[Even when Ritsuka was softly snoring to himself, the needles of the clock hanging by the wall continued to tick away.
The needles spun and spun around until they indicated 11:59:57 PM.
Tick, tock, tick.
58, 59, 60….
The needles stopped moving precisely as they touched 12:00:00.
Tti-ring.
[You've failed to complete the Daily Quest. You'll be transferred to the 'Penalty Zone' for a set period of time.]
RUMBLE!!!
Ritsuka eyes shot right open from the violent tremor that shook his entire body.
"An earthquake?!"
Ritsuka sat right up and grabbed the edges of the bed. The shaking was so bad that he couldn't maintain his balance.
RUMBLE!!
The shaking got progressively worse as the seconds ticked by. It happened then.
One of the steel bars on the bed he held on for dear life suddenly broke. No, it didn't break per se, but simply 'disappeared'. Ritsuka hurriedly looked at his palm. No steel bar there, just grains of sand.
'Sand?!'
Meanwhile, the 'earthquake' became even more violent.
RUUUUMBLE!!!
"Uwaaahk!!"
In the end, Ritsuka was thrown off from the bed. He bounced around all over the hospital room and screamed out. Even when that was happening, items within the room was turning into sand one at the time.
"Uwaaaahhhh!!"
….Plop.
Ritsuka was flung away and got deposited rather unceremoniously.
He felt something soft against his fingertips. They happened to be ultra-fine grains of sand.
And the accursed earthquake had stopped.
"Ptooi! Ptooi!!"
Ritsuka spat out the sand on his shoulder and hurriedly raised his head up.
"….?!"
His eyes caught the sight on an endless plain of nothing but sand.
Ritsuka frowned heavily and got up. All the sand that found its way inside his clothes poured out. He dusted the sand caked on his chest while taking a look around him.
Indeed, all he could see was sand. And more sand.
"A desert….?!"
This couldn't be real.
Until a few moments ago, he was sleeping on a bed inside a hospital located in the middle of Seoul. But now, as soon as he opened his eyes, he was in the middle of a massive desert?
Ritsuka scooped up a handful of sand, and let it slip through his fingers. The fine grains fell straight down to the ground.
'There is not a single breeze here.'
It wasn't just the breeze, though – when he raised his head up to look, the sky didn't have a sun, a moon, or any stars for that matter.
It was an empty sky, as if it was filled up with black ink and nothing else.
However, for some reason, he had no trouble seeing at all.
"Just where is this place?"].]
---
Suzuka Gozen (crossing her arms, pouting):
"Ugh, it's over! Master's counterpart totally brought this on himself! I mean, come on, ignoring a system warning? That's like, textbook bad vibes! Didn't even check what the 'Penalty Zone' was! Geez, talk about reckless."
Koyanskaya (smirking, a sly tone in her voice):
"Reckless doesn't even begin to cover it. A sky with no sun, no stars, no wind… It feels eerily intentional."
Goredolf Musik (wiping sweat from his forehead, visibly anxious):
"An endless sky with nothing in it, not even a single star to light the way. A barren wasteland filled with sand… Is this even Earth anymore? What kind of place is this Penalty Zone?!"
James Moriarty (adjusting his monocle, intrigued):
"Quite the peculiar setting. No celestial bodies, yet visibility remains unaffected. This is no ordinary phenomenon—it's a space governed by its own unique rules. A masterstroke in design, but unnervingly sinister."
Morgan le Fay (stern and analytical, her arms crossed):
"To forcibly transport someone to a separate dimension as a punishment... This so-called system is anything but ordinary. It has the power to bend space and reality to its whim. It's dangerous."
Tiamat (suddenly speaking, her voice carrying an undertone of dread):
"This place… it reeks of death."
Artoria Pendragon (Saber, turning to Tiamat with concern):
"Death? What do you mean by that? Is this place truly so perilous?"
Tiamat (placing a hand on her chest, her expression somber):
"It's difficult to explain. I feel… an opposite force. It's as if this space embodies my antithesis. Where I represent life, creation, and nurturing… this place is pure, unyielding death. It's unnatural."
Gilgamesh (leaning forward, crimson eyes gleaming as he scrutinizes the screen):
"Hmph. Tiamat, your instincts rarely steer you wrong. If you sense death here, then it's likely true. A place devoid of stars or wind, yet filled with such ominous energy... A fitting realm for punishment, but hardly one that mongrel deserves."
