Though Xiao Tianran was merely an angelic projection of the Golden Star UO, her strength was far inferior to the materialized main bodies of Zhu Yue and the Mercury Spider... However, if one discounted her killing divine song, which was more terrifying than a biological weapon, and the innate suppression of a higher life form, she wasn't much different from those frail, ordinary human girls. Yet, her subtle healing ability was unexpectedly delightful.

In mere moments, under the touch of her hands, which radiated a sacred light like an angel’s, the physical and spiritual wounds inflicted upon everyone by the killing divine song were swiftly mended.

Having accomplished all this, Xiao Tianran acted as if she had simply taken a sip of water... Oh, right, she was hungry again.

From this result, Lin Luo had reason to suspect that her healing ability required sustenance to recharge... No wonder she was such a glutton; like Luo Tianyi, she couldn't sing if she didn't eat.

By now, Soujuuzaki Aoko and the others no longer doubted Xiao Tianran’s "angelic" identity. After all, bringing someone back perfectly intact who had nearly been killed by their own hands was inherently contradictory to science; let alone an angel, they wouldn't be surprised if someone called her an omnipotent god.

After a period of discussion—or rather, after a session of merciless censure directed at the Fourth Demon King—Lin Luo also rose to take his leave. With the title of "Holy Grail War Investigator," he could finally stand tall, no longer to be regarded as useless.

Just as Lin Luo reached the door, the voice of Ryougi Shiki called from behind him.

Lin Luo turned to see Shiki, clad in a kimono, walking toward him.

"Is something the matter?"

Ryougi Shiki nodded slightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing her eyes. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Oh, then let's take a little walk," Lin Luo replied, nodding without asking why she hadn't spoken earlier. He let Xiao Tianran return first and walked alongside Shiki down a secluded path.

Along the way, Lin Luo walked without speaking a word.

Ryougi Shiki also seemed hesitant, opening her mouth several times but never managing to utter what she intended to say, wearing an expression of wanting to speak but holding back. It wasn't until they were nearly a third of the way that she finally spoke: "Have we met somewhere before?"

"Is that what you wanted to ask?" Lin Luo countered.

"Yes, the moment I saw you, I felt like I had seen you somewhere," Shiki said, gazing at Lin Luo with a thoughtful expression.

Lin Luo smiled casually, "Perhaps. But I don't believe we've ever communicated."

He spoke vaguely but did not lie. In truth, even without that battle against the First Evil King, Lin Luo wouldn't be unfamiliar with Shiki. But even with that encounter, he and Shiki had only met once; they hadn't exchanged a single word, let alone communicated.

Hearing this, Ryougi Shiki’s face showed a touch of disappointment.

It was four years ago, an event whose details even she didn't fully grasp. However, recalling it now, she seemed to have been caught in a terrifying battle. It was during that fight that she was stabbed and brought to the brink of death. When she finally recovered and woke up, two years had passed; she had been confined to a hospital bed for two full years.

Because of that incident, she not only lost two years of her life but also the second personality within her vanished. Whether for better or worse, having walked the edge of life and death, she gained the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, capable of killing anything alive.

Perhaps it was a curse, for she felt no joy in acquiring this ability—only an abnormal sense of dissonance and a revulsion toward beings that were not entirely human.

The moment she awoke, her mental state was extremely unstable. Coupled with the demise of her second personality, her spirit sagged. She knew clearly that she was supposed to be the one who died, but ultimately, it was her second personality that perished for her sake.

It was during that period that she met Touko Aozaki, disguised as a psychiatrist. With her help, her mental state gradually stabilized, and she learned how to live with the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. Thus, she ended up joining Touko Aozaki's agency... It wasn't exactly repayment, but that place allowed her to live like a normal person, at least without worrying that the Mystic Eyes would cause trouble.

After nearly two years, she had completely adapted to this life. While the sadness over the loss of her second personality remained, she had accepted the fact... But!

She could never reconcile with the scene from four years ago.

She didn't know the circumstances or the location, as everything happened too suddenly. In an instant, she was pulled from her home, where she had been resting, to a completely unfamiliar place. Before she could react, the sharp object had pierced her body.

At that time, her consciousness and body were near collapse. Even now, she couldn't recall the specifics, only a vague memory... In that moment, she had been held tightly in a man's arms until she lost consciousness.

From what Touko Aozaki later told her, her physical condition was catastrophic; not only was her abdomen pierced, but her internal organs were almost completely destroyed. For an ordinary person, even one with ten lives would have died. Yet, she miraculously survived... albeit after two years of dormancy.

But Ryougi Shiki knew clearly that her survival was no miracle; it was because of that strange man.

Even in her hazy state, she vaguely remembered that man throwing something toward her, sustaining her life as it hung by a thread. Furthermore... that man never let go of the hand holding her, which was the only sliver of security she felt in her despair. It was because of that feeling that her consciousness did not completely dissipate.

