"Kyuu… Kyuu…" The strange sound echoed faintly in Natan's ears.
He slowly opened his eyes, and his gaze fell upon the figure of a young girl. She wore tight armor in black and violet, paired with a very short mini-dress. A gap revealed her midsection, while black gloves and boots completed her appearance. What was most surprising she wasn't wearing her glasses.
"Thank goodness… you're finally awake, Senpai," the girl said with relief in her voice.
Name: Mash Kyrielight
Class: Shielder
Gender: Female
Alignment: Lawful Good
Attribute: Man
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance A: A passive skill that nullifies spells of rank A or lower, regardless of their power. In practice, Servants are untouchable by modern magi.
Riding C: Can perfectly control animals and vehicles if they have received proper training and adjustments. However, cannot ride Phantasmal Species such as Monstrous Beasts.
Personal Skills:
Transient Wall of Snowflakes: Converts the user's willpower into physical defense, granting a defense buff to the entire team.
Obscurant Wall of Chalk: A defensive skill that grants Invincibility to one ally.
Shield of Rousing Resolution (Sealed): Temporarily increases defense and generates Taunt against enemies.
Stats:
Strength C | Endurance A | Agility D | Mana B | Luck C | Noble Phantasm B+++
Noble Phantasm (Anti-Evil, B+++ – Unawakened/Sealed):
Lord Camelot: Now is a Castle of Distant Ideals Summons a fortress of defense, with the shield's power equal to the strength of the user's will.
"It seems my choice was correct. A portion of that power is beginning to awaken... though it feels a bit too vulgar. If Peroroncino were here, this could be dangerous," Fujimaru's voice murmured, heavy and full of contemplation.
Fujimaru frowned, confusion creeping onto his face. "Mash?" he asked softly, as if searching for an anchor amidst the chaos.
Mash turned, her eyes flashing but still clouded with doubt. "I'll explain later. For now, stay behind me," she said, her voice firm yet hiding a hint of anxiety.
The sky suddenly trembled. A piercing sound split the air, followed by a blinding light piercing through the clouds. A projectile, like a spear of light, plummeted from the sky at a terrifying speed. The air hissed, the ground shook, and in an instant, the light dove toward Mash and Fujimaru.
With a reflex born of resolve, Mash raised her massive shield. The first impact sounded like a clap of thunder metal against light. But the attack was not solitary; a rain of projectiles followed immediately, battering the shield repeatedly. Every impact caused the surrounding ground to vanish, scorched and blasted away, leaving only a small protected circle beneath the shadow of the shield.
Mash gritted her teeth, her body trembling under the pressure. Light flickered across the shield's surface. Then, as if nature itself took a deep breath, the attack stopped. The sudden silence felt more terrifying than the previous thundering.
"The attack... stopped? It seems they've gone." Mash slowly lowered her shield, her breath still heavy.
Fujimaru muttered softly, "Those projectiles... they're as troublesome as Peroroncino's arrows."
"Good job, Mash," Fujimaru praised, clapping his hands lightly. His faint smile offered a bit of warmth amidst the raging fires.
Mash looked down, reflecting for a moment. "It turns out Fou joined the Rayshift with us..." Her voice sounded like a whisper carried by the hot wind.
As far as the eye could see, the world had turned into a sea of fire. Buildings collapsed like skeletal remains, and the sky was as red as an unhealing wound. "This doesn't match the data. There shouldn't have been a disaster in 2004. This mana density... it feels like we've been thrown back to the ancient Earth," Mash said, her eyes glinting as she surveyed the destruction.
Suddenly, a high-pitched scream broke the air. "Kyaaaa!!"
Fujimaru immediately stepped forward, his voice firm, "Come on, let's head toward the source of that voice!"
In the distance, a cry echoed, full of despair. "Why does this always happen to me? I can't take it anymore! Save me, Lev!"
Mash raised her shield. Skeletons rose from the dusty ground, their hollow eyes glowing dimly. With every swing, the shield smashed into their heads, the thud of metal against bone echoing like a death knell. One by one they fell until the path was cleared.
At the end of the ash-filled trail, a girl appeared exhausted, her body trembling. Mash stepped closer, the light of her shield still glowing.