James Moriarty (nodding thoughtfully):
"If this is a domain embodying death, then it raises further questions. What entity designed such a system? What rules govern it, and what purpose does system truly serve? What is the relation between system and Ritsuka?"
[With his stupid adorable face, Ritsuka saw himself in desert. Then suddenly a huge shadow casted over him. As he turned back to see. He saw another worst nightmare.
Phushu-!!
The falling sand emitted the roar of a waterfall.
Ritsuka's eyes went extra round in the meantime.
"An… an insect?"
The identity of the thing that exploded out from the sand was a giant centipede.
Kiiiieeehhhk!!
When fully revealed, the d*mn thing's head almost reached the height equaling that of a five-story building.
Ritsuka anxiously swallowed his saliva.
'This is unreal….'
For sure, the b*stard was unrealistically huge. He had never heard of a centipede this big existing in the world before. But the size of the centipede wasn't the only thing that shocked Ritsuka.
"Why is there a… name floating on top of that monster?"
Was he dreaming again?
Ritsuka closed and opened his eyes again, yet nothing had changed. Even now, there were five red words floating on top of the monster's head.
….Just like a monster from a video game might have.
'The Poison-Fanged Giant Desert Centipede.'
Just like its horrendous and bizarre appearance, its name too was something he'd like to avoid at all cost. What drew his attention the most was the two letters "poison" and "fanged".
He spotted a pair of fangs as large as a child jutting out just below the b*stard's jaw. It didn't take a genius to figure out what might happen if he got stabbed by those fangs simply from its name alone.
Seeing those large fangs and its jaw constantly opening and closing, it was as if….
"It's busy licking its lips, right?"
It was then, the sound went off in his head again.
Tti-ring.
[Penalty Quest: Survival]
Goal: Please survive until the end of the time limit.
Time limit: 4 hours
Remaining time: 4 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds
'Are you kidding me….?'
However, as soon as the 'remaining time' changed to 3 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds, the centipede parted sand and rushed towards him as if it couldn't wait any longer.
"Wha-what the hell?!"
Ritsuka hurriedly spun around and ran for his life.
There was no time to deliberate on things.
If he wanted to live, then he had to run!
That was the only thought racing in his head.
However, even before he had taken several steps, another pillar of sand exploded upwards not too far from his position.
Boom!!
"Euh-ahhck?!"
Ritsuka fell on his rear from the powerful shockwave. He rolled on the sandy ground before urgently getting back up. He swiped the sand off his face before his eyes shot open even wider.
This time, it wasn't just one or two of them.
Boom!!
Booooom!!
Before he had even noticed it, there were seven sand centipedes jutting out from the sand and they were all glaring at him.
Kiiieeechhk!!
Kiieeek!!
As the centipedes issued shrill cries, Ritsuka complexion changed for the worse. A lot worse.
"God d*mn it…."]
Ritsuka Fujimaru (wide-eyed):
"Wait, is that... a giant centipede?!"
Kadoc Zemlupus (sighing, rubbing his temples): "Of course, it has a red title above its head. Just perfect. He's in that kind of trouble again. Why does every version of Ritsuka Fujimaru attract danger like it's a natural talent?"
Goredolf Musik (panicking, hands flailing): "This is bad! A red title means danger, right? A deadly monster?! How can every Ritsuka I know stumble into the worst possible situations?!"
Ashiya Douman (grinning wickedly, a twisted tone in his voice):
"Mmmmmm... How delightful. The chaos, the terror... It's simply delectable~!"
Edmond Dantès (leaning forward, his expression grim): "Against that monstrosity, survival seems improbable. No matter how resilient he is, those odds..."
Meltryllis (crossing her arms, glaring at the screen):
"Damn it, Ritsuka! Why are you standing there with that stupid adorable face? Do something!"
Artoria Pendragon (Lancer, raising her voice slightly):
"Yes, run! Do not stand your ground. A tactical retreat is the best option here."
Ishtar (smirking slightly, yet with a concerned undertone):
"He did walk across all of America once, didn't he? Running shouldn't be a problem for him. Still, let's hope his luck holds out he's going to need it before that thing catches up to him."
