Chapter 34. This Great Hero is Way Too Overpowered!
For Haruhime, all of this felt like a beautiful dream from which she might wake up at any moment. There was no smell of mold, no nauseating perfume, and no guests with greedy eyes. There was only fresh air, and... the steady thud-thud-thud of a knife cutting vegetables coming from the kitchen.
"A-choo!"
Wrapped in a thick blanket, Haruhime let out a cute sneeze. Her golden fox ears twitched, making her look exceptionally pitiable. She instinctively tried to shrink back into the covers—a habit she had formed in the Ikelos Familia to minimize her presence and avoid abuse.
"Are you awake? Here, drink some hot ginger soup."
Shirou Emiya walked over, carrying a steaming bowl. He wore his signature apron and a gentle smile. As a qualified "housewife-type" protagonist, caring for the sick (or terrified young girls) was a passive skill he had long ago maxed out.
"T-thank you... Emiya-sama." Haruhime took the bowl with both hands, her head lowered and her face as red as a ripe apple. Her fingers turned slightly white from nervousness.
"Um... s-should I be leaving soon?" Haruhime's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "A... filthy person like me doesn't deserve to stay in the sanctuary of such heroic lords..."
"Filthy?" Shirou stopped what he was doing and pulled up a chair to sit opposite her. His gaze held no trace of disdain, only a clear, calm look.
"Haruhime, why do you think you're filthy?"
"Because... because I stayed in the Pleasure Quarter for so long..." Tears welled up in Haruhime's large eyes. "Even though... even though that didn't happen... I was seen by many men, and treated like mere cargo..."
In that cage called the Amethyst Pavilion, the idea that "you are just a plaything" had been hammered into her countless times. This kind of mental PUA (psychological manipulation) was harder to heal than physical wounds.
"Listen closely, Haruhime."
Shirou reached out, not touching her, but hovering his hand over her head as if transmitting an invisible strength.
"In this world, there is only one thing that is truly filthy.
And that is—the malice that tramples on the dignity of others.
You are a victim. You endured in that hell, you didn't give up hope, and you didn't become like them." Shirou's voice was firm and powerful. "In my eyes, you are ten thousand times cleaner than those well-dressed nobles with filthy hearts."
"Besides..." Shirou pointed out the window.
"This is the Loki Familia. We have a primary goddess who drinks all day, a werewolf who swears constantly, and Amazons who only know how to fight. If you're talking about being 'improper,' we're a high-risk zone."
"Pfft." Haruhime was amused by Shirou's description, nearly letting a snot bubble pop. She hurriedly wiped her face, but the heavy stone in her heart truly felt a bit lighter.
"Thank you... Shirou-sama." This time, she didn't use the formal "Emiya-sama," but a much more intimate address.
-
-
-
Breakfast Time.
In the living room of Twilight Manor, the top-tier lineup of Orario had gathered. Finn, Riveria, Gareth, Ais, Tiona, Tione, Bete... a group of Level 5 and 6 big shots sat in a circle, staring at the shivering little fox as if she were a rare animal.
"So this is... the 'Key'?" Tiona leaned in curiously, reaching out to touch Haruhime's fluffy tail. "It looks so soft! It must feel amazing!"
"Stop it, Tiona you idiot." Riveria thwacked Tiona on the head with her staff. "Don't scare the guest. And Bete, take your feet off the table."
"Tch." Bete spat irritably but obediently lowered his feet. "Hey, fox girl. I heard you know sorcery? Show us a trick or two, and make sure it's not some low-class move that only charms men."
Though Bete's words were harsh, it was actually his unique (tsundere) way of showing concern—he was verifying if Haruhime had any means of self-defense.
"Um..." Haruhime took a deep breath. She knew she had to show her value. She didn't want to be just a pitiable creature living on charity. She wanted to stay here, to stay by the side of that red-haired youth, even if only as a "tool."
"My... my magic is called [Uchide no Kozuchi] (The Magic Mallet)."
Haruhime stood up. Although her legs were still shaking, her eyes were exceptionally determined. She began to chant. It was an ancient, mysterious Eastern incantation with a unique rhythm.
"Grow up."
A golden glow overflowed from the staff (temporarily borrowed) in her hand, turning into a warm rain of light that fell upon the person closest to her—Ais.
Hummmm—!
Ais's body jolted. A golden aura erupted instantly—the physical manifestation of mana and physical abilities being forcibly elevated.
"This feeling..." Ais clenched her fist, her usually calm golden eyes now filled with shock. "Strength... is surging. It feels as if... I've broken through some sort of boundary."
"I want to try too!" Finn's eyes sharpened, and he immediately had Haruhime cast the spell on him.
A moment later. The Pallum captain's thumb began to twitch frantically—not out of a danger sense, but out of extreme excitement.
"Breaking the limits of the God's Grace, forcibly raising the Rank..." Finn's voice was trembling. "This is... [Level Boost]?! I thought it would only for level below 5 from the intel!"
"Yes." Haruhime lowered the staff weakly (casting consumed a lot of mental energy). "It can temporarily raise the target's 'Level' by one. Although there is a time limit... it is the only thing I can do."
Dead silence. The entire living room fell into a silence more terrifying than a grave.
Then, a roar of shock erupted that nearly took the roof off.
