The Epic Story of the Heroic Spirit of Emiya Giant Warrior

Physical distance can sometimes shorten social distance. The forward fighters and mid-guard gunners, working together, chatted happily, while the relationship between the rear guard mages and protectors also warmed slightly.

Meanwhile, a longsword was projected into his right hand once more, as if the original knife had transformed into a longsword.

The motion after the slash was an upward sweep, his entire body driving his arm, the blade dancing a cold, moon-like gleam in the air.

A lizard monster landed on the ground, where Lefiya had been standing just moments before.

“Hah—” Shirou exhaled softly.

“A-amazing,” Nielan whispered in admiration.

He had actually noticed the lizard monster hiding in the shadows long ago, but as they had agreed from the start, Raul wouldn't easily intervene unless the new adventurers were in mortal danger.

“Lefiya, are you alright?” Shirou instinctively asked the flustered girl in his arms.

“...Sorry, I was startled. My body... I can't move,” the elf girl's voice trembled with fear.

When they first entered the dungeon, they were able to navigate the upper levels with ease, thanks to their extraordinary ability scores, especially Lefiya's super-powered magic.

The ease of battle made them underestimate the dungeon, and they rashly decided to enter deeper floors, violating the district's regulations.

The sudden abnormal situation, the overwhelmingly powerful Labyrinth Lone King (Boss), crushed the conceited young men and women into the abyss with its overwhelming force.

But she couldn't do anything.

She was too afraid to move, let alone cast magic.

It is said that mages require the strongest will and mind. Even if a warrior panics, wildly swinging a sword or spear can at least cause some damage. Even if a heavily armored shieldbearer turns and runs, they can still withstand the monster's attacks with the strength of their body.

At this moment, facing the monster so close, the shadows of the past once again caught up with Lefiya.

The figures of her dead companions, the severed arm of a comrade, the terrifying Labyrinth Lone King, repeatedly surfaced in her mind.

“Lefiya…” Raul reached out his hand, but then helplessly lowered it.

Lefiya is the most precious gem that the Loki Familia has discovered in recent years. She possesses the talent to create miracles, and her [Elf Ring], which allows her to use all elven magic, can be said to be the most heaven-defying magic. Moreover, she also has the unique skill [Elf Rhapsody], which greatly increases the power of attack magic, and the development ability [Magic Guidance], which increases magic power.

From this, one can understand the Loki Familia's expectations for her.

However, the size of talent, the power of magic, and the strength of the heart are two different things.

Having finally obtained a treasure, it would be heartbreaking to see it ruined by psychological problems.

Raul was also very helpless about this. As a Level 4 adventurer, he had the ability to wipe out all the monsters in the lower levels, but he had no idea how to deal with a maiden's heart.

“I'm sorry,” Lefiya said, her clenched hands trembling slightly. “I don't think I can adventure anymore. This time, let's just stop here…”

“In that case, let's switch positions,” Shirou Emiya said. “From now on, I won't use the bow, but the sword.”

“Wait a minute, that's too strange…”

An archer and a mage in the front, a warrior and a spearman in the back—this formation is complete chaos!

“If it will make you believe in this, then you won't be afraid anymore, right?”

Lefiya: “But, I…”

“I said from the beginning that I'm better at swordsmanship,” Shirou Emiya looked at the silent supporter. “Besides, isn't Senior Raul here?”

·

“Shirou Emiya, more skilled with the sword, also knows a thing or two about the bow.”

For Shirou Emiya, he is a genius in the field of archery, but only a “genius.” His archery skills are the result of talent, years of training, and learning from the Heroic Spirit [Archer], while the sword is his “origin” and “essence.”

From the sixth and seventh floors onwards, high-threat enemies in the dungeon began to appear frequently.

Also known as [Rookie Killers], they have four legs and two arms. Their shells are hard, their attacks are extremely powerful, and they use pheromones to attract companions in critical situations: Killer Ants.

Battle shadows were severed by sword light, killer ants were smashed in the head by heavy blows, purple moths were nailed to death by fleeting throwing knives, and needle rabbits were pierced by faster thrusts.

Shirou stood at the front of the team, the arc of his dual swords seeming to form a domain, a sword fence that no monster could break through.

Of course, he would not underestimate the monsters in the dungeon because of this, and rashly engage in adventures. There are differences between monsters, just like there are Cursed Arms and Gilgamesh among the [Heroic Spirits].

That “Sword Princess” also seemed to be like this. As long as she swung her sword, it seemed that no monster could resist.

No, it was still different. The Sword Princess relied not only on swordsmanship, but also on powerful attribute values and added magic, while the young man in front of her showed pure swordsmanship.

Lefiya was stunned for a moment. She watched the terrifying monsters rush to within reach, and then be beheaded by the young man.

