's not a demon's head, it's still a nice collectible."

"Give Venom back to me."

Kino appeared in Mandarin's path at some unknown time. His body was trembling violently from the cold, fine ice crystals falling with each shiver.

If Venom hadn't injected him with the Healing Factor beforehand, he would have frozen to death in this icy wasteland.

"A Mutant?" Mandarin looked at the healing wounds on his body.

"Your abilities won't defeat me; they'll only cause you more pain."

"None of your damn business."

Kino cursed angrily and charged at Mandarin without regard for the consequences.

"Insolent."

Mandarin's ring shot out a dazzling white light. The light, like a sharp sword, instantly pierced Kino's heart.

Kino's body stiffened abruptly, then he stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Fearless, reckless, ignorant."

Mandarin shook his head in disappointment and was about to walk past him.

A frozen hand tightly gripped Mandarin's shoe. The fingers of that hand were so stiff they could barely bend.

"Didn't your mother teach you not to take other people's things without permission?"

"Why? Wouldn't it be better to just play dead and live?" Mandarin said coldly, looking down, his eyes devoid of any pity.

"Aren't you disappointed, always encountering opponents you can't have fun with?" Kino asked from the ground, not answering the question.

"So what if I am?"

"Then how about I find you a worthy opponent?"

"Who?"

"God of Man."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kino and Mandarin disappeared from where they stood without any warning. All that remained in the center of the yellow desert was a patch of deep blue.

Lux Bar

Two figures suddenly appeared in the lobby. It was daytime, and the bar was empty, with only a boss and a waitress present.

The bar's decor was full of retro style. The wooden tables and chairs exuded the traces of time, and the old photographs hanging on the walls seemed to tell stories of the past.

The bar boss raised an eyebrow at the sudden appearance of the figures and raised his hand to stop the waitress who was about to step forward.

"I really underestimated you, Spatial Movement." Mandarin's eyes flashed with surprise as he looked at the changing surroundings. Such an ability was indeed rare.

Everything around him was completely different from before. The dim lighting and old decorations gave him a sense of novelty.

Kino stood up, escaping the low-temperature environment. The horrifying hole in his chest began to slowly heal.

"So, where is this God of Man you mentioned? You two mortals over there."

Mandarin glanced at the bar boss and the waitress, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Of course not. Boss, sorry for borrowing your place for a fight. I'll pay you to rebuild it afterward."

Kino felt relaxed upon arriving in this world.

"It's fine."

The bar boss smiled slightly, a smile full of the charm of a mature man. His voice was deep and magnetic, sounding particularly clear in the quiet bar.

"Clark, I have information about Krypton's last city. Come save me quickly."

Kino shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the empty bar.

After speaking, Kino waited quietly.

One second passed, which was normal; it takes time to receive information.

Three seconds passed; he should be on his way.

Five seconds passed, and Kino could no longer remain calm. His brow furrowed, and a sense of unease began to rise in his heart.

Damn it, what's going on? With Superman's speed, he shouldn't not come after hearing this message.

Has Superman in this world not appeared yet?

Mandarin's gaze grew colder, as if it could freeze the surrounding air.

"Is this the Clark you're looking for?"

The bar owner handed him a newspaper. Kino took it and felt his vision go black.

Superman Saves the World, Dies; City Mourns.

The time was exactly one year ago.

"Holy shit, how did I end up at this point in time?"

Kino couldn't help but curse, his expression filled with despair and helplessness.

If it had been any earlier or later, he could have called Superman. But it was stuck right in the middle, neither here nor there.

"Sigh, the God of Man is dead. Is this fucking fate? Fate is a bitch, always hitting you with an uppercut when you least expect it."

Kino sighed dejectedly. He was truly out of options. Venom was in the opponent's hands, his world-hopping ability needed cooldown, and Superman was dead. He had nothing left.

"Hahaha, well said. Fate is controlled by God, so God is a bitch. Is there anything I can help you with, Kino?"

The bar owner nodded in agreement.

"Go find Bruce Wayne and tell him what happened here. Sorry, I've brought trouble to your world."

Kino didn't notice that he had never mentioned his name.

"And you?"

"I probably can't leave. And I might not be able to compensate you for your bar either."

Looking at the two mortals who ignored him.

"It seems you can't call that God of Man over. Then you'll compensate me with your life."

Mandarin raised his fist, he wouldn't hold back this time. His eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"Boss, take your employees and run. I can at least hold him off for a while."

Kino charged forward. Death was inevitable either way, so he might as well throw a punch.

Mandarin's rings lit up, like a flashbulb, instantly illuminating the dim bar. The intense light made it almost impossible to open one's eyes.

Kino closed his eyes, aimed at the memory of his position, and punched hard. He only realized he had landed a blow when his fist met resistance.

I hit him?

I'm not dead?

He opened his eyes. Mandarin still showed no reaction, not even moving his body.

Kino's fist had smashed into Mandarin's face, distorting it. He pulled his hand back, but Mandarin showed no signs of recovery.

"Time Stop?"