Each of these three skills had strong survival potential.
The first skill, [Battle Continuation], granted the ability to stay alive as long as the user wasn't fatally injured.
In the original legend, this was the very skill that allowed Dog Brother (Cu Chulainn) to fatally strike Kirei Kotomine even after receiving a lethal blow.
The second skill, [Arrow Protection], was a natural trait of Cu Chulainn—it allowed the user to dodge any long-range attack, so long as they had visually locked onto the attacker.
As for the third skill, [Return to the Beginning], while it could dispel debuffs and negative statuses, it lacked the utility and impact of the first two.
Yeah… no need to consider "Return to the Beginning" for now.
Between [Battle Continuation] and [Arrow Protection], Kurosawa Ren ultimately chose [Arrow Protection].
With his current strength, there weren't many foes who could land a fatal hit on him. What he needed more was the ability to easily evade ranged sneak attacks—even those enhanced with Noble Phantasms.
This skill offered significant tactical defense, especially against ambushes.
It was a practical choice. One he had no reason not to make.
As for choosing between the three skills of Emiya (Alter), Ren instantly picked [Projection Magic]. Though it appeared to be a C-level ability, under specific conditions it could rank as high as A+.
This version of Projection Magic was even more brutal and explosive than the original.
When the projection target was limited to "swords," its effectiveness increased exponentially.
Due to its nature—"producing endless replicas"—the destruction of any sword projected by Black Emiya would trigger a devastating surge in magical power.
He skipped over [Bulletproof Processing], which was too similar to Cu Chulainn's evasion skill.
As for [Sneering Iron Heart], which offered mental resistance, Ren found it situational and not especially useful. So that was a pass too.
And with that…
Ren's personal stats saw a significant update.
[Host: Kurosawa Ren]
[Current Equipment]:• Magic Meter• Armored Motorcycle• Reed Sea (Single Use Defense)• Moon Spirit Marrow Fluid (20%)• Blue Black Key• Red Black Key• Green Black Key (Fully Unlocked)• Spellbook (Absorbed)
[Physique]: Red Dragon's Heart, Dual Heroic Spirit Compatibility
[Inherent Skills]:• E-Rank Baptism Chant• Intuition A• Magic Release A• Giant Beast Hunter A• Arrow Protection B• Projection Magic A+~S
[Noble Phantasms]:• Magic Sheath: Invisible Air• Holy Sword of the Stars: Excalibur
[Physical Fruits]: 2[Sacred Crystals]: 5 Saint Crystals, 4 Talismans, 22 Saint Crystal Fragments
[Special Gifts]:• A Girl's Sincere Love• Assimilation
"I've gotten even stronger… but I'm not bald yet."
The power from the two Heroic Spirit fragments surged into his body, making Ren shudder involuntarily.
In the next moment, an overwhelming, suffocating spiritual pressure filled the classroom, sweeping across the students and even Yukino Momoka, the substitute teacher at the podium.
Everyone instinctively froze. It was like being stared down by a prehistoric predator. Their heartbeats nearly stopped, and their bodies shook with fear.
But just as quickly as it came, the pressure vanished.
Everything returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
While everyone else remained stunned, Kurosawa Ren calmly completed his spiritual fusion and evolved once again.
"Too bad… because of the limitations of the system, I can't unlock a Noble Phantasm unless a 1 to 4-star Heroic Spirit has at least three copies."
He set the book down and began twirling his pen.
It was unfortunate. Although he couldn't activate Cu Chulainn's Gáe Bolg yet, he could now access Shirou Emiya's Infinite Blade Works.
With Black Emiya's fragment now integrated, he had projection magic capabilities that far surpassed anything from the original series.
He was itching for a fight.
He wanted—no, needed—to test out Unlimited Blade Works.
Who didn't want to become an invincible swordmaster?
"Damn it… now I have to spar with someone."
He opened the Demon Hunter App on his phone, hoping to find something like a Saint Crystal Reward quest or a Special-Grade Curse Spirit.
[Public Chat Room]
[Tokyo's #1 Romantic]: "Yo, did a special-grade curse appear in Tokyo yesterday? I went by the Black Building and the whole area was flattened!"
[Legendary Bachelor of Shimokitazawa]: "For real. Half the district looked like it had been bombed. The government must be losing its mind cleaning that up."
[Ling]: "Anyone know who took that thing down? A monster of that level… whoever did it must be an absolute prodigy."
