Please Play FGO With Me

Chapter 44: The Monster's Unexplained Hatred

At the last moment, Asuna arrived and activated her Noble Phantasm, saving Shirou.

"Are you hurt, Shirou-senpai?" Mash asked, shielding Shirou with her shield, her voice filled with concern.

"Ah! I managed to keep my head, thank you so much! Asuna, Yorimitsu." Shirou touched his chilled neck, realizing how close he had come to losing his head.

"If you want to thank me, I'll give you a chance later. For now, let's deal with this enemy. It seems one or two Noble Phantasms won't be enough to kill him!" Asuna, clad in a yukata and wielding the Noble Phantasm Dojigiri Yasutsuna, crackled with electricity as she stared intently at the enemy before them.

The man who had been blasted away by the Vajra was missing half his body. Black mud oozed from the gaping wound, making it look as though a cluster of wriggling earthworms were inside him. Fueled by the mana supplied by the Holy Grail, he quickly regenerated into human form.

"Is this really a Heroic Spirit?" Asuna asked, frowning as she looked at the bizarre, dark-skinned man.

"Class analysis is unclear. This state is very strange, as if his mind and body have been eroded by something. There's also a massive mana reaction within him, and it's confirmed to be the Holy Grail!" Little Da analyzed as he flew over.

"No way? Is that a corrupted Holy Grail?" Shirou frowned, a bad memory resurfacing.

"No, the Holy Grail reaction is normal. It's the Heroic Spirit's own state that has undergone some kind of change," Little Da reported after his scan.

"Is that so? Still, we can't just leave such a dangerous fellow alone," Shirou said, projecting a bow and arrows.

As he looked at the corrupted Perseus, the latter also turned his gaze towards the young man.

"I'll kill you next time! Emiya!" The dark man's broken body continued to repair itself in the black mud. Temporarily out of combat, he could only glare at Shirou, his eyes burning with endless hatred, before disappearing through the black hole.

"What in the world is going on?" Shirou watched the fleeing dark man. If the monsters he'd encountered before, with their red eyes fixed on him, could be attributed to Mad Enhancement or insanity, then the rage in this Heroic Spirit's eyes was one that sought to grind him into dust.

Could it be that the previous monsters and this Heroic Spirit were all targeting him? No, the Emiya he mentioned wasn't him, but the Shirou Emiya that Mash was looking for.

At that moment, Little Da projected a holographic image. Da Vinci had been notified and had arrived here.

Da Vinci said, "As expected, there's something going on here. In fact, according to my investigation, Emiya disappeared from Chaldea before the world changed."

"Shirou-senpai?" Mash asked.

Da Vinci nodded and continued, "Yes, which means the reason for Emiya's disappearance is likely different from other Heroic Spirits who returned due to the world's unstable mana. It's possible he's connected to this incident."

"No, the expression he gave me was like I had killed his parents. Did that Emiya do something unforgivable?" Shirou asked.

"Shirou-senpai wouldn't do anything bad like that! He's very similar to you, Shirou-senpai! Even if he doesn't say it, he always prepares delicious meals for everyone and takes care of me and Gudako-senpai..." Mash retorted emotionally.

"I know... Thank you, Mash." Shirou reached out and gently touched the junior who was desperately defending another version of himself. It was true that if it were him, he wouldn't do anything wicked, but what if it was for the sake of justice...

"These are all suspicious points. If the black mud on that Perseus is the same black mud we know, then this will be troublesome," Da Vinci stated, making the worst-case assumption.

"The black mud that corrupted Ushiwakamaru-san?!" Mash exclaimed in shock. Back then, facing an infinitely splitting Ushiwakamaru had been incredibly difficult, even with the goddess's help. In the end, the Heroic Spirit Kaizō, under the guise of Musashibō, sacrificed himself to take Ushiwakamaru down with him using his Noble Phantasm.

Da Vinci smiled and waved her hand, denying it. "No, that's impossible. It's probably some other kind of corruption. If that Emiya did something that would make the son of such a monster seek revenge, he would already be a top-tier Heroic Spirit in the Hall of Heroes."

