"This really is an unbelievable possibility."
Bruce Wayne was becoming more and more convinced by what Diana had said. Still, believing was one thing—this matter needed to be verified, and it couldn't be handled too hastily.
"Then let's go now. We'll head to the hotel and bring Clark Kent back."
Bruce Wayne could no longer hold back his impatience, moving with a sense of urgency.
They had originally agreed to stay cautious, not to act recklessly, but what need was there for restraint now?
Soon, they arrived at the hotel.
As the front door opened, Clark Kent was at the window, peering through the curtains at the city of Gotham.
The man who looked exactly like him had told him that once he came to Gotham, someone would definitely come looking. What he needed to do next would be obvious.
But so far, though plenty had followed him in secret or spied on him from the shadows, not a single person had come directly to his door.
"How much longer do I have to stay here?"
He had already been holed up for more than half a month.
Every day he stayed inside, doing nothing, because troublemakers were everywhere. Gotham was nothing like the quiet little town he had once lived in.
Another few days and it would be a full month. If nothing happened by then, he would leave. Telling himself that eased his mind a little.
At that moment, he thought of Lorien. He wondered if Lorien would be willing to follow him back to that quiet town. He knew that not long after he left, Lorien had come to Gotham too.
Clark doubted he was important enough for Lorien to have followed him into such a chaotic place, but since they were good friends, he couldn't bear to see Lorien stay here in danger.
As Clark lay on the bed, lost in thought, a sudden, heavy knock pounded against the door.
Nothing like this had happened since he checked into the hotel.
He rolled over, sprang up from the bed, and rushed to the door.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" he shouted.
"Clark Kent, we've come for you. Please open the door so we can talk."
The voice outside was soft and sweet, almost enough to make his resolve weaken.
Clark hesitated, then opened the door. Standing outside was not only a beautiful woman, but also a man.
The woman's beauty was striking, enough to unsettle him, while the man's stern gaze locked on his face, making his heart race.
"Clark Kent, I'm Bruce Wayne."
"You can call me Diana."
The two introduced themselves simply at the door.
"May we come in to talk?" Bruce asked again.
Clark stepped aside. He had always known someone would eventually seek him out, though part of him had thought it might all be a trick. Now that someone had really come, he didn't quite know how to react.
"Do you know someone called General Zod?" Bruce asked directly.
General Zod? Who was that?
He didn't know any general. He was just a farm boy—how could he know someone of such high rank?
Thinking this, he shook his head firmly.
"I don't know why you'd ask, but I don't know any General Zod."
Bruce and Diana stared at him intently.
His eyes were completely sincere. It didn't look like he was lying.
The two exchanged a glance before asking, "Then do you know a psychologist named Lorien?"
At that, Clark's eyes sharpened with caution. He pressed his lips together, didn't answer immediately, and instead asked, "Why are you asking about him?"
"Don't misunderstand. Before coming to you, we already spoke with Lorien. He was out shopping with his two girlfriends at the time. We chatted for a while. More precisely, both of us are also Mr. Lorien's patients."
Diana smiled slightly.
She could tell that the moment they mentioned Lorien, Clark became wary and even a little defensive. Clearly, the two of them must be close.
They weren't mistaken.
Though Clark still remained cautious, once he heard they were Lorien's patients, his resistance eased.
After all, in a sense, he was Lorien's patient too.
"You've said so much—what do you really want from me? Just say it straight."
The more they talked around it, the more uneasy he felt.
"Since you insist, we'll be direct." Bruce's tone turned serious. "We're members of the Justice League. One of us is Superman, Clark Kent. He looks exactly like you. Aside from the difference in age, there's no distinction between you."
At Bruce's words, Clark immediately straightened his back.
"Then let's continue this elsewhere. Or better yet, at your Justice League headquarters. I need proof that Superman, Clark Kent, is really one of your members. Only then will I answer your questions."
Clark's tone was firm and resolute.
That had been Bruce and Diana's intention from the start.
They had worried that taking him away right away might cause resistance, so they first entered his room to ease into the conversation.
Now that he had suggested it himself, it couldn't have been better.
Without hesitation, they agreed, even with a lighter tone: "Alright, we'll take you to the Justice League now."
What kind of place was the Justice League?
Clark couldn't help but feel curious.
And he was even more curious about the man who looked exactly like him.
He hoped the questions that plagued him would finally find answers there.