FGO cast reacts to Solo Leveling

by Soloextra4

Suddenly Fate Grand order characters are transported to different place and give reaction to different story.

3. It's Like a Game

[He opened his eyes.

He saw a white ceiling, and his nose stung from the odour of disinfectants. He also felt the sensation of a hard mattress against his back.

Ritsuka immediately recognised where he was.

'A hospital?'

He knows about this room. So much so that, he even heard a rumour of there being a special seat reserved for himself at the Hunter's hospital.

Ritsuka raised his upper torso up. He then placed his hand on his chest and felt the vibrations coming from there. His heart was beating without a problem.

'I…. survived?'

It wasn't only that, though. Unlike before, his entire being felt light and airy. He'd be feeling heavy-headed and fatigued whenever he woke up from a hospital bed.

But, it was a different story now. No, it was as if he had woken up in his own bed after a night of a good rest.

'What's going on….?'

This shouldn't have been possible when he thought back to the moments before he lost his consciousness.

A sword was falling on his head right before his eyes.

Even if he got lucky and the sword missed, he was still surrounded by countless scary enemies. Those d*mn things were strong enough to give the assault team formed solely from the rank A – no, rank S Hunters a genuinely hard time.

'But, I came out of that situation alive? Or was it a dream?'

Was he dreaming things, then?]

Ritsuka:

"I'd really appreciate it if this wasn't a dream." He chuckled awkwardly, but the heavy tension in the theater dampened any levity.

Fou leapt from Ritsuka's shoulder and landed on Habetrot, who caught him with a cheerful smile, happily scratching his ears.

Koyanskaya:

"Oh my, what a pathetic creature he is! A master becoming a regular hospital resident—how utterly disappointing. I suppose even a so-called hero has his weak points. " She smirked slyly, her gaze lingering disdainfully on the screen version of Ritsuka.

Nero Claudius:

"Umu! He's healed! That is all that matters. The strength of Rome will not falter! Ritsuka's resilience truly reminds me of my own glorious self!"

Douman:

"Mmmnn... How dreadfully dull. I was expecting something more entertaining... perhaps some lingering scars, or better yet, a more tragic demise." His tone was laced with mock disappointment, his fingers covering his twisted grin.

Suzuka Gozen:

"Yo, like, that healing? It's gotta be some crazy divine-level power, you know? No way a normie could just walk away from that kind of damage." She tilted her head thoughtfully, her tone casual but serious.

James Moriarty:

"Indeed." Moriarty adjusted his glasses with a sharp glint in his eyes. "Such rapid recovery suggests something far beyond ordinary magic. I suspect this power is quite intriguing…"

The screen shifted, replaying the scene of Ritsuka nearly being struck by a sword, only to wake up fully healed.

Tamamo no Mae, visibly shaken, clenched her hands tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched the gore and horror inflicted upon her husband.

Tamamo:

"Master… No, my beloved husband… I will not let anyone hurt you ever again. Never. I'll heal you myself before I let anyone even think of harming you!*" Her voice trembled with emotion, and her tails curled protectively around her.

Ritsuka:

"Tama, it's okay." He reached out, trying to soothe her fears.

Castoria, seated beside him, could barely control her breathing. Her hands trembled as they clasped his, her grip tight.

Morgan:

"Husband..." Her voice, soft and melodic like a silver bell, broke through the silence. "We need to be more cautious in the future. I can't bear the thought of losing you."

Without a word, Ritsuka let her rest her head on his shoulder. He felt her quiet despair through her touch but chose to offer silent reassurance.

Morgan le Fay, seated on his lap with her arms looped around his neck, glanced at the screen. Her golden eyes burned with determination.

Morgan:

"Director, from this moment onward, all servants—male and female—must remain on high alert. No exceptions. I want protection around my husband at all times."

Goredolf Musik, for once entirely serious, nodded firmly.

"You have my word. As soon as we return, I'll coordinate with Da Vinci and Sion. I'll ensure this matter is treated with the utmost importance."

Even Kadoc could sense the gravity of Goredolf's resolve as he watched the director's face.

Ritsuka:

"Morgan… Don't worry too much. I trust everyone here. I know you won't let any harm come to me, and I promise to be more careful."

Morgan's sharp gaze softened as she smiled, her earlier distress melting away. She brushed a stray strand of hair from his face, admiring his worried expression.

Morgan:

"Very well, my husband. I'll trust you."

"Ritsuka-kun…" The Cnoc na Riabh whispered softly as she gazed at Ritsuka back form from behind. Her placement allowing her to gaze at him.

[Fortunately, there was a good way of confirming it for himself.

Ritsuka pulled away the blanket covering him.

If that situation had been real, then his leg would still be gone, and if he had been dreaming, then his leg would be…

"You've finally woken up."

Ritsuka was surprised by the weighty voice coming from the corner of the hospital room, and hurriedly turned his head to look.

"I apologise if we took you by surprise. Unfortunately, we are unable to wait any longer."

Two men kitted out in black business suits approached Ritsuka bed. The youth tilted his head and asked them.

"Who…. are you?"

He had never seen these two's faces before.

"This is who we are."

Ritsuka received the business card and read what was written on it.

'Kadoc Zemlupus, the section chief of the Monitoring Division, the Japanese Hunter's Association?'

"I'm Beryl Gut!"]

Ritsuka (shocked): "Wait… is he…?!"

Koyanskaya: With her ever-present fox-like grin, Koyanskaya twirled a lock of her hair and chuckled. "Fufufu… Fate truly enjoys a twisted sense of humor. Who would've thought Beryl of all people would be standing there as if he were some respectable figure?"

Goredolf: Goredolf's face turned pale, and he stammered in disbelief. "B-Beryl Gut?! Why… why is that serial psycho killer working under a reputable organization like the Hunter's Association?! Have they completely lost their minds?!" He tugged at his cravat anxiously, his voice rising with panic.

