Dilos's Ambition (Second Update)

Inside Lex's manor.

"Honestly, Dilos, I didn't expect you to plead for this woman." Lex, sitting like a king in his ornate office chair, raised a glass of red wine and stared expressionlessly at Dilos in the center of the hall. He took an elegant sip, his posture exuding both composure and the dignified aura of someone in a position of power.

But to Dilos, this guy was purely putting on a show.

Dilos rolled his eyes and explained, "Keeping her has greater value."

Lex: "Are you sure you aren't just smitten because she's a beautiful girl?"

Meeting Lex's playful gaze, Dilos couldn't help but rub his forehead. "I admit the woman is indeed beautiful, but to say I'm smitten is impossible."

Dilos wasn't some sick, desperate person with a brain full of women. Not only was she not his type, but the way she looked at him—as if she wanted him dead—the moment she was captured was enough to make him keep his distance.

"Oh?" Lex wore an expression of disbelief.

Seeing this, Dilos helplessly held up three fingers. "First, I am absolutely, positively certain that this woman is not a mutant. I cannot accept pinning the blame on mutants just because the perpetrator is a superpowered individual. Unless it's a last resort, I prefer to stick to the facts."

Before Lex could speak, Dilos continued, "Second, I am very interested in her abilities. You know, I was the top student in biology at Smallville High; I've always wanted to study the blood of such superpowered individuals."

Hearing this, Lex looked as if he understood, then asked with curiosity, "And the third?"

"The third?" Dilos gave a helpless, bitter smile. "This town is already chaotic enough; the previous incidents have left everyone on edge. And according to my deductions, these three events have already drawn the attention of many big players. The reason is their suspicion that other superpowered individuals exist here."

At this, Dilos stared intensely into Lex's eyes. "Lex, can I trust you?"

Simultaneously, Dilos released his ability to perceive Lex. Although this was rude, his relationship with Lex hadn't reached the point where he could fully trust him.

Dilos's sudden shift caught Lex off guard. He pondered for a moment and said, "Fine, go ahead. As long as it doesn't violate humanity, I will support it. And what you say today will not be known by a third person."

No lies.

Through his perception, Dilos confirmed Lex's answer.

He felt a slight sense of relief and stepped forward. "There are naturally more than just these three superpowered individuals in this town, as I know of several others."

Lex's eyes flickered, but he recovered instantly due to his long-standing habits, signaling with his gaze for Dilos to continue.

The latter pulled out several newspapers reporting on the town's three superpowered crimes. "Furthermore, based on the strange events I've collected and the recent crimes, I suspect that the superpowered individuals in this town mostly gained their abilities from the meteor shower twelve years ago, not because they are mutants."

"So, according to my guess, the number of superpowered individuals in town should exceed twenty. If you include those who left for other cities, I imagine the number is even higher."

Before Lex could interject, Dilos continued, "And as far as I know, a significant number of these people just want to live their own lives. Compared to the scumbags who use their powers to hurt others at will, these people are much better. Otherwise, this town would have fallen into total chaos long ago, wouldn't it?"

Hearing this, Lex's eyes brightened slightly; he seemed to have guessed what Dilos was getting at.

"Yes, Lex, your guess is correct." Dilos smiled. "I don't want those factions to use 'the greater good' as a pretext to come into town and hunt down superpowered individuals. Many of them are innocent and shouldn't suffer such a fate. If these crimes are exposed, those factions will inevitably have enough reason to search the town."

"And they will use illegal means. They'll just say they are mutants, and that mutants are dangerous monsters. Those fools who believe the propaganda will naturally support them in crossing legal boundaries to commit inhumane acts. That is terrifying, isn't it?"

"It is." After hearing Dilos's reasoning, Lex agreed. "Very terrifying. But what do you want to do?" Lex finally asked.

"If you're only protecting innocent people because of this, I can certainly help, but is that really your only goal?"

When Lex asked this, his eyes carried a sharp edge, and the pressure of a high-ranking official radiated toward Dilos.

But would Dilos retreat because of a little pressure? Obviously not. He grinned and said:

"My goal is naturally not just that. These are only part of it. I want more; I want to build my own power base—not just money, but resources, equipment, and connections. I want to evolve from an ant in the eyes of corrupt authorities into a demonic dragon that dares to roar at the world!"

Lex's eyes widened, his breath hitching. He opened his mouth several times to speak, but he gasped as if oxygen-deprived. Finally, he managed a few words:

"Ambitious thoughts. But what makes you think you can do it? And why do you think you can earn my support?"

Dilos didn't answer directly; instead, he sat down and spoke as if they were just chatting.

"I love this town, Lex, I really do. This is my home. I want to live a stable life, get married, have children, and live without worries. So, I've always told myself not to meddle in other people's business, and to let others handle whatever happens. But I realized I was wrong. From the moment I lived here, my family and I were already caught in the vortex of this town. Unless I'm willing to cut ties completely and become a coward, I can't escape. And clearly, I can't do that."

Dilos was telling the truth. Although he previously wanted to level up and live a good life without trouble, seeing tragedies unfold made him feel uneasy. While he told himself to let Clark handle these things, he secretly hoped he could help others too. Sometimes, he couldn't help but act.

Plus, during the recent crimes, Chloe had nearly died after being dragged into it. Because of that, Dilos had truly woken up.

There was a saying from his past life: it's not that you don't want trouble, it's that trouble will find you regardless.

This world is very dangerous and dark. If you hide from it, will it not find you? Rather than hiding on the sidelines and gambling on your own safety, it's better to face these things head-on and find a way to handle them.

Dilos didn't think there was anything wrong with helping others within his capabilities. But he wasn't a saint. He believed in settling debts, repaying kindness, killing when necessary, saving when necessary, and fighting when necessary. That was his code of conduct.

But no matter what, he needed sufficient power.

"Having thoughts without power is just daydreaming. Having power without thoughts is just violence." Dilos looked at the slightly agitated, pale face of Lex and continued:

"Lex, I both love and hate this world. It allows me to enjoy the beauty of life and the warmth of my family. I want the people I care about to live well, but this dark world won't allow it. I want to make this corrupt world less cold-blooded, to bring more warmth and less injustice to humanity. But this world won't allow that either."

"Because I am too small, and my ideas touch the world's landmines. So, either I live in obscurity and rot away, or I am erased by the world for being weak. I don't want either outcome. Therefore, I need help!"

"Lex, please help me!"

Dilos stared intensely into Lex's eyes. "Help me, and I will prove to you that your decision is the right one!"