[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Completed KOF 94 Final Main Quest: "The End of Black Noah"!]
[Quest rewards distributed:]
Source Points ×50,000 Orochi
Power Fragment (Low-grade) ×1
Rugal's Lifetime Combat Data and Battle Experience Package ×1
[Ding! Detected residual Orochi power from Rugal within Host's body. Initiating forced absorption...]
[Absorption complete. Congratulations, Host! Acquired Orochi Power Fragment (Low-grade) ×1.]
[Warning! Due to forcibly activating "Ragnarök" Mode and assisting Host in absorbing Orochi power beyond your level, the system's core energy reserves are critically depleted. Now entering "Power-Saving Hibernation" mode. Estimated recovery time: Unknown.]
[During hibernation, most system functions will be temporarily disabled. Only the Attribute Panel and Storage Space basic functions will remain operational.]
[Host... you're on your own now...]
With that final "resentful" notification, the system's familiar voice vanished completely from Cloud's mind.
Cloud: "..."
Well then. His cheat code hadn't just expired—it had gone back to the factory for repairs due to overloading?!
Now he was truly starting from scratch, relying entirely on himself.
Still, despite the close call, the outcome was good.
Not only had he eliminated Rugal, that major threat, but he'd also... saved the world?
...
When the surviving fighters returned to Sydney Harbor aboard the rescue ship, they were greeted by media from around the globe and thunderous cheers.
Rugal's conspiracy had already been made public through Heidern's intelligence channels.
KOF 94, originally hailed as "the greatest fighting tournament of the century," had concealed such a bloody and insane truth behind the scenes—shocking the entire world!
And Cloud, this fighter who had risen as a "dark horse," battling his way through every obstacle, ultimately not only claiming the championship but single-handedly foiling the mastermind Rugal's plot and saving all the fighters in the final moment... His name spread to every corner of the globe overnight!
His exploits were reported with wild embellishment by major media outlets.
Versions ranged from "Mysterious Eastern Martial Artist Battles Arms-Dealing Madman" to "Awakened Divine Bloodline—The Savior Emerges"—each more outlandish than the last.
In short, Cloud had gone viral.
Completely and utterly viral.
He had become the new "god" in the hearts of countless fighting enthusiasts worldwide!
The handsome, powerful, devoted "Prince Charming" in the dreams of countless young women!
Faced with this sudden surge of fame rivaling a top-tier celebrity, our protagonist Cloud—after completing Heidern's unit's "friendly inquiry" and receiving their "medical assistance"—made a decision that shocked everyone:
He ran.
Please. Dealing with reporters swarming like flies? How could that compare to going home and sleeping with a beauty in his arms?
He declined Kyo's enthusiastic invitation to "Come back to Kusanagi Castle with me, bro—I'll help you rejoin the family and inherit the estate." He also refused Kim Kaphwan's lofty proposal to "Friend Cloud, would you join me in spreading justice to the world?" He ignored the astronomical endorsement contracts offered by countless business magnates.
He had only one goal—
Return to South Town!
The place where his dream began.
...
On the private jet back to South Town (courtesy of Robert):
Cloud reclined comfortably in a leather seat, enjoying an apple that Mai had personally peeled for him and Yuri's attentive "massage service."
After several days of rest, plus the nourishment from that wave of "Orochi power" before the system went offline, his injuries had mostly healed.
"Say, you two—why are you following me back to South Town?" Cloud looked at the two "tagalongs" beside him with curiosity. "Mai, don't you need to go back to Japan to manage family affairs? Yuri, shouldn't you report back to that siscon brother of yours?"
"Hmph, whether I go back to Japan or not—how is that any of your business?" Mai's pretty face reddened as she retorted. "I just think South Town is more interesting and want to stay a while longer! It's definitely not because I'm worried about a certain idiot who runs around before his injuries are even healed!"
"Me too!" Yuri nodded vigorously beside her. "I'm... I'm here for training! Yeah, training! Besides, I already called my brother. He said... he said as long as I stay safe, he won't... won't interfere."
She didn't mention that her brother had wailed for a full ten minutes on the phone, threatening to chop up Cloud—"that pig who defiled my precious cabbage."
Cloud looked at these two girls who clearly meant the opposite of what they said and couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Just then, Mai's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Cloud, there's something I have to tell you." She set down the fruit knife, speaking earnestly. "Yesterday, I got a call from Andy."
"Andy? Didn't he go back to South Town early with Terry? What happened?"
"Yes." Mai nodded, worry flickering in her eyes. "He said... the moment they returned to South Town, they were ambushed by Geese Howard."
"Geese?!" Cloud's gaze turned cold instantly.
The underground emperor of South Town, the eternal "hard-working" villain of the KOF series—was he finally making his move?
"That's right." Mai's tone was heavy. "Andy said Geese's strength was far greater than they'd imagined! Even Terry and Andy together weren't a match for him. Both of them were seriously injured. Joe Higashi covered their retreat... and is still missing."
"Furthermore..." Mai paused before continuing, "South Town is in complete chaos now. Mr. Big, Krauser, and others have all appeared."
"Terry and the others are hiding somewhere safe to recover. Andy asked me to tell you: South Town is extremely dangerous right now. Think twice before you act."
After hearing Mai's report, the atmosphere in the cabin dropped to freezing.
...
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