"Level up?! A direct level up?!" Tiona clutched her head and screamed. "Doesn't that mean Ais is Level 7 now?! And Captain Finn is Level 7 too?!"
"That's cheating! That's definitely cheating!" Bete's eyes were wide.
"This is way too foul!"
In Orario, the gap of a single level is like an unbridgeable chasm. And this magic could mass-produce top-tier combat power. This wasn't just magic; this was a strategic nuclear deterrent.
"Emiya!" Finn turned abruptly to look at Shirou, who was clearing the dishes. "You truly... brought back an incredible surprise this time. If this child's ability were held by an enemy, the consequences would be unthinkable."
"As long as she doesn't have to go to battle, it's fine." Shirou smiled and went over to support the wobbling Haruhime.
"She isn't a tool; she's our family."
"Of course." Riveria looked at Haruhime gently. "Welcome, Haruhime. From today on, no one will bully you again."
Leaning in Shirou's arms, Haruhime looked at these powerful people showing their fangs to protect her. Tears finally fell, but they were tears of happiness.
.
.
.
"Alright, let's set the emotional topics aside for a moment."
Loki suddenly jumped out from behind the sofa (her ability to appear out of nowhere was truly something), holding a freshly copied piece of parchment, a wilder-than-winning-the-lottery smile on her face.
"While little Haruhime joining is a huge occasion, there's another big announcement today!"
Loki slammed the parchment onto the table with a thwack.
"Emiya! You brat... are you really human?"
"What's wrong?" Shirou was confused.
"See for yourself!"
Shirou picked up the parchment. It was his latest Status update.
[Name]: Shirou Emiya
[Level]: 2
[Abilities (Before Update)]:
Strength: SSS (1412)
Endurance: SSS (1558)
Dexterity: SSS (1386)
Agility: SSS (1421)
Magic: SSS (1459)
"This... it's maxed?" Shirou stared at the row after row of shocking SSS ranks. His Level 2 proficiency had actually hit the limit in just a few days?
"It's unscientific, but very magical," Loki explained.
"Normally, it's impossible for a human to be this fast. But... what did you do these past few days? Dueling a Level 5, slaying three bosses in a row in the arena, and that final 'nuke' directly forced the 'vessel' to expand."
Loki pointed to the Magic stat. "1459. It's almost breaking the system limit. This means that in that extreme state, your Magic Circuits underwent a total reorganization and sublimation."
"And..." Loki's gaze became serious. "Defeating an enemy a full 3 levels higher than yourself—that 'Feat' has been recognized by the Guild. Even though Dix escaped in the end, the judgment is that you won."
"So?" Shirou swallowed hard.
"So, congratulations." Loki grinned, revealing her sharp fangs.
"You can level up."
"Level 3."
The room fell silent once again. Even Finn and Riveria were stunned.
From Level 1 to Level 2 took half a month. From Level 2 to Level 3... took only a few days?!
"Monster... he's a real monster..." Bete's look toward Shirou had completely changed, muttering "this makes no sense" under his breath.
"Come on, Emiya." Loki beckoned. "Since everyone is here, let's do the level up right now! Let us witness the fastest level-up legend in the history of Orario!"
Shirou took a deep breath, removed his shirt, and revealed a lean, scar-covered back—the medals of a warrior.
Loki bit her finger, and the Divine Blood dripped.
"Rank Up!"
VROOOOM—!!!
This time, the light was more dazzling than ever before. It was a qualitative change of the soul. Shirou felt the Magic Circuits within him cheering and roaring. The mana flow that was once slightly sluggish now became a rushing river. His vision became clearer, to the point where he could see faint dustings of mana flowing in the air.
[Level Up Successful] [Level]: 2 → 3
[Development Ability Choices]:
[Mage] (Already obtained, rank increased to H) [Blacksmith] (Level 3 New: Greatly increases success rate and quality of weapon manufacturing, unlocks "Magic Sword" forging potential) [Abnormal Resistance] (Level 3 New: Awakened to counter Dix's poison) [Mystery] (Level 3 Rare Option: Enhances the effects of activating extra-ordinary Magecraft)
"Four options?!" Loki cried out. "Normally, two is the absolute limit! How greedy are you, kid!"
"Which one to pick?" Shirou looked at the four options, thinking for a moment. [Blacksmith] was a must—it was the core of "Senji Muramasa." [Mystery] sounded perfect for boosting "Unlimited Blade Works" and "Broken Phantasm."
"An adult doesn't choose... unfortunately I can only pick one." Shirou sighed. "Loki, pick [Mystery]. My Magecraft... needs this."
"Understood! [Mystery] established!"
As the final drop of Divine Blood seeped into his skin, Shirou Emiya officially promoted to Level 3.
Though he was only Level 3, possessing the accumulated SSS stats across the board meant his actual combat power could likely go head-to-head with ordinary Level 4 or even Level 5 adventurers. If you added "Unlimited Blade Works" and Haruhime's "Uchide no Kozuchi"...
"Level 3 Emiya + Level Boost..." Finn calculated silently in his head. "That's Level 4. Plus that rule-breaking magical explosive power... our tactical system needs a complete overhaul."
Finn looked at Shirou as he put his clothes back on. He didn't offer any more exaggerated praise, but simply nodded slightly, his eyes filled with trust.
"Good work, Emiya. Get some good rest."
Read ahead (40 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting