"We were both wrong," Clark said flatly.
"Mm." Lois nodded, though her eyes lingered on Colin with puzzlement. Since when did this man have such a kind heart? Could he really be doing this out of goodwill? Or was there something else on his mind?
Lois had always thought Colin's character was… questionable. Someone like him doing something for free? Impossible. He was definitely scheming for something bigger.
Colin, of course, didn't linger for small talk. He soon went off again—to make money.
Not long after, he came across three men surrounded by a pack of wolves.
The wolves were baring their teeth, slowly closing in. The three men had only small daggers in hand—useless against so many predators. Even if they managed to wound a few, they'd still end up badly hurt themselves.
That was when Colin appeared.
"Looks like you could use some help," he said calmly.
The three turned at once toward the voice.
"Black-haired Superman!!" one of them gasped.
He recognized Colin—the mercenary hero who turned rescue into a business, who would kill without hesitation if paid to. Unlike the other Superman, Colin was anything but altruistic.
"So you know me," Colin said with a faint smile. "Then you also know there's a price for my help."
The young man nodded hurriedly. "Yes, yes—I know! You want money, right? Please, help us! We'll pay you!"
He understood their situation well. Without Colin, they'd be dead. He didn't want to die—not when he had a wife and a lovely daughter waiting at home.
Fortunately, he was smart enough to act quickly.
Colin snapped his fingers. Instantly, the wolves froze, then turned and slunk away into the dark.
It was one of Colin's abilities—[Mental Control]—a power that worked not only on animals but on humans as well.
As the pack disappeared into the forest, the three men let out long, shaky breaths.
Then the bald man spoke up. "I only have a hundred dollars."
His eyes darted guiltily. In truth, he had several hundred on him, but he didn't feel like handing it all over.
The long-haired man beside him added, "I've only got ten."
That was an even bigger lie. His backpack was stuffed with cash. He despised Colin—and Clark, too. To him, both so-called Supermen were nothing but monsters. If they could both die sooner, he'd be happier for it.
Colin's lips curved faintly. He could read their thoughts as easily as flipping a page.
The first man—the one who knew him—was genuinely grateful and willing to pay what he could. The bald man lied, but without malice.
But the long-haired one… not only ungrateful, but resentful. Secretly wishing him dead.
That, Colin couldn't stand.
Come on—he was Superman. If you made him angry, you really needed to watch yourself around Superman.
Colin grinned. "I'll take you home."
With that, he took the grateful man and the bald one away. As for the long-haired youth… well, Colin could only hope he had the ability to survive.
The long-haired man stayed where he was, convinced Colin would come back for him.
Three minutes later
The wolves, who had dispersed earlier, began to circle again.
Panic seized him. He screamed into the darkness, "Superman! I need your help!!"
Meanwhile, back in the city, the grateful young man hesitated and said, "There's still one more person…"
Colin tilted his head and replied coolly, "I'm not kind enough to save someone who, in his heart, wishes me dead."