"No! Stop it!"
Domino's voice cracked with fear as the glowing aura of death closed around her. Panic had turned her eyes wide and desperate, but it was already too late.
Dust Release: World-Stripping Technique!
Ryuuto's palms slammed forward, the air humming with raw destruction. A blinding sphere of energy swallowed Domino whole—then silence. Her form shattered into drifting atoms and faded from existence.
[Ding! Mission Complete!]
[Reward: 20,000 EXP + 10 Life Potions]
"…That's it?!" Ryuuto frowned, cracking open a beer from the nearby bar like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I vaporized a mutant tank, and you give me snack money?"
[Hehe~ Host forgot about the Lucky Wheel last time. Wanna try your luck? Maybe this time you won't pull another healing ointment.]
"You know what, Shion? Fine. Spin it. Let's see what kind of cosmic scam you've got lined up."
The virtual roulette flared to life—bright, spinning, infuriatingly slow.
[Ding! Congratulations! You've drawn: Fortune Strike! Temporary Luck Boost acquired.]
"Oh? Finally not trash? Then gimme the next quest. Big one. Boss fight level."
[Confirmed! New limited-time mission: Eliminate the evil Mandarin within the day. Reward: 100% Character Data Pack. Accept?]
"Do I even need to think about it? Accept!"
Ryuuto's eyes gleamed with fire. "The guy with the shiny rings? I've been wanting to punch that smug beard into next week anyway."
[Caution: Target located at Air-Raid Shelter No. 9, New York. Intel suggests multiple high-level mutants nearby. Proceed carefully, Host.]
"Yeah, sure. 'Carefully.' I'll bring friends."
He called up Charles on the comms. "Professor, I'm running an op. Need backup."
"Understood. I'll send Bobby, Colossus, and Arlo. Good luck, Ryuuto."
Within minutes, the Red Mirage and his small strike team were streaking toward the underground fortress.
Meanwhile, deep beneath New York—
A blast of lightning tore through the bunker walls. Mandarin, half-healed and furious, stood among shattered equipment, eyes burning like coals.
"Ryuuto!" he roared. "You think you've beaten me? I'll show the world who the true master is!"
"Well said," came a slow, mocking clap. Loki strolled in, flanked by several mutants and an elegant dragon-blooded woman.
"Recovering nicely, I see," Loki grinned. "You're almost as radiant as your ego."
Mandarin glared, his new dragon-scaled arm flexing. "Don't presume we're allies, trickster. Once Ryuuto's dead, we part ways."
"But of course," Loki said with a smile so fake it could curdle milk. "So, what's your plan for our fiery little friend?"
"Hmph. None of your concern. I'll handle him myself."
Mandarin closed his eyes, feeling the surge of his ten fusion rings pulsing within him like a demonic heart. Lightning and flame crackled at his fingertips, filling the room with searing heat.
"When I'm done adjusting to this new power," he growled, "Ryuuto will—"
He froze.
A voice cut through the smoke, sharp and smug.
"No need to wait. I'm already here."
Dozens of shuriken whistled through the air, tearing toward the villains like a metallic storm.
"Ryuuto!" Mandarin's eyes went red with rage. "You dare—!"
The Red Mirage stepped through the flames, eyes calm, coat fluttering like the wings of a hawk.
"Nice speech, old man. But if you wanted an audience, you should've booked a stage instead of hiding in a bunker."
Mandarin's roar cracked the air as he lunged forward, lightning arcing from his fists. Loki's eyes narrowed while his mutant followers scrambled for cover—too late. The next explosion lit up the entire base like a miniature sun.