The shuriken cut through the air with a hiss.
Two Mutants who had tried to follow Quicksilver out the window froze mid-step. Their throats split open before they even realized what happened. Blood sprayed across the cracked tiles as their bodies hit the floor with twin thuds.
Quicksilver turned at the sound—just in time to see the crimson mess. His heart nearly stopped. The two dying men clawed at their necks, eyes wide like fish gasping on dry land.
And there, standing casually amidst the aftermath, was Ryuuto. He twirled another shuriken between his fingers like he'd just flicked away some trash.
"You said you'd let us go!" Quicksilver's voice cracked with fury. "You two-faced liar!"
Ryuuto tilted his head. "Did I stutter? I am letting you go. Them?" He jerked his chin at the corpses. "They just had faces I didn't like. Problem solved."
He smirked and tapped his chin thoughtfully. "What's wrong? You want payback? I'll give you a free shot."
Quicksilver's jaw clenched. "Fine. You just wait! I'll make you regret this!"
He bolted, vanishing into a blur of silver light. Mystique didn't waste time either—she leapt through the shattered window without a word. The mission Magneto had planned so carefully had gone completely off the rails.
Then came the chime.
[Ding! Mission Complete!]
[Reward: 10 Life Potions. 10 Enhanced Shurikens.]
Ryuuto grinned. "Shion, you're the only one who ever shows up when I need her. Unlike this busted system of yours."
A lazy, teasing voice echoed in his mind.
[Heh. Flattery won't get you upgrades faster, Master. But I'll allow it.]
Ryuuto chuckled, imagining her smug face. "If only you ran this whole system, everything would be smoother."
[Oh? Not impossible. Keep grinding those missions, and maybe I'll take full control.]
He snorted. "So basically, I'll be your workhorse forever."
[Such drama. You're improving fast, Master. Keep it up, and you might actually reach god-tier. Then you can show off that cool 'Red Mirage' title you love so much.]
"Fine, fine." Ryuuto stretched and cracked his neck. "Then hurry up and tell me what I can unlock next. Skills? Weapon mods? Cool hair physics?"
[Nice try. Classified. You'll find out soon enough.]
"Tch. You're learning bad habits from the system too. Traitor."
With that banter fading, Ryuuto's grin softened. Beneath the sarcasm burned a clear fire—he would grow stronger, until no enemy could touch him again.
Outside, Bobby, Arlo, and the others rushed in, faces bright with relief.
"Captain! It's over! The rest of the Brotherhood's forces have been wiped out!"
"Yeah," Arlo said, still catching his breath. "Without you, Wolverine and I might've been toast."
Tony arrived next, Wolverine right behind him. Both of them clapped Ryuuto's shoulders so hard it almost hurt.
"Good job, kid," Wolverine grunted. "Didn't think I'd say this, but you X-Men types are growing on me."
Tony grinned. "You ever need backup, the Iron Man hotline's open."
Ryuuto smiled faintly. "Guess that makes us friends then."
He turned as Jean Grey approached, her eyes soft.
"You weren't hurt, were you?" he asked. "You saved Charles out there. Without you, Quicksilver's ambush might've worked."
"I'm fine," she said, cheeks pink. "But be careful, Ryuuto. The Brotherhood won't take this loss quietly."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He gave a casual wave to Charles and the others. "I'm heading back. Susan and Katie are probably freaking out already."
A flash of motion, and he was gone—vanishing in a streak of scarlet light.
Meanwhile, far away, Quicksilver and Mystique regrouped with their few surviving subordinates. Quicksilver's expression twisted with resentment.
"Be honest, Mystique. You were the one who leaked our plan, weren't you? What, did Ryuuto get to you?"
Mystique crossed her arms, cold and unreadable. "You're looking for excuses. I don't betray my people."
Quicksilver sneered, but deep down, he was shaken. The mission was a disaster—and that monster called Red Mirage was the reason why.