Review Answers:-

ariboku34:- My friend of Spanish descent, your words are harsh but your fears and reasoning are completely justifiable. Believe me, the last thing I want to do is make Protag-kun overpowered, how am I supposed to traumatize him then? Here's the thing though, I kind of have to give him some skills. Because without the most basic of upgrades from the System, no normal human can survive in the Nasuverse.

Dude's barely showed been in Fuyuki for a whole minute and has already been targeted by a Servant. In his first attack he was not even half-serious, and still our boy needed his Skills to barely dodge in time and the only reason he's still alive is because Assassin is corrupted and wants to play with his food. If he was even a little serious, he would just flick his rest and Protag-kun's throat would be pierced by a thrown dagger in less than a second.

As for the difference between game and real life, a perfect badass might have made a quip after dodging/sensing Hassan's attack. They would have immediately activated the Reinforced Body they learned and use it to escape doubly fast. Does our MC do any of that?

No, because he is scared shitless when faced with the concept of facing his demise. Till now he could ignore the implications of his role with sheer bravado and bluff his way out of a mental breakdown. But now? Let me just say... becoming the person responsible for saving the whole damn human race is not going to leave him mentally unaffected.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it and it you gave me a few points to think about. And I'm happy that you chose to give my story a chance and dropped a fav and follow, even with your trepidations. I appreciate it a lot.

Xian0451:- Glad to see you liked that bit about EMIYA, summoning his is definitely in the plans... but lets just say the System's priorities are a bit skewed towards the ladies at the moment. As for the random Summoning, while I like the sound of that, there's also way too high of a chance of getting a Hero that might completely screw over the narrative because of their overpowerdness, so I'll be sticking with using Plot relevant Servants only.

guest:- Honestly, your concerns about "Fragmented Memories" are valid, as it can easily end up used as a deus ex machina to escape any situation, but I promise that I won't use it like that. At least I will not use it to to make things easy for Protag-kun.

This Skill's honestly kind of like a safety net for me; I'm not confident enough at writing a completely ignorant character, and having a character with all his memories intact just feels overpowered/like cheating. So its my compromise, a Skill that gives our MC just the barest of outlines to work with/nudge him in the direction of the plot, but while still being very vague and forcing Protag-kun to make his own decisions based on his own judgement.

And I wanted some kind of excuse to write that Archer monologue and have some kind of plot related reason to publish it. Its self indulgent I know, but trust me, the Skill is mostly there to tease and taunt and make out boy suffer, as any info he does get might possibly not be true in this world and makes him curse the System some more.

UnoriginalNick:- Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

Sammy9992:- The emotional payoff will be there for Archer, don't you worry. And for the in-depth descriptions on the Skills not chosen, it was mainly for the reader to get a glimpse on Gudao's thought process and his way of rationalizing things- So that you can understand the workings of his mind better.

Rakster, SenseiZero72, NexusZXD, Guest(s), GodOfDeathAndUndeath, ericmw8, JackL1795:- That you a lot for your kind words and I'm glad to see that Mashu's POV scene was something that you all seemed to like. That's for letting me know, I have plans for going similar stuff with other Servants in the future!

rallyteam09:- I both feel bad for getting up your hopes like that, but also happy that you were so excited about reading another chapter, so thanks for boosting my self-confidence in my writing!

Kleave guy:- I am a sucker for a long and in-depth review of my stories, but sometimes it takes a little gremlin energy to make one's day just a tiny bit better. I appreciate you, dude.

This area got a little overboard, so check out the end of the chapter for the author notes. And now without further ado- Please enjoy!


"–And that's the purpose of Chaldea, to correct the Singularities that appear in the past and restore human history to its original course to ensure the continued existence of Humanity as a species into the future. Do you understand, Fujimaru-kun?"

"Most of it Doc, but...*huff*... Could you please...*huff* ...Save the exposition for when...*huff*huff* ... I'm not running for my god-damned life!"

"Arggh! Sorry, sorry, I'm sorry! But I don't know any other way I can help you out right now! Just continue following my directions and running, you should soon come across a house with a Bounded Field which we've identified as one that repels Familiars! Reach there and hide from that Assassin for a bit, help is definitely on its way!"

Yep, that's me. Running at full speed through the dead and burning city of Fuyuki with a murderous Servant on my tail. You're probably wondering I got in this situation, and honestly, the answer to that question is something I would also like to know!

"Nah, sorry Doc...*huff*... Didn't mean to snap at you, I appreciate...*huff*... You telling me about the stuff I missed...*huff*... Out on during the Director's speech!*Huff*huff*... Thank you for all your help, Doctor Roman!"

"Gah! Don't thank me so sincerely all of a sudden, you'll end up raising a death flag!"

The voice panicking alongside me is none other that Romani Archaman, the red-headed ponytailed and easy-going head of the Medical Department, and the currently very stressed acting Director of Chaldea. There was no visual imagery to accompany his voice, but with the panic and worry in his voice I didn't have to imagine very hard on what kind of face he must be making right now.