"Are you hurt, Director Olga Marie?" Mash asked, checking the girl's condition.
Olga Marie, looking hesitant and angry, stood tall despite her exhaustion. "You two! Why did the Demi-Servant only succeed now? And you, why are you a Master? Only first-class magi are allowed to contract with Servants!" Olga Marie exploded in fury.
A familiar voice crackled through the communication device. "Finally connected! Hello? Is this the Chaldea Command Room? Can you hear me?"
"Fujimaru, Mash, are you caught in the Rayshift? Thank goodness you're safe." Dr. Roman's voice came through, sounding slightly distorted.
"Hah?! Why is it you, Romani?" Olga Marie interrupted irritably.
"Waahhh! Director, you're alive?" Dr. Roman's voice sounded panicked.
"What do you mean? Where is Lev? Why is the head of the medical department in control?" Olga Marie asked, her tone full of confusion.
"Dr. Lev was overseeing the command room. It's impossible for him to have survived that explosion. The reason I am in command is that there is no one else with a higher rank. Currently, there are fewer than 20 surviving staff members, including myself," Dr. Roman answered heavily.
"Impossible... Lev... No, forget that. What about the candidates in the coffins?" Olga Marie looked confused and anxious.
"47 people, all in critical condition. If left as they are..." Dr. Roman replied.
"Don't joke! Quickly activate Cryopreserve! The highest priority is not letting them die!" Olga Marie screamed.
"I'll handle it immediately!" Dr. Roman rushed off, trying to manage the situation.
"As long as they don't die, I can give an explanation later. I can't possibly carry the weight of 47 lives..." Olga Marie almost wept.
"That concludes my report. Chaldea has lost 80% of its effectiveness. Once external communication is restored, we will request supplies and rebuild Chaldea," Dr. Roman reported seriously.
"Good job, Romani Archaman. I don't like you, but until I return, you are in control of Chaldea. Repairing the Rayshift is the top priority. We will investigate Singularity F," Olga Marie replied, remaining calm despite the dire situation.
"I will investigate this Singularity F along with Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight," Olga Marie explained with confidence.
Dr. Roman paused for a moment, processing the explanation. "A Servant and a human merging... a Demi-Servant? So it finally worked? Does that Servant have a consciousness?" he asked, full of curiosity.
"No," Mash answered, "He gave his power and vanished. He left no name, so I don't know what Servant I possess or what Noble Phantasm I have. At this point, I don't even know much."
"Very well. I wish you the best. Please contact me for emergencies," Dr. Roman ended the conversation.
"Huh! Even if we send an SOS, no one is coming to save us," Olga Marie said, full of disbelief.
"Director?" Dr. Roman asked, seeing Olga Marie looking troubled.
"It's nothing, I'm cutting the connection. Do your job," Olga Marie answered without hesitation.
"Director, are you sure about this? There is also the option to wait for rescue," Mash asked, voicing her concern.
"I can't do that. This incident will surely draw protests from the Association. I can't return empty-handed. I'm sorry you two are stuck with me," Olga Marie said firmly, though there was clear tension in her eyes.
"The three of you, leave that place quickly! Enemies are approaching!" Dr. Roman interrupted, his voice full of urgency.
"What is that..." Olga Marie asked, her eyes blinking warily.
"There is a Servant here. Don't fight, Fujimaru, Mash! It's too early for you to face a Servant," Dr. Roman's warning came quickly.
"Do you think we can even escape from this place? Mash, prepare for battle! That is a Servant; you can do something, right?" Olga Marie said with resolve, though she seemed uneasy.
"Right, I will do my best!" Mash replied, determined to protect everyone.
A woman with long, flowing pink hair appeared, wearing tight black and purple clothing with high boots and arm guards. In both hands, she held chained daggers, with chains swirling around her body.
Natan immediately checked the woman's status using his class ability.
Name: Medusa
Class: Rider
Attribute: Earth
Gender: Female
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (B Rank): Originally a Greek goddess who turned into a monster, Medusa possesses very high Magic Resistance.
Riding (A+ Rank): All types of vehicles and all creatures up to the level of Phantasmal Beasts and Divine Beasts can be used as mounts. However, this does not apply to members of the Dragon Race.