Kadoc Zemlupus: Kadoc leaned back in his chair, his face betraying both shock and discomfort. "What… what the hell is this? Why is my alternate version working with Beryl of all people?!" He scowled at the screen, his voice lowering. "I hope this version of Beryl isn't as much of a monster as ours…" 'how ironic the fate is?'

James Moriarty: Adjusting his monocle, Moriarty leaned forward with an intrigued smile. "So, they finally make their entrance. I must say, for the Hunter's Association to involve themselves, the situation must be quite dire indeed or this version Kadoc is a Work Worm I guess. How very interesting…"

Barghest: Barghest crossed her arms, her golden eyes narrowing at the screen. "This version of Kadoc seems… serious. Focused, even. Quite the contrast to the man we know. Not that I'm insulting you, Master Kadoc," she added with a small smirk, glancing sideways at the young Crypter.

Kadoc:"Yeah, yeah, no offense taken," Kadoc muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Honestly, I'm surprised too. Never thought I had a version of me out there who looks so… competent. Makes me feel weirdly inferior."

Castoria Castoria clenched her fists, her usually calm demeanor breaking. "That man…! He shouldn't be anywhere near Ritsuka, not even in an alternate world!" Her voice was firm, her protective instincts in full force.

Baobhan sith flattened, and she growled angrily . "That man… Just seeing his face irritates me Now! I don't care if this is some alternate version of 2 goolu face him—he's still Beryl Gut!" She turned to screen wishing curses on him for what he did.

Morgan felt guilty for what she did to her daughter.

Jeanne Alter: Jeanne Alter scoffed, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. "What's the big deal? So the twisted freak found himself a government job. Sounds like poetic justice to me. Let's see how long it takes for him to screw it up."

Habetrot: Habetrot fidgeted nervously, she brow furrowed. "I don't like this… Even if it's not Beryl we know, it's still him. What if he tries to hurt the other Ritsuka?"

["What's someone from surveillance want with me?" Ritsuka asked.

Then Kadoc explained what happened until now.

Ritsuka says "What? I've been unconscious for three days? What about Ophelia and Mr. Song? Are they okay?"

Kadoc stood up and said "They're fine. But...Hunter Song Chiyul lost an arm. He might choose to retire. As for Hunter Ophelia, she's suffered significant psychological trauma and is currently undergoing treatment. Judging from her condition, it's uncertain whether she can continue to work as a hunter. Only six people came back alive from the double dungeon. The hunter profession inherently comes with risks, such a casualty is still rare. And for some reason, when we received reports from the survivors and got there with members of the White Tiger Guild,they only found you lying there. There were no traces of any temple or statues."

Hearing this Ritsuka displayed a shocked, disbelieving face and said "But how...?"

Kadoc already expected he reaction and says "Hard to believe, isn't it? If there were any inconsistencies in the survivors' statements or if no corpses were found at the scene, we would be suspicious of you."

Kadoc scratched his chin.

"What?" Ritsuka was afraid for a second as civilian. He knows how goverment works to some extent.]

Mandricardo: Scratching the back of his neck nervously, Mandricardo sighed. "So it's been three days since the temple incident… That's rough." His brow furrowed with worry as he focused on Ritsuka's counterpart.

Charlotte Corday (worried): Charlotte clasped her hands together, her face full of concern. "Poor Ophelia… To suffer such trauma. I hope she can recover… and that this Ritsuka will be able to help her somehow."

Mélusine: Tilting her head slightly, Mélusine crossed her arms. "What is this 'Hunter Surveillance Department'? It doesn't sound friendly."

James Moriarty: Adjusting his glasses with a sly smile, Moriarty chuckled. "Ah, my dear, the answer is simple. The Surveillance Department must be the governing body that ensures hunters—those gifted with extraordinary power—don't stray from the law. They're likely the strongest individuals in their world, capable of keeping other hunters in check."

Boabhan Sith: "So… they're like knights, then?" Boabhan Sith tilted her head, her expression curious. "But rather than serving a lord, they answer to their government?"

Moriarty: With an approving nod, Moriarty elaborated. "Precisely. If your job is to monitor and enforce the law among those with the potential to abuse power, you'd naturally need to be stronger than the ones you oversee. This Kadoc seems to have been doing this for quite some time; he exudes an air of confidence and experience. Judging by his demeanor, I'd wager he's an A-Rank hunter at the very least."

Barghest: Barghest's eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. "An A-Rank hunter? That explains his composure."

Jeanne Alter: Jeanne Alter scoffed, crossing her arms. "Wait, why the hell is he suspecting Master's counterpart? It doesn't make any sense. Master's the weakest hunter, isn't he?"

Meltryllis: Meltryllis, tapping her fingers on her armrest, rolled her eyes. "Exactly. It's ridiculous. How could someone so clearly powerless be a suspect? These people are grasping at straws."

Draco (pissed off): Draco's tail lashed in irritation as she growled. "Annoying. They dare to suspect Master's counterpart when he's clearly just trying to survive? I'd teach them a lesson if I could."

Moriarty (amused): With a knowing chuckle, Moriarty addressed their protests. "Hahaha, my dear friends, you're misunderstanding the situation. They suspect him because they must. It's their duty to question everything, especially given the circumstances. Just watch the screen, and you'll see."

Edmond Dantès (thoughtful): Dantès' drak eyes glimmered as he observed Ritsuka's reaction. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "When Kadoc mentioned Kim, this Ritsuka regrets his inability to act. He hates his weakness… and he despises the selfishness of those who abandoned him. This counterpart of Ritsuka is at a crossroads, torn between his past failures and his desire to change."

[Kadoc carefully opened his mouth because of what he thought about Ritsuka awaking again is right then this Ritsuka life will be changed forever And he said "By the way, although this is just our speculation...Hunter Ritsuka fujimaru. Please tell me, have you experienced a Reawakening? "

Ritsuka eyes shot open wide.