She had never told anyone about this incident, not even Touko Aozaki. However, she refused to let it remain an unsolved mystery. For the past two years, she had never stopped searching for the truth of what happened then, nor had she stopped searching for that man.

She knew that one of the reasons she joined Touko Aozaki's agency and delved deeper into the mysteries and darkness of this world was to uncover the answers from four years prior.

Yet, after two years navigating that mysterious world, she had found no clues.

Until her encounter with Lin Luo a few days ago.

Although she could no longer clearly recall the man's appearance from that time, upon seeing Lin Luo, that vague memory suddenly sharpened. While it hadn't completely merged with the memory of that man, she felt an undeniable sense of familiarity.

Her intuition told her that Lin Luo might be connected to that person from the past.

However, Lin Luo's answer now completely shattered that speculation... Even if she couldn't remember, such a momentous event meant that if Lin Luo had been that person, he certainly wouldn't forget. Since Lin Luo had no recollection, he couldn't be the one.

Thinking this, Ryougi Shiki felt a wave of discouragement and lost the desire to continue walking with Lin Luo. Just as she was about to excuse herself, she suddenly heard: "Want to fight?"

"Hm?" Ryougi Shiki blinked, seeing Lin Luo looking at her.

"A fight?" Shiki felt a moment of doubt, wondering if she had misheard. Though she didn't look down on Lin Luo—a person who survived the Holy Grail corrupted by the Root of All Evil ten years ago and now bravely stepped into the Holy Grail War, bringing a terrifying angel with him—was certainly no ordinary person.

But in terms of raw power, Lin Luo was currently at the level of an average martial artist, unable to handle even a group of thugs. For him to suggest fighting her... wasn't that overreaching?

Seeing Shiki's bewildered expression, Lin Luo smiled without answering.

"Are you serious?" Shiki asked again uncertainly.

Lin Luo nodded, chuckling, "Of course, I'm serious. Or do you think that I dared to enter this Holy Grail War merely because my courage is commendable, or because I have an angelic bodyguard?"

Saying this, Lin Luo snapped his fingers, and instantly, the surrounding environment dissolved into a vast expanse of white. Flurries of snow drifted down from the sky, settling on both of them.

"This is..." Shiki's expression changed instantly, shock blazing in her eyes, "Imaginary Space?!"

Such a sudden alteration of the surroundings, in Shiki's understanding, could only be achieved by one ability: the Imaginary Space. But Lin Luo possessed no magic power; how could he summon one?

Lin Luo glanced around at the surroundings before his gaze settled on Shiki's face, and he smiled casually, "Imaginary Space, you say... While it's not entirely inaccurate to call it that."

"Eh?" Lin Luo's words caused Shiki to react again. It wasn't an Imaginary Space?

No, Manifestation of Fantasy was a subspecies of the Imaginary Space, an ability infinitely close to True Magic. If what Lin Luo was currently displaying wasn't an Imaginary Space, then it could only be Manifestation of Fantasy... genuine Magic!

But wouldn't that mean he was even more formidable than she had initially imagined?!

Shiki could not conceal the shock in her heart. A person with absolutely no magic power could casually deploy Manifestation of Fantasy, the highest-level ability. The impact was immense.

"Now you're slightly more interested, aren't you?" Lin Luo asked with a smile, looking at Shiki.

Interested? This was far beyond the level of mere interest!

Shiki thought to herself, drawing the dagger she carried and calmly stating, "Do you really want to fight? My only ability is the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, but anything I kill cannot be... at least living things cannot be resurrected."

Ryougi Shiki had intended to say that nothing could be restored, but she immediately recalled her battle with Youmu half a month ago; the Louguan Sword, which she couldn't kill, made her feel too embarrassed to make such an absolute claim.

"It doesn't matter. If the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception can't connect, it's useless anyway," Lin Luo said dismissively.

"Fine." Since he had already spoken so boldly, Shiki felt there was no need to hold back. Moreover, sparring against an opponent wielding Manifestation of Fantasy would be excellent practice. She immediately nodded.

The moment the word left her lips, her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception were activated. Under these mystic eyes, any barrier was mere illusion; one slash would cause it to dissipate. Although she had never attempted to cut an Imaginary Space or Manifestation of Fantasy before, the principle remained!

Manifestation of Fantasy, stripped bare, was the direct linking of one's will with the world, causing the world to change into the environment imagined—that is, manifesting the depicted thought into reality, creating existence from nothingness. However, it could ultimately only interfere with nature and could not affect her, nor could it interfere with her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.

Just as inanimate objects like tables, chairs, and stones possessed Death Lines, Manifestation of Fantasy also had one. Theoretically, if she became strong enough, she could even perceive the Death Line of the world itself.

