Please Play FGO With Me

"I'll tell you, the name is 'Not a Eggplant,' got it!" Ebina shouted with a wicked grin.

During this time, the other girls in the class also quietly took out their phones...

In the FGO system, Merlin's compatibility had unknowingly risen from 10% to 30%.

In fact, the classmates were all very passionate about this game. As soon as class ended, they would all take out their phones. Some science whizzes would even take out paper and pens to write down formulas, comparing them with class schedules to calculate the most efficient way to use their stamina.

Even the girls were no longer discussing celebrities from TV dramas. Instead, they were chatting about which characters in the game were the most handsome, gossiping about the love triangle between Old Man Gil, Guinevere, and Lancelot, and even saying that if Tristan ever got a new CD, they'd definitely buy it.

If someone pulled a limited-time character in a single draw in class, they would enjoy the treatment of being a normie Emperor of Luck and the lifelong animosity of certain tribal members for the entire day.

By lunchtime, Shirou, carrying his bento box, left the classroom to eat lunch outside as usual. As soon as he opened the game, he saw that over a dozen friend requests had appeared on his friend list. He muttered in confusion, "Where did all these people come from?"

"Shirou-senpai... don't you have any awareness that you're actually quite popular?" Mash, chewing on bread and eating Shirou's bento, said with disdain from the side.

"That's not right... It's not that I'm being conceited, but there aren't many boring and uninteresting high school guys like me in this world," Shirou shook his head and said with a smile, clearly not believing the girl.

"Honestly! Shirou-senpai is always so stubborn about the strangest things. Hikigaya Shirou from the Kyudo Club is just as famous as Hayama from the soccer club, the ice-beauty Yukino-senpai from the international class, and the Yamato Nadeshiko-like Yukino Yukinoshita!" Mash corrected him.

"As far as I know, the most famous person in school is that pink-haired transfer student who enthusiastically recommends FGO to everyone, kindly and gently teaches them how to play hand-in-hand, and then tells them they're a good person before leaving. She's hurt countless people, her sins are deep, aren't they?" Shirou said with a careless smile.

"Did I do something wrong? If people are willing to play FGO and contribute to saving Chaldea, they're good people, aren't they? Why would they be hurt?" Mash blinked in confusion.

Ah, I forgot this child lacks common sense in certain areas. Let's try a different approach.

Shirou asked with a smile, "Then, if you say that as long as they play this game, you'll always be with them, don't you feel embarrassed?"

"Ugh... I wasn't lying, and it's all for the sake of saving Chaldea!" Mash said with a blushing face, stuffing the last meatball from her lunchbox into her mouth and mumbling.

"Is that so? But high school boys nowadays have very active imaginations, so they easily misunderstand. I still advise you to recommend the game in a different way," Shirou said, clapping his hands and tidying up his finished bento box before standing up.

"Shirou-senpai, are you going somewhere?" Mash asked in confusion.

"Yeah, I'm going to the clubroom upstairs for a bit. Yukino should be there. We'll meet at the Kyudo Club after school," Shirou said, heading upstairs.

As agreed, he met with Yukino to discuss how to deal with the uninvited guests from another world. He felt uneasy about Da Vinci's suggestion to increase their allies, unable to figure out whether it was good or bad to arbitrarily pull others into this.

However, his own strength was limited. With just him and Mash, they wouldn't be able to handle all the red dots on the map.

Walking up the stairs and around the corner, he soon arrived in front of a vacant classroom. The doorplate was covered with some meaningless, colorful stickers. This was the Service Club's room.

Shirou knocked on the door and then pushed it open. As expected, he saw the black-haired girl making tea inside. Her bento box was neatly packed on the table, and a girl with a dumpling-like hairstyle sat beside it.

"Yaho~! Shirou," Yuihama greeted with a cheerful smile.

"Yo," Shirou walked into the clubroom.

"Here," After Yukino poured Yuihama a cup of tea, she walked over, poured another cup, and handed it to the boy.

"Thanks," Shirou took the tea. A stream of hot steam rose from the cup, and a faint fragrance filled the air.

