For the current situation, Lin Luo could not understand it at all; he didn't even have a clue for analysis. The only thing he knew was... this place was extremely dangerous.

Before understanding the truth of the matter, in order not to waste energy in vain, Lin Luo chose to hide for the time being. Although he wasn't sure if this would be effective, for now, it was better than running around aimlessly. What if he ran into another Dead Apostle by accident...

But speaking of which, that black shadow that suddenly burst out of him when he was about to be killed just now, and the stunned Dead Apostle... Could it really be Ren?

More than four months ago, Lin Luo encountered that black cat whose appearance was uniquely designed to resemble Doraemon, named... hmm, named Gōgatsu Ruri, and then he had a very disturbing *dream.

Although at the time he had various suspicions and guesses about the identity of that black cat, he ultimately dismissed the possibility that it was the familiar Black Ren, because since that incident, although he occasionally had one or two *dreams over these four months, they weren't too frequent. Moreover, Lin Luo had called out Ren's name in his dreams, but received no response... If it really was Ren, dwelling within his dreams, she should have reacted somehow.

But now, Lin Luo had to overturn his previous conclusion once again.

Though he didn't know the reason, there was a ninety percent chance that Ren was "hiding" inside his body.

Nothing else could cause him to have such terrible *dreams; no other cat could move freely in and out of his body; and no other cat could instantly turn a Dead Apostle into a fool... If these phenomena were viewed separately, they wouldn't mean much, but taken together, it could only be Ren.

Ren, who approached the Sixth Law, possessed strength capable of threatening most of the "Ancestors." A mere Dead Apostle would never be her match.

Of course, even if it was Ren, there were still many inconsistencies, and she didn't seem inclined to emerge and converse with him, only intervening when he was in the most danger... Was it because if he died, it would also affect her?

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly felt a tugging sensation on his arm. Looking down, he saw Lei pulling at his sleeve, her deep green eyes staring at him without blinking.

"What's wrong, Lei?" Lin Luo asked with a smile.

"There... does it still hurt?" Lei pointed to Lin Luo's back.

"Uh... I'm fine, it doesn't hurt at all." Lin Luo paused, then remembered he received that whip from the Dead Apostle while protecting her. She must feel some guilt, so he reassured her, "Don't worry, my body isn't like a normal person's. As long as I'm not killed on the spot, any injury can heal quickly."

Lei blinked, seeming not to understand. After a short while, she asked doubtfully, "You aren't human?"

Lin Luo felt a little vexed; that question was... profoundly deep. Without the strength of an expert scholar, it would be hard to answer.

"Well, my status as a human is undeniable for now, it’s just that my performance parameters are much higher than ordinary humans."

"Oh, still human." Lei nodded, appearing to grasp the meaning vaguely, but her words remained remarkably pointed, "What about that person?"

"That person? Oh..." Lin Luo understood and explained, "That guy is a Dead Apostle, a creature akin to a monster in this world. We humans are food to them."

"Food? They eat people?" Lei seemed startled, a slightly fearful expression crossing her face.

Lin Luo found it a bit amusing. In this environment, she was actually quite good at easing the tension. He chuckled, "It's not exactly eating people, they just drain blood. But in reality, it's much the same; most people who have their blood drained end up dying."

Although Dead Apostles are created when a True Ancestor or another Dead Apostle drains a human's blood and the drained person transforms, very few successfully convert. And even if they do convert, most become trash Dead Apostles with little ability. Only a small fraction become powerful Dead Apostles, and most of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors originated from this level.

Those whose abilities match those of the Primal Dead Apostles are exceedingly rare, with only four appearing throughout history. The most representative among them is Tsukihime Satsuki, who even possesses a rare Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, granting her one hundred percent "Ancestor"-level strength.

The white-haired Dead Apostle who attacked Lin Luo earlier was probably at the powerful Dead Apostle level, but still at least one or two tiers below an "Ancestor." This was Lin Luo's luck; if it had been an "Ancestor"-level Dead Apostle, killing him would have been effortless, and the incomplete Black Ren couldn't have stopped it.

Of course, none of this needed to be told to Lei.

Lei tilted her head after hearing him, appearing thoughtful. After a long pause, she murmured, "If he sucked your blood, would you also die?"

"How should I put this..." Lin Luo hadn't considered this point. Mastering the rules was, in a sense, stepping outside the bounds of humanity. His strength even surpassed that of some weaker Ancestors. Theoretically, he shouldn't die even if his blood was drained, but without experiencing it, one couldn't draw a final conclusion.