He thought 'Reawakening...A hunter's ability is set at the time of awakening and will not change in their lifetime. However, a very few hunters will experience a second awakening. They'll surpass their limits and become A-rank or S-rank hunters. Did I also...' Ritsuka put his hopes high.

Kadoc signalled to his lackey Beryl.

"Bring it here."

Then, Beryl went to the corner of the room and began rummaging through a briefcase placed there.

This is a magic power detector.

Ritsuka noticed Beryl had boring expression. But Ritsuka is too busy in knowing his new rank.

"Please place your hand on this." He said and Ritsuka did as he told.

While this happening, Kadoc started to think about this situation. 'If what the survivors said is true and there were magic beasts that killed people with ease. no low-rank hunters would survive. However, those magic beasts disappeared without a trace. Only A-rank, no...Only S-rank hunters would be capable of that. That's why we suspect that he had undergone a second awakening.']

James Moriarty: Chuckling as he leaned back in his chair, Moriarty steepled his fingers. "Ah, it's undeniable, isn't it? The very existence of dangerous monsters in these so-called Gates. The lack of corpses or any signs of those missed hunters... naturally, the association would assume the only plausible explanation is that Ritsuka's counterpart handled them alone—through a miraculous Reawakening. It's quite the fascinating conclusion, don't you think?"

Habetrot: The tiny fairy crossed her arms and frowned. "But… Master didn't do anything! Why are they jumping to conclusions?"

Fou nodded it's head agreeing with her in her hands.

Moriarty (grinning):"Ah, my dear Habetrot, it's not about what he actually did—it's about what they can't explain. The association can't ignore such an unprecedented event, and the only answer that fits their understanding of reality is this so-called Reawakening. To them, it's the perfect narrative."

Artoria Pendragon (Saber): Nodding solemnly. "Then they're doing the right thing. If there's even a chance Ritsuka's counterpart has gained new power, it's only natural they would investigate. They're responsible for maintaining order among hunters, after all."

Caster Irisviel: Irisviel tilted her head, her brow furrowed with concern. "But… are they going to find out about his system? Wouldn't that reveal too much?"

Jeanne Alter (rolling her eyes): "Tch, nope. I doubt it. These guys don't seem competent enough to unravel something as complex as a system. They'll just keep running in circles."

Ritsuka Fujimaru (observing the screen):

Watching intently, Ritsuka smiled faintly, his expression tinged with nostalgia. "He seems… excited. I think I'd feel the same in his shoes. The thought of finally being stronger… it's hard not to hope."

Kadoc (crossing his arms): Kadoc sighed and glanced at Ritsuka. "Even my counterpart seems overly enthusiastic. Not sure why, though. It's not like I've ever been the optimistic type."

Oberon (mocking):"Hahaha! Of course, he's excited. He's imagining some grand power-up Ritsuka got—the kind you see in children's tales. Maybe he thinks an Excalibur-like sword will magically appear in his hand to solve all his problems."

Douman (snickering): "Mmmnnnmm, plot armor, I call it! The idea that a sudden surge of power could save the day without rhyme or reason… oh, how deliciously contrived! I'm almost rooting for it now."

Assassin Emiya (calmly): "Well, if he did gain new power, it makes sense to be curious about what kind. Power changes people, for better or worse."

Illya: Clasping her hands together, Illya's face lit up with hope. "I hope Master's counterpart gets S-Rank powers! That way, he can protect everyone and not have to struggle so much."

Moriarty chuckled darkly, shaking his head knowingly. His reaction drew the attention of the other Servants, who leaned forward with anticipation.

["What does it say?" Kadoc ask beryl and beryl showed the result. See it, a small earthquake rocked Kadoc eyes.

"How can this be?!"

He rechecked the numbers, but it remained the same.

"If I had a second awakening,

what rank would I be?" Ritsuka asked them, Seeing the suspicious reactions of the two Monitoring Division agents, the result must've been somewhat beyond their expectations.

Kadoc rapidly realised that being here was a waste of time, even beryl understand it.

Beryl thought 'I suppose a trash is always a trash'

"It seems..."

"We should apologize."

Then didn't even bother to tell the result and left.

Beryl said with uninteresting tone. "Even an E-rank hunter would have at least 70... He's basically like an ordinary man."

Kadoc didn't listen to him and thinking 'The dungeon has disappeared and can no longer be investigated. How on earth did he survive?']

Servants' Reactions

Jeanne Alter:"What the hell?! He got a 10? Are you kidding me? What the actual f#k—?!" Jeanne slammed her fist on the armrest of her chair, fuming.

Mélusine:"Utter nonsense. There's no way this is accurate." Mélusine's voice was calm but icy, her displeasure evident as she crossed her arms.

Castoria: Turning to the others with wide eyes, Castoria asked, "Didn't Master's counterpart have a system? How could his magic power be that low?"

Morgan disappointed in castoria.

Artoria Pendragon (Lancer): Scowling, Lancer's grip on her lance tightened. "That Beryl... he dares to call Master's counterpart trash. Such insolence will not go unpunished."

Koyanskaya (smirking):"Oh my, how utterly pathetic! Kadoc looks as disappointed as we are. His disappointment is immeasurable, and his day is officially ruined." She chuckled darkly.

Ishtar:"That gutless Beryl bastard probably thinks Ritsuka qualifying as a hunter is a joke! If I were there, I'd knock him out of his boots!"

Nero Claudius: Nero clenched her fist. "Umu! Even Kadoc is astonished that Ritsuka survived. A miracle, they say? I do not like this. Not one bit!"

Gilgamesh: "Dumb Fangirls"

Goredolf Musik:

"I agree! It's appalling! Over the last four years, Ritsuka's magic power has apparently dropped from 12 to 10! But we all know he hasn't actually grown weaker—this is ridiculous!"

Caster Irisviel:

Angrily Pouting, Caster Irisviel wagged her finger at the screen. "How rude of them! They didn't even bother to consider his feelings before walking out like that!"