For the last few minutes his voice has been talking to me from the Chaldea-issued band on my wrist, and instructing me on which directions to take to reach this supposedly kinda safe place.

"How much longer, Doc!?" While I have yet to catch sight of Assassin ever since I sprinted away from him, my nerves had yet to settle. My body was tense and my mind was more alert than it has ever been before, and something inside me, which I eventually realized to be my Danger Sense, had been buzzing incessantly and had yet to let up even for a second.

A constant reminder that just because I couldn't see him, didn't mean I was out of danger. Rather, considering his class, I was probably in more danger than I was in before.

"You're almost there Fujimaru-kun! Just take the next right and then–"

"... How dreadfully boring."

The light from the lamp-post a few meters ahead of me flickered and turned off briefly. But when the light came back on a second later– There he stood. Now directly under the light which turned his already ominous and scary looks downright terrifying from the way he was blending in the shadows. His tall and hunched body draped in a tattered black cloak, seemingly having appeared out of thin air.

The humming became a deafening scream, but my Danger Sense acted a little too late. Or rather, Assassin's Presence Concealment was high enough to have fooled my own Skill until the very last second. My body was already in motion, barreling right in his direction. I had only my Reflexes Skill to thank for, that I managed tp raise my hands defensively as her suddenly surged forwards at a terrific speed and kicked me hard.

My arms managed to block and take the brunt of the blow to protect my chest, but the sheer power behind the kick lifted me right off my feet and sent me flying backwards. My aerial journey comes to an end soon though, my back makes solid contact with a sturdy brick wall.

*CRAAAACK*

It hurts... It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. IT HURTS!

"Fujimaru-kun! Are you okay!? Can you speak, what is your status, are you injured!? Answer me please!"

But I can't. My mouth is wide open, and yet all that escapes my lips are wheezes and silent gasps of pain. My back hurts from the impact on the wall. My legs hurt from the non-stop running I've been doing and I'm pretty sure that at least one of my ankle's sprained. My head hurts, and I'm pretty sure the feeling of wetness on my neck is my blood... But it all feels insignificant and far away, when compared to the sheer agony I feel in my arms with which I blocked the kick.

The pain is unlike anything I've ever experienced before- Like every nerve in my arms have been exposed and lit on fire. They look fine, no blood or broken bones. Not even a small cut or bruise has formed from the impact of the kick. And yet the pain is so intense that I cannot even properly scream out to express the hurt.

All I can do is writhe pathetically on the ground as I watch with tear filled eyes as the Assassin in black approaches me, his gait casual and without any tension. Like he was on a simple evening stroll, and did not just attempt to turn me into a bloody pancake with a single kick.

"And here I had gotten my hopes up that I would finally have some interesting prey to play with. Haaah..." My would be killer lets out a sigh and shakes his head as if disappointed.

"Some good instincts and a reliable sixth sense. Interesting to be certain, but hardly anything to get excited about. And with the terrible way you Reinforced your arms, its clear you're not even worthy of being called a novice Mage. And here I thought I was going to finally have some fun... Truly, how terribly, horribly boring!"

... D-Did he just say that I Reinforced my arms? Is that why I'm in such agony right now?

The pain was still there, but finally it seemed to be dampening little by little. Definitely not gone, I still feel terrible enough to want to throw up. But at-least it was now manageable enough to ignore for the moment, and focus on forming coherent thoughts.

And if his words were true, that meant my body must have accidentally or instinctively activated my newly gained magic to protect me from his attack.

But for it to hurt this much... Is it because I'm using it for the first time? Will subsequent uses not hurt anymore? Is it because I'm doing something it wrong and there's a particular was to channel the mana inside me? Maybe-

"Fuji--̴̼̓-̷͈̓š̶ͅt̵̘̚ḁ̸̔t̷͓̒i̴̛͓c̵̠̆-̴̫̐-̸̜̽-kun! Can you-̶͈̓-̵̨̏s̶̱̉t̸͔͌a̶̛͓t̷̜̀ị̵́c̴̽͜-̵̼͋-̸̠̇-ear me!? -̷͇͙̈͝-̶̪̑͘s̵̼̦̈́t̴͓͝ầ̵͚̥t̵̬̑i̷̤͍͌̔ĉ̸̹-̷͇̟͝-̵̗̻̄̿s̴̡̱̊͘t̸̡͙̀ą̶̮͘t̸̰͛̌i̶̹̫̓̇c̶̠̽-̵̳̽̀-̶̗̋...."

The Doctor's distorted voice distracts me from my thoughts and the many questions I currently have about my Mystery. The prolonged static was a sign that communications had been cut off again for the moment.

Issues back at Chaldea due to the equipment being damaged, as he explained it. It had happened before while I was running, he would be back online in a minute or two. Until then its just me here to deal with the cloaked figure wanting to murder me.

