Alex, Do Me a Favor

The Seaside City Daily contained no mention of any superheroes. Some outlets were still reporting Wonder Woman's appearance and the many issues surrounding Seaside City, the busiest port on America's West Coast, directly exposing the local government's incompetence.

"Green Lantern hasn't appeared yet?"

Alex's eyes flickered.

If Green Lantern had appeared, given Hal's flashy personality and the omnipresent news media, they would definitely have made a huge fuss over another superhero.

Since there was no sign of him in the Seaside City Daily, Hal probably had not obtained the Green Lantern Ring yet.

Alex carefully considered the impressions in his mind.

In fact, Green Lantern and The Flash had appeared not too far apart in time. At the very least, both had emerged much later than Batman.

Batman had already been active for seven years.

Three years ago, Superman appeared.

Then, just a few days ago, Diana Prince emerged from Themyscira and made Wonder Woman known to the world.

More and more superheroes from Alex's memories were appearing one after another.

And in Central City, where Alex currently lived, The Flash had yet to appear.

Alex could basically conclude that Green Lantern and The Flash would emerge within the next two or three years.

By then, the entire world would enter an era where superheroes clashed with supervillains. It would also mark the beginning of Earth's endless turmoil and disasters. Many catastrophes would begin on Earth and end with the destruction of the universe. No one could predict where Earth would ultimately head.

Of course, superheroes had never truly disappeared from the public eye. They had not only appeared in this century. During World War I in the last century, America already had a society of old heroes, including Doctor Fate, Hourman, Doctor Midnight, Star-Spangled, Sandman, and others.

These old heroes had all left behind successors.

Alex had once explored history and followed scattered clues to find traces of them. Stargirl, who had begun operating in Blue Valley, had actually risen because of equipment left behind by her stepfather, Star-Spangled.

Alex glanced at the Blue Valley newspaper and set it aside.

Aunt Merri beside him was still endlessly reminding Alex how to get along with people. She worried that he would not handle things properly and that he might get hurt. After all, working for the police department inevitably came with injuries.

Though she was not related to Alex by blood, after more than a decade together, she had long cared for him as if he were her own son.

"Alex will be careful."

Bert glanced at Aunt Merri and spoke.

Aunt Merri immediately stopped talking, knowing it was time for her husband to speak with Alex.

Bert had the weathered, sturdy look of an American. Years as a police officer had made him more robust than the average middle-aged man. Three lines creased his forehead, and his blue eyes carried the tolerance and wisdom of the sea.

"Alex, I'm very grateful that you accepted my suggestion and agreed to help at the Central City Police Department."

Bert set down his knife and fork and spoke sincerely.

After raising Alex for more than a decade, how could he not know that Alex had no real interest in the police department? He yearned for freedom, to fly unrestrained, while entering the department meant countless rules and regulations that would restrict him.

"Bert, my father, you're overstating it. In this difficult time, being able to offer even a tiny bit of help is nothing compared to the more than ten years you spent raising me."

Alex put down the New York Daily News and smiled.

He did not particularly want to enter the Central City Police Department and become a police officer, but for Bert, the adoptive father who had raised him for over a decade, he did not mind joining the department and contributing his share.

"Very good, Alex. You are an outstanding man."

Bert felt relieved. He smiled and nodded at Alex, satisfied with the education he had given him over the past decade.

Alex had never disappointed him as an adoptive father.

Seeing that the food on the table had been finished, Aunt Merri stacked the bowls, plates, knives, and forks together, gathered them up, and carried them into the kitchen to wash. As she entered the kitchen and heard Alex and Bert talking, she felt greatly satisfied. Her steps even became lighter as she took pride in both her husband and Alex.

Once Merry had entered the kitchen to wash the dishes, Bert raised his brows. His cold, deep-blue eyes darkened as he said in a low voice, "Go ahead and do what you need to do, Alex. With your abilities, a few annoying little rats pose no threat to you."

"Bert, is someone in the Central City Police Department dissatisfied with me? They specially invited me to join the department. I thought things would go smoothly with your connections." Alex spoke helplessly, teasing him.

"Just a few young people are unhappy. They have no ability, so they can only bark wildly."

"You find jealous people like that everywhere. Besides, the few times you helped me capture criminals, you were simply too exceptional and outstanding."

"When the commissioner mentioned forming a unit to deal with crimes committed by metahumans that ordinary people could not handle, you were the first person he thought of. Especially with the privileges placed above ordinary officers, they are extremely envious."

"They already resent you. Just watch out for Al Swan. He is very unwilling to accept you and believes you stole his position."

Bert braced both hands against the dining table and stared at Alex, warning him in a low voice.

"Bert, don't worry..."

Alex nodded. He understood. The moment he took office, he would kill this Al Swan who was jealous of him. He guaranteed there would be no future trouble at all.

However, before he could finish speaking, Bert ruthlessly interrupted him.

"Alex, do me a favor. Don't break all five of his limbs, and don't cripple him either. He's just a kid!"

"You only need to deal with a newly emerged criminal. That's your duty as well."

Bert reminded him helplessly, his deep-blue eyes fixed on Alex. He was making it very clear: this was not a gangster or a villain opposing him. Do not cripple someone at the police department.

After witnessing Alex's martial training over the past few years, Bert knew full well just how brutal Alex could be. He also knew Alex's style when dealing with people who opposed him. His son was not easy to get along with; his personality was far too unyielding and stubborn. He would probably disappoint some people and terrify others.

He felt it was absolutely necessary to remind Alex that the man was still a police officer and that he should not act recklessly.

Alex's expression froze. He had never expected Bert to tell him to show that man mercy!

Bert, you've changed. Before, when you told me to deal with gangsters, drug dealers, smugglers, and other criminals, you weren't like this. You always told me to kill them outright so they wouldn't harm Central City!

Alex was deeply dissatisfied. "Bert, do you see me as some kind of brutal person?"

Bert said nothing. His deep blue eyes remained fixed on the helpless Alex, silently warning him.

"Don't worry. I'll get along with him just fine." Faced with Bert's gaze, Alex helplessly compromised. As long as he doesn't provoke me, I won't bother with him.

Just then, the ringing of the doorbell broke up the conversation between father and son.

Aunt Merri came out of the kitchen, wiped her hands on her apron, then walked to the door and opened it.

Alex heard Aunt Merri cry out in surprise.

"Barry, what brings you here?"

The harmonious expression Alex had worn while speaking with his father vanished, leaving his face blank.

That electronic voice rang out in his mind once again.

Binding task issued: Become friends with The Flash. Time limit: 24 hours.

Reward for completion: Super System.

Failure: Erasure.