James Moriarty (adjusting his glasses):

"Hmm, fascinating. The system must have reset his magic power, leaving him weaker in measurable terms—but stronger in a way they can't comprehend. A clever twist. Just like I calculated"

Meltryllis (irritated):

Her arms crossed, Meltryllis scowled at the screen. "Knowing that doesn't make it any less infuriating. Watching them leave without even showing a shred of respect... it's downright insulting! And this idiot is okay with it."

Habetrot (puffing her cheeks):

"Yeah! They just walked out as if Master's counterpart wasn't even worth their time. It's so unfair!"

[The hospital room that felt rather small suddenly became quiet and lonely.

"…"

Ritsuka scratched the back of his neck.

"What...they Got me excited for nothing." Ritsuka in his room fall on bed.

"By the way, don't those people care about this thing? Is it because only I can see it?" Then the screen shows a status screen in front of Ritsuka fujimaru.

He looked up without thinking, and then, saw 'words' floating in the air.

[You have several unread messages.]

He closed his eyes and opened them again.

[You have several unread messages.]

The words remained floating up there without a single change. He shook his head hard a few times and even rubbed his eyes, but they were still there.

It hadn't been a long time since I started hearing weird things, but now, I'm even seeing them, too….'

Could something in his head really be broken?

There was a condition called PTSD, after all. People who experienced a huge accident or a traumatic event usually suffered from this condition.

It was only a few days ago since he witnessed the deaths of many of his comrades, not to mention he himself nearly died as well, so it would not be so strange to hear or see weird things as a possible side effect.]

Servants' Reactions

Habetrot (clutching her dress):

"Oh, Master's counterpart really had his hopes up for nothing. Poor thing…"

Alter Ego Tiamat (with maternal concern):

"So, the system is visible only to my child. That means it's bound to him and him alone." Her voice carried a soothing undertone, though her expression darkened slightly at Ritsuka's distress.

Gilgamesh (leaning back, arms crossed):

"Of course it's tied to him. Did you expect otherwise? Hmph. It's written all over his destiny. The system would not dare attach itself to anyone else."

Cnoc na Riabh (calmly observing):

"It seems Ritsuka's counterpart cannot accept the system's existence. Understandable—when one is confronted with the extraordinary, the first instinct is doubt."

Suzuka Gozen (grinning):

"Pfft, haha! He thinks he has PTSD? That's hilarious! I mean, come on—our master's always been kinda crazy, right? But still, it's pretty funny!"

Ritsuka just ignored her words

Tamamo-no-Mae (glaring at Suzuka):

"Suzuka, have a little tact! Anyone would think they're losing their mind if they were in his shoes. This isn't something to laugh about!" She turned to the screen with a pout. "But yes, it's only natural to question what's real after all he's been through."

Morgan (stoic):

"It is not madness, but clarity veiled in confusion. He must learn to trust what he sees and take control of this system if he is to move forward. He shouldn't fall for system. I don't believe this system."

Jeanne Alter (gritting her teeth):

"Clarity? Hah, sure. But I'm with him—if words started floating in front of me, I'd think I was losing it too. Still, this situation is infuriating."

Moriarty (adjusting his monocle):

"Now, now, let's not dismiss his reaction too quickly. This doubt, this conflict—it is the spark that will lead to growth. The system chose him for a reason and it's wants Ritsuka for some reason"

Ishtar (rolling her eyes):

"Tch. He's making this way more complicated than it needs to be. Just accept it already! The system wouldn't bother showing itself if it wasn't legit."

Habetrot (clutching her chest):

"But Ishtar, wouldn't you be scared, too? It's not easy to trust what you don't understand."

Gilgamesh (raising his hand):

"Silence, all of you. The boy is not a fool—he will rise to the occasion when the time comes. Do not underestimate this version just because he is dumb morngel."

[In order to confirm the messages, he reached out towards the words.

And his hand simply went past them.

'This isn't a touch-sensitive screen?'

It seemed that he got way too used to how a smartphone worked. He couldn't think of any other way to access the messages other than tapping on the 'icon', though.

While he was deliberating on the means to access the messages, he recalled the memories from the moments before he blacked out.

"Right. That happened. I saw this too at that time..."

'Just like back then, I should either form the words in my head or speak it out loud.'

Thinking that this must be the case, Ritsuka then began to mutter the potential combination of words one by one.

"Confirm."

"Messages."

"Jarvis scan it."

"Check messages."

"Wakey Wakey."

"Erect."

"Get up buddy."

"Hey, It's time for school, show me already, will ya?!"]

Servants' Reactions

Moriarty (adjusting his monocle, smirking):

"So, it seems my calculations were correct. The system cannot be interacted with physically. A rather strange design choice, wouldn't you say?" He chuckled, though his tone carried a faint tinge of disappointment. "Still, it's… regrettable that our dear Master's counterpart hasn't quite cracked the code yet."

Artoria Pendragon (Saber, trying to suppress laughter):

"W-Was that really necessary? Erect? Wakey wakey? I… I cannot believe he said that!" She covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking slightly.

Castoria (blushing furiously):

"Master! Why… why would your version even say something like that?! Have some dignity, please!" She waved her staff nervously, trying to distract herself from the embarrassment. (Her dirty mind opened new thoughts) Oberon who saw her thoughts gave smug smile to Ritsuka.

Koyanskaya (grinning mischievously):

"Oh my, this is too good. I never thought I'd see a Master Counterpart resort to such desperate measures. 'Hey, it's time for school?' Really?!" She leaned back, her laughter echoing through the room.

Tamamo-no-Mae (giggling, but trying to look serious):

"Well, it's not entirely his fault. This is a new experience for him, after all! Though…" She smirked. "I must admit, seeing him flail around like this is hilarious."

Ishtar (laughing uproariously):

"'Jarvis, scan it'?! Pfft! What, does he think he's in some kind of Iron Man? This is pure gold. I can't take this guy seriously!"