Ryougi Shiki was certain of this, but when her Mystic Eyes gazed upon the world around her, she discovered that the world they inhabited possessed no Death Line. The only things that possessed Death Lines were... herself and Lin Luo opposite her!

Can't directly attack the Manifestation of Fantasy?

Ryougi Shiki paused internally but did not lose her composure. She was just slightly troubled about what to do next... because her ability was a one-hit kill type; even a light graze would bring about the opponent's demise. This power relegated her to being an assassin, making sparring troublesome.

"Hesitating before a fight is not the mark of a qualified warrior."

At that moment, Lin Luo was the first to attack, delivering a straightforward punch with no flourish. The force wasn't great, and the speed wasn't fast, but by the time Shiki noticed, the fist was already upon her, and the tremendous gust of wind from the punch instantly sent her flying.

"If you think the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception can threaten me, you're being too naive. I repeat: an attack that cannot connect is useless, no matter how dazzling."

Shiki was suspended in mid-air, the terrifying punch wind blurring her vision. However, before she could recover from that dreadful state, Lin Luo's voice sounded in her ear, accompanied by a dangerous sense of alarm.

Is this for real?!

Though she didn't know what kind of attack Lin Luo had unleashed, Shiki felt as if she were tracing the edge of death at that moment. This sense of danger was even more terrifying than when she faced Flandre.

She had no choice but to fight!

Instantly, Ryougi Shiki ceased holding back. Her eyes snapped open, and before she could see Lin Luo’s figure, she saw the Death Lines shimmering before her. Instinctively, she slashed her dagger forward.

Smack!

Lin Luo effortlessly dodged Shiki's strike, his right hand gripping her forearm, and with a gentle forward toss, Shiki's body was violently slammed into the snow.

"How is it now? Do you still feel the need to hold back?" Lin Luo asked, standing suspended in the air and looking down at Shiki.

Rising from the snow, Ryougi Shiki looked up, speechless.

Holding back? Perhaps the opposite should be said.

Though it had only been a single exchange, she knew clearly that Lin Luo was the one holding back. If he had wished, he could have easily taken her life in that moment.

I misjudged completely!

Ryougi Shiki looked at Lin Luo, recalling Aoko and Touko calling him useless not long ago, and could only offer a wry smile in her heart... If a person like this could be called useless, then no one in this world was not useless. He—he was practically stronger than the Heroic Spirits!

At this moment, Ryougi Shiki fully recognized the gap in their strength. The naive thoughts she previously held vanished, and she engaged with her full power.

However, even using her utmost effort, against Lin Luo, she was as helpless as an infant. Her speed couldn't keep up, her physique couldn't keep up, her strength couldn't keep up... and as for the guaranteed kill of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception... forget about it.

And Lin Luo didn't seem to be holding back either. Wave after wave of attacks left Shiki struggling to remain standing after only a short time. Though she sustained no major injuries, she suffered multiple fractures.

This situation made Ryougi Shiki think of a cat playing with a mouse... A cat never eats the mouse immediately after catching it; it toys with it first until it grows tired before finally taking a bite.

Of course, Ryougi Shiki didn't believe Lin Luo was toying with her. It felt more like a guided battle; many of her blind spots, which she hadn't even been aware of, were pointed out by Lin Luo amidst the combat.

Ryougi Shiki could clearly feel her horizons expanding.

Indeed, this was a guided spar, precisely because Ryougi Shiki's strength was too weak.

While from a general perspective, Ryougi Shiki was incredibly strong, what was the reality? With the continuous emergence of supra-normal entities like the Twenty-Seven Ancestors and the UOs, given Shiki's ordinary human physique and mundane combat skills, what advantage could she gain if the Twenty-Seven Ancestors weren't being foolish?

Therefore, Lin Luo felt it necessary to make Ryougi Shiki understand what true power was!

That unique power existing within her, yet undiscovered by her!

"I suppose after that exchange, you understand that an attack that doesn't connect is pointless. So then..." Standing opposite Ryougi Shiki, Lin Luo gave a mysterious smile, "The lesson I will teach next is: does a connected attack have any effect?"

A connected attack?

Ryougi Shiki paused internally. Before she could process his words, Lin Luo shot forward like lightning.

Having gained a full understanding of Lin Luo's speed and strength, Shiki thrust her dagger without hesitation. However... just as she expected to miss again, she froze completely the next second.

Because Lin Luo didn't evade; he charged directly into the dagger.

The sharp edge of the dagger genuinely pierced his palm, severing his Death Line.

"The axiom that anything alive can be killed by the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception—can that be overturned now?" Lin Luo extended his other hand, taking the dagger from Shiki’s seemingly petrified grip with an expression of calm composure.

Ryougi Shiki stared, eyes wide, unable to utter a word.

To be struck directly on the Death Line and remain completely unharmed—this... this was impossible...

At that moment, Ryougi Shiki's entire worldview was utterly overturned. (To be continued) RQ