Damn it, I’m surrounded by those who kill their fathers!

Inside the bar, Chandler slumped over the table, his heart pounding wildly as if a thousand alpacas were stampeding through his chest.

He could never have imagined that the moment he stepped out of the bar, he'd witness Peter engaged in a dramatic battle with a demon—and defeating it in just a few moves.

This kind of thing, he thought, only existed in movies and comics.

Overwhelmed with fear and pressure, Chandler rushed back into the bar as fast as his legs could carry him and resumed his act of being passed out at his original spot.

But what truly terrified him was that the mysterious and terrifying Peter, after slaying the demon, had calmly walked back into the bar and was now standing directly in front of him, staring him down.

Chandler's body trembled uncontrollably from fear, giving the appearance of someone caught in the throes of a nightmare.

Damn it!

Calm down!

You absolutely have to pretend to be unconscious. Show no flaws. If he figures anything out, you'll be silenced for sure.

Damn it… I just want to retire quietly in Hawaii, away from trouble. Demons and superhumans? Leave them to the more competent cops. Why did I have to run into this mess?

As Chandler endured this nerve-wracking wait, Peter, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly shook his head and muttered, "Looks like he's really asleep." Then he turned and walked away.

Only when Peter's footsteps faded completely did Chandler dare to lift his head, trembling, to look toward the bar's entrance.

He let out a long sigh of relief, but his mind was in turmoil.

What kind of monster is Peter, really?!

Meanwhile, the residents near the bar cautiously stepped outside.

Due to the cover of darkness and Peter's speed, no one had managed to catch a glimpse of his face.

Seeing the aftermath of the fight on the ground, the residents were stunned. Could a monster have appeared in Smallville?

On the street, Peter watched as a fleet of police cars sped toward the Saloon Club.

Of course, he knew Chandler was awake.

The only reason he hadn't exposed him was that Chandler was a master at "playing dumb."

But as Peter stared at the chaotic scene in the distance, his expression grew serious.

The demon had escaped this time. It wouldn't give up easily.

If only an alien spaceship could drop off a magical baby. Then dealing with these demons wouldn't be so troublesome.

After a brief moment of idle thought, Peter turned and left.

The Next Morning, During Breakfast

"Dad, are you saying we should take a leave of absence for now?"

John stared at Peter in surprise.

"Yes, not just you, but also Clark. You both need to stay on the farm for the next few days," Peter replied.

"Why?" John asked curiously. "Did something happen?"

"I'm guessing…"

Kelly, seated nearby, wiped food crumbs off Star-Lord's face and interjected, "...it's related to what happened last night at the Saloon Club, right?"

"Dad, was that your doing?" John looked at Peter with wide eyes, having heard about the incident at the club.

"No, of course not. It was that demon. Though I destroyed its physical form..." Peter paused and placed his utensils down. "...it won't disappear so easily. It's very interested in your soul, John. To keep you safe, you must stay home."

Hearing that the demon was after his soul, John reluctantly nodded.

"All right, Dad. I'll stay home."

As he poked at his scrambled eggs, John suddenly remembered something.

"Dad, there's an event at school today."

"What event?"

"The choir practice." John's face lit up. "Dad, I'm part of the choir now! So is Clark. Tonight's our first rehearsal."

"You've never mentioned this before, John," Peter said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I used to be a reserve member, but Miss Katherine finally agreed to let us join today."

"Do you enjoy singing, John?" Peter asked. He hadn't pegged John as the singing type.

"Not really," John admitted, shaking his head. "I just didn't want you to feel embarrassed, Dad."

Peter frowned. "Embarrassed? Why would I feel embarrassed, John? If you sing poorly, wouldn't that be your embarrassment?"

"No, Dad. I mean, if other parents sit in the audience during the Thanksgiving performance and watch their kids perform, but Clark and I don't do anything, you might feel awkward."

Peter hadn't considered this kind of "embarrassment" before. Touched, he reached out and gently patted John's head.