Oberon (smirking slyly):

"Oh, this is delightful. Watching him stumble over himself is more entertaining than anything I've seen in 3 episodes. Truly, the height of comedic tragedy."

Suzuka Gozen (holding her sides, laughing):

"Ahahaha! This is priceless! I mean, come on, did he really think 'erect' would work? What a dork! He's like some guy trying to unlock a vending machine with voice commands!"

Jeanne d'Arc (Alter, snickering):

"Tch. What an idiot. Still…" She turned away slightly, hiding a small smile. "I guess it's kind of endearing in its own stupid way."

Ritsuka Fujimaru (burying his face in his hands):

"Why?! Why is this being shown to everyone?! Can't they cut it off." His voice was muffled, his face beet red.

Moriarty (with a grandfatherly chuckle):

"Now, now, Master, no need to be embarrassed. It's these moments of absurdity that make you so endearing to all of us." He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Though… I must say, your counterpart's creativity in those phrases was rather impressive."

Ishtar (snickering):

"Oh, don't worry, Fujimaru. This'll just go on your long list of legendary blunders. We're all keeping track, you know."

Morgan (playfully wagging a finger on Ritsuka chest):

" Husband, learn from this version. you've got to think before you speak! Although…" She grinned. "I suppose that's part of your charm."

Oberon (mockingly):

"Oh, yes, let's all take notes from Ritsuka the System Whisperer. Truly a master of his craft."

Habetrot (puffing her cheeks):

"Stop teasing Master! It's not his fault that the system is so confusing!"

--

[Ritsuka tried everything he can.

It was then.

"…..Just what is it that you wish to see that bad, Onii-san?"

He felt a cold, probing stare coming from the side, so he turned his head to look. And, spotted his little sister in her school uniform looking at him from the gap of the half-open door.

"Uhm….."

Ritsuka became speechless.

"Illya".

"Maybe, you hurt your head really bad?"

The younger sister stood at a distance away and asked Ritsuka, prompting him to shake his head vigorously.

"No, that's not it."

Even though he denied it, Ritsuka's younger sibling, Illya fujimaru's eyes remained suspicious.

"Are you really okay?"

"Yes, I'm telling you the truth."

Illya blankly swept her gaze all over Ritsuka, before she came closer while her breathing became uneven, angry. And then, as soon as Ritsuka assumed a defensive posture, she began punching him in all the unguarded parts.

"I told you to stop getting hurt!! You have any idea how worried I was?!"

"…..I'm sorry."

"Other people walk away fine, but how come it's only you who gets hurt all the time?! I'm terribly worried!"

"….Sorry."

The strength behind illya's punches gradually seeped away. She soon stopped, and as her head fell, began crying. Ritsuka slowly patted the back of his sobbing sister.

His own nostrils stung quite a bit then.

'I was thinking of leaving behind this kid alone and dying, wasn't I….'

What a relief that he made it out alive.

When he looked back, there had been way too many brushes with death for comfort back then.

It was as if he had experienced one hell of a terrifying nightmare.

Ritsuka's gaze shifted ever so slightly towards the words floating in the air.

[You have several unread messages.]

'It still feels like I haven't completely woken up from that nightmare just yet, doesn't it?'

There were so many things he couldn't understand.

But, so what?

The most important thing was that he came back alive, and he got to see his little sister again.

"Sniff."

Thankfully, his strong-willed sister stopped crying after a short while. Unfortunately for him, though, her nagging continued on for over one hour afterwards.

"Do you hear me? If you get hurt one more time, I'm going to give up on studying, find a job, and make sure you don't work as a Hunter ever again."

Illya's sharp glare didn't really suit her pretty face, but that was a biological trait she had shared with her older brother.

"Okay, okay. I hear you."

Ritsuka nodded his head as if he'd given up.

Only after she was able to extract his assurance several times more did she display a hint of satisfaction, and stood up from the seat.]

--

Habetrot (smiling warmly, clasping her hands together):

"Now this, this is what I call sibling bonding! It's so sweet and beautiful. I could watch moments like this all day!" Her eyes sparkled as she rocked side to side.

Goredolf (sniffling, wiping away a tear with a handkerchief):

"Such a strong bond! His sister crying like that—normally, she'd just scold and hit him, but now… Oh, the poor child, letting all her emotions pour out like that!" He dabbed his eyes again, struggling to keep his composure.

Alter Ego (Tiamat, her voice trembling with motherly love, tears streaming down her cheeks):

"My precious child… Such a loving sibling, crying her heart out for him. How beautiful. Truly, Illya is a wonderful girl." She sniffled, reaching for a tissue handed to her by Habetrot.

Illya (blushing furiously, waving her arms in protest):

"Stop it! You're making it sound like my version is some crybaby or something! S-She was just worried about her Onii-chan, that's all!" She puffed out her cheeks, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Caster Irisviel smiled happily.

Suzuka Gozen (grinning slyly, arms crossed):

"This scene alone shows how dumb Ritsuka's been recently. Like, seriously, dude! How many times has he come back from the brink of death and not thought about what it does to the people around him? Total airhead vibes!"

Mandricardo (nodding thoughtfully, arms crossed):

"Yeah, this kind of thing really puts it all into perspective, doesn't it? It's not just about surviving the fight—it's about making sure the people waiting for you aren't left behind. Coming back alive is what really matters."

Douman (groaning in annoyance, leaning against a pillar):

"Mmnnnnmmm, how tedious. All this sentimentality makes my skin crawl. Why must everyone be so… sappy?" He rolled his eyes dramatically.

Meltryllis (kicking Douman hard in the shin, her eyes narrowed):

"Shut up, clown. You're ruining the moment. Honestly, you're so irritating."

Gilgamesh (yawning, reclining on a top seat):

"Tch. What a waste of time. This is the same foolish Master version who stumbles through life without a shred of dignity. Let him figure it out on his own; I have better things to do." He lazily waved a hand before closing his eyes, seemingly uninterested.

