Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics-Chapter 4404 - 3494 Research on Cats and Dogs (5)

"Lex, I've run into some trouble and I'm flying to your estate now. Be prepared." Clark pressed the watch on his wrist.

"Don't worry. I've already seen it." Lex's voice came from the watch. "I've looked up information about the guy chasing you. He's from a universe's Injustice League."

"Injustice League?"

"Yes. In certain universes, you used your power to rule the world, killed all dissenters, and established a Superman regime. Together with superheroes who submitted to you, it formed an organization antithetical to the Justice League—'Injustice League.'

"Childish at best," Clark scoffed.

"That assessment isn't wrong," Lex replied casually. "From my observation, no Superman regime has ever truly succeeded. However, Batman also doesn't win every time—sometimes he ends up in terrible shape."

"What about those two?"

"Still not sure, but they seem to have a good relationship. You realize that's not good news."

In a blink, Clark arrived above the Luthor Manor, carrying Bruce. He descended slowly, and as he landed on the roof, a blue protective shield rose gradually.

The laser blast from Injustice Superman's Cyclops vision hit the shield without leaving so much as a ripple. Clark shot him a mocking glance, grabbed Bruce, and walked into the manor.

Meanwhile, another Superman, accompanied by Batman, landed on the roof of a nearby building.

"Am I dreaming?" Batman asked. "This universe's Superman attacks us with heat vision, then brings this universe's Batman to this universe's Luthor's house. I need to ask—what's the nature of their relationship?"

Superman scratched his head and replied, "It doesn't seem like they've coerced Luthor... I mean, it doesn't look like Luthor's coerced them either."

"That guy's spotted us," Batman said. "We'd better leave for now and figure out our mission."

After they left, the figure of Injustice Batman appeared on the nearby rooftop, followed closely by Injustice Superman, who landed beside him.

"This universe is far more interesting than I imagined," Injustice Superman said. "Perhaps we should find out who's in charge here. Would you be surprised to hear Clark Kent's name? I believe he has the potential."

"He's not you, Karl," Batman said.

"Don't call me that," Superman replied, his light blue eyes glaring at Batman. The dark pupils coiled like a venomous snake ready to strike.

"Do you even know who you are? Clark or Karl?" Batman stared straight ahead, expressionless. "You keep forcing others to confront this question, yet we all know you haven't figured it out yourself. Is it because you don't want to, or because you can't?"

"You think I should remain stuck in the past after all that's happened? Playing the obedient Clark Kent?" Superman retorted.

"You don't have to be Clark Kent, but are you sure you want to be Karl El? If you want a serious conversation, you need to answer that question first."

Superman turned his head away, also staring blankly ahead. His gloved hands clenched into fists, using all his strength to suppress the wave of nausea that surged in his stomach every time he heard Batman call him Karl.

To Superman, humanity had molded Clark Kent and then abandoned him cruelly. In response, he'd chosen to become the distant Kryptonian, Karl El. Batman seemed to have accepted this, so why did he still feel such disgust?

The nighttime skyline of Metropolis was always unchanging—the rooftop of Luthor Building emanated a red glow, followed by the Metropolis Theater and the museum. Traffic flowed out from the Jade Street intersection, creating a prosperous and tranquil scene.

Clark placed Bruce on a bed, handed him an anti-hangover pill, and pulled the blanket over him.

Descending the stairs and leaving the bedroom, Clark found Lex seated at a desk, absorbed in his computer. When Clark approached him, Lex pointed toward a box on the desk. Clark picked it up and found a phone inside.

"I hadn't given it to you before because it wasn't fully developed yet," Lex remarked without looking up. "You know how the Luthor Group operates—we never provide unfinished products to users, not even for internal testing. Try this one out."

Clark took the phone out of the box. It was square and foldable. When opened, a holographic screen automatically popped up, displaying the Luthor Group's startup animation.

Lex turned to him and said, "The latest Luthor phone is equipped with iris-tracking beam technology. Only you can see this screen. I got the inspiration from the Battleworld."

"Not bad," Clark commented sincerely. "If it goes to market, I'll recommend it to my colleagues. They could really use this kind of privacy feature."

"To keep their data secure when someone catches them sneaking pictures and demands their phone?" Lex chuckled. "Don't overthink it. The phone's data isn't theft-proof, so you'd better not lose it."

"We're journalists, not sleazy tabloid reporters," Clark retorted, slipping the phone into his pocket. "By the way, what's up with that protective shield?"

"That's ancient history. After graduating college, I adapted Gotham's weather system technology for this estate. That thing's an energy shield; as long as the energy level doesn't exceed its protective range, we're safe."

Clark sighed and sat down. "But we can't stay here forever. I suspect the plot point mentioned in the transmission is approaching."