"I thought carefully about it last night. Besides decisive combat power, what we urgently need now is reasonable tactics. If we have enough understanding of our opponents, we can prepare accordingly for the battle. In short, I'll find a way to ask experts and compile information on possible monsters and their skills," Yukino said.

"I understand. I'll leave the external investigation to Mash and me. If we encounter a strong enemy and need help, I'll summon you," Shirou nodded.

"Huh? Tactics? Investigation?" The girl with the dumpling hairstyle tilted her head and looked at the boy and girl. This conversation didn't involve any strange English jargon, so why was she still completely confused?

Chapter 21: Hrunting Launched

Shirou's proposal reached a consensus with Yukino Yukinoshita. Yukino, lacking stamina, was indeed not suited for long-distance travel.

The athletic boy would go out to find monsters, while she would stay behind the scenes and provide support when summoned, playing her greatest role at critical moments. This was the most reasonable arrangement.

However, the experience of being suddenly pulled into a light screen was really not pleasant. Yukino sighed, recalling yesterday's encounter, "It can't be helped, but it's best to manage our time well. No..."

The girl stopped mid-sentence, as if she had thought of something. She raised her head, her eyes serious, and stared directly at Shirou, saying, "Forget what I just said! Listen carefully! If you encounter danger, call me out to help immediately! Absolutely do not take risks, understand?"

Shirou had originally planned to try and deal with the monsters himself if it wasn't absolutely necessary. However, this thought had already been seen through by Yukino. Under the girl's intense gaze, he could only agree, "I understand. I'll trouble you then."

"Eh?" Yuihama shook her head, looking at the two in surprise. Was she being excluded?

"Yes, it's good that you understand. Although you, a two-star meat shield, aren't very useful, if you get injured, it will force Mash and me to face greater risks in future battles. Please protect yourself and at least do your support work well," Yukino said with a light smile.

When this person smiled, her words always carried a hint of sarcasm, though she was very beautiful.

"Wait! Wait! Yukino? Shirou? What are you guys talking about? Why can't I understand anything?" Yuihama ran over and asked.

"Yuihama..." Yukino didn't know how to explain it for a moment. The girl who pursued absolute justice refused to lie, always acting with integrity, and would speak her mind to anyone, which was why others didn't understand her.

The girl didn't want to lie to her friend but was worried about involving Yuihama and causing her harm, finding herself in a dilemma.

"We're talking about the game," Shirou stepped in to answer.

"A game? So the injuries and everything? It's all part of the game? I see," Yuihama said with relief and a smile.

"Yeah, it's a very unreasonable game. Like how monsters that can casually knock down walls are actually Assassins," Shirou changed the subject.

"Hmm..." Yuihama walked over and stared at the truthful Yukino, feeling something was suspicious.

"Then why didn't you invite me to play too! I thought Yukino wanted to study, so I endured all night without inviting Yukino to play FGO!" Yuihama complained, hugging the black-haired girl.

"I know, I know. I'll play with you when I have time later," Yukino said helplessly.

"Hehehe, that's more like it," Yuihama finally seemed satisfied and smiled happily.

Thus, according to the plan, Yukino would stay behind the scenes, organize information, and formulate tactics. Shirou and Mash would conduct mobile patrols, search for otherworldly spaces, and destroy the monsters within.

After school in the afternoon, Shirou and Mash walked out together.

"Shirou-senpai, it's in the abandoned building up ahead," Mash said, using the map function Chaldea had provided her, heading towards the marked location. This time, the target was a small red dot, not a formidable opponent like the last one.

Taking advantage of the empty surroundings, Shirou and Mash ran into the abandoned building. Judging by its interior structure, it was probably an old-fashioned shopping mall. Entering inside revealed a spacious central area. There was no ceiling, and looking up, one could see the roof three or four stories above. It was likely used for events.

Stairs were present on both sides, and they were clearly visible from the railings on each floor's walkway, making it seem like a perfect spot for an ambush.

"Shirou-senpai, prepare for battle!" Mash said, transforming into her shield-wielding form.

Shirou also opened his phone. After entering this area, the icon on his phone had indeed changed. He tapped to enter the FGO system, and the operation interface quickly unfolded. The characters highlighted in frames were still only two.

Merlin, in the gold frame, still indicated insufficient compatibility, but the compatibility bar above had increased significantly. Was it related to his training level?

