Yes. In South Town, where fighters walked the streets like regular people...
Cloud—the man who defeated Billy Kane, the man who made Mai Shiranui and Yuri Sakazaki fight over him, the man who had awakened Absolute Domain...
...turned out to be a lonely bachelor with no friends.
Terry and Andy were teaming up with Joe Higashi to form the "Fatal Fury Team." Maximum nostalgia. Impossible to break up.
Ryo and Robert were bringing Takuma Sakazaki to form the "Kyokugenryu Family Squad." A family operation—outsiders not welcome.
Mai and Yuri were forming the "Women Fighters Team" with King, ready to showcase feminine power and charm.
Cloud counted on his fingers and sadly realized that every strong fighter he knew already had their "slot filled."
And him? He was like the last guy picked in gym class. A "leftover bachelor" that nobody wanted.
Now he finally understood why Kyo Kusanagi ended up with Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon—two guys whose vibes didn't match his at all—in KOF 94.
Turns out young master Kyo was forced into it too! Finding teammates was just that hard!
After seeing off Mai and Yuri, Cloud sprawled lifelessly across his leather couch.
"System, I feel isolated," he said, dead inside. "Should I be reflecting on my social skills?"
"You think if I went to South Town's job market and held up a sign that said 'Looking for KOF teammates, room and board included, guaranteed wins, requirements: strong skills, good personality, low maintenance'... would that work?"
[Host, according to System analysis, your success rate would be 0.01%. Additionally, there is a 99.99% probability you would be mistaken for a scammer and captured by Geese's men for... experimentation.]
"...Can't you just comfort me a little?"
[Affirmative, Host. 'There are plenty of fish in the sea, why fixate on one flower?' If all else fails, you could consider Heavy D! or Lucky Glauber. They should also need teammates right now.]
"Get lost!"
After trading barbs with his smartass System for a while, Cloud calmed down.
He knew finding teammates on his own was no longer realistic.
Any fighter with a decent reputation in South Town was either part of an existing circle or already claimed by the major gangs.
As an "outsider," finding two teammates who were strong enough and trustworthy in such a short time was virtually impossible.
[Host, please don't sell yourself short. According to System analysis, you have simply developed all potential teammates into romantic interests... or into the fathers/brothers of romantic interests, making team formation exceptionally complicated.]
"...Thanks. That's even more depressing than no comfort at all."
Cloud sighed.
Was his first KOF journey really going to be stillborn because he couldn't gather three people?
That would be an absolute disgrace to transmigrators everywhere!
[Ding! Strong team formation desire detected. System Shop performing limited-time refresh of special item—'Temporary Teammate Summoning Card (In-World Limited Edition)' x2.]
[Item Description: Upon use, you may summon two temporary teammates from across the myriad dimensions based on your specified requirements (currently limited to low-martial and mid-martial worlds with similar world views). They will assist Host in completing this KOF tournament.]
[Note: Teammate loyalty is 100%. They will automatically return after the tournament ends, with no karmic entanglements. All interpretation rights belong to the System. No refunds or exchanges for whoever you pull.]
Cloud's eyes lit up instantly!
Cross-dimensional recruiting?!
This was possible?!
"System, you're basically my second set of parents!" Cloud leaped off the couch in excitement. "Quick! Exchange them! Both of them!"
['Temporary Teammate Summoning Card' x2 exchanged. 40,000 Source Points deducted.]
Watching his wallet deflate instantly, Cloud felt zero regret.
This investment was guaranteed profit!
[Host, as this is your first purchase of this item type, you receive one complimentary 'Teammate Reroll' opportunity. If dissatisfied with your first summon, you may resummon once for free.]
"Oh? A safety net?" Cloud's eyes gleamed.
With this guarantee, he could take some risks!
He took a deep breath and gathered every "lucky" object he could find in the villa.
Mai's red fan that she'd "accidentally" left behind. Yuri's good luck charm. Even a crucifix supposedly blessed by the Pope that he'd mooched off Robert.
Then he showered, changed clothes, lit incense, and prayed—maximum ritual vibes.
"System, activate the summoning card!"
[Ding! 'Temporary Teammate Summoning Card' activated! Searching for fighters matching criteria in current world...]
[Search Range: Global]
[Filter Criteria: Power rating B or above, no fixed team, not a wanted criminal...]
[127 individuals match criteria. Initiating random selection...]
A massive virtual card materialized before Cloud. Its back displayed a mysterious 'R' pattern, spinning rapidly.
Cloud's heart leaped into his throat.
"Please not Heavy D!, please not Lucky Glauber..." He pressed his palms together, muttering under his breath.
The card's rotation gradually slowed.
Light flickered. Two silhouettes began to materialize.
The first figure was a burly, muscular man with wild red hair.
He wore a basketball jersey, his eyes arrogant and untamed, radiating the wild energy of American street ball culture.
[Summon Successful! First Teammate: Heavy D!]
[Power Rating: C]
[Character Profile: Former professional boxer, banned for crippling an opponent. Hot-tempered personality. Specializes in combining boxing with street fighting.]
Cloud: "..."
A boxer? Okay. At least he's a legitimate fighter.
The power rating was a bit low, but... manageable.
He turned his gaze to the second figure.
This man was equally tall but even more massive than Heavy D!
He wore full American football gear—pads, helmet, the works—only his sharp, intense eyes visible. The guy looked like a moving wall.
[Summon Successful! Second Teammate: Lucky Glauber]
[Power Rating: C]
[Character Profile: Former professional karate practitioner and football player. Specializes in combining karate with football tackling techniques. Extremely high impact force.]
Cloud stared at his two freshly-minted teammates and fell into a long silence.
A boxer and a football player...
System, are you sure I summoned fighters and not the American Olympic team?!
These two were literally the other members of KOF 94's USA Sports Team! Total cannon fodder NPCs in the original game!