The Journey Begins in DanMachi

Yet, a searing heat spread from the back of her hand to her arm, and even throughout the girl's entire body, stirring an unprecedented palpitation in her heart.

Following an instinct from deep within, Sakura Matou forced her eyes open, gazing through tear-filled pupils at the center of the blinding light.

As a tall figure clad in pale silver armor emerged from the magic circle, bathed in electric currents, Sakura Matou felt a series of sharp stings across her skin, as if arcs of electricity were shattering against it.

Finally, accompanied by a low, deep Thunderclap that resonated through the void and shook her very lungs, Noah Cipher's consciousness finally broke free from the frantically swirling vortex of light.

This, where the hell did this bring me?

Is this still Orario?

After a few seconds of confusion, a wealth of knowledge surfaced in his mind, bringing Noah back to his senses.

Oh right, that trash system said he could fight many interesting people, and no matter how long he stayed here, only one second would pass in Orario, so Noah had come over.

So, I'm on a business trip to throw hands, right!

Just listen to that incantation.

--Listen up! I provide the magic, you do the work! If you were snatched by the Holy Grail, can hear me, and generally agree with my terms, give me a sign! Let's get this straight: I might do good, I might do bad; there are three *Command Spell*s, and you're stuck with me for seven days! I'm not covering travel expenses, figure it out yourself... those are the terms, and the Holy Grail reserves the right of final interpretation...

Hmm, so, where is my Master?

The knowledge surfacing in Noah's mind told him that he had manifested as a Heroic Spirit, and all the magic power required for combat was provided by this Master.

Although Noah didn't expect the other party to be particularly strong, he at least hoped they wouldn't be a drag.

In Orario, he had finally shed the miserable state of being a glass-cannon adventurer and experienced the joy of being a hex-stat monster; he didn't want to go back to that now.

Sweeping his gaze around, Noah spotted many insect remains in the vicinity and couldn't help but frown.

Ugh, how disgusting.

Then, Noah saw a young girl with black hair staring at him in a daze, and behind her, an old bald man whose eyes were practically popping out of their sockets.

The first thought that crossed Noah's mind wasn't confirming through Magic Resonance that the young girl was his Master, nor was it the feeling that this old man was as repulsive as a bug.

It was—

How is it another child trafficking scene?

"I am Zouken Matou," the bald old man recovered before Sakura Matou, stepping past the young girl to stand before him, his voice rattling from deep within his throat. "May I ask, what is your name, Excellency? And under what class have you descended?"

The first impression this old man gave Noah was that he was no good, and absolutely revolting.

However, having been through so much, Noah wasn't one to judge solely by appearance.

Better to communicate first.

"I'm Noah, Noah Cipher, descended as a... Berserker class?"

Checking his own panel, Noah answered with hesitation.

Zouken Matou fell silent, his pupils invisible as he radiated a gaze that felt like a calculated appraisal.

After a long while, he nodded at Noah as if suddenly jolted awake.

"My deepest apologies, I am ignorant; whether it is the fact that you can communicate correctly despite descending as a Berserker, or your name itself, I have never heard of either."

In truth, the only thing Zouken Matou truly cared about was Noah's name.

After all, it was not uncommon for strange circumstances to occur during the summoning of a Heroic Spirit.

For instance, due to some unknown reason, Noah had manifested autonomously a year early, without a catalyst or an active summoning.

Or perhaps, he had descended as a Berserker but could still converse rationally, possibly due to possessing some special Noble Phantasm.

But the problem was, Zouken Matou had never heard the name Noah Cipher.

The strength and class of a Heroic Spirit were closely tied to their Master, but more importantly, to the spirit themselves.

Heroes who created epic legends, conquerors who built immortal achievements, gods who reached the other shore of the heavens... compared to those who were obscure in life, these *Heroic Spirit*s undoubtedly possessed greater power.

Even if it were just one or two special Noble Phantasms condensed from legend, they could potentially turn the tide of battle.

Yet, having lived for hundreds of years and possessing experience that undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of the world, Zouken Matou could be certain that he had never heard the legend of Noah Cipher.

However, at least on the surface, Zouken Matou didn't feel that Noah was weak.

Is he a fictional Heroic Spirit? But I've never heard of him in any story.

Or perhaps, a Heroic Spirit from a parallel world?

But parallel worlds are merely manifestations of different timelines; the legends should be largely similar.

In that case, the opponent's strength would depend entirely on his luck.

"That's normal. I'm not from your world. Although I don't know how I stack up in this world, I have saved a world before, so I should be decent, right?"

