Chapter 28. The Sword Bones Carved Into His DNA!
Dungeon, 20th Floor, "Hidden Village."
This was a corner forgotten by the world, the only Shangri-La for the Xenos. There were no blades of adventurers, no roars of monsters—only the gurgling of underground rivers and the quiet glow of bioluminescent moss.
However, today, this tranquility was broken by a rhythmic metallic clanging.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In the center of the plaza, Shirou Emiya held a simple iron hammer (actually a stone hardened with [Structural Reinforcement]) and was conducting a physical "persuasive education" session on a chipped greatsword.
"The structure here is completely fatigued. If you swing it hard two more times, it will definitely snap in the middle."
Shirou muttered with a frown as he hammered.
"And this center of gravity... it's practically an anti-human design. Though you aren't humans to begin with, you can't waste weapons like this."
"S-sorry..."
Standing opposite him was one of the Xenos leaders, the Lizardman Lyd. This brute, over two meters tall and covered in crimson scales, was currently shrinking his neck like a misbehaving schoolboy listening to Shirou's lecture.
"Moreover, this material..." Shirou's fingers brushed over the blade, and [Structural Analysis] instantly completed the scan.
"The Orichalcum content is less than 5%; the rest is all low-grade iron ore. Which black-hearted merchant did you buy this from?"
"Uh... it was from the last raid... no, we found it." Lyd scratched the scales on his head awkwardly. "We can't go to the shops on the surface, so we have to make do."
"Sigh..."
Shirou sighed and put down the "scrap metal." As a forger of fakes who possessed Unlimited Blade Works he truly could not tolerate such poorly made equipment appearing before his eyes.
This wasn't just OCD; it was a lapse in professional ethics! Being a sword incarnation isn't a joke!!!
"Trace—On."
Emerald magic circuits extended along his arm, covering the entire greatsword.
"Projecting... Reinforcement!"
He didn't re-forge it, as there was no furnace. Shirou chose the simplest and most direct method—magical filling. He forcibly injected his mana into the gaps of the metal, repairing internal cracks like filling cement and temporarily granting it the conceptual attribute of "Hardness +50%."
Hum—!
The originally dull grey greatsword instantly looked brand new. The blade glinted with a cold light, even faintly emitting a pulse of magical energy.
"Fixed." Shirou tossed the sword back to Lyd. "It's only a temporary reinforcement, but at least it will let you cleave through a few more Orc bones."
"Oohhhhh! This is amazing!" Lyd swung the greatsword. Hearing the crisp sound of it cutting through the air, his tail thrashed against the ground in an excited rhythm.
"Is this the technique of 'Senji Muramasa'?! It feels even better than a new one!"
"Line up! Line up!"
"I want a repair too! My claw guards are broken!"
"Lord Shirou! My broom (weapon) snapped as well!"
Seeing Lyd's weapon "fully restored," the surrounding Xenos instantly boiled over. Goblins, Orcs, Harpies... all sorts of monsters formed a long queue, holding various pieces of dilapidated gear, their eyes filled with worship for the (Pseudo) God of Craftsmanship.
"One by one, don't push." Shirou rolled up his sleeves helplessly, revealing a wry smile. "It seems lunch is going to be delayed today."
To the side, Lili sat on a rock, watching the red-haired youth surrounded by monsters. Her expression had shifted from initial terror to current numbness.
"Not just cooking, but repairing gear too..." Lili complained.
"Emiya-sama, are you trying to max out the 'Logistics Manager' skill? Do you remember that you're a Level 2 swordsman?"
"If it's something I can help with, why wouldn't I do it?" Shirou, who was currently sharpening a Gargoyle's claws, looked back and gave that characteristic, honest smile that made it impossible for anyone to stay angry.
Lili froze for a moment, then looked down, her lips curling up slightly. "Honestly... you really are an idiot."
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Afternoon. The repair work came to a halt. To reward this hardworking "human volunteer," the Xenos brought out their treasured ingredients—various Dungeon specialty fruits, monster meat, and fine wine brought by Fels.
A cross-species banquet began in the plaza of the Hidden Village.
"Cheers!" "To Shirou!" "To Wiene!"
Everyone sat around the bonfire. Although there was a language barrier (some low-level Xenos couldn't speak), happiness was contagious.
"Is this... what you want to protect?"
A low, raspy voice that seemed to carry its own reverb sounded beside Shirou.
Shirou turned his head. Sitting next to him was the black Minotaur as tall as a tower—Asterios. He wasn't partying like the other monsters; he sat quietly, holding a massive piece of bone-in meat, his deep gaze fixed on the firelight.
