Outside The Fortress of Solitude's medical bay.
Clark and Kara stood side-by-side, neither of them speaking.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward.
Inside the transparent medical bay, the repair fluid glowed with a faint green light.
Ter-Ror floated peacefully within it, his eyes closed.
The grotesque, fatal wounds on his body had completely vanished.
If they hadn't experienced it themselves, who would have thought that just two days ago, it was the two of them who had beaten him into such a state?
That scene, even thinking about it now, still felt unreal.
Ter-Ror was like a madman.
Every time he was knocked down by a heavy punch, he would use even more provocative trash talk to precisely ignite their fury.
"Is that all the strength you have? Are you giving me a massage?"
"Cousin, are you even trying? Did you not eat?"
"And you, Kara, your punches are so soft, my sister-in-law hits harder than you!"
His mouth was even tougher than his fists.
Finally, it was Clark who noticed Ter-Ror's breath weakening to the point of almost disappearing, and he forcefully held back Kara, who was completely enraged and ready to deliver the final kick.
Yet, before he passed out, that guy laboriously gave them a blood-stained thumbs-up.
His expression seemed to say, "That beating was great."
Kara hugged her arms, her delicate brows furrowed, unable to comprehend.
"Is there something wrong with his brain?"
"Who deliberately seeks out a beating?"
Clark shook his head.
He looked at Ter-Ror in the medical bay, the unease in his heart growing stronger.
"No."
"Things might not be that simple."
No sooner had he spoken.
The green light of the medical bay flickered a few times, a soft sound was heard, and the door slowly slid open.
Ter-Ror stretched and walked out.
He stretched his limbs while letting out a big yawn.
A series of crackling sounds erupted from his entire skeleton, like a string of small firecrackers going off.
He shook his still slightly damp black hair and grinned at the two people with complex expressions.
That smile was as bright as a two-hundred-pound child's.
"Feeling good, out of the bay safely!"
Kara's eye twitched uncontrollably.
This guy... he must have been beaten silly.
But the next second, both her and Clark's expressions changed simultaneously.
The moment Ter-Ror stepped out of the bay door, an aura even more solid and powerful than three days ago flashed past.
Although that aura quickly vanished without a trace, the heavy sense of oppression it carried couldn't be faked.
Clark and Kara exchanged glances.
They both saw unconcealed shock in each other's pupils.
He... got stronger?
Ter-Ror didn't notice their abnormality at all.
He rubbed his flat stomach, asking with a serious expression.
"I'm hungry."
"Is there anything to eat?"
The Fortress of Solitude's cafeteria faced its biggest crisis since its construction for the first time.
Plates were stacked like a small mountain.
Ter-Ror sat at the table, devouring everything like a whirlwind, his eating speed a blur.
Krypton's food synthesizer, for the first time in history, emitted a piercing overload alarm.
"Alarm! Alarm!"
The electronic voice of Kelex, the Fortress's artificial intelligence butler, echoed through the cafeteria.
"Food synthesis matrix load has reached one hundred and seven percent, energy core temperature is abnormally high!"
"Warning, it is recommended to immediately restrict visitor Mr. Ter-Ror's dining privileges!"
Kara covered her forehead with one hand, feeling her blood pressure soaring.
This scene... why was it so damn familiar?
Clark finally couldn't watch anymore.
He walked to the table, carefully choosing his words, attempting a friendly internal family communication.
"Tel."
"We are family."
"Family members shouldn't go for the kill like that."
"On Earth, we have rules that must be followed..."
Ter-Ror didn't even lift his head, shoving a large piece of unknown Kryptonian roast meat into his mouth while vaguely interrupting him.
"Mmm... ha... fighting is the best communication."
He swallowed the food with effort, picked up the nearby cup, and took a big gulp of water.
"Burp!"
He let out a satisfied burp and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
Then, he looked Clark and Kara up and down with an expression like he was evaluating a product.
"Overall, for this family activity, I'll give you an eight out of ten."
Clark: "?"
Kara: "?"
Ter-Ror raised a finger and began his post-battle review.
"The advantage is, you were very enthusiastic, especially you, Kara."
He pointed at Kara.
"Very spirited, punches hitting hard, I like it."
"But," he then shook another finger, "the drawbacks are also very obvious."
"Your control of power was terrible, and your finishing work was a mess."
He had a look of regret, as if he was disappointed that they hadn't done better.
"Just a little bit, just a little bit more and I would have been gone."
"Not killing me means it was a wasted effort, understand?"
"Almost killing me and not killing me, the effect is worlds apart!"
"It's simply a waste of emotion, a waste of energy!"
He stood up, patted Clark's shoulder, and earnestly instructed him.
"Next time, pay attention, seize the opportunity, and try to send me on my way in one go."
"Don't hesitate."
The restaurant was silent.
Clark and Kara were completely stunned.
They looked at Ter-Ror's face, which was full of "sincerity," and both their brains crashed.
Near Death... Recovery... and then... getting stronger?
An incredible, yet perfectly explanatory answer, surfaced in Clark's mind.
He looked at Ter-Ror, who was still nodding in acknowledgment of his "teaching," self-affirming.
A deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.
They had been used as tools.
And the kind that gives free experience, with free shipping and after-sales service.
Kara had clearly figured out the connection as well.
She leaned towards Clark, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"We... we seem to have... helped him level up?"
Clark closed his eyes in pain.
More than just leveling up.
This was like helping him activate a cheat code!
Suppression by force? That's like topping up his account.
Reasoning with him? This guy's thought process isn't on the same wavelength as a normal person's at all.
Just as the two were at a loss and questioning their lives.
Ter-Ror, full and satisfied, stood up.
He walked directly in front of Kara.
His black eyes were sparkling, full of new anticipation.
Kara subconsciously took half a step back, adopting a defensive stance.
"You, what do you want to do now?"
Ter-Ror tilted his head, seemingly a bit puzzled.
"Hey."
"Didn't you always say not to let me keep fighting?"
Kara was startled, then nodded.
"Alright then."
Ter-Ror clapped his hands, revealing an expression that said, "I'm such a genius."
"You take me to explore this world."
He suggested excitedly.
"You lead the way, I'll have fun."
"Let me see if there are any other fun things on this wretched planet, besides the two of you, that can make me happy."
Clark: "..."
Kara: "..."
This sudden change in style completely bewildered the Superman siblings.
What kind of move was this?
Tired of fighting, wants to play a different game?