Charlotte Corday (covering her mouth, her face pale):
"That creature... it's horrible! It's licking its jaws as if it's ready to devour him! Oh, Master, please run!"
Habetrot (fluttering nervously, waving her tiny hands):
"Run, Master! Run as fast as you can! Don't let those horrible bugs catch you!"
[Suddenly, the screen shows multiple explosions of sand as additional centipedes rise from the desert.]
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter, slamming a fist on the table, shouting):
"F*ck! How the hell are there so many of them now?! This is ridiculous!"
Oberon (leaning back, smirking darkly):
"Hmm. Ritsuka really does have a knack for choosing the hard mode in life, doesn't he?"
Cnoc na Riabh (clutching her seat, her voice worried): "This penalty quest... it's far worse than I initially thought. He's completely surrounded now."
James Moriarty (stroking his chin, calm but calculating): "Don't lose hope just yet. The size of these creatures works to his advantage. Such massive bodies must be cumbersome to maneuver, slowing them down significantly. This gives Ritsuka a chance to escape."
***
[Meanwhile a nurse came and saw his room. And another nurse came to see.
"No way..."
"What? What's wrong?"
"The patient in this ward..."
They started to search for him.
Meanwhile Ritsuka running with his life on line. He tried to save as much as energy as possible. Suddenly another centipede came out of sand and started to move towards Ritsuka.
"Huh? Uh, uh!"
Ritsuka desperately ran away
Ritsuka says while seeing them, (panting) "How many ones are there? Ahhaaa .... Still two hours left..."
While nurses still searching for him.
"AaaaHahaaaaaaa, Can't run aahhaa"
Ritsuka turned back to see one centipede catch up to him. Sweat coming from him. While world started to move slowly in his eyes.
03...,...
centipede opened its mouth to eat Ritsuka.
2...1.....0
"Ahhhhhha"
Ritsuka in last second escaped the hell.
Then Ritsuka reappeared in the hospital room exactly four hours later. He fell down after getting hit to the wall.
Plop.
Ritsuka keeled over on the floor and painfully wheezed out.
"Cough, cough!! Ptooi, ptooi!!"
His mouth felt full with this coarse, grainy taste. His eyes stung badly too, seemingly like sand particles got in there.
Ritsuka whimpered and groaned for a long time, before powerlessly falling flat on his back. He didn't have any energy left to lift even a finger.
"Pant…. Pant…. Just…. What was that….?"
Ritsuka continued to pant heavily when a new message appeared before him.
Tti-ring.
[You've completed the 'Penalty Quest.']
Ritsuka expression crumpled into something unsightly.
A 'Penalty Quest'?
Did he do something worthy of being punished?
Ritsuka carefully retreaded his memories until he recalled the [Daily Quest] he abandoned mid-way yesterday.
'Could it be…?'
Now that he thought about it, it definitely said that if the quest was not completed, he'd be hit with a corresponding penalty.
"Pant, pant, that…. That was not a hallucination?!"
Indeed, it was not a hallucination nor was it a dream.
There was no need to pinch his cheeks to confirm whether this was a dream or reality.
When he was running around, the shortness of breath felt so suffocatingly harsh, and the pain he felt when he got grazed by the centipede's leg still felt fresh in his mind.
Everything happened for real.
He nearly died back there.
"This is way too much…. Pant… pant…."
The so-called penalty turned out to be him being throwing into a d*mn execution ground!
At the same time, another ominous premonition rushed into his mind. If this event was indeed caused by the 'Daily Quest' thing, then without a doubt, this would not be the last time.
Sure enough, he got to hear yet another mechanical beep going off in his head.
Tti-ring.
He flinched in surprise, but thankfully, it was not about another quest or anything like that.
[Rewards for completing the Penalty Quest is now available.]
[Would you like to confirm the rewards?] (Y/N)
'Rewards….?'
The word 'rewards' jumped right out. Too bad, the problem was, he currently didn't have any energy left whatsoever to confirm this and that.
His situation simply didn't allow that.
'Never mind giving me rewards or not…. Let me take a break first….'
His sights gradually blurred.
Soon, Ritsuka fell into a deep slumber akin to a blackout.
"Mr. Ritsuka?
