You Need to Grind More to Get Stronger
In the living room, the boy and girl sat quietly on the sofa, listening to the 3D holographic projection of Da Vinci as she spoke about the story of Mashu and the brave girl Gudako who ventured forward to save humanity.
They repeatedly risked their lives entering various singularities, confronting heroes and kings from different eras, fighting against monsters from legends, and even deities.
"Over 90% of the story in this game is based on real events. These are miracles that Mashu and our most outstanding Master in Chaldea, Gudako, truly experienced together. In our world, very few people know of the great feats they accomplished—but you are their witnesses," said Da Vinci.
"Chaldea is constantly under attack by monsters now, and the appearance of monsters in your world is inevitable. Someone must resolve this crisis, so I sincerely ask you to join hands with us and get through this difficult time together," Da Vinci said earnestly, looking at the boy and girl.
Yukinoshita glanced sympathetically at Mashu. She never expected such a delicate girl to be the same pitiful one who went through so much in the game...
Trying to summarize the situation, Shirou said, "So you're saying Mashu is inviting us to play a game based on her past adventures, and this game can help us defeat the invading monsters, right?"
Da Vinci nodded in approval. "Exactly, you understood quickly. It's about everyone playing through Mashu's adventure story."
"Shirou-senpai, Da Vinci-chan, why does the way you summarized it sound kind of weird?!" Mashu asked, her face slightly red.
"This might be too much to take in for people like you who have lived in a peaceful world for so long. But can you give me an answer now about my request?" Da Vinci asked.
"No... It's hard to accept, but after encountering that monster before, it's impossible not to believe. Before I agree to help, I have some questions," Yukinoshita said.
"Yukinoshita-san, please ask," said Da Vinci.
"Why are you spreading this game from your world into ours? In other words, what benefits do you get from helping this world?" Yukinoshita asked.
Apart from Shirou, there might be someone out there willing to save others unconditionally, but she could tell Da Vinci wasn't one of them.
"Of course, there are benefits on our side too," Da Vinci answered with a light smile.
"Heroic Spirits are legendary or epic figures who have become the object of faith in the modern era. 'Servants' are the summoned avatars of those Heroic Spirits.
As I mentioned earlier, Chaldea is undergoing mysterious distortions—not just sudden attacks.
Even the system for summoning Servants has become unstable. It's now difficult to summon new Servants, and even the ones staying in Chaldea are becoming unstable.
So we need to raise the fame of Heroic Spirits to supplement their power.
Spreading the FGO game is one method.
On one hand, players act as 'batteries,' supplying energy to the Heroic Spirits in Chaldea.
On the other hand, it's an insurance policy.
The appearance of dangerous monsters in your world is a fact that cannot be avoided. To fight them—or even higher-level Phantasmal Species—you need means of equal strength. For you, who lack magical power, summoning Heroic Spirits is the only option.
That's why I'm using this method to make Chaldea a medium that provides energy and connects to the Throne of Heroes. And the 'bonds' you players form serve as the trigger for summoning Heroic Spirits."
"Though most of the Heroic Spirits in the mobile game are just data I provided, a truly compatible Master might use the FGO system to contact the real Heroic Spirits from the Throne—even those Chaldea has never observed before—thanks to your connection, they may manifest in this world.
And once summoned by you and after the battles, those Heroic Spirits will remain in Chaldea and help us fight the incoming monsters. It's a win-win situation.
It's because Heroic Spirits responded to your summons before that you were able to defeat the monsters, right? So, honestly, we have no better option than to work together," Da Vinci said with a smile.
"That's true... Even though I don't want to be dragged into some fantasy story like this," Yukinoshita said helplessly.
"Then, what do we need to do to restore this world to normal?" Shirou asked seriously. He cared more about this than Chaldea's objectives.
"The reason the world is changing needs to be investigated by Mashu and Gudako. As for me, I personally ask you—Emiya Shirou—to help this child!" Da Vinci said solemnly.
"My name here is Hikigaya Shirou! Mashu is my junior, of course I'll help her. And this is my world—my important family and friends live here. I will protect them all!" Shirou replied firmly.
"Senpai..." Mashu looked at the boy with deep emotion.
Other than Dr. Roman and Gudako-senpai, she had now found someone else who truly cared for her. Her heart felt warm, and she no longer felt lonely.
"Shirou..." Yukinoshita's eyes wavered as she looked at the boy. Yes… she knew this was the kind of person Hikigaya Shirou was.
They had formed a bond in the Service Club six months ago, and he had helped her many times. She knew of his kindness, gentleness, and pursuit of justice.
