Several days later.
Just as Cloud was still formulating detailed "battle plans" for how to "conquer" Maki Kagura—
A phone call from South Town interrupted his "grand ambitions."
It was from Mr. Big.
"Mr. Cloud!" Mr. Big's voice was as deep and respectful as ever. "There's important news I need to report."
"Go ahead."
"Recently, a young woman named Goniko seems to be... looking for you."
"Goniko?" The name immediately conjured in Cloud's mind the image of that cold, exquisitely beautiful young woman he'd met at the church.
Goenitz's adopted daughter.
One of his confidantes.
"What does she want?"
"The specifics are unclear," Mr. Big replied. "However, according to our intelligence, her movements seem to have attracted... the attention of a mysterious organization."
Cloud knew his leisurely vacation was over.
A new "chapter," new "prey," had already... delivered themselves to his door.
...
South Town.
This city built on crime and desire—even in daylight, the air was thick with an atmosphere where decadence and danger coexisted.
The city's most exclusive private club—"Big Shot" bar—had unprecedentedly hung up a "Temporarily Closed" sign during the day.
Inside the bar, mellow blues music flowed softly.
Mr. Big, the uncrowned king of South Town's underworld, was personally standing behind the bar counter, polishing a crystal glass with movements that approached artistic performance.
And across from him, by the window, sat a young woman.
Her presence seemed to purify this bar that reeked of male hormones and gang atmosphere.
She had brilliant golden hair cascading casually over her shoulders. A flawless oval face, skin like snow, delicate as porcelain.
Her features seemed to be God's finest work—a touch more would be gaudy, a touch less would be plain. They perfectly merged innocence and holiness together.
She simply sat there quietly, cradling a cup of hot milk, her gaze somewhat lost as she watched the traffic flow outside the window.
That otherworldly air—so out of place in this city of sin—made her seem like a pure white lotus that had wandered into the mortal world by mistake.
This was Goniko.
When Cloud pushed open the bar door and walked in, the first thing he saw was this scene, beautiful as a painting.
"You're here."
Before he could speak, a languid, seductive voice tinged with self-satisfaction came from nearby.
Cloud turned to see Shermie leaning against the bar counter.
Today, she was dressed particularly... cool.
A black leather tube top that barely covered the essential areas made her breathtaking bust appear even more magnificent.
Matching ultra-short leather shorts wrapped around her perky, round posterior, with two long, straight legs—the kind that could be admired for years—casually crossed. On her feet were black stiletto boots that could double as weapons.
Her signature pink curly hair cascaded loosely, a few strands playfully draped across her chest, adding an extra touch of allure.
If Goniko was the pure, flawless "moonlight"—everyone's first-love goddess—
Then Shermie was the soul-stealing "red rose"—the ultimate temptation that would make any man willingly fall.
"Boss~"
Shermie swayed her serpentine waist, approaching Cloud like a clingy cat.
She extended her slender fingers to brush away nonexistent dust from his shoulders, then brought her red lips close to his ear, her breath fragrant: "How'd I do? I completed the mission quite well, didn't I? This little prize here... was something I worked so hard to snatch from a bunch of tin cans~"
Her voice was sweet and syrupy, carrying a small hint of pride only Cloud could understand.
"Tin cans?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.
At this point, Mr. Big finished polishing his last glass and came over, speaking respectfully: "Mr. Cloud, you've arrived."
He glanced at Shermie, who was still "getting handsy" with Cloud, a flash of helplessness in his eyes. Then he explained: "Here's the situation. This Miss Goniko has, for some reason, attracted the attention of a mysterious organization."
"That organization has extremely strong operational capability and excellent equipment. Their members all wear uniform, high-tech-looking combat suits. Our people call them 'tin cans.'"
"Just last night, those tin cans attempted to capture Miss Goniko at the harbor. They seemed very interested in some kind of power within her."
"At the critical moment, Miss Shermie arrived in time and drove off the tin cans with overwhelming force, rescuing Miss Goniko."
Mr. Big gave a concise report of the entire situation.
After listening, Cloud understood.
NESTS.
Just as he'd thought.
Their objective was also clear—the "Wind Power" bloodline that Goenitz had left to Goniko.
It seemed that after experiencing KOF 97's "battle of the immortals," NESTS had begun shifting their focus from mere "clones" toward genetic plundering of these "espers" with special bloodlines.
"Well done."
Cloud turned to look at Shermie, who wore a "praise me" expression, and smiled.
He didn't waste words.
He simply reached out, gently grasped her delicate chin, lowered his head, and pressed a "reward"-laden kiss onto those red lips gleaming with seductive luster.
"Mm..."
Shermie hadn't expected Cloud to be so direct. Her alluring eyes widened momentarily, then narrowed in enjoyment. She even proactively deepened the kiss.
Nearby, Mr. Big immediately and tactfully turned away, pretending to continue polishing his already spotless bar counter.
After all, seeing no evil was the most basic professional quality of a top-tier subordinate.
...
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