It was a dark and windy night—perfect for murder and arson.
As midnight deepened, two figures once again appeared at the entrance of the Shiranui Dojo.
Having used recovery items to restore themselves to peak condition, Wind and Earth returned, their expressions grim. Wind's features, usually handsome, were twisted with rage, his eyes blazing with fury.
As a rising star of his team, with a high-ranking adventurer as his brother, Wind's journey had always been smooth sailing. He had cleared seven worlds in a row without suffering even a single setback.
Equipped with powerful items from his team, accompanied by two formidable allies, and bolstered by advanced skills, Wind had even unlocked an incomplete version of the Orochi Bloodline.
At this level, he wasn't just an elite among low-tier adventurers but even a threat to many in the mid-tier ranks.
Yet here, in the Shiranui Dojo, he had almost died.
If not for his teammate's timely intervention, teleporting him to safety, Wind knew he would have perished at the hands of these so-called "low-level" fighters.
This humiliation was unbearable.
Now, with his injuries healed and confirmation from Earth's innate abilities that the enemies had not fled, Wind had returned to finish the job.
As the two of them strode into the courtyard, Wind frowned at the eerie silence.
Soon, his sharp eyes caught sight of three figures waiting in the shadows.
At the center of the dojo's entrance stood Mai Shiranui, her white mourning robes flowing in the breeze. Her expression was as cold as the night itself.
Dressed in white, Mai looked even more stunning, her exquisite figure only accentuated by the somber attire.
To her right was Mary, leaning casually against a wall. Despite the limp from her injured leg, she stood firm in her leather jacket, arms crossed defiantly.
Mary's beloved dog, now hidden to avoid the chaos of battle, was noticeably absent.
Seated between them was Qin Ming, his broad frame radiating tension even as he remained still.
When Wind's eyes landed on the trio, he sneered.
"So, you knew we'd come for you, yet you didn't run? Instead, you wait for us like lambs to the slaughter. Brave—or just stupid."
At his taunt, Qin Ming slowly rose, brushing dirt from his palms.
"Run? I thought you wouldn't dare come back," he said, his voice calm but sharp.
Wind's grin widened as he stretched his shoulders, his movements deliberate and relaxed.
"'Dare'? You think we'd run from cripples and a lone fool? Adventurers recover fast. Your kind doesn't. Do you even understand what you're up against?"
Turning his head slightly, he chuckled, "But fine. You decide. How do you want to die?"
Ignoring the threat, Qin Ming stepped forward, his posture straightening as he pointed directly at Wind.
"You and me. Tonight, we end this."
Wind's eye twitched at the gesture, and his grin became a snarl.
"I hate it when people point at me!"
With a boom, a gust of wind surged, and Wind vanished.
In an instant, he reappeared in front of Qin Ming. Ducking under a Sonic Blade, he delivered a fierce kick to Qin Ming's chest, sending him skidding backward.
"Your speed is pathetic! What makes you think you can fight me?"
Wind vanished again, his Ice River ability allowing him to reappear behind Qin Ming, claws raking across his back and leaving three bloody gashes.
In the distance, Earth shook his head at the sight of the fight. With a heavy sigh, he bumped his fists together and advanced toward Mai and Mary.
Despite their injuries, the two women carried the presence of experienced fighters.
Earth knew better than to underestimate them. Even with Mary limping and Mai emotionally drained, plot characters had attributes that could overwhelm anyone who let their guard down.
But they didn't need to win; they just had to survive long enough for Wind to kill Qin Ming.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming was struggling.
Wind's agility was overwhelming, his movements a blur as he darted in and out of range. Qin Ming's Sonic Blades couldn't land, and his powerful strikes sliced through empty air.
Wind, empowered by the Ice River skill, moved with inhuman speed, a technique ranked among the King of Fighters world's strongest displacements. Faster than the eye could follow, it was second only to Athena's teleportation and Iori Yagami's ghost step.
After taking hit after hit, Qin Ming's eyes suddenly narrowed. Rolling backward, he retreated into a narrow alley between two buildings.
Wind paused, his smirk faltering.
The alley was barely a meter wide, its tight confines a sharp contrast to the open courtyard. Here, his speed would be limited.
For a moment, Wind hesitated, but then he saw Qin Ming gesture with his middle finger, his expression mocking.
"Come on, Flea! You scared?"
Wind's anger flared, his grin returning.
"You think this terrain only benefits you?"
With a flash of wind, he disappeared and reappeared in the alley, his body pressed against the walls.
Balancing effortlessly between the walls, Wind looked down at Qin Ming, his face twisted with glee.
"In a place like this, with footholds everywhere, I only get faster!"
(End of Chapter)