"Even if I don't die, it certainly won't be a good thing."

"Oh." Lei responded softly and said no more, though her gaze would periodically sweep over him when Lin Luo wasn't looking, as if she were hesitating over something.

Lin Luo didn't know what Lei was thinking, nor did he have the leisure to consider it, as there was a rather serious problem at hand... still the Dead Apostle.

That white-haired Dead Apostle mentioned he had been fighting some other group before and was apparently defeated? Anyone who could fight a Dead Apostle would require at least Dead Apostle-level power, or be a Dead Apostle themselves. Such an opponent was beyond what he could handle right now. If he could merge with Lei, relying on the immense power of the Seven-Jeweled Precious Tree, he might be able to defeat the Dead Apostle, but Lin Luo did not view Lei as a mere tool.

If she suggested it herself, he certainly wouldn't refuse, but if she had no such inclination, he wouldn't force her. So, what strength could he rely on to fight the Dead Apostle?

...Raising his right hand, he looked at the three-stave mark on the back of it. After thinking for a long time, Lin Luo finally placed his hopes on this Command Seal.

He had researched this Command Seal since the A Certain Magical Index world, but had never used it. However, now... if he could truly summon a Heroic Spirit, even a not-so-strong one, he could gain an absolute advantage against a Dead Apostle who wasn't an Ancestor.

Regardless, he had to try at least once.

Having made up his mind, Lin Luo stood up from the ground and began drawing a rudimentary magic circle on the floor, using Rin's "memories"—a formation used to summon Heroic Spirits.

Lei watched with bright, curious eyes.

Five minutes later, the magic circle was complete. Lin Luo took a few Magic Gems from his pocket... This was because he worried his own Mana wouldn't be enough to summon a powerful Heroic Spirit. After some thought, he decided to use one A-Rank Magic Gem. After all, the A-Rank Magic Gem was the only trump card he currently possessed that could inflict damage on a Dead Apostle. He had to keep at least one, lest he suffer a massive loss if the summoning failed.

The moment he crushed the Magic Gem, immense Mana flooded into his body, as if he had been filled to the brim with water, causing a slight, painful swelling... Ignoring the discomfort, Lin Luo quieted his mind and began reciting the incantation.

"I ask of you, are you my Master?"

"I ask of you, are you my Master?"

"I make this covenant here. I desire the holy grail."

"From the Throne of Heroes, come forth to this place, guided by the Holy Grail's call."

"I ask you now, answer me! Show yourself from your noble steed, O bringer of justice!"

...Although there was no Holy Grail here, nor a Leyline, and Lin Luo's Command Seals appeared not to be bound by the Holy Grail, the magic circle still shimmered with light after he finished reciting the incantation, and a vast power vaguely emanated from within the circle... A Heroic Spirit was responding.

"Success?" Lin Luo could barely contain his excitement, staring unblinkingly at the center of the magic circle, anticipating the magnificent arrival of a powerful Heroic Spirit... Oh King, please send an Saber holding the Holy Sword, yes, preferably with the scabbard too.

Though Lin Luo knew this thought was more wishful thinking than anything, he was utterly surprised when this fantasy actually came true.

"I ask you, are you my Master?"

The magic circle was filled with dense, impenetrable smoke. When that incredibly familiar voice emerged from the smoke, Lin Luo was so excited his very soul ached... It was the King! It was the King! Oh, I love you, my King! You are the morning star of the Eternal Night, the savior at the end of the world! Believe in the King, and gain eternal life!

Lin Luo's eyes widened as he watched the smoke slowly dissipate, his mind spiraling into incoherent thoughts. Then, as the smoke cleared, the figure of a girl appeared before him: golden coiled hair, a fiercely beautiful and heroic countenance, blue and white knight armor, a knight sword cast as if from gold, and that tiny ahoge atop her head... This image unequivocally proved her identity—the King of Knights, Saber!

However, the moment Lin Luo clearly saw her appearance, he froze entirely, almost believing he was hallucinating.

"This... How is this possible?"

"I ask you, are you my Master?" The girl, seeing Lin Luo remain unresponsive with an almost petrified, sluggish expression, asked again, though this time her tone held a faint hint of displeasure.

Lin Luo snapped back to reality, crouched down, and scrutinized her from head to toe before finally asking, "Are you really Saber? King Arthur, Artoria?"

"Mmm... You actually know my identity. Correct, I am the strongest Saber," the girl declared haughtily, lifting her head.

Lin Luo was speechless, only able to heave a long sigh toward the heavens. At this moment, he desperately wanted to say, "What bad luck..."