The False servant

Two days later.

This is already my second day trapped in this city, and for some reason, every corner is still filled with skeletons.

They are like an unending plague. No matter where I step, they are always there, attacking relentlessly.

"Huff… huff… Damn it, these skeletons just never stop coming…" I muttered, panting as I tried to catch my breath.

I stared at the last skeleton I had just destroyed with a swing of my sword. Its shattered bones scattered on the ground, turning to ash before disappearing with the night wind.

Fighting them was exhausting, but I couldn't deny that every battle gave me something valuable—experience. An understanding of combat, movement, and simple strategies. Bit by bit, I was learning how to survive in this situation.

However, even though I was getting used to fighting them, I wasn't sure if I was strong enough to face a Servant.

I took a deep breath and rested my body for a moment. Even without a Master supplying me with mana, I noticed something strange yet reassuring: I could regenerate simply by resting.

At first, I thought this was odd. Normally, a Servant requires a steady supply of mana from their Master. But for some reason—I didn't. Simply by sleeping or getting enough rest, my body recovered on its own.

"Maybe… this is because I'm a Counter Guardian?" I whispered to myself, continuing my speculation.

Yes, there was a high chance that I had become a Counter Guardian.

Why did I think that? First, I had no Master. And second, I had started to notice something unusual—this wasn't Fuyuki from Fate/Zero or Fate/Stay Night. This was Singularity F—the place I had seen in Fate/Grand Order.

I remembered clearing this Singularity in the game years ago. But my memory of the plot details was blurry. All I could recall were fragmented pieces of the story without clarity.

However, since this was a Singularity, I knew for sure that the Counter Force would act. When a Singularity appears, the Counter Force sends a Servant to deal with it. And apparently, I was the one they had chosen to handle this chaos.

How ironic.

Why me? I wasn't a legendary hero, nor was I an experienced or powerful Servant. In fact, I wasn't even a historical figure worth remembering. So why me?

Then, a faint memory surfaced in my mind.

When I slept—or maybe when I died—I felt like I had met something. Alaya. That entity… it offered me something. A contract. And like a fool, I might have accepted it.

Annoyed, I clenched my fist.

"Damn it… If I could go back in time, I'd slap my past self," I thought, gritting my teeth.

It was truly frustrating. Because I knew that being a Counter Guardian was far from a blessing. There was no freedom. No choice. Only orders to follow.

I recalled Emiya, a Counter Guardian who became an Archer in the Holy Grail War of Fuyuki. His story was filled with suffering. I used to pity him, but now—I fully understood what he went through.

However, something didn't add up. If my past self knew how terrible a Counter Guardian's fate was, why did I agree to the contract?

Did I truly accept Alaya's offer? Or… did something else happen?

I had no idea. The details were still unclear, like fragments of a forgotten dream. Maybe someday I would find the answer. But for now, all I could do was move forward.

My steps were unsteady, but my resolve remained firm.

"I don't know why I'm here… but I won't just stand still. Because, as the saying goes…

'Doing nothing leads to nothing'."

I gazed at the gray sky above. Thick clouds swirled, creating a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere, as if reminding me of the situation I was in. My sword was still tightly gripped in my hand, feeling heavy—not because of its material, but because of the unseen burden of responsibility.

I let out a deep breath, allowing the cold air to fill my lungs.

"Well, I guess this time to move forward…," I muttered before stepping forward once more, continuing this journey.

As usual, along the way, skeletons appeared without warning. They were like pests, never stopping their attacks. But I was lucky to have a special ability—Instinct, a skill I had inherited from Artoria.

This skill allowed my body to react automatically to incoming threats. Even before the skeletons attacked, I could already sense their presence. My movements were guided by an unerring intuition.

"This is strange, but… very helpful," I murmured as I slashed through an approaching skeleton.

However, Instinct wasn't the only skill I possessed. Apparently, I also had other abilities from Artoria, such as Mana Burst and Charisma. Not only that, but I was also equipped with Class Skills like Magic Resistance and Riding.

All of this reinforced my suspicion. My Noble Phantasm seemed to allow me to replicate Artoria's abilities with near-perfect accuracy.

But… only near.

Why did I say that? Because even though I could mimic Artoria's abilities, everything felt downgraded. My stats weren't as high as hers. The skills I had weren't at the same level as hers.

Still, despite this, I was grateful. In this situation, having abilities at this level was more than enough to survive.

As I continued walking, my thoughts drifted toward another major question. Why did I have these abilities? Why was I chosen to handle this Singularity?

Thinking about it made me curious about the details of my own existence.

"Hm… I should check my status," I muttered, gripping my sword with one hand.

In a soft voice, I whispered,

"."

