Chapter 33: Ignorance Leads to the Grave
Cassandra's predictions of the future were uncontrollable.
Sometimes she saw events minutes away, other times the end of someone else's life. She couldn't frequently predict the ever-changing future for a single person.
Clark wanted to re-predict his own future, to know if his firm resolve to stop his brother from going down the wrong path had any effect, if the future had changed, but he couldn't.
"I'm tired, children."
Listening to the ticking of the clock, Cassandra smiled with a sense of contentment. Clark was a bit confused; he hadn't even started reading with the elder he respected.
"Do you really think Ms. Cassandra needs someone to read to her?"
David patted his shoulder and got up to leave.
The old woman could read braille. All she needed was someone to let her see the vibrant, colorful world again through another's future.
"Ma'am, excuse me."
Clark realized his mistake, glanced at the clock on the wall, felt he had caused enough trouble, and bid farewell.
"I'll come see you again this afternoon."
"Child, I can only show you fragments of the future. Sometimes you won't know the whole story, so don't rush to judge."
Finally, as Clark was about to close the door and leave, Cassandra reminded him kindly from her chair.
"Be more patient and trusting with your family."
"I understand. Thank you, Ma'am."
Clark froze for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully and closed the door.
He had originally planned to accompany David to a room downstairs to play international chess with another elderly person, to pass the time for his community service.
But after playing two games, the elderly person no longer wanted to play. She had realized David was letting her win, playing to make her happy. After a serious game, she was quickly defeated.
Playing chess with someone whose skill level was vastly superior was a tedious affair, especially for the weaker player.
"You two go ahead. I'll tell the staff you were playing chess with me."
The elderly woman, feeling a sense of defeat, waved her hand, touching her forehead.
The two had no choice but to leave. Seeing that it was almost lunchtime, they preferred to go home and taste their mother Martha's signature seafood chowder over eating in the nursing home cafeteria.
Going downstairs, they saw Pete's car parked below.
But Pete himself was nowhere to be seen, likely still looking for his keys.
"Are you really going home looking like this, Clark? What will Father and Mother think?"
As they left the nursing home, Clark's brow was furrowed with lingering worry, and he walked absentmindedly. David raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Did you see something in the future that has you so worried? Did I lock you in a meteorite coffin? Or did I steal Lana, the one you've been pining over?"
"N-nothing."
"..."
"You can't even fool a child with that," David said, his tone a little exasperated at the Kryptonian's poor attempt at lying.
"Let me think about it, David, and then I'll decide whether to tell you."
Clark wasn't sure if telling his brother about his premonition would be beneficial or detrimental, and decided to take some time to consider.
He glanced back at the nursing home.
His original purpose for coming today was to spend time with Lana, perhaps chat with her in the cafeteria. But with what had happened, he had lost the mood.
"It's your future anyway."
David shrugged, not pressing the issue.
While curious, he wouldn't be consumed by worry over a precognitive's vague prediction.
The future lay beneath his feet and in his hands; he was the helmsman of his own life.
"The direction of life's ship is decided by oneself."
There were quite a few people in this world with precognitive or fortune-telling abilities. If he let every casual remark make him anxious and fretful, he'd have no time left for anything else.
"Compared to that, I'm more concerned about something else right now."
Walking on the street, ignoring the distracted Clark beside him, David clenched his fists.
Ever since his template's fusion rate surpassed ninety, he felt a powerful energy flowing within him, filling every cell of his body. The higher the fusion rate, the more immense that energy became.
"But I can't seem to release it."
This reminded him of Thanos from the comics.
"The comic book Thanos could unleash powerful cosmic energy from his hands or eyes, but he couldn't do it at first."
Not long after Thanos left his homeworld, Titan, and embarked on his path as a dark overlord, he killed the leader of the space pirates and took his place. He then continuously led his space pirates, plundering the universe's scientific technology and researching his own body.
"To fully unleash his body's potential, Thanos created armor for himself and underwent biological modification surgery, allowing him to release the powerful energy contained within his body."
In the comics, Thanos' golden armor, though seemingly simple, as if hammered into shape, actually contained various top-tier cosmic technologies. One of its functions was to help him concentrate and release energy.
David knew he was supposed to integrate the movie version of Thanos' template.
"But perhaps Thanos is just Thanos; some essential aspects never change."
He speculated in his heart.
"In the movie, Thanos was perhaps too preoccupied with finding the Infinity Stones and acting as the universe's population control director, leaving him no time to explore his own potential."
Even without energy beams, Thanos' formidable physique was enough for him to dominate the universe.
"If he found the Infinity Stones that could control the universe, his ability to emit energy wouldn't have made snapping his fingers any easier."
David shook his head, unsure what to do with the energy in his body.
He currently lacked the conditions to create a suit of high-tech cosmic armor or undergo biological modifications himself.
"This extra ability seems useless for now?"
On the way home from the outskirts, David raised an eyebrow.
"What a coincidence, David!"
A voice filled with resentment and triumph suddenly rang out.
A figure slowly emerged from a fork in the road, suddenly blocking their path. His skin was covered as if by snow, his lips were purplish-blue, and his face appeared somewhat ferocious.
"I was crossing town intending to go to your farm, and I didn't expect to run into you here."
"Sean?"
Clark looked up, gazing at Sean, whose skin had an abnormal color and who seemed to be shivering. His expression was astonished, and he couldn't help but ask, "Are you okay?"
"Okay?"
Upon hearing the question, Sean spread his arms and laughed wildly, "I couldn't be better!"
"Now!"
He suddenly looked at David, his voice stern. The ground on both sides of his hands was shattered into powder by frost, and as the wind blew, snow and ice danced in the air.
"Kneel on the ground and beg me, and I might consider sparing your life, David."
Having walked through town to get here, his ability to absorb heat had resurfaced.
"Have you ever considered applying to a circus?"
Hearing this, David's expression turned cold.
From Sean's appearance, it was not difficult to see that he had undergone a genetic mutation due to Kryptonite radiation.
"With your current freakish appearance, you'd surely be a guaranteed sell-out."
"Your ignorance will lead you to the grave."
Angered by the mockery, Sean roared and lunged forward, throwing a punch: "You have no idea how strong I am now!"
"Sean, stop!"
Clark lunged forward, trying to prevent Sean from approaching David. He wanted to protect his brother, and also to protect him.
But as his hands made contact with Sean's body, his body's heat was uncontrollably drawn away.
A sun-like radiance was born at the point of contact between the two, and was absorbed into Sean's body.
"How can the heat in your body be more immense than a small thermal power station!"
As the massive heat surged into his body, Sean's physique rapidly strengthened. His eyes widened in disbelief as he exclaimed.
"I'm getting stronger!"
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