"Sigh..." Cloud sighed internally.
Carrying girls to victory really wasn't an easy job.
Just then, in his mind, that long-absent system notification chimed in at the most "opportune" moment.
[Ding! Hidden condition "Carrying Girls to Victory" detected in Host's current behavioral pattern. Now issuing KOF 97 Exclusive Mission!]
[Mission Name: Carrying Girls to Victory—Only Natural!]
[Mission Objective: Lead current team (Three Clouds) to win the KOF 97 Annual Championship.]
[Mission Rewards: Source Points ×100,000, Orochi Power Fragment (Low-grade) ×3, "Harem Cultivation Handbook (Beginner to Master Edition)" ×1.]
[Mission Failure Penalty: Random removal of one of Host's charm attributes (e.g., looks, voice, abs, etc.).]
Cloud: "..."
System, get out here. I promise I won't beat you to death!
One hundred thousand Source Points and Uncle Snake's fragments—the rewards were tempting. But... what the hell is a "Harem Cultivation Handbook"?! You're pushing me down the "Time Management Master" path!
And that failure penalty! Removing a charm attribute? What if you take my looks?! How am I supposed to get by on my face after that?!
This mission is basically forcing me to... ahem, forcing me to win!
Cloud took a deep breath and suppressed his mental complaints. He patted both teammates on the shoulders and spoke in a steady voice: "Don't be nervous. Just think of it as an ordinary sparring match. Remember, I'm right behind you."
"Don't worry, Cloud!" Yun Ying thumped her chest, full of heroic spirit. "A mere Korea Team—watch me take point and give them a taste of our strength!"
Nakoruru also summoned her courage, nodding at him and whispering: "I... I'll do my best."
Their opponents, the three members of Korea Team, had already taken position across from them.
Kim Kaphwan still radiated righteousness, but upon seeing the two young girls beside Cloud, his thick eyebrows immediately furrowed, his eyes full of "society is declining, morals are degenerating" judgment.
His two disciples, Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge, wore entirely different expressions.
The giant Chang Koehan, over two meters tall, was grinning stupidly at the petite Yun Ying, practically drooling. His gaze was like he was looking at an exquisite dessert.
Meanwhile, the small, monkey-like Choi Bounge was spinning his iron claws, letting out a creepy "hehehe" laugh, his eyes darting all over Nakoruru—clearly up to no good.
"First match, Yun Ying. You're up." Cloud made the call.
He also wanted to see what kind of strength this "chatterbox warrior" from the Honor of Kings world could display under KOF rules.
"Roger that!"
Yun Ying responded excitedly, flicking her wrist to spin her Blazing Prairie Spear in a beautiful flourish, then executed a stylish flip to land steadily in the center of the arena.
"Chang'an's Flame-Chasing Divine Spear—Yun Ying! Here to accept your challenge! Big guy across from me, state your name!"
She pointed her spear directly at Chang Koehan, full of imposing presence.
However, that imposing presence looked somewhat comical given the massive size difference between them.
Yun Ying—petite, brimming with youthful energy.
Chang Koehan—seven feet five inches tall, weighing... just looking at that tonnage, at least six hundred pounds.
He was also carrying an iron ball several times larger than Yun Ying's head.
Standing together, the two looked exactly like a live-action "Beauty and the Beast."
"My god! The size difference is insane!"
"Can that girl called Yun Ying actually do this? If Chang Koehan sits down, she's done for!"
"Don't underestimate her! Anyone who can be Cloud's teammate must have some skills! I bet she wins—what are the odds?"
Chang Koehan looked at this "little one" who wasn't even as tall as his iron ball and let out a simple-minded laugh: "Hehehe... little missy, I'm Chang Koehan. You should just surrender—my iron ball doesn't have eyes."
Thanks to Kim Kaphwan's fighting education, much of Chang Koehan's former murderous aura had been softened, and he now wore a somewhat benevolent expression.
"Enough talk! Eat spear!"
Yun Ying wasn't one for idle chatter. The moment the starting bell rang, she immediately launched her attack!
"Broken Moon!"
With a sharp cry, her form moved like lightning, her spear transforming into a fire dragon, sweeping upward and slashing downward!
But Chang Koehan merely grinned and placed his iron ball in front of him.
"CLANG—!"
A tremendous crash echoed as Yun Ying's spear tip struck the iron ball, sparks flying everywhere, yet failing to leave even a white mark.
A massive recoil force transmitted through her weapon, forcing her to stagger back several steps.
"So hard!" Yun Ying was startled.
"Hehe, my turn!" Chang Koehan swung his iron ball and launched into his "Iron Ball Stampede"—his entire body rolling forward like an out-of-control steamroller, rumbling toward Yun Ying!
Chang Koehan's Absolute Domain development had reached 85%. Though his footwork wasn't refined, he excelled in one thing: massive coverage and wide attack range!
Just as that enormous iron ball was about to crush her, at that critical moment, a flash of cunning appeared in Yun Ying's eyes.
"Think you can catch me? Not that easy!"
"Flash!"
A golden light flickered across her body, and she instantly teleported several meters sideways, barely dodging Chang Koehan's crushing attack!
The entire audience was dumbfounded.
"What was that?! Teleportation?!"
"No! That's not a KOF technique! I've never seen it before! That was clearly a space-bending ability!"
Kim Kaphwan's brow furrowed even deeper.
Before anyone could process what had happened, a glowing ring appeared beneath Yun Ying's feet.
"Sprint!"
Her movement speed exploded instantly. Her entire form became a red blur, circling around the lumbering Chang Koehan at high speed, causing all of his powerful but slow attacks to hit nothing but air.
"Annoying little bug! Stop running!" Chang Koehan was getting dizzy from her movements, swinging his iron ball around in frustrated rage.
"Now!"
Yun Ying seized an opening in his attack, her eyes flashing with sharp light.
"Chasing Clouds!"
She thrust forward with a sweeping horizontal strike, her spear carving a path of flames across the ground, precisely striking Chang Koehan's ankle—not only dealing damage but also applying a slow debuff.
...
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