Chapter Sixty-One: The Crimson Mask

Besides the physical enhancement serum, Brunov also dropped two other items. One was a rather useless E-rank skill scroll, seemingly a skill fit only for cannon fodder. The other, however, was far more interesting—a metal mask. Not only was the red mask stylish and tactilely impressive, but its attributes were also quite remarkable. This was, in fact, the first piece of armor Wang Ling had ever acquired.

The two items’ data were as follows:

“Shoulder Charge: To learn this skill scroll, you must pay 1,200 currency points. Ram your enemy with your shoulder. At Level 1, it deals 36% of your base attack power as damage plus 17 additional points. Requirements: Basic Melee Combat LV1. Skill Type: Active. Skill Rating: E.”

“Crimson Mask: Type: Armor; Rating: E; Attribute: Crimson Equipment; Defense: 15; Ability: +5 Stamina. Skill: Iron Face—Base damage received to the face is reduced by 25 points.”

“Equipment Requirement: Stamina 15.”

“Description: Manufactured by the Dark Warriors using advanced alloy technology for high-ranking members, this metal mask provides effective protection to the face.”

Apart from its 15 points of base defense, the Crimson Mask’s attributes and skill were practical. The +5 stamina increased maximum health by 25 points and boosted related hidden stats like endurance and defense. The reduction of 25 points from facial base damage could mitigate attacks against this vulnerable spot.

Beyond its capabilities, Wang Ling valued the mask for another reason—it concealed his features, effectively hiding his true identity. Whether in the Dreamspace or in the mission world, this function would prove invaluable.

“Wearing this red mask, I feel a bit like Char, the ace pilot from the Gundam series! Though Char’s hair was blond, while mine is black… I wonder if I’ll ever find myself in the Super Robot Wars world and meet that masked man.” Hiding his face behind the crimson mask, Wang Ling admired himself in the mirror, even striking a pose reminiscent of the iconic three-times-speed, horned red look, feeling quite dashing.

“Generally, only big bosses wear masks—that suits my style perfectly.”

Now, with a gang of Bullies and Dark Warriors as subordinates and donning the crimson mask, Wang Ling realized he had all the makings of a true big boss. He decided that, when needed, he would appear as the Masked Man from now on.

As for the Dark Warriors, due to Luo Hou and the other two dreamers attacking Factory B11 with the Double Dragon brothers, most of that stronghold’s personnel had been killed, and the rest had fled. After Brunov’s death, none of the Dark Warriors even knew Wang Ling had taken part in the battle. Moreover, when he killed Ah**, it was in an abandoned construction site with no survivors.

Therefore, the deaths of these two high-ranking members were attributed to the Double Dragon brothers.

Having suddenly lost two major bosses, along with earlier casualties like Linda, Williams, and Luo Po, the Dark Warriors’ power in New York suffered a severe blow, naturally inciting their fury. The martial artist Jeff brothers, leading a squad of elite Dark Warriors, boarded a massive transport helicopter and flew to their second New York stronghold: the airport.

Meanwhile, White Phoenix set foot on the small island headquarters of the Dark Warriors: the Terror Tower. There, in a magnificent glass hall, she met a tall, cold-faced middle-aged man of Eastern features, yet with yellow hair and beard, dressed in a dragon-embroidered battle robe and red cloak—garb reminiscent of ancient China.

This was the supreme leader of the Dark Warriors.

Seated on a golden dragon throne, the boss gazed coldly at the young woman before him. He tilted his head slightly, and then, as if shadows poured from his pores, black vapors wove themselves around him, forming a cloak-like armor that radiated a chilling aura.

Facing such oppressive might, White Phoenix stood casually, not even bothering to summon her battle aura in defense. She spoke quietly, “The Double Dragon brothers possess the Dragon Souls of the Golden Celestial Dragon and the Silver Earth Dragon. When both are awakened and soar together, a mysterious gate is said to open. You, having mastered the Dragon Marrow Fist and the power of shadows, already stand at the pinnacle of this world. I wonder, are you interested in joining forces with me to hunt a god?”

