SUP Chapter 29: Let Superman Suffer, Ian Will Win

Honestly, Ian didn’t like big ones.

But his eyes sometimes had their own ideas.

While digging into the plane crash details, Ian watched the cheerleader’s video four or five times.

All for rigor, just hunting for overlooked accident details.

“Too fake, full of tech and ruthlessness, really messes with spotting Dad’s flight path.” Ian’s critique was firm. He meticulously deleted his browser history, formatted the hard drive, filled it with legit science study materials, then formatted it again.

A seamless operation.

Pure gold.

Wisdom even Jonathan and Jordan combined couldn’t match. Sleep was out of the question; staying up was the way. Ian spent the night scouring online platforms.

He actually found useful tidbits in forums and niche circles.

The next day, no dark circles, no kidney qi deficiency, no mental fatigue. Ian was disappointed, cursing his overly strong body as he left his room.

Morning light sliced golden stripes across the dining table through the blinds.

The air carried the aroma of grilled meat and eggs. Ian poked at his scrambled eggs with a fork, his sidelong glance fixed on Clark in the kitchen, humming while stuffing bacon into sandwiches.

“Want blueberry jam?”

Clark turned to Ian, his expression showing no signs of illness, placing a sandwich on Jordan’s plate.

“Nope.”

Ian shook his empty milk carton, the plastic echoing hollowly. “I’m full! Off to school! Enjoy your lovely breakfast!”

He stood, slinging on his backpack.

“Wait! We’re taking you to school!” Jonathan, chomping chicken breast, had a strict diet plan as a star football player.

“Yeah, what if you run into yesterday’s kidnappers? Too dangerous.” Jordan reached for Ian, but Ian, far stronger, slipped out the door like a breeze.

Clark didn’t stop him.

He even held back Jordan, who was about to chase.

“Your brother’s smart. Trust he’ll protect himself.” Clark knew some things couldn’t be said, opting for a gentler approach.

But, “He’s still a kid! Protect himself?” Jordan rolled his eyes, his stereotype of their irresponsible father deepening.

American family.

Conflict was the main theme.

“Sigh!”

Clark watched Jordan chase out, sighing without further explanation. A tired Lois descended the stairs.

“Kids, sorry, I’m sleep-deprived. How’s the breakfast your dad made?” Lois, bleary-eyed, noticed only Jonathan remained in the dining room.

“Morning, Mom.”

Jonathan smiled, giving Clark’s cooking a thumbs-up, though he’d only eaten Clark’s eggs. His chicken breast, creatine, protein powder, arginine, fish oil, turmeric, probiotics, and… mysterious forces were his own mix.

“Where’s Ian? And Jordan?”

Lois, puzzled, took the coffee Clark handed her.

Clark stayed silent.

“They left for school after eating.” Jonathan, the mature big brother, didn’t mention the earlier tension.

“Alright.”

Lois didn’t suspect.

Nibbling her sandwich, she headed to the living room cabinet.

“Clark, about what we discussed yesterday… I think we should tell Ian, let him accept the meds, not make him feel we’re deceiving him.”

Lois opened a drawer, searching for the prescribed drugs.

But she froze.

“Did you move Ian’s meds?”

Lois turned.

Clark stayed silent, just munching bread.

“Or did you already dose Ian, sneaking it into his breakfast?” Lois’s brows furrowed, her tone sharp.

“Why didn’t you discuss it with me first?”

Clearly, Lois was furious.

Jonathan quietly slipped out of the dining room.

As for Clark, he gritted his teeth, staying silent, enduring the pressure from the family’s strongest force, stuffing bread in his mouth to block it.

…

Outside the house.

Ian wasn’t caught by Jordan. He ran fast, cutting through alleys quicker than a bus. His speed had a unique reason.

“Hahaha, I’m the pill-popping pro!” Ian ran, raising a bottle, gulping liquid mixed with colorful pills.

Bitter taste.

Didn’t stop him from chewing and swallowing. Bottle after bottle, all gone. The effects hit fast; Ian saw multiple changes in his vision’s status bar.

[Abnormal Heart Rate]

[Nerve Paralysis]

[Sensory Overload]

[Metabolic Collapse]

[Liver and Kidney Failure]

Hot damn!

Five negative statuses!

[Body Decay, EXP +2]

The doctor’s meds were phenomenal in Ian’s eyes.

“Dr. Hannibal’s a miracle worker!” Ian genuinely praised the psychiatrist he’d been wary of, feeling a thrilling near-death sensation.

But, though dying, not dead, just like death. This was his ideal leveling method! Ian ran fast, reaching school and saving bus fare.

Morning classes were simple.

Ian, slumped on his desk, didn’t listen.

[Body Continuing Decay, EXP +3]

The boy pondered.

Wondering if his mental illness had worsened, he concluded he was cured. The teacher didn’t mind the top student zoning out.

But his desk mate, Madison, noticed. Not out of affection, she kept glancing at Ian, finally unable to hold back her confusion after class.

“Ian, why are your eyes spinning… holy crap! They’re sparkling! Are you turning into a zombie!?” Madison was genuinely spooked by Ian’s state.

“Don’t bite me first if you’re a zombie! Go for the principal!”

She shoved Ian’s approaching head away, looking terrified.

And at that moment.

“Damn it, Madison! What did you do to me!” Ian, immersed in his leveling bliss, snapped clear-eyed, stunned, then furious.

His seven accumulated abnormal statuses.

All gone!

He even felt refreshed, like he’d used [Healing Frenzy], body in top shape!

[NEXT CHAPTER]