Shirou Emiya was also a little surprised. He felt that his condition was surprisingly good. He seemed to be much stronger than before, even when protecting Lefiya.

When acting to protect others, attack power, durability, magic, and skill effects are increased.

There are two reasons. The secondary reason is that this is already the ninth floor, and entering the tenth floor will be a new area. More dangerous monsters will appear here, and there may even be young dragons classified as Level 2 and regarded as the floor boss of this area.

Although, judging from the team's configuration and ability, conquering the 10th-12th floors is also possible, they have already gained a lot from this operation, so there is no need to take extra risks.

They were also lucky enough to hunt some Blue Phoenix Butterflies. This butterfly monster with four blue transparent wings has no combat ability, but the powder secreted by its wings has the ability to heal others and can be used to make potions, which are valuable.

In other words, even if the dropped items are valuable, it has nothing to do with him. Of course, even if the adventure yields nothing or even loses money, he can still get a sum of money to ensure a stable income.

“I never thought these rookies would be so strong! Especially that swordsman rookie from the Hephaestus Familia, he's as strong as a monster!”

“No problem, it's pretty much over.” Everyone had no objection to this, and Shirou agreed. He also felt that Lefiya's condition was much better than before.

“Wait, there are monsters, three beastmen?”

Giant pig-headed monsters that can reach a height of three meters. They wear old animal skins around their waists like skirts and wield huge wooden sticks as weapons.

The dungeon is not static. Deep-level monsters may also wander into shallow levels, which is a dangerous “abnormal situation” for newcomers.

“Wait a minute, Senior Raul.” At this moment, Nielan, the Minotaur warrior, spoke.

“What?” Raul frowned. “Three beastmen are not something a Level 1 adventurer like you can fight.”

Therefore, there is also a saying that they are 1.5-level monsters.

“It is precisely because it is difficult to do that it can be called a 'great achievement'.” Nielan said seriously.

“Actually, I'm a bit of a timid person. Although I'm big, I'm very afraid of death. I've always used my shield to block monsters and then wait for my teammates to solve them.” Nielan said, “But today, Mr. Shirou's figure has inspired me.”

“Mr. Shirou, I hope you can support me with your bow and arrow, but please leave the main attack to me.”

“Lefiya, I'm very sorry, your magic power is too strong. This time, I want to kill the monsters with my own hands.”

“...Ah, honestly, you rookies.” Raul sighed, but then straightened his gaze. “Alright, go do it. Doing the impossible, that's what adventurers are!”

Just at that moment, Shirou suddenly felt something.

“Careful!”

Without hesitation, he grabbed Lefiya's shoulder with his left hand, pulling her into his arms. At the same time, he stood up abruptly, projecting a dagger-shaped straight-edged small knife with his right hand and throwing it out.

The knife pierced the body of a monster, pinning it to the wall, while the blade slashed down, cutting down a second one.

The third brown, four-legged lizard monster was killed in mid-air. Shirou pushed off with both feet, taking Lefiya back a step.

With a twist of the blade, he switched from a forehand to a backhand grip, and the blade fell straight down, pinning the four-legged lizard to the floor.

Raul said, “That's a Dungeon Lizard. Don't think you're safe just because you've destroyed the walls. These monsters can climb walls and ceilings, and they're good at hiding in dark corners to ambush you.”

Shirou's keen senses were beyond his expectations. On the other hand, Lefiya, who was of a higher level, didn't perform as well as he had hoped.

Chapter 16: I'm Better with a Sword

This wasn't Lefiya's first time entering the Dungeon.

Previously, the girl had teamed up with classmates from 【Academia】 to carry out a “Dungeon Exploration Internship.” They were the most outstanding team in 【Academia】 at the time, with more than one Level 2 evolved member. During their world tour, they had completed many remarkable adventures together.

Then, the unreasonable Dungeon made the young people understand the difference between Dungeon and outside adventures, and the price of being self-righteous.

Companions were killed with a simple blow, the reliable vanguard who was like an older brother lost his arm, and Lefiya, who possessed super firepower, was originally the only one who could threaten the Level 4 Labyrinth Lone King in that situation.

But mages are useless. Once they panic and enter a state where they can't cast magic, their existence is completely meaningless.

Even, forcibly casting magic in a panicked state will only cause a “magic self-explosion” that harms themselves and even their companions.

Even if it's just a weak Dungeon Lizard, a weak monster with nothing but hiding and sneak attacks, even if the monster hadn't even touched the elf girl and was neatly cut down by the reliable archer, Lefiya still froze and entered a panicked state where she couldn't cast spells.

In addition, Riveria, the Level 6 mage of the Loki Familia, also possesses a skill called 【Elf Ring】, which enhances the power of magic for her own race (elves).