Okay me, think! How do I deal with this situation!? Running obviously didn't work, and even I'm not reckless enough to try and fight a Servant head on. Not only because I not move my hands without feeling like I'm dragging them through broken glass, but also because even normally I will not have any chance of winning.

Even if Assassins usually have the lowest strength stats in the game, his kick earlier and the cracked brick wall behind me was a good reminder that even the most physically weak Servants were naturally many times stronger than any normal human can ever hope to be.

Okay, he's barely a few feet away from me, make up your mind already, me! If you can't fight, can't run, then– Wait... going by his mannerisms and the way he's talking, the fact that he hasn't killed me yet even though he very easily can, maybe...

"W-wait!" I cry out desperately, trying to look as scared and pitiful as possible. Which, to be fair, wasn't really that hard to pull off in the current situation I am in.

"I-If you're go-gonna kill me anyways, a-at least tell me your name! T-That way as I pass onto the next life, I'll take some solace in the fact that a po-powerful and great Servant like you were the one who k-killed me!"

He stopped at my words, suddenly going so unnaturally still and silent that I feared the worst... but turns out my worries were unfound, as in the next moment he threw his head back and let out a loud and grand raspy laugh.

[Charm test... Success! Congratulations! Achievement Unlocked: Talk your way out of Trouble!]

[With some quick thinking and your silver tongue, you've managed to weasel your way out of a terrible situation that could have ended quite badly for you otherwise! Gain 1 to Charm and Wisdom!]

"Hahahaha~ Hah! It looks like I misjudged you! What a terrible blunder on my part, you're clearly not as useless of a person I thought you were if you're able to recognize the greatness of my visage!"

"Not that its a difficult thing to do, O great Assassin! Considering how... y-you seem to just radiate greatness! Please inform this lowly one your magnificent name!"

As I thought. His pride as a Heroic Spirit is off the roof! He's someone who likes to talk about himself, monologue about his supposed greatness. Doesn't really make sense for an Assassin, a stealthy killer of the shadows, but I'm not going to spit on my good luck. Now all I have to do is keep bullshitting and feeding his ego, to him talking and distracted and wait for whatever back up Dr. Roman was talking about.

"What a dimwit you are, fake magus! Do you not even know that we Assassins have no name or identities, as me and my brothers and sisters have all been raised to become the Old Man of the Mountain? How ignorant, but I suppose that should be expected from one as pathetic as you. Truly, nothing more than a mongrel you are!"

"Of course, forgive me my ignorance O great Assassin," I say with a smile even as I feel my left eye twitch. Just grin and bear it for now, me, you will get revenge for this. For now, just keep him talking.

"T-Then tell me this! You must have been summoned to this era be the Holy Grail, which means you have a wish to be fulfilled. Grant this lowly one the honour of hearing about your magnificent wish!"

"Hohoho~! Of course-! Hear my wish and be amazed, mongrel!"

He proclaimed as he extended out both his arms in a grand gesture, which caused the cloak he was wearing to shift and I caught a glance of the body under it.

His upper torso seemed to be made of nothing but tightly corded muscles, and below the waist he preserved his modesty with a tattered black kilt. But the most striking thing that caught my eye was that from his dark gray skin seemed to emanate a blackish purple mist which seemed to circle his body under the cloak.

Looking at it gave me a sense of... wrongness. But the Assassin didn't seem to be bothered by it as he continued his pompous speech.

"My greatest wish is to etch my name permanently in the records of history! I will erase the name of Hassan-i-Sabbah and replace it with the name I have chosen for myself, Zayd~! A great name which means 'abundance'- which is the amount of fame I wish to achieve with the help of the Greater Grail!"

You just grilled me out for not knowing that assassins don't have names... And now you're telling me you had a chosen name this whole time!? So earlier you were insulting me and calling me ignorant just for your own enjoyment, you bastard!?

Unable to hear my annoyed thoughts, Zayd kept talking is an excited manner that would honestly have been cute if not for the recent memories of the last two times he tried to kill me.

"I want to be recognized as the greatest assassin in the world– Zayd, the King of Assassins! I will make sure my name will be known to everyone in this world, and be seen with the same respect and awe as they see the King of Conquerors, King of Knights and the King of Heroes!"

"... What made you want such a wish?"

Okay, now I'm actually a little curious. My memories are fuzzy, but I think I can make pretty accurate guesses on the heroes who hold those titles. And for this guy to want to be like them...

"But of course, it was none other than the Oldest King, the Wedge of Heaven himself!" He exclaimed almost giddily.

"I only saw his visage briefly, but his golden armour seemed to glow like the sun itself in the stygian night! That dazzling sight has engraved itself into my eyes- No, into my very soul! I can only wish to be even half as glorious as him once I become a King!"

