"Fill! Fill! Fill! Fill! Four times—wait, five? Ugh, one short? Let's try again."
In a dim, cramped room, a carefree young man hummed a Heroic Spirit summoning incantation through his nose.
As he spoke, he traced a summoning circle on the living room floor with warm blood.
A depraved man intoxicated by the thrill of killing, Ryunosuke Uryuu was a demon in human skin.
This was his fourth crime.
Even with the police's incompetence, a few more incidents would draw their full attention.
"Time to leave Fuyuki after tonight."
Ryunosuke mused, then refocused on drawing the summoning circle.
Perhaps a proper ritual should be more eerie and solemn?
But that didn't suit Ryunosuke's laid-back style. Comfort trumped imitation.
When the magic circle was complete, a chaotic, intricate pattern lay before him.
"Done in one go? Man, I still had so much blood left."
Ryunosuke sighed, using the remaining blood to artfully paint ghastly figures on the walls.
Finished, he scratched his head in annoyance. "Too quick. Should've killed a daughter instead—watching the parents' faces would've been fun."
Regret was pointless, though.
His troubled expression shifted to a simple smile. "Eh, dwelling on the past is no good."
He recited again, per the book's instructions: "Fill, Fill, Fill, Fill, Fill. Five times now, right? OK?"
Done, Ryunosuke approached a bound boy in the corner, savoring the child's reaction to his family's remains.
"Hey, kid, you believe in demons?"
He didn't care if the gagged boy could answer, rambling casually.
At last, Ryunosuke leaned close, his menacing eyes reflecting the boy's terror. "Think demons eat kids?"
Fear gripped the boy, who understood the implication.
"Mm! Mmm!"
Muffled cries escaped the gagged mouth, eyes wide with panic.
Ryunosuke, like a prankster succeeding, giggled uncontrollably.
As he prepared to continue, the living room TV blared a news report.
It detailed recent serial killings in Fuyuki, noting blood-drawn magic circles at the scenes. Authorities suspected a cult's heinous crimes—an act of demons!
"Tch, calling me a demon!"
Ryunosuke clicked his tongue, delighted, then turned to the terrified, bound child.
"Hey, kid, do I seem like a demon? They said so on TV—pretty cool, right? But I'm just a guy, not a real demon. If only I could summon one! Say, kid, if I call a demon, mind letting it eat you?"
"Mmm—mmph!"
The boy's eyes bulged, muffled screams erupting.
"Oh, that's a great look! Guess tonight's summoning will fail again, so I'll have to enjoy this myself. Can you look even more scared—"
A sharp pain in his hand erased his grin.
"A… tattoo?"
Ryunosuke's sharp eyes caught the pattern emerging on his hand post-pain.
"Huh?"
Before nausea or unease could set in, a sudden airflow in the sealed room startled him.
To Ryunosuke, it was a miracle.
A faint breeze stirred the airtight space, growing stronger, becoming a vibrant whirlwind tearing through the room.
The summoning circle on the floor glowed with a faint gem-like sheen. Ryunosuke stared, incredulous at this defiance of common sense.
A childish trick had become reality.
What was this phenomenon, defying ordinary logic?
Before he could process, the airflow intensified.
The circle sparked with lightning and fire, white mist spreading as the blood-drawn array radiated an ominous light.
"I ask you… seeker, summoner, who called me to manifest as Caster. Tell me your name. Who… are you?"
The phenomenon subsided. No fanged monster or horned demon appeared, but a… seemingly ordinary human.
Oddly dressed, with strange eyes, but human nonetheless—perhaps a wizard at most.
"I'm Ryunosuke Uryuu, freelancer, hobby: killing, preference: women and kids."
Ryunosuke gave a brief introduction, disappointed by the "demon's" lackluster appearance.
"Excellent. Our contract is sealed. The Holy Grail you seek is my tragic wish. We shall seize it."
"Holy Grail?"
Ryunosuke scratched his head, puzzled. It didn't sound like a dark artifact, but he didn't care. Wondering if this was a true demon, he said, "Let's throw a celebration party! Wanna eat?"
He stepped aside, revealing the tightly bound child.
"Mmph!"
The boy screamed, terrified. Seeing the "demon" appear from nowhere, he believed it real and feared being eaten.
The "demon" glanced over, pulling a book from his robes. Ryunosuke gasped at the material. "Whoa, that book's human skin, right?"
The "demon" glanced at him, surprised by his Master's keen eye, but ignored him, opening the book and reciting.
He approached the child.
Terror consumed the boy, who struggled futilely against layers of tape.
The "demon" drew closer, the boy's fear peaking.
But…
Rip!
The "demon" tore off the tape, freeing the child. His smile, like a priest hearing confession, turned his eerie appearance saintly.
"Hey!"
Ryunosuke protested, but the "demon" stopped him. As he watched the child flee, unable to hold back—
Indescribable tendrils ensnared the boy, dragging him from morning's light into eternal darkness. Chewing and screams filled the room.
"Amazing!"
Ryunosuke was as thrilled as a failing student glimpsing the top student's answers.
"Know this, Ryunosuke: fear has a freshness. The more intense, the faster it fades. True fear isn't static—it's the shift from hope to despair. How's that? The taste of fresh fear and death."
Clap!
Ryunosuke grabbed the "demon's" hand, ecstatic. "Incredible! I'm with you! What's your name?"
"Name? Call me Bluebeard."
…
"This pawn may be insignificant, but it might bring unexpected delight!"
With Samuel and Nyarlathotep's interference, the Holy Grail War grew increasingly bizarre.
"So far, ten Servants have descended! Two Berserkers? Two Casters? A Ruler? It's getting chaotic, but no matter… this makes it more fun!"
Justeaze sensed the Grail's fluctuations, confirming nine connected units, plus one independent of the Grail. No matter—the more sacrifices, the better for her.
***
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