Chapter 131: News Report
[Power—Super Vision (Black Iron)]
[Description: Initially, Superman could only see things in his immediate vicinity. As the comic's plot developed, he gained super-long-range vision, able to see anything within a ten-kilometer radius.]
Over the weekend, *The Messenger* featured two stories in its *Superman* comic serialization.
Besides the debut of Batman, the other was a story created by Jacob about the origin of the Human Torch.
However, back at The Messenger, Colin had only unlocked one of the powers.
The Freeze Breath, which appeared in the Human Torch issue, was not unlocked with the comic's publication.
*The Superman powers I unlock can only come from comic content I create myself?*
Faced with this situation, a theory formed in Colin's mind.
This outcome had its pros and cons.
The good part was that, from now on, Colin wouldn't have to worry about unlocking strange powers or, worse, weaknesses—like Kryptonite—due to Superman stories created by other cartoonists.
The existence of Kryptonite, while in some ways greatly increasing the readability of the *Superman* comic by making the hero not so indestructible, was another matter entirely.
As the one unlocking Superman's powers, Colin certainly didn't want to have such a weakness in reality.
The current situation proved it.
If Colin wished, he could completely hand over the design of Kryptonite to other artists without it affecting him or introducing a weakness when he unlocked Superman's powers.
As long as Colin didn't have a rush of blood to the head and foolishly create a Kryptonite-related storyline himself, the Superman he drew would always represent an image of invincibility. By the same token, the powers he unlocked would be the same.
Of course, this situation wasn't entirely a good thing.
The downside was that his collection of [Faith] to unlock powers could not rely on the hands of others. He could only create the content bit by bit himself or act as the main guide, which greatly slowed down his progress in acquiring [Faith].
So, he had to keep working hard.
Inside the Newspaper Agency, he withdrew his gaze from the [Super Vision] ability and mused for a moment.
"Little John."
"Boss, you called me?"
Hearing Colin call his name, a trace of confusion first flashed across Little John's stoic face before he belatedly responded.
"Is there anyone else here named Little John?"
There was no other Little John, but there was an Old John.
Replying silently in his heart, Little John didn't dare say more and cautiously asked.
"Boss, what did you need me for?"
"I need you to investigate the recent financial situation of New York City, especially after Mayor Jimmy Walker took office."
Upon hearing Colin's words, not only Little John but even Old John, who was by the Typesetting Machine, couldn't help but look up, a hint of astonishment on his face.
"Teacher, are you planning to report the news?" Little John couldn't help but blurt out.
"As a New York City newspaper, isn't it perfectly normal for *The Messenger* to report on the city's municipal affairs?"
Not normal at all.
Regarding this, Little John and the vast majority of employees at The Messenger couldn't help but mutter inwardly.
Ever since it started serializing *Superman*, *The Messenger* hadn't reported any normal news for a very long time. Even the New York City media industry questioned whether *The Messenger* could still be considered a news publication.
Of course, neither Colin nor Little John and the others paid any mind to the criticisms from their journalistic peers.
After all, the current sales of *The Messenger* far surpassed those of their so-called peers.
The so-called criticisms from their mouths were more or less tinged with jealousy.
At Colin's request, Little John picked up his camera for the first time in a long while to investigate a news story.
Inside the Newspaper Agency, Colin watched Little John's departing figure and fell into deep thought.
...
"...*Frontline* Reporter Clark Kent reporting. A strange incident occurred late at night at an intersection on Second Avenue in New York City. The reporter, Clark Kent, who was also a witness, was passing the intersection and initially thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. But when he stopped his car, the scene before him left him astonished."
"Reporter Clark Kent recalled: 'I was on my way home from work when I suddenly heard a cry for help. I followed the sound and saw two figures hanging from a utility pole. I thought it was unbelievable. Even as a reporter, it was the first time I had ever seen such a scene. I just burst out laughing.'"
"When the police arrived, the two men were still struggling and calling for help, their emotions quite agitated. Firefighters went to great lengths to rescue them from the 10-meter-high utility pole. At the same time, the police found a severely damaged vehicle at the scene. Upon questioning, it was learned that the two victims were New York locals who had just been released on parole this January."
"They confessed to their attempted crime. It turned out they had encountered a Mysterious Man on the road and intended to hit him with their car, but they were met with a counterattack from the Mysterious Man, who left them hanging immobilized from the utility pole. The two told police that while on the pole, they both thought they were going to die there."
"Currently, the two men are being held by local police for intentional assault and dangerous driving. However, as there was no actual victim, the police have allowed them to be released on bail for two hundred thousand dollars."
Anti-World, in the office of the Mayor of New York.
"Ahahaha, it seems your methods aren't very effective, Kingpin..."
Looking at the report in the newspaper, Osborn let out a laugh as he spoke to Kingpin.
Faced with Osborn's piercing laughter, Kingpin maintained a calm facade, but his fingers gripping his cane subconsciously tightened.
Evidently, he hadn't anticipated this either.
He never expected the men he sent out would report the result to him in such a 'comical' fashion.
"So, what do you plan to do next, Kingpin? Two hundred thousand in bail money, hahaha..."
"Since they failed, they can just stay in prison. That is the only mercy I can offer the two of them."
Releasing his grip on the cane, revealing the clear indentations his fingers had left, Kingpin's gaze fell upon Osborn, or rather, upon the twisted face of the Green Goblin.
"Originally, I just intended to make this reporter quiet down for a while, to give him a warning."
"But now, it seems someone doesn't want me to do that. In that case, Green Goblin, find that reporter named Clark Kent for me. I want him to understand exactly what kind of existence he is confronting."
"You're finally willing to let me make a move, Kingpin."
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to leave this fellow named Clark with a lasting memory, ahahaha..."
(end of chapter)