Chapter 25. An Almost Perfect Noble Phantasm Projection! The All-Out [Broken Phantasm]!
The kitchen of Twilight Manor was currently filled with a smell of smoke that felt as though it had gone through a "Holy Grail War" (actually, it was just oil smoke).
"The hundredth one... mission accomplished."
Shirou Emiya plated the final Supreme Fried Shrimp. He looked as if his soul had been sucked out, collapsing into a chair like a salted fish. If one ignored the mountain of shrimp shells and only looked at his current state, they might think he had just finished a solo raid against the floor boss of the 50th floor.
Though the process was agonizing, he had successfully plugged Loki's picky mouth and brought out a healing smile from the dragon girl, Wiene.
"The food Shirou makes... is so good!"
Seeing Wiene, her mouth glistening with oil and her little wings fluttering as she gorged herself, Shirou felt that even if his arms fell off, it was worth it. This was likely the "painful yet happy" mindset of a natural-born caretaker.
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Late at night, everything was silent.
Despite being accepted by the Familia, for safety reasons, Wiene was still settled in a hidden room in the basement.
"Um... Emiya."
Just as Shirou was preparing to tell Wiene a bedtime story, the door was pushed open gently.
The blonde Sword Princess slipped in as soundlessly as a cat. She wore a white nightgown and held a fried potato puff she had saved for Wiene.
A simple feeding, a clumsy caress.
When Ais's fingers touched the dragon girl's warm scales, the ice of "racial barriers" quietly melted away.
"So warm..."
Ais murmured to herself. It turned out monsters had body temperatures too. It turned out that besides killing, she could also protect a life like this.
Watching this, Shirou didn't interrupt; he just gave a silent thumbs-up in his heart. The scene was so beautiful it could be screenshotted for a wallpaper.
However, peaceful daily life is always short-lived—just like how a "fan service episode" in an anime is often followed by a "gut-punch episode."
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On the flip side of this warm daily life, in the shadows of Orario, the tentacles of malice were quietly spreading.
18th Floor, Rivira Town.
Inside a hidden basement chamber filled with the scent of blood and formalin.
"I heard... that useless Zanis from the Soma Familia was taken out?"
A man wearing flamboyant robes and red sunglasses sat cross-legged in a chair, playing with a sharp scalpel. A sickening smile hung on his face—the kind of pure evil that finds joy in trampling others.
Dix Perdix.
The Captain of the Ikelos Familia, the most notorious Xenos hunter in Orario, and a hidden Level 5 powerhouse. In his eyes, life was nothing more than a toy to be disassembled at will.
"Yes, Captain," a subordinate reported tremblingly. "It was done by a red-haired rookie from the Loki Familia. That rookie has been making waves lately. His title is... 'Senji Muramasa'."
"Senji Muramasa? That 'Infinite' guy?"
Dix sneered, his tongue licking the blade. "Rookies these days are getting bolder. Jumping around like that at Level 2? But... I heard he picked up something incredible in the Great Tree Labyrinth on the 19th floor?"
"Yes." The subordinate lowered his voice. "Our eyes didn't see clearly, but the red-haired kid was guarding it very closely. Furthermore... there was a lingering scent of a 'Vouivre' at the scene."
"A Vouivre..."
A greedy red light flashed behind Dix's sunglasses, like a hardcore gamer discovering a top-tier legendary drop.
"That's a rare drop. And if it's a live specimen... whether we sell it to that perverted God or use it as a 'key' for the Knossos, it's a priceless treasure."
He stood up and walked to a wall in the chamber.
The wall was covered in terrifying "collectibles." Monster horns, skins, eyeballs... even organs that were still twitching.
"I don't know where he hid that treasure (most likely in that Familia known for the strongest defense), but as long as we catch him, or that Supporter...
With a few 'methods' (curses), we can always make him talk, right?"
Cold, crazed laughter echoed through the chamber.
It was the prelude to a sadist's feast, a signal that the plot was about to enter a "dark and gritty" chapter .
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The next morning.
Unaware that he had been targeted by a "perverted" creature, Shirou Emiya stood at the exit of the 18th floor with Lili.
"Emiya-sama, are we really going to the 24th floor today?"
Lili looked at the map in her hand with worry. "That's the 'Pantry.' The monster density is extremely high, and we've only just reached Level 2..."
"It's fine."
Shirou tightened his gloves, his eyes confident. "To earn enough for Wiene's food (that kid eats a lot) and to test the performance of my new weapons, we have to go deeper."
"Besides..."
Shirou gazed into the deep darkness. His [Mind's Eye] sensed a faint unease.
