[Character Status]
Host: Ryan Quinn
Character Transformation Card: Artoria Pendragon (Alter) – 20% Synchronization
Companions: None
[Artoria Pendragon (Alter)]
Noble Phantasm: Excalibur Morgan
Rank: A++
Type: Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm
Range: 1–99
Max Targets: 1,000
A jet-black sword of destructive radiance. When unleashed without restraint, it devours not only light but all hope before it, embodying the dragon's fury that once sought to defend Britain.
[Vortigern, Hammer of the Vile King]
Rank: C
Type: Anti-Personnel Noble Phantasm
Range: 1–2
Max Targets: 1
By channeling magic through the blade, the user releases condensed mana in a single, devastating blow a strike said to crush even iron and bone alike.
"Tch. No Avalon, huh?" Ryan muttered, half amused and half disappointed as he studied the glowing system panel floating before him.
Sure, he had Excalibur Morgan and Vortigern, both absolute powerhouses in their own right. But for any Fate fan worth their salt, the difference between Artoria with Avalon and Artoria without Avalon was like the difference between a dragon and a gecko.
If he had Avalon, he could practically steamroll the whole ocean. Immortality, regeneration, invincible defense it was a walking cheat code.
But, canonically, the blackened Artoria didn't possess Avalon.
So neither did he.
Still, Ryan wasn't the type to sulk for long. A wry grin spread across his face. "Ah well, can't complain. Even without it, I'm already crazy strong. And hey, I can always draw another version later, right?"
He chuckled under his breath. "Maybe next time I'll pull the uncorrupted Saber. Then I'll really be unstoppable."
Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand. "System, activate transformation Artoria Pendragon (Alter)!"
A surge of black light erupted from his body, shooting skyward like a pillar of night. The air rippled, trembling beneath the raw force bursting from within him.
When the light faded, the transformation was complete.
Gone was the casually dressed young man on the beach. In his place stood a dark knight long strands of pale gold hair gleaming faintly in the sunlight, clad in obsidian armor traced with crimson veins. In his hand rested the blackened holy sword, Excalibur Morgan, its aura pulsing with restrained destruction.
Ryan opened his eyes. They were no longer brown, but molten gold sharp and cold.
"So this… is what power feels like." His voice was lower, colder, carrying a faint echo of divine authority.
He gripped the sword tightly, feeling its energy hum through his veins. With a slow, deliberate breath, he gathered his magic, channeling it through the blade.
A faint vibration filled the air. The water at his feet began to churn, as if sensing something it was never meant to witness.
He looked toward the endless horizon and swung.
A crescent of black light ripped through the air, splitting the sea itself. The resulting explosion roared like thunder, sending waves crashing dozens of meters high.
Ryan lowered his weapon, staring at the aftermath with quiet awe.
"…Not bad at all," he murmured, smirking.
In just minutes, he'd gone from an average guy with decent looks and zero combat ability to someone capable of cutting the ocean in half.
And to top it off, his new form was literally his favorite fictional heroine.
It was a power trip and a fantasy rolled into one.
He couldn't help laughing. "Man… this is dangerously fun."
Then, as he examined his sword more closely, a frown crossed his face. "Wait a second. Why can't I fire a proper beam attack like in the anime? Shouldn't Excalibur Morgan be able to shoot massive energy blasts?"
He mentally pinged the system. "Hey, what gives?"
[Insufficient mana. The Noble Phantasm 'Excalibur Morgan' requires 50% synchronization to unleash its full power.]
Ryan sighed dramatically. "So I do need to spend money. Figures."
Before he could complain further, another chime rang in his head.
[Ding!]
[New Quest Unlocked: Beginner Mission]
[Objective: To help the host acclimate to this world and gauge native combat levels.]
[Task: Proceed five nautical miles north and eliminate the pirate known as 'Tiger Arven,' bounty 18,000,000 Berries.]
[Reward: One luxury yacht.]
Ryan's grin returned instantly. "Now that's what I call convenient. A free target and a boat? Sign me up."
He rested Excalibur Morgan on his shoulder. "An 18-million bounty pirate, huh? Let's see if he can survive a single swing."
With that, he stepped onto the water and didn't sink.
The rippling surface solidified beneath his feet as if obeying him.
[Blessing of the Lake Spirit: Allows the host to freely move across water surfaces.]
Ryan chuckled. "Oh, that's stylish. Walking on water? Yeah, I could get used to this."
With a push of his legs, he shot forward, sprinting across the ocean like it was solid ground, leaving a trail of mist and shattered waves in his wake.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Far ahead, a pirate ship with a black flag and skull insignia lumbered across the sea, its cannons firing relentlessly at a small, coffin-shaped boat drifting nearby.
"Ha ha ha! You hear me, brat?" a booming voice laughed from the deck. "That coffin you're sitting in'll make a fine grave for you!"
A chorus of jeers followed.
"Boss Tiger, you're too cruel!"
"Cruel? I call it efficient!"
"Crush him! Run the little freak down!"
"Make him fish food!"
The crew cackled as they adjusted the ship's course, the massive hull cutting through the waves as it bore down on its target.
On the coffin-boat, a man slowly rose from his seat. He wore a crimson-patterned shirt beneath a black coat trimmed with white fur, matching trousers and boots. A wide-brimmed black hat shadowed his sharp yellow eyes.
His short, dark hair framed a rugged face marked by quiet menace. A small cross pendant glinted against his chest, and behind him rested a blade larger than his entire body a greatsword blacker than midnight.
Dracule Mihawk "Hawk-Eye," the world's greatest swordsman.
He watched the incoming ship calmly, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his black sword, Yoru.
For a moment, it looked as if he was about to strike. But then, something caught his attention.
Lowering his hand, Mihawk reached for the small dagger hanging from his neck. With an effortless flick, he split an incoming cannonball in two, the halves splashing harmlessly into the water.
Then he looked toward the distant horizon, eyes narrowing slightly, a faint spark of interest gleaming within them.
There, far across the rolling waves, something was coming fast.
A dark figure racing across the sea itself, leaving black mist in his wake.
Mihawk tilted his head, the corners of his mouth curving into a small, intrigued smile.
"Well now," he murmured. "That's… interesting."