Emiya Shirou doesn't want to work overtime

"Eh?"

Hephaestus hadn't expected Shirou Emiya to answer so readily. After all, someone who could understand her forging techniques must have a very high level of forging skill, or rather, a great talent for it.

She thought that Shirou Emiya's full-body "Demon's Embrace" outfit was forged by him.

To be honest, over the years, she has never thought of directly using living creatures to make weapons; at most, she would forge the claws, teeth, bones, and the like.

This technique piqued her interest; she had never seen such an innovative forging method in a hundred million years.

Of course, after a brief look, Hephaestus can also directly forge living creatures into weapons.

This skill is as simple as drinking water to the gods.

It can even undergo advanced modifications, making the finished weapon more refined and robust.

"I've only ever forged this one weapon—"

As soon as he finished speaking, the reverse blade appeared in Shirou Emiya's hand.

It has no special patterns, no powerful abilities, and is just a simple and ordinary samurai sword with the blade facing outwards.

But this very weapon has accompanied Shirou Emiya through several worlds, right up to the present.

Even though Shirou Emiya acquired many more weapons, he never changed.

"What a sword!"

Hephaestus looked at the sword that had appeared in Shirou Emiya's hand and couldn't help but sigh.

It's not because the sword is made of high-end materials or the forging process is particularly superb.

No matter how strong Shirou Emiya's talent for forging is, this is his first time forging a weapon, and there will definitely be shortcomings.

The steel used for the reverse blade is nothing more than the most ordinary iron.

But Hephaestus saw it; she saw that the sword was imbued with the forger's mindset and will.

It is not simply an ordinary weapon; it also possesses a very special ability: the unwavering spirit of its forger.

This was the first time Hephaestus had ever seen such a weapon.

This is why, even with a reverse blade made of the most ordinary steel, it was able to continuously clash with Amakusa Shiro Tokisada's tachi, Miike Denta, without ever losing ground.

This sword has been imbued with a will.

"I said, are you interested in becoming one of my kin?"

To be honest, how could Hephaestus not be tempted by such a talent forging?

"Family, what is that?"

Emiya Shirou, puzzled, asked.

Judging from this title, it seems to imply becoming someone under her command.

"You don't even know what a clan is?"

Hephaestus frowned deeply. They had been on this world for a thousand years, and almost all the inhabitants of this world knew of their existence.

Judging from Shirou Emiya's attire and his manner of communication, he doesn't seem like someone who lives deep in the mountains.

Weird!

Hephaestus was thinking this.

But what does it matter?

Anyway, she doesn't say she cares about these things very much.

"This is through the grace given by God that it has become an organization of the same faction as God, just like a guild."

"A gift?"

Shirou Emiya could only furrow his brow in thought. Shirou Emiya, on the other hand, understood what it meant. Although he didn't play games, many people still discussed game-related matters when he was in junior high school.

He does have some understanding of guilds.

It's basically an organization where a group of like-minded people come together to complete tasks and make money together.

But a blessing feels like a power directly bestowed by a god.

However, many heroes in Greek mythology also received divine gifts.

Take Jason, for example.

Although a gift is not necessarily power.

Seemingly seeing through what Shirou Emiya was thinking, Hephaestus immediately offered an explanation.

"This gift is not a direct bestowal of power upon humanity, but rather a catalyst."

"Accelerator?"

"Its main function is to uncover possibilities that you may never have the chance to discover in your entire life. And to transform these possibilities into your experience, as experience points, which will become the nourishment for your growth."

"Whether it's physical abilities, skills, or magic, these are all hidden weapons within your people in the lower realm, what we call aptitude."

"Only by continuously increasing our own experiences can we draw out those experiences through this grace, turning them into nourishment, allowing us to grow rapidly. This is the power of grace."

With Hephaestus's explanation, Shirou Emiya finally understood what the so-called gift truly was.

Similar to the markings that one develops oneself.

However, one's potential is unleashed by mortgaging one's future, while this blessing can directly unleash one's potential from the depths of one's being and allow for faster growth with the help of the divine.

What would normally require decades of training can be achieved in just a few years, or even a few months, with this stimulant.

Of course, Shirou Emiya was in the same situation at this time.

It sounds like something that's all beneficial and without any harm.

What is your purpose in doing this?

Emiya Shirou didn't agree easily because it sounded far too friendly to humans.

Although he did not sense any malice from Hephaestus.

"There's no particular purpose. Life in the heavens is so boring that we started interfering in the mortal realm as if it were a game. When we're in the mortal realm, we're forbidden from using divine power and have to live like humans."

"Do not try to guess what the gods are thinking—"

For the inhabitants of this world, receiving divine blessings and becoming a member of a clan is a common occurrence.

Rather, many residents hope to receive divine blessings, because this would allow them to earn a lot of money and achieve the life they desire.

Emiya Shirou did not belong to this world, so he was naturally puzzled by something that sounded like it had no downsides.

You know, Shirou Emiya, who had a contract that was entirely beneficial last time, still feels a bit strange.

I just don't know what's strange about it.

"If you become my kin, I can teach you some forging techniques."

"I agree—"

Although it seems that Hephaestus set the conditions, which is why Shirou Emiya agreed, Shirou Emiya actually thought about it for a while.

He didn't know what he would encounter in the future. With his current strength, it would be difficult for him to win against Achilles. In fact, Shirou Emiya didn't know whether he could win against Achilles.

After all, Shirou Emiya still can't match that speed.

It's just that Shirou Emiya has a chance of defeating Achilles.

Unlike at the beginning, when encountering Achilles meant certain death.

Although he has many tricks up his sleeve, his actual strength is not very high.

Not to mention the even more powerful Karna.

Even if I were to activate Unlimited Blade Works, I probably still wouldn't be able to defeat him.

It would certainly be a good thing to become stronger.

"Take off your upper body clothes."

Hephaestus patted the chair next to him.

“I will inscribe the sacred script used by the gods on your body with divine blood. From then on, that will be your blessing.”

Emiya Shirou nodded. It was just taking off his upper body clothes; it wasn't a big deal.

He took off his cloak and then his Tokyo Butei High School uniform, and sat down in front of Hephaestus.

After all, the Tokyo Butei High School uniform has bulletproof defense capabilities and is extremely comfortable to wear.

However, when going to the high school of Homurahara Gakuen, I can no longer wear this school uniform.

Hephaestus immediately bit her finger, dripping a drop of blood onto Shirou Emiya's back.

However----

The expected, ordinary sound, like falling into water, did not occur.

Shirou Emiya felt a warm current coming from behind him.

The blood of God flowed down his back.

Hephaestus was also incredibly surprised to see all of this.

The blood of God surged on Shirou Emiya's back, wanting to penetrate his body.

But it was as if some force was constantly preventing the entry of the divine blood.

Do not--

Hephaestus frowned.

It's less about power and more about something else entirely.

She didn't understand what it was.

Chapter 423 A Classic Fantasy Otherworld (Revised)

Under this cloudless blue sky, in the bright sunshine.