["By the way, Illya, can you see this?"

"See what?

"Sorry, it's nothing. You going somewhere?"

"Yeah. To school. I got permission to leave so I could check up on you. So I gotta go back."

Ritsuka nodded his head.

"Right, the university entrance exams are next year."

She might never have received a private tutoring nor did she ever attend extra classes, but she always got ranked within the top ten in her school until now.

Illya dreamed of becoming a doctor.

Only until a few years ago, she just loved to waste time on video games and stuff like that, but then, after their mother fell ill, she swore to become a doctor and never stopped studying since.

Ritsuka dearly wished to make her dream come true, no matter what.

Hang on a minute…. playing video games?

Suddenly, Ritsuka's eyes gleamed a bit dangerously.

"Okay, I'm going now."

Just as Illya was leaving his room, Ritsuka urgently called out to her.

"Hey, Illya?"

"Yeah?"]

--

Habetrot (eyes sparkling with admiration):

"Wait, she's a top student without private tutors or best school? And all through sheer hard work? That's incredible!"

Illya (blushing, arms crossed):

"W-Well, my adult self seems way better at studying than me right now… But it's not like I'm a slacker or anything!"

Assassin EMIYA (nodding thoughtfully):

"The best version of ourselves isn't what others define for us. It's being able to work toward our goals with conviction. Illya's doing exactly that—she's walking her path with her own strength."

Caster Irisviel (smiling warmly):

"Illya wants to become a doctor… My sweet girl, that's such a wonderful dream. I'll wish for her success with all my heart."

Ritsuka Fujimaru (smiling proudly on-screen):

"From the information my counterpart gave, She used to spend all her time on video games, but after their Mother got sick, she turned it all around. She studied hard, became one of the top students in her school, and set her heart on becoming a doctor. I couldn't be prouder of her."

Suzuka Gozen (grinning):

"Okay, but seriously—turning from a gamer girl to a top student? That's, like, a total glow-up moment. Props to her for the effort!"

Moriarty (chuckling slyly):

"And yet, amidst all this heartfelt sentimentality, the Ritsuka counterpart has just stumbled upon a clue for his… let's call it a 'technical issue.' Perhaps his difficulty with accessing system messages is a consequence of this 'entertainment sacrifice,'in this way! yes?"

--

["When you are playing video games…."

Illya smirked softly.

"I don't play games anymore. The third year of high school is only a few days away, you know."

"I know, I know. There's something I want to ask you, though."

"Oh, really? Like? I didn't know Onii-san played video games, though?"

Illya suddenly displayed an intense interest as a subject she was deeply intimate with once upon a time was brought up.

Ritsuka sneaked a glance at the still-floating 'message' in the air and asked her.

"When there are unread messages in a game, what should I do access them?"

"You gotta open the mailbox first."

"I gotta 'open' the mailbox?"

Tti-ring!

As soon as Ritsuka said the word 'open', a clear beep entered his head and the hidden messages revealed themselves.

[There are two unread messages.]

– Congratulations on becoming a [Player] (unread)

– [Daily Quest: Preparations to become strong] is now available. (unread)

Ritsuka smiled brightly.

'Finally!'

Seeing her older brother's complexion suddenly brighten like that, Illya felt something was wrong and quickly asked him.

"What's up? What game is it? You need my help?"

Ritsuka firmly shook his head.

"Nope, no need. I'll do it alone."

How would his younger sibling react if he told her what had been happening to him right now?

'I really don't want to be labelled as a loon by her.']

--

Koyanskaya (eyes wide, leaning forward):

"Wait, wait—are you telling me his counterpart completely stopped playing games?! What kind of idiot abandons gaming entirely?!"

Moriarty (nodding with mock seriousness):

"Indeed, Lady Koyanskaya. Such deprivation is surely why he struggled to interpret the simplest command. Truly a cautionary tale for all gamers."

Suzuka Gozen (laughing, throwing up her hands):

"Man, sacrificing all his fun just to help his family? That's hardcore dedication. Still, I feel for him—giving up games? That's rough."

Jeanne Alter (grinning, pointing at the screen):

"Look at her face! That's peak sibling energy right there—teasing him while being super interested. I love it."

Mandricardo (scratching the back of his neck, looking thoughtful):

"Y'know, not telling Illya about all this Player stuff… that's probably for the best. She definitely thinks he got brain damage."

Habetrot (nodding firmly):

"Absolutely! It's enough for her to focus on her dreams. He's doing the right thing keeping her out of this craziness."

[Scene shift

The screen shows Kadoc and talking with Chairman Goredolf in phone while going in a car.

Kadoc (on-screen, sounding tired):

"That hunter, Ritsuka Fujimaru, shows no signs of a second awakening, President."

Goredolf (on the phone, his voice gruff but concerned):

"I see. We're lucky there wasn't a Dungeon Break. But this incident is still far too puzzling."

Kadoc (sighing):

"Yes. This case is different from all the previous ones."

Goredolf:

"Although there are still many mysteries surrounding the dungeon… I understand. Let's classify this case as special. File it in the database, and we'll revisit it later."

Kadoc (curtly):

"Understood."

[The screen then showed Kadoc putting his phone away and leaning back in the car seat, looking drained as he waited in traffic.]

Kadoc (thinking to himself):

'What a long day.' ]

--

James Moriarty (stroking his mustache with a sly smile):

"Ah, poor Kadoc. He must think he's seen all the world has to offer, only to have his worldview upended by something beyond his comprehension. Naturally, his focus has shifted entirely to solving the mystery. I wouldn't be surprised if he's reached out to guilds and foreign agencies for answers… but alas, his investigation is flawed from the start. Hahaha!"

Morgan le Fay (crossing her arms, her expression cold):

"The ordeal Master's counterpart has gone through defies logic. No ordinary investigation could unravel it."

Kadoc (grumbling, looking up at the screen):

"Stop mocking my other self, Professor. You're acting more like your younger, less respectable version."

