Chapter 2 Beginner Quests?
Character Panel
[Host: Ragnar]
[Character Transformation Card: Artoria Pendragon (Alter) – 20% Synchronization]
Subordinate: None
Artoria Pendragon (Alter)
Noble Phantasm: Excalibur Morgan
Rank: A++
Type: Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm
Effective Range: 1–99
Maximum Targets: Up to 1,000
A jet-black holy sword overflowing with unrestrained magical energy.
Unlike the original Excalibur, its output is not composed of light, but of corrupted magical pressure—a darkness so dense it appears to swallow light itself.
When unleashed, the blade releases a destructive wave resembling the breath of Vortigern, the white dragon that once manifested as Britain's shadow and calamity.
Auxiliary Noble Phantasm
Vortigern – King's Hammer
Rank: C
Type: Anti-Personnel
Range: 1–2
Maximum Targets: 1
By compressing magical energy directly into the sword's core and releasing it at point-blank range, the blade detonates like a hammer strike, producing overwhelming impact force rather than a beam.
"Tsk… no Avalon, huh?"
Ragnar smacked his tongue softly.
Even with Excalibur Morgan and the retained class skills and parameters, he couldn't help feeling a trace of regret. After all—Saber with Avalon and Saber without Avalon were worlds apart.
If Avalon truly existed…
Then he could just walk forward without thinking.
Pure, unreasonably broken defense.
Unfortunately, according to established Fate lore, Artoria Alter never possessed Avalon. That miracle belonged to the once-idealistic king—not the tyrant clad in black.
Which meant that invincible defensive Noble Phantasm was absent.
Still… even without it, this power was more than enough to dominate the seas.
And besides—this wasn't the end.
More cards could be drawn in the future.
Who knew? Maybe one day he'd pull a pure Saber Artoria, fully intact.
Think positive.
"Use the card—Artoria Pendragon (Alter)."
Decision made, Ragnar activated the transformation.
A pillar of black light erupted skyward, its oppressive radiance tearing through the clouds. The surge vanished in an instant, as if it had never existed.
The man standing on the beach was gone.
In his place stood the figure engraved in the card.
Jet-black armor traced with silver edges.
Pale golden hair fluttering in the sea breeze.
Excalibur Morgan held casually in one hand.
Dark, curse-like lines spread faintly across his face.
Slowly, Ragnar opened his eyes—now tinted a deep, dark gold.
Power flooded his body.
He clenched his fingers, feeling the weight, the density, the terrifying stability of his new existence.
"So… this is the feeling of power?"
Raising Excalibur Morgan, Ragnar instinctively gathered magical energy, channeling it along the blade's blackened core.
His gaze fixed on the distant sea.
The sword responded.
A crescent of black sword aura tore forward.
BOOM—!
The slash split the ocean's surface, detonating into towering waves that surged skyward like collapsing walls.
"The output is terrifying…"
Just minutes ago, he had been nothing more than a good-looking ordinary man.
Now, he possessed combat power that crushed reason.
His body still belonged to his producer wife.
Yet the power layered atop it was something else entirely.
This happiness wasn't simple addition.
It was multiplication.
Pure bliss.
"Then why can't I fire the beam version?" Ragnar frowned, glancing at Excalibur Morgan. "System, explain."
[Insufficient mana reserves.]
[Excalibur Morgan requires higher synchronization.]
[Beam-type release unlocks at 50% card completion.]
"So… I'm underleveled?"
[Correct.]
"Or I need to recharge with money…?"
[…]
Before the thought could deepen—
[BITE!]
[Issuing Newcomer Task]
[Objective: Familiarize host with world structure and native combat standards]
[Proceed five nautical miles north]
[Eliminate target: "Tiger" Awei]
[Bounty: 18,000,000 Berries]
[Reward: Yacht]
Ragnar grinned.
"Well, isn't this delivery service thoughtful?"
"An eighteen-million pirate…"
He lifted Excalibur Morgan slightly.
"Let's see if he can survive a single strike."
Stepping forward, Ragnar ran across the sea—his feet barely disturbing the surface.
[Lake Spirit's Protection]
[Effect: Water-Walking]
Five Nautical Miles North
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A pirate ship bearing a black flag marked with a white skull cut through the sea.
Its cannons roared, firing relentlessly at a lone coffin-shaped boat drifting ahead.
"Hahaha! Brat!"
A burly man with a thick tiger-like beard roared with laughter from the deck.
"Is that coffin for yourself?!"
"Men! Full speed ahead! Crush him!"
"So brutal, boss—but I like it!"
"Charge! Charge! Charge!"
"Sink him and feed him to the fish!"
"OOOOH!"
Amid wild cheers, the pirate ship surged forward.
On the coffin boat, a man slowly stood.
A burgundy patterned shirt beneath a black trench coat.
White trousers, black ankle boots.
A black top hat trimmed with white fur.
Short black hair.
Sharp, hawk-like golden eyes.
A small cross-shaped dagger resting on his chest.
A massive black blade—Yoru—strapped to his back.
Dracule Mihawk.
As the pirate ship closed in, Mihawk placed a hand on Yoru's hilt.
Then—he paused.
His hand lowered.
With casual precision, he lifted the tiny dagger, flicking it once.
Clang—!
Cannonballs shattered midair.
Mihawk's gaze shifted past the pirates, toward the distant sea.
A faint, interested smile tugged at his lips.
"…Oh?"