"I just did some research," Lex said. "In other universes at this time, one major unexpected event in Metropolis tends to be—you receiving a visit from a relative."

"A relative?"

"Yes, a Kryptonian named Zod. He was sentenced to exile in the Phantom Zone for various charges. After Krypton's destruction, he's been plotting to invade Earth to turn it into his second home."

"Absurd," Clark succinctly replied.

"Honestly, haven't you ever thought about it?" Lex asked playfully, looking at Clark. "Don't you want to rebuild your home planet?"

"That should be done on Krypton, not Earth," Clark said, shaking his head lightly. "Aside from the spacecraft that brought me here, I know nothing about Krypton. Maybe someday I can return and pay my respects."

"Why? Don't you want to uncover the truth of what happened or seek revenge for her?"

"There were countless Kryptonians like me, yet the planet still couldn't avoid its doom. It proves that this isn't something one or two Kryptonians could prevent. Even if I wanted to act, it's far from simple—it needs thorough planning."

"But Zod clearly thinks otherwise," Lex said, pulling a folder from nearby and handing it to Clark. "This is information I've gathered from versions of myself across the Battleworld. Zod is a dangerous man."

Clark flipped through the folder, his brows furrowing deeper with each page.

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Lex's collected data was comprehensive, detailing the circumstances of Krypton's destruction across multiple universes.

Though each universe had its nuances, the general story was consistent. Ultimately, Krypton's fall was the result of its own doing—a mere microcosm of countless civilizations that had perished in the cosmos.

Krypton's history bore some resemblance to Asgard's. At one point, powerful Kryptonians roamed the cosmos. Even within the red sun's range, while they weren't as formidable as under the yellow sun, their technological prowess remained unrivaled, ranking among the most advanced civilizations.

Yet they inevitably fell into the trap of class rigidity, like a late imperial dynasty—vast territory and flourishing population, but the ruling class locked itself onto the home planet for the sake of stability in governance.

While other civilizations and the Little Blue People contributed to Krypton's ultimate downfall, one couldn't ignore the fact that without their council's existence, even multiple disasters and alien invasions combined wouldn't have led to the near-total annihilation of Kryptonians overnight.

After a moment's silence, Clark said, "Zod might not necessarily be targeting Earth; he could be coming for me. It seems he's pinned his hopes for Krypton's revival on me."

"That's the crux of the issue," Lex said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "He's also a Kryptonian. If he wants to rebuild Krypton, he could do it himself. Why come to find you?"

"This suggests he might not truly want to rebuild Krypton—he may just want to invade Earth." Clark tossed the folder aside. "Perhaps he was once a hero, but now his actions are just leading him down the same doomed path as his people. It won't end well."

Clark paused, turned to stare upstairs, and said to Lex, "Bruce has woken up."

"Are you sure he's sober? If he goes crazy again, I'm throwing you both out."

Clark chuckled, "Don't worry. Based on timing, his tantrum should be over. But prepare yourself for his complaints."

He barely finished speaking before Bruce emerged from the bedroom, clutching his neck and wobbling in discomfort. "Which one of you left me on the guillotine while I was drunk? Why can't I feel my neck?"

"At least your head's still attached," Lex said gleefully, crossing his legs and placing his hands on the armrest in mock amusement.

"Alright," Bruce raised his hands, slamming them on the railing in front of him. Standing on the second floor and looking down at the two below, he declared, "Now, let the great Batman lead you through this crisis!"

"Now you're suddenly recalling that you're Batman." Clark pinched his nose, exclaiming, "Unbelievable—Metropolis now has three Batmen. A disaster of historic proportions."

"This means you can leave me behind and team up with another Batman. You've got plenty of options!" Bruce added with exaggerated gestures, smacking the railing hard before turning back into the bedroom and slamming the door.

Clark sighed deeply where he stood.

"Why do I have a feeling his mind isn't quite right yet?"

"When was his mind ever normal?"

The two exchanged a silent glance.

"Do you have any info on those other Batmen?" Clark asked.

"You're actually planning to find Batman?"

Clark rubbed his forehead. "If this really is General Zod arriving, the Supermen won't stand idly by. They might cause substantial chaos. It's best to involve the Batman from their universe—they might be able to rein them in."

Lex sighed and turned back toward his computer, typing as he said, "Why do I feel like your roles have reversed with Batman? In other universes, wouldn't Batman typically be the one sitting here, sighing and complaining to me?"

"No jokes. Batman would never come to you for help. He'd sooner collaborate with Injustice Superman than knock on your door."

"That, you're right about," Lex agreed. "We're like oil and water. So keeping Bruce in line is now your job."

Clark let out a long, weary sigh.