KOF 97—these three letters held magic comparable to the World Cup in the summer of 1997.
It wasn't just a fighting tournament; it was the Spring Festival Gala for fighting fans worldwide, the ultimate fantasy for hot-blooded youth, and the golden KPI for betting companies looking to hit year-end targets.
This year's organizer, Mr. Norton—a tech mogul whose hairline was inversely proportional to his wealth—clearly wanted to make this event "way ahead of the competition."
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Under the spotlight of the global press conference, Norton waved his gleaming bald head enthusiastically, looking like a TV shopping host hawking health supplements. "This year's KOF will be the safest, most humane, and most immersive edition in history!"
On the giant screen behind him, the PowerPoint flipped to the next slide, displaying bold text: "Revolutionary Black Technology: Visual Life Sign Monitoring System."
"We've invested heavily, partnering with the world's top biotech companies to develop this system!" Norton's voice cracked with excitement. "Simply put, we've equipped every competitor with a health bar!"
The audience erupted.
"That's right! The HP Bar you see in video games!" Norton puffed out his chest proudly. "Through a micro-drone array and quantum entanglement sensing technology, we can convert competitors' vital signs in real-time into an intuitive green energy bar, hovering three meters above their heads!"
"When a competitor takes damage, the bar decreases accordingly. Once the bar empties, the system automatically triggers the built-in absolute defense field around the arena, protecting the competitor and declaring them KO'd!"
"What does this mean? It means fighters can unleash their super special moves to their hearts' content without tragic injuries or deaths! Our slogan is: 'Fighting—passion with humanity!' Your wives and children will never have to worry about you ending up in the ICU!"
Norton's speech earned thunderous applause.
Fighters around the world were buzzing with excitement.
"Holy crap! Isn't this just a real-life arcade game? I feel like my youth is back!"
"This is amazing! Now I can throw out my super moves without holding back! I just wonder if when your health empties, there'll be a 'Continue? 9... 8... 7...' countdown sound effect?"
"Am I the only one wondering if you can get skins for the health bar? I want a Gold Supreme VIP edition."
Meanwhile, the tournament venues had also been announced—a veritable "World Concert Tour for Fighters."
From the bustling streets of Kowloon in Hong Kong, to traditional Korean dojos; from Japanese cherry blossom gardens to Brazilian carnival plazas; from ancient English clock towers to the foot of the Statue of Liberty... Mr. Norton was demonstrating to the world with his money power: being rich really does mean you can do whatever you want.
However, amidst this sea of universal celebration, our protagonist Cloud was sitting in his hotel room, staring at an official email from the KOF Organizing Committee, lost in thought.
The email's content was simple. Translated, it basically said:
"Dear Mr. Cloud, given that you are excessively powerful, we simply cannot find officially recommended teammates who match your level. Therefore, for this tournament, please... find your own team. Good luck. —Signed, A Lazy Temp Worker at the KOF 97 Organizing Committee"
"..."
Cloud's mouth twitched violently.
What do you mean "excessively powerful"?
That excuse is way too half-assed! Isn't this basically saying "You're on your own, big shot, we can't carry you"?
So I work my ass off winning three consecutive championships, and I don't even get the perk of having fixed teammates?
I have to solve the team problem myself? What exactly does this KOF Organizing Committee do?
He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
With only three days until registration closed, where was he supposed to find two teammates who were strong, trustworthy, and could actually get along with a "protagonist" like him?
Go find Kyo Kusanagi and Benimaru Nikaido? No good—Japan Team was already locked in.
Go find Terry and Andy? The Fatal Fury Team was at capacity too.
Go find Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia? The Kyokugenryu crew probably had their victory banquet menu already decided.
Go find Ryuji Yamazaki? That guy's head was full of his "Underworld Empire CEO Advancement Path"—he probably had no time for this "kiddie stuff."
After much deliberation, Cloud realized he'd somehow become a "social orphan."
"Sigh, no choice then." Cloud sighed helplessly, his expression turning serious. "At critical moments, you've still got to solve problems by whaling."
With a thought, a semi-transparent interface—visible only to him and styled in cyberpunk aesthetics—appeared before his eyes.
[System Shop]
A dazzling array of items scrolled across the interface, from "Disposable Sanitary Pads" to "Permanent Hyper Armor Potions"—everything under the sun.
Cloud expertly scrolled to the "Special Items" section and found the product he both loved and hated.
[Temporary Teammate Summoning Card (World Limited Edition) ×2]
[Effect: Can cross world barriers to randomly summon two friendly characters with potential bonds to the Host as temporary teammates. Duration: Until this KOF tournament ends.]
[Price: 40,000 Source Points]
[Note: Due to the Host's current overwhelming power causing massive causality disturbances, this summon will be combined into one—only one summoning opportunity. Results are non-refundable. Please use carefully, and may your luck be blessed!]
Non-refundable. Another blind box. What if he rolled two supports who could only spam "666" in chat?
But at this point, he could only gamble.
"System, purchase!"
[Ding! Source Points -40,000. Purchase successful! Use immediately?]
"Use!"
The moment Cloud spoke, the two virtual cards in his hand transformed into a brilliant, multicolored pillar of light that shot toward the sky, piercing straight through the hotel ceiling—in the physical sense.
Well... that's coming out of my deposit.
...
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