Chapter 36: God is Dead, the Superman is Born

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"You're too stubborn, Jonathan."

Once Clark had gone into his room, Martha spoke to her husband. "You're trying to protect Clark by keeping him from revealing his powers."

"But Clark has such a kind heart; he loves helping and saving others. You can't keep stopping him forever."

Jonathan sighed. "I know, but Clark isn't ready yet. He's not ready to face life as it is. We both know that, Martha."

He held his wife's hand. "Clark came from beyond this world, surely with some kind of purpose. Maybe John has a purpose, too. One day, they're bound to change the world."

Martha gave him a sad smile. "Don't you see? Because of Peter's influence, Clark is starting to dream of a different life. He doesn't want to stay on this farm forever, living as an ordinary child."

She knew her husband well, but she also knew what was on Clark's mind.

"If you keep holding him back, Jonathan, one day Clark will realize that family can be a warm harbor but also a set of chains. As he grows older, he'll stop depending on and craving our care. He'll long to leave the greenhouse and help more people."

Jonathan knew she was right, but he shook his head. "Not yet. Peter hasn't taught him how to face society. You know that, Martha. Even if our son has a body of steel, people will tear this 'outsider' to pieces."

"You always have your reasons, Jonathan."

Martha knew she couldn't sway him, so she didn't continue the discussion.

"Speaking of you, Jonathan—you never want to leave the farm. You haven't even traveled once."

Jonathan shrugged at her teasing. "To most people, traveling is about seeing the world, but for me, you are my world."

Martha hadn't expected such a romantic line from her usually unromantic husband.

Her face flushed slightly. "That's how you tricked me into coming to the farm back in college."

"Do you regret it?"

Martha pretended to think. "A little, but even if I went back, I'd probably still fall for it."

She got up. "I'd better go check on Clark."

Upstairs, Martha gently knocked and entered Clark's room.

Clark was reading under his bedside lamp. Seeing his mother, he put the book beside his pillow.

"Mom."

"What are you reading, Clark?"

Martha asked with curiosity.

"Nietzsche."

Clark showed her the cover of the book.

Martha's expression froze slightly as she read Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

"Can you understand Nietzsche, Clark?"

She found it hard to believe her almost seven-year-old son could grasp philosophy like this.

"No, it was recommended by my godfather. But I like it."

"Peter?"

Martha thought Peter might be overestimating Clark.

"How could a child understand Nietzsche?"

"Mom."

Clark held the book and asked, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

Martha stroked his hair.

"Why did Nietzsche say, 'God is dead, and now we hope for the birth of the Superman'?"

"Um…"

Martha was stumped.

She hadn't studied philosophy in college, so she didn't know how to answer.

"Ahem, it's too late, Clark. You need to go to sleep. I'll answer you tomorrow, okay?"

Thinking quickly, Martha chose to stall.

"All right, Mom."

Clark tucked Nietzsche's book under his pillow and got ready to sleep.

"Tomorrow, I'll ask my godfather."

Hearing that, Martha felt a sense of parental defeat.

Meanwhile…

Unaware of Clark's plan to ask him about Nietzsche, Peter was standing by the river where a school bus had crashed earlier.

The river flowed steadily, its foamy waters swirling near the bank where parts of the bus and debris were scattered.

Peter stared at the river, deep in thought.

Earlier, Clark had felt weak when he was touched by green-glowing fish underwater.

This indicated that the fish in the Smallville River had been affected by kryptonite radiation.

So, there was a strong chance that kryptonite lay at the bottom of the river.

Taking a deep breath, Peter removed his jacket, revealing his muscular upper body.

With a splash, he jumped into the water.

The icy river enveloped him, but thanks to his enhanced physique, he wasn't bothered by the cold.

He dove deeper, searching for traces of kryptonite.

Underwater visibility at night was poor, and even with his extraordinary vision, spotting kryptonite was challenging.

Just as he was beginning to doubt himself, a school of faintly glowing green fish swam by.

The fish circled him, then slowly swam forward.

Peter followed, hoping they might lead him to the kryptonite.

After all, it would be better for him to have it rather than leave it for Batman or Clark's enemies to use against him.

Besides, it could even help Clark build a resistance if it was ground into powder.

Following the fish, Peter soon discovered a massive piece of kryptonite hidden under thick water plants, resembling a coral reef.

Peter's eyes widened at the sight of the large, glowing green rock.

Even if it were ground into powder, it would last Clark a good year or more.

With a splash, Peter resurfaced, holding the kryptonite.

After swimming to shore, he set the rock down and wiped the water from his face.

Holding a smaller piece of kryptonite up to his eyes, he considered its glow.

Officer Chandler had once said that a bank robbery suspect had jumped into this river and vanished.

Connecting this with the suspect's superhuman strength, Peter wondered—could this robber have mutated from exposure to kryptonite in the river, gaining powers?

Removing the kryptonite from his sight, Peter gazed downriver.

The swamp down there had been mutated by kryptonite radiation, causing the land to change and the dead bodies buried in it to "revive."

So, if the river's kryptonite could grant humans superpowers, it wouldn't be too surprising.

Setting aside the kryptonite, he shook his head.

But then why hadn't the students in the bus crash, or himself just now, shown any changes after being in the river?

Splash!

Under the silver moonlight, a faintly glowing green fish leapt from the water, gently rippling its surface.