As if responding to my command, a glowing blue holographic text appeared in the air, floating before me. Its gentle light illuminated my face, revealing all the details about myself.

---

[Character Profiles]

Name: Kurohiko Yuki

Age: 16

Class: Saber

Alignment: Chaotic-Neutral

Parameters:

- Strength: B

- Agility: B-

- Endurance: C+

- Mana: A-

- Luck: A++

- Noble Phantasm: A-

Class Skills:

- Magic Resistance: B

- Riding: C

Personal Skills:

- Mana Burst: B

- Instinct: B+

- Charisma: C-

Noble Phantasms:

The Act of Imitating

- Rank: A+

- Type: Anti-Unit / Anti-Self

- Description:

This Noble Phantasm allows the user to imitate the attributes, abilities, and even the Noble Phantasm of other Servants that have been thoroughly observed by the user. However, the power of these imitations is not equal to the original.

The False Sword of Promised Victory

- Rank: B+

- Type: Anti-Army / Anti-Fortress

- Description:

A replica of Artoria's Excalibur. This sword has an identical appearance to the original but possesses far less power.

---

I stared at the floating holographic screen with a serious expression.

"…So this is how it is, huh."

I muttered quietly, trying to process the information I had just seen.

The stats, abilities, and Noble Phantasm listed there… all confirmed that I was nothing more than an imperfect imitation of Artoria. However, rather than feeling discouraged, I actually felt somewhat relieved.

"At least I have something to rely on," I murmured, a faint smile forming on my lips.

As soon as I spoke those words, the blue hologram before me slowly faded, disappearing like mist evaporating under the morning sun.

I glanced at the sword in my hand—The False Sword of Promised Victory. Its shape was perfect, nearly identical to the original Excalibur. But I knew this sword didn't possess the same destructive power.

"Hmm… I wonder just how strong this sword really is."

The description in Character Profiles only mentioned that its power was far less than the original, but it didn't specify exactly how much weaker it was.

I had already tested its sharpness by cutting down the skeletons earlier, and the results were quite impressive. But I still wanted to test its true power.

"Should I try using its Noble Phantasm?"

I narrowed my eyes, thinking.

"But… how do I activate it?"

I knew that Artoria always chanted something before unleashing Excalibur, but I couldn't remember exactly what she said when using her ultimate attack.

"Or maybe I just need to shout 'Excalibur!' like Artoria does?"

I pondered for a moment before nodding to myself.

"Alright, let's give it a try!"

I raised my sword high, feeling the magical energy pulsing through it.

"—Excalibur!"

…

Nothing happened.

An awkward silence filled the air.

I slowly lowered my sword and let out a long sigh.

"Yeah… of course, it wouldn't be that simple."

I scratched the back of my neck in slight embarrassment. So it seemed I really did need a chant to activate this Noble Phantasm.

"Alright, let's try something else."

I took a deep breath and raised my sword again. This time, I decided to create my own incantation—something that suited my identity as a Saber.

With a steady voice, I began chanting.

"O light that cuts through the darkness of the night…"

I felt a surge of magical energy gathering around me. The sword in my hand began to tremble as if responding to my call.

"Shine brightly and illuminate my path…"

A faint golden glow started to emerge along the blade, radiating a gentle holy aura.

"Destroy all evil that dares to stand in my way…"

The aura of light intensified. I could feel the power flowing within me, filling this sword with an indescribable energy.

I swung my sword forward with all my strength.

"—False Excalibur!"

A golden light exploded from the tip of the blade, shooting forward like a raging wave of energy. Its radiance tore through the air, scorching the ground with an intense force.

However, despite its grandeur, I quickly realized one thing—

This power was still far from the real Excalibur.

The blast of energy destroyed a few ruins ahead of me, but it didn't have enough destructive force to completely obliterate an area like Artoria's Excalibur.

As the energy faded, I gazed at the sword in my hand with a serious expression.

I stood still, my grip tightening around the hilt of The False Sword of Promised Victory, still reflecting on the outcome of my previous attempt. The golden light from the blast had already faded, leaving only the remnants of destruction in its wake.

My mind was working at full speed, trying to figure out how to truly harness the power within this imitation sword.

"Hmm… So this is its limit, huh?" I muttered, inspecting the blade, still glowing faintly with the residual magical energy.

But a thought lingered in my mind.

"Can I just shout 'False Excalibur' to activate its power than chanting?"

I narrowed my eyes in concentration. The description of the Noble Phantasm suggested the imitation wasn't as potent as the original, but it still had the potential to be powerful.

The only question was how to access that power. If simply chanting something could trigger the attack, I might have been going about this all wrong.

"Alright… let's try again, this time I should just shout 'False Excalibur'." I muttered to myself, lifting the sword once more.