"I feel that if I don't get stronger quickly, I won't be able to keep up with certain things."
"Trace—On."
The red figure charged into the darkness.
A new adventure and a new conspiracy awaited this "Ally of Justice" from another world.
On the path to the 24th floor, a group of fully armed "hunters" wearing invisibility cloaks lay quietly in the shadows. They weren't there to hunt monsters, but to hunt the red-haired youth.
"He's here... 'Senji Muramasa'."
"Is the 'Curse' ready?"
"Don't worry. Even a Level 2 defense specialist will have to kneel and call us daddy once they're hit. Besides... Captain Dix came personally."
In the darkness, a pair of eyes behind red sunglasses locked onto Shirou's heart through a scope.
"Now, let's see." Dix bared his white teeth in a grin. "When the 'Infinite' is cut open, is the inside red too?"
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Dungeon, 24th Floor, "The Pantry."
It was called this not because it offered a free buffet, but because it was rich in various rare food-type drops. Of course, to the monsters roaming here, adventurers were the "mobile delivery" items.
The terrain consisted of massive hollow trees with intricate roots intersecting like a maze. The air was thick with a cloying, nauseating sweetness—the pheromones released by Alraunes and Poison Insects.
"Emiya-sama, isn't the atmosphere around here... a bit too quiet?"
Lili gripped her hand-crossbow tightly, warily scanning her surroundings. As a veteran Supporter with "Escape EX" level skills, her radar was screaming.
"Indeed."
Shirou Emiya stopped, a bead of cold sweat forming on his brow.
The feedback from [Mind's Eye (True)] was clear, but it wasn't as relaxed as before. It was a needle-prick sensation of crisis; malicious gazes were coming from every direction.
This was not an ambush a wild monster could pull off.
These were sentient beings.
And... there were many of them.
"Lili, get behind that root! Fast!"
Shirou's voice was no longer calm, but urgent.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The moment Lili dove for cover, the sound of breaking air erupted.
Dozens of pitch-black blowgun needles rained down from the shadows in all directions. The tips glinted with an eerie purple light, clearly coated in a lethal poison designed for an instant "GG."
"Trace—On!"
Shirou didn't have time to think; his body reacted on instinct.
The black and white twin swords, [Kanshou and Bakuya], appeared in his hands.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew.
Shirou swung his blades into a whirlwind, desperately parrying the incoming poison needles. But there were too many, and they were coming from blind spots.
Slice!
A needle grazed Shirou's cheek, leaving a trail of blood.
Another thudded into his shoulder guard. Although it didn't pierce the expensive high-grade light armor Lili had provided, the massive impact made him stagger.
"That was close..."
Shirou panted, shielding Lili. If he were still Level 1, that opening volley might have laid him out.
"Oh? He actually blocked it?"
A voice rang out, slightly surprised but mostly mocking.
Clap, clap, clap.
Dix Perdix, in his flamboyant robes and red sunglasses, stepped out of the shadows with a dozen fully armed hunters.
"I thought it would end in the first round. Seems the 'Infinite' rookie has some tricks." Dix pushed up his sunglasses, a cruel smile on his face. "But that's as far as it goes."
"Ikelos Familia..."
Shirou gripped his twin blades, his expression grave.
These people had excellent gear and calculated positioning—clearly habitual killers with perfect coordination. Moreover, the aura from every single one of them was Level 2 or higher.
And the sunglasses guy in the middle... he was unfathomable.
This is a tough fight, Shirou thought to himself.
"Do it."
Dix didn't have the villainous habit of talking too much; he simply waved his hand.
"Capture the Supporter alive. For the red-haired one, just bring me his head."
"Yes!"
A dozen hunters attacked simultaneously. No duels, no sportsmanship.
Spears, greatswords, flails—various weapons coordinated with magic to form a seamless killing array.
"Lili! Flashbang!"
Shirou roared, simultaneously activating his reinforcement magic.
"Steel is my body!"
Though his mana was burning, he had no choice.
Boom!
The flashbang Lili threw exploded in the crowd. The intense white light caused the hunters' offensive to stall for a split second.
But it was only a split second.
"Hah!"
Shirou seized the chance, charging out like a leopard. He avoided the heavy warriors in the front and cut into the weak point on the flank.
The twin blades crossed.
A hunter's wrist was slashed, his weapon falling. But before Shirou could finish him, a spear from the side thrust toward him.
"Tch!"
Shirou had to bring his blade back to parry.
Clang!
The massive force made his palms go numb. Though these hunters were roughly the same level as him, their Level 2 status was built on actual life-and-death experience, not something mindless monsters could compare to.
"Don't even think about running!"
