Alex, Give Me Some Face.

The Seaside City Daily had no mention of any superheroes, though some sections still reported on Wonder Woman's appearance and Seaside City's many issues as the busiest port on the U.S. West Coast, directly exposing the local government's incompetence.

"Green Lantern hasn't shown up yet?"

Alex's eyes flickered.

If Green Lantern had appeared, given Hal's flashy personality and the pervasive news media, there would have been a massive uproar reporting another superhero.

Not seeing it in the Seaside City Daily probably meant that Hal, at this point, hadn't yet obtained the Green Lantern Ring.

Alex pondered carefully, drawing on the impressions in his mind.

In truth, the time between Green Lantern's and the Flash's appearances wasn't that far apart; at least both came much later than Batman.

Batman had already been active for seven years.

Three years ago, Superman appeared.

And just a few days ago, Wonder Woman, Diana Prince, emerged from Themyscira, making herself known to the world.

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

And in Central City, where Alex now lived, the Flash hadn't appeared yet.

Alex was fairly certain that Green Lantern and the Flash would both show up within the next two or three years.

By then, the whole world would enter an era where superheroes clashed with supervillains, a time when Earth would begin to endure countless upheavals and disasters—some even starting on Earth and escalating to cosmic destruction. No one could predict where Earth would end up.

Of course, superheroes had never truly fallen out of public view throughout history; they weren't exclusive to this century. Last century, during World War I, there were already groups like the American Company, Doctor Fate, Hourman, Doctor Midnight, Star-Spangled, Sandman, and a host of other ancient heroes.

These old heroes had all left behind successors.

Alex had once delved into history, following clues to trace their traces. Stargirl, who had recently become active in Blue Valley, had actually inherited the equipment left by her stepfather, Star-Spangled, which made her who she was.

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

Aunt Merri beside him kept chattering on, reminding Alex how to get along with people, worrying he might mishandle things or get hurt—after all, working for the police department inevitably came with risks.

Though she had no blood relation to Alex, after more than a decade together, she had long treated him like her own son.

"Alex will be careful," Bert said, glancing at Aunt Merri.

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

Bert's face bore the weathered, sturdy look of an American man, honed by years of police work that kept him fitter than most middle-aged men. Three wrinkles lined his forehead, and his blue eyes were as broad and wise as the sea.

"Alex, I'm truly grateful you accepted my suggestion to join the Central City Police Department and help out," Bert said sincerely, setting down his knife and fork.

Having raised Alex for over a decade, he knew full well that Alex had no real interest in the police force. He craved freedom, the ability to soar as he pleased, while the police department's many rules and regulations only constrained his behavior.

"Bert, my father, you're too kind. In this difficult time, being able to lend you a small hand is nothing compared to the decade you've spent raising me," Alex said with a smile, putting down the New York Daily News.

He didn't really want to join the Central City Police Department and become a cop, but for Bert—his adoptive father who had raised him for over ten years—he didn't mind stepping in and contributing to the force.

"Good, Alex. You're an outstanding man," Bert said, his heart easing as he nodded at Alex with a smile, satisfied with the education he had given his son over the years.

Alex had never let his adoptive father down.

Seeing that the food on the table was finished, Aunt Merri stacked the plates, knives, and forks together, cleared them, and took them into the kitchen to wash. As she walked in, she heard Alex and Bert talking, and felt a deep sense of satisfaction, her steps lightening with pride for both her husband and Alex.

Once Aunt Merri had gone into the kitchen to wash the dishes, Bert raised an eyebrow, his cold, deep blue eyes turning serious as he said in a low voice, "Go ahead and do what you need to, Alex. With your abilities, those annoying little rats pose no threat to you."

"Bert, are there people in the Central City Police Department who aren't happy with me? You specially invited me to join, and I thought with your pull, it'd be smooth sailing," Alex said helplessly, teasing.

"Just a few young guys who aren't satisfied. They lack ability, so they bark aimlessly."

"You can't avoid jealous people like that anywhere. Besides, even in the Central City Police Department, the times you helped me with those criminal captures were far too exceptional and outstanding."

"When the chief brought up forming a team to handle superhuman crimes that ordinary people can't deal with, you were the first person he thought of. Especially the privileges you have over other officers—it makes them green with envy."

"They're already bitter. Just watch out for Al Swan. He's quite resentful of you, thinking you stole his position."

Bert propped his hands on the dining table, staring at Alex as he warned in a low voice.

"Bert, don't worry..."

Alex nodded. He understood. The moment he took office, he'd make sure to crush this jealous Al Swan—he guaranteed it, no loose ends.

But before he could finish, Bert cut him off mercilessly.

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

"Just focus on dealing with that new criminal who's been causing trouble lately. That's your job."

Bert's eyes carried a helpless reminder as his deep blue gaze locked onto Alex, urging him not to treat this like a gangster or a personal enemy. Don't cripple someone in the police station.

Having seen Alex's martial training bear fruit in recent years, Bert knew all too well how brutal his fighting skills were. He also knew Alex's style when dealing with those who opposed him—his son wasn't an easy person to get along with. His personality was too rigid, too unyielding, which would disappoint some and terrify others.

He felt it was absolutely necessary to remind Alex that this guy was still a cop—don't go overboard.

Alex's expression froze. He never expected Bert to tell him to go easy on that guy!

Bert, you've changed. Before, when you told me to deal with gangsters and drug smugglers, you didn't act like this—you just told me to kill them outright! To keep them from plaguing Midway City.

To this, Alex felt quite dissatisfied inside: "Bert, do you really see me as some kind of brute in your eyes?"

Bert was silent, his deep blue pupils fixed intently on the helpless Alex, a reminder in itself.

"Don't worry, I'll get along with him just fine." Facing Bert's gaze, Alex relented with a helpless sigh. "I'll leave him alone as long as he doesn't cross me."

Just then, the 'ring-ring-ring' of a doorbell broke the conversation between father and son.

Aunt Merri came out of the kitchen, wiped her hands on her apron to clean them, and walked to the door to open it.

Alex heard Aunt Merri's delighted cry.

"Barry, what brings you here?"

Alex's previously warm expression with his father vanished, his face turning blank.

In his mind, that electronic voice sounded again.

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

"Mission completion reward: Super System."

"Failure: Execution."