Moving Forward, One Step at a Time

One hour later.

I whistled softly, a small smile forming on my lips. Today had gone much better than before. No unnecessary fights, no exhausting chases, and most importantly—I hadn't had to face those annoying skeletons even once.

"As I thought, choosing to be an Assassin was the right decision..." I muttered in satisfaction.

However, my steps halted as I saw something in the distance. Among the ruins of old buildings and cracked streets, a group of skeletons stood motionless, their weapons drawn as if ready to face a threat they had yet to realize.

I narrowed my eyes, curiosity sparking in my mind.

"Hmm... Should I test my abilities?"

I pondered for a moment. So far, I had only used my Assassin skills to avoid conflict, but if I wanted to survive longer in this Singularity, I needed to know how effective my abilities were in real combat.

Besides, a little experiment wouldn't hurt, right?

Decision made. I raised my hand forward, letting mana flow through my body, activating the power that had now become a part of me.

"Come forth."

A faint light flickered in my hand, and then a dagger materialized in my grasp. Its blade was thin and sharp, reflecting the essence of an assassin who prioritized quick and clean strikes. I examined it for a moment, feeling its perfect balance, before stepping forward.

But before making my move, I activated Jack the Ripper's Noble Phantasm.

"Come forth, the shroud of night,

Veil the world in death's embrace,

Let the mist descend, silent and deep,

As shadows claim the land in grace."

In an instant, a thick fog seeped out from my body, blanketing the entire area as if the night itself had descended upon the earth. The air grew colder, and the sounds around me dulled, swallowed by an eerie silence.

This fog was not just an ordinary smokescreen. It was a death zone, a battlefield that only benefited me. Even though my eyes couldn't pierce through its dense shroud, I didn't need sight to know their positions.

I could feel them.

Their presence was clear, as if a thin thread connected us. I could hear the subtle creaking of their bones, sense their slight movements within this mist. They, on the other hand, lacked the same advantage.

I moved forward soundlessly, my body merging with the darkness.

First step. I was right behind one of the skeletons, still frozen in confusion amid the sudden mist.

Without hesitation, I swung my dagger.

A faint cracking sound echoed as the blade struck the skeleton's neck. It had no time to react before its body crumbled into a heap of bones.

Second step. I spun around, slipping between two skeletons who were just beginning to realize something was wrong. But too late—my dagger had already moved first.

One swift slash to the ribs.

One precise stab to the skull.

They collapsed without uttering a sound.

Third step. Only two remained. They shifted uneasily, blindly swinging their weapons into the empty fog. They had no breath, yet I could sense their fear.

A faint smile formed on my lips.

With agility, I leaped over one of them, my dagger twisting before slicing through its shoulder joint. It staggered, and without waiting, I delivered the finishing blow.

The last skeleton swung its sword wildly, slashing the air without aim. I merely tilted my body slightly to avoid it, then—

One stab to the throat, then a swift downward motion.

Its bones cracked, then shattered into pieces.

Silence once again dominated the space.

I stood among the aftermath of a battle that hadn't even lasted more than a few seconds. My heart beat steadily, yet my body remained calm.

I gazed at my hand, still gripping the dagger, before letting out a small smile.

"So this is what it feels like..."

I exhaled softly, allowing the fog to gradually dissipate, restoring the view of the cold, desolate city.

Surprisingly, this feeling wasn't bad at all.

I sighed, then touched my chin in thought.

"Hmm, maybe it's time to check my status."

With a quiet murmur, I uttered the command,

"."

Instantly, a blue light flickered in the air before me, forming a transparent holographic screen. Lines of glowing blue text appeared, illuminating the darkness with their soft radiance, displaying detailed information about me. I examined the screen with keen interest.

---

[Character Profiles]

Name: Kurohiko Yuki

Age: 16

Class: Assassin

Alignment: Chaotic-Neutral

Parameters:

- Strength: C-

- Agility: B+

- Endurance: C

- Mana: C+

- Luck: A++

- NP: A-

Class Skills:

- Presence Concealment: B+

Personal Skills:

- Murder on a Misty Night: B+

- Information Erasure: C+

- Surgical Procedure: E-

Noble Phantasms:

The Act of Imitating

- Rank: A+

-Type: Anti-Unit / Anti-Self

- Description:

This Noble Phantasm allows the user to imitate the attributes, abilities, and even the Noble Phantasm of other Servants that have been thoroughly observed by the user. However, the power of these imitations is not equal to the original.

Maria the Ripper

- Rank: B-

- Type: Anti-Unit

- Description:

This noble phantasm make the user strength drastically increases, If the opponent is a woman.

The Mist

- Rank: C+

- Type: Anti-Area

- Description:

With this Noble Phantasm the user can create a mist that can envelop a certain area and provide advantages in battle.

---

I studied the holographic screen with focused attention. Honestly, most of these skills and Noble Phantasms were already familiar to me. How could they not be? I still clearly remembered how often I used Jack the Ripper while playing Fate/Grand Order back then.