Personal Skills:
Independent Action (C Rank): Since Medusa can also obtain mana by drinking blood, she can prey on humans as needed to extend her duration.
Mystic Eyes (A+ Rank): Medusa possesses the highest level of Mystic Eyes, Cybele. Capable petrify anyone with Mana rank C or below, and even those with Mana rank B can be petrified if caught off guard. Those with Mana rank A or higher will not be petrified but will feel 'pressure' from the Eyes and receive a one-rank drop in all parameters.
Monstrous Snake Metamorphosis (B Rank): Medusa has this skill due to her nature as a monster despite being a Heroic Spirit. This skill is absolutely necessary for Medusa, who does not fight with Noble Phantasms at close range. It has many uses with her chained daggers, such as forcibly dragging skewered opponents. However, the longer she is under its influence, the more she turns into the legendary Gorgon.
Divinity (E- Rank): Medusa was once a beautiful Goddess, so she originally had very high Divinity. However, because she later turned into a monster, she became an unusual figure with monster attributes that conflict with typical Heroic Spirits. Despite this, her Divine Spirit traits have mostly declined.
Stats:
Strength B | Endurance D | Agility A | Mana B | Luck E | NP A+
Noble Phantasms:
Bellerophon: Bridle of Chivalry (Anti-Army A+): A shining golden bridle and whip, a pair of artifacts capable of fully controlling Divine Beasts, and Medusa's strongest attack. A physical strike that crushes enemies through a super-charge.
Blood Fort Andromeda: Other-Seal, Blood Temple (Anti-Army B): A magic circle placed at specific points. People within the affected area experience a mild draining of their life force. If fully activated, ordinary humans without Magic Resistance dissolve instantly. Even Heroic Spirits lose life energy as long as they are inside the barrier.
"So much... mana..." Medusa's voice cracked and stammered, as if every word was a fragment of breath crushed by invisible pressure.
'Mana? She's lured by my mana?' Fujimaru or more accurately, Natan froze. He had suppressed his energy flow until nine-tenths of it vanished from the surface, yet that pulse still pierced through, detected by the Servants.
"Silent Magic: Fake Data: Mana." The spell slipped out quietly, like a whisper swallowed by the wind. A layer of illusion immediately enveloped his body, masking the pulse of power. But it was in vain his position was already etched in the battlefield. Shadows moved. Four other Servants appeared, their footsteps hitting the ground with a rhythm that made the air vibrate.
The second Servant was a muscular yet skeletal figure with dark skin. His face was covered by a white skull mask characteristic of a Hollow. His right arm was far larger than the other, wrapped in black bandages, while the other arm looked more human, wrapped in brown cloth at the bottom. He wore tattered black clothes with brown accents.
Name: Hassan of the Cursed Arm
Class: Assassin
Attribute: Man
Gender: Male
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Class Skills:
Presence Concealment (A+ Rank): The ability to hide one's presence as a Servant. At this rank, it is almost impossible to detect the user even by Servant perception. Efficiency drops once preparations to attack are made.
Personal Skills:
Throwing/Retrieval (A Rank): Extraordinary skill in throwing daggers. When thrown by him, daggers have destructive power equivalent to firearms.
Protection from Wind (A Rank): A curse inherited in the Middle East to ward off storms. With this power, Hassan can withstand and nullify wind-based attacks instantly.
Self-Modification (C Rank): The ability to reshape his own body or merge his flesh with that of others. He can seize hearts and incorporate them into himself.
Stats:
Strength B | Endurance C | Agility A | Mana C | Luck E | NP C
Noble Phantasm:
Zabaniya: Delusional Heartbeat (Anti-Unit C): Creates a shadow of the target's heart through a clump of ether. By crushing the fake heart, Hassan can destroy the real heart without touching it.
"Prey... Mana... Fresh..." Hassan's voice was bloodthirsty.
The third Servant was a muscular warrior standing barefoot. His head was wrapped in brown cloth, and he wore a sleeveless outfit with a red breastplate adorned with a large white circle in the center.