"The specific reason is still unclear, but the only certainty is that he is the mastermind behind this attack on Chaldea. If we find him and defeat him, Chaldea's current crisis can be resolved," Da Vinci declared.

"Really? That's great! Then, once this problem is solved, can we bring Gudako-senpai and Fou back?" Mash asked joyfully.

"No, don't be too hasty, Mash. Let's resolve the current issue first. Gudako is fine over there, so don't worry," Da Vinci advised, feeling that things weren't that simple.

"Okay, then let's find that corrupted Heroic Spirit as soon as possible!" Mash said, clenching her fist with determination.

"Yeah! Mash, let's all work hard together! I'll definitely make sure you and Gudako meet!" Yuihama said, holding Mash's hand to encourage her.

"Then, let's all revert back now," Shirou said.

"Oh, I wonder what I should do this time..." Suzuka Gozen appeared, tapping her finger on her lips in thought.

"Shirou, you said you'd repay me earlier, didn't you?" Lancer Minamoto no Yorimitsu emerged.

'Since the crisis is resolved, I'll be heading back now.' Yukino heard a voice from within her, belonging to Atalanta.

"Eh? Don't you need to have your wish granted?" Yukino asked in her mind.

The beast-eared girl shook her head and softly thanked her. "My children are safe, so it is I who should thank you for responding to my wish."

Then, the Heroic Spirit within Yukino turned into a glow and returned to Chaldea.

"Eh? Yukino, has the Heroic Spirit within you already returned?" Suzuka Gozen leaned over and asked.

"Yes, Atalanta's wish has been granted," Yukino said, having returned to her normal form.

"Hmm... Shirou is quite busy, after all. I'll let it slide for today." Suzuka Gozen pondered, thinking that as a girlfriend, she should give her boyfriend some space.

"Is that so? Then I'll be heading back too." Minamoto no Yorimitsu, seeing this, agreed. It seemed that because the Heroic Spirits had become so familiar with everyone, the wishes they had made earlier were no longer as necessary.

Not long after the young men and women had released their Heroic Spirit possession, a girl's voice echoed from the entrance of the building.

"Senpai, why did you all suddenly run out? What were you doing?" Iroha Isshiki, who had been released from the illusion, ran out and called to the young men and women.

"Sorry, something came up. We just went out for a bit," Yuihama replied with a smile as she ran over.

"Ah!? Why is Mash here too?" Iroha Isshiki asked in surprise.

"Mash came to help too. The more hands, the better, right? Let's go inside! Oh, right! Iroha, how are things going with the preparations for the elementary schoolers? Come with me to check on them," Yuihama said, pushing Iroha Isshiki and changing the subject as they walked inside.

Chapter 45: The Search for a Way to Get Stronger

After that, the meeting proceeded smoothly. The elementary schoolers completed the decorations, hanging ribbons, stars, and balloons everywhere, and after decorating the Christmas tree, they began helping with preparations for the upcoming event and rehearsing the program the elementary schoolers would perform. At this point, the Service Club's work was considered complete.

"Then, we'll be heading back now," Yukino said, standing up.

"Eh? Aren't you seniors going to stay and help? We still need to make promotional flyers for the event," Iroha Isshiki exclaimed upon hearing her seniors' words.

"No, the commissions we accepted were only to help get your stalled meeting back on track. The rest is student council work," Yukino stated directly.

"That's right, so Iroha, you and everyone in the student council should work hard!" Yuihama said with a wink and a smile.

"Waaah... Shirou-senpai~ You'll stay and help me, won't you?" Iroha Isshiki asked, looking at the young man with her sparkling eyes and pouting coquettishly.

Shirou refused, "I'm sorry, Iroha, I have something else to do today."

"Eh? I understand..." Iroha Isshiki looked at the young man, a little surprised. Usually, even if a stranger asked for help, her senpai would agree without hesitation. It seemed like something important was happening this time.

"Senpai! If there's anything I can do to help, please tell me!" Iroha Isshiki said to the young man with a smile. She decided to support her senpai now, just as he had supported her.

