Chapter 441: Lex Luthor's Day of Suffering
The H'el Problem
Luke Shaw's expression was serious, even solemn.
Based on the projected timeline, H'el should have appeared after the formation of the Justice League, not now. At this point, Clark Kent was a newly tenured reporter, and Kara Zor-El was only twenty years old.
Neither of them had experience fighting opponents of that caliber; they were complete rookies.
How could a rookie beat a max-level expert? It was unthinkable.
Or, maybe it wasn't him?
Luke Shaw propped his chin, lost in thought.
Dior asked curiously, "Who is H'el?"
"A terrifying and dangerous alien. His target is the Sun."
This was the first time Dior had heard Luke Shaw use the word "dangerous." He became more serious; anyone the young master called "dangerous" must be formidable.
"What should we do?"
Luke Shaw pondered for a moment, then said, "Go to the Daily Planet."
Twenty minutes later, in the largest office at the Daily Planet, Luke Shaw sat in the editor-in-chief's chair while the editor-in-chief stood to the side.
"Mr. Shaw, are you sure you want to invest?"
"The Daily Planet is an authoritative media outlet with good sales. If it cooperates with ShowMe, it benefits both of us. Of course... this is just my initial thought. The final decision will require detailed market research."
"That is... that is..."
The editor-in-chief was beaming. If ShowMe invested, the Daily Planet's market value would surely soar, and he would profit handsomely.
"Oh, right," Luke Shaw said with a smile. "I met a reporter friend from the Daily Planet at the Tesla opening ceremony two years ago, Clark Kent. Is he still around?"
"Yes, yes, he's always here. Just a moment, I'll call him right over."
The editor-in-chief put down his teacup and hurried away, muttering to himself: Since when did that rookie Clark make such a powerful friend? I need to treat him better from now on. I can't keep working him to death.
Leaving the office, he ran straight into a crowd. The editor-in-chief waved impatiently.
"What are you looking at? Get back to work!"
The crowd scattered like birds. The editor-in-chief walked up to Clark's desk, pulled him aside, and spoke earnestly.
"Clark, the future of our newspaper rests entirely on you."
"Chief, what are you talking about?"
"Luke Shaw wants to invest in the Daily Planet, and aren't you his friend? When you meet him, you must persuade him properly. If you succeed, I will definitely reward you well."
"Go on. He's in the office. Good luck."
The editor-in-chief patted his shoulder enthusiastically, his eyes burning with expectation. Clark was utterly bewildered. What is all this?
Although Luke Shaw hadn't made a public appearance for nearly a year, news about him never stopped. After all, he was a super-genius who became a multi-billionaire in just two years.
When Clark arrived at the office, Luke Shaw was drinking coffee. Seeing him, he went straight to the point.
"I actually came here to see you."
"About last night's incident."
Luke Shaw nodded slightly. "Linda isn't easy to talk to, and she wouldn't tell me anything, so I had no choice but to come to you."
"Was the person you were fighting last night H'el?"
Clark was shocked. "How did you know?"
"It seems it was him, then," Luke Shaw said, putting down his coffee, his expression serious. "Tell me about the fight, including all the detailed data you can remember."
Half an hour later, Luke Shaw left the Daily Planet under the eager gaze of the editor-in-chief.
Lex Luthor's New Armor
In the famous Cadmus private prison on the northern outskirts of Washington, Lex Luthor, dressed in a prison uniform, stood in a room filled with various scientific equipment. As the door of the cryogenic chamber opened, a strangely designed armor emerged.
It featured dark green plating, a dark green helmet, and numerous glowing green energy nodes evenly distributed across the shoulders and chest. At first glance, it resembled an Orc from World of Warcraft.
"Finally, success."
Lex Luthor laughed with excitement. The green armor, also known as the Annihilation Suit, had been meticulously crafted over a year and a half. It incorporated cutting-edge Earth technology, alien energy systems, and the bio-virus created by the mysterious Avios.
With this, he could confront Superman without any reservations. As for Luke Shaw... Remembering the mastermind who orchestrated his imprisonment, Lex Luthor clenched his fist, his eyes flashing with ambition.
He used to believe he was the smartest person on Earth, bar none. Luke Shaw's appearance shattered that dream. That sinister boy, who came from the criminal underworld, had silently dug a pit. By the time Lex realized it, he was already in prison, the Luthor Group was heavily damaged, and the painstakingly created Cadmus organization had fallen apart, becoming a stepping stone for the Hung Men gang.
Everything was a conspiracy, an utterly seamless, natural, and impossibly perfect plan.
Honestly, he respected the guy. His methods, temperament, strategy, and intellect were world-class. Having a rival like that made life interesting.
"Luke Shaw, just wait. Soon, I will shock all of you."
"Metropolis does not need outside influence, and it certainly doesn't need a god."
The Kryptonian Attack
Before he finished speaking, an alarm suddenly blared.
A prison guard rushed in, saying urgently, "Mr. Luthor, get to the basement immediately! We're under attack!"
Luthor waved his hand, and a holographic screen appeared in the air. Through the screen, he could see five mysterious figures in black battle armor rampaging through the prison. The guards responsible for security were no match for them.
"Perfect. I'll use you to test the suit's performance!"
Luthor walked to the cryogenic chamber and merged with the armor. Green electronic currents surged across the suit's surface. With a roar, the roof cracked, and a green shadow appeared above the prison.
Seeing him, the mysterious figures stopped in unison and turned their heads toward him.
Faora gritted her teeth, speaking one word at a time.
"Lex Luthor?"
The clumsy accent was grating, sounding as though she had just learned the language. Lex Luthor frowned slightly. Were they here for him? This bewildered him. He had been locked up for a year and hadn't done anything; why would someone target him?
"What? You don't recognize us?"
Faora removed her mechanical helmet, revealing an imposing face wrapped in an energy membrane. A scar on her left cheek was particularly conspicuous.
"That scar. You left it there. I have never forgotten."
"On the ship, you defeated us using despicable means."
"Now, we have returned. We've come to your planet."
"Humiliation must be washed away with blood. Your life is the best answer."
Lex Luthor was completely confused, utterly lost.
From their words, these people seemed to have a deep-seated hatred for him, but he had never met them!
The five figures, radiating killing intent, gave him no chance to explain. They launched a fierce, overwhelming attack. Fists and feet assailed him from all directions, each blow accompanied by a sharp, ripping sound.
Lex Luthor's pupils contracted. Flames erupted from his back, sending him flying upwards. But the faster Faora grabbed his ankle and ruthlessly slammed him back down.
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