BOOM!
The walls of the dark underground chamber shook violently, dust spilling from the ceiling.
"What the hell was that?!" Laufey roared, jumping to his feet. The Destroyer and Heimdall spun around beside him, eyes blazing. For once, all three shared the same thought: If that damn Ryuuto's back again, we're dead.
Energy flared in their palms, the air thick with tension.
The door suddenly flew open—slammed clean off its hinges.
"What, so tense already? Don't tell me you missed me!"
That smug, metallic voice was unmistakable.
Every muscle in the room went slack.
"…Ultron." Heimdall groaned.
Laufey's face twisted in rage. "You piece of junk! You've got the guts to come back after running off?! Should've rusted to death out there!"
"Ultron, you've crossed the line this time!" The Destroyer's chestplates flared, energy surging.
"Don't hold me back," Laufey snarled, summoning an ice spear from the floor. "I'm about to turn this tin can into scrap!"
Ultron stood there like a king returning to his throne, arms folded, entirely unbothered by the death glares.
"Idiots. No wonder Ryuuto keeps handing your heads back to you," he said coldly. "You've got muscles, but no brains. You drag me down every time."
Laufey froze mid-curse. Heimdall's jaw twitched. The Destroyer's eye slits flickered dangerously.
Before any of them could explode, Ultron motioned toward the doorway. "Relax, you fools. I didn't come alone. This is Storm—our new ally. He's been enhanced into a Mutant powerhouse. From now on, he fights with us against Ryuuto."
The figure stepped into the dim light. His armor was sleek, black and silver. His eyes—empty. His voice—mechanical. "I look forward to our cooperation."
Laufey snorted. "Cooperation? That's one guy. The brat's been getting stronger by the day! You think this changes anything?"
Heimdall stayed silent, but his disdain said plenty. Even the Destroyer looked unconvinced.
Ultron didn't flinch. In fact, his grin widened. "Who said I only brought one reinforcement?"
He leaned closer, lowering his tone to something almost gleeful. "Mystique and Quicksilver have already made their move. By now, the board's shifting. And if any of you still want revenge—if you want to crush Ryuuto—you'll follow my orders from now on."
With a hiss, the metal door slammed shut behind them. The plotting began anew. In the darkness, the alliance of monsters took form—each burning for payback.
Meanwhile, under a cloudless New York sky, Ryuuto and Gwen walked side by side along the streets near Oscorp Tower.
"Ryuuto," Gwen murmured, her voice uneasy, "you've been quiet. You're hiding something, aren't you?"
He laughed softly, ruffling her hair. "You're imagining things. I just like walking next to pretty girls, that's all."
Her brows knitted together. "Don't lie. I can feel it… something's wrong."
Ryuuto sighed, placing a reassuring hand on her back. "You worry too much. Whatever happens, I'll handle it. You just focus on your internship, alright? If the sky falls, I'll be the one to hold it up."
Gwen blushed faintly. "…You always say things like that."
He grinned. "Because I mean them."
Then, in a quieter tone, he added, "Still, stay alert inside Oscorp. If anything feels off—anything at all—you call me immediately."
As Gwen nodded, Ryuuto's expression shifted. His eyes sharpened.
[Telescope Technique – Activate]
A faint crystal shimmered above his head, projecting a panoramic view from high above the Oscorp tower. Through it, he scanned each level of the skyscraper—searching for a certain glowing vial rumored to hold the Human Enhancement Serum.
That's it, he thought. It's here.
But before he could pinpoint its location—
SWOOSH!
The sound sliced through the air like lightning. Gwen's instincts flared first. "Ryuuto, watch out!"
"Got it."
Without hesitation, Ryuuto grabbed her by the waist and blurred out of sight. The place they had been standing exploded in a shower of sparks.
They reappeared across the street, Ryuuto's eyes already glowing crimson, his system whispering in his mind—
[Warning! Host is being targeted!]
Ryuuto smirked. "Guess someone's in a hurry to die."