Cloud watched the direction Mukai had fled but didn't pursue.
Because he knew Mukai was right.
This was only the beginning.
Through that single exchange of punches, Cloud had gained an entirely new understanding of both himself and the power of "Those From the Past."
Mukai's strength wasn't actually as formidable as Igniz at full power.
Igniz was purely "energy" overwhelming—numerical "crushing."
Mukai, however, excelled through the special nature of his "rules."
His "petrification" was a causality-level attack, extremely difficult to counter.
If Cloud's power hadn't already "exceeded the syllabus," anyone else—including his former self before activating the "Orochi cheat"—would have found it extremely troublesome.
"Rule-type power, huh?" Cloud sensed the power within him—now more active and restless after that punch, even showing signs of breaking through some "bottleneck"—his gaze becoming incomparably deep.
"Looks like I need to... quickly master my own rules."
He could feel it—the "inner demon tribulation" Chin Gentsai had warned about was right before his eyes.
He was just one final step away from that legendary "Cosmic Power."
"Chizuru." Cloud turned to address the "Three Sacred Treasure" inheritors, still shaken from the recent battle. "I'll leave things to you from here."
"I'm going to... enter seclusion for a while."
He knew that to combat Those From the Past—those unreasonable "whale players"—he too had to become an existence capable of "setting rules."
And now was the perfect time.
...
After using a simple "brute force miracle" punch to send "rule-type" big shot Mukai into an existential crisis at KOF 2003, Cloud deeply recognized a problem—his power system, while strong, was too "messy."
The Kusanagi style's explosiveness, the Yagami style's madness, the Kagura style's sealing, NESTS's black tech, the Hakkesshu's divine power... These forces were like a pile of premium ingredients.
Though each was a treasure, he'd thrown them all into one pot together. What came out was ultimately just an "ultimate deluxe Buddha Jumps Over the Wall," not a "Genesis Dish" that could truly define "flavor."
"It's time for a complete system reinstall."
After returning to his estate, Cloud announced a decision that made everyone's jaws drop—he was entering seclusion.
This left the harem worried yet slightly disappointed.
"Darling, you're going into seclusion again? What am I supposed to do at night~" Mai draped herself over him, eyes seductive, breath fragrant.
"Cloud, take care. We'll wait for your return." Chizuru was steady and considerate as always.
"Hmph, go ahead and seclude yourself. Just don't die in there." Angel maintained her tsundere façade.
And Kula simply hugged her little dolphin plushie, looking at him with those watery blue eyes, saying nothing—but her reluctance to part was more intense than any words could express.
After soothing these "sweet burdens," Cloud dove headfirst into his underground laboratory—more secure than the Pentagon—and began the most important and longest "version update" of his life.
"System." He sat cross-legged, his expression more serious than ever. "Begin. Conduct the most thorough disassembly, analysis, and reconstruction of all my powers."
"What I want is no longer simple power stacking, but a brand-new power system that belongs solely to me, Cloud—one capable of matching those rule-type players from Those From the Past!"
[Received! Host! Genesis Project initiated!]
[Conducting comprehensive scan of Host's internal energy composition... Scan complete!]
[Energy Composition Analysis:]
[1. Three Sacred Treasure Ancient Martial Arts (Kusanagi, Yagami, Kagura styles): 15%, Evaluation: Classics never go out of style, but have reached version ceiling.]
[2. NESTS Technology Path (genetic modification, energy battle suit tech): 10%, Evaluation: Great potential, but too dependent on external equipment, insufficient swagger.]
[3. Hakkesshu Divine Power (wind, thunder, lightning, earth, etc.): 25%, Evaluation: Elemental powers, comprehensive and practical, good filler material.]
[4. Orochi Origin Power: 30%, Evaluation: Top-tier divine power, possesses Will of Nothingness, unlimited potential, optimal blueprint for building new system!]
[5. Chaos Divine Bloodline: 20%, Evaluation: Host's core, possesses infinite growth potential and inclusivity, perfect vessel and CPU for new system!]
[System analysis complete! Building new power model based on existing data... Model building in progress...]
[Ding! Optimal evolution path has been planned!]
[System Recommendation: Use Chaos Divine Bloodline as foundation, Orochi Origin Power as framework blueprint, and integrate all other powers as "plugins" and "skins"!]
[Final Evolution Goal: Abandon human form, become the god itself! Directly... transform into Orochi!]
"Transform into Orochi?" Cloud raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to become that eight-headed thing. Too ugly."
[Please rest assured, Host! Becoming Orochi here doesn't refer to physical transformation, but... an upgrade in the essence of power!]
[You will still be you, but your every technique will possess divine authority approaching the level of laws, like Orochi's!]
[Simply put—you will have Cloud's handsome appearance with Orochi's powerful core! It's the Orochi-Cloud limited edition skin!]
"Oh? I like that!" Cloud's eyes lit up. "Sounds like installing an official cheat for my character! Let's do it!"
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"