"I understand. You focus on your student council work. I'll resolve things as quickly as possible and come back to help you," Shirou promised with a light chuckle.

"I know! I'll be waiting here for you, senpai!" Iroha Isshiki agreed with a smile.

"Iroha-san, please do your best! Don't aim so low with your dreams! After we max out Attila the Santa's Noble Phantasm, let's clear the entire lottery box together!" At this moment, Mash also stepped forward, clenching her fist with great spirit to encourage the girl of the same year.

"Mash! I know! I'll do my best!" Iroha Isshiki replied, deeply encouraged. That's right, she needed the spirit to clear the entire lottery box! Alright! Let's finish this work as quickly as possible!

The girl's fighting spirit reignited. Whether it was work or other matters, she would absolutely not lose to Yukino-senpai!

I'll show you! I'll work hard to become an amazing student council president!

As the girl's resolve hardened, the affinity with the faintly pink-haired Heavenly Flower, the dual-wielding swordsman, increased slightly in the depths of fate.

When Shirou and the girls walked out of the building, the outside world had already been repaired. The protective barrier had been filled back in by the world's consciousness. However, this did not change the harsh reality that monsters could now enter the real world and cause destruction directly. Everyone walked outside in silence, the atmosphere becoming somewhat heavy.

"So, what do we do next? That evil Heroic Spirit will probably appear suddenly again, right?" Yuihama asked worriedly.

"Yuihama-senpai, that Heroic Spirit is currently in hiding, and Chaldea can't detect his reaction. But as long as we're together, we'll have no problem dealing with that Heroic Spirit," Mash said.

"Yes, worrying is pointless. For now, let's all go home and get some good rest," Yukino decided.

"Mhm, I agree. After all, everyone is tired from today's battle, and the battles ahead will be even tougher. So, we must rest well. Both physically and mentally, the condition of both is important," Asuna said with a smile, bidding farewell to everyone.

"Yeah, let's do that. See you all tomorrow," Shirou nodded. Since it was near the station, after escorting the girls to the subway station, they all went their separate ways home.

After that, Shirou returned to his room, sat by his bed, opened the system on his phone, and contacted Chaldea.

"Da Vinci, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Yes, yes, is there something you want to ask?" Da Vinci's stereoscopic image appeared after the call connected.

"I'll get straight to the point. Is there any way for me to obtain Emiya's Spirit Origin?" Shirou asked.

"You want to become a Heroic Spirit? With Emiya not existing now, that's impossible. Although you could be considered a possibility of Shirou Emiya, you are ultimately a different person," Da Vinci shook his head.

"The foundation of my combat ability is my Reality Marble, 'Unlimited Blade Works.' Although my inner world has always existed within my soul, this body in this world has no magical energy. And if I were to rely on possession summoning, I would be using another Heroic Spirit's Spirit Origin. Although Merlin is strong, that's not the most suitable fighting style for me," Shirou said.

"Reality Marble, huh... If that's the case, there might be a way," Da Vinci said.

"What way?" Shirou asked excitedly. In his previous life, he was considered excellent as a Mage, but only third-rate as a Magus. Even after receiving some of Merlin's experience, he was still only second-rate.

"Well, although the transfer device is a bit unstable, why don't you possess summon as a Heroic Spirit and come to Chaldea!" Da Vinci said, striking his palm with a smile.

"Eh?" Shirou was stunned for a moment. So, he could go to Chaldea in another world?

"Then prepare to depart~!" Little Da appeared on the phone screen, activating possession summoning for Shirou. Then Da Vinci operated the machine, and a white light enveloped him. The young man was thus teleported to Chaldea in another world.

As Christmas approached, the weather grew colder. According to the weather forecast, it might even rain recently, which was becoming increasingly unfriendly to graduating students.

In the early morning, on the road to the middle school, there weren't many pedestrians yet. Just breathing caused clouds of white mist to form from one's mouth.

A cold wind blew.

"So cold~~" Komachi shivered, hugging herself, hunching her back, rubbing her hands, and burying her face deep into her tightly wrapped scarf, complaining unhappily.

