Chapter 158

The whole world fell silent.

When people realized that a "godlike" figure had suddenly appeared, threatening the entire world, the fear was overwhelming and unparalleled.

But Kara quickly spoke, her voice calm yet firm: "Don't be afraid. I'm not here to kill everyone. As I said, I will only eliminate the individuals responsible for initiating a nuclear war. Maybe only one or two people need to die, you know?"

No one dared to respond.

"Well," Kara continued, maintaining her radiant smile, "it doesn't matter if you don't understand or accept this."

Her tone was steady, unwavering, yet brimming with a deep resolve.

"If I don't act, the world might be destroyed. That's something I can't allow to happen. Millions of innocent lives would be lost—far more than in any war in history."

The room was heavy with tension.

"So let me carry this burden," Kara declared, her voice filled with conviction. "Let me bear your fear, your resentment, and even your hatred. If this makes me a criminal in your eyes, so be it. After all, isn't that what a hero is supposed to do?"

At this moment, Kara was a picture of tranquility, her aura shimmering with various emotional hues—green for willpower, blue for hope, violet for compassion, and indigo for love. Even white light, symbolizing life and purity, radiated faintly around her.

Notably absent was the black light of death.

It was clear that Kara wasn't acting out of malice or personal vendetta. On the contrary, her actions stemmed from a profound love for humanity, a relentless hope for its future, and an unyielding will to protect it.

She fully understood that her choices would never be universally accepted.

But for Kara, acceptance was never the goal.

Her resolve was absolute.

Even Rorschach himself, standing nearby, was silent. His belief in justice and morality was steadfast, yet even he struggled to find fault in her reasoning.

If Kara's actions could prevent the annihilation of billions, wasn't she, in her own way, upholding justice?

The question of whether a protector who kills villains is worthy of admiration has always been a difficult one to answer.

But Kara didn't need anyone's validation.

Suddenly, a glowing blue figure floated forward—Dr. Manhattan.

"That's enough, Kara," he said, his voice calm but firm, as he attempted to stop her.

Kara turned her gaze to him, her smile unwavering. "Isn't this what you wanted from me all along?"

Her question hung in the air, and for a moment, Dr. Manhattan was silent.

Then he nodded.

But just as quickly, he shook his head. "No, Kara. I wasn't entirely truthful with you. I've known you for a long time."

Kara tilted her head in confusion but quickly regained her composure. "From the future, then?"

Dr. Manhattan nodded again. "Yes. Actually, I'm not from this world or this timeline. I traveled to the past—from a point at least ten years beyond this moment."

His words were heavy with meaning.

"In the original timeline," Dr. Manhattan began, "I didn't act to prevent my world's destruction. I followed a flawed plan, orchestrated by Ozymandias, to create a false peace through deception. And in that timeline, Rorschach—lost his life because of my hesitation."

Kara remained silent, listening intently.

"Eventually, I left Earth," Dr. Manhattan continued, his tone filled with regret. "I wandered through the universe, witnessing countless civilizations rise and fall. But then, I discovered your world, Kara. And for the first time in what felt like eternity, I saw something different. I saw hope."

His blue, glowing figure seemed to dim slightly as he spoke of his past.

"When I first encountered you in your timeline, you were already a beacon of strength and resolve. You taught me that there's always a third option, that hope doesn't have to die even in the face of despair. And that's why I sought you out—why I brought you here."

Kara crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "So you brought me here to… what? Save your world for you?"

Dr. Manhattan shook his head. "No, Kara. I brought you here to rewrite my fate. To teach me how to be better."

Kara raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes. "Well, that's a first. The omnipotent Dr. Manhattan asking for help. But tell me, why should I rewrite your story? Haven't I done enough?"

Dr. Manhattan's gaze softened. "Because, Kara, in every timeline I've seen, you've always been the one who never gave up on hope. You've always been the one willing to bear the weight of the world's hatred, not for glory, but because it's the right thing to do."

For a moment, Kara looked away, her expression thoughtful. Then, with a sigh, she turned back to him.

"Alright, Jon. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this for you."

A faint smile appeared on Dr. Manhattan's face. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

As their conversation ended, the world seemed to hold its breath once more. Kara, the embodiment of strength and hope, and Dr. Manhattan, a being who had witnessed the rise and fall of countless worlds, stood together, their fates now intertwined.

Perhaps, just perhaps, the world still had a chance.

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