Early the next morning.
Well…
Gradually waking up, Watson turned over and reached out, his hand finding the warmth of another body.
Ding! New Free Mission:
The Might of the Dragon Cannot Be Offended!
There are always dark forces trying to challenge the dragon's power. Crush them.
Objective: Destroy Hydra Frontier Base (0/1).
Reward: Mysterious Gift × 1
A new mission?
Finally sitting up, Watson rubbed his eyes and noticed a cup of coffee and a slightly burnt sandwich on the nightstand. A small convenience store sign was stuck to the coffee cup:
"Natasha's first time ~"
Seeing this, Watson smiled softly, took a sip of the now-cold coffee, then bit into the sandwich before heading downstairs. As he passed the bathroom, he saw another note stuck to the mirror:
"Dear, I had to go to work first ~ Was it delicious? ~"
Subconsciously, he chewed on the sandwich again. A little burnt, but not bad.
Downstairs, he walked up to Derick, who was crouched in front of Xiu-1, the massive beast's claws pinning down two unfortunate victims. They looked like human pancakes.
"Did you play whack-a-mole last night?! Huh?! They don't even look like people anymore! And where did that guy's arm go?!"
Annoyed, Watson smacked Xiu-1's head.
"Roaaaoo~"
Xiu-1 whined, trying to explain. Apparently, they had woken up over a dozen times throughout the night… then it got carried away… then it just kept going…
"All you do is eat! Hurry up and get rid of them. We've got things to do today."
Watson ignored the ecstatic Xiu-1 and stepped outside.
Just as he did, a sleek, black Chevrolet Corvette C7 pulled up in front of him. The window rolled down, revealing a stunning face.
"I'm here to pick up a 'super weapon' for Natasha. Any idea if he's around?"
Watson smirked, shooing Peng-1 away before sliding into the passenger seat.
"You're in luck, baby. He's here."
Natasha turned her head. "Honey, should we head straight to the place? I think it'd be better if we—"
"So how about a little detour first?"
"Alright ~ But buckle up ~"
---
Two hours later.
Derick gazed out at the quiet woodland beyond the car window.
"This is a nice place. Quiet, hidden… atmospheric."
"Hmm~"
"But where are they? I don't see anything—"
Just as Watson was about to speak, the ground trembled. A black entrance slowly rose from the earth about a kilometer away—then nothing.
Natasha frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Derick chuckled, opening the car door. "It means we're welcome."
Natasha stood beside Watson. "Are we really just going to walk in?"
"Unless you'd rather wait outside, baby?" Watson grinned as he activated his fire dragon suit.
"Not a chance."
As they approached, Watson noticed two cameras hidden among the tree canopies. He muttered, "This feels like something out of a movie. The only difference is… I've got a world-class beauty with me ~"
Natasha rolled her eyes and followed him inside.
Beyond the entrance was an elevator. Just two buttons on the panel: 1 and 100.
"Well, obviously, we're going to the 100th floor ~" Watson pressed the button without hesitation and turned to Natasha. "I expected some kind of grand welcome. This is a little underwhelming."
Bang!
The elevator doors opened, revealing a dark, empty chamber.
A tall figure stood in the shadows, as if waiting for them.
"Welcome, my friends. I thought you'd come alone, but no matter." The man slowly stepped forward, his voice calm and measured.
Derick narrowed his eyes. The man looked… familiar.
Scott? No, not quite.
The tall man stopped at the center of the room and spread his arms. "My name is Manson. You may have met my brother, Manko—the one you killed. Now, allow me to introduce you to someone greater than myself. A leader who will guide mankind toward true evolution.
Baron Strucker."
Boom! Boom!
The lights suddenly flared to life, illuminating the massive chamber. A giant screen lit up behind Manson.
A man with a monocle appeared on the screen.
"Greetings, Flame Knight. And Agent Romanoff of S.H.I.E.L.D. You're both intelligent people, so let's not waste time. I extend to you an invitation—join the rightful side.
Join the only side that truly seeks to save humanity. Not S.H.I.E.L.D., that corrupt organization feeding off the world. Humanity must evolve. And evolution requires sacrifice. We have been misunderstood, slandered—"
Natasha smirked. "Hiding underground to 'save the world'? Sounds more like you're the ones devouring it."
Watson yawned. "Yeah, yeah, great speech, but get to the point. What do you want?"
Strucker adjusted his monocle. "Your armor should not be wasted on a single man. It belongs on the battlefield, shining for our cause. Don't squander your potential, Flame Knight. I originally intended to study your… pets, but perhaps you can serve a greater purpose.
Join us, and you could become the guardian knight of the entire earth! Commanding power over millions!"
"Ah. But still under you?" Watson smirked. "I'll pass. And besides, we still have a score to settle. I promise you, when I catch you, we'll settle our differences… right before I throw you in a red jumpsuit."
Strucker sighed. "A pity. Before you come looking for me, however, you'll have to deal with the man in front of you.
Farewell for now. But remember, my offer stands."
The screen went black.
Watson turned to Manson. "So? Your brother couldn't even last a round against me."
"I'm not my brother." Manson grinned.
With a sickening crack, his body began to shift. Bone spurs erupted from his elbows, spine, and neck. His face twisted, contorting into something monstrous.
Boom!
Doors burst open on both sides of the chamber. A horde of heavily armed soldiers rushed in, their weapons glowing with ominous blue light.