Chapter Twenty: Lex Luthor

"Thud!"

Father Norman's corpse collapsed heavily to the ground. Dust billowed up as the priest, his eyes still wide open, stared blankly at the falling leaves above, the light in his gaze slowly fading away.

After snapping the man's neck, Peter turned around. Clark looked at the body on the ground in shock. He had never imagined that his godfather would kill Father Norman in cold blood!

"Let's go."

Peter took Clark and Homelander by the hand, preparing to leave the forest. Clark remained in a daze, allowing Peter to lead him, and only regained his composure once they had left the woods and climbed into the car.

"Godfather? Why... did you kill Father Norman?"

Sitting in the backseat, Clark hesitated before finally asking the question that weighed heavily on his mind.

"Because Father Norman once said," Peter replied while driving, "'Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.'"

"The priest believed that when dealing with evildoers, one must use the same methods they employ to strike back. He killed others, so—he would be treated by others in the exact same way. It is the most equitable thing in the world. I believe Father Norman would wholeheartedly agree."

Clark nodded, though he only half-understood. It sounded logical, yet why did it feel so strange? Still, he asked with some inner conflict, "But didn't you say, Godfather, that life is the most precious thing of all?"

Before Peter could answer, Homelander interjected from the side, "The lives of bad people aren't precious. Father Norman was a bad guy. Think about it, Clark, he almost caused your parents' deaths."

Homelander found Clark to be a complete fool. "If we had let him go, there's no telling if he would have killed your parents next time."

Peter, at the wheel, was surprised by Homelander's words. *This kid understands such principles at such a young age?* The reason he had brought the two boys to the scene was to teach them the importance of eradicating evil completely. He hadn't expected Homelander to grasp his well-intentioned lesson so quickly.

Clark thought about it and decided that it made sense. His young mind could not come up with a better way to handle the situation.

Seeing that Clark had been convinced by his logic, Homelander said triumphantly to Peter, "Dad, if I were you, I would have done the same thing."

"Uh-huh." Peter nodded. *I don't doubt for a second that you would. After all, you're increasingly showing signs of the same sociopathic tendencies you had in your past life.*

With complex emotions, Clark let out a long breath and turned his gaze to the scenery flashing by outside.

A faint, metallic scent of blood radiated from Homelander beside him. He suddenly realized that his life might change from this point on. Although he didn't know how, he was certain it would be linked to his godfather.

The car drove along the remote road outside the small town, heading toward the Patrick farm.

***

The next morning, early.

The radio broadcast news regarding the terrorist attack in Smallville.

"An explosion and terrorist attack have occurred at the Smallville Grand Auditorium. The terrorists attacked the public, causing a fire to break out in the building. Currently, the fire has been extinguished, and multiple bodies have been discovered at the scene. Confirmed casualties include Smallville firefighter William Thomas, three dance performers..."

Listening to the radio, Peter turned around and casually placed the black grimoire he had been holding onto the table. He had studied the book last night and found it filled with forbidden spells and sacrificial magic. He had never had much interest in mages—those cursed "debtors"—so he intended to store the book away. Perhaps one day he would pick up a child with an aptitude for magic, and it could serve as their introductory textbook.

The broadcast continued: "Additionally, more than ten people have been sent to the hospital due to smoke inhalation and minor burns. It is reported that the organization behind this terrorist attack involved the use of biochemical weapons..."

"Dad."

Homelander walked downstairs, rubbing his eyes, and asked, "Where's Clark?"

"Clark was picked up by his parents."

Hearing that Clark had left, Homelander felt a bit dejected. "I wanted to go fly a kite with Clark!"

The heartless boy had already completely moved on from the events of the previous night. He still wanted to drag Clark out to fly a kite.

"Homelander, come here." Peter beckoned him over.

Homelander sat down obediently, looking at him with eager eyes. "Dad, are you going to fly a kite with me?"

"We'll talk about the kite later. Let's discuss you sneaking a look at horror movies."

Peter looked at Homelander's backside with a stern expression. He felt it was time to fulfill his duties as a loving father and discipline the boy.

***

"Mr. Luthor."

At the Metropolis Central Hospital, a doctor said to Lionel Luthor, who was lying in a hospital bed, "Your injuries are not serious—just some minor burns. I believe you will be able to recover and be discharged soon."

"Thank you, Dr. Ryan."

Lionel Luthor smiled and thanked the doctor. Once the doctor left, the smile on his face vanished instantly. As the head of LuthorCorp, he had never experienced a scene as perilous as the one from the night before. LuthorCorp had been acquiring land in Smallville to establish a chemical group. He had happened to be in town last night, attending the "Harvest Festival" with his subordinates.

He had not expected a group of monsters that bit everyone they saw to suddenly emerge inside the auditorium. Under the protection of his bodyguards, he had barely escaped with his life, managing not to leave it behind in that hall.

Rubbing his throbbing forehead, he recalled the terrifying scene he had witnessed. The savage, bloodthirsty monsters had ripped the throats of fleeing people, sending blood spraying everywhere. Then, there was that man wielding a katana, carrying two young children on his back, who had easily decapitated the monsters.

A man who had always believed in rationalism, he now had to wonder if he had suffered a hallucination brought on by fear.

*No!*

That could not have been a hallucination. He swore he had seen it clearly. The image of that god-like killer had been deeply etched into his mind.

He rang the call bell and summoned his subordinates from outside the room.

"Is there any news about that mysterious man?" Lionel Luthor asked his subordinate. He had previously described Peter's appearance and sent men to search for him.

"I'm sorry, sir, we haven't found him yet."

"Then send more men. I need to know who that person is as soon as possible." Lionel Luthor said in a calm tone, "You may leave. I hope to receive good news the next time we meet."

After his subordinate left, the door to the hospital room creaked open. A six- or seven-year-old bald boy entered.

"Dad." The little bald boy greeted Lionel, "I'm here to see you."

"Lex!"

Seeing his son, Lionel's mood immediately improved significantly. He stretched out his arms and hugged the little boy as he climbed onto the bed.