Chapter 325: A Perfect Ending?
A Devil and a Saint
"I never thought there was a person like that in the world!"
Luke muttered, staring at the screen. Joshua's series of irrational behaviors made him seriously question his own worldview.
Compared to Joshua, Luke felt like a devil standing guard at the gate of heaven.
Linda was equally speechless, muttering softly,
"That guy is too much of a good person, even stupider than Clark."
Luke whispered, "Perhaps I should talk to him. People like him are a rare species; you only find one in hundreds of thousands. It would be a waste for him to die like this."
The girl looked at him oddly.
"Are you going soft?"
Luke shook his head. "This isn't going soft, it's a rational assessment of the situation, provided, of course, that he can control himself."
"Do you think he can?"
"Definitely not."
Joshua's personality had an extremely bright side, but Luke didn't believe he could shake off the alien bug's influence. Genes determine many things, and the instinct brought by the bloodline isn't something that can be overcome by willpower alone.
Just then, a text message appeared on the screen, sent by Wang Hu.
Luke glanced at it and turned back.
"Change your clothes quickly. It's time to leave."
Superman's Resolve
At the same time, in a warehouse somewhere in the Metropolis suburbs, Clark stood in front of a mirror, repeatedly examining his reflection.
Clad in a Kryptonian military-grade combat suit, the black armor wrapped around his powerful body made Clark look exceptionally heroic.
Lois asked curiously,
"I didn't know you had clothes like this."
Clark shook his head. "This isn't clothing. It's a combat suit specifically for Kryptonian soldiers, designed to ensure a soldier's survival in extremely harsh environments. I have a few sets in the Fortress of Solitude. I don't like them."
"Why?"
"The combat suit is prepared for war. It's not suitable for me. If I wear it, people will mistake me for an invader."
Lois nodded in agreement. "It really doesn't suit you."
"Alright, it's time to act. I hope tonight has a perfect ending."
Bidding his girlfriend farewell, Clark left the warehouse and disappeared into the night sky.
The Final Showdown
Time slowly passed, and before they knew it, it was ten o'clock at night.
Seventy miles north of Metropolis lay a vast mountain range. The small town at the foot of the mountains was once a logging community, but due to environmental issues, the town began to decline. As residents moved away, the former town gradually became a backyard for wild animals.
Tonight, however, the town was different; lights were glowing inside.
In the bar in the middle of the town, Luke, wearing a gray overcoat, leaned against the bar counter, holding a wine glass, looking slightly bored.
In the chair diagonally across from him sat a woman with disheveled hair. Her hands and feet were bound. Her face was unclear, but her constantly trembling body revealed her inner terror.
"Don't be afraid. Regardless of the outcome, you will receive everything I promised."
"You will get a green card and a check for five hundred thousand dollars. That's enough for you to start a new life."
The woman raised her head, revealing a dust-covered face. She opened her mouth and spoke in a hoarse voice,
"Allen is a good man. Why are you trying to kill him? He..."
Luke raised his hand, stopping her from continuing. "You should ask your ex-boyfriend that question. Let him tell you why we're looking for trouble with him."
"But I want to know now."
"I apologize, Miss, but I am under no obligation to tell you."
With that, he left the bar and stepped outside. He glanced at the two Kryptonians hovering in the air and shook his head.
"The two of you, dressed in those combat suits, remind me of someone."
Linda snorted. "Don't mention that guy to me. He's dead."
"Let's hope so."
Clark glanced at the bar and said solemnly, "Is the girl inside Comi?"
Luke nodded. "Joshua's childhood sweetheart and ex-girlfriend. The most important person in his life. Love is a magical power. Let's see if it works wonders tonight."
Clark profoundly disagreed with Luke's approach, but due to Linda's presence, he found it difficult to speak up. He simply resolved in his heart that if anything went wrong, he would absolutely not let the girl die on the spot.
Just then, Linda suddenly spoke.
"He's here!"
A fierce wind swept in from the south, accompanied by strained growls. A humanoid monster, with wings sprouting from its back and purplish-brown skin, plummeted from the sky.
After some time apart, he looked much thinner.
"Comi... Where's Comi?"
Joshua clutched his head. His sole remaining eye glowed faintly red. His body was hunched over and trembling at a high frequency, seemingly enduring immense pain.
Linda sensed that his condition was off and instinctively stepped in front of Luke.
Clark said solemnly, "You are Joshua Allen. You were responsible for the Bloody Christmas and the Glen Carr massacre."
"It was me. I did it."
Joshua gasped for air, his face twisted, grotesquely inhuman. His eyes held a chilling, murderous rage. "I-I-I... I'm willing to pay the price! Please, d-d-don't hurt Comi! Le-let her go!"
He seemed to struggle to speak, pausing several times in one sentence. His body tremors increased dramatically, and he looked ready to collapse.
"Luke, something's wrong!"
Luke frowned slightly. After thinking, he said,
"Comi is inside. Do you want me to bring her out?"
"No! No, don't! Don't bring her out!"
"You... you let her go! I will surrender to your disposal, I won't resist!"
Luke fell silent. Linda and Clark also frowned wordlessly. All three could see that the creature was fighting the parasite within him, attempting to suppress the parasite's instinct using human willpower.
To be honest, this effort was admirable.
Humanity is inherently a weak species, and few can maintain their nature when faced with the temptation of power. Yet, Joshua had done it. Even though he was destitute, had nothing, and saw no future, he clung to his moral standard without compromise.
"You truly are an incredible man. I will remember your name."
Luke sighed deeply. "Go on. Put him out of his misery."
The girl was hesitant.
"Is this really the right thing to do?"
Luke shook his head.
"He has no other choice. Death is his only refuge. If you don't believe me, ask him yourself."
Joshua stiffly raised his head, revealing a tragic smile.
"Please, kill me. I... I don't want to live like this! I am human! Not... not a monster!"
"Truly, I am not a monster."
A trail of bloody tears streamed from the corner of his eye, carrying supplication, despair, and endless regret.
Clark took a long, deep breath. He said no more. His eyes shot out heat vision powerful enough to melt metal. The red beams pierced Joshua's body, igniting his flesh, burning him little by little into ashes.
The strained, low growl echoed in the air and slowly vanished after a long time.
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