"Things are getting more and more interesting."
After Clark left, Eric stood by the window, muttering to himself as he gazed at the night outside.
He had thought his private actions were secretive enough, but he didn't expect Clark to know so clearly.
However, this is normal.
He never intended to hide from Clark; with his gradually awakening extraordinary abilities, discovering his whereabouts was not difficult.
Going to Metropolis late at night and returning with a faint scent of blood was indeed something he often did before.
As the Homelander Template was unsealed and his strength continuously increased, an impatient Ericfrequently went to Metropolis to vent.
Those criminals and gangsters became the unlucky targets for him to unleash his power.
He had no desire to become a superhero and uphold justice; it was simply that these guys' combat power warranted his intervention.
Of course, while venting his power, he also conveniently took some "Franklins" back.
This was also the reason Clark said he "had a lot of money."
"Dan Brown's Death was done by that 'Scarecrow' named Jerome, right?"
Sitting at his desk, Eric put Clark's matter aside and thought to himself.
He felt no regret or sympathy for the Death of the football team member.
The unfolding plot of 'Revenge and Death,' where a muscle-brained idiot is killed by a returning 'avenging ghost,' greatly interested him.
As for stopping Jerome?
He currently had no interest in that.
"Tomorrow's Graduation Prom."
Turning around, Eric's lips curved slightly as he gazed at the hazy night.
"It might be a magnificent grand performance."
"I am truly looking forward to it!"
The next day, early morning.
Smallville High School was filled with the scent of youthful hormones.
The arrival of the Homecoming Dance made all students restless.
Girls, dreaming of the dance, sat in small groups discussing their dance partners, while boys scrambled to invite their dance dates in the last remaining time.
A tense and enthusiastic atmosphere enveloped all students.
"Hey, Eric!"
Just as Eric closed his locker door, he heard a female voice from behind him.
Turning around, he saw it was Clark's best friend—The Torch reporter, Chloe.
With short blonde hair, holding a book in one hand and coffee in the other, Chloe greeted Eric, "Good morning, Eric."
"Chloe?"
"Chloe Sullivan, reporter and editor-in-chief of The Torch. This is our first time talking without Clarkpresent, isn't it?"
Chloe said with a smile.
She seemed to be in a good mood. ♬ ♦ ♦ ♧
"Something wrong?"
Eric wasn't very familiar with this peculiar reporter.
He only knew from Clark that she was a girl with great curiosity.
He, who always disliked trouble, always kept his distance from people with strong curiosity.
If the "reporter" label was added to the person, his "disinterest" would increase by another level.
"Can we talk? It will only take a little of your time, and we can finish before class."
Chloe asked with anticipation in her eyes.
"It's about Clark."
Perhaps fearing Eric would refuse, Chloe added another sentence.
Eric hesitated for a second, then nodded, agreeing to Chloe's request.
In The Torch office, Chloe briefly tidied the desk piled high with papers, making the office look as less cluttered as possible.
"Need coffee?"
"No, thank you."
"Okay."
Chloe nodded, her expression somewhat unnatural.
She had some admiration for Eric, a hot guy who, though not particularly intellectual, was still appealing.
Chloe, who had never been confessed to by a boy or gone on a date, lacked some self-confidence.
Eric surveyed the surrounding furnishings, focusing his attention on the mountains of newspapers stacked on the bookshelf.
"These are the most recent years of The Torch," Chloeproactively explained to Eric.
"The Torch? Do you have newspapers from around the Homecoming Dance three years ago?"
Eric asked Chloe.
Although surprised why he would be interested in old newspapers from three years ago, Chloe still nodded.
"Of course, I'll find them for you right away."
The decisive Chloe quickly handed a stack of newspapers to Eric.
"Homecoming Day was April 21st, and these are the newspapers from April three years ago. If you find the layout different from now, don't be surprised, because I wasn't the editor-in-chief of The Torch back then."
Chloe said a playful remark.
But seeing Eric still with a poker face, she felt an urge to sigh.
Eric expressionlessly took the newspapers from the dejected Chloe and quickly found the report about Jerome.
"Jerome, a student who disappeared three years ago, was chosen as the 'Scarecrow' and tied in a cornfield overnight, then mysteriously disappeared the next day. I remember this incident caused a huge sensation at the time. Jerome once participated in the 'APPT Physics Cup' and was the only student from Smallville High School to win an outstanding award."
Chloe saw Eric's gaze fall on the report about Jeromeand told him the information she knew.
Nodding, Eric skimmed through the information on the newspaper, then handed the newspaper back to Chloe.
The newspaper said that he had been hospitalized for meteorite radiation as a child and was a physics expert.
It seems Jerome's mutation is closely related to kryptonite, and he might have found a way to obtain energy using kryptonite.
"Eric?"
Eric, immersed in thought, was interrupted by the reporter.
"Clark always thought Dan Brown's Death was related to you. Is that true?"
Chloe asked Eric directly.
"Perhaps."
Eric neither denied nor admitted it.
"Generally speaking, an uncertain answer implies more of a 'don't want to answer' meaning."
Chloe blinked, "So Eric, you also 'don't want to answer'?"
"What do you think, Chloe?"
Eric retorted.
"Me? My view is different from Clark's. Of course, it's not because you previously disciplined Dan Brown, who 'assassinated' me, so I'm on your side."
Chloe skillfully put the newspaper back on the bookshelf, "I suspect Coach Watt is the killer. Coach Watt has been clearly abnormal lately, and there are signs of him physically punishing students. Perhaps Dan Brown was the informant, so Coach Watt would target him."
"Never mind, let's put Coach Watt's matter aside for now. Clark believes you will definitely make a move at the dance tonight, and he will stop you. So, to clear your name, are you still going?"
Chloe asked Eric solemnly.
"Why not?"
Eric's brief words expressed his attitude.
"Why do I feel like you're gradually luring Clark into a conflict with you?"
Chloe frowned slightly, voicing her female intuition.