"So, John, are you saying you'd regret missing choir practice?"

"Yes, Dad," John replied firmly.

Peter picked up his coffee, paused, and then set it back down. "Then maybe we can all attend your choir practice together—me, Kelly, and Star-Lord."

John, who had been feeling a bit down, perked up immediately but quickly regained his composure.

"But, Dad, didn't you say we need to be cautious of the demon?"

"I think..." Peter looked at John, "...that no parent would want to miss their child's first performance, even in the face of danger."

Evening, at Smallville Elementary

With the Thanksgiving performance approaching, nearly every student stayed late for practice.

Peter, holding Star-Lord, sat in the school auditorium's seating area, with Kelly and John beside him.

Clark and his parents were also present to watch their son rehearse.

Clark waved at Peter before scanning the room for Lana's figure. After searching in vain, he sighed and slumped into his seat.

Martha, the young and vibrant teacher, approached Peter to say hello.

Her charming outfit drew quite a few admiring glances.

"You look radiant today, Miss McDonald. What's your secret?" Peter greeted her warmly.

"Secret? I'm Don McLean's secret lover," Martha replied with a playful smile, referring to the New York folk singer.

Noticing Kelly holding Star-Lord beside Peter, Martha's expression shifted slightly.

After a few more pleasantries, she excused herself.

Soon, the rehearsal began.

"What's the first act?" Peter asked John.

John scratched his head. "I think it's a play."

Moments later, the announcer introduced the first rehearsal act: a scene from Hamlet, performed by Erica Durance, Annie O'Toole, and others from the fifth grade.

As the stage lights dimmed and the curtains closed, an eerie monologue echoed from behind:

"To be, or not to be—that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And, by opposing, end them…"

As the curtains reopened and lights illuminated the stage, the audience was greeted by a horrific sight.

Three girls in costume hung suspended from the stage frame, their hands bound.

Blood dripped from their wounds, pooling on the floor below, while their faint cries filled the room.

Horrified, parents covered their children's eyes.

The school administrator rushed to the stage to investigate, but just as they approached, an unseen force struck them, sending them flying into the hall below.

Screams erupted, and parents hurriedly evacuated with their children.

"Peter!" Kelly, clutching Star-Lord, turned to him in alarm. "What's happening?"

"I don't know. Take Star-Lord and leave!" Peter escorted Kelly and John out of the auditorium.

Thankfully, the emergency exits were clear, preventing a stampede.

As they reached the hallway, footsteps echoed behind them.

"Peter Podrick, why the rush?"

The voice, feminine yet rasping, sent chills down their spines.

Peter turned to see a girl in a lavish evening gown standing before him.

She was slightly plump, her aura unsettling, with crimson lipstick accentuating her unsettling smile.

"Is that... Allison Mack?" John exclaimed in disbelief. "How is this possible?!"

"Who is she, John?" Peter asked, his brow furrowing.

"She's someone Clark and I saw yesterday," John explained. "But she wasn't like this then."

"Allison? Don't you remember? We talked in the mirror. It's such a pity you broke our contract. We were so close to sealing the deal," the girl said with a sly grin.

"You—you're that demon!" John exclaimed. "You tricked Allison into giving up her soul!"

"I don't trick anyone," the demon said in Allison's voice. "This was an equal exchange. I avenged her, punishing those who bullied her. Now, they hang in the hall, mocked and scorned by all."

Peter interrupted coldly, "So you staged this horror to spread fear, feeding off its power, didn't you?"

"Clever, Podrick." The demon chuckled. "Your soul, second only to Constantine's, is one I must have."

Peter glanced at Kelly. "Take Star-Lord and leave."

Kelly hesitated but ultimately transformed into a white wolf, gripping Star-Lord in her jaws and fleeing at full speed.

"Dad!" John said, stepping in front of Peter with a determined expression. "You be my shield, and I'll be your spear. Together, we fight!"