James Moriarty (chuckling):

"Mockery? Nonsense, my boy. I'm merely pointing out the subtle hints hidden in his conversation with Goredolf. A true detective sees connections where others see noise."

Oberon (lounging lazily, a smirk playing on his lips):

"If they find out Ritsuka got a massive power boost, everything surrounding the incident will unravel. That'd make him the prime focus of every major organization. Oh, the attention, the schemes… what chaos that would bring. I'd almost pity him."

Koyanskaya (smirking, her tail swishing behind her):

"Pfft, Kadoc's just overthinking everything, as usual. Typical."

Goredolf Musik (folding his arms, looking indignant):

"Overthinking?! I'll have you know, Koyanskaya, this situation is a game-changer! If I thought Japan had gained a global-level powerhouse, I'd be thrilled too! A national treasure, so to speak."

Ritsuka Fujimaru (scratching the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly):

"Haha, I mean… you can tell Kadoc's having a rough time. He looks even more tired than the Kadoc we know."

Habetrot (frowning sympathetically):

"Poor guy… His other self really does look worn out. Maybe he needs a good rest."

Jeanne Alter (scoffing):

"Tch. If he's so tired, why doesn't he just say no to Goredolf for once? Spineless."

[Hunters Guild building

Screen shows the guild leader of Hunters Guild.

Shirou (speaking with determination):

"Thank you for your hard work, Artoria. I'd like you to be the instructor for the next B-rank raid mission."

Artoria (raising an eyebrow, surprised):

"I'll be the instructor?"

Shirou (nodding, adjusting his glasses):

"Yes. This raid will also serve as on-site practice for the rookies. We'll appreciate your efforts."

Artoria (a bit hesitant):

"But I don't feel suited to being an instructor…"

Shirou (his tone serious, but filled with trust):

"You just need to fight as you usually do. The rookies will learn by watching you. Your strength is that influential. Although the Hunter's Guild is one of the five major guilds in the country, we're still not strong enough on the global scale."

[Shirou stands up, looking out the window at the setting sun. His voice becomes more reflective.]

Shirou:

"The ranks of hunters are set, but combat abilities can be improved through practice, especially with what's coming. We need to prepare for that moment."

[He adjusts his glasses and faces Artoria.]

Shirou (with a tone of quiet wisdom):

"We must always be ready."

[Artoria listens intently, nodding her head.]

--

Artoria Saber (musing softly, her hand resting on her sword):

"It seems my counterpart still needs more experience to fully trust in her abilities."

Artoria Lancer (smirking, her tone a little playful):

"She needs more confidence. She's strong, but sometimes she doubts herself."

Castoria (frowning, arms crossed):

"Who is this guy he thinks, to force a job on someone who clearly doesn't want it? This seems like a test she never agreed to."

Moriarty (grinning, watching the scene unfold):

"This man has a sharp business mind. Knowing how to leverage Artoria's strength to mentor others is clever. He understands the value of practical learning."

--

[Scene Shift: Suddenly, a portal appears in the middle of the road. Cars screech to a halt as everyone is caught off guard.]

[The traffic completely stops as a few confused citizens stare at the glowing portal, unsure of what's happening.]

Citizen 1 (pointing):

"A portal again?"

Citizen 2 (nervously):

"Why did a portal appear here? Damn it"

[Traffic police quickly step in, trying to maintain order and avoid accidents.]

Traffic Officer 1 (on the radio):

"We've got a situation. No need to panic. We'll handle it. Stay back!"

Traffic Officer 2 (checking the situation):

"Haven't the hunters arrived yet?"

Citizen 3 (worried):

"I hope they hurry up and get rid of it…"

[The citizens watch as the situation unfolds, hoping the Hunters can solve the issue quickly.]

--

Moriarty (narrowing his eyes, intrigued):

"Interesting. A portal right in the middle of traffic… and no one surprised just like I thought."

Goredolf (adjusting his position, his voice reflecting experience):

"This highlights how society has adapted to these dungeons. At first, they were shocked by the phenomenon."

Ritsuka Fujimaru (nodding, smiling ruefully):

"Yes Director, They were once completely stunned by these portals. But now… they just deal with it like it's another part of the routine."

Kadoc (watching intently, nodding thoughtfully):

"Yeah, to them, it's just another day in the life. They've adapted faster than expected. It's almost like it's normal now."

Moriarty (chuckling softly to himself):

"Such an elegant evolution of society. It seems they're taking everything in stride now. But will it remain so smooth? That's the true question."

[Scene shift

Ritsuka staring at the screen.

– Congratulations on becoming a [Player] (unread)

– [Daily Quest: Preparations to become strong] is now available. (unread)

He thought that the first message sounded familiar, as if he heard it before from somewhere.

'Where have I saw it from? I know I have.'

So, the first message, then.

– Congratulations on becoming a [Player] (unread)

'Confirm.'

Tti-ring!

[This System will support the growth of the 'Player.']

[Failing to comply with the System's instructions will result in potential penalties.]

[Your rewards have been delivered.]

"Ahh."

He belatedly remembered this.

He saw those words just before he lost his consciousness.

"This system is designed to assist

the development of the player."

"Failure to comply with the system may result in a penalty."

"The rewards have been delivered."

I don't understand this at all.

'Just what will it help grow, and what will it reward me with?'

Seeing the words that could only be found in a video game appearing before his eyes without any prior explanations, only served to confound him even further.

He decided to worry about the confusing words later and calmly opened the next message.

– [Daily Quest: Preparations to become strong] is now available. (unread)

'Confirm.'

[Daily Quest: Preparations to become stronger]

Press-up, 100 times: Incomplete (0/100)

Sit-up, 100 times: Incomplete (0/100)

Squat, 100 times: Incomplete (0/100)

Running, 10 km: Incomplete (0/10)

※Warning: Incompletion of Daily Quests will result in appropriate levels of punishment.