Red mist suddenly exploded in the center of the battlefield. Dix had made his move.
"Curse Mist!"
The eerie red fog instantly enveloped Shirou. It felt as if the blood in his body had suddenly frozen and his nerve signals were being severed.
"Ngh..."
Shirou fell to one knee, almost losing his grip on his swords. His body felt heavy, as if he were carrying a thousand tons.
"Hahaha! Got him!"
A hunter grinned, swinging a battle-axe down.
"Die!"
"Move... move for me!"
Shirou bit his lip, his magic circuits spinning wildly. Since his nerves were paralyzed, he would use mana to forcibly drive his muscles! He would control his body like a puppet!
"Structural Reinforcement—Overload!"
Bang!
At the final moment, Shirou raised his reinforced left arm, physically blocking the axe's strike. Though his armor screamed and his bones throbbed with pain, he had blocked it.
"Get back!"
Shirou's Bakuya in his right hand thrust out, forcing the enemy back.
He stood up shakily, drenched in cold sweat. Although he had resisted the curse through magecraft, it had drained his stamina and mana significantly. Currently, his combat power had dropped by at least thirty percent.
"Oh? You can still move after being hit by my curse?" Dix raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Seems your body structure is quite special. But... how long can you last?"
His figure blurred, vanishing from his spot instantly.
Too fast!
The [Mind's Eye] alarm exploded. Shirou instinctively crossed his blades in front of his chest.
BOOM!!!
An irresistible, titanic force struck. Dix's spear slammed heavily into the intersection of the two blades.
There was no contest.
Shirou was sent flying like he'd been hit by a truck, stopping only after crashing through a thick tree root. The Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands shattered into points of light.
Pfft!
Shirou spat out a mouthful of blood, feeling as if his internal organs had shifted.
This was the Level gap. Between Level 2 and Level 5 was an unbridgeable chasm. So-called techniques and magecraft appeared pale in the face of absolute power.
"Cough... hack..."
Shirou knelt on the ground, coughing up blood mixed with fragments of internal organs. His left arm hung at a grotesque, twisted angle—clearly broken. The leather armor on his chest was completely shattered, and a deep wound was emitting black smoke from the curse's erosion.
"Emiya-sama!"
Lili cried out, trying to rush over, but Shirou stopped her with a look.
"Don't... come over..."
Shirou gritted his teeth, using [Structural Reinforcement] to forcibly stabilize the broken bone.
'Too strong.'
Is this Level 5? His speed was such that [Mind's Eye] could only catch afterimages, and his strength made a reinforced body feel as fragile as paper.
"How tenacious." Dix Perdix flicked the blood off his spear and pushed up his red sunglasses, his eyes full of mockery.
"You took my Curse Mist and a direct hit from my spear, yet you're still alive? It seems your body really does hide some secrets."
He approached step by step, each footfall sounding like a hammer on Shirou's heart.
"But the game is over. Senji Muramasa, your 'Infinite' is nothing more than infinite trash in the face of absolute power."
Dix raised his spear. The tip glowed with dark red magical light—a finishing blow.
Despair. True despair. No amount of technique could bridge this gap.
But.
Deep within those amber eyes, now stained red with blood, the flame known as "Shirou Emiya" never went out.
"Who said... it was over?"
Shirou struggled to look up. His vision was blurred, but his brain was working at its maximum capacity.
Since conventional methods couldn't break his defense... Since close combat was certain death... Then he would use that.
That "forbidden technique" that even a Heroic Spirit's body couldn't easily endure.
"Lili..." Shirou's voice was so weak it was almost inaudible. "Take that out. Now!"
Lili froze for a second, then understood. With trembling hands, she pulled the last high-purity "Mana Recovery Crystal" from her bag (a life-saving trump card given by Loki, worth ten million Valis) and smashed it against Shirou.
Hum!
Pure mana flooded into Shirou's parched circuits. But it wasn't enough. Shirou began to overdraw his life force (Od), squeezing out every bit of potential within him.
"I am the bone of my sword."
The incantation began. It was not just a switch to start the magic, but a ritual of self-hypnosis. He connected his spirit to that wasteland filled with infinite blades.
"Trace..."
Shirou raised his intact right hand, grasping at the air in front of him. In his mind, a legendary demonic sword began to deconstruct and restructure.
Judging the concept of creation.
Hypothesizing the basic structure.
Duplicating the composition material.
Imitating the skill of its making.
Sympathizing with the experience of its growth.
Reproducing the accumulated years.
Excelling every manufacturing process.
"...On!"