Can't tell, absolutely can't tell anything unusual.

Zouken Matou observed Noah silently, attempting to use the experience he had accumulated over hundreds of years to analyze the identity of the unknown Heroic Spirit before him.

As individuals who had lived legendary lives, every Heroic Spirit basically possessed a core conviction etched into their marrow, which had become a part of their personality.

But in Noah, Zouken Matou could barely discern any specific emotion.

Humility, arrogance, wildness, confidence, cowardice, integrity... aside from a trace of curiosity about his surroundings, he couldn't detect any other thoughts at all.

Occasionally meeting his gaze, Zouken Matou felt as if he were looking into a mirror.

Those clear, azure eyes faithfully reflected the outside world while completely concealing their own emotions and will.

He could be certain that, despite the vast difference in appearance, the essence was that of an old schemer cut from the same cloth as himself—

Tsk, Zouken Matou had a premonition that he and this person would likely not get along.

Having witnessed the Holy Grail War several times, Zouken Matou knew very well that a lack of harmony between Servant and Master was more fatal than anything else.

If they failed to coordinate with their Master, the more powerful the Heroic Spirit, the more of a burden they became.

Should he kill him and summon another?

Regardless, he had arrived by accident anyway...

However, whether he decided to keep him or destroy him, he needed to understand him further first.

"Sakura, can you see this gentleman's information?"

Sakura Matou had been standing quietly to the side, only occasionally casting curious glances at the silver-haired swordsman.

Although she did not know exactly what had happened, Sakura Matou knew that something very important must have occurred.

If 'Grandfather' could forget about her because of this and treat her like air, that would be wonderful.

Unfortunately, things went against her wishes, and Zouken Matou still looked at her.

Not only that, but Sakura Matou also sensed a change in Zouken Matou's mood.

It shifted from the ease of teasing her and enjoying her fear to something rather heavy.

Sakura Matou dared not wait and hurriedly checked the information on Noah Cipher.

After all, coming from a family of magi, although Sakura Matou did not know what a Class was or what a Heroic Spirit was, she could sense the fluctuations in magical energy.

It was as if a light screen had suddenly appeared before her; she did not know how it was done, but reading the text was easy enough.

Noah Cipher

Class: Berserker

Alignment: Neutral Good

Strength: C

Endurance: C

Agility: B

Mana: B-

Luck: A+

Noble Phantasm: Ex

Class Skills

[Berserk](C):

[Magic Resistance](C)

Personal Skills

[Intuition](A)

[Battle Continuation](B)

[Compassion of the World](A+): Increases Luck, grants immunity to mental interference, and boosts attributes when fighting to save the world.

[Radiance of Moon and Stars](A): Protection of the bright moon and stars, increases charm toward women.

Noble Phantasms:

[Silent Sorrow]

Rank: Ex

Type: Anti-Country Noble Phantasm

Range: 1~999

Maximum Targets: 999 people

The final crystallization of world power, forged in the blood and fire of living beings, harboring hatred and hope, the power of heavenly thunder and karmic fire, judging sin and saving the pure; it is both a sword of salvation and a sword of destruction, the key connecting the future and the end.

[Thunder Decree]

[Elegy of Light]

Rank: EX

Type: Barrier Noble Phantasm

Range: ????

Maximum Targets: ????

the will of all living beings, transcending predetermined fate, annihilating the heart of light, transforming into the purest darkness, bearing all sins and karmic killings with a heart of ultimate goodness.

Devouring attacks and making them his own—even from the perspective of Zouken Matou, these stats were sufficiently excellent.

After all, the other party was using a little girl whose magical energy had yet to be fully developed as a mana source.

If he were to assist, taking a year to prepare, raising several attributes to A-rank would likely be a breeze.

In particular, these Noble Phantasms were truly exceptional.

To summon such a powerful Heroic Spirit again would likely require considerable luck.

Moreover, summoning a Heroic Spirit a year in advance provided an overwhelming advantage.

Torn between his desire for the Holy Grail and the rational urge to nip danger in the bud, Zouken Matou struggled for quite a while before his inner greed finally took hold.

All in!

Who cries every single day?!

"My powerful Heroic Spirit, I hope we can cooperate sincerely and win this Holy Grail War."

Looking at the hand Zouken Matou extended, Noah thought for a moment and did not take it.

He feared that his instincts might cause his body to react before his consciousness could, leading him to strike the man down instantly.

"Hmm, cooperation is fine. I have no interest in the Holy Grail; I only want a satisfying fight. As long as you can provide me with sufficient mana, that will suffice."