Ritsuka reflexively spat out a dumbfounded chuckle after confirming the contents of the message.

"Ha, haha….. Seriously, man."

What is this?]

Jeanne Alter (eyeing the screen with a raised eyebrow):

"Wait, isn't this Saitama's workout routine? What is this, a joke?"

Barghest (seriously):

"Yeah, I've read about it before. It's… quite the legendary training plan, isn't it?"

Ritsuka (shrugging, a half-smile forming):

"Yeah, it's normal for my version of things to think it's some kind of illusion now…"

Boabhan Sith (smirking, crossing her arms):

"I mean, if it were that easy to get stronger, don't you think everyone would be doing this workout?"

Habetrot (playfully teasing):

"But Boa, didn't your mother train like that when she was younger? Brutal force was her middle name back then."

[Suddenly, Morgan, who had been sitting on Ritsuka lap, hugs him tightly, still perched in his lap. The draco observe her reaction and hugs him on other his hand almost breaking it. Ritsuka just accepted his fate under them]

Morgan (content, purring):

"This is the perfect kind of training, right? I'll help you with this quest when we return, husband…"

[Morgan, in her own cheeky way, takes full advantage of the situation, her warm hug clearly making Ritsuka flustered.]

Castoria (eyes narrowed, feeling a twinge of jealousy):

" In front of everyone? I need to take notes from her. I will try later with Ritsuka"

Boabhan Sith (wide-eyed, shocked):

"Wait—this is getting… strange. What is this, a new tactic for getting stronger?"

Moriarty (watching the situation unfold, intrigued by the psychological dynamic):

"Ritsuka counter part must have thinking that his will to be stronger made his mind projecting this 'system' to aid him in depression. Haha . Perhaps he thinks this is a hallucination, born from his own drive."

[Let's not joke about that.

I'm hospitalized, so I don't have

the strength to do those things.

Should this be the feelings of disappointment?

To think, what the grand-sounding Daily Quest, the one titled 'Preparations to become strong', was nothing more than a list of physical exercises to train his body….

Well, for sure, if he did as the quest said, then his body might get a bit tougher.

Was this what that growth and reward thing the System was talking about?

'Now that I think about it….'

He recalled reading a quote of 'a person with an inner problem should pay attention to the inner voice' from some book in the past.

'In other words, one would see what they wanted to see, eventually….'

Just how desperately did he want to become stronger that he ended up seeing this stupid hallucination?

Although it was funny, he also felt a bit lonely inside.

"If anyone could become stronger by doing these exercises, who would be willing to go through that much hardship, then…?"

Ritsuka shook his head.

He suddenly thought that he was a fool for searching for answers to his many questions from a d*mn hallucination.

'Urgh. I don't care anymore.'

Ritsuka lied down spread-eagled on the bed. He wordlessly stared at the ceiling.

"….."

He wasn't doing anything important, yet the time continued to tick by.

Just as he began to feel the weight of the stillness filling up his hospital room….

Ritsuka abruptly raised his torso off the bed.

'But, what if….'

What if something could change?

As his thoughts were filled half with the uncertain expectation and the other half by unconvinced curiosity, he began wondering whether he should at least give 'it' a shot.

'Well, I've got nothing to lose, anyways.'

There would be no reason not to try it out, if he treated as a light workout to stretch his muscles or something, no?

He made up his mind.

'Fine. Let's try it.'

Ritsuka climbed off the bed and stretched himself for a bit, before leaning against the corner of the bed and slowly performed the 'press-up'.

"One, two, three….."

The count started from 'one' and quickly climbed upwards.

"…..97, 98, 99, 100."

Since he started this thing, he decided to do all 100, but quite different from his expectation, nothing happened when he was finished.

….Other than his arms aching just a little, that was.

"Just what the hell am I doing…."

Ritsuka smirked helplessly and stood straight up.

– Congratulations on becoming a [Player] (read)

– [Daily Quest: Preparations to become strong] is now available. (read)

The messages were now marked as 'read'.

Ritsuka closed the mailbox without regret.

"Yawn…."

Ritsuka yawned out at length and climbed back up on the bed. He felt sleepy as if he had pushed himself too hard.

The sky outside the window was already dyed in the colours of the sunset.

'It's already this late, huh.'

The Monitoring Division agents said earlier that his hospital fees would be taken care of by the Association.

He figured that it wouldn't be too late to leave after receiving a thorough examination of his body and get the all-clear from the doctors first. Ritsuka laid down comfortably while thinking as such.

'I'm sure these hallucinations and weird things I hear will eventually go away with time….'

His eyelids slowly closed shut. And Ritsuka drifted away into a deep slumber.

Tick, tock.]

*

Goredolf Musik (chuckling, shaking his head):

"I can't believe he's using excuses to avoid the quest. If he keeps this up, the penalties are going to be worse than he imagines."

Ishtar (frowning, concerned):

"Warning signs already. This is a red flag. I don't know what the Penalty Zone is, but he shouldn't be ignoring it like this."

Cnoc na Riabh (voice laced with concern):

"Master ignoring it… I have a bad feeling about this. If he doesn't pay attention, things could get worse."

Edmond Dantès (observing with intrigue):

"He's trying to brush it off, but… I know him. Human curiosity is a dangerous thing. Deep down, he's wondering if he should've done it, just to see what would happen."

Oberon (reflecting, watching with an air of detached amusement):

"The fact that nothing happened after he completed the quest only proves that he's starting to question the delusions in front of him."

[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."

---

A/N: Finally I got break so here the chapter. Next will be released in next month. So came and check out later for chapter 4.

Also I hope you guys liked this chapter. If it have any mistakes I will try improve later.

This chapter covers the chapters from 8 to 13 from web novel and 11 to 13 from Manhwa.

Also I will cover Leveling Up in instant dungeon in next chapter because we know Ritsuka Fujimaru gets excited when he goes for Grinding materials and leveling up.

See you later and stay safe in traffic guys.