Chương 33: Chapter 33 (edited)

Coming to Metropolis again, Kara couldn't help but feel a sense of strangeness.

She had only been away for three years, and it wasn't like she didn't explore the city while studying here.

But Metropolis had changed so much that she wondered if she might get lost.

Returning to Metropolis this time, Kara had a clear goal: to find a good job and, at the very least, support herself.

Before leaving for Metropolis, she reached out to some of her old classmates from college. Among them, there was one person she thought could help her: Perry White.

Because of his experience working in journalism, Perry had now joined the Daily Planet and had his own column. Kara planned to meet him, pitching an idea for a travel column highlighting the cultures and unique features of various places she'd visited.

Perry remembered Kara well—a strikingly beautiful, somewhat reserved woman with a quirky charm. He agreed to help her secure an interview with the editor-in-chief.

Now, Kara found herself heading toward the Daily Planet headquarters.

The Daily Planet was the most prominent newspaper and news agency in Metropolis, housed in its own building, crowned with a massive globe sculpture that fit its iconic name.

Kara had dressed the part for the occasion. She wore a white shirt and tie under a beige suit jacket, paired with matching trousers and white leather shoes. While her outfit leaned towards a masculine, professional style, she loosened her long hair and wore a pair of glasses, exuding confidence and sophistication.

Without carrying any documents, Kara confidently entered the building and made her way to the office as Perry had instructed.

When she arrived, Perry personally came out to greet her. He shared some insights into the editor-in-chief's personality and preferences, hoping to help Kara make a strong impression.

At nearly thirty years old, Perry looked older than Kara remembered. Kara took a moment to study him.

"What's the matter? Don't recognize me anymore?" Perry asked, puzzled by her lingering gaze.

Kara chuckled and pointed at Perry's stomach. "I'm just noticing how much your belly has changed."

Perry, who had been stocky during college, now looked a bit rounder. "This is what sitting at a desk all day does to you," he muttered with a roll of his eyes. "You can joke all you want, but you'd better focus on acing that interview."

Before long, a staff member informed them that the editor-in-chief was ready to see Kara.

"Don't worry. I've got this," Kara said confidently, waving at Perry as she headed to the interview.

Her confidence wasn't misplaced.

Kara held a degree from Metropolis University, which gave her common ground with the editor-in-chief, who was also an alumnus. She also had prior experience in the university's journalism club, proving her dedication to the craft.

But what truly set Kara apart was her extensive life experience.

When the editor-in-chief asked her about her unique qualifications, Kara didn't hesitate. She proposed a new column focusing on global travel, detailing not just destinations but also the cultures, wildlife, and survival experiences she had encountered firsthand.

"I've crossed deserts and found ways to survive in harsh environments," Kara explained. "I think readers would love to know how I managed to find water, endure scorching heat, and navigate freezing nights."

She described hidden paradises she'd discovered—places untouched by human interference, where waterfalls cascaded into crystal-clear pools, surrounded by vibrant fruit trees and fearless wildlife.

Her anecdotes ranged from describing the social structures of lion prides to detailing the plight of endangered tigers. She spoke of undiscovered insects and exotic fruits, painting a vivid picture of the world through her words.

The editor-in-chief, captivated by Kara's stories, quickly decided: "Miss Kent, you're hired. Just as you suggested, we'll launch a dedicated column for you. I'll announce it at our upcoming staff meeting. Start preparing a column outline—name, theme, and series ideas."

"Thank you," Kara said with a confident smile, shaking the editor's hand.

As she left the room, the editor-in-chief watched her go, convinced the newspaper had struck gold.

Outside, Kara shared the good news with Perry. He was thrilled for her and offered to celebrate: "There's a great steakhouse downstairs."

"Maybe another time, Perry. I already have plans with Jennifer and Dani—remember them? We've stayed close all these years," Kara said, declining politely.

At that moment, two voices chimed in behind her: "Do you think we'd let you forget about us?"

Kara turned, her surprise giving way to joy as she spotted Jennifer and Dani, her longtime friends, both dressed smartly in office attire.

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Chương 34: Chapter 34 (edited)

They hadn't seen each other in three years, and Kara and Jennifer had grown noticeably more mature.

After all, they were now twenty-seven years old, and Kara also learned that both of her friends had established official careers.

Jennifer had become a prosecutor in Metropolis.

Dani, on the other hand, seemed a little mysterious, and it was rumored she was working for some classified department.

Kara had called them before returning to Metropolis and arranged to meet after her interview.

The three old friends, who hadn't seen each other in years, reunited at a nearby restaurant.

Perry, understanding they had much to catch up on, decided to give them space.

