Damn it, I’m surrounded by those who kill their fathers!

"Bang!"

Clark was slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash by John's "Earth Slam."

The impact created a deep crater in the earth, sending dirt flying into the air.

Lying at the bottom of the pit, Clark gasped for breath, looking up at the sky.

Although the blow wasn't fatal, it hurt—a lot.

With a deep inhale, he crawled out of the pit, only to see Jonathan standing not far away.

Jonathan held a large hammer in his hands, looking at him with a stern expression.

"Clark, that's enough!"

"Dad, what are you planning to do?"

"I won't let you hurt anyone anymore."

Clark chuckled, amused by his father. "So, even now, you still think you can command me?"

He began walking toward Jonathan as he spoke.

Gripping the hammer tightly, Jonathan swallowed nervously and took a step back.

Clark paused, surprised. "Are you afraid of me?"

Shaking his head, he smiled faintly at Jonathan. "Come to think of it, you and Mom have always been afraid of me."

"No!"

Jonathan's voice was firm. "Your mother and I love you deeply. I don't want to do this, but I have no choice. I must stop you, or you'll hurt more people."

"Hurt people? I'm just doing what I want. I haven't hurt anyone."

Clark took another step forward, his eyes fixed on the hammer in Jonathan's hands.

"Dad, you wouldn't actually use that, would you?"

"I would."

Jonathan swung the hammer toward Clark's hand, aiming to shatter the red kryptonite ring on his finger.

"Thud!"

With superhuman speed, Clark merely pushed Jonathan back.

Jonathan slid across the ground, his hammer clattering to the earth.

At that moment, John and Star-Lord arrived.

Ignoring the two, Clark walked straight toward Jonathan.

"Dad, I'm disappointed. I thought you'd never lay a hand on me."

Clutching his chest and panting heavily, Jonathan said, "You don't know what you're doing, Clark."

"I know exactly what I'm doing."

Taking a deep breath, Clark looked down at Jonathan. "I like this feeling—doing whatever I want without anyone commanding me. No one can stop me."

"Is that so, Clark?"

A familiar voice suddenly rang out, freezing Clark in place.

After a moment, he turned around to see Peter standing behind him. A strained smile appeared on Clark's face. "Godfather."

Peter glanced at John and Star-Lord, who avoided his gaze, then turned his attention to Clark, whose smile didn't reach his eyes.

The issues with those two troublemakers could wait—Clark was the priority.

"What are you planning to do to your father?"

Peter frowned as he questioned Clark.

This kid, now corrupted, couldn't possibly harm Jonathan, could he?

"Nothing, Godfather. I just wanted to tell Dad that I'm not the same person I used to be."

"No matter how much you change, you're still Clark Kent."

Peter extended his hand toward Clark. "Now, take off the ring."

Clark looked at Peter's stern expression, then at the ring on his hand. Hesitation filled his voice. "Godfather, it's... it's very important to me. I don't want to."

Peter took a step closer. "It's just a ring. It won't change your life."

"It frees me from my shackles, making me truly free. I can do whatever I want. Godfather, you said that people on that planet hated heroes because Mongul enslaved them. Humanity will always be trapped in chains."

"With this ring, I can break free from all chains and live freely."

Peter shook his head. "You've forgotten the most important part: I hope that even when bound by chains, you'll be a beacon of hope—not only for yourself but for others as well."

"Right now, Clark, you're not someone who brings hope."

"I..."

An intense struggle showed on Clark's face as his expression shifted rapidly.

Gritting his teeth, he looked down at his chest, as if trying to find the "S" symbol his godfather had once drawn for him.

Seeing his inner turmoil, Peter reached out to remove the ring himself.

Unexpectedly, Clark grabbed Peter's hand and shook his head. "No, Godfather."

"You're not the kind of person who would hurt your godfather, are you?"

Peter's tone was firm.

Nearby, Jonathan and Star-Lord tensed, ready to jump in and gang up on Clark at the slightest sign of trouble.

"I'm sorry, Godfather!"

Ultimately, Clark succumbed to the red kryptonite's influence and threw a punch on Peter.

"Boom!"

Peter caught Clark's hand, his face now dark with anger.

This brat really dared to strike him? It seemed he needed some discipline.

Fueled by righteous fury, Peter channeled celestial energy into his hand and unleashed a powerful strike, sending Clark flying.

John and Star-Lord, who were about to intervene, froze mid-step as Clark crashed to the ground.

When did Dad become so violent? No questions asked—he just sent Clark flying!

Clark staggered to his feet, ready to fight back, but Peter had already closed the distance.

He noticed the green necklace around Peter's neck—identical to Lana's.

Clark's corrupted mind jumped to conclusions: Peter must have taken Lana's necklace!

In truth, the lead-shielded kryptonite necklace was one of Peter's own tools, previously used against Parasite.

As Peter approached, the kryptonite weakened Clark, draining his strength.

Taking advantage of the moment, Peter advanced with lightning speed.

His fist became a blur, landing a solid uppercut to Clark's jaw.

"Ugh!"

Clark groaned, stumbling backward.

Attempting to defend himself, he raised his arms to block the next attack.

But under kryptonite's weakening effect, Peter's blows felt like sledgehammers, leaving Clark's arms numb and powerless.

From a distance, John and Star-Lord watched in stunned silence.

Dad wasn't holding back—Clark was getting pummeled!

The two exchanged uneasy glances. They silently agreed: under no circumstances should they provoke Dad's wrath.

Meanwhile, Jonathan, still on the ground, stared in disbelief.

Where was all that bravado Clark had shown when confronting him earlier?

Peter, now thoroughly enraged, didn't waste words. He pressed the attack, his fist aimed squarely at Clark's face.

"Bang!"

Clark managed to block the punch, but the force drove him backward.

Peter's follow-up attack landed with crushing force, pinning Clark to the ground.

Clark gasped for air, sweat pouring down his face.

As Peter approached to continue, Clark's thoughts shifted.

Chains and freedom no longer mattered. He just wanted to be the person his godfather believed he could be.

In a sudden move, Clark tore off the red kryptonite ring.

Peter, ready to strike again, paused in surprise.

Jonathan, John, and Star-Lord were equally shocked.

Clark had taken off the ring himself!

"Godfather..."

Clark extended his hand toward Peter, his hostility gone.

Peter stared at him for a moment before crouching down to help him up. "Are you okay, Clark?"

Jonathan hurried over, gripping his son's hand.

"Dad, I'm... I'm sorry."

Clark, now clear-headed, apologized guiltily. "It wasn't me. It felt like someone else was controlling me. I'm sorry, Dad."

"It's okay. I know it wasn't you."

Jonathan comforted him softly.

"Godfather, I'm sorry for letting you down."

"No, Clark. You defeated yourself in the end, proving there's still hope within you."

After reassuring the weakened Clark, Peter stood and turned to John and Star-Lord.

"Now, can someone explain why there's a plane in the middle of the field and half the farm is destroyed?"

Peter's icy tone made the two freeze.

John, in particular, felt a sense of impending doom. Was he about to get disciplined too?

...

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