The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics.

Chapter 1379

Vandal noticed the unusual movement of the man in black robes. He recognized the man; his name seemed to be Disad, Darkseid's right-hand man and strategist.

Upon seeing Disadad's actions, Vandal became more vigilant, but unfortunately, he was a step too late.

Just as Vandal was about to make a move, he was captured by two Parademons that descended from the sky. Although Darkseid had not yet obtained the superhuman genes he wanted, his current strength was enough to capture Vandal.

Feeling the excruciating pain in his arms, Vandal's heart sank, and he broke out in a cold sweat. However, being one of the oldest humans, even in the most dangerous situation, he was still able to maintain at least a minimum of composure.

"What does this mean?" Vandal shouted angrily. "Is this how Apokolips treats its allies?"

Darkseid remained silent, his expression unchanged from beginning to end, as if everything was under his control.

At this point, it was natural that he, as the leader, didn't need to speak up; otherwise, why would he condone what Disadad was doing?
"Allies? Perhaps you could tell me your definition of an ally? However, I suspect that Apokolips' definition of this word might differ from Earth's."

Disadad approached the Vandal, who was pinned to the ground, with elegant steps, like a viper leisurely strolling towards its prey that was about to die.

"To prevent any misunderstandings, let me first tell you Apokolips' definition of this term. For Apokolips, allies must be equal and honest."

Disadad grabbed Vandal's chin, forcing him to look directly at his ugly face.

"Vandal Savage, why don't you tell me which of these two points you can currently satisfy?"

Disadad had no intention of giving Vandal a chance to explain; he had barely finished one sentence before he began the next.

"If I'm not mistaken, you were probably driven off Earth like a stray dog, weren't you?"

Vandal's expression didn't change at all. Having lived for so many years, he had long since honed the skill of maintaining a poker face to the extreme. It was impossible for him to change his expression like an idiot just because someone had pointed out the truth he wanted to hide.

"Blustering is just the most basic thing a businessman does to make a profit."

Vandal's face was constantly dripping with cold sweat from the pain, but he only showed a slight look of panic when he was grabbed by the Parademons.

"Hasn't the mighty Dark Lord been displaying his power ever since I arrived on Apokolips?"

Vandal is doing exactly what he said he would do: bluffing. Although it's a derogatory term, sometimes you have no choice but to do it.

"You overestimate yourself, Earthling," Disadad said dismissively, releasing his grip on Vandal's chin and straightening up.

"What you have seen is merely the tip of the iceberg of Apokolips. The reason why the great Dark Lord has condescended to come and see you is simply to demonstrate the demeanor befitting a cosmic emperor."

“However, you responded to the Dark Lord with deception, which is not allowed, and I will now give you the punishment you deserve.”

Vandal's expression remained unchanged as he said firmly, "If I die, then you won't get what you want, and I think the Justice League should already be aware of my movements."

"Do you think they can guess what I'll bring to Apokolips? I've also left Apokolips' coordinates in the base. I wonder if you can withstand the siege of the Justice League and the Green Lantern Corps without my help."

Vandal said this because Apokolips' previous operations against Earth had indeed failed. He speculated that these failures made Darkseid more hesitant to invade Earth. Otherwise, Vandal wouldn't have been able to form an alliance with Darkseid using his superhuman genes; clearly, the latter was also troubled by the Justice League's strength.

“Your threat is less than the night breeze,” Disadad said sarcastically, reaching out his left hand to grab Vandal’s left shoulder.

"Besides, didn't you already bring what we needed?"

As he spoke, Disadad used his left hand to rip off the right half of Vandal's clothes, revealing a ring of sophisticated electronic components wrapped around the latter's right arm.

The instant Disadad ripped off Vandal's clothes, a four-digit number appeared on the display screen hanging on the latter's right arm, and then a countdown began.

"Ten minutes until the explosion," Vandal sneered.

"This thing is already connected to my heartbeat. If you kill me, the bomb will detonate prematurely, and what you want is stored inside the bomb."

"Don't even think about dismantling it. I've also installed a detonation system under the cover. If you try to open the bomb to dismantle it, it will detonate immediately."

"This bomb may not kill you, but what you want will definitely be blown to pieces just like me."

Vandal laughed heartily. When he first started cooperating with Darkseid, he had anticipated the possibility that the latter might back out, so he had set up these countermeasures from the beginning.

However, when this equipment was initially designed, it wasn't meant for him to wear. Unfortunately, times have changed, and now he has to wear it himself.

To be honest, since he first made his mark on history, Vandal has rarely risked his life. Now, after many years, he has returned to his old ways.

Vandal realized that Disad had something to say, but for some reason the latter suddenly stopped talking.

Just as he was getting curious, a series of steady footsteps gave him the answer.

"I've had enough of your barking."

Darkseid walked over to Disad, who wisely stepped aside and gave up the main seat.

"You may think you have a long lifespan and are delusional enough to try to negotiate with me or even threaten me based on your limited experience, like a frog in a well."

"But you should know that for earthlings, your lifespan is not even a fraction of mine."

As soon as Darkseid finished speaking, two crimson rays shot out from his eyes, looking very similar to Superman's heat vision.

After Darkseid fired the crimson ray, it began to circle around his body until it landed on Vandal a few seconds later.

Then, Vandal vanished without a trace, turning to ashes like a piece of burning paper, leaving only a chip the size of a fingernail falling under the influence of gravity.

Darkseid casually waved his hand, and the chip stopped falling and flew into his palm. Darkseid then tossed the chip to Dessaid, who was standing nearby.

(End of this chapter)