"Mr. Ritsuka, are you all right?"
Nurse's came to see him in time. ]
Nero Claudius: Umu! Truly, this hospital must be for hunters, given the trials it imposes on my Praetor counter part! Even here, his valor shines brightly!
Draco: Hmm… Does this not imply that his mother is in a similar predicament? A fitting parallel for the one who raised such a daring child.
[The projection shifts to Ritsuka dodging another centipede erupting from the sand. He stumbles but keeps running, his face drenched in sweat.]
Caster Irisviel: (Concerned) Those centipedes seem to possess poisonous abilities…
Assassin Emiya: (Nods approvingly) He's conserving his energy efficiently, minimizing unnecessary movements. A sound strategy when faced with overwhelming odds.
Illya: (Worried) But he still has two hours left! That's way too long!
Jeanne Alter: (Growling in frustration) Damn it, idiot! Don't stop now! Keep running or you're toast!
Barghest: (Firmly) Focus, Jeanne. He's near the finish line. Survival depends on his endurance now.
Morgan: (Proudly) My beloved counterpart proves himself worthy again. Truly, danger bends to his will.
Gilgamesh: (Laughs haughtily) Foolish mongrel! Even in the face of such odds, your desperate antics have provided ample entertainment for this king! I shall grant you a small bit of praise.
Ishtar: (Frowning and snapping) Shut up, you golden jerk! This is no time to laugh at him! Look at him, barely hanging on! Honestly, the nerve…
---
[The projection zooms in as Ritsuka collapses after narrowly dodging a centipede's strike, gasping for breath. The timer ticks ominously.]
---
Meltryllis: (Smirking) Hah. Maybe now he'll finally understand the penalties for skipping proper exercise routines. Truly, a well-deserved punishment.
Ritsuka : "Y'know… watching myself… going through this hell… makes me really not want to skip exercise ever again."
Oberon: (Chuckling darkly) I can't help but wonder… What sort of reward awaits someone who escapes such horrors? Certainly, it must be… interesting.
Jeanne Alter: (Mutters) It better be something amazing, or else it's not worth all this nonsense.
[Scene shift
[The screen shows Ritsuka the next day, visibly better as he moves about his hospital room. He speaks to Illya over a video call.]
Ritsuka: "Yeah, I'm recovering faster than expected. The doctor said I should be discharged soon."
Illya: (Her face brightens with relief) "Really, Onii-chan? That's great! But… you're not pushing yourself too hard, are you?"
Ritsuka: (Smiling sheepishly) "I'm fine, Illya. I'll be careful, promise."
Illya: "You better! Or else I'll get everyone to lecture you when you're back!"
[Ritsuka chuckles awkwardly as the call ends. He steps outside, beginning his next Daily Quest.]
***
Scene shift
The screen shows Ophelia in her house, still depressed and Her expression is forlorn as she picks up her phone. A guild member calls, requesting her to join a D-rank dungeon raid.]
Guild Member (on the phone): "I know it's sudden, but all the guilds are short on manpower. We could really use your help. Of course, if you're not ready…"
Ophelia: (Hesitant but determined) "I'll join. Send me the details."
Guild Member: "Thank you. By the way… there's someone you might know. Ritsuka Fujimaru."
[Hearing Ritsuka's name, Ophelia perks up, her eyes lighting with hope. Later, she arrives at the Hunters' Association Hospital with a bouquet of flowers.]
[However, she stops in her tracks, stunned as she sees Ritsuka jogging around the hospital grounds. She overhears whispers from others.]
Nurse 1: "That guy… He's running every day. They say he's recovering both mentally and physically this way."
Nurse 2: "Yeah, afterall he's a hunter, it's their ability. Amazing."
[Ophelia silently watches Ritsuka's unwavering determination. Her grip on the flowers tightens, Without meeting him, she turns and leaves the hospital.]
---
Alter Ego Tiamat: (Softly, almost maternal) "Good child… He's learning. Though his sister remains worried, his resolve to keep moving forward is admirable."
Habertrot: (Sympathetic) "Poor Ophelia… She's still trapped in the web of her trauma. Seeing Ritsuka might've helped her find some hope."
Koyanskaya: (Smirking, her tone sharp) "Tch. She should quit being a hunter if she can't handle the pressure. There's no place in this world for those who can't adapt."