Shirou mused, pressing the bronze-framed, brown-haired man with his finger. A bright light flashed on the screen. The Heroic Spirit's spiritual equipment, armor, and white cloak were equipped onto the youth.

As the young man and woman stepped into the central area, shadows emerged from the railings above, the stairs, and the dark corners behind them.

"Yaaah!!" With eyes flashing fiercely, green-skinned monsters wielding large wooden clubs screamed and charged out.

"Shirou-senpai, it's Goblins! Although they're weaklings, there are many of them, so please be careful! I recommend fighting from a distance!" Mash said, charging forward with her shield.

"Don't worry, Mash. I'm quite confident in close combat!" Shirou swung the Holy Sword Ascalon, slashing at the green-skinned Goblins, felling them with his sharp blade.

Another Goblin leaped down from the floor above, lunging directly at Shirou's head.

"Trace-on!" A long sword instantly appeared. He directly uppercutted with his left hand, sending the Goblin flying. With a horizontal slash of his right hand, it turned into black smoke and vanished.

"Two swords really are more comfortable," Shirou said with a light chuckle, flicking his blade.

Through combat, the fighting experience deep within his memory was gradually reawakened. His body's reflexes, honed by daily training, kept pace with the Heroic Spirit's abilities. Against such enemies, he didn't even need to use his Mystic Eyes.

Goblins were not difficult enemies. With Mash and Shirou working together, they could eliminate these monsters.

"Yaaah!!!" The last Goblin let out an enraged roar before finally falling to the ground.

But strangely, the atmosphere around him still felt tense, as if the danger hadn't passed.

"Senpai, something's wrong! The spatial anomaly hasn't disappeared yet! Ah!" Mash exclaimed, pulling out her phone to check.

A large red dot appeared on her scanner, its danger level even exceeding the mutated Chimera from last time.

A loud bang echoed from the stairs of the abandoned building. Outside the central area, the ceiling began to crackle and break. With a roar, the ceiling shattered, and large chunks of rock rained down. A massive monster leaped down from above.

It was a monster entirely blood-red. Its body had the texture of a stone lion statue, but its head was covered in root-like branches that obscured its eyes. It had a large mouth, revealing unnervingly flat, white teeth, and a long, lizard-like tail, also adorned with root-like branches similar to its head.

"Senpai, it's a Soul Eater (Black Beast). Judging by its color, it looks like another mutated and strengthened variant."

"I figured that out without you telling me," Shirou retorted, projecting a bow and arrow, taking aim at the Soul Eater.

The mutated Soul Eater's all-over redness was ominous, like flowing blood. Looking at such a monster, the air around them felt thick, and even the air they breathed seemed to carry the scent of blood.

A red afterimage flashed, and the monster instantly appeared before the youth. Its speed was completely unexpected. The raised beast-like paw was about to strike.

"Hah!" Mash charged forward, and light emanated from the center of her giant cross shield.

[The Shield of Determination] As a symbol of the Knights of the Round Table, her conviction to protect had been sublimated into a Noble Phantasm. While she stood here, she would not allow any enemy to attack her companions.

The monster's beast-like paw struck Mash's shield, blocking a fatal blow for Shirou.

"Thanks, Mash!" Shirou quickly retreated to create distance.

The monster's speed this time was truly surprising. Although its size appeared to be slightly smaller than the previous pitch-black Chimera, the red Soul Eater's speed was at least three times that of the Chimera.

Shirou's eyes flashed with the iridescent light of amber gems. He analyzed the Soul Eater using his Mystic Eyes.

"Evasion state?" Shirou again fired several arrows at the Soul Eater with the projected bow. The monster turned into afterimages, easily dodging the arrows.

"Is this evasion state going to go on forever? There's no other way!" Shirou silently chanted the incantation for Projection Magecraft.

"Hrunting!"

This was a Demon Sword from the British epic Beowulf, possessing the characteristic of tracking an enemy upon smelling blood.

The black Demon Sword, modified in Shirou's hands, contracted into a slender arrow.

He extended his arm, nocked the arrow, aimed at the Soul Eater, and shot!

