Fate: The Holy Grail

"Assassin... do you know this dark figure?"

Before Assassin could respond to Rider's question, the charging Berserker didn't give him the time. The instant he got close, he raised a giant pillar and jumped into the air.

The brutal force unleashed a howling wind, and the monstrous object, covered with red streaks, slammed down toward Assassin's small body.

With a loud bang, the ground shattered, and dust filled the air with flying debris blocking the sky!

The moment he saw Berserker approaching, he knew he had no chance of escaping.

Assasin's agility was incredibly high, reaching an A+ rank. 

He could be considered one of the most agile servants in this Holy Grail War, but... Berserker's agility was also top-tier.

Not only that, but Berserker also had the advantage of endurance and magic power.

Even if the speed difference wasn't big, Berserker would definitely catch up due to his greater stamina.

There was no escaping, and he had to face the battle head-on!

Assassin quickly turned left and dodged the giant pillar just as it came crashing down. 

Using the cover of the smoke and dust, he slid toward Berserker and thrust his sword at his body.

Berserker, like a wild beast, had lost all sense. If this was an experienced warrior, he would never jump to strike his opponent like that.

At the moment of attack, it would be impossible to dodge in time.

Assassin didn't know this but his instincts already told him how to win...

However, just like when facing Saber, Assassin's sword didn't pierce Berserker's armor.

As the smoke cleared, Assassin saw Berserker's appearance clearly under the bright moonlight.

The corners of his mouth rose slightly as he planned to use "For Someone's Glory" to transform into Berserker's form. 

Berserker had endless martial training, and even though he hadn't used them before, Assassin believed this skill would be at least as effective as his own instinct.

However, when Assassin was anticipating it, he suddenly realized that his Noble Phantasm had failed to activate...

In that instant, Assassin panicked because it had not only saved his life but also his only means of survival.

Berserker was right in front of him and had also used Noble Phantasm to disguise himself. 

In other words, Assassin was now seeing Berserker's disguised form.

Without seeing Berserk's original form, Assassin had lost the chance to transform himself into Lancelot.

In that brief moment of hesitation, Berserker slammed his body into Assassin with terrifying force!

With A-rank Strength and A-rank Endurance, the force of Berserker's impact made Assassin feel like he had collided with a speeding train!

"Bang!" 

Assassin was sent flying backward by Berserker's incredible strength!

He struggled to get up, and sweet blood spilled from his throat. He had to painfully wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.

At that moment, Assassin felt like his bones had shattered upon impact!

The difference in their attributes was simply too huge, like a bug trying to shake a tree. 

He couldn't move Berserker an inch!

He heard the sound of his bones breaking, and the pain continuously assaulted his mind. Slowly... his gentle face held a hint of unyielding resolve!

The once tender young woman now displayed a trace of a warrior's spirit. 

He was changing... the battlefield was always the best place to temper the spirit, and now, both his appearance and inner strength were becoming more like Artoria.

Assassin lifted his head, and despite facing Berserker's blood-red eyes, he didn't back down. Instead, he stared right back!

After their brief clash, Assassin knew that Berserker was crushing him in every aspect.

However, Assassin also knew he still had a chance to win... as long as he could hold on!

Although the Assassin didn't like his Master, Kirei Kotomine, he couldn't deny that this priest was a very good magician. 

Kariya started late, but Kirei's magic was much stronger and more stable than his.

Berserker used more magic than Assassin, and while Kariya had gained a lot of magic through the Crest Worms, that magic came from converting his life force. 

As long as Assassin could drag out the battle, exhausting Kariya's magic, he not only wouldn't just survice—he might even win!

'Hold on... I can win!'

The pain was so intense that Assassin felt his blood boiling.

He had lost his mind, completely lost it! Assassin suddenly charged straight at Berserker for a counterattack.

He gritted his teeth, moving with precision through Berserker's roar. But in that instant, Assassin immediately changed his stance.

He stopped and used the momentum from Berserker's attack to avoid his attack.

As they passed each other, the distance between them naturally widened. In this way, Assassin was intentionally wearing down Berserker's stamina.

After constantly moving around Berserker, Assassin would strike and retreat at an instant's notice.

He didn't even try to touch him whenever he got close and used his agility to dodge Berserker's attacks, then feigned a counterstrike. 

This plan slowed Berserker's attacks and allowed him to retreat.

Due to his attributes, Assassin's endurance couldn't match Berserker's in the short term. However... Kirei would continuously feed him with magical energy through their contract!

Although Assassin's body couldn't store large amounts of magic, as long as the magic he used didn't run out faster than Kirei could feed him, he wouldn't feel tired.

The combat styles that required the most magic were head-on battles, power explosions, and sprints.

He did everything he could to maintain his physical stamina, making sure that Kirei's magic power kept pace with his energy consumption.

This body was no longer a mere human form but a spiritual body formed from magical energy. 

He was a Heroic Spirit... as long as he had magic, he wouldn't get tired!

Berserker's violent strength was a dangerous just a brush would leave a wound, and a direct hit could be deadly!

Berserker's madness granted him immense physical power, but it also took away his sanity. 

How could he possibly conserve his stamina in battle like a wild beast?

This was Assassin's chance for victory!

'Praise Kirei Kotomine!'

It was like dancing on the edge of a knife, constantly feigned attacks against Berserker. 

He tried to survive through the storm of Berserker's attacks while doing everything he could to wear down his stamina.

Berserker didn't have the sharp instincts or sense of a more experienced fighter. 

While his immense martial training allowed him to fully use the techniques imprinted on his body, Assassin's feigned attack caused Berserker's body to instinctively defend himself.

These movements were draining Kariya's magical power... Assassin was sure of this, and his determination only grew stronger.

The graceful of a knight darted across the battlefield, his dark shadow and black armor making him look like a warrior dancing alongside his opponent.

However, this dance lacked any spark because Assassin dared not touch him, not even in the slightest. 

He was only dodging...