Superman's speech was incredibly moving, revealing the truth to the public without causing panic, and it effectively calmed the people's hearts. Moreover, by simultaneously addressing the troubles of the Luther Group, the military, and the Federal Government, he reluctantly became the middleman that these three forces were willing to acknowledge.
But clearly, the trouble was just beginning. Because that damned gemstone was successfully exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and was set to remain in America permanently.
When Clark heard that the Federal Government, the military, and the Luther Group did not want the gemstone to fall into each other's hands, and decided to place them in the hands of a safe middleman—namely, Clark Kent—he really had to use all his willpower to refrain from cursing.
Me to safeguard the gemstone? Are you guys serious???
They were indeed serious. What's more, they thought it was a double-edged plan. Because if Clark safeguarded the gemstone, it could rid them of a hot potato while also weakening Clark's strength.
"Alright," Clark said, standing in the meeting room, "I can safeguard this gemstone, ensuring it doesn't fall into anyone else's hands. But you must also promise not to misuse the remaining gemstone, okay?"
Clark said this because he and Bruce had eavesdropped on the commotion aboard the Kryptonian spaceship and learned that the two Kryptonians who had been exposed to the gemstone powder had undergone mutations, thus gaining superpowers. So he thought that, although this thing initially made one feel a bit weak, it could actually enhance a Kryptonian.
Therefore, he felt there was no problem in taking the gemstone back for himself. Although initially uncomfortable, improving his strength later on would be great, and if it didn't, it was no big deal since there were no side effects anyway.
Additionally, he cautioned against letting the military use new weapons to attack Kryptonians. How about if they become stronger the more you fight them?
Seeing their expressions, Clark knew they hadn't listened, so he emphasized again, "The gemstone may temporarily weaken them, but it ultimately makes them stronger. Try not to use that thing to attack the aliens."
But this too was treated like wind in their ears, because such statements are akin to "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger." The military thought this so-called "getting stronger" just meant forming antibodies. But they didn't care about that. Whoever got the super weapons wouldn't want to try them out right away? Otherwise, what was the point of keeping them in the warehouse?
Clark didn't understand the underlying principle, couldn't use any professional terminology, and wasn't even sure if that was the case. He had done his utmost to make things clear. But perhaps because his explanation wasn't professional enough, sounding like plain talk spiritual healing, it failed to garner attention. So in the end, Clark could only leave alone with the box.
He returned to his apartment, opened the gemstone, and almost cursed again. Was this gemstone degeneratively metamorphosed too?
The photo showed it as a huge piece, so how come it's this tiny now in my hand? Where did the rest go? Got tossed into the pan while cooking?
Clark was holding a gemstone the size of a thumbnail. But he remembered that when this thing was in Luther's possession, it was big enough to fill an entire palm. If it had been this small back then, it would have easily gotten stuck on his chest muscles and not come out.
Clark sighed. He knew these people were up to no good. Everyone peeled off a layer, and this is all that's left?
Holding it in his hands, Clark still felt very uncomfortable, with bouts of dizziness, weakness, and nausea. But thinking that this gemstone could enhance his strength made this discomfort bearable.
Especially since he had previously been injected with the gemstone powder, and back then the discomfort was more than ten times worse. Plus, Martha had been kidnapped at that time, leaving him anxious and mentally tormented. Compared to that situation, this was nothing.
Therefore, Clark gritted his teeth and endured the discomfort, pocketing the gemstone. At worst, he just wouldn't go out much, enduring it until it passed.
On the main Kryptonian ship, Zod punched the table. He had almost lost all reason.
The ship sent to land in Metropolis was blown up with a single punch; those sent to attack the American Military Base, two out of three fell; those sent to intercept the military at the hotel also slunk back.
He was beginning to wonder if there was some curse on Earth. Why has nothing gone right since he came here?!
Zod took a deep breath, looking coldly at his adjutant, and asked, "How's their strength testing going?"
"The results are in, strength has increased fifteenfold and is still growing. Resistance to damage and reaction speed have also greatly improved. It's almost like having superpowers."
"That's superpower," Zod said, looking at the image on his tablet. It showed an ancient-looking gemstone embedded in a three-dimensional carved piece, glowing with a fascinating allure.
"Send the two of them down," Zod commanded, "Get the gemstone at all costs."
The adjutant hesitated, saying, "But we came to Earth to find the Central Treasure Book..."
Zod suddenly turned around to face him and said, "Fine, then you go find the Central Treasure Book. And bring it back, can you do that?"
The adjutant mumbled, not daring to speak. He hadn't expected Earth to not be some primitive civilization. Their technology isn't as advanced as Krypton's, but firearms can still impose a firepower suppression. Not to mention there's a Superman who can blow their spaceship up with a single punch. Searching for any treasure book under these conditions is courting death.