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Chapter 269 - Secrets of Another World

Reid never imagined there was such a story behind all of this.

But as Superman spoke, the image of the system in his mind completely changed. Now it looked less like some omnipotent entity and more like a shady boss of a company who enforced strict rules while desperately begging the employees not to quit.

Oddly enough, that thought eased some of his wariness toward it.

"So, Superman," Reid asked calmly, "do you know where the system came from?"

Things were becoming clearer. These summoned DC characters weren't truly on the same side as the system. They were aware of its existence and existed within it, yet they were clearly not its creations.

This system of his wasn't like those in other novels. It didn't have the ability to create everything out of thin air. It felt more like a container, a vessel holding the entire DC universe.

"About the system?" Superman repeated. The question didn't surprise him.

"You must have asked Luthor that already," he said. "But he couldn't give you a proper response, could he?"

Reid nodded. Having planned so many things with his split-off version of Luthor, he had raised such questions a long time ago, but the man was unable to answer any of them.

"That's only natural," Superman continued. "At the end of the day, Luthor is just an ordinary man. Back then, he couldn't have reacted at all."

Those words made Reid frown. Clearly, Superman had noticed something important. And from the tone of his voice, coming here hadn't been his original intention.

"Darkness," he said slowly. "Once, my eyes could see the edge of the universe. But even then, I couldn't see through that pure darkness."

He began to tell what he knew.

"I was playing video games with little Jon that day. The moment I set down the controller, the darkness appeared."

Recalling that scene made his expression tighten even now.

"I don't know where it came from. All I know is that no matter which direction I looked, it was devouring the universe at a terrifying speed. When I first noticed it, it was at the edge of the universe, just beginning to appear. But less than a second later, it had already reached the outer rim of the solar system."

Reid was stunned by what he heard.

Earth might not be at the center of the universe, but for something to travel from the farthest edge to the solar system in under a second? That speed was beyond comprehension. Even Wally, the fastest Flash, probably couldn't match that.

"I reacted. I tried to stop it. But when I broke through the atmosphere, the darkness was already close. Heat vision, freeze breath; none of it worked. The instant my body touched that thing, I lost consciousness. And when I woke up again, I was inside the system's space. That's all I know."

Superman had revealed everything he could, but those words only left Reid with more doubts. Because he had never heard of such a power in his previous life. Something that could swallow an entire universe so quickly? Not even the Black Lantern Corps during the Blackest Night could achieve it.

"But from the looks of it, the system likely isn't the one pulling the strings."

That was the only conclusion he could draw for now.

Logically speaking, if the entire universe had been consumed and matter and souls alike ended up inside the system, then it should be some cosmic devourer like Galactus.

Superman agreed with a nod. "Right. Before being summoned, Batman and Luthor had already studied this. The reason the souls within the system haven't dissipated is that it constantly provides energy to sustain them. Rather than saying the system is the mastermind devouring everything, it might be better to say that if it weren't for it, the universe I belong to would have ceased to exist."

With that, the system's suspicion was cleared, but only temporarily. Reid still couldn't extract any more useful information. As for asking the system directly, if that worked, he wouldn't be standing here questioning Superman in the first place.

"In that case," Reid said after a pause, "it seems your goal and mine aren't so different after all."

There wasn't any point dwelling on questions that would yield no result. Instead, he looked at Superman and extended a hand toward him.

The man immediately reached out and took it, saying, "Yeah. If there's a darkness capable of devouring a whole universe, then at the very least, we need to combine the power of the universe to fight against it."

At this time, the souls summoned by the system and Reid finally shared a common goal.

Whether or not that darkness would invade this universe, they needed to unite its forces as a precaution.

"Well then... welcome to LexCorp."

* * *

"Mr. Pennyworth, are you all right?"

At the sound of Xian Zheng's voice, Reid opened his eyes.

"I'm fine, Director Zheng. It's just... a friend of mine will be coming to Earth soon," He responded calmly, giving a reasonable excuse for Superman's upcoming appearance.

"A friend?"

Superman's sudden arrival, much like Joker's before, came with 100% role-playing degree. This was why after that card merged into Reid's body, his already immense power surged even further, causing his heartbeat to spiral out of control.

"Yes," Reid said, looking up, "a friend from space."

Following his gaze, Zheng frowned in confusion. But the next second, a sharp roar tore through the clouds above.

A streak of light ripped across the sky like lightning as a figure descended in a blur, landing before them with a powerful gust that swept the area.

"Hello, Director Zheng. It's nice to meet you."

With a warm smile, the newcomer stepped out of the whirlwind he had created and extended a hand.

"Kryptonian," he introduced himself. "Kal-El. Or if you prefer, you can call me… Superman."

* * *

The coming of Superman, and the Justice League that would follow, was about to send shockwaves across the entire world.

But for now, in the skies above Los Angeles, aboard the Helicarrier, Fury and Coulson found themselves in the most dangerous situation of their lives.

"Uh, could you guys turn the safeties off?" Fury said dryly. "Wouldn't want to accidentally hurt the innocent flowers and plants."

"Sir," Coulson muttered, hands raised above his head, "I never imagined the day would come when you'd say a line straight out of a movie."

Around them, dozens of Hydra agents aimed their rifles at their heads.

"Coulson," Fury said quietly, "you think Cap can get here in time?"

"Sir," Coulson replied, voice low, "first, we need to face one little problem… he can't fly."

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