Infinity, The Arcade Age-Chapter 376: Double Agent

There were quite a few guests at the Kagura household today. Along with the trio of Mai Shiranui, Yuri Sakazaki—who was both a rival and a bubbly friend—had also shown up. All these female fighters had gathered for one purpose: to celebrate Mai Shiranui's birthday.

As for why the party was being held at the Kagura residence? Well, it's simple—rob from the rich. After all, the Kaguras had money to burn.

But now, this birthday party had two uninvited guests: Kasamoto Eri and Qin Ming.

What's more, the birthday girl herself—Mai Shiranui—had just publicly delivered a fierce beatdown on her junior disciple, all as part of the entertainment program.

Having taken a senseless beating just for gifting a hand grenade, Qin Ming was now sitting in a corner, expressionless, staring blankly ahead.

Meanwhile, Mai Shiranui and the others were gathered together, drinking and chatting, partying with no end in sight.

The most infuriating part? Kasamoto Eri had seamlessly blended into the group—again—and was getting along famously.

Watching her swim through social circles like a fish in water, Qin Ming was baffled! Why could this woman fit in no matter where she went? Any group, any time—she just meshed perfectly!

And that hand grenade? She was the one who gave it to him! So why did Mai beat only him and not her?

Feeling isolated, Qin Ming sat there like a lonely shadow.

Just then, as he sipped on a glass of cola, the sound of footsteps approached. A woman came over and, without the slightest hesitation, sat right next to him.

It wasn't just any woman—it was Chizuru Kagura, who had just finished her conversation with Kyo Kusanagi.

Still dressed in casual wear, her figure—usually hidden beneath the loose-fitting traditional Kagura garb—was on full display.

Chizuru held a wine glass in her hand, smiling as she looked at Qin Ming and started the conversation.

"Your taste is certainly unique. Drinking cola at an occasion like this instead of alcohol."

Qin Ming replied instantly with a deadpan expression:

"I tried to drink, but Mai and Blue Mary ganged up on me and beat me back."

"...Ahem. So, you're the third disciple of the Shiranui Dojo, Qin Ming?"

"Technically, I'm the second. Blue Mary is third."

"Then, Mr. Qin Ming, you're currently working under Goenitz, correct?"

The moment those words left her mouth, Qin Ming's eyes sharpened. He snapped his head toward her.

Feeling his gaze, Chizuru remained smiling.

"Don't underestimate the Kagura family's intelligence network. You've already killed several of our people. Your presence has long been recorded. The only reason Goenitz dared send you on this mission is likely because you're already on our blacklist."

She took a sip of her wine, her gaze flickering.

"I've often heard Mai and Blue Mary mention you, but I didn't expect your abilities to be so impressive. Quite the surprise."

Her words earned a long look from Qin Ming.

"I have a question. How did you discover I'd infiltrated this place and lie in wait for me? Was there a mole?"

Chizuru shook her head.

"The Yata Mirror sensed me?"

She shook her head again.

"Your guards spotted me?"

Still shaking her head.

Three guesses, all wrong. Qin Ming's confusion only deepened.

"Then how did you know I was here?"

Chizuru turned to him with a smile, tapping her wine glass lightly against his cola bottle.

"Because we have security cameras."

"...F**k!"

Realizing the real reason his infiltration was blown, Qin Ming couldn't help cursing aloud.

Chizuru, now grinning even more brightly, looked at him and asked:

"Mr. Qin Ming, your relationship with Mai Shiranui is special. She's my friend—so why oppose me? If Orochi is truly revived, Mai and the others will die too. Could you really watch that happen?"

Qin Ming's eyes flickered. He took a deep breath, then spoke firmly:

"A general's triumph is built on bones and blood! I have no choice!"

"Even though they care deeply about you?"

"The first sword when stepping ashore—must strike down the one I care for!"

"Can't you just work for us instead?"

"A loyal subject serves no second master!"

"Whatever Goenitz promised you, I can give you too. In fact, I can double it."

"Empty words don't—wait, how much are we talking?"

Qin Ming—got bought off.

But not for money. He didn't care about money.

The reason he switched sides... was to protect Mai Shiranui and Blue Mary—his family! To protect the innocent! To save the world! For justice!

Yes! It was for freaking justice!

Now, both Goenitz and Chizuru Kagura were desperately recruiting allies.

Goenitz had assumed Qin Ming, having killed several Kagura agents, would be marked for death and thus unable to betray him.

But he never expected—Chizuru Kagura's methods were just as formidable.

Killing people? As long as her sister wasn't the target, at this critical juncture, she was willing to cooperate with anyone!

So just like that, Qin Ming, who was originally dispatched to carry out a mission, became a double agent, a two-faced operative.

Kagura Chizuru intended for Qin Ming to return and feed Goenitz false intel—specifically, that negotiations between the three sacred artifact families had completely fallen apart. This would lure him into revealing himself, allowing the trio to deliver a fatal strike.

Qin Ming accepted the mission. After all, what Chizuru was offering was too... No, it was the noble and sacred duty of saving the world!

Once he agreed to cooperate, Qin Ming—already a part of the villain faction—suddenly unlocked the title quests and exchange shop for the protagonist side!

[Title Quest 1: Sorry! I'm a Cop!]