"Something like that." Shirou took a sip of wine. "It's a bit noisy, but... it's not bad."
"Humans... are strange." Asterios took a bite of meat, chewing. "Most humans only want to kill us when they see us. Or run away. Aren't you... afraid?"
"I am." Shirou shrugged. "When I first saw that Black Goliath, I was startled too. However..."
He pointed to his heart. "Fear is an instinct, but 'understanding' is a choice. When you realize that so-called 'monsters' also laugh, cry, and get angry for their comrades... fear turns into curiosity, and finally into acceptance."
"Understanding..." Asterios repeated the word, seemingly pondering its meaning. As a Xenos reborn to grow stronger, his mind originally held nothing but battle. But since meeting that white-haired boy (Bell Cranel—though removed from this timeline, the sense of destiny remained) and the red-haired boy before him, his worldview was undergoing a drastic change.
"Since you aren't afraid..." Asterios suddenly stood up, his massive shadow looming over Shirou. He tossed away the bone, a fierce fighting spirit igniting in his beastly pupils.
"Then... let's fight."
"Huh?" Shirou was stunned. "Now?"
"Right now." Asterios clenched his fists, the air letting out an explosive pop. "You said... you would let me see 'Infinite.' Right now... your mana is sufficient. Your body... is also hard. I want to know... if my current strength can break your 'shell'."
The plaza went silent instantly.
This was a challenge from the strongest Xenos. A ritual between warriors.
"...Honestly." Shirou put down his wine cup, stood up, and brushed the dust off his pants. He looked at the giant beast twice his height. The gentleness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by the sharp edge belonging to "Senji Muramasa."
"Exercise right after a full meal? Careful not to get a stomach cramp." Despite the complaining, Shirou's hand was already reaching into the void.
"But, since you've invited me so enthusiastically..."
"Trace—On."
The black and white twin blades, [Kanshou and Bakuya], manifested out of thin air.
"Then come on, big guy. I've been wanting to see if I... can actually cut through your horns."
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Center of the clearing. Man and bull stood in a standoff.
There was no referee, no countdown. The moment a withered leaf touched the ground.
"ROAR—!!!"
Asterios moved. No techniques, no flourishes. Pure strength, pure speed. He was like a runaway heavy tank, charging at Shirou with a momentum that could crush anything. His massive fist carried a wind pressure that felt like it could shatter space itself.
"So fast!" Lili, watching from the side, cried out. That size with that speed was practically cheating!
Facing this killing strike, Shirou Emiya did not retreat. If it were before, he might have chosen to dodge. But now, he was Level 2. He was a monster with SSS in all stats.
"Steel is my body!"
Emerald circuits instantly covered his body. Shirou bent his legs slightly, lowered his center of gravity, and crossed his blades in front of his chest.
"A direct block?!" The ghostfire in Fels's eyes flickered.
BANG!!!
A deafening impact echoed through the Hidden Village. The rocky ground beneath their feet instantly cracked, sending debris flying. The powerful shockwave kicked up a gale, causing the surrounding bonfires to flicker wildly.
The dust cleared. Shirou's feet had plowed two deep furrows into the ground, sliding back five meters. But he hadn't fallen. His arms weren't even shaking.
"He... he blocked it?!" Lyd's jaw nearly dropped. "That was a full-power punch from Asterios! Even a Level 3 heavy warrior should have been sent flying!"
"Heh..." A wild smile curled on Shirou's lips as he looked at the shocked black bull. "Good power. But if it's only at this level... it's not enough to break my 'shell'."
"ROAR!" The battle intent in Asterios's eyes grew even stronger. He didn't speak; he responded with action. Left hook, right hook, elbow strike, knee bash. A barrage of blows like a torrential rain.
Shirou was not to be outdone. [Mind's Eye (True)] was fully active. He wove through the shadows of the fists, using the parries and redirection of his twin blades to neutralize every attack. It wasn't just defense. He was counterattacking.
"Crane Wing, Two-Fold!"
Catching a gap, Shirou lowered his posture, his twin blades cutting toward Asterios's knees like scissors.
Clang! Sparks flew. Asterios's skin was as hard as steel; the blades only left faint white marks.
"So hard!" Shirou clicked his tongue. "Is this guy's defense at a monster level too?"
"In that case..."
Shirou took a step back, and the twin blades in his hands vanished. In their place appeared a pitch-black longbow.
"Opening the distance?" Asterios didn't give him the chance, lunging forward.
But in that instant, Shirou's left hand didn't reach for an arrow; instead, he slammed it against the ground.
"I am the bone of my sword."
