"I've heard that throughout history, there have been warriors who, no matter the torture, wouldn't reveal what the enemy wanted to know."
David held the fifty-cent coin between his fingers, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he spoke with a faint smile that unsettled the listener.
"I'll bet you fifty cents—you're not one of those people!"
"If, in half an hour, you're not on your knees crying like a woman and telling me everything I want to know, like your email account and password, then I lose fifty cents!"
"A seventeen-year-old high school student, is this torture you learned about on television?"
Fran's heart skipped a beat. He reacted as if he'd heard a joke, bursting into laughter.
For some reason, after David finished his bet with a smile, Fran felt a dangerous sensation, as if he were being watched by a predator a hundred times more terrifying than a lion. His back involuntarily chilled, and his hair stood on end.
"David, what are you trying to do?"
Clark's expression changed as he stepped forward to block David.
David's brutal words had also frightened him.
Torture, inhumanity, trampling on human dignity—he couldn't believe his brother was about to do such a thing.
What was most terrifying was David's casual demeanor, as if he were inviting someone to dinner.
"Clark, are you still going to flaunt your kindness at a time like this?"
David sneered at Fran, looking at him as if he were already dead.
He hadn't actually tortured anyone, but he believed it wouldn't be difficult to pick up the skill, and he wasn't afraid of making mistakes.
"Absolutely not. What if you can't get the information out of him?"
Clark struggled, gritting his teeth.
His past experiences had taught him that reasoning with his brother was useless, especially in such an urgent situation. He didn't have time to lecture him.
He directly brought up the consequences if something went wrong.
"If he doesn't go back on time, his email will send out a message. You might not even have time to interrogate him."
"Maybe not even half an hour. Ten minutes will be enough for me."
David said, about to push Clark aside, "I don't think this despicable and insidious guy is some kind of unyielding tough guy!"
"No!"
Clark firmly grabbed David's hand.
"David, I can't let you put Mom and Dad at risk."
He lowered his voice, trying his best to dissuade his brother.
"Just give him what he wants. They're just some gangsters doing bad things, anyway."
David raised an eyebrow, looking at Clark as if seeing him for the first time, surprised.
"I didn't expect your bottom line to be so flexible, Clark!"
This was outright illegal and criminal.
"I agree." To prevent further complications, Clark, while tightly gripping David's hand, turned to Fran, his voice filled with anxiety. "Go quickly. I'll find you later!"
"I'll be waiting for you, Clark."
Fran glanced at David, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes, then turned and left quickly.
David wanted to move forward, but any more force would reveal his Thanos-like appearance. He frowned.
"I don't understand why you're stopping me for a few gangsters. It's not like you, David."
Seeing Fran leave, Clark voluntarily released David.
He believed David wouldn't be able to get past him in time.
"Human desire is like a rolling stone on a mountain; once it starts, it never stops."
David smoothed his cuffs, put away the fifty-cent coin, and said coldly.
"Let me try, David." If Fran was a qualified gambler, Clark was a failed one. He was always indecisive, always hoping for a stroke of luck.
But sometimes, backing down and compromising was equivalent to admitting defeat.
"The same words back at you."
David's gaze was intense as their eyes met. "I can't let you put Mom and Dad at risk!"
This was a no-brainer.
Only an idiot would not use a powerful weapon that allowed them to do whatever they pleased.
"It's impossible to satisfy a hyena all at once. When it gets hungry, it will come back for you, endlessly."
That guy's appetite would only grow, and this matter would eventually involve Jonathan and Martha.
"David, you know you're not as fast as I am.
If I want to protect someone, you won't be able to find or catch me."
The two held firm to their own opinions. Clark didn't want to fight his own brother, gritting his teeth as he said, "Just let me try once!"
As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. Why was he the older brother, yet his younger brother wouldn't even listen to him once?
"I know."
Taking a step back, David looked at him. "Putting everything else aside, your speed is at least ten, even dozens of times faster than mine. Even carrying someone, if you wanted to escape, I doubt I could even touch your coattails."
"David..."
Clark's eyes lit up at David's words, thinking he was about to agree.
"I didn't want to do this."
David sighed and shook his head, pulling a small box from his pocket and opening it.
Snap!
A thumb-sized green crystal appeared, emitting the unique radiation of Kryptonite. He held out the Kryptonite towards Clark, much like an exorcist wielding a cross against a vampire.
"Meteorite?"
Clark's legs went weak, his body feeling instantly hollowed out. Under that eerie green glow, he stumbled back uncomfortably, barely managing to brace himself against the wall to avoid falling. He stared with wide, disbelieving eyes, his voice a strained whisper through clenched teeth.
"Dav... David, you actually used a meteorite against me."
He had suffered from meteorites more than once, but he never expected to be on the receiving end of one from his own brother.
"This... is this the meteorite from Gregg's body?"
He remembered that his brother had kept a meteorite.
"You forced me, Clark."
David stepped forward, his hammer-like fist landing cleanly on Clark's face.
Bang!
Clark was knocked to the ground instantly, falling unconscious.
Clang!
Looking at Clark sleeping like a baby, David casually tossed the Kryptonite next to him. This would continue to weaken him, preventing the Son of Krypton from getting any sun and waking up mid-way. He turned and left the deserted alley.
At the end of the town's street, Fran leaned leisurely against a lamppost, waiting for his future lifelong cash cow to come find him. Although Clark had said he would find him, Fran didn't dare to wander too far, fearing the other wouldn't be able to locate him.
"Who are you waiting for?"
A cold voice suddenly sounded from behind. Fran turned to see David, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Why is it you? Where's Clark!"
"Did he go back on his word?" He thought of something, a sinister look flashing across his face, and he said sternly.
"No, he can't come for now."
David threw a punch and, grabbing the dazed Fran like a chick, disappeared from the spot.
...
An abandoned factory.
Fran woke up to find himself securely tied to a chair with ropes, struggling in vain.
"You're awake?" A voice came.
On a wooden table sat a laptop. David sat comfortably behind it. He pushed a fifty-cent coin forward, and under Fran's terrified gaze, he put on surgical rubber gloves and slowly stood up with a smile.
"Our bet has begun."
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