Harry-Folk

Months had passed since the start of the semester, and winter had arrived. The daily temperature in Smallville hovered around minus three degrees Celsius. Pedestrians, dressed in various winter outfits, walked along the clean, tidy streets, filling the air with laughter.

Dilos had left the nursing home, having long since changed his attire. He wore black leather boots, dark blue slim-fit jeans, a brown crew-neck shirt, and a black hooded leather jacket.

He walked down the street, expressionless, watching the constant flow of people moving past him. When nearby residents saw him, some whispered and pointed, while others wanted to approach him, only for Dilos to quickly walk away before they could get close.

Some of these people took photos of him with their phones and uploaded them online, bragging about having met a bestselling novelist. Others, driven by malicious intent, snapped pictures just to slander him online.

Then came the clichéd, endless bickering between fans and trolls.

Dilos knew nothing of this, and even if he had, he wouldn't have cared. He kept thinking about everything Cassandra had said.

Could he change the trajectory of others' future destinies? Dilos felt that was normal, as under normal circumstances, he shouldn't have existed in this world. Therefore, the moment he appeared, his personality and abilities would inevitably alter the future paths of those around him.

As for the fact that Dilos's own future couldn't be foreseen, it meant it was unclear whether his future would be good or bad.

It was laughable, really. He had always hoped to avoid talk of the future and destiny. Dilos worried that everything about him was predetermined; if that were the case, he felt he would be no different from a pawn in someone else's hand.

Yet, when this master of prophecy told him she couldn't see his future, he felt a sense of loss and disappointment. He, too, wanted a few words about the future to change himself, to live smoothly as if he were cheating the system.

"Good grief, it seems I've really lacked confidence lately, actually thinking about relying on these things." Dilos suddenly chuckled, touching his head in self-mockery.

"Regardless, only strength is what matters. If your power is insufficient, your heart will be uneasy. But in the face of absolute power, no matter how dangerous the future is, it's all just bullshit!"

Thinking this, the "poker face" Dilos had maintained for hours finally broke into a smile, his face filled with confidence and expectation for the future.

Feeling a surge of relief, Dilos felt that everything in his eyes seemed brighter for some reason. He glanced at the fans (mostly women) nearby who were pretending to drink tea or look at the scenery while constantly eyeing him from the corners of their eyes. He found it amusing, then hummed a soft, cheerful tune and quickly left the area, taking several turns to shake off the stalker-like fans.

The next morning, at the Sullivan residence.

Chloe looked at the high-spirited Dilos with some confusion and couldn't help but laugh.

"What good thing happened? I remember you seemed very unhappy yesterday. You're so happy now—could it be you have a girlfriend?" At this, a playful look crossed Chloe's face. "Is it that Susan from yesterday?"

"No, I just have some new plans for the future." Dilos shook his head and smiled at Chloe. "Also, I asked Lex for a favor yesterday. He helped me secure a part-time position as an assistant to the biology tycoon, Dr. Curtis Connors."

"Curtis Connors?" Chloe's eyes widened. "The scientific giant in transgenics? The one who worked at Osborn Corp for years, co-developed the Bone Healing Serum with Norman Osborn, and then resigned voluntarily for unknown reasons recently?"

Dilos grinned. "That's the one!"

"Congratulations!" Chloe's mood lifted as well. She knew very well that her cousin had wanted to intern at Osborn Corp specifically to learn from Dr. Curtis Connors. Now that Connors had resigned and was working as a professor at Metropolis University in New York, the Osborn Corp's screening process for high school interns across the country had become meaningless to Dilos.

To become an assistant to Dr. Curtis Connors, it would be impossible unless he skipped grades to university right now. However, it was a different story if Dr. Connors himself granted him a spot.

"By the way, why are you collecting these things?" Dilos suddenly noticed a roll of clippings in Chloe's hand. He glanced at them and saw they were all records of a murder case involving a young pianist from decades ago.

"Uh..." Chloe froze. Under Dilos's blade-like gaze, she looked unnatural. "Uh, just doing some academic research..."

Dilos didn't hesitate to call her out. "Chloe, I don't even need to use my abilities. Based on micro-expression psychology alone, I can tell you're definitely lying."

Chloe felt even more awkward. Dilos took a step forward, staring straight at her. "Is it because Clark found some bizarre event again and needs you to dig up information?"

Chloe pursed her lips but said nothing. That was enough for Dilos to know the answer.

Dilos looked at his cousin and rubbed his forehead in frustration. What merit did that blockhead Clark have to win the heart of his cute cousin?

He was certain Chloe was the girl who spent the most time with Clark, yet that idiot always had his eyes on Lana, whom he spent far less time with.

"What is it this time?" Dilos's voice betrayed no emotion, but he felt his temples throbbing and a surge of anger rising within him.

Based on his understanding of Clark, that idiot must have discovered some "evil" event and needed Chloe to gather information so he could "act as a hero."

"I remember clearly telling you not to get involved in these things because you don't have the ability to protect yourself." Dilos's voice grew stern. "You should remember you were almost burned to death by a lunatic with superpowers last time."

Feeling the terrifying aura suddenly radiating from her cousin, Chloe shrank her head and looked at Dilos timidly. "I know, but..."

"But this is Clark's request?" Dilos interrupted. Chloe turned her head away guiltily, but then, perhaps thinking of something, she braced herself against Dilos's sharp gaze.

"I know what you want to say, but I'm just curious. You know? Yesterday at the nursing home, an old man Lana was taking care of went missing by the small lake. They couldn't find him anywhere. Then, that very night, a murder happened. The victim was strangled with piano wire, his head covered. This is today's newspaper."

As she spoke, Chloe handed a newspaper to Dilos and laid the clippings in front of him. "The missing old man is Harry Volk. He committed murder decades ago using the same method. This clipping shows his younger self."

"And the most important part is this!" Chloe's voice rose, and she pointed excitedly at the young man in the photo. "Clark, Pete, Lana, and I saw this person at the restaurant yesterday."

"So your brilliant brain is guessing that this Harry Volk used some kind of youth-restoring serum to regain his youth and then went on a killing spree?"

Hearing Dilos's words, Chloe wore an expression that said, Exactly, that's it, hurry up and praise my high IQ.

Dilos narrowed his eyes dangerously. Noticing the change, Chloe gave a bitter smile, then hung her head in despair, not daring to speak.

"You're very curious about this strange case, aren't you?"

"Eh?" Chloe was confused by the question. She looked up at her cousin's face, only to find that Dilos's gloomy expression had somehow transformed into a sunny smile.

The smile looked so bright and warm, yet Chloe felt her heart pounding with dread.

"Since you're so curious..." Dilos's tone softened, and he paused deliberately. Chloe's heart skipped a beat, and she pricked up her ears to listen carefully.

Is my luck turning? Is Dilos planning to let me participate in this?

Chloe felt a flicker of joy, thinking she would get to see Clark again. But before she could revel in it, she felt a sharp pain in her ear. Dilos pinched her ear and viciously delivered a "verdict" that left her utterly depressed.

"You stay home and collect information for me; I'll handle this. If you find any new leads, notify me by phone. Once the matter is resolved, I'll have you write a twenty-word reflection. And we'll have a long, deep talk about the credibility of your promises to me! As well as your situation with Clark!!"