Me and countless me.

Chapter 636

Why...are you so similar to me?

Clark had a lot to say, especially about the attitude and thoughts of this man called Homelander. After seeing the man's abilities, which were almost identical to his own, Clark felt a deep sense of fear and dread.

He was afraid of becoming a beast like the Chinese!
In his excitement, Clark's eyes unconsciously flashed red, but he quickly regained his composure, because it wasn't his own book, but his friend's comic book; he was just a borrower.

However, the feeling of loss and fear still made Clark feel a deep sense of unease.

That night, Clark couldn't sleep.

He had a dream in which he somehow became like Homelander in the future, doing whatever he wanted without restraint.

Clark had to admit that it was indeed very tempting—to do whatever he wanted—but he loathed it from the bottom of his heart, and as for why…

Clark didn't know either, but he always remembered Jonathan's teachings and the person his parents hoped he would become, not this monster.

However, Clark still couldn't sleep. The next morning, as he sat at the dining table looking at the delicious food his mother had prepared, he couldn't help but think of the people in the comics who were casually killed by Homelander's heat vision.

This made Clark feel nauseous, but he hid it well. It was just a pity that his parents were an exceptionally caring couple.

“I think you should apologize to Martha, Clark. Although I also think Martha’s food is a bit bland, she put a lot of effort into making it for you. You didn’t need to make that face.”

Jonathan made a joke, but seeing his son's helpless face and Martha already holding the spatula, he had no choice but to immediately tell her what he had discovered.

"Alright, son, tell me, what made you ignore even your mother's cooking? If you don't tell me, I'll have to ask Luther."

These words made Clark frown. Although he still considered Luther a good friend, to be honest, for some reason, Clark always felt that Luther had a strange feeling towards him. It seemed that Luther regarded him as a friend, but it also seemed that he did not. It made him feel very complicated.

However, Clark could also see that his father, Jonathan, was serious. If he didn't explain why he was so uneasy and absent-minded, Jonathan would definitely go to Luther to find out, since they cared about him that much.

"That comic book, Dad, the one called The Boys, in it..."

Clark was speaking when he noticed Jonathan's expression turn serious, and even Martha, who was standing next to him, looked serious.

Jonathan tidied up the newspaper in his hand, looked at the uneasy Clark, and asked again.

"Are you talking about those so-called 'superheroes' who have absolutely no understanding of morality or what it means to be kind?"

Clark was quite surprised by Jonathan's knowledge of The Boys. If he hadn't been having some trouble at work lately, he wouldn't have returned to this small town to chat and rest with his father, nor would he have had time to read the comics Luther had recommended to him.

However, Jonathan clearly did not explain how he knew about the Boys, but instead looked at his son seriously.

“We are not beasts, Clark. You don’t need to care too much about that comic book. After all, Homelander is just a character in a comic book. His author just wanted to depict a powerful person who does whatever he wants, to tell others how terrible it is when power is in the hands of a person full of selfishness, and how important a person’s upbringing is… Homelander is not a normal human being at all. He is pitiful and lacks love. But you are different, Clark. You have us. Your heart is full of love, and you can also receive love from others, so you don’t have to worry about becoming him.”

After saying that, Jonathan opened his arms to his son. Clark was stunned for a moment, but then his worry and anxiety disappeared. His father smiled at his son.

"What, are you still scared? You know Daddy's right here."

Without hesitation, Clark embraced his father, feeling the warmth of his family, which made him even more determined and serious.

Martha smiled and hugged the father and son. The family was very happy, and even Clark's recent work troubles seemed less important.

But just as Clark was enjoying the love from his family, the man who lent him the comic book was also looking at the Boys comic book in front of him.

Normally, Lex Luthor has no interest in comics, but he has been very interested in the Boys ever since he heard about them. After seeing Homelander, for some reason, he felt that this guy, or someone similar to Homelander, would definitely become his enemy!
Looking at Homelander's role in the comics, Lex Luthor felt that the guy was ridiculously stupid. Even if he didn't receive a proper education when he was young, he still didn't take the initiative to learn and study at this age. He was just too useless.

"Homelander... ha... just a clown who has no idea what kind of power he possesses."

Lex Luthor put down his comic book and looked at the armor design he had created, his expression becoming increasingly serious.

Although he looked down on Homelander, he also knew that the guy in the comic was so powerful that no one in the world could possibly compete with him.

If any sane person possessed such power, everything on Earth would be rewritten, even everything he was familiar with, or even everything he was proud of, would change.

Lex Luthor instinctively watched this change in the show, and for some reason thought of Clark's figure, followed by that handsome and dashing face.

"Clark..."

Lex Luthor's tone was full of bitterness. To be honest, he really wanted to become good friends with him. After all, judging from the situation, there was no one in the world who would become his friend without being influenced by interests. Even if there were, they would soon disappear after learning about his family's assets.

Unfortunately, the two were not from the same social class. Although Clark's family could not be described as poor, it was impossible for them to become close friends and have frequent contact.

And the most important thing is——

He could vaguely sense that there was something unusual about Clark. After all, Clark was in a place full of kryptonite. Thinking about the strange things that happened when Clark was growing up, and the various stupid things that people with superpowers did, Lex Luthor couldn't help but clench his fists. An indescribable sense of mission made him grit his teeth.