I closed my eyes, focusing. It wasn't the same as when Artoria unleashed Excalibur—this sword was a copy, and I needed to treat it differently. But could the power be unleashed by invoking its name directly?

"False Excalibur—!" I shouted, thrusting the sword forward, hoping the power would come forth.

For a brief moment, there was nothing. But then, the air around me seemed to shimmer. A faint golden aura enveloped the blade, and suddenly, a wave of light surged from the sword.

The golden energy shot forward like a radiant beam, tearing through the earth in front of me, causing the ground to crack beneath the force of the blast. The light was intense, though not as overwhelming as Artoria's Excalibur.

This time, I felt the rush of power course through me, and I grinned, realizing I had unlocked the potential of this Noble Phantasm in my own way.

The blast dissipated after a few seconds, leaving only the faint traces of magic lingering in the air. I exhaled a breath I didn't realize I had been holding.

"Well, that's better," I said, looking at the sword in my hand with satisfaction.

I could still feel the fatigue in my muscles, but the fact that I could control the power of False Excalibur meant I had more versatility than I had thought. I wasn't as strong as Artoria, but this—this was something I could work with.

"Looks like I'll have to train my body to keep up with this power," I muttered, feeling a new sense of resolve settle within me.

This sword may have a perfect shape, but in the end, it was just an imitation. A fake Excalibur.

But because it was just a copy, I had something Artoria didn't— the ability to use this Noble Phantasm multiple times without immediately exhausting all my magical energy.

I smirked.

"Well, at least I can spam this attack without worrying about running out of mana."

With that thought, I tightened my grip on my sword and continued moving forward.

This test had revealed my limitations… but at the same time, it also proved that I still had plenty of room to grow.

The eerie silence of the ruined city was only broken by the sound of my own footsteps. The recent test of my Noble Phantasm had left me feeling a mixture of satisfaction and frustration. While it was powerful, it was nowhere near the level of the real Excalibur.

Still, I had to move forward.

The thick mist surrounding the area made it difficult to see too far ahead. The remains of destroyed buildings stood like lifeless statues, and the occasional flickering ember from past destruction gave the place an unsettling atmosphere.

That was when I felt it.

A heavy pressure settled over me, as if the air itself had thickened. My instincts screamed at me—something was coming.

I immediately raised my sword and took a defensive stance.

Then, through the fog, a dark figure emerged.

A towering, armored warrior, his form twisted with an unnatural aura. His armor was thick and layered, resembling that of an ancient samurai, though tainted with shadows. A massive polearm rested in his hands, its long shaft giving him an undeniable reach advantage.

"A Servant…?" I muttered under my breath.

There was no mistaking it. The sheer presence radiating from him was proof that he was no ordinary opponent.

But… who was he?

Unlike the famous heroes I had heard of, his identity didn't immediately come to mind.

Then, without a word, he charged.

I barely had time to react before the spear came down at me like a falling meteor.

CLANG!

I managed to raise my sword just in time, deflecting the strike, but the sheer weight of his attack nearly knocked me off balance.

"Heavy…!"

I leaped backward, trying to create distance, but the shadowy warrior didn't let up. He pressed forward, swinging his polearm in wide, sweeping arcs, forcing me to stay on the defensive.

Despite his massive size, his movements weren't slow—if anything, he moved with precision, like a well-trained warrior who had mastered his weapon.

I ducked beneath a horizontal swing, feeling the wind pressure of the attack nearly knocking me off my feet. Using my Instinct skill, I barely managed to sidestep his next thrust, countering with a quick slash to his side.

CLANG!

My sword struck his armor but barely left a scratch.

"Tch… as expected of a Servant."

The shadow warrior didn't flinch. Instead, he grabbed his weapon with both hands and thrust forward with terrifying speed.

I had no time to dodge.

Instead, I activated Mana Burst and reinforced my grip, raising my sword to block.

The impact sent a shockwave through my arms, my feet skidding against the ground as I was pushed back.

But I held firm.

"Not bad…" I muttered, shaking off the numbness in my hands.

However, my opponent didn't stop. Without missing a beat, he spun his weapon and swept it low.

I jumped just in time, flipping backward to avoid the strike. The moment my feet touched the ground, I dashed forward, closing the distance before he could recover.

With all my strength, I swung my sword in a powerful diagonal slash.

SLASH!

A faint spark flew as my blade made contact. This time, I felt some resistance—my attack had finally dealt some damage.

The shadowy warrior staggered slightly, but it wasn't enough to slow him down. He immediately retaliated, thrusting his spear toward my chest.

I twisted my body to the side, barely avoiding it.

This fight… it wasn't easy.

But I could tell—neither of us held a decisive advantage.