"Honestly! My brother is so useless! At a time like this, a cute little sister needs him most to block the wind! He actually left Komachi alone, saying he had important training to do!"

Because it was too cold, the girl didn't realize at all that at some point, there were no other pedestrians around her, and this place had become an isolated alternate dimension.

A rift tore open in the space ahead, and a blue dragon over ten meters tall roared, continuously widening the crack as it emerged. The blue dragon blocking the path was a monster that had tracked Shirou's scent.

Komachi stood frozen, looking at the somewhat familiar dragon ahead. She tilted her head in confusion, rubbed her eyes, and thought she had been studying too hard lately, seeing hallucinations.

Thinking this, the girl took out her phone, deciding to play some FGO to get a few dragon scales to calm her nerves.

"Roar!!"

The dragon roared with its mouth wide open. The sound waves and the wind pressure it generated blew the girl's hair and scarf upward.

"It's the real thing coming for revenge!" Komachi turned, raised her hands, and ran as fast as her legs could carry her, crying out, "Waaah! Brother! Save Komachi!"

Chapter 46: Drinking Dragon Wine with My Sister

"Master! Prepare for battle." The surroundings were already covered by the alternate dimension. Little Da flew out of the phone.

"Ah? Cute little fairy!" Hikigaya Komachi, who was fleeing, exclaimed in surprise.

"Thank you for the compliment." Little Da smiled proudly, curtsied with the hem of her skirt, and said, "But there's no time for idle chat. Prepare for battle!"

At this moment, white light flashed from the girl's phone. Little Da, due to the player's insurance mechanism, instantly arrived here through the server.

Detecting enemy class... Rider;

Race is Dragon;

Selecting suitable Heroic Spirits for the host;

Found a match

Summoning by possession

Assassin class Heroic Spirit: Shuten-doji

A pillar of light descended, the Heroic Spirit's possession was complete. A pair of sharp horns grew on her forehead. She wore a purple kimono, left trailing on the ground, with the sleeves pulled back to her shoulders, revealing a smooth back. Various sake gourds of different styles and sizes hung from her body.

The world had changed since the last attack by Perseus. When Servants were summoned and possessed into this world, their fusion with the host became smoother, and their strength was also enhanced.

"Shuten-doji, let's assist each other and prepare for battle!" Little Da reminded her.

"Don't wanna? That's a dragon, anyway. This isn't my territory, so just leave it be. I don't even have any subordinates right now, fighting would be super troublesome," Shuten waved her hand, refusing Little Da's suggestion.

"Eh?!" Little Da exclaimed in surprise. It seemed she had chosen the wrong Heroic Spirit. One of the most famous demons in local legends, she wasn't a Heroic Spirit for any great deeds for humanity, acting purely on whim and impulse.

"Since I've come to this world, I want to go sightseeing everywhere," the oni girl said, dragging her trailing purple kimono as she walked towards the other side.

"Wait! Shuten-doji! You do have subordinates! I'll call them out right now," Little Da quickly flew over, grabbed the hem of Shuten-doji's kimono, and shouted.

"You have subordinates? If they're boring, I'm never going to talk to you again," Shuten-doji said, showing a flicker of interest.

Little Da operated Komachi's phone and tapped on the account representing Shirou. This time, it displayed a question mark? representing an unconfirmed Heroic Spirit from FGO.

A pillar of light descended, and what appeared was a Saber class Heroic Spirit no one had ever seen before. A red-haired youth with amber Mystic Eyes, wearing a white cloak, his upper body bare, revealing a well-trained six-pack.

This was the youth Shirou himself, or perhaps Shirou in his ideal strongest state. This might be one of his future possibilities. Shirou made his formal debut, a new combat mode developed with the help of Da Vinci and the other Heroic Spirits from Chaldea.

"My current state isn't fully developed yet. If possible, I really wish I had been summoned as Merlin," Shirou said, staring at the blue-haired giant dragon ahead with his Mystic Eyes, but his expression remained calm.