"Haha, what a beautiful firework."
Standing tall on his glider, the Green Goblin tilted his head and admired the chaos he'd just unleashed across the city. Fire and smoke rose into the night sky, reflecting in his wild eyes. "It's still early," he snickered. "I think I'll rob another bank. New York—get ready to welcome your favorite nightmare!"
Cackling, he shot off through the air, hurling laser bolts and pumpkin bombs with childlike glee. Every explosion sent pedestrians running and cars screeching, turning Manhattan into a full-blown panic zone.
Meanwhile, across the battlefield, Ryuuto had just finished beating some sense—literally—into Lauf and Heimdall when Shion's voice echoed inside his head.
[Ding! Alert! Green Goblin is causing mass destruction downtown! Mission upgraded to SS-rank! Host must intercept immediately!]
Ryuuto blinked. "SS-rank? Seriously? The guy's just tossing bombs around, not nuking the planet."
[If you don't complete the mission on time, the punishment will be... considerable.]
"Punishment?" He stiffened. "Wait, what kind of punishment are we talking about?"
[Options include data loss, confiscation of all life potions, or a random stat downgrade.]
"Ah, fantastic. So either I die or become weaker than Spider-Man's camera."
Still, his pulse quickened. "Fine. I'll play hero this once."
Determination lit his gaze. The moment Ryuuto's aura flared, even the air trembled. The surviving thugs froze. Those who hadn't already fled were either bleeding out or wishing they were.
"You've got one last chance," he growled, lightning crackling around his fists. "Run—or die."
Even Gwen, standing off to the side, couldn't hide her amazement as he strode toward Lauf and Heimdall, unbothered and terrifyingly calm.
"Who the hell does he think he is?" Lauf spat. "He's bluffing! Everyone—together!"
"Yeah! Let's take him down!"
A barrage of frost, plasma, and blinding heat surged toward Ryuuto, merging into a wall of destruction. The ground cracked under the pressure.
Ryuuto simply raised a hand, his expression faintly amused. "Earth Style—Earth Wall."
The ground roared. A barrier of stone burst upward, swallowing the attacks whole. When the smoke cleared, he stood untouched behind it, dusting off his sleeves like he'd just blocked a paper ball.
Lauf's jaw dropped. "That—That's not possible! What kind of monster—"
Even Heimdall's famed composure shattered. His sword slipped from his trembling hands.
Only the Destroyer still had some fight left, roaring as he charged. "I'll crush you!"
He didn't even make it two steps before Ryuuto's kick hit like a hurricane.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
The blow sent the metal giant crashing through a nearby building, swallowed by falling rubble.
Ryuuto sighed. "You people really don't learn."
Lauf and Heimdall tried to flee, tripping over each other as they ran.
"Damn it! Where's Ultron when we need him? He's treating us like disposable trash!"
"Shut up and move! That demon's right behind—!"
"Trying to run?" Ryuuto's voice was suddenly right next to their ears. His figure blurred, appearing in front of them with a crack of thunder.
"Lightning Style—Raikiri."
The world turned blue as lightning arced down his arm. His eyes flickered scarlet—Sharingan, three tomoe spinning like fate itself.
"Let's finish this."
Lauf panicked, summoning ice to freeze the world solid. Heimdall lunged, sword blazing with divine energy.
Their combined assault could've leveled a skyscraper.
Ryuuto just smiled. The blade of lightning in his hand cut through the blizzard, the storm, and the fear—all of it crumbling before his advance.
Power like a god's, but the grin of a kid who enjoyed the fight.
The true Red Mirage had arrived.