[Mission Requirement: Assist Kagura Chizuru in luring Goenitz into a trap. Appear at the King of Fighters tournament and kill him.]

[Reward: Silver Title – Double Agent (Each time you enter a world, opposing title quests will unlock simultaneously with the main path).]

[Description: That's right! I'm the infamous double agent! Pangolin!]

[Title Quest 2: Cruel Hands to Wilted Flowers]

[Mission Requirement: Kill either Mature or Vice solo.]

[Reward: Silver Title – Lady Killer (Damage to female enemies doubled, but damage received from female attacks also doubled).]

[Description: From 80-year-old grannies to 8-year-old girls! All are targets!]

[Title Quest 3: The End of a Legend]

[Mission Requirement: Kill Goenitz, the Whirlwind of Breath, solo.]

[Reward: Gold Title – Godslayer (Gain 1 bonus free stat point for each boss defeated. Max of 5 per world).]

[Description: Today! With my indestructible body, I shall tear through your Whirlwind of Breath! From now on, I am legend!]

Two silver and one gold—same level as the villain side titles, and each more powerful than the last. But the difficulty... also climbed dramatically.

Especially the final one. Defeat Goenitz solo? What a joke! If Qin Ming were really that strong, would he need to team up with anyone at all? He'd already have steamrolled both sides by himself!

Besides the title quests, Qin Ming also checked the protagonist-side item exchange list—and instantly understood why the adventurers on this side fought like madmen.

The rewards were equally insane!

Yagami Bloodline! Kusanagi Bloodline! Kagura Bloodline! All ranked A-class!

There was even an abundance of high-level equipment. The Kusanagi Gloves Qin Ming had in his possession? Yup, they were for sale too.

But the most eye-catching of all—sitting right at the top of the exchange list—was an absurdly powerful item.

A legendary-grade consumable no less valuable than a divine fragment!

[Name: Orochi's Tail]

[Category: Consumable (Legendary Quality)]

[Effect: Upon use, grants a complete Heavenly Divine Clan Bloodline (None) and the ability to reincarnate. After death, escape Nightmare Space and revive in the King of Fighters world.]

[Description: A sliver of the tail severed during the sealing of Orochi, cut off at the cost of countless lives by the Three Sacred Artifact families. By fusing with it, one becomes a Heavenly Divine Clan member not tied to the Hakkesshu.]

[Exchange Requirement: Kill Goenitz and fully destroy the resurrection ritual.]

Orochi's Tail! Another legendary consumable! A priceless item that could help one escape the Nightmare Space!

With this kind of incentive, it's no wonder adventurers on the protagonist side fought like they were on steroids—bashing enemy brains out like their lives depended on it.

Staring at the legendary-grade item, Qin Ming's heartbeat quickened—he was getting the itch.

The reason he agreed to go undercover was actually quite simple. It was just a matter of investing in both sides.

If the protagonist faction gained the upper hand, he'd help them.

If Goenitz came out on top, then he'd switch and assist Goenitz.

Sure, when he turns on someone, he's an undercover agent—but if he doesn't flip, who could say for certain he was ever undercover?

Whether it was rewards from the protagonist side or Goenitz's side, Qin Ming was set to profit either way!

Before he knew it, it was already the next morning. The highly anticipated King of Fighters Tournament resumed once more.

And this time—it was the finals: the ultimate showdown among 24 teams.

Qin Ming had already returned and reported back, telling Goenitz that the negotiations between Kagura Chizuru and Kyo Kusanagi had indeed collapsed. As a result, he was awarded a whopping 3000 contribution points.

Goenitz chose to believe him.

After all, judging by the way Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami glared at each other, practically itching to strangle the other on sight, it was clear there was no love lost between them—definitely not the look of successful collaboration.

Not to mention, Chizuru even helped sell the act by kicking Kyo out of the estate in front of everyone.

So, quite pleased with Qin Ming's performance, Goenitz assigned him a new mission: participate in the tournament and cripple as many opponents as possible in the ring.

Every fighter taken out now meant one less problem in the final battle. Goenitz even issued an open directive: adventurers were to hunt down and eliminate the strongest fighters.

Meanwhile, Kagura Chizuru was trying to rally true powerhouses—unite enough strength to stop Goenitz from breaking the seal. But she didn't want too many casualties either.

That's why she aimed to eliminate the weak through tournament elimination rounds.

Goenitz, on the other hand, sought to eliminate the strong through those same rounds—so he could gain the upper hand in the final battle.

Different end goals—but an oddly aligned strategy.

What? Why didn't Goenitz just take out the Three Sacred Artifact members now, while the others hadn't yet assembled?

Because he was scared! If he showed up too soon, Chizuru might slap a bounty on him!

And that woman's loaded! If she suddenly dropped tens of millions of dollars on his head, Goenitz might end up getting jumped by every fighter in the tournament!

Which goes to show—sometimes, money really can do anything.

On one side: minimizing casualties. On the other: fearing a numbers disadvantage. Both factions watched the King of Fighters Tournament unfold from the shadows, sending their operatives to quietly eliminate opponents behind the scenes.

And in this strange, tension-filled atmosphere—the first finals match began!

Team Todoh vs. Team Fatal Fury—officially underway! ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

(End of Chapter)