Kadoc: (Frowning, crossing his arms) "That's the difference between her and Ritsuka. He's faced death head-on and kept going, while she's still stuck, unable to take even one step forward."
Oberon: (Chuckling darkly, his voice dripping with intrigue) "Ah, but the real question is… What will she do next? Will she find the strength to move forward, or will despair swallow her whole again?"
Koyanskaya: (Rolling her eyes) "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Oberon: (Grinning slyly) "Of course. Watching how stories unfold is the best part. Don't you agree?"
---
[[Scene shift
Ritsuka completed his daily quest and sat on a bench in hospital park.
'Today is the fourth day since I woke up. I've figured out a few things. First of all, this thing in front of me isn't my illusion. If I complete the daily quest, I can get three rewards.'
"Recovery."
'My fatigue is instantly gone.' his body recovered from the stress and fatigue. He stared at the three screens infornt of him.
'Next is Ability Points. I can allocate the points to the abilities I want to improve. Strength is the most important. When the ability points increase, I become stronger. I do feel that my strength has increased. There are also skills and the item warehouse. I'm witnessing these amazing things.'
"It's like a game." He said loudly with laugh.
But he momentarily forgetting his surroundings. The other patients and passersby stare at him as if he belongs in a mental ward. Noticing their gazes, Ritsuka freezes and awkwardly scratches his head.]
Ritsuka: (Forced laugh) "Uh, sorry about that!"
[He quickly retreats to his room, muttering to himself.]
---
Suzuka Gozen: (Grinning as she leans forward) "So, like, we can see both passive and active skills here. That's totally rad!"
Moriarty: (Adjusting his monocle, his tone analytical) "Curiously, there's a blank passive skill marked as 'Max.' Its nature is unknown to us."
Oberon: (Crossing his arms, smirking) "Ah, but that Unyielding Spirit skill… Intriguing. It reduces all damage taken below 30%. And his Spirit active skill? It enhances movement speed. Both are vital for survival."
Kadoc: (Frowning, his tone thoughtful) "We don't know when he gained that blank passive skill, but I'd wager other two low skills manifested during that frantic run from the centipedes. Makes sense, considering the sheer desperation he was under."
Tamamo-no-Mae: (Clasping her hands with a giggle) "Mikky! Doesn't this whole system feel like something straight out of a video game? It's so exciting! Tomoe gozen would have liked this Very much"
Ritsuka : (Scratching his chin thoughtfully) "Seems like skills are earned through repetitive actions or meeting specific criteria…"
Douman: (Leaning in with a mischievous grin) "Then, perhaps he'd gain a new skill while engaging in certain… private activities, no?"
[The room falls silent as all the girls glare at Douman, their faces a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.]
Morgan: (Icy glare) "Cease your nonsense, Curse Sorcerer, or you'll gain a skill in dodging my noble phantasm."
Moriarty: (Clearing his throat, ignoring Douman's comment) "Ahem. This system seems specifically designed for combat. It's honing him into an unyielding warrior or to prepare for something. Let us keep our observations to that purpose."
Tamamo-no-Mae: (Pouting at Douman) "Seriously, Douman! Keep your weird jokes to yourself! Poor Mikky…"
[Scene: Ritsuka's Room]
[Ritsuka sits on his bed, eating an apple while staring at the translucent screen floating in front of him. He clicks on the random box reward from his daily quest.]
Ritsuka (curious): "The last daily quest reward… What will it be today?"
[The random box opens, and a mysterious key materializes in his inventory.]
Ritsuka (frowning): "A key?"
[He lets out a small sigh.]
Ritsuka (muttering): "I keep getting random junk like pens or band-aids. Guess it's different this time."
[He notices a new entry labeled Instance Dungeon in the system interface.]
Ritsuka: "Instance dungeon? What's that supposed to be?"
[Piecing together the nature of the system, he muses aloud.]
Ritsuka: "It's probably some kind of strength training… but it better not involve another creepy giant statue."
[A flashback of the menacing smile of the statue surfaces in his mind, and he shudders slightly.]
---
Moriarty: (Adjusting his glasses, observing the screen intently) "It appears that information from this system only reveals itself in connection to items provided by it."
