When his first sword strike struck the Silverback's arm, only slightly cutting into the white-furred ape's skin and muscle, Shirou knew this battle wouldn't be easy.
He could easily shoot through the Silverback's eyes with his archery, and his projected magic swords could break through its tough hide. However, engaging in close combat with ordinary swords meant facing the problem of his relatively low basic stats due to only recently obtaining his divine blessings.
The natural disparity between humans and monsters became all too clear, especially as Shirou challenged one of the strongest Lv1 monsters, pitting his weakest attributes-Strength and Agility-against the monster's superior Defense and Endurance.
If it weren't for the two Lv4 Second Class Adventurers behind him, Shirou wouldn't have risked using this dangerous battle as an opportunity to hone his skills.
Dodging the Silverback's furious counter punch, he threw the sword in his left hand, skewering an Imp that was leaping toward him.
He swung the sword in his right hand, and the blade swiftly cut into the Silverback's arm again.
The blade slashed through its tough hide but got stuck in its resilient muscles and bones.
The Silverback roared in pain, but at the same time, it felt a sense of joy, knowing its enemy would be forced to abandon their weapon.
In most cases, an adventurer who loses their weapon would be severely weakened in battle.
Shirou's expression remained calm. Instead of letting go, he twisted the sword sharply.
The blade shattered, its fragments embedding deeply into the gorilla monster's tendon and bone, crippling one of its arm.
Abandoning both weapons so decisively was a luxury only someone like him—a
Projection Mage-could afford.
"In close combat, it's harder to hit vital points than with a bow..."
The Imps posed no real threat. Their individual combat ability was low, and their defenses weak. They relied on numbers and sacrificial tactics to overwhelm slow front-liners but were ill-suited to fight a skilled swordsman like Shirou.
But to kill a Silverback in close range combat, he would need a stronger weapon.
He projected two more swords and, while dodging the Silverback's attacks, began to chant.
Simultaneously fighting and chanting, was known as concurrent chanting, a high level technique that was incredibly difficult to learn and even harder to master. However, it came very naturally to Shirou.
"Judging the concept of creation.."
He parried the Imp's attack and countered with a reverse stab.
"Hypothesizing the basic structure."
He swung both swords, forming a silver arc that cut down a bat monster trying to approach.
"Duplicating the composition material. Imitating its craftsmanship. Sympathizing with the experience of its growth."
He took advantage of the injured Silverback's reduced threat and used its massive body as a shield against the other monsters.
"Reproducing the accumulated years. Excelling every manufacturing process.
Come forth the sword of fantasy-"
Shirou unleashed a dim black sword slash. A burst of crimson blood erupted along with the painful wail of a monster.
This time, his slash severed the Silverback's sturdy arm.
In his hands was a wild, majestic, powerfully sharp sword over one and a half meters long, emanating a sinister aura.
[Fake-Hrunting II (Hound of the Red Plains).] Projection complete.
"At my current level, I can only project hollow shells of noble phantasms." Shirou swung the long sword again, but instead of the blood being flung off, it was absorbed into the blade, causing it to glow with a dark red light.
"But for these monsters, even a hollow shell is more than sufficient."
The original owner of [Hrunting] was none other than Beowulf, the protagonist of the oldest surviving English epic poem, Beowulf.
The name Beowulf was the origin of the word "Berserk", and he is one of the most famous monster hunters and dragon slayers in mythology.
"Boom!" Emiya's heart throbbed violently.
"That feeling… it's back again—"
The peculiar state he had entered once before, when he first projected [Fake—Ariadne Aporito Adis II(And Thus, The Thread Leads To The Terminus)], reappeared again, despite his previous failed attempts to recreate it.
"[Skill ????? (Roadless Valhalla) activated.]
[Temporarily acquired Development Ability: [Hunter] I.]
[Temporarily acquired Development Ability: [Mad Enhancement] I.]
[Temporarily acquired Skill: [Fake-Dragon Slayer II].]"
His blood rapidly course through his body, and the fatigue caused by the heavy magic usage was replaced by the thrill of battle. Shirou exhaled a searing breath.
In a rare moment, amidst the intensity of combat, Shirou pointed his sword toward the monsters and shouted.
"Let's go, I'm just getting started!"
...
Alicia watched Shirou's back intently, gripping her staff, her magic ready to be unleashed at a moment notice.
"What's up with that child?" Her gaze never leaving the fight, her voice so soft that only Ryuu could hear her.
"While I believe he did the right thing, but isn't he a bit too extreme for someone his age?" While Alicia admired Shirou's decisiveness, she couldn't help but feel a bit concerned. She worried that the boy might end up going down a dangerous path.
"Shirou, he…" After a moment of hesitation, Ryuu spoke in a soft voice. "I saved him from a hideout of Evilus."
Alicia was a trustworthy person, Ryuu trust her, not just because Alicia was a fellow elf, or that she is from the renowned Loki Familia, but also because they had fought side by side in the past.
They had both struggled through the Dark Age of Orario. The difference was that Alicia had managed to move forward, toward a brighter future, while Ryuu was still struggling to shake off the shadows of her past.
"I see," Alicia replied quietly. She didn't need any further explanation. Having dealt with Evilus before, and knowing their depraved nature, she could easily imagine the terrible things Shirou must have experienced.
She sighed softly. "No wonder this boy is so mature."
Alicia's Loki Familia also had a 13-year-old child—Ais Wallenstein, the [Sword Princess], who had already reached Level 5. Yet despite her strength, Ais was still the kind of troublemaker who often caused headaches for the Familia's guardians.
By contrast, Shirou's calm and mature demeanor was far beyond his age.
"Is it because of his past that he has developed this kind of personality," Alicia murmured.
Some people let their past torment them, wishing to spread their pain to others, while others rise above it, using their past suffering to strengthen their resolve.
"What a heartbreaking child…" The elf's voice was gentle, the boy's figure grew brighter in her eyes.
Alicia: "I just want to hug him close and gently comfort him~"
Ryuu: ?!
"Comforting Shirou should be my job!" Ryuu thought inwardly, her mind in turmoil.
As she watched Alicia's voluptuous figure radiate a motherly warmth, Ryuu grew flustered and anxious.
But when Ryuu looked down, all she could see—despite not quite being a flat plain—was the clear sight of her own toe—
"Guh…"
The overwhelming gap in power left the useless elf letting out a cry of defeat.
———
(Fun Fact: There is a saying in Chinese with many variations that goes something like "when she look down she can't see her toe", it is use to describe someone with very big bust.)
(Fun Fact 2: Japanese saying for flat chest is pettanko, in Chinese those with flat chest are said to own an airport, or plain.)
Hrunting
https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/Hrunting