[Kaino Akio]: "Same here. I'm dying to know who it was."
[Tendo Michiko]: "The sorcerers at the scene only described a young man—very powerful, but doesn't seem to want to reveal his identity."
Chapter 20: The Invitation from the Genius Grade Schooler
[Tokyo's #1 Romantic]: "Come on, man. It's not the Sengoku period—stop acting like a wandering swordsman! Reveal yourself already! I'll be your number one fanboy!"
[Legendary Bachelor]: "The guy probably doesn't give a damn about small fry like you. Anyone who can solo a special-grade curse has to be a monster."
[Tokyo's #1 Romantic]: "I don't care! He's my god now! I'd even offer up my butt for training if it helps!"
[Ling]: "Aren't you a guy? Disgusting.jpg."
[Tokyo's #1 Romantic]: "It's 2025. LGBT rights, baby. Maybe the boss likes twinks like me."
"This chatroom is getting more cursed than the curses…" Ren muttered, scrolling past the nonsense.
He kept browsing the forum, gradually piecing together a better understanding of the supernatural world they now lived in.
From the collected posts, it was clear:
The rise in demonic activity had thrown society into chaos.
Both government and independent demon hunters had begun organizing to fight back.
The prominent official groups were:
Public Security's Special Demon Division (for societal stability)
The Exorcism Bureau (jointly managed by two master-grade exorcists)
In the shadows, many clandestine forces thrived. It was like a battlefield of unseen fish in an endless river.
Among these dark forces, the most famous was the Tohgu Family—a bloodline of ancient Onmyoji.
It was rumored that the Tohgu clan carried pure spiritual blood, allowing them to summon Shikigami for battle. Their ambitions were becoming increasingly apparent as they moved behind the scenes.
There had even been several major confrontations with the government.
"A storm's coming. These people won't sit still much longer…"
Ren set the phone down, already planning his next steps.
If this supernatural disaster kept growing, society would face total upheaval.
The authorities wouldn't be able to manage it all.
He needed to start laying the groundwork—to build his own power base.
To live freely and comfortably in this chaotic, cursed world, you needed more than raw strength. You needed capable, trustworthy allies.
"People like Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kitagawa Umi… If they have the potential for magic or exorcism, I'll help them grow."
Strangers were too risky. But the girls close to him—those he could rely on.
If he could train them personally and bring them into his fold, he could build a faction just as powerful as any major force.
"So far, Miwa Kasumi and An Utaji have kept my identity a secret. That earns some trust."
He opened his DMs.
As expected, both girls had messaged him.
An Utaji once again invited him to Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High. She said she'd accommodate any condition if he joined.
She clearly wanted to recruit him.
Miwa Kasumi was far more innocent.
She'd sent him a waving panda sticker with a cheerful "Thank you again for helping me!"
[Miwa Kasumi]: "Mr. Kurosawa, if you're free sometime, feel free to message me! I'm really grateful for what you did!"
[Kurosawa Ren]: "No problem. Just a small favor."
Ping—reply almost instantly.
[Miwa Kasumi]: "OMG you replied!! Hehe, I've been waiting for you to log in all day!"
Ren chuckled, replying with a rolling panda emoji.
Then he typed:
[Kurosawa Ren]: "By the way, I took out a special-grade curse yesterday. Does the Exorcism Bureau offer official rewards?"
[Miwa Kasumi]: "Yes! Miss An already reported your achievement. You just need to verify your identity on the Demon Hunter app."
Ren immediately completed his real-name authentication.
Codename: Saber
A notification popped up moments later.
You've received 80 million yen in bounty from the Exorcism Bureau.
[Channel Announcement]:Welcome the righteous hunter who defeated the special-grade cursed spirit yesterday—SABER—into the chatroom!
[Tokyo's #1 Romantic]: "!!!"
[Shimokitazawa's Bachelor]: "!!!"
[Ling]: "Welcome, Boss!"
[Kaino Akio]: "So you finally showed yourself…"
[Tendo Michiko]: "Mr. Saber, I'm with Public Security's Anti-Demon Special Division. If you're interested in an official role, please DM me. We offer excellent benefits."
80 million yen.
Ren gave a low whistle.
While the money didn't directly boost his power, it certainly made life more comfortable.
He didn't plan to flaunt his status in the chat.
For now, he preferred to keep things quiet—and in the shadows.