Cloud's Private Observation Room, KOF Mansion
This was the mansion's core. The walls displayed countless holographic screens formed from Dimensional Power, showing space-time data streams from every corner of Earth.
Ever since detecting that "massive consciousness" observing the world, Cloud had set up the highest-level early warning system here. Any abnormal space-time fluctuation couldn't escape his eyes.
And just now, the system's alarm had triggered.
Beep beep beep—
Amid the piercing alarm, dozens of red dots lit up across the global map in rapid succession. Each represented an energy anomaly point.
For the first time, Cloud's expression became truly grave.
He extended his hand, lightly tapping the air.
Surveillance footage from South Town's abandoned building was pulled up. After processing through NESTS Technology's ultra-resolution analysis, the energy waveform left behind by Rugal's energy form before dissipation was perfectly captured.
He then pulled up fluctuation data from the European castle, Japanese mountains, and other locations.
[System analyzing...]
[Comparing global energy anomaly data... All anomalous energy forms share the following characteristics:]
[1. All are individuals who have died or been destroyed.]
[2. Existence form: soul fragments or aggregates of intense memories.]
[3. All energy sources point to the same unknown space-time coordinate... Codename: The Other Shore.]
Cloud looked at the analysis results, his gaze turning cold.
He finally understood what was happening.
It was like a highly skilled fisherman sitting by a river called "The Other Shore."
He cast his line, the hook piercing through space-time barriers, extending into the KOF world's "River Styx," and one by one "fishing up" the soul fragments of those who had once stirred bloody storms.
These retrieved soul fragments were given temporary energy forms and released back into the mortal world. They were like stones the "angler" tossed out—both testing this world's defensive strength and heralding the return of former powerhouses.
"Quite the interesting technique," Cloud murmured. "Using these bosses' returns to create chaos, making the entire world's energy field more unstable. That way, the fragile space-time barriers will develop more cracks, making it easier for you—the big fish hiding behind the scenes—to personally enter the stage?"
He was almost certain: this "angler" at The Other Shore was definitely connected to the "massive consciousness" observing the world.
KOF XIV tournament, Antonov, Shun'ei, Verse, returning dead...
All seemingly unrelated clues were being strung together by an invisible thread in Cloud's mind.
Everything was a grand prelude.
A prelude to completely tear this world's space-time barriers and welcome some terrifying existence's descent!
"The calm before the storm."
Cloud shut down all screens, plunging the observation room back into darkness.
He turned and left the room. The grave expression on his face had vanished, replaced by that familiar, lazy smile everyone knew.
...
In the living room, the three members of Team Slacking Spectators were engaged in heated discussion about their semifinal opponent.
"I hope we face a team of handsome guys! That would be much more pleasant to fight~" Shermie cupped her cheeks, looking lovestruck.
"I hope we face the South Town team! I heard their ice cream has really unique flavors!" Kula's eyes held only food.
Cloud walked over smiling, ruffling both their heads.
"Stop guessing. Our semifinal opponent's already been decided."
"Who?" Both asked in unison.
Cloud picked up the bracket sheet from the table, glanced at it, then spoke in a casual tone as if discussing dinner plans:
"China Team. The one with the Husky kid."
His gaze seemed to pierce through the mansion walls, as if seeing the distant Shun'ei.
Since the "key" had appeared, and The Other Shore's angler had already cast his net, it was time to personally touch this crucial key and see just what kind of "door" it could open.
The slacking vacation ends here.
Next up: God's game time.
...
The Semifinal Match
Team Slacking Spectators versus China Team was arguably the most "mind-boggling" match of the entire KOF XIV tournament.
Round One: Kula vs. Chin Gentsai
The starting whistle had barely sounded when Kula pulled an oversized rainbow lollipop from her pocket dimension, blinking at Chin Gentsai. "Old grandpa, if you eat this, we can call it a draw, okay?"
Chin Gentsai looked at the lollipop—larger than his wine gourd—then at Kula's innocent eyes. He stroked his beard and burst out laughing. "Good! What an excellent 'subduing enemies without fighting'! Young lady, your candy-coated strategy is even more profound than my Drunken Fist! I surrender!"
And so Chin Gentsai happily walked off stage with his lollipop, even showing off his "war trophy" to Meitenkun.
Round Two: Shermie vs. Meitenkun
The sleepy-fist youth shuffled onto the stage hugging his pillow, drowsily trying to assume his starting stance, when he heard a gasp from his opponent.
"Oh my god! Little cutie, that pillow... is that velvet? Or 800-thread-count sateen?" Shermie's eyes sparkled like Columbus discovering the New World. "Look at that stitching, that embroidery... It's a work of art! Can I touch it?"
Meitenkun froze, instinctively handing the pillow over.
Shermie accepted it like receiving a treasure, sniffing and nuzzling it, her face showing utter bliss. "Ahh~ This texture, this fluffiness... This is it! Inspiration for my next season's 'Sleeping Beauty' collection!"
Then, clutching the pillow, she sat down right there at the edge of the ring, pulled out a notebook, and began frantically sketching designs while muttering: "High collar design, cinched waist, lace trim..."
Meitenkun looked at his empty hands, then at Shermie who had entered "creative frenzy mode," rubbed his eyes, yawned, and lay down on the spot... falling asleep.
The referee: "..."
The audience: "..."
Antonov, watching through VIP room monitors, was slack-jawed: "Is this... the world of the strong? Using a pillow to complete a spiritual-level exchange? I understand now! When masters clash, they've reached the realm of enlightenment!"
...
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