“Oh?” The boss rose from his golden throne, sharp light suddenly flashing in his otherwise placid eyes. “I command the greatest power in this world as the leader of the Dark Warriors. Wealth, authority, and beauty mean nothing to me—the only thing I desire is martial perfection and battles with stronger foes.”

“Hunt a god? Your proposal intrigues me. Yet not just anyone qualifies to stand at my side. I hear you’ve achieved the realm where inner energy manifests and shapes the world—making you a rare master. Show me your strength. Let’s see if you are worthy to join forces with me!”

Dark energy gathered rapidly before him, condensing into a sphere the size of a soccer ball—deep and black as midnight—then shot forward with a roar. It was a powerful ki blast forged of shadow energy:

“Shadow Burst!”

“As expected, a fight is inevitable,” White Phoenix said with a cold smile. She cupped her hands, compressing milky-white energy between her palms until a dense aura bullet formed.

Boom!

The two energy blasts collided, partially neutralizing one another. The remainder, now turbulent and mixed, exploded violently. White and black sparks raged outward with the shockwave, filling the space between them.

With a crisp crack, the tempered glass beneath their feet shattered to powder, shards swirling with black and white energy into dangerous clouds of gray dust.

Radiant with fighting spirit, White Phoenix advanced fearlessly, sword in her right hand, shield-scabbard in her left. Wielding both as weapons, she swept them in arcs of deadly white light, instantly dispersing the swirling debris.

Having cleared the obstacles, she unleashed a cross-shaped sword beam—two meters long and wide—formed of pure aura, slashing straight at the boss. Such a strike could have sliced even a five-centimeter-thick steel plate into quarters.

“Well struck!” Facing the ferocious “Cross Light” technique, the boss did not evade. He compressed shadow power into his right fist and launched the Shadow Rising Dragon from the Dragon Marrow Fist, his punch trailing a visible dragon-shaped force that clashed with the cross-shaped beam.

While the Dark Warriors’ supreme leader—this world’s greatest boss—was locked in battle with White Phoenix, one of the top three rookie dreamers, Wang Ling was seated in a car heading toward New York Airport.

The airport was one of the Dark Warriors’ strongholds and, according to the game, the setting of Double Dragon II’s second stage. The Double Dragon brothers, badly wounded in their fight with Brunov, nevertheless recovered swiftly thanks to the Dragon Souls within them. After less than a day’s rest, they attacked the airport.

Wang Ling originally intended to steer clear of the conflict, but with three “Super Dark Warrior” summons and the Crimson Mask from Brunov, new ideas began to stir.

On arriving, he found the airport devastated, just like Factory B11—bodies sprawled everywhere. The Double Dragon brothers had clearly just passed through; the blood was still fresh, and a few Dark Warriors, not yet dead, groaned in pain.

Wang Ling casually finished off these dying men and, searching one hippie’s body, found a wooden key. Summoning a treasure chest, he obtained an offensive item:

“Burning Flame Bomb: Special attack item. Explodes on impact, unleashing a wave of fire that deals 12 fire element damage. The flames persist for 15 seconds; any enemy within the blaze takes 1 point of damage per second. Rating: E.”

Like equipment, such items were also graded. To receive an E-rank Burning Flame Bomb from defeating an ordinary Dark Warrior was a minor, unexpected delight.

Nearing the central area of the airport, Wang Ling stopped, climbed atop a building, and took out a telescope he’d purchased at the harbor. From this vantage, he saw the Double Dragon brothers on the runway, wielding steel pipes and iron rods, engaged in battle with two martial artist bosses.

These bosses were the Japanese karate master Jeff and his brother, Coward. Their strength lay in martial arts, but their karate was completely countered by the Double Dragon brothers’ Jeet Kune Do. Even so, both moved swiftly, fought with tonfas, and hurled shuriken, making the fight look even.

“The Double Dragon brothers are the protagonists—their potential is immense. Barring surprises, these two bosses should be defeated.”

Wang Ling watched for over ten minutes. Sure enough, the Double Dragon brothers began to gain the upper hand. With a combined “Double Tornado Kick,” they left Jeff crumpled on the ground like a broken sack, his bones shattered. Coward, struck with terror, tried to flee, but Billy caught him from behind, smashed his back with an iron rod, and left him coughing blood on the ground.