No earth-shattering explosion. Just an instant of perfect silence.
Then a formless shockwave erupted, pushing Terry and Mai back two steps!
At the epicenter, Cloud flew backward as if struck by a train.
A spray of blood arced through the air as he slammed into the wall and crumpled to the ground.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Mission complete: Kyokugenryu's "Tiny Bit" of Shock!]
[Mission rewards distributed: Source Points ×15,000, Special Item "Dragon-Tiger Spirit (Faint)" ×1, Ryo Sakazaki Affection +30.]
[Ding! Detected Host attempting to plunder target "Ryo Sakazaki"... Target's power level too high, will as hard as steel... Plunder failed!]
Hearing the system's notification, Cloud managed a bitter smile.
As expected—trying to steal from a boss like Ryo was way too naive.
Then he blacked out.
Ryo Sakazaki, meanwhile, stood exactly where he'd been. He hadn't moved an inch.
He slowly lowered his fist, looking at his slightly reddened knuckles, and smiled with genuine approval.
"Ten minutes... reached."
...
When Cloud regained consciousness, he found himself lying in the dojo's recovery room, his body already bandaged.
The first thing he saw wasn't the plain ceiling or some muscle-bound guy staring down at him with concern.
It was a pair of large, curious, sparkling eyes—black as obsidian.
Those eyes belonged to a girl who looked about sixteen or seventeen, with a neat brown ponytail.
She wore a crisp white gi with a red belt, her entire being radiating summer-sunflower levels of energy and vitality.
Her face still had traces of baby fat, giving her a youthful innocence, but her pert nose and delicate lips already hinted at the stunning beauty she'd become.
At this moment, she was propped on her elbows at Cloud's bedside, chin resting on one hand, head tilted, studying him like a curious kitten examining something fascinating.
"Yay! You're awake!"
When she saw Cloud open his eyes, she didn't shy away at all. Instead, her eyes lit up with a smile so bright it could melt glaciers.
"Hi there! I'm Yuri Sakazaki! Are you the super~ amazing guy who lasted ten whole minutes against my brother?"
Her voice was crisp and pleasant as wind chimes, overflowing with friendly enthusiasm.
Yuri Sakazaki?
Cloud's brain short-circuited for half a second.
He looked at this energetic, youthful face and instantly matched it to the classic female fighter from the games.
The princess of Kyokugenryu. Ryo Sakazaki's precious little sister. Robert Garcia's dream girl.
Yuri Sakazaki!
Who knew this "near-death experience" would come with such an unexpected bonus?
Just as Cloud was about to respond to this bundle of energy, his system chimed in dutifully.
[Ding! High-potential "Bond" target detected: Yuri Sakazaki!]
[Generating character profile...]
[Name: Yuri Sakazaki]
[Title: The Swallow of Kyokugenryu]
[Combat Rating: B- (High potential, but lacks real combat experience)]
[Charm Rating: S+ (Energetic girl in her prime, high growth potential)]
[Bond Potential: S+ (Premium cabbage not yet claimed by any pig)]
[Hint: Establishing a deep bond with high-potential targets may yield unexpectedly generous rewards!]
[Affection System activated!]
[Target: Yuri Sakazaki]
[Current Affection: +20 (Curiosity and admiration for the strong)]
Cloud stared at the system's note—"Premium cabbage not yet claimed by any pig"—and his mouth twitched violently.
System, I'm pretty sure you're taking shots at a certain rich Italian pretty-boy, and I have evidence!
"Hello? Earth to you? Did my brother punch you stupid?" Yuri waved her small, pale hand in front of Cloud's face.
"I heard the guys in the dojo say you took my brother's Haoh Shoukou Ken head-on and survived! Is your body made of iron or something?"
Her tone was full of amazement and admiration.
"Cough cough..." Cloud snapped back to reality, trying to sit up, but the pain throughout his body made him grimace and flop back down.
"Oh no, don't move!" Yuri quickly steadied him, concern written all over her young face.
"The doctor said you just have severe muscle strain and a mild concussion—not a single broken bone! My brother said your bones are tougher than his wooden training dummy!"
Cloud: "..."
Thanks. What a powerful compliment.
"I'll live." Cloud managed a smile more pitiful than crying, then looked at the earnest face before him and felt his mood lift somewhat.
"I'm Cloud. Nice to meet you, Yuri."
"Just call me Yuri!" She waved dismissively with zero pretense, then produced a bowl of something steaming from the bedside table like she was presenting a treasure.
"Here! I made this 'Energy Recovery Soup' just for you! It's got tons of rare herbs in it. Drink it and you'll be... uh... healthy and strong, immune to all diseases!"
Even as she said it, she stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
Cloud looked at the bowl's contents—an ominous purple liquid with mysterious herbs floating in it, giving off the distinct aura of a "magic potion"—and fell into deep contemplation.
This thing... am I sure I won't die on the spot if I drink it?
[System Alert: Unknown substance detected. Composition complex. Preliminary analysis indicates presence of: "Ban Lan Gen," "Mint leaves," "Wild mushrooms," and trace amounts of "dish soap residue"... Host is advised to consume with extreme caution.]
D-dish soap?!
Cloud's face went green.
Girl, are you trying to heal me or give me a stomach pump?!