Suzuka Gozen: (Leaning back with a grin) "Totally! And check it out—he's got a full-on inventory system! Pretty handy for carrying loot."
Barghest: (Nods thoughtfully) "A pocket dimension where he can store anything… That's incredibly versatile. He could keep weapons, supplies, even rare treasures."
Moriarty: (Pointing to the screen) "Indeed. That sword he picked up in the double dungeon temple—the one worth two thousand dollars left by Kim—is already stored in there for later use."
Mandricardo: (Crossing his arms, smiling faintly) "It's crazy how much this system gives him. Skills, rewards, and all without needing to give anything back. They're his to keep."
Moriarty: (Smiling approvingly) "Quite right, my boy. Let me add this: even those seemingly 'low-tier' skills he has are incredibly valuable in that world. From what we've gathered, skills are fixed upon a hunter's awakening. Unless one undergoes the rare process of Re-Awakening, they're stuck with whatever abilities they start with."
[The Servants look intrigued as Moriarty continues his explanation.]
Moriarty: "For hunters, the only other way to acquire new skills is through the use of rune stones, which drop from high-rank magical beasts. However, these are exceedingly rare. When A-rank or S-rank monsters are slain, rune stones might drop, but the skills they grant are random and highly unpredictable. Depending on their quality, such stones can fetch hundreds of thousands, if not millions, at auction."
Cnoc na Riabh: (Tilting her head) "So even those 'basic' skills of his would be out of reach for most hunters in that world?"
Moriarty: (Nods with a sly smile) "Precisely. The system he has is an unparalleled advantage, granting him a potential that hunters could only dream of."
Boabhan Sith: (Clapping her hands) "You really figured out that world's power system with just three episodes, didn't you?"
Kadoc: (Scoffs playfully) "Of course he did. He's the Napoleon of Crime. Giving even Holmes a run for his money is his specialty."
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter): (Laughs loudly) "Yeah, but in the end, he still got defeated by that 'detective.' Guess the old man's not invincible after all! Hahaha!"
Moriarty: (Feigning indignation, shaking his head) "These youngsters have absolutely no respect for their elders these days. What a shame."
[Scene: Ritsuka sits beside his mother's hospital bed, his expression weighed down by sorrow. He watches her unconscious form, his thoughts drifting back to the fateful day four years ago.]
[Flashback begins. Young Ritsuka shakes his mother's shoulder, panic flooding his voice.]
Ritsuka (fearful): "Mom! Mom, wake up!"
[His sister rushes into the room, alarmed.]
Ritsuka (desperate, trembling): "She won't wake up! Mom is… I can't wake her up!"
[Scene shifts to the hospital. A doctor explains the situation to the devastated siblings.]
Doctor: "Eternal Slumber… Also known as 'The Final Sleep.' It's a rare condition that emerged after the portals appeared. It affects roughly one in tens of thousands. We believe it's caused by prolonged exposure to mana, but current medical technology can only sustain her life—there's no cure."
[Flashback continues. Young Ritsuka stands at a construction site, sweat dripping from his brow as he labors for money, having abandoned his studies. He stares at his hands, calloused and aching.]
[Later, Ritsuka awakens his powers and decides to become a Hunter, hoping to change their situation.]
Young Ritsuka (excited, to his sister): "I'll pay for Mom's medical bills! It'll be dangerous, but I'll make it work. I promise!"
His innocent native shell destroyed. His bad luck hit harder than reality.
[His first hunt, however, is a disaster. Ritsuka collapses on the ground, barely escaping three goblins with his life. Other hunters sneer at him.]
Hunter: "What a joke—an E-rank trying to be a Hunter? You're better off quitting."
[Ritsuka's hands tremble as he forces a smile, masking his pain.]
Young Ritsuka (muttering, bowing his head): "I'm sorry… I'll do better next time."
---
Habetrot: (Voice tinged with sympathy) "Poor Master… He's endured so much. That sleeping disease—it's terrifying."
Morgan le Fay: (Arms crossed, her tone analytical) "The Eternal Slumber is a curse of humanity's own making. When the interdimensional gates opened, mana flooded the world, and with it came this affliction. A cruel twist of fate."
Tamamo-no-Mae: (Sighing wistfully) "One of Ritsuka's counterparts kept pushing himself as a Hunter, even when it nearly cost him his life, all for his mother. Such devotion to family is admirable, isn't it, my darlings?"