In the words of game players, Lefiya is not only a 【Magic Kaleidoscope】 with ever-changing moves and all-around attack, defense, healing, and support, but also a 【Buff God of War】 whose magic attacks can stack multiple amplifications.

The elf girl still hasn't emerged from the shadow of her last failure. It's no problem to release magic from a position far away from the monster, but if a monster gets even slightly close, she will panic. This is also the most troublesome thing for the Familia's higher-ups recently.

If he understood this, he wouldn't have ended up going to the Pleasure Quarter as a high-level adventurer in the Loki Familia, where there are more women than men.

“Lefiya, are you afraid of monsters?” Shirou suddenly asked.

“Yes, I'm very sorry, I…”

“Ah, what do you mean?”

“Next, Lefiya and I will walk in front of the group, and you will act as the rearguard.” Shirou looked at the warriors and spearmen in the group.

“Lefiya, you're not weak, you're just not used to 'fighting' yet.” Shirou said calmly, “And I will prove something to you—monsters are not scary. With me by your side, no monster can hurt you, at least in this lower level area, I have that confidence.”

Raul: What should I do? I don't think I should agree, but this awesome and handsome newbie, he called me senior…

That's how he introduced himself at the beginning, but after seeing that miraculous archery, everyone subconsciously forgot about it.

Shirou Emiya, only in the realm of swords, he is a transcendent being, and can even be called—this body is made of swords.

Known as the 【Newbie Killer】, possessing long arms and three claws, and claws as sharp as knives, the War Shadow.

Purple Moths that can bring great trouble to adventurers and spread poisonous powder.

Needle Rabbits that possess extremely fast speed while having attack power only slightly inferior to Killer Ants.

From the sixth to the tenth floor, in this “Newbie Wall” that many adventurers cannot cross, the boy stepped into it with dual swords, showing his brilliance to the world for the first time.

For Shirou Emiya, this was a matter of course. The monsters at this level were too weak, and there was no comparison with the Level 4 top adventurers he usually sparred with, let alone the 【Heroic Spirits】 he had faced in his previous life.

“Where did this newbie from Hephaestus come from…” The scene of Shirou wielding his long sword and cutting down the monster horde was imprinted in Raul's mind, reminding him of another person—the Level 5 first-class adventurer of the Loki Familia, 【Sword Princess】.

“How is it, are you not so scared now?” Shirou turned his head slightly and asked the elf girl behind him.

Just as he said, as long as he was by her side, no monster could hurt her.

It seems, not so scared anymore…

Without him realizing it—

Skill 【Oath Under the Snow】 activated

Chapter 17: Challenge and Great Feat

“Let's stop here.”

Shirou Emiya neatly killed a Needle Rabbit, and at this time, the supporter, Senior Raul, made a judgment.

In addition, there are also beastmen, whose comprehensive abilities are classified as Level 1, but whose strength reaches the Level 2 level. Their powerful monsters can prevent some Level 2 adventurers from continuing to fight after being directly hit by them.

The main reason is that Raul's backpack is already full.

Shirou's efficiency in killing low-level monsters is too high, and War Shadows and Killer Ants are not like goblin trash monsters. Their magic stones are valuable, and with the dropped items, the backpack is already full. If they continue to adventure, they can only discard some of the previous gains.

Raul already regretted it. As the supporter of this adventurer team, he was nominally hired by the mage Lefiya in the team. He and Lefiya signed a fixed reward contract, not a profit-sharing contract.

Of course, Raul was too embarrassed to ask the newbies for a share. Although he was short of money, he still cared about some face.

Moreover, he was already feeling tired.

Habit is a terrible force. After seeing monsters suddenly appearing in front of him countless times and then being intercepted and killed, he realized that it didn't seem so scary anymore.

“Why are there beastmen on the ninth floor? Did they break through from the passage? Well, sometimes things like this happen.” Raul said, “Forget it, I'll take care of it, and then we'll go back quickly.”

To Raul, who casually drew his sword, the beastman, who was very dangerous to Level 1 adventurers, was not a problem at all in the eyes of a Level 4.

“I hope to deal with them, by myself.”

It is true that beastmen are classified as level 1 monsters, but because of their high resistance, high defense, and super high attack characteristics, they generally require a Level 1 team to hunt them down as a group.

“Before graduating from 【Academia】, my ability values had already reached the requirements for leveling up, but I have never been able to accumulate enough great deeds.”

“So handsome, standing in front of his companions, killing all the enemies… I want to do something like that too!”

“Therefore, I want to challenge.”

“Although my abilities will increase after being injured, my judgment will decline, Koni, I hope you can keep an eye on the other party's actions, remember to try to remind me, well, although it may not be useful.”

“Senior Raul, if I'm about to be beaten to death by a beastman, remember to save me, okay.”