A yellow cloth was tied around his waist, and he wore tattered black Japanese hakama with a floral pattern. Both hands held large weapons: a polearm with a curved blade in his right hand and a double-edged axe in his left. Various weapons swords, spears, axes were slung across his back, showing mastery over many combat styles.
Name: Musashibou Benkei
Class: Lancer
Attribute: Man
Gender: Male
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (C+ Rank): Ability to nullify Curse Arts rooted in Japanese tradition. Cannot defend against greater magecraft.
Personal Skills:
Vengeful Spirit Exorcism (A Rank): Activated by chanting nine kuji characters. If successful, it can completely seal the opponent's Magecraft.
Imposing Stance (B Rank): Increases simple defense and makes himself the primary target, concentrating enemy attacks on him.
Blank Subscription List (— Rank): A fake order with an effect equivalent to a Command Seal, used to seal a rival Servant's Noble Phantasm.
Attendant of Iron (C Rank): Strengthens the Master's physical attributes just by being present.
Stats:
Strength A | Endurance B+ | Agility C | Mana D | Luck C | NP C
Noble Phantasms:
The Pilgrimage of the Five Hundred Arhat (Anti-Army EX): Summons 500 Arhats in a holy procession. Anyone in its path who fails a resistance check is dragged into Nirvana—essentially a semi-forced instant death.
Eighth Implement (Anti-Unit EX): Temporarily claims an opponent's Noble Phantasm as his own.
Benkei Butsu (Anti-Unit (Self) EX): Creates multiple replicas of himself to protect the original body.
"Mana... disappearing..." Benkei's confused voice muttered, staring at Fujimaru.
The fourth Servant was a black giant resembling a living statue. His presence immediately marked him as a Berserker class; his aura was oppressive. His body was massive and muscular, with black projections covering his arms, adding to the impression of an uncontrollable monster.
Name: Heracles
Class: Berserker
Attribute: Heaven
Gender: Male
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Class Skills:
Mad Enhancement (B Rank): Strengthens all parameters at the cost of sanity.
Personal Skills:
Indomitable (A Rank): Allows a Servant to keep fighting even after receiving fatal wounds.
Valor (A+ Rank): Neutralizes mental interference. Ineffective under Mad Enhancement.
Divinity (A Rank): Highest level of Divinity as a son of Zeus.
Mind's Eye (Fake) (B Rank): Danger avoidance based on intuition.
Stats:
Strength A+ | Endurance A | Agility A | Mana A | Luck B | NP A
Noble Phantasms:
God Hand: The Twelve Labors (Anti-Unit (Self) A+): Converts his body into armor that nullifies all attacks B-rank and below. Grants eleven automatic resurrections.
Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads (Anti-Unit B+): A high-speed attack of nine consecutive slashes.
"Grr..." Heracles growled, gripping his sword.
The fifth Servant was different, the only one who seemed to possess consciousness. He appeared from behind Fujimaru, Mash, and Marie. A man with long blue hair, wearing a long blue, white, and gold robe with intricate patterns and a fur-lined mantle. He held a large staff curved at the top, decorated with red and gold engravings.
Name: Cú Chulainn
Class: Caster
Attribute: Heaven
Gender: Male
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Class Skills:
Territory Creation (B Rank): Ability to form a territory matching his teacher's Noble Phantasm, a "gate."
Divinity (B Rank): High Divine Spirit aptitude as the son of Lugh.
Personal Skills:
Primordial Rune (— Rank): Possession of ancient North European runes. Can master powerful and diverse magical effects.
Protection from Arrows (A Rank): Absolute protection against projectiles.
Disengage (C Rank): Ability to flee from battle and reset disadvantageous conditions.
Stats:
Strength E | Endurance D | Agility C | Mana B | Luck D | NP B
Noble Phantasm:
Wicker Man: Cage of Scorching, Consuming Flames (Anti-Unit (Self) A+): Summons a giant wicker man made of countless branches, engulfed in intense flames to burn everything in its path.
"Master, over there!" Cú Chulainn shouted, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Fujimaru. "Your mana... it's too terrifying. Even the usually passive Berserker considers you a threat. Even though you're hiding it, all the Servants have felt the vibration."
"Senpai!" Mash cried out, her breath hitching, her face pale as she saw five Servants stepping forward in unison.
