Chapter 163.5 – My class is Archer 

At the same time, because the Unlimited Blade Works world contained such a vast collection of swords, each of which Mihawk considered to surpass his Yoru in quality, it took him a considerable amount of time to inspect them.

Arton didn't interrupt him. Although this delay consumed his magical energy, since Mihawk had previously given him the time and opportunity to advance, Arton didn't mind reciprocating the favor.

After listening to Mihawk's question, Arton smiled slightly and raised his hand toward Uta's direction.

In an instant, the sword named Bloodhound's Fang leaped from the ground and flew into Arton's hand.

Zoro's eyes lit up when he saw this.

"Arton, are you planning to use that sword in battle?"

"Let me see it then—a magic sword that unleashes the most suitable slashes with every swing!"

Not just Zoro, but even Mihawk assumed that Arton intended to wield Bloodhound's Fang in combat.

That was until Arton projected a longbow into his hand, transforming Bloodhound's Fang into an arrow under his magical energy.

Upon witnessing this scene, both Zoro and Mihawk were momentarily stunned.

The same went for many diary copies holders.

Charlotte Smoothie: "What's going on? Is Arton planning to abandon the sword and use a bow?"

Kozuki Hiyori: "Can Arton actually use a bow? Or is it something related to Archer?"

Doll: "Wait a minute—I think Arton mentioned before that Heroic Spirit Archer's class is... Archer?"

Gion: "Strange. Isn't Archer's essence rooted in swords? Then why is his class Archer?"

Arton addressed Mihawk:

"Indeed, each of these swords has its own unique characteristics."

"Aside from a few that require me to pay a certain price to use, I can wield most of them quite proficiently."

"However, compared to their original owners, I can't perfectly replicate their combat techniques."

He paused briefly, glancing at Mihawk's Yoru before continuing:

"As for where these swords come from, I can answer that for you."

"All the weapons within the Unlimited Blade Works are copies created by that man."

"As long as it has been copied by him, the projection of these weapons will exist within the Unlimited Blade Works."

"And naturally, in the Unlimited Blade Works I now wield, your sword is also included."

As Arton's words fell, Mihawk noticed that a replica of Yoru appeared, embedded upside down into the ground nearby.

Even Mihawk, upon carefully examining this Yoru, had to admit that it was nearly indistinguishable from the original.

Even for him, it was almost impossible to tell the genuine article from the replica.

"Truly an intriguing ability."

"This journey has indeed been worthwhile."

"But why did you bring out a bow?"

"Are you planning to switch to using a bow to fight me now?"

Mihawk asked with interest.

"After all, my current class is Archer," Arton replied with a slight smile.

"Though, to be fair, I'm more of an Archer skilled in close combat and swordsmanship."

"But that doesn't stop me from using a bow and arrows."

"As for why I brought out a bow, it's because you happened to mention this sword."

Arton said as he placed the Bloodhound's Fang, now transformed into an arrow, onto the bowstring.

Thrum!

With a dull hum, the Bloodhound's Fang turned into a streak of red light and shot rapidly toward Mihawk.

Mihawk raised an eyebrow and swung Yoru forward, easily deflecting the arrow.

However, just as the arrow was knocked away, Mihawk noticed it reversing its trajectory mid-air, once again hurtling straight toward him.

Raising an eyebrow further, Mihawk deflected the Bloodhound's Fang several times in succession, only to find that it kept coming back.

Curiosity piqued, Mihawk turned to Arton and asked:

"That Uta over there mentioned this sword could track the scent of blood."

"So, as long as I have bleeding wounds, it will keep chasing me?"

Arton shook his head and replied:

"That was its function as a sword."

"After I transformed it into an arrow, its ability changed. Now, it tracks the enemy's presence."

"As long as the archer—me—is alive, it will keep pursuing the target, no matter how many times it's knocked away."

"Unless, of course, you can completely destroy it!"

Charlotte Smoothie: "Arton can even modify the weapons within the Unlimited Blade Works?"

Black Maria: "A tracking arrow—what a dangerous ability."

Kozuki Hiyori: "Such unique weapons. Compared to the ones in Arton's Unlimited Blade Works, even renowned blades pale in comparison."

Tashigi: "The Bloodhound's Fang... I'd love to get my hands on it just to see what it feels like!"

Gion: "A world capable of storing all the swords the user has seen? Still, knowing Arton, unless it's intentional, I doubt he would bother recreating this world's famous blades in his Unlimited Blade Works."

Arton's words had piqued Mihawk's interest even further, both in the Bloodhound's Fang and the swords within the Unlimited Blade Works.

However, as the arrow continued pursuing him relentlessly, Mihawk raised his black blade and unleashed a massive green flying slash toward the Bloodhound's Fang.

Crack!

With a crisp sound, the Bloodhound's Fang finally fractured, disintegrating into countless particles of magical energy that scattered into the air.

"Hmph! It's certainly durable," Mihawk remarked.

"More resistant than most famous blades I've encountered."

"Arton, you showed me this..."

"Surely it wasn't just to flaunt it, was it? Though now, it seems you're down one sword."

Mihawk smirked, turning his gaze toward Arton.

"No worries. If it's the Bloodhound's Fang, I can always recreate it later," Arton replied casually.

"As for showing it to you, wasn't it because you seemed curious about the swords here?"

"I thought it'd also help ensure you take me seriously during our fight."

Arton smiled as he spoke.

For Arton, the longer Mihawk held out, the better. After all, the more time the duel stretched on, the greater Arton's chances of advancing his Emiya Shirou template to its pinnacle.

Having learned his lesson from his encounter with Shiki, Arton didn't mind revealing some of his abilities to Mihawk if it meant prolonging the fight.

After all, the Emiya Shirou template he was currently using represented a character capable of clearing an entire Holy Grail War in one night—a force to be reckoned with.

And if everything went as planned, Arton knew he could advance the template further, enhancing his stamina, magical energy, and abilities—possibly even more than once.

However, with Mihawk already injured from the earlier Nine Lives, Arton couldn't help but worry whether Mihawk would be able to endure the successive onslaught of his different Emiya Shirou variations.