A/N : I have rewrote last chap a bit, it had some mistakes, last time I had an headache so I didn't prof read it, leading to such mistakes, but now its better.
***
"Finally, I'm here," Ryder mumbled, just stepping out of the airport. He exhaled deeply, rubbing his arms as a cold breeze brushed past him. The air smelled different—crisp and slightly metallic.
A sign nearby welcomed him in neat Russian letters as he looked around, trying to take in the unfamiliar surroundings.
Pulling out his phone, he opened a travel app and searched for the highest-rated hotels in the area. His eyes landed on one with golden stars next to its name—Hotel Imperial Crown. Expensive, luxurious, and right in the heart of the city.
"Only the best," he muttered with a smirk, tapping the Book Now button. A second later, he had a suite reserved.
He stepped into a nearby cab and showed the driver the hotel address. The man nodded silently, starting the engine as soft Russian music filled the car.
Ryder leaned back, watching the snowy streets blur past the window.
"I might as well enjoy a bit before getting to work," he mumbled, his breath fogging the glass as he gazed outside. The city was alive, even in the cold—people bundled in coats, snow-dusted rooftops glowing under the warm streetlights, and elegant buildings casting long shadows across the streets.
Not long after, the cab pulled up in front of Hotel Imperial Crown. The building towered above the rest, its entrance lit by golden chandeliers and a red carpet stretching out to greet him. A doorman in a sharp black uniform tipped his hat and opened the car door.
Ryder stepped out, suitcase in hand, and made his way through the glass doors into the grand lobby. Marble floors gleamed beneath his boots, and a massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling like a crown of stars. Guests moved through the space like ghosts in expensive coats, voices hushed, the air filled with the soft scent of lavender and something faintly woody.
The receptionist greeted him with a polite smile, "Welcome to the Imperial Crown. Mr. Ryder, we've prepared the Imperial Suite for you, as requested."
"Thank you," Ryder said, handing over his ID and credit card.
After a quick check-in, he was led to a private elevator that took him straight to the top floor. The moment the doors opened, he stepped into his suite—and was greeted by a breathtaking view of the entire city through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The suite was massive. A sleek modern design with gold accents, dark wood furniture, and velvet couches in deep navy blue. A fireplace crackled quietly in the corner. The king-sized bed looked like it belonged in a royal palace, layered with soft pillows and thick blankets. To the side, a private bar, a jacuzzi tub, and a balcony overlooking the snow-covered skyline.
Ryder dropped his suitcase near the couch, loosened his jacket, and walked straight to the window.
From here, the city looked like a painting—alive, glowing, beautiful.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, exhaled deeply, and whispered to himself, "Now this... this feels like something."
Grabbing the remote, he flicked on the massive flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, not really watching—just letting the sound fill the silence as he laid back on the bed, the soft fabric pulling him in.
For a moment, there was peace as he soon fell asleep.
At night , Ryder woke up, ordered something to eat as he began to looked at the laptop of his.
During his month-long stint working as a vigilante in New York, Ryder had made some interesting connections—especially among mutants and underground tech-heads. One of them was a guy known only as Echo, a reclusive genius who treated firewalls like playgrounds and had eyes in places Ryder couldn't even pronounce.
The two had grown close. These days, whenever Ryder needed information, he just called—and Echo always came through. Just like now.
Still lying on the soft hotel bed, Ryder pulled out a slim black device, no bigger than a credit card from his inventory. It blinked to life as he tapped its center, and a distorted voice buzzed through.
"Yo, Red. what do you need?"
Red—that was the name Ryder used in the underground world. Not even his closest contacts knew his real identity. To them, he was just a ghost who got things done.
"I need info on the Red Room," Ryder said, his voice calm but sharp. "And General Dreykov. Anything recent—movements, hidden facilities."
"You're poking a hornet's nest, Red. You sure about this?"
"I don't have time to joke around," Ryder replied flatly.
"Alright," Echo said with a sigh. "Give me a minute."
Ryder nodded and waited, watching the lights outside his hotel window as Echo worked his magic behind the scenes.
After a few seconds, Echo returned. "Got something. Not an exact pin, but close enough for you. There's a boarding school in Belarus. Looks ordinary on the outside, but it's a front. That's your best lead."
" Also, General Dreykov location is in...."
He paused, then added, "By the way... they're training girls there. Real cold-blooded killers. And yeah—they're terrifying and hot. So be careful."
Ryder didn't respond. He simply nodded to himself, eyes narrowing.
Fortunately, it exists in this universe too... he thought as he stood up and walked toward the window.
He opened it without hesitation and stepped onto the edge.
The wind howled past him as he looked at his phone one last time, confirming the route on the map. Then he tucked it into his inventory to avoid any tracking.
Without a word, Ryder leapt into the cold night air, rising high above the skyline.
Dreykov or Red Room have no idea that the Ghost of New York have arrived in Russian especially for them.
Though, he can't go for the Belarus for now, he is aiming for Dreykov who is in the hidden facility right here in Russia.
As for Belarus, he will go there after taking care of Dreykov.