Cú Chulainn turned briefly, his smile thin but cold. "Little girl, don't waste your time being wary of me. They are the real enemies."
Before his words could fade, Medusa's chain lashed out, the dagger at its tip flashing toward Mash's neck. A clang of metal echoed as Cú Chulainn's staff parried it, a brief spark of light illuminating Mash's pale face.
"Damn Caster!" Benkei growled, his voice heavy like thunder. "You're siding with them?!"
"Huh? Better than standing with you lot," Caster said lightly, but his eyes glinted with conviction. "I have no problem with people of potential. Young girl, get ready. Don't be afraid, you can do this, as long as you really pay attention." His faint smile seemed to light a small fire in Mash's heart.
Mash gripped her shield tightly, hesitation still trembling in her breath. But she lifted her face, resolve burning behind that doubt. "Alright... I will do my best!" her voice wavered, but a new courage was beginning to grow.
Caster turned to Fujimaru, his voice now deeper, full of confidence. "Hey, Master! I'll follow your orders. I am a Caster. They hate me, but you can trust me. I'll form a temporary contract with you... as a Servant." His words echoed like an oath.
Fujimaru muttered softly, as if his words were just a whisper swallowed by the vortex of magic, "Honestly, I didn't want to reveal a portion of my power this soon. But there's no other choice."
Fujimaru immediately took over, his voice sharp, piercing through the chaotic energy vibrating in the air: "Caster, Marie, and I will be the attackers. Mash, I leave the protection to you." This instruction was not just a command, but a promise that every step they took would blend into a symphony of battle.
The fight began as Medusa's Noble Phantasm, magic circle bloomed like a poisonous flower: "Blood Fort Andromeda: Other-Seal, Blood Temple! (B Rank)" The ground trembled, the air screamed, and their mana and life force began to be slowly siphoned away, as if the world itself rejected their existence.
Benkei moved forward, his body like a stone wall challenging a storm. "Imposing Stance (B Rank)!" His defensive aura surged, forcing every enemy attack to focus on him. But he didn't stop there; with a majestic gesture, he raised his hand, summoning an illusion of authority. "Blank Subscription List (— Rank)!" A fake Command Seal flashed, ensnaring Cú Chulainn, sealing his Noble Phantasm Wicker Man in invisible shackles.
Benkei chanted in a heavy voice, each syllable like the beat of an ancient war drum: "Rin Pyou Tou Sha Kai Jin Retsu Zai Zen! Vengeful Spirit Exorcism (A Rank)!" The air vibrated as if vengeful spirits were lining up behind him. A dark light circled and then enveloped Cú Chulainn, sealing the Primordial Rune bond that served as his magical pulse. In an instant, the mystic power flowing through his veins was sealed, leaving him with only his body and staff as weapons.
Cú Chulainn gritted his teeth, his rage exploding at Benkei's cruel smile. "You bastard!" he yelled, but his voice sounded more desperate than angry.
Hassan vanished, blending into the environment thanks to "Presence Concealment (A+ Rank)." Heracles leaped forward, swinging his massive sword at Fujimaru, but he was blocked by Mash's shield. "Gandr! Gandr! Gandr! Gandr!" Olga Marie gathered mana in her index finger, firing magical shots repeatedly targeting Heracles, who was being held back by an overwhelmed Mash. However, the attacks automatically veered off to target Benkei.
A void appeared before Fujimaru, an endless emptiness. Fujimaru's right hand immediately reached into that void. He pulled out a Top Class Item. Item tiers are divided from the lowest: Low, Medium, High, Top, Legacy, Relic, Legendary, and Divine.
It was a transparent glass-like orb, inside of which four lights swirled in a circular motion. This magic item is used specifically to summon fire, water, wind, and earth elementals. Furthermore, it can summon composite elementals made from two different elements.
High-tier elementals are around level 40, mid-tier around level 20, and low-tier are single digits. Composite elementals can appear as high-tier (level 50s), mid-tier (level 30s), or low-tier (level 10s). However, only one composite elemental can be summoned at a time.
