"Don't be afraid. It's okay now."
...
When Leona opened her eyes again—
Her gaze had returned to its usual cold calm.
She had awakened from that endless nightmare filled with "blood" and "sin."
What came into view was a handsome face wearing a gentle smile—a face that made her feel inexplicably at ease.
And a greeting full of concern.
"You're awake? How... do you feel?"
Leona stared blankly at the man before her.
She vaguely remembered grievously wounding Ralf and Clark during her rampage.
She remembered being about to kill them.
She remembered nearly being completely consumed by that violent power, beyond all redemption...
And then...
A light appeared—warm, radiant—rescuing her from endless darkness and pain.
She slowly sat up and glanced at her two companions nearby, whose injuries had been healed by Cloud's "miraculous techniques" and who were now snoring away.
Then she looked at this man before her, whose entire being radiated an aura that made her feel incredibly "close" and "safe."
Her heart, always frozen solid, beat uncontrollably.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
But in the end, she only used her characteristic voice—cold and emotionless—to softly speak three words.
"...Thank you."
[Ding! Target Leona Heidern's Affection has changed: +10 (This man... he... saved me... His presence... makes me feel safe...)]
In that primeval jungle on South Town's outskirts—filled with "gunfire" and "bromance"—Cloud, the freshly minted "Double Champion," very "reluctantly" played the role of "battlefield medic" and "psychological counselor."
He had no choice. His "hero saves beauty" scene earlier had been too dramatic, and he'd accidentally saved those two meatheads from the Ikari Warriors—Ralf and Clark—while he was at it.
Following the principle of "save someone completely, escort Buddha all the way to the temple"—
Cloud could only hold his nose and use his Chaos Divine Flame (newly evolved function: healing capability) to pull these two iron-willed hardened soldiers back from death's door.
...
The campfire crackled in the night.
Ralf and Clark, these two burly men who had just been "fished out" of the ICU, now sat stiffly across the fire, backs ramrod straight, like new recruits being inspected by their commanding officer.
Their gazes toward Cloud were filled with complex emotions.
Gratitude, awe, and the fervent yet nervous look of seeing a "living legend."
No kidding!
The person before them was Cloud!
Champion of two consecutive KOF tournaments!
A freak among geniuses who could grind monsters like Rugal into the dirt, who could go toe-to-toe with lunatics like Iori Yagami!
This kind of top-tier big shot who only existed in "legends" was now sitting right in front of them, personally roasting rabbit meat for them?
This scene was even more surreal than seeing a tank suddenly transform and start dancing to anime music on the battlefield!
"Um... Your Majesty, the King of Fighters..."
Eventually, the more "reckless" Ralf was the first to break the awkward silence.
He scratched at his headband and spoke in an extremely unnatural, "respectful" tone, carefully:
"Your great kindness... the Ikari Warriors will never forget it! In the future, if you ever need anything, just say the word, and we brothers will go through fire and water, even if it means..."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Cloud's scalp went numb from this speech dripping with warrior brotherhood.
He irritably tossed over a skewer of golden, glistening roasted rabbit leg.
"What's with this 'Your Majesty' stuff? Sounds like I'm about to be crowned. I'm Cloud. Just call me by my name."
"Also—" He pointed at his T-shirt, now dusty from the earlier battle. "Do I look like some high-and-mighty 'Majesty' to you?"
"I'm just an ordinary, passing, helpful citizen."
His down-to-earth statement instantly relaxed those two hearts that had been practically jumping out of their throats.
Looking at this "King of Fighters" who was now unceremoniously chomping on rabbit meat, they realized...
The legendary big shot wasn't that scary after all.
Actually seemed kind of... goofy?
The atmosphere immediately became relaxed and cheerful.
The three began shooting the breeze about everything under the sun.
From "which brand of beer tastes best," to "which model of rocket launcher has the most firepower," to... "how to secretly stash money in the barracks without the captain finding out."
When the conversation got lively, Ralf and Clark even worked up the courage to ask Cloud about "training" questions.
And Cloud was generous with his knowledge.
Using the most accessible language, packed with "modern memes," he explained his profound insights about the Absolute Domain in simple terms.
"Ralf, your Galactica Phantom has enough power, but... it's too linear! Like a meathead who only knows how to yell 'Let's go!' You need to learn to add some curves to your fist, make your enemy... unable to predict your movement! Get it? It's called serpentine footwork, fists like art!"
"And Clark, your grappling is exquisite, but too dependent on physical contact! What if you run into someone handsome like me who can fly? You gonna just stand there staring? You need to learn to infuse your throws with qi, achieve... telekinetic grappling, controlling lolis from a thousand miles away!"
His explanation, full of "roast-worthy moments," left Ralf and Clark utterly bewildered. Something felt off, but they seemed to have actually learned something incredible!
...
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