Black light transformed into a swift shadow, piercing the air, traversing the cold wind, locking onto its target. The black arrowhead flashed red.

The Soul Eater once again became an afterimage, dodging the arrow's direct path.

'Hrunting,' the black arrow's body revealed red patterns, changing direction at the same time, piercing directly into the crimson afterimage.

A cry of pain erupted from the monster in the alternate dimension.

ps: (If I said that the Yukino from the previous chapter was actually Yuuki Rito, would you hit me? (ω?* )ノ?)

There's another chapter tonight. I'll try posting it in the evening to see if it gets more popular. If I start offering bounties next month, will anyone respond? Like welfare bounties such as 200 recommendations + 1 more chapter.

Chapter 22 JK Phone Pops Up

Inside the abandoned shopping mall, enveloped by the异空间, the red afterimage froze after being hit. An arrow was embedded in the Soul Eater's rough back, and blood flowed from the wound, though it was indistinguishable from sweat on its red body.

"Roooar!!!" The monster let out a long shriek of pain from the wound on its body. The sound waves spread outwards like shockwaves, causing the space within the building to tremble with its howl.

The crimson monster shook its body, and its long, lizard-like tail suddenly lifted, sweeping forcefully against its body, dislodging the arrow stuck in it.

The monster turned its head and let out a fierce cry towards the youth who had injured it, its claws stomping as it charged forward.

"Too shallow..." Shirou clicked his tongue and retreated.

Mash stepped forward with her shield, blocking the Soul Eater that lunged at Shirou.

"Shirou-senpai, this is an enhanced Oddity, just like the black Chimera we fought last time. It's specialized for offense, and each strike it lands on my shield feels like a critical hit from a regular Chimera. This time, our opponent is a Lancer class, specialized in speed. The Archer class is at a disadvantage, making arrows difficult to land effectively."

"Why do these monsters even get assigned classes! And who decided that using a bow means you're an Archer class? If I became a Heroic Spirit, I'd definitely be a Saber class! My ultimate move is Unlimited Blade Works too, though I can't use it with my current Spirit Base." Shirou exclaimed, but could only retreat, ditching his projected bow.

Even if he could use the top-tier defense of the Heroic Spirit Saint George and draw Ascalon to charge forward and parry, sharing the pressure with Mash, it was pointless if he couldn't hit anything.

Due to insufficient compatibility, he couldn't even unleash his Noble Phantasm, only able to resort to basic attacks. But he couldn't even hit the enemy now, what should he do?

"I'll hold them off! Senpai, hurry and summon a Servant to help!" Mash urged.

"I wish I could, but Yukino's account won't refresh! What's going on with this support summon system! I'm filing a complaint!" Shirou cursed.

Shirou tapped his phone, refreshing the screen, but Yukino-nyan wasn't appearing in the Saber class slot. After refreshing twice, he couldn't refresh anymore.

"I'll help you curse Da Vinci and the shoddy operations later. Just summon other support now! Find a Saber class that's good at fighting agile monsters!" Mash shouted.

"I know! Got it!" Shirou remembered a friend from the group chat they'd been grinding with last night and tapped the most familiar name: Sabre Don't Run Wild!

A beam of light shot up from his phone, and a tea-haired girl jumped out, landing lightly on the ground.

Shirou looked and saw it was indeed a familiar face. Seeing her outfit, he felt the tense atmosphere of the battle completely dissipate.

"Hey! Yuihama, are you cosplaying somewhere?" Shirou greeted.

"Ah! Yahallo! Shirou! ...Wait! Why am I suddenly here! And this isn't cosplay," Yuihama exclaimed.

The girl was wearing a JK uniform from some unknown school, with a red ribbon and a red pleated skirt, giving off a bit of a shrine maiden vibe. Her usual bun was let down, transforming her into a stylish, foxy girl with fox ears and a fox tail.

Her dyed hair and slightly alluring aura, coupled with her smiling face, made her look no different from any JK hanging out in Shinjuku these days.

Only the katana hanging from her waist indicated that she was indeed a Pseudo-Servant.

"What's going on? Shirou, why are you cosplaying as Teacher Qiao? Amakusa Shirou Tokisada would suit you better," Yuihama asked, leaning in and tapping the boy's armor, which clanged.