This kind of enthusiasm, its literally like he's fangirling... wait. Golden armour. King of Heroes. Constantly calling me mongrel

My jaw falls open and I momentarily forget about the pain in my arms and the precarious situation I am in. Only a single question rattles inside me skull, which escapes my lips before I can think better of it.

"Are you talking about Gilgamesh!?"

Assassin, or Zayd I suppose, covers his mouth with one hand and takes in a surprised intake of air. Then he points his finger at me with a offended look on his face. Or that's what his body language tells me, most of his face is covered by his skull mask after all.

"Take that back, you unrefined mongrel! For the likes of you to even utter his name is sacrilegious! I'll forgive this offence once, but the next time you so casually sully my idol's name, I will be ripping out your uncouth and vulgar tongue as retribution!"

"So you are talking about him! ... What!? When– Wher– ... How did you even come in contact with Gil– *ahem* the great King of Heroes!?"

"Ah, time is but a fickle concept to us heroic spirits! In the previous Grail War, the fourth one I believe, was where I caught but a glimpse of his noble and kingly countenance! Before in a flash of gold I had been pierced by a dozen weapons of impressive quality and lay face down in the dirt! I remember his exact words even now..! 'You are not worthy to look upon me. A worm should be facing the ground when it dies.' Oh, such coldness~! Such venomous words thrown my way~~! Such immense arrogance and such immense might to back it up! At that moment I vowed to become a great enough King to have him acknowledge me, and then look him in the eye and-"

Zayd continued on with his passionate speech that didn't sound like it would end anytime soon, but my mind was still reeling with the information that Assassin is apparently a Gilgamesh simp?

Even after he was killed by the guy? I suppose death doesn't have the same weight for Heroic Spirits as it would have for a human but still. Well, a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one!

Someone else can deal with whatever murderer-victim variant stockholm nonsense is going on with him, I'm just glad I can buy more time as he continues his rant, having apparently forgotten his original goal of murdering me.

"–And then as we overlook our kingdom from our thrones atop his Vimana, we will be sipping on the most delicious Babylonian beer from the Holy Grail and chewing on the delicious dates grown in my homeland's fertile soil. And as dawn arrives and the morning sun starts to slowly crest over the horizon, I will watch as his golden countenance is illuminated even futther, and I will take his hand and–"

"That's enough nonsense spewed out of your mouth Zayd, kindly shut up before you embarrass the Hassan name any further."

Aaaaaand of course. Right when things are going well, something immediately comes up to ruin it. Following the sound of the mature and feminine voice, I tilt my head upwards and see her standing gracefully on top the same lamp post under which Zayd had kicked me.

She's another Assassin, its easy to tell with the skull mask and the dark gray skin tone that's distinctively not covered by a black aura. But that's where the similarities between the two Assassins end.

Because holy shit is she insanely hot.

Easily crossing six feet in height, her long violet hair was tied in a ponytail that swayed behind her in the wind. Her body seemed to be made purely from muscle with not an inch of excess fat anywhere, her tight and muscular body (holy shit is that an eight pack!?) was laid bare for the world to see because of her clothing that seemed to consist of nothing more than two strips of cloth that hid her modest breasts and some bronze coloured wrapping around her arms, legs and neck. Below her torso she was clad in skin tight black leggings that did nothing to hide her shapely and athletic legs.

She looked so hot that she was scary, and vice versa. Probably not the greatest time to be drooling over a woman, but honestly, if I'm going to have to die I'd much rather have appreciated such beauty thoroughly before my demise comes to pass.

At her voice Zayd turns around to face her as well and though I cannot see his face, his tone of voice indicates he's none too pleased about his musings being interrupted.

"... Asako. Long time no see, sister. And seeing as you are still untouched by the Shadow, I suppose you've come to be a savior again? To protect this mongrel, like you did with the unruly child?"

"No, this time's my role's not so grand," The female Assassin says as she hops off the top of the lamp-post, does an elegant twirl and spin mid-air and sticks the landing with style. "This time I'm simply the distraction."

And then she clenches her hands into two fists and pulls.

"Wha—"

That's all Zayd can get out his mouth before he finds himself on the ground, completely trapped and bound by thin threads that seemed to have materialized out of nowhere around him– The ends being in held in the hands of the muscular woman who even with the mask on her face seemed to exult a kind of sadness at the sight in front of her.

"You would never have fallen for a trick like that in life, Zayd. To think the Corruption has dulled your senses so..." She shakes her head and then turns to look at me. "I would recommend you move away from that position soon, novice Master."

From behind me I hear footsteps belonging to armoured feet running, followed by the sound of a jump and a familiar voice yelling out.

"HYAAAH!"

Following my instincts and the female Assassin's cue, I force my tired legs to quickly jump and roll forward, while gritting my teeth at the sudden spike of pain from my injured ankle- Just in time to feel a gust of air hit my back and hear a raspy shout of panic cut short by a loud crashing sound right behind me.