But his way of handling things always put others before himself, sometimes even sacrificing himself to help others. That part of him worried her.
"Thank you! Shirou-senpai, I'll do my best to support you by your side!" Mashu promised.
"Well, since it's come to this, as a fellow club member, I guess I'll have to help too," Yukinoshita said with a smile.
"Is that so? Understood. You're not the Shirou I knew, but you are strong and dependable just the same. Thank you for your help. I'll support you from Chaldea with all my strength," Da Vinci said with a smile.
"So what should we do first?" Shirou asked.
"Well, because of the limitations in your world, the current sneaky method of supplying energy only allows Heroic Spirits to use less than half of their original power. If the compatibility is low, even less. But if you reach 100% compatibility and become one in heart with the Heroic Spirit, something new might happen.
Anyway, just work hard and grind the game!
Spend more, pull more cards, try to strengthen the Servants you're most compatible with. Learn about their stories.
Once you max out your bond, who knows what miracle might occur! Maybe you'll summon Archer-class Heracles with all Twelve Labors active, or even the Heroic King with his omniscient star ability.
You might even summon King Arthur with Avalon, the Holy Sword in one hand and the Holy Lance in the other!
Humans are born to create miracles. Even in another world, there may be people with deep ties to Heroic Spirits and gods. So go find more Masters who can bond with Heroic Spirits! Boys and girls, let's go! Yeah!" Da Vinci raised her fist, cheering them on.
"Wait a minute? So you're just telling us to play the game? Are you the operator? Why don't you just give me all the Heroic Spirits maxed out, or drop a few thousand Saint Quartz?" Shirou complained.
"That would defeat the purpose. I can only modify data.
What links you to the Heroic Spirits are your emotions and willpower.
That's how the FGO system works! The stronger your feelings toward the Servants, the higher the chance of summoning them through possession.
So spend more time building a deep bond with your favorite Servants! Well then… I have work to do, I'll contact you next time~!" Da Vinci said, then quickly disappeared. The screen darkened, and the hologram vanished.
"She ran away... Just like a shady company boss who wants overtime but won't talk about raises!" The boy and girl came to the same conclusion again: this swindler is kind of annoying.
"Shirou-senpai, Yukinoshita-senpai! Let's work hard together! Playing FGO is justice! Anyone who likes FGO is a good person! You're all my amazing seniors!" Mashu pumped her fists, trying her best to smooth things over.
"Enough already… Mashu." Shirou pressed down on the pink-haired girl's head as she tried to defend Da Vinci. Since they had decided to help, he wouldn't back down. Besides, this was the only way to save the world.
He turned to Yukinoshita and said, "Sorry, Yukinoshita. I dragged you into this. I didn't expect things to turn out this way."
Yukinoshita shook her head. "No, this was my own decision. Problems won't end unless I face them myself. And if what Da Vinci said is true, and I have the aptitude for Heroic Spirit possession, then just playing FGO would eventually involve me anyway."
"Besides, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—that's my principle. If monsters want to hurt me, I'll strike first before they can do anything." The black-haired girl smiled coldly.
"How should I put it… You really are Yukinoshita. Got it. Then let's fight together from now on!" Shirou said with a light smile.
"Yes, Yukinoshita-senpai is not only beautiful and reliable, she's also cool—and her cooking is amazing!" Mashu agreed excitedly. She felt incredibly lucky to have found two trustworthy seniors. She even felt like she might get a gold card in her next gacha pull!
"Mashu, I said enough already..." Yukinoshita also reached out and pressed down on Mashu's head, smiling gently.
She didn't dislike this junior. After learning what Mashu had been through, all she felt now was a desire to protect her.
The three of them actually shared the same goal.
Yukinoshita wanted to return to her normal life, so she needed to drive out the monsters.
Shirou wanted to protect the peace of this world and help his junior find happiness.
Mashu wanted to resolve Chaldea's crisis, investigate the cause of the world's changes, and reunite with Gudako-senpai.
"It's getting late, let's head back for now," Shirou said, glancing at his phone.
"I agree. We can discuss detailed strategies later," Yukinoshita nodded.
Shirou led Mashu outside.
"Mashu, Shirou… see you tomorrow," Yukinoshita stood at the door, raising her hand slightly and giving a small wave.
"Mm, see you tomorrow, Yukinoshita-senpai!" Mashu bowed.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Yukinoshita," Shirou waved.
Leaving the luxury apartment, Shirou walked Mashu to the subway, then returned home himself.