"Honestly, Kara, even if you've been traveling all over the world these past few years, you still should've called us a few times," Jennifer said, clearly holding back her complaints. Kara had mostly kept in touch with her family during her travels but hadn't reached out to her friends.

Kara shrugged and gave her usual excuse: "International calls are expensive."

Jennifer sighed in frustration, her irritation evident, though she couldn't really blame her. Back then, the cost of international calls had indeed been high.

Dani chuckled and tried to diffuse the tension. "Alright, she's back now, so let's let it go. Speaking of which, Kara, have you been in touch with Bruce lately?"

The mention of Bruce caught Kara off guard.

Dani glanced at Jennifer and smirked knowingly. "This silly girl has been hung up on him all these years. She hasn't let anyone else catch her eye."

Kara turned to Jennifer with an incredulous look.

Jennifer shot Dani a glare, clearly embarrassed. "Don't be ridiculous. It's not because of that! I've been busy with work. And you're one to talk—you've been single just as long."

To their surprise, Dani dropped a bombshell. "Actually, I'm not single anymore. I've been seeing someone, and we're even planning to get married, either at the end of this year or early next year."

Kara and Jennifer stared at her in disbelief.

"I never said I'd stay single forever," Dani added with a grin.

Naturally, the conversation shifted back to Bruce.

If they were honest, Bruce had been a common point of connection for them years ago, especially when it came to deeper conversations.

Kara raised her hands in mock surrender. "Just so you know, I haven't been with Bruce in these past three years. We only ran into each other once by chance, and that was it."

"Jennifer, I think you should let it go," Kara and Dani suggested gently, trying to persuade Jennifer to move on.

Jennifer shrugged but remained resolute. She was no longer the starry-eyed girl she used to be, but she was still honest with herself. "Don't worry. If I meet someone better than him, I won't hesitate to give them a chance. It's just... no one has come close so far."

Kara sighed inwardly. Jennifer clearly still idealized Bruce, likely because of his enigmatic charm and melancholic demeanor back when they first met. If Jennifer had seen Bruce's struggles during his years of homelessness, she might have been disillusioned.

Kara couldn't help but regret not taking a photo of Bruce during those rough times. That might've snapped Jennifer out of her infatuation.

The three friends talked for hours, catching up on their lives. They didn't just discuss relationships; they also shared stories about their careers and experiences over the years.

Jennifer talked about her work as a prosecutor, Dani gave vague details about her current assignments, and Kara recounted some of her travels.

Dani revealed that her work now involved handling incidents and phenomena related to beings with extraordinary abilities.

For instance, she briefly mentioned the Amazons, whose most famous representative was Wonder Woman, and their secluded home, Themyscira. The island was said to have been created by Zeus himself and protected by a magical barrier, shielding it from the outside world.

Even Kara admitted she hadn't been able to locate Themyscira during her travels, though she hadn't actively searched for it.

The Amazons possessed enhanced strength and physical capabilities compared to humans, and some believed their longevity was linked to the island's magical properties.

Dani also mentioned another extraordinary race: the Atlanteans, who lived deep in the ocean. Their most prominent figure was Aquaman. Kara and Clark had encountered traces of their existence during one of their underwater missions but had chosen not to engage with them to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Additionally, Dani confirmed that the gods of myth and legend had once been real. However, they had left Earth long ago and were now referred to as the "Old Gods." In their absence, a new race called the "New Gods," originating from a planetary civilization called Apokolips, had risen to prominence. The New Gods were poised to replace the Old Gods and become the universe's ruling deities.

Dani shared another startling discovery: she had recently unearthed an artifact known as a Mother Box.

Kara couldn't help but groan inwardly. This could be trouble.

The Mother Boxes were powerful artifacts created on Apokolips, akin to the Infinity Stones of another universe. While their origins might not be as ancient, the combined power of three Mother Boxes was enough to destroy or transform a planet.

Dani explained that in ancient times, Steppenwolf had led an invasion of Earth to transform it into a suitable environment for Apokolips. However, the Old Gods, Amazons, Atlanteans, and the united tribes of humanity had joined forces to repel him. After the battle, the three Mother Boxes were separated and hidden: one with the Atlanteans, one with the Amazons, and the last entrusted to humanity.

Kara chose not to divulge her knowledge about the Mother Boxes, trusting Dani's competence in handling the matter. Dani's job now involved investigating mysterious phenomena, ruins, and artifacts beyond human comprehension. It was likely she would also oversee any future incidents involving metahumans or other extraordinary beings.

Kara mused that if Dani were to be assigned to monitor her activities one day, she wouldn't mind.

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