Now, I was the one using them in real life.

It felt surreal and exhilarating at the same time.

The hologram slowly faded, vanishing into the emptiness of the air. I let out a slow breath.

"Alright, even though the stats was nerfed I'm satisfied with this."

I then raised my dagger, flipping it in the air before letting it disappear completely.

Keeping my weapon out at all times would only be troublesome. Besides, with my ability to conceal my presence, I could move safely without worrying about sudden ambushes.

It was time to move.

My steps were light, almost soundless, as I walked through the debris-filled streets. A faint mist still clung to the air, enveloping the long-dead city.

In the distance, the stars continued to shine brightly in the night sky.

I lifted my head, gazing at the sky that felt both vast and suffocating at the same time.

My steps remained light, but my footprints left faint imprints on the cracked, ruined pavement. The night air was cold, wrapping me in an unending silence.

But suddenly, I stopped.

In the distance, my eyes caught something—a small ramen shop, old and broken, yet still sturdy enough to stand amidst the city's destruction.

I stared at it in silence before allowing my curiosity to guide my steps toward it.

As I entered the shop, silence greeted me. The tables that were once filled with customers were now scattered, some stools overturned, and broken bowls littered the floor. Yet, despite its condition, the faint aroma of ramen broth seemed to linger in the air.

I stood in the middle of the shop, my eyes scanning every corner of the room.

And suddenly…

The memories came rushing back.

~~~

Flashback Time.

The evening sky was painted in golden-orange hues. I walked along the sidewalk, holding my mother's warm hand.

Today, my mother was taking me to our favorite ramen shop, not too far from home. I was beyond excited, but I tried to contain my enthusiasm so I wouldn't stand out too much in the crowd.

"Oka-san, we're really going there, right?" I asked again, my voice filled with hope.

My mother smiled gently, her warm eyes meeting mine.

"Of course, Yuki-chan. You've been waiting for this since yesterday, haven't you?"

I nodded quickly, almost bouncing with joy.

"Un! This time, I want to order a big bowl of ramen!"

My mother chuckled softly.

"Well then, you have to make sure you can finish it, okay?"

Finally, we arrived at the shop. The rich aroma of broth greeted us the moment the sliding door opened. I took a deep breath, my eyes sparkling with excitement.

We sat at one of the wooden stools facing the open kitchen, where the shop owner—an elderly man wearing a worn-out apron—was busy preparing ramen for another customer.

"Welcome! What would you like to order today?" he asked cheerfully.

I turned to my mother with hopeful eyes. She smiled before nodding.

"Alright, Yuki-chan. You can order whatever you like."

"Yatta!" I cheered.

"I want the special ramen with lots of chashu and a soft-boiled egg!"

The old man chuckled.

"Good choice! And for your mother?"

"A regular miso ramen, please," my mother replied calmly.

We waited for our orders with eager anticipation. Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen were placed in front of us. The rising steam carried a mouthwatering aroma that filled the air.

Grabbing my chopsticks excitedly, I clasped my hands together and exclaimed,

"Itadakimasu!"

before digging in.

"Slow down, Yuki-chan. Don't rush, or you'll choke," Oka-san reminded me gently.

I nodded quickly, though I continued eating with enthusiasm. The taste was incredible—like heaven in a bowl.

"Oka-san," I called between bites,

"When I grow up, I want to eat as much ramen as I want every day!"

My mother laughed softly and patted my head.

"Then you'll have to work hard so you can buy ramen on your own someday."

I tilted my head, pondering for a moment.

"Do you like ramen too, Oka-san?"

"Un," she nodded.

"But more than that, I love seeing Yuki-chan eat so happily like this."

I beamed, feeling warmth spread through my chest.

That evening, we spent our time chatting about little things, accompanied by a warm bowl of ramen and a peaceful memory that I would never forget.

Flashback End.

~~~

Back in the present, I stood motionless inside the ruined ramen shop.

My hand slowly reached out, touching the surface of a table that might have once been surrounded by laughing customers enjoying their meals.

But now, everything was just a shadow of the past.

I let out a quiet sigh, closing my eyes for a moment before opening them again.

'I want to eat ramen again... with Oka-san.'

That thought surfaced in my mind, piercing through my consciousness like an invisible blade. For a brief moment, a wave of emotions threatened to rise—something warm, yet painfully bittersweet. But I quickly shook my head, forcing the feeling away before it could take root any deeper.

I was no longer a child who could complain just because I missed something that was long gone. The past was the past. There was no point in grieving over things that could never return.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.

With a firm stride, I left the ramen shop behind, allowing the memory to remain where it belonged—warm and eternal in my heart.

But I couldn't let myself be trapped in memories.

Just like my father once said:

"Life isn't about always looking back. It's about moving forward, even when every step feels heavy. Life must go on, no matter how difficult it may be."

So, without looking back, I walked into the star-lit night.