Chapter 442: Zod Appears, H'el Arrives
The Case of Mistaken Luthor
The performance of the Annihilation Suit was formidable, even surpassing the Specter I armor. However, Lex Luthor was facing five Kryptonians.
Fighting one against five, the result was inevitable.
In the blink of an eye, Luthor was pinned to the ground. The armor he had invested countless efforts in building was reduced to scrap metal right before his eyes, and he could do nothing.
"I hate this!"
Lex Luthor's eyes were bloodshot. He glared at Faora.
"Woman, tell me your name."
"You already asked that two years ago," Faora replied. She grabbed the armor's energy core and crushed it in her hand.
Lex Luthor was going insane. "I've never met you people! Dammit, who are you?"
"Lex Luthor, trying to deny it even now is useless. We will never let you go," Faora hissed.
"Humiliation can only be washed away with blood!"
"If you are truly a warrior, then die with dignity. Don't let us despise you."
Lex Luthor's mouth hung open, his expression a mix of fury and humiliation. He finally realized: these fools must have the wrong person. They mistook him for another "Lex Luthor."
With his life on the line, he couldn't afford to care about tact. He gnashed his teeth.
"I swear to God, I have never seen you! There are dozens of people named Lex Luthor on this planet! Are you absolutely sure I'm the one you're looking for?"
"Think carefully! What did the 'Lex Luthor' you met look like, and what do I look like? Are we truly the same person?"
Hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Faora's eyes. Edwin also frowned.
"Something doesn't seem right."
"His build, voice, fighting style, and even his speaking tone are all different. More importantly, the language—he doesn't understand Kryptonian."
The last point was crucial. When the group communicated in Kryptonian, Lex Luthor showed no reaction, and unconscious reactions don't lie. One soldier couldn't help but ask,
"Did we really get the wrong person?"
Faora glanced at the armored vehicles outside the prison.
"Take him back first, then we'll discuss it."
A black spacecraft landed on the yard. The five soldiers boarded with Lex Luthor. The ship ascended and vanished into the sky in a blink.
Two hours later, news of Lex Luthor being abducted by aliens dominated all major media outlets, instantly becoming the focus.
Zod's Declaration
In the top floor office of Tesla, Linda stood up immediately when she saw the scene on TV.
"It's them. Zod!"
Luke Shaw nodded. Remembering the sight of Lex Luthor being savagely beaten by the five Kryptonians, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
That scapegoating was absolutely perfect!
"You're still laughing?"
Linda glared at him. "Did you know Zod would come to Earth, and that's why you used a fake name to trick them?"
"How could I? I'm not a god," Luke Shaw said, leaning back on the sofa, looking completely innocent. "I just wanted to mess with them at the time. I never expected it to backfire so well, making Lex Luthor take the blame. I hope they show mercy and don't kill him, or the sin will be immense!"
Linda scoffed. "Show mercy? I think you're gloating! And I must warn you, a lie is still a lie. The moment they realize the truth, you're finished."
"Are you worried about me, beautiful Ms. Danvers?"
"Don't flatter yourself. I wouldn't care if you lived or died."
The girl rolled her eyes and sat back down to work, staring at her paperwork, though her eyes were unfocused. She seemed distant. Luke Shaw walked up to her, glancing at the pen she had unconsciously twisted into a knot, and said comfortingly,
"Don't worry. I've got this."
"That's easy for you to say," Linda snapped, clenching her hands and venting in a low growl. "Zod has always been looking for a chance to rebuild Kryptonian civilization. He's found it now—on Earth."
"Earth is perfect for Kryptonians. He'll definitely use Kal's Codex to rebuild Krypton. When that happens, everyone here will die, including you."
"They will surely come for revenge, Luke. Can you... can you please go hide?"
"It's alright," Luke Shaw whispered, stroking her hair. "I'll be fine, and so will you. The situation has already happened; figuring out a solution is the right choice."
"You have a plan?"
Luke Shaw returned to the sofa, sipping his tea. "Two years ago, I spared their lives because of you. This time, I won't."
"Linda, you should prepare yourself. The scene that follows may not be one you want to witness."
"..."
Before Linda could speak, the television suddenly crackled with static. After a brief blackout, the screen turned to snow. Simultaneously, all visual devices connected to the network across Metropolis, the United States, and the entire world were invaded by a mysterious signal.
The screen flickered with a piercing static noise, and a slightly blurry image appeared.
"My name is General Dru-Zod."
"I come from a distant planet."
"I have flown across the vast starry sea to find you..."
"You are harboring one of my citizens. I now demand that you surrender them."
"For certain reasons, he chose to conceal his identity. He looks similar to you, but he is not of your race."
"Kal-El, come to outer space within twenty-four hours. This is your last chance. If you refuse, the entire world will suffer the consequences."
The message ended there, and the screens returned to normal.
Luke Shaw sneered. "Just like the Kryptonian military commander—announcing his arrival in such a grand fashion."
Linda stood up to leave.
"Where are you going?"
"To see Kal. No matter what, he's still my cousin."
Luke Shaw sighed. "Don't be led by your opponent. The situation has just begun." He paused. "Compared to Zod, I'm more worried about someone else."
"Who?"
"H'el."
The girl's expression froze. "You know about him too."
Luke Shaw set down his teacup. "Clark told me that you often played with H'el when you were little and that your relationship was unusual. Is that true?"
"Don't mention him in front of me," Linda scoffed. "We have no relationship whatsoever."
"That's what you think, but others might disagree."
Luke Shaw turned to look out the window, his eyes cold and filled with a chilling murderous intent. "Since you've come from afar, why don't you come in for a drink, Mr. H'el?"
Linda's face changed drastically. She instinctively shielded Luke Shaw.
Where light and shadow intersected, a tall figure appeared in the office.
His gray-blue hair lifted without a breeze, and his eyes were dark, like black swamp water, drawing in those who looked too deeply.
He stared motionlessly at Luke Shaw. His eyes flickered with confusion and curiosity before settling into a deep stillness.
"Hello, Earthling."
Luke Shaw gestured to the opposite sofa and spoke in Kryptonian. "If you don't mind, have a seat and a drink."
After a few seconds of silence, H'el walked to the sofa and sat down. His eyes never left Luke Shaw, completely ignoring Linda.
Luke Shaw turned to Linda.
"There's a box of Da Hong Pao tea on the second shelf of the pantry. Get it and steep it with boiling water. Since you don't have many friends, you should treat the ones who visit with the best tea."
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