I take a few seconds to gather my bearings and take a few deep breaths to calm down and focus my mind away from the pain. Turning around I see no trace of Assassin except for black particles gently floating upwards, with a giant cross shaped shield-like contraption laying curved side down in the middle of a crater where he lay bound just seconds earlier.

[Congratulations! You managed to survive your first encounter with an enemy Servant! You have gained 1 to all Stats!]

Not feeling particularly sympathetic seeing as Zayd was just trying kill me before preaching about his lord and savior Gilgamesh, but holy shit. Getting crushed so quickly and thoroughly that he didn't even getting the time to utter even a single word or scream of pain before getting turned into pancake batter? Damn. But come to think of it, isn't this kind of brutality a bit out of character for Mas–

That was all I could think of, before a speeding pink blur collided with my torso, almost knocking me back down onto my ass. I managed to adjust my footing to not fall, but it didn't dampen the jolt of pain that came from my chest and my ankle as I let out a groan of pain.

"Arghh—!"

Immediately Mashu jumped back as if burned, eyes wide and worried. She started to frantically apologize while waving her hand frantically and shuffling her feet, as if she couldn't decide if it would be best to come closer or keep her distance.

"Ah–! I'm s-so sorry Senpai! O-of course you're in p-pain, you were attacked by a Se-servant, fo-forgive me for my foolishness! I-I should have arrived sooner o-or you wouldn't have gotten injured, Senpai. I-if only I was-"

Ah, I belatedly realized what should have been clear from the start. The reason Mash went so overboard with that last strike. She is worried about me.

And she is probably scared shitless at the situation that she found herself in and she had probably buried those negative emotions away while she searched for me. But now that there is nothing left for her to focus on, all those emotions have come rushing in and resulting in this almost panic attack.

"Take deep breaths girl," I almost screamed as the voice of the female Assassin, Asako, came from right next to me. When did she get so close!?

"Take deep breaths until you calm your beating heart down and give your Master a second to voice his thoughts, rather than you make premature assumptions."

"Y-yes! U-understood, Asako-san!"

She follows the Assassin's words and starts taking in deep breaths, and in that time I finally get a good look at my Kouhai. And I'm not sure that it is my lightheadedness from my bleeding head wound or the adrenaline still coursing throughout my body, but the first thing that comes out of my mouth is;

"... I never would have guessed that you would had a hidden lewd side, Mashu."

"*cough*cough* ... EEEEH!?"

In the middle of a deep breath Mashu chokes on air, before making a loud noise that is a mixture of surprise, shock and embarrassment. I'm pretty sure I heard Asako snort beside me but when I turn to look, her face is as stoic as stone.

Maybe my words are a little wild, but I stand by what I said. Mashu's outfit really is... quit indecent, to put it in polite terms. She is wearing a skin-tight black and purple armor that resembles an extremely short mini-dress that exposes her butt, emphasizes her breasts, and almost reveals her panties. Not to mention the hole that exposes her midriff and gives a clear view of her toned stomach, the skin tight stockings on her arms and legs, and the garter on her right thigh.

Am I complaining about the view? HELL NO!

But that doesn't take away from the fact that it's quite an impractical and rather lewd armour set that seems to be more suited for accentuate the wearer's curves rather than to protect the wearer itself.

Finally having gained some of her composure, Mashu spoke up with pink tinted cheeks and a stuttering voice. "I-It was not a de-deliberate choice on my part, Senpai! T-this is not the full armour set, it is incomplete as I have yet to fully unlock the full power of the Heroic Spirit... S-So please put up with my current look until then, S-Senpai!"

Then as if having thought of something she suddenly averts her eye and asks in a more hesitant tone. "D-Do you not like it, Senpai?"

Similar to the last time, I once again hear that strange sound as the world freezes and takes on a shade of gray. Interesting thing to note though, just like Mashu, the female Assassin Ayako was also retained her colour in the Gray World. Some sort of mechanic to highlight important characters perhaps...?

Ignoring such thoughts for the moment, rather than focusing on the choices now presented in front of me, I take a moment to catch my breath. Gotta tell you, running for your life really takes a lot out of you. So I take a few steps and plop onto Mashu's shield and open up the Menu, finally having the time to go through all the new stuff that's been unlocked.

... Or that's what I would do, if not for the fact that I can barely move my hands.

They feel numb and unresponsive, stiff and painful to move. And with my adrenaline finally wearing off, I'm feeling the various aches of my body hit my brain gradually and it is not a good feeling. Forcing my hands to reach and feel the back of my head, gritting my teeth all the while to bear with the pain, I bring my hand back to find it wet with fresh blood.

Yeah... Checking my Stats can wait, I'm going to need some medical attention first. So I stand back up and walk up to Mashu (basking in the warmth her cute expression and Asako's abs to cheer myself up for a few seconds) and check out what choices I've been given.

