Chapter 173: Who Says Nine Lives Refined Cannot Stack Black Flash?
Due to the unique nature of shikigami-summoning techniques and the incomplete state of his Domain, Megumi Fushiguro's Chimera Shadow Garden did not actually possess the "sure-hit" factor typical of standard Domains.
After all, one would realize upon reflection: what use is a sure-hit effect for a technique that uses summoned shikigami as the primary means of combat? Such an effect cannot be directly extended to the shikigami themselves—at least not as easily as with a standard technique.
Otherwise, a single Piercing Bull would be enough to handle most enemies with ease.
However, even though Megumi's Domain lacked a sure-hit effect, it still possessed the fundamental trait that a Domain can only be neutralized by another Domain, along with a series of additional abilities.
For instance, the simplest application: Megumi and his shikigami could travel freely through the entire area covered by shadows, or use the shadows to create doubles of himself.
These were pieces of information Megumi had shared with Emiya previously. What Emiya didn't know was whether the Domain's capabilities had undergone unimaginable changes now that even the Ten Shadows Technique had been drastically reformed.
At the very least, Emiya could now feel how difficult it was to move within such an enemy Domain. The binding force beneath his feet made it almost impossible to lift his legs; even basic movement was a struggle. There was no helping it; he had not yet learned the technique of Domain Expansion himself, and he was only a beginner in Barrier Techniques.
To counter the opponent's Domain, his only methods were to use Fragarach for negation or rely on the barrier properties of Rho Aias to offset a sure-hit effect. Fortunately, Megumi's Domain lacked that sure-hit factor, which gave Emiya another way to break through—
"Trace on!"
Boom!
As if he were using sheer physical might to forcefully churn an ocean, Emiya projected an Axe-Sword. Drawing upon the strength of Heracles, he used brute force to tear open a vacuum zone around himself, exposing the ground, and then swung the Axe-Sword toward Madoka.
After another terrifying roar, the entire viscous ocean of shadows was thrown into uncontrollable upheaval. A temporary path—one that would only last a moment—was cleared between Emiya and Madoka.
However, that single moment was more than enough for Emiya.
Having completed two massive, high-power tremors, Emiya still had ample stamina to sprint before Madoka in that split second. He swung a heavy blow downward, aimed ruthlessly at the creature's antlers and head—
BOOM!!!!
Surging waves rose from the ocean of shadows as Madoka's massive form was pinned down by Emiya. Following the violent impact, it was driven deep into the ground before turning back into shadow and merging into the surrounding Domain.
Theoretically, a limitation of Chimera Shadow Garden as an incomplete Domain is that the caster, Megumi, must bear all the "weight" within it. The kinetic energy generated by Emiya swinging the Axe-Sword likewise affected that "weight." In other words, when the shadows in the Domain are churned, that force is fed back into Megumi's body. Previously, he definitely wouldn't have been able to withstand such a level of force.
But looking at him now, after sustaining multiple shocks, Megumi's breathing had only grown slightly heavier; he didn't look like he was losing control of the Domain at all.
'This kid has improved so much...' This was what brought Emiya the most satisfaction.
"Whew... To think you could use raw strength to directly oppose the power of an entire Domain. As expected of Emiya-sensei.
But please don't forget the most important trait of the Ten Shadows Technique: it can merge the power of 'dead' shikigami to trade for even greater strength.
Now, I will fuse the three shikigami currently alive with the three currently in the 'Graveyard.' The core of this fusion is a new shikigami I'm summoning now: Funeral Tiger.
Come forth! Chimera Beast... AGITO!!"
The shadow shikigami still on the field all melted into the shadow Domain, causing the shadows covering nearly a hundred meters to instantly boil. In the next second, a massive claw suddenly extended from the shadows not far from Emiya, lunging toward him.
Emiya used the Axe-Sword in his hand to parry the attack just in time, but he only managed to knock the palm away. The wound he dealt was healed within moments by the surging shadows.
After a probing attack, the Chimera Beast fully emerged from the shadows, revealing a towering form about four or five meters tall. The pressure from this shikigami didn't just come from its size; its appearance was truly like a Chimera—with the face of Nue, the antlers of Madoka, and the lower body of Divine Dog. It was a complete patchwork monster.
This monstrous, stitched-together shikigami is likely the most terrifying aspect of the Ten Shadows Technique, yet almost no shadow users in the past had ever successfully summoned it.
Whether it was the consumption of available shikigami or the sheer amount of Cursed Energy required to maintain its existence, it was more than they could accept or bear.
Therefore, Megumi Fushiguro was likely the first person to truly summon this creature.
"Chimera Beast: Agito inherits all the abilities of the previous shikigami. Be careful, Emiya-sensei!" Megumi shouted the warning even while under immense pressure.
"I should be the one saying 'be careful.' Even when testing yourself, you have to know your limits."
"Well then... this is actually the first time I've tried this fighting style myself. Hrunting."
The Axe-Sword in his left hand was not dismissed; instead, Emiya projected a new Hrunting to hold in his right hand.
With Reverse Cursed Technique to eliminate any worries about the aftermath, Emiya could now use this somewhat more violent combat method. He didn't have to worry too much about the destruction of Noble Phantasms or the burden on his Magic Circuits.
As for its actual practicality?
While the strength of Beowulf doesn't quite equal that of Heracles, he is still top-tier among Heroic Spirits; there wouldn't be too vast a difference in power.
Most importantly, Hrunting, which can unleash the "Correct Strike," can help Emiya release Black Flash techniques without limit. Its power could even slightly suppress the Axe-Sword.
Under this secondary effect, the probability of Emiya being able to use the Axe-Sword to trigger a Black Flash was also greatly increased.
Even a single instance of damage stacked to the power of 2.5 would be an injury most people could hardly withstand.
Well then, let this Chimera Beast be the first to test if this way of fighting actually works!
"In a sense, this is my full power too!"
Important announcement
Hello everyone!
Thank you as always for your support!
There are 2 new Fanfictions!
Emiya Shirou will change the fake Holy Grail War
A false Holy Grail War was held in Snowfield City.
Consequently, the Noble Phantasms of Gilgamesh and Enkidu flew wildly like rain. The Pale Rider rapidly infected the entire city. The Avenger Heracles surged with overflowing black mud. Even the Zealot, who possessed the eighteen secret techniques of the Hassans, had to struggle just to survive in the cracks between them.
A battlefield where gods fight is exactly like this; a duel between a human and a Heroic Spirit is, after all, a distant and irrelevant myth.
That is, if the silhouette of a certain red-haired "faker" young man hadn't happened to—randomly, inadvertently, and accidentally—pass by this world's counterfeit Holy Grail War.
COTE: Katsuragi Keima's battle of wits in love
The youth, Katsuragi Keima, was holding his game console, posting walkthroughs for various galge (dating sims) across different forums.
At that very moment, Katsuragi Keima received a new message.
[To the Capturing God]
[I've heard the rumors that you can capture any girl, regardless of who she is. While I find it unlikely, if it is true, there are many girls waiting for your capture. (This will be a super-high difficulty galge unlike anything you have ever experienced.)]
"What's this? An email full of such provocative undertones... who does he think I am? The God does not run away!"
Katsuragi Keima pressed the confirmation button.
Welcome to the Classroom of the Elite!
(Katsuragi Keima is the protagonist of The World God Only Know)
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