I took a deep breath, assessing the situation.

This Servant fought like a disciplined warrior—his attacks were strong and deliberate, but he wasn't relying on overwhelming speed.

That meant…

I could counter him.

As he stepped forward for another attack, I didn't retreat.

Instead, I dashed toward him, closing the gap between us.

The warrior swung his spear in a horizontal arc, aiming to cut me down—

But this time, I was ready.

With precise footwork, I ducked beneath the attack and moved to his side.

Then, using Mana Burst, I delivered a powerful upward slash—

SLASH!

The impact sent him stumbling back for the first time.

I didn't waste the opportunity.

I raised my sword, channeling magical energy into the blade. The golden glow returned, shining brightly against the darkened sky.

If I could land one decisive strike—

"False Excalibur—!"

I swung my sword down—

But at that moment, the shadow warrior slammed the bottom of his spear against the ground.

BOOM!

A shockwave erupted from beneath him, throwing me off balance.

I felt my attack falter, the energy dispersing before it could fully be released.

"Wha—?!"

In that split second, the shadow warrior retaliated.

His polearm struck me squarely in the stomach, sending me flying backward.

CRASH!

I tumbled across the ground, my back slamming into a ruined wall.

"Gah—!"

Pain surged through my body, but I forced myself to stand.

The shadow warrior remained unmoving, his stance unwavering.

It was clear now—

This opponent wasn't going to be defeated easily.

But neither was I.

As I tightened my grip on my sword, I realized something.

I still didn't know his name.

Yet… for some reason, the way he fought, the way he moved—it felt familiar.

"Just who are you…?" I muttered.

But the warrior didn't respond.

Instead, he simply raised his weapon once more, preparing for the next exchange.

The battle was far from over.

I exhaled sharply, steadying my breath as I wiped the blood from my lips.

This fight was dragging on longer than I expected.

The shadow warrior was powerful—his strikes were heavy, his defense was nearly impenetrable, and his footwork was disciplined. However, I had begun to notice something.

His movements… while refined and strong, were predictable.

If I could just take advantage of that—

I gripped my sword tightly, activating Mana Burst once more. A golden glow flickered along my blade as I readied myself.

The shadow warrior stepped forward again, his spear poised to strike.

Then—he attacked.

A downward thrust aimed at my chest.

I sidestepped, barely avoiding it, and swung my sword toward his arm.

CLANG!

The sound of metal clashing echoed through the air as he blocked my strike with the shaft of his spear.

But I didn't stop there.

The moment my blade made contact, I pushed forward, forcing him to hold his stance. With my free hand, I struck his armored chest with a powerful kick.

THUD!

The force of the impact sent him stumbling back, giving me just the opening I needed.

I dashed in again, closing the distance before he could recover.

With a swift motion, I slashed horizontally—

SLASH!

A deep cut formed across his side. It wasn't fatal, but it was enough to make him falter.

For the first time, the shadow warrior hesitated.

I could feel it now—his endurance was beginning to wane.

I took a deep breath, my instincts screaming at me to finish this before he could regain his composure.

Then, I raised my sword high, magical energy crackling along the blade.

The shadow warrior steadied himself, gripping his spear tightly.

I could tell—he was preparing one last attack.

And so was I.

The moment he lunged forward, I moved as well.

His spear came down with terrifying speed

But this time, I was ready.

I sidestepped at the last second, allowing the spear to scrape past my shoulder. The pain was sharp, but I ignored it.

Instead, I countered.

SLASH!

My sword cut through the darkness, striking his chest in a clean, precise arc.

The shadow warrior staggered. His grip on his weapon loosened, his stance wavering.

I didn't hesitate.

I stepped forward, raising my sword for the final strike.

With all the magic energy I could muster, I swung down.

"False Excalibur—!"

A golden light erupted from my blade as it descended.

The impact sent a wave of energy through the battlefield, tearing through the mist and illuminating the dark ruins around us.

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then—

The shadow warrior's form flickered.

His body, once shrouded in darkness, began to disintegrate into black mist.

He didn't speak a single word as he vanished, his existence fading into nothingness.

I let out a shaky breath, feeling the exhaustion catch up to me.

The fight had been far from easy.

If I had made one wrong move, if I had hesitated for even a second, I would have lost.

"…That was close."

I looked down at my trembling hands, my body still recovering from the strain of the battle.

Even though I had won, I knew this was only the beginning.

If this was the kind of enemy lurking in this Singularity…

Then what else was waiting for me?

I glanced at the spot where my opponent had disappeared.

I still didn't know who he was.

But one thing was certain—

This fight had only reinforced what I already knew.

I was nowhere near strong enough.

Not yet.

But if I wanted to survive in this world—

I had no choice but to keep moving forward.