A - [Yeah... Not going to lie Mashu, that outfit's way to slutty for my liking.]

B - [What are you talking about!? Like it? I LOVE IT! Specially the amount of skin it reveals and the assets it helps pop out...]

C - [No need to be self-conscious Mashu, I like it! It looks really good on you!]

... What's up with the System putting some kind of over the top and pervy dialogue option for option B every time? This is the second time in a row that I have gotten a terrible second choice. Forget ever using it, I'll be sure to aim a punch straight for the face of anyone who uses such a creepy line in real life– Specially on someone pure like Mashu.

I ignore option A for obvious reasons, and after checking to ensure that System Generated Actions is still switched off, say out loud that I picked option C as I do not want to strain my hands any further. Immediately the world restarts and I begin speaking with it.

"I was just teasing you, Mashu," I say with a playful grin and wink. "Please don't feel self-conscious, I was just surprised by your sudden arrival and new look and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. It honestly looks really good on you!"

"R-Really?" Mashu asks hesitantly, while fiddling with her fingers and peering up at me through her bangs with big questioning eyes like a kitten asking for approval.

Agh...! Critical damage, cuteness overload!

"Of course!" I firmly affirm my earlier statement. "I would even head-pat you to show how sincere I am, if I could currently feel my hands!"

[You have gained 5 Affection Points with Mashu Kyrielight!]

"A-ah, Se-Se-Senpai!" Mashu's face re-erupts into a blush and she flails her arms around as if to try and physically wave away my words. Embarrassed Mashu really is best Mashu. "I'm not a dog or a cat or a Fou! For you to he-head-pat me... I-I don't think my heart could handle something like that so suddenly..!"

But just as quickly as she got embarrassed, Mashu's face changes expression into one of concern as she catches the second part of my words. "W-wait, Senpai, what do you mean you cannot feel your arms!?"

"Your Master got into a fight with a Servant, Mashu." Asako answers in my stead, while also directing a glare at me as she speaks. "It would be a miracle if he managed to get out of such an altercation uninjured. I would scold you for not noticing it sooner, but its not sorely your fault considering how he's been distracting you this whole time."

"Ah, you're right." I answer the Assassin's harsh words by sheepishly rubbing the back of my head with numb hands. "I didn't want to make Mashu worry, and you have to admit that its too fun to tease her."

"It is my job as your Servant to worry about you, Senpai! Next time please prioritize your health and immediately voice any pain or injuries you may have received!"

Having said her piece, Mashu picks up her shield and reaches into its inner curved side pulls out from inside it some kind of scroll. She mutters some words in a language I don't understand, which causes the writing in it to glow and dissolve into green particles which float up and flow into my body. Immediately my whole body feels warmer and the pain from all my various injuries start to dampen as I start feeling better.

"Its a Recovery Magecraft Scroll, Senpai. Director Animusphere gave it to me for emergencies, it will take away your pain and heal any and all of your external wounds!"

"You mean that white haired girl, Olga Marie? She's here as well?" Huh for some reason, I don't feel as surprised as I should probably be feeling...

"Yes, Senpai! I found her when I was searching for you! Fou-san also Rayshifted with us as well and he should be leading her to us. Let's wait until she arrives, then we can explain the whole situation to you. I kind of just ran off and left her behind... I hope she's not too mad..."

"If she has anything to say to you, I'll be sure to back you up. After all, the only reason I'm still in one piece is because you hurried to get to me. Actually... I haven't yet properly thanked you for saving my ass, have I?"

"No, no, it's fine, Senpai!" Mashu denies my thanks with a shake of her head. "As I just said, it was my duty as a Servant to protect you, my Master! And it wasn't me alone, without Asako-san to guide me to you and distract the enemy Assassin I wouldn't be able to-"

"You give yourself too little credit, Shielder." Asako interrupts her evenly, and I find myself nodding alongside her. "Humbleness is a fine virtue to have, but to not accept praise or thanks when given is an insult to the one who is giving it. Do you wish to reject your Master's words and insult him?"

I can't keep in my chuckle as Mashu's eyes widen like saucers as she vigorously shakes her head while denying wanting to insult me.

"Asako's words are a little harsh, but she speaks true. You should be a little more confident in yourself. I'm not mad or anything Mashu– But when someone sincerely thanks you for something, you should accept it with a smile."

"I-I see, Senpai..."

"So lets try it once again from the top!" I say with a grin. Mashu is too cute for this world, all my stress and fear from earlier has evaporated with a just a simple conversation with her. And for that, "Thank you a lot Mashu Kyrielight, for saving me!"

[You have gained 5 Affection Points with Mashu Kyrielight!]

"Ha-Ha-Hai! Th-Thank you as well, Senpai, for thanking me!"

... Well, I shouldn't expect a single interaction or thank you to erase the insecurity that has probably come from years of mistreatment. But looking at her smile gives me hope for the future. I will make you appreciate yourself Mashu, this I promise.