The air began to scream. Emerald mana lightning jumped wildly in Shirou's hand, and space seemed to warp from high heat. A strange sword slowly emerged. Its blade was not straight but twisted in a spiral like a drill. The blade was pitch black yet emitted a rainbow-like halo. It was not a product of this era, but the demonic sword held by the great hero Fergus from Celtic mythology—
[Pseudo-Spiral Sword (Caladbolg II)].
"What... is that?" Dix stopped in his tracks. As a battle-hardened warrior, his instincts were screaming. That sword... was dangerous! Extremely dangerous!
"Not finished yet..."
Shirou bit down so hard his teeth cracked, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. Projecting the sword was only the first step. The true killing move lay in how he used it. He didn't intend to use it as a melee weapon.
Instead, he braced it against his left arm—though it was broken, he used mana to forcibly construct a temporary "launching rack."
"Broken..."
Shirou poured all the mana he had just recovered, plus the mana from the crystal, without reservation into the Spiral Sword. The blade began to tremble. The originally stable magical structure began to collapse under the impact of the excessive mana. Red cracks covered the black blade—a sign that the mana was about to go berserk.
A Noble Phantasm is the crystallization of a Heroic Spirit, the embodiment of faith. To detonate such a miracle as a one-time bomb was to gain destructive power that transcended the limits of Level.
This was—
"...Phantasm!!!"
"Madman!" Dix finally realized what Shirou was trying to do. This kid was crafting a nuclear bomb in his hands!
"Die!!!" Dix didn't hesitate any longer. Using the full speed of a Level 5, he turned into a red streak, his spear thrusting straight for Shirou's heart.
But it was too late. Shirou released his right hand.
"Take this..."
"Caladbolg—!!!"
BOOM!!!
In that instant, the world lost its color. The Spiral Sword turned into a storm that warped space. It was not a simple projectile, but a drill of destruction that bored through the atmosphere and space along its path. The moment Dix's spear touched the spiral storm, it snapped inch by inch like a toothpick.
"No! This is imposs—"
Before he could finish his scream, the crimson brilliance swallowed everything.
[Broken Phantasm].
The destructive power generated by detonating a Rank A Noble Phantasm exceeded the defensive limits of a Level 5 at that moment.
THOOOOM—!!!!
A massive mushroom cloud rose from the hollow tree of the 24th floor. The terrifying shockwave instantly destroyed everything within a hundred-meter radius. Rocks shattered, giant trees carbonized, and the earth wailed. The entire "Pantry" shook violently under the
blow, as if a magnitude ten earthquake had occurred. The rock ceiling above began to collapse, sending massive boulders crashing down.
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A long time later.
The dust settled. The originally lush hollow-tree maze had turned into a massive, charred crater. The rocks at the bottom had melted from the high heat into flowing magma, and the air was thick with the smell of sulfur and burning.
At the edge of the crater, Dix Perdix lay on the ground, his body scorched black. His left arm and right leg were completely gone, his high-grade armor was reduced to scrap metal, and those iconic sunglasses were shattered into glass dust.
"Cough... hack..."
He spat out black blood, the arrogance gone from his eyes, replaced by endless terror.
'So close.'
If he hadn't used all his mana to construct a defensive wall at the last second, even sacrificing his magic spear... he would be nothing but dust now.
"M-monster..." He looked at the deep pit opposite him in horror.
As a Level 5, he was nearly one-shotted by a Level 2?! Was that magecraft actually Divine Will?!
"Must... escape..."
He didn't dare stay for another second. Using the last of his strength, Dix crushed a high-grade teleportation crystal with his remaining hand. With a flash of light, he fled the battlefield in disgrace.
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"Hah... hah..."
On the other side of the crater, Shirou Emiya lay spread-eagled on the ground, wisps of smoke rising from him. The skin on both his arms was completely ruptured, and his muscle fibers had snapped from the overload of the magic circuits. His consciousness was blurred; he didn't even have the strength to move a finger.
"Did I... win?"
He looked at the spot where Dix had vanished, a weary, pained smile tugging at his lips. Though he hadn't managed to kill him, with those injuries... that pervert shouldn't be showing up again anytime soon.
"Emiya-sama! Emiya-sama!"
Lili rushed over, sobbing. Because Shirou had specifically pushed her into the blind spot of the shockwave, she hadn't suffered any serious injuries.
"Don't cry..."
Shirou struggled to open his eyes, looking at the massive pit he had blasted open and feeling his empty magic circuits. This time, he truly gave everything. Technique, mana, and even life force.
All for this single chance at survival.
"I guess... next time I shouldn't... go so overboard..."
Having said this, the "Strongest Rookie" who had used a nuclear-level strike to cripple a Level 5 while only at Level 2, finally fell completely unconscious.
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