Hum! A dozen blade edges suddenly sprouted from the ground. Not to attack, but to—obstruct. A cage of blades instantly restricted Asterios's footsteps.
"Is this... magecraft?" Taking advantage of the one second the black bull was tripped up, Shirou had already drawn the bowstring to its limit.
"Caladbolg (Pseudo-Spiral Sword)—Close Range Loading!"
He didn't fire it. Instead, he treated the space-warping demonic sword as a melee weapon and slammed it hard into Asterios's chest.
BOOM!!!
Mana erupted at point-blank range. Asterios's massive body was pushed back for the first time. He stumbled back a few steps, a charred mark appearing on his chest.
"Not finished yet!"
Shirou tossed the bow aside, his hands reaching out again. This time, his magic circuits operated at an overload.
"Trace—Overedge!"
The black and white blades instantly grew massive, turning into two-meter-long giant winged greatswords. Shirou leaped high into the air and, using the momentum of his descent, swung down this finishing blow.
"Kuh!"
Asterios raised his arms in a cross-block.
CRACK!
A crisp snapping sound. It wasn't a bone. It was the hardest chitinous layer covering Asterios's arm, which had been sliced open. Blood seeped out.
The battle came to a sudden halt.
Shirou landed, the giant blades dissipating as he panted heavily. Asterios looked at the wound on his arm and fell silent for a moment.
Then, he split his massive mouth open, revealing a row of ivory-white teeth. It was... a smile.
"Satisfying," he whispered. "You... pass."
"Whew... of course." Shirou wiped the sweat from his brow. "If I couldn't even break your skin, how could I call myself an 'Ally of Justice'?"
"Next time..." The light in Asterios's eyes gradually receded. "Next time... it will be a battle of life and death."
"Yeah, anytime."
The two looked at each other and smiled (though a bull smiling is a bit terrifying). This was likely "friendship through fists," or the unique way men communicate feelings with their strength.
The surrounding Xenos broke into enthusiastic cheers.
Lili went over to Shirou and said: "Wow Emiya-san you won!"
"I didn't win." Shirou patted her head. "If it were a fight to the death, I'd probably be out of mana by now. That guy... still has trump cards he hasn't used."
Indeed. Asterios had not yet pulled out his iconic double-edged axe.
However, this was enough. This battle proved Shirou Emiya's "qualification" in the deepest parts of the Dungeon.
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However, this warm and hot-blooded atmosphere did not last long.
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion suddenly rang out from the entrance of the Hidden Village. It was the sound of an explosion—and one carrying a strong magical pulse.
"What happened?!" Lyd's face changed drastically as he grabbed his greatsword and rushed toward the entrance. "An intrusion?!"
"This aura..." The ghostfire in Fels's eye sockets jumped violently. "The barrier has been destroyed! How is that possible? Even the Guild doesn't know this location..."
"No need to guess."
Shirou's expression instantly went cold. [Mind's Eye (True)] sensed that familiar, nauseating malice. Thick, damp, and filled with greed and madness.
"It's them."
Shirou clenched his fists, killing intent boiling in his amber eyes.
"The Ikelos Familia."
As his words fell, a group of fully armed hunters in black invisibility cloaks poured through the blasted entrance like a tide. And at the very front... the man who had lost a hand and a leg, now replaced by prosthetics, wearing an even more hideous mask—Dix Perdix—was laughing maniacally.
"Hahahaha! Found it! Found it!"
Dix brandished his spear, pointing it at Shirou in the center of the plaza.
"You won't get away this time! Senji Muramasa!!"
He suddenly pulled a pitch-black crystal ball from his cloak and smashed it hard onto the ground.
Snap!
Black smoke instantly filled the area. It wasn't ordinary smoke. It was—the [Berserk Curse].
"Aaaaggghhh!" Several Goblins near the entrance inhaled the smoke; their eyes instantly turned blood-red as they began to frantically attack their comrades.
"Boys! The carnival has started!" Dix barked with a sneer. "Kill everyone! Turn this place into hell!"
"ROAR—!!!"
The once peaceful paradise instantly became a Shura field.
"Lili, go and hide with Fels!" Shirou roared, his magic circuits exploding to their limit.
"Steel is my body!"
He drew the [Otherworld Kanshou]. Without a shred of hesitation, he turned into a red bolt of lightning and charged toward the group of intruders.
"DIX—!!!"
This moment was no longer a spar or a test. This was war. This was slaughter that had to be carried out to protect "family."
"Since you want to die so badly..." Shirou's eyes were as cold as ice, but the blades in his hands were as hot as fire.
"Then I'll grant your wish!
Unlimited Blade Works—Partial Manifestation!"
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