And I'm going to have fun while doing so too. Like I'm about to have now... *grins*

"Se-Senpai, you're smiling in a weird manner as you are looking at me..."

"Am I now? Its because now with the 'thank you' out of the way, now I can get to the 'praising' part," Saying so, I raise up my right hand and feel my grin widen as I wriggle my fingers without any pain.

"And with my hands working again, I can give you all the praise that you deserve in a more physical manner as well..." And promptly ignoring Mashu's surprised yelp, I extend my hand and rest it on top of Mashu's head.


*Pat pat pat*

.

.

.

Soft.

"Mouuu~! A-Ah, Senpai~~! P-Please... Ahh~ S-Stop, Se~Se~Senpai~~~~!"

This texture, this tenderness, this softness! The adorable noises that Mashu is making alongside her red face that is stuck in a very cute expression that is a mix of embarrassment and happiness– This is dangerous! This is addicting! My hands don't want to stop! Forget saving the world, I want to spend the rest of my days head-patting my lovely Kouhai's pink head!

[You have gained 10 Affection Points with Mashu Kyrielight! With just your affectionate touch you have managed to distract her from her worries and soothe her as well! Impressive, you have gained 1 Charisma!]

"Hoh... You're quite an affectionate Master aren't you?" Asako's voice breaks me out from the trance like state I had almost fallen into. "That's quite rare, at-least from what I've observed in the two Grail wars I've been summoned to."

As I reluctantly lower my hand and turn to face the Assassin, (with Mashu making a sound that's a combination of a sigh of relief and one of disappointment), once again the world freezes over and I am faced with three choices appearing in front of her.

A - [Ah! How rude of me, I haven't even thanked you yet for saving my life!]

B - [Speaking of affection, how about I show you exactly how affectionate I can get with these newly healed hands of mine...]

C - [Don't be shy now! If you want some head-pats as well, all you gotta do is ask!]

So Asako's another 'heroine' of this world, huh? She... is certainly good looking enough to be one. Even with her face half covered with the same kind of skull mask that Zayd was wearing, I can just feel that her face underneath would be a pretty one. And the mask just adds to her beauty by adding a sense of mystery to it. And her body is just out of this world. And while her breasts are definitely smaller than Mashu's, they fit well on her muscular but still lean body.

She was certainly quite a beauty to behold. And probably as deadly as she was beautiful, so once again option B is one I will have to discard. I would like these newly healed hands of mine attached to my body, thank you very much! And while I am very tempted to click on option C... I should properly thank her first and then offer her head-pats. Its only the right order of things after all.

What, did you think I wouldn't head-pat her just because she was almost a whole head taller than me? That I would be dissuaded because she looks like she could crush my head between her thighs without breaking a sweat? You foolish mongrels! That's the best part!

So I click on option A and as the world restarts, I bring my feet together, stand up straight and do a proper japanese bow as I speak with conviction, "I am sorry for my rudeness Asako-san. You saved my life, and I haven't even thanked you yet! So now, for having looked out for my Kouhai in this dangerous city and having saved my life, I thank you sincerely! And I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused!"

"Eh!?" Even though I cannot see her with my head bowed, I hear Asako let out a surprisingly girly sound of surprise and confusion which contradicts her tough outer appearance. Followed by a second, equally loud sound of surprise, as a second later I hear Mashu walk up next to me and also bow.

"I too am sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused, from my inexperience! Its my first day as a Demi-Servant, so please bear with me! And thank you very much, for helping me locate and save my Senpai!"

I can't help but feel a little proud, seeing Mashu follow my example so readily. And while I cannot see her face, I can feel how flustered Asako has gotten– And I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction from having so quickly broken through her stoic exterior.

"P-Pease raise your heads, Mashu and Fujimaru-sama! Your gratitude is misplaced, I was merely doing my duty as Heroic Spirit and a Hassan and helping out someone in need!"

[You have gained 5 Affection Points with Asako of the Hundred Faces of Hassan!]

[Charisma Check... Passed! Achievement Unlocked:- Friend Shaped! Choosing the best possible Dialogue Choices with Asako along with you're strong bond with Mashu has been noticed. Someone's curiosity has been peaked! Gained 2 Charisma!]

With a smile on my face I comply with her words and raise my head, excited to see if the expression on her face is as bashful as her voice– Only to come face to face with a little girl peering curiously at me.

"E-Eep!"

The moment out eyes meet she lets out a squeal, which causes me to blink in surprise. And the next thing I know, she has disappeared from my view entirely.

It began and ended do quickly that for a moment I had to wonder is I had just hallucinated it all. And I would have convinced myself that was the case, if not for the little girl that was now hiding behind Asako's legs, peeking out from the side of her thighs and sending quick glances my way.

