Infinity, The Arcade Age

In the dimly lit hall, a group of adventurers sat in silence, their expressions grim as they focused on the blindfolded woman standing at the center. Her demeanor was calm, her face betraying no emotion.

The room stayed quiet for a long while before a man seated at the front finally broke the silence.

"So, you're saying Wind and Earth are dead? After all the resources the squad poured into them, after all the effort we put into grooming them, they're gone just like that?"

The blindfolded woman nodded slightly, her voice steady and unwavering.

"Yes, I can confirm their deaths. My KOF Invitation state has been canceled. Neither of them made it back."

"Who killed them? Was it a high-level adventurer using special tools to enter a low-tier mission area?"

"I cannot say for certain. What I do know is that all six newcomers died, and when we arrived to intervene, Wind and Earth were also eliminated. The opponent was strong."

"Your skill is unique. Can you pinpoint that individual's exact location?"

"I've explained before—my innate ability doesn't work in the real world. However, I've locked onto his aura during the mission. I can lead people into a mission world to hunt him down whenever necessary."

After a brief pause, she raised her head to add, "I cannot confirm if Wind and Earth were killed by the adventurer or by a plot character. At the time, the opponent's aura felt extremely weak, indicating they shouldn't have been able to fight. Yet Wind and Earth were still swiftly dealt with. I suspect it was the work of a top-tier plot character rather than a hostile adventurer. The target may not be as formidable as expected."

Her words brought another heavy silence to the room.

The higher-ups of the King of Fighters squad frowned, deep in thought.

They debated whether pursuing this matter was worth the effort. Frankly, they weren't eager to escalate the conflict with another adventurer. The situation was born of a clash of interests, not direct hostility.

After this encounter, it was unlikely they'd ever cross paths again unless one party sought trouble. Winning wouldn't bring any tangible benefits, while losing could cost them resources and manpower. Why pursue such a fight when it offered no gain?

As the room wrestled with indecision, a low, gruff voice suddenly broke the stalemate.

"I'll handle this myself. There's no need to trouble the rest of you."

The adventurers turned to the corner, where a large man with a sullen expression stepped forward.

"Ghost Flame, you're a high-level adventurer," one of the squad leaders said, frowning. "Using tools to chase a low-tier adventurer isn't worth the cost. It's a waste."

Ghost Flame, the burly adventurer, nodded curtly. "I understand. That's why I don't plan to go myself. Brothers, my brother's death is my burden to bear. However, I'd like to request something from the squad—a single arcade coin."

"An arcade coin? You're planning to revive your brother?"

"Yes."

"His talent was exceptional—he was a promising seed worth nurturing. But the value of an arcade coin..."

"Consider it a favor. If any of you need my help in the future, I'll be at your disposal."

The leaders exchanged glances, their expressions contemplative. After a long pause, they finally nodded.

"Alright. Retrieve it from the warehouse. This matter is now yours to settle. Make it quick."

Ghost Flame nodded sharply, his face darkening as he turned to leave. By the time he exited, his expression had twisted into a mask of rage.

Unaware that he was being targeted, Qin Ming carried on as usual. Even if he had known, he couldn't have done much about it. He'd spent all his points and resources, leaving no room for additional preparation.

For him, it was simple: deal with the enemy as they came, one step at a time.

Over the next month, Qin Ming split his time between rest, gaming, and testing his basic combat abilities.

If his C-level basic skills had made him akin to a top-tier soldier, his current B-level basics elevated him to the level of a true martial arts master.

His combat style, shaped by military training, was built around three core principles: speed, precision, and lethality.

Whether using firearms, fighting unarmed, or wielding weapons, he focused on targeting vital points with ruthless efficiency. Every move was a killing blow.

His proficiency with short weapons—knives, claw blades, short swords, even entrenching tools—further reflected his military background.

Without considering attributes, Qin Ming believed his techniques could now match Mai Shiranui or Mary's. No longer would he be toyed with by the two women.

Of course, this confidence applied only if attributes were equal.

If both sides fought with full knowledge of each other's abilities, Mai Shiranui and Mary would still have the upper hand, especially given their speed and agility.

Qin Ming's combat capabilities were highly specialized, relying on close-quarters bursts of power. His Sonic Hand Knife forced enemies into melee, where his Essence Drain allowed him to siphon attributes and health.

In one moment, he was a 5'7" man; in the next, he could become a towering, muscular juggernaut, smashing enemies into submission.

This made Qin Ming's style devastating in an initial encounter, catching unprepared opponents off guard.

However, if an enemy knew his strategies in advance, his combat effectiveness dropped significantly. Against agile opponents like Mai Shiranui or Mary, he'd struggle to land a hit.

In unfamiliar circumstances, Qin Ming could rival top-tier third-rate fighters. But with his methods exposed, he ranked at the bottom of the same tier, his fluctuating combat prowess a glaring weakness.

One month later, Qin Ming returned to the Nightmare Space, ready to start his fifth mission.

As the white light engulfed him, he disappeared from the space, marking the beginning of his next adventure.

Meanwhile, in the King of Fighters squad's territory, Ghost Flame, now stone-faced, entered a mission world with the golden arcade coin clutched tightly in his hand.

Unlike Qin Ming's silver coin, which summoned plot characters, Ghost Flame's golden coin allowed him to revive a fallen adventurer within the mission world.

Insert coin, select character, and grant another life...

(End of Chapter)