My hands were steady as I carefully unwrapped the bandage from Saber's wound. The air was thick with a strange intimacy, a quiet trust forming in the space between us. She flinched slightly as the fabric pulled away, but didn't protest.
"You're healing quickly," I noted, dabbing the area with antiseptic. The corrupted energy was gone, leaving behind a clean, albeit deep, gash. My passive healing infusion was clearly having an effect.
"It is the nature of a Servant," she replied, her voice low. "But your care has… hastened it. Thank you, Al."
The use of my shortened name again sent a pleasant warmth through me, a feeling my system dutifully logged.
[Bond Level Up: Saber +5 Affection]
➤ Status: Trusted Ally → Cautious Trust
➤ New Bonus: +2 Morale when Saber is present in the same dimension.
As I applied the new dressing, my movements were precise and gentle, a stark contrast to my usually clumsy self. Another panel flickered into existence, unnoticed by the knight I was tending to.
[Passive Skill Unlocked: Gentle Hands]
➤ Effect: +10% success rate for non-combat assistance actions performed on allies (e.g., first aid, repairs, cooking).
With the task complete, a sense of normalcy began to return. Saber, now mobile and clothed, began to explore my room with a warrior's observational intensity. She examined my laptop, my bookshelf, my desk lamp, her expression a mixture of profound confusion and curiosity.
[Observation Recorded: "Cultural Disparity – 21st Century Earth"]
➤ System Note: Understanding local culture can provide leverage for future artifact acquisition or trade.
Then, her eyes landed on the large, glossy poster on my wall—a dynamic shot of her in full armor, wielding Excalibur. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of pride and severe annoyance.
"You have a… depiction of me in your chambers?" she asked, her tone dangerously flat.
"Uh, yeah. You're kind of a big deal where I come from," I said, trying to sound casual. "A legendary hero."
[Affection Loss: Saber -3 (Annoyance)]
[Action Required: Charm or Persuasion check to mitigate.]
"You're a hero to me, too," I added quickly, laying it on thick. "Brave, noble, powerful... an inspiration."
It was shameless flattery, but it seemed to work. Her expression softened, the annoyance fading. [Charm Check: Success. Affection Loss Mitigated.]
The tense moment was broken by Chloe, who chose that exact second to bound into the room. "Alan, I'm still hungry! Is there more… oh, hi!" Her eyes lit up as she saw Saber, her earlier fear completely forgotten and replaced by bubbly curiosity. "You're awake! You look so cool! Are you a cosplayer?"
Breakfast was a surreal affair. Chloe chattered happily at a bemused Saber, who answered her questions about knights and castles with regal patience. Watching them, my mind drifted. This was it. This was the dream. A legendary hero from another world, sitting at my kitchen table. My harem was in its embryonic stage. Soon, I'd be bringing back treasures from other dimensions, selling them for a fortune, building my own private kingdom right here in Queens.
My system, ever the pragmatist, chimed in.
[New Function Unlocked: Cross-World Commerce]
➤ Initial Limit: 3 non-native items may be transported per return trip.
➤ Risk Factor: Exceeding trade limits or trading in prohibited artifacts may attract the attention of dimensional law enforcement entities.
Even my daydreams had terms and conditions now.
The idyllic domestic scene was shattered by the sound of splintering wood and breaking glass. An explosion of force ripped through the living room wall, sending drywall and debris flying. Framed in the gaping, jagged hole was a nightmare.
It was a monstrous, octopus-like creature the size of a small car, made of a shimmering, silvery substance. A dozen writhing tentacles ended in razor-sharp blades, and a single, malevolent red eye fixed on the closest, most vulnerable target: Chloe.
My system screamed a warning.
[Hostile Entity Detected: "Silver Beast" – Origin: The Void Between Realms]
➤ Classification: F-Rank Interdimensional Predator
➤ Threat Level: Low (to a Saint), High (to a civilian)
➤ Known Weaknesses: High-voltage electrical impact, severe lacerations to central eye.
Saber was already moving, her invisible sword materializing in her hand, but she was too far away. The beast's tentacle lashed out, a silver blur aimed straight for my sister.
There was no time to think. Three years of brutal, instinct-honing training in the Sanctuary took over. I didn't see a monster; I saw an opponent. I didn't feel fear; I felt the familiar surge of Cosmo igniting in my core. The Aiolos body moved, and this time, my mind was perfectly in sync with it.
"Get away from her!" I roared, and the world slowed down. I saw the path. I saw the opening. I gathered all 80% of my remaining Cosmo, focusing it into my right fist, just as I had been taught. A brilliant, crackling golden light enveloped my arm.
[New Skill Acquired: Lightning Plasma Punch – Level 1]
➤ Energy Cost: 80% of current Microcosm Reserve.
➤ Damage Output: Variable, based on user's focus and emotional intent.
➤ Warning: Overuse without sufficient training risks permanent damage to Cosmo channels.
I punched.
A beam of pure, concentrated lightning erupted from my fist, striking the Silver Beast square in its giant red eye. The creature shrieked, a sound that grated on the soul, and its body convulsed before dissolving into a shower of silvery particles that vanished before they hit the ground.
Silence. I stood panting, my arm tingling, my Cosmo reserves almost completely drained.
Then, a crash from upstairs. Another one.
Saber and I exchanged a look. "Chloe, stay here!" I yelled, already running for the stairs, Saber right behind me. We burst into my parents' old bedroom to find a second Silver Beast tearing the place apart. It lunged, and I shoved Saber out of the way, taking the brunt of a tentacle strike. It sent me flying across the room, my head cracking against the wall. My vision swam. I was out of juice, a sitting duck.
The beast advanced on me, its eye glowing with malevolent glee.
"Alan, catch!"
I looked up just in time to see a flash of steel tumbling through the air. Chloe, peeking from the hallway, had thrown something. It was my mom's largest kitchen knife. It flew past my head, close enough to snip a lock of my hair, and clattered on the floor beside me.
[Random Ally Action Triggered: "Sister's Aid"]
➤ Result: -5 HP (minor laceration from near-miss), +1 Weapon Access
I snatched the knife. It felt laughably small, but it was something. As the beast lunged, I rolled, adrenaline surging through me, and plunged the blade deep into one of its tentacles.
[Weapon Acquired: Standard Kitchen Knife]
➤ Temporary Bonus vs. Fleshy-Type Monsters: +20% damage.
The creature recoiled with a gurgling shriek, its attention diverted. It was all the opening Saber needed. With a flash of silver and a cry of "For the Master!", she was on it, her invisible blade carving through its body like it was made of water. The second beast dissolved just like the first.
[Threat Repelled – Temporary]
➤ XP Gained: 50
➤ Loot Acquired: None (Target body disintegrated before materializing)
➤ System Note: F-Rank threats are often scouts for higher-tier Grail Hunters. Increased vigilance is advised.
I lay on the floor, my head throbbing, my Cosmo empty, clutching a kitchen knife. The battle was over, but the war had just followed me home.