Thud!
Two figures crashed down from the air, splashing dirty water through the dim sewer.
"Ugh! Loki, what possessed you to bring us to this stinking hole?" Ultron snarled, shaking sludge off his metallic frame, pride as dented as his armor.
"Relax," Loki replied, clapping his hands as he floated upward toward a small opening of light. "We got out in one piece, didn't we? Would you rather I dumped you in Asgard? Thor would've fried you before you blinked."
Ultron's voice crackled with irritation. "For the record, I just saved your neck from that brat Ryuuto. Maybe a little gratitude?"
He scanned the area with glowing eyes, confirming it was safe enough for now, then faced Loki again. "We're partners for the moment, trickster. So, what's next on your oh-so-brilliant agenda?"
Loki's grin stretched thin and dangerous. "Simple. We split up. Each of us recruits powerful mutants. Once we've gathered enough strength, that arrogant 'Red Mirage' won't even have time to scream before we crush him."
Ultron folded his arms. "So you already have an ally lined up, do you?"
"Of course," Loki said smoothly. "I didn't come to Midgard for a vacation. I came to take Ryuuto's head. Don't slow me down."
He handed Ultron a data chip etched with names. "Magneto and his Brotherhood are yours. Get their power under our control. The sooner you win them over, the sooner we sweep those pests aside."
Ultron's eyes flickered. "Fine. But if your little plan backfires, don't expect me to bail you out."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Loki replied, vanishing into the shadows.
Both villains split off in opposite directions, their footsteps fading into the darkness.
[Ding! New S-Rank Mission Released!]
Objective: Before the enemy acts, locate and defeat Gambit.
Reward: Unknown Legendary-tier bonus.
Ryuuto froze midair, Gwen still slung over his shoulder. "Finally! A new mission already? Guess the universe can't resist me for long."
[Heh, don't get cocky, Master. Time's ticking.]
"Relax, Shion. If this guy calls himself Gambit, he's probably got an ego the size of Manhattan. Easy target."
Ryuuto cracked his knuckles, fire gleaming behind his grin. "This is gonna be fun."
[Then move it. Word is, your target's got two great loves—cards and booze. Check the biggest, loudest bars in town. Shouldn't be hard to find a guy like that.]
Ryuuto smirked. "A gambler and a drunk? Perfect. Sounds like a man begging to be humbled."
With that, he adjusted Gwen on his back.
"Still early," Gwen said, eyes bright with excitement. "I'm coming with you."
"You sure? You've had a long day."
"I had your ramen earlier. I feel unstoppable."
He chuckled. "Alright then, partner. Let's go shake the city."
They took off across the skyline, neon lights blurring beneath them.
Inside a smoky bar downtown, a man in a long black trench coat sat alone, a beer in one hand and a deck of cards in the other. No one dared sit near him. The air around him shimmered faintly with energy, each shuffle of his deck crackling with sparks.
Remy LeBeau—Gambit. Mutant. Wild card. One bad mood away from blowing the building sky-high.
He took a slow sip of beer, half-bored—until two strangers approached his table.
"Well, I'll be damned," Ryuuto said, sliding into the seat across from him. "Drinking alone? Must get lonely being this mysterious."
Gwen sat beside him, calm and fearless.
Gambit tilted his hat up, his red eyes glowing faintly. "You lookin' for a game, boy? Cards or drinks?"
Ryuuto smiled. "Neither."
Gambit's tone dropped to a growl. "Then I suggest you walk out that door—with your lady—before I make you." He raised three fingers. "Three seconds."
Ryuuto lifted one finger. "I only need one."
The table went silent.
A faint chuckle escaped Gambit's lips before his whole demeanor shifted—his lazy posture melting into deadly focus. The next instant, the air buzzed with kinetic energy, his eyes sharp as blades.
"So that's how it is," Gambit said softly. "Then prepare to die, kid."
The bar lights flickered red.
And Ryuuto's smirk only widened.