Then she saw this scene:
A Shadaloo grunt was kneeling before a young man in casual clothes, kowtowing frantically like he was pecking grain.
Meanwhile, the man stood there with an air of complete nonchalance, as if he'd just accepted a subordinate's "tribute."
In Chun-Li's justice-loving brain, a scene instantly materialized: "Criminal boss deal caught red-handed!"
"So that's how it is! You're working together!" Chun-Li's pretty face turned frosty, beautiful eyes blazing with righteous fury. "I wondered how he was running so fast—turns out someone was here to receive him!"
Cloud froze, about to explain, when he saw Chun-Li had already assumed a standard attack stance.
"Take this! Kikoken!"
She pressed her palms together and thrust forward! A blue energy sphere composed of pure "ki" howled toward Cloud!
What the—! Starting a fight without a word? Quite the hothead.
Cloud shook his head. Facing this classic "projectile" from the games, he didn't even bother dodging.
He simply raised his right hand and made a grasping motion toward the incoming Kikoken.
An invisible suction force emanated from his palm.
The energy sphere that had been surging toward him with such momentum stuttered in midair, then—before everyone's eyes—began shrinking and dissolving, finally transforming into pure energy particles that Cloud absorbed into his body.
[Ding! Unknown energy detected. Analyzing... Analysis complete!]
[Energy Name: Ki]
[Energy Properties: A higher-order energy refined from one's own life force through rigorous physical and mental training. Can be used to strengthen the body, project attacks externally, heal injuries, and more. Shares the same origin as the "ki" of the KOF world, but its application methods are more refined and versatile.]
[Congratulations, Host, on gaining preliminary mastery of ki application methods.]
"Oh? So that's how it works." Cloud felt the absorbed energy within him—gentle yet pure—and understood.
This "ki" was far more refined than Haohmaru's straightforward sword-ki that relied purely on brute force. It was more like an "energy clay" that could be shaped at will—enormous potential.
However, while his "learning" was complete, Chun-Li was utterly stunned.
Her beautiful eyes had gone perfectly round, her small mouth slightly open—wide enough to fit an egg.
What had she just witnessed?
Her prized Kikoken had been... "eaten" by her opponent?
This wasn't scientific!
This wasn't fighting!
This was straight-up magic!
"What... what are you exactly?!" Chun-Li's voice was full of shock and wariness.
"I told you, I'm just a passing ordinary citizen." Cloud spread his hands, the picture of innocence.
"An ordinary citizen who can catch my Kikoken bare-handed? Who are you trying to fool!" Chun-Li clearly wasn't buying it.
She took a deep breath, her gaze growing even sharper. "I don't care who you are—if you're in league with Shadaloo, you're my enemy!"
"Witness the power of Chinese martial arts!"
She let out a sharp cry, her form flickering like a butterfly through flowers as she instantly closed the distance!
"Spinning Bird Kick!"
A gorgeous aerial spinning kick, accompanied by a sharp whistle of wind, aimed straight for Cloud's head!
"Nice speed, good power. Too bad the footwork is too unstable."
Cloud advanced instead of retreating, tilting his body at the smallest possible angle to narrowly dodge the kick.
At the same time, he extended his index finger and lightly tapped the back of Chun-Li's supporting leg's knee.
"Reverse Style: Yumebiki."
Chun-Li felt her knee go numb. A clever force transferred through, and she instantly lost her balance, her entire body toppling forward uncontrollably.
"Ah!" She let out a cry of surprise, about to faceplant into the ground.
At that moment, a strong arm wrapped around her slender waist and steadied her in an embrace.
A fresh, distinctly masculine scent reached her nose.
A teasing whisper sounded in her ear.
"Officer, throwing yourself into my arms doesn't have to be this eager, does it? We've only just met."
"You...!"
Chun-Li's face flushed crimson in an instant!
In all her life, she had never had such intimate contact with a man!
Embarrassed and furious, without thinking, she twisted her waist and whipped her other leg toward Cloud's lower body like a striking viper!
"Watch the leg!"
"More?" Cloud laughed.
Still holding Chun-Li, he leaned his body back like a roly-poly toy, using an impossible iron bridge stance to dodge this kick as well.
At the same time, the hand around her waist slid upward and lightly patted her back.
A spiral of penetrating force entered her body!
Chun-Li felt an irresistible power "push" her entire being away.
She flipped several times in the air before barely managing to land, but still stumbled back several steps before steadying herself.
She looked down at herself—completely unharmed.
But in her heart, waves even greater than when her Kikoken was absorbed crashed through her!
Those few exchanges had happened in the blink of an eye!
Her opponent had countless opportunities to seriously injure her, yet every strike was perfectly restrained—he'd even protected her in the critical moment!
His techniques were unlike anything she had ever heard of or seen! Sometimes fluid and unpredictable, sometimes fierce and dominating!
He was like a martial arts grandmaster, casually deploying fighting techniques from various schools with consummate mastery!
Most terrifying of all—from start to finish, that annoying smile of effortless control never left his face!
He... he hadn't even considered her an opponent! He was... playing!
"Who... who are you, really?" Chun-Li's voice had lost its earlier anger, leaving only deep shock and confusion.
"I've said it three times now—my name is Cloud, just a passerby." Cloud dusted off his hands. "You, on the other hand, Officer. First meeting and you're already screaming about fighting and killing, randomly slapping labels on people. Is this how all Interpol agents greet visitors?"
"I..." Chun-Li was momentarily speechless.
Thinking back, she had indeed jumped to conclusions and misunderstood him.
Moreover, his strength was absurdly overwhelming. If he really were Shadaloo, she would probably already be...
At this thought, her cheeks couldn't help burning again.
...
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