Nero Claudius: (Brightly) "Umu! My Praetor must have an extraordinary mother for him to go through such trials for her sake. Truly, a noble spirit!"
Suzuka Gozen: (Leaning back, her expression serious) "But man, reality hit him hard. Poor kid didn't know how cruel the world could be until it slapped him in the face."
Artoria Pendragon (Saber): (Nods solemnly) "Reality often disappoints. Yet, it is through such struggles that a person's character is forged."
Artoria Pendragon (Lancer): (Softly) "That's why he started masking his sadness. It's easier to wear a smile than to let others see the weight of his pain."
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter): (Clenching her fists) "Those bastards, mocking him for trying to help his family! They deserve a piece of my wrath!"
Artoria Caster: (Gentle smile) "Now, though, he's gained something extraordinary. With the system in his hands, Ritsuka has the tools to overcome even the greatest challenges."
Charlotte Corday: (Hopeful) "I truly hope all his problems will be solved… He deserves happiness after all he's been through."
Illya: (Resolute) "Master's counterpart will prove them all wrong. He'll show the world what he's capable of!"
Irisviel: (Placing a hand over her heart) "I hope so too. Every mother would want their child to succeed and find peace."
Assassin Emiya: (Silent, his gaze averted as his head lowers)
[Scene: The screen fades to show Ritsuka sitting alone in his small room, deep in thought. He picks up an apple, recalling the painful memories and struggles he's endured. His gaze hardens with determination.]
Ritsuka (to himself): "I'll put my Ability Points into Strength."
[He allocates the points from his daily quest rewards. Suddenly, he feels a surge of power coursing through him. Testing it, he accidentally crushes the apple in his hand, its juice dripping onto the floor. His eyes burn with resolve.]
Ritsuka (thinking): "This is just the beginning. I'll grow stronger, no matter what it takes."
[The screen shifts to black, and the words "Episode 3: End" appear.]
---
Barghest: (Arms crossed, her tone analytical) "So, he's going for a 100% strength build. Intelligence and perception don't seem useful to him right now. He's a fighter-type Hunter—strength, agility, and vitality are all that matter to him."
Mélusine: (Nods in agreement) "And he's not wrong. Strength will make things easier in the short term."
Boabhan Sith: (Smirking mischievously) "But crushing an apple? That's all he's done so far with his newfound strength. Pathetic, really. Fufu~"
Ishtar: (Playfully teasing) "Still, I'd say he's at least 60% stronger than he was before. It's a start!"
Meltryllis: (Quietly reflective) "Even if he can't level up, this small boost must've given him hope. Sometimes, that's all you need to keep going."
Draco: (Eyes annoyed) "It's his dream finally starting to come true."
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter): (Scoffs, her tone softer than usual) "Back then, everyone mocked him. But now, despite the adversity, he's pushing forward. That takes guts."
Mandricardo: (Looking pensive) "To him, this is a second chance—an opportunity he's not going to waste. He knows how rare this is."
Moriarty: (Adjusting his glasses, a sly grin on his face) "Indeed. He's likely already researched reawakenings online and realized this isn't the same. This system is unique. He knows he's special now, and he'll explore its limits with zero hesitation."
Edmond Dantès: (Grimly) "He learned the hard way that kindness isn't always rewarded. Sometimes, the world betrays you, and you have to become strong enough to survive it."
Gilgamesh: (Smirking arrogantly) "Hmph. This mongrel finally understands that putting his life above false ideals is the only path forward. Self-preservation comes first."
Ishtar: (Glaring at Gilgamesh) "Golden jerk! Master's counterpart—or our Master—has always carried kindness in his heart. Don't lump him in with your selfish ideals!"
Gilgamesh: (Chuckles) "Foolish goddess. If we summarize his actions here, it's clear he's committing to two things: becoming stronger and hardening his heart. Both are necessary in his world."
Moriarty: (Nods thoughtfully) "I wouldn't call it edgy—it's more of a lesson learned. Ritsuka doesn't forget his experiences, no matter how painful they were."
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter): (Her tone softens) "He was burned before, but now he's determined to prevent it from happening again. That's not weakness—that's resolve."