A single high-tier elemental could be summoned. The number of mid-tier elementals was random (1–3), and low-tier was also random (3–6). Fujimaru began to pour his mana into the transparent orb, and it began to glow. Fortunately, Fujimaru or rather, Natan always had high luck and successfully summoned a Magma Elemental, a high-tier fire and earth composite, at level 50. A level high enough to face several Servants at once.
From a vortex of fire and molten rock rose the Magma Elemental, a spirit manifested as a magma humanoid, its body formed from mineral chunks dripping with glowing liquid. Its long, thick arms swung like giant hammers, while its short legs stomped the ground until it shook.
The newly summoned Magma Elemental let out an ear-splitting roar. Without a second of hesitation, it spewed a torrent of boiling lava directly at Heracles. The sheer, suffocating heat caused the air to warp and the bedrock to groan under the sudden temperature spike. Because the elemental had been summoned after Benkei activated his 'Imposing Stance', it completely ignored the Lancer's taunt, its molten fury locked solely on the Berserker.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Mash quickly fell back. She retreated from Heracles's terrifying reach to close the distance to Fujimaru, her eyes darting nervously across the battlefield. She was terrified that the vanished Hassan would strike from the shadows.
But before she could regroup, Medusa's chains lashed out like vipers, forcing Mash to abruptly raise her shield. A split second later, a barrage of throwing daggers rained down from every conceivable blind spot. Hassan was utilizing his Throwing/Retrieval skill, raining death down upon her at the speed of bullets from all directions.
Fujimaru's sharp eyes cut through the chaos, rapidly assessing the shifting battlefield. "The primary target is Benkei!" he commanded, his voice ringing out with absolute authority.
Sensing the sudden shift in their killing intent, the warrior monk didn't hesitate. Even while juggling seven different weapons in combat, Benkei gripped his longsword and carved a rift into the very fabric of space before him. "Benkei Butsu! (EX Rank)" he roared, unleashing his Noble Phantasm.
Fortune favored the monk. Reality fractured, birthing seven perfect clones of Benkei. Each clone stepped forward to form a bristling wall of steel, hefting a distinctly lethal weapon: One clone swung a massive, single-handed hand axe, its wide, curved blade heavily etched and designed for devastating, cleaving strikes. Another twirled a tall naginata, its smooth white shaft topped with a sweeping blade engraved with intricate clouds. The others brandished a heavy, pitted stone mace mounted on a dark shaft; a katana gripped by a traditional diamond-patterned wrap; a gleaming silver-toned trident; a ring-pommeled sword bound in dark blue cord; and finally, a brutal, flat-bladed executioner's broadsword.
"I'm quite curious about that staff of yours," the original Benkei chuckled, his eyes locking onto Caster.
He activated his second Noble Phantasm, the Eighth Implement (EX Rank). A terrifying, invisible force seized Cú Chulainn's staff. The Celtic mage cursed as his weapon was violently ripped from his grasp, flying straight into Benkei's waiting hand.
The moment Benkei gripped the staff, he flooded it with mana. "Wicker Man: Cage of Scorching, Consuming Flames! (A+ Rank)" The earth ruptured as a colossal giant of intertwined branches violently uprooted itself from the ground. It didn't target Caster it lunged straight for Mash. The giant's massive wooden hand swatted aside Medusa's chains and snatched Mash out of the air, violently shoving her into the empty wooden cage within its chest.
Instantly, the giant ignited. A roaring inferno engulfed the structure. Even with her Demi-Servant constitution and the heavy defense of her armor, the sheer, suffocating heat of an A+ Rank Noble Phantasm was agonizing.
"Akh! AHH!" Mash's desperate scream echoed across the burning battlefield.
"Fascinating Noble Phantasm. I think I understand it now. You can have it back," Benkei grinned cruelly. He deactivated the Eighth Implement (EX Rank), hurling the staff back at Cú Chulainn like a ballistic missile. The sheer velocity of the projectile forced Caster to dive out of the way, making it impossible for him to cleanly catch his own weapon.
High above, the blazing Wicker Man began to fade into ash. Without the cage to support her, Mash plummeted from the sky. She slammed into the bedrock with a sickening thud, the impact violently cratering the ground. Between the severe magical burns and the brutal trauma of the fall, her vision instantly went black.
The Demi-Servant lay motionless in the dust.