"I'm telling you, Ryuuto! My research isn't fully developed yet—it's at the final stage! Once it's finished, the world will be turned upside down!"
Gillian's eyes sparkled with manic excitement as he advanced toward Ryuuto, shouting like a man possessed.
"So think about it! Cooperating with me is profitable and completely harmless! Are you really not interested?"
"Don't bother. My answer's the same." Ryuuto raised a hand dismissively, voice sharp and unwavering.
"I am not interested in your so-called 'great plan'! Leave me alone, or I'll make sure you regret it!"
"Wh-why?!" Gillian's face twisted in disbelief and fury. How could Ryuuto outright reject him? This completely shattered everything he had schemed.
The next instant, Ryuuto's fist struck like lightning—sharp, precise, unstoppable. His punch slammed into Gillian's nose, instantly drawing blood and knocking him off balance.
Boom!
Gillian crashed into a waist-high reagent jar, shattering the glass. The green, foul-smelling liquid splashed everywhere, drenching him and leaving his hair in disarray. He scrambled upright, glaring at Ryuuto with furious, wild eyes, body trembling like a struck animal.
"Do you understand now?" Ryuuto said coldly, eyes cutting like knives. "We're not the same kind of people. This—this is what happens to dangerous hearts."
With a sharp motion, Ryuuto clenched his fist, flames roaring to life in a brilliant burst. The documents detailing Gillian's viral experiments ignited instantly, reduced to black ash in seconds.
"And this test paper?" Ryuuto added, snatching up his perfect-score sheet. "Don't ever try to threaten me with low-level tricks again. Ridiculous."
By the time he reached the gate, Ryuuto paused, glancing back at Gillian writhing on the floor. His voice was stern, cold as steel.
"From now on, your experiments are your own business. If I catch you continuing this virus madness, I swear I'll personally make you pay."
With that, Ryuuto activated his high-speed movement, vanishing like a gust of wind.
"Damn it! This brat! I'll make him regret everything!" Gillian roared, punching the floor. Bloodshot eyes blazed with rage as he crawled back to the scattered ashes, greed and obsession twisting his grin.
"I don't need a pawn like him to succeed! Nothing can stop me—hahaha!"
He dove back into his work, rifling through secret reagents and documents, fully committed to bringing Extremis into the world ahead of schedule.
Meanwhile, not long after Ryuuto left the underground lab, stretching and savoring the fresh air, a familiar, cheerful voice buzzed in his ear.
[Drop! Master, a new mission has been released!]
"Really? Finally! Details!" Ryuuto's excitement flared. His whole body itched for action.
[OK! This A-level mission is simple. Even if you defeat Captain America and have him willingly obey you as a little brother, the mission will be complete!]
Ryuuto froze. Wait—so not only fight Steve Rogers, but also make him… obey?
[Yes! That's it, hehe! Master, aren't you happy to finally have a new task?] Athena's tone was playful, teasing.
Ryuuto's excitement drained in an instant. He felt like someone had doused him in ice water, screaming internally.
"Athena… are you serious? Easy? Do you know how hard it'll be before I even subdue that guy? His shield alone could crush me!"
[Not that dramatic, right?] Athena teased, flashing her Hinata avatar eyes and clenching a fist. [Master, didn't you always say you're the strongest? How can you not beat him? Have confidence!]
Ryuuto pinched the bridge of his nose. If it was just defeating Steve? Easy. Subduing him as a "little brother"? Laughable. And if any skin tears, chaos would follow—and it's not worth it.
Before he could protest further, Athena's mischievous laugh rang out:
[Haha, Master, your target has arrived! Everyone's waiting for your amazing performance—go on!]
Ryuuto's eyes widened. Here we go again—smashed by this broken system before even starting.
The next moment, a formidable figure charged forward, eyes blazing with battlefield intensity.
"Hi! Captain America, you're looking sharp today!" Ryuuto forced a grin, knowing this battle was unavoidable.
"Ryuuto! Stop grinning like a fool. Today, I'm here to take you down!"
Steve Rogers gripped his shield tightly, voice stern and unwavering. The clash of legend and system-mandated mission was about to begin.
...
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