The fighting competition of the highest standards, on the greatest scale in the world - "The King of Fighters." Two years after the destruction of NESTS, the King of Fighters tournament returns with a mysterious new sponsor. But in spite of all the hubbub, one veteran contestant after another made their intentions to enter the competition known. Upon verification that numerous well-known fighters had entered the competition, all media coverage of the event shifted into 24/7 overdrive. The KOF tournament developed into a social phenomenon and monopolized discussions around the world. Newspapers and magazines feature articles almost on a weekly basis while ersatz critics pounded their desks and made impassioned commentary on TV day after day about it. "There are many newcomers joining the tournament. One of them is Ash Crimson. What made their names more and more familiar via the Internet was, without doubt, a moment of uproar concerning this year's KOF. As both regulars and newcomers enter the arena, a sinister plot unfurls. Will these contestants be able to become the new stars capable of shaking up the KOF tournament, or maybe...?
The time has come. This year, the curtain rises once again.