"Senpai, a little girl has suddenly appeared out of nowhere! Even with my enhanced Servant senses I could not detect her approach!"

I believe her words. It felt like the little girl had an almost... forgettable presence. Like if I was not constantly looking at her, I would forget in seconds what she looked like in the first place.

Which is a shame, considering how cute of a kid she is. She looked around eight or nine years old in age and had shoulder length violet coloured hair (the exact same shade as Asako's I noticed) along with similar coloured big round eyes. Her skin was a healthy bronze shade and she wore a simple knee length white dress.

Her skull mask, a defining feature of the Assassins as I'm coming to learn, was not worn on her face unlike Zayd or Asako. Instead the mask that had scared the soul out of me mere minutes ago, was tied to the side of her head and made her look absolutely adorable.

Sensing my gaze on her, the kid let's out another squeak and hide back behind the cover of Asako's legs. Seeing this display I can't help but have my thoughts gonna in a particular direction, and if looks like Mashu came to the same conclusion as I did, as she poses a question to the adult female Assassin.

"Ano, Asako-san... Could this little girl possibly be your... daughter?"

"Yes and no. This little one, is an existence like me and Zayd, created as a part of the Hundred Faced Hassan's Noble Phanstasm, {Zabaiya: Delusional Illusion}. Though she is not my own flesh and blood, out of all of us Hussans who were summoned in this Holy Grail War, I was the one most compatible to take care of the little one. And so I did."

"That is most admirable on your part, Asako." I speak what I believe to be true. "To take care of a kid, even a super powered one, in this pseudo-Hell is something worthy of respect."

[You have gained 5 Affection Points with Asako of the Hundred Faces of Hassan!]

She lowers her head in embarrassment at my words, but I can feel the smile in her voice as she answers. "Your words of praise are much appreciated, Fujimaru-sama. Now as for why she suddenly chose to show herself now... I think I know, but please give me a second to confirm my thoughts."

She kneels down and I watch as the little girl whispers something into her ear, to which she nods and stands up again– Except this time she lightly pushes the child forwards and towards me.

"It looks like the little one was a little jealous of all the affection Mashu was getting," I couldn't see it but I could hear the grin I'm the teasing voice of Ayako as the child blushed and looked down.

"After observing you long enough and having decided that you seem to be a good man and not a threat, she wished for some praise send her way as well. After all, she was the one who stealthily looped the strings and set up the trap which I used for restraining Zayd."

Ah, I guess that's what that Charisma Check and Achievement was for...

Having heard Asako's words, I now turn my head down and look at the child– Fiddling with the helm of her dress and trying (and failing) to discretely steal glances at my face, her wish clear in her eyes.

Yeah... I would head-pat her just for existing. And you're telling me that she's also responsible for saving my life?

I let my extend my hand and rest it gently on the little girls head, and start ruffling her hair. "Thanks kid. That was a job well done, I'm really proud of you. Sorry the only reward I can give you currently is my gratitude, my affection, and a bunch of head-pats. Bet you're regretting saving my broke-ass now huh?"

But the way she's pushing her head into my palm like a cat, and the bashful happy smile on her face tells me she's not really regretting it that much. Kids are great, how easily the can be satisfied by such small things.

[You have gained 5 Affection Points with Mashu Kyrielight!]

[You have gained 15 Affection Points with Asako of the Hundred Faces of Hassan!]

Huh, guess it's true, that being good with kids does impress the ladies. But before I can say anything else to the kid, I get interrupted by the familiar shrill yelps followed by almost equally shrill feminine shouts, getting progressively closer.

"Fou, fou! Kyuu– Kyaou!"

"Wait for me...*huff*huff*... You strange chimera! Or...*huff*huff*... I'll use my authority...*huff"... To toss you out of Chaldea and into the snow when we get back! ...*huff*huff*huff*...

Well, well, well– Looks like our favourite hybrid mascot and lost Director have finally decided to show up. As they say, better late than never! Interacting with her is definitely going to be... interesting.


Zayd, the most sane Gilgamesh fan. I love Caster and Kid Gil, but you have to admit that Archer Gil is not someone you can fix.

As for Child Assassin, she is actually canon and a part of the hundred personalities of Hassan and was meant to be a part of Fate/Zero and was going to have interactions with Waver and Iskander. Annnnnd then die a sad and heartbreaking death by their hands because of Kirei's Command Seal in classic Fate fashion, but they scraped the idea at the last moment.

Now I have a few Lore related questions, I'm hoping some of you can answer. Why is Archer's Aria, i.e. the UBW chant, in english? Why do the Assassin's all have gray skin? As in I understand that they went through modifications to become more stealthy at night and stuff, but does anyone know how they achieved that result? Is Nero (from Singularity Rome) and Nero Bride (from Singularity North America) two different characters?

And that's all from me for now! Please comment your thoughts on this chapter and hope to see you people in the next one. Trust me, it's going to get wild. Until then– Adios!