"It seems that someone has to step forward and set an example for humanity, leading humanity forward." To be honest, if possible, Luther wouldn't want to be too in the public eye, but for the future of humanity, and to prevent humanity from having its future ruined by superpowered individuals, he had to step forward.

"Clark... my friend, I hope we will not become enemies."

Lex Luthor gently stroked the comic book in front of him, looking at Homelander on the cover with disgust, but he couldn't help but imagine that smiling Homelander's face as Clark's.

Li Ke had no idea that the comics he copied out of sheer morbid curiosity would have such a profound impact on Clark, Batman, and Lex Luthor, nor did he know that Clark's kind parents had once again revealed the beauty of humanity.

He didn't go with Zatanna to the benefit performance, after all, he decided to approach Superman with caution rather than in such a hasty manner.

And most importantly, he hasn't even dealt with Batman yet, let alone Superman.

What is he doing now?

He is receiving treatment from a female psychologist named Harleen Francis Quezel.

"Excuse my bluntness, Mr. Li Ke, but you have serious mental health issues."

Wearing glasses and sporting an explosive physique that couldn't be concealed by his white coat, Dr. Quezel looked at Li Ke lying on the bed and couldn't help but speak.

"You said you can't accept that The Boys is popular, but you also feel that it makes perfect sense. This contradiction is causing you a lot of pain, right?"

Dr. Quizel looked at Li Ke in front of her. With her expertise in psychology, she felt she could easily solve Li Ke's problem.

Although she studies psychology all day, she is aware that Li Ke's "The Boys" is becoming increasingly influential. However, the author of the work believes that people should not like "The Boys," which makes her think that Li Ke feels that people do not understand the true meaning of his work.

So Dr. Quezel waved his pen, looked at Li Ke in front of him, and began to offer guidance and ask questions.

"So, do you think people should have higher expectations of superheroes, like Vought International advertises, and genuinely hope for the existence of a perfect god on earth?"

This was the only conclusion she could come to, and although Dr. Quezel found it ridiculous, it was the only thought she could come up with regarding Li Ke's problem.

Knowing that her name was Harleen Francis Quezel, which is why he came specifically, Li Ke looked at Dr. Quezel and couldn't help but laugh when he thought of how she became Harley Quinn after interacting with the Joker, because he was there to prevent that from happening!
But his smile only made Dr. Quezel more puzzled.

"Why are you laughing?"

Looking at Dr. Quizel in front of him, Li Ke felt that this beautiful woman was rather boring. Looking at the woman, who was spirited but had no freedom, he saw in her eyes a soul that longed to indulge itself and to make others like its true self.

“Because you are too serious, Dr. Quezel.”

Li Ke interlaced his fingers, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

"The topic I'm here to discuss isn't a very serious one, or rather, it should be a topic full of hope. Just like how we live in this world and always have to face various hardships and compromises, it's normal to hope for the help of a morally perfect god at this time. It's also proof that people still have hope for the future."

At this point, Li Ke sighed.

"But unfortunately, most Gotham residents simply succumb to the violent pleasures depicted in this book, never considering that if there really were a perfect superhero, a morally perfect person, a living Christ, then why couldn't our lives be better? Why couldn't we give our lives more reasons to strive and have hope? But they don't even dare to think about it."

He looked toward the Metropolis, and after a moment of silence, looked at the thoughtful Dr. Quezel.

"So, Dr. Quezel, do you believe in hope? Do you believe in heroes? Do you believe in hope?"

Dr. Quezel was somewhat at a loss for words to answer Li Ke. She felt that what Li Ke said made perfect sense, and she completely understood what Li Ke meant.

Li Ke's meaning is very simple: he hopes that superheroes really exist, that their mere existence can bring hope, that they are true gods on earth, that you can instantly reach them if you sincerely ask for their help.

He can solve most of the troubles in your life and always upholds morality and the order in people's hearts, giving you peace of mind and eliminating worries about being treated unfairly. When you encounter such situations, you have such a powerful presence to help you.

Just thinking about it, Dr. Quezel felt that such a life would be absolutely wonderful, because it meant that he would have another person to rely on, someone he could absolutely trust.

Unfortunately, she doesn't think such a situation is reasonable or normal.

“A good idea, but Mr. Li Ke, you should know that such a person doesn’t exist. Everyone has selfish motives, just like the cartoons you draw…”

Li Ke interrupted Dr. Quezel directly, looking intently into his eyes, and asked the question word by word.

“Sometimes, we just can’t afford the price of believing in hope, can we, Dr. Quezel? But even you, deep down, crave the freedom to indulge yourself, and to have a hero like this in your life, so you don’t have to worry about actually hurting anyone, right?”

Dr. Quezel felt her heart stop beating, because Li Ke, like the most brutal person, stepped in, tearing away all the pretense in her heart and revealing her true self, causing her smile to unconsciously take on a manic expression.

Yes, she craves rampant destruction!
To destroy like Homelander, to vent one's anger and discontent, but—

She didn't want to hurt people she didn't want to hurt!

(End of this chapter)