Chapter 76: Hassan Takes a Stand
Tohsaka Rin: "Personality? What does that mean?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "It means that each of Hassan of the Hundred Faces' clones is a distinct personality—essentially, parts of their mind split into individual selves."
Waver: "Wow… normally, having two personalities would be extreme, but he's got dozens."
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[B: Hassan of the Cursed Arm is one of the 19 Assassins who inherited the title Hassan across history. His right arm isn't ordinary; it's a cursed limb, granted by deceiving a demon.]
Kayneth: "He actually gained power by tricking a demon?"
Waver: "I used to think Hassan was weak, but it turns out he's far from simple."
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[C: Hassan of the Serenity is one of the 19 Assassins who inherited the title Hassan. She's a quiet female assassin skilled in poison. Her skin, body fluids, and even her nails are highly toxic.]
Tohsaka Rin: "Her whole body is poisonous? How does that even work?"
Chihiro: "Trust me, you don't want to know."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Rin, there's no need to learn the details of something like this."
Tohsaka Rin: "…"
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[D: Hassan of the Fathomless Rift, another of the 19 Assassins to bear the title. While not as proficient in assassination as others, his concealment skills are unmatched. With an EX-level Presence Concealment, even his Master can't check his stats.]
Emiya Kiritsugu: "EX-level Presence Concealment!"
It was no wonder Kiritsugu was surprised. EX was the highest rank.
Emiya Kiritsugu: "With this level of concealment, he'd be invisible even if he stood right in front of me."
Kayneth: "Even his own Master can't see his data?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Now this is a top-tier assassin."
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[E: Hassan of the Hundred Faces possesses multiple personalities—88 in total. Each personality has its own thoughts, making her incredibly knowledgeable. Her clones are created by splitting her Noble Phantasm.]
Waver: "Wait! So this is the real form of Hassan of the Hundred Faces?"
Tohsaka Rin: "So, Hassan of the Hundred Faces is a woman?"
Sola-ui: "I'm shocked. I always thought she was a man."
Artoria: "Same here."
Kayneth: "Eighty-eight personalities… how do you manage that?"
Hassan of the Hundred Faces: "It requires balancing primary and secondary personalities, though some are… challenging. Even I struggle with certain ones."
Chihiro: "With that many personalities, doesn't it drive you mad?"
Hassan of the Hundred Faces: "Keeping a clear mind helps."
Hassan of the Hundred Faces: "But honestly, I'd love to have a peaceful rest… though I know that's wishful thinking."
After all, those personalities were her source of power. If she lost them, she wouldn't be Hassan of the Hundred Faces anymore.
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[F: The Old Man of the Mountain, also known as the First Hassan or King Hassan. He's the founder of the Assassin Order and the Grand Assassin. It's said that he appears to decapitate any Hassan who strays from the path. He is the Assassin who kills Assassins.]
Everyone: "!!!"
Although they'd seen images of candidates for Grand titles, this was the first time they encountered a genuine Grand Heroic Spirit—a Servant who occupied a fixed "Grand" role within the Throne of Heroes.
Hassan of the Hundred Faces: "Yes, that's him."
Waver: "He's actually the Grand Assassin—and a Hassan!"
Tohsaka Rin: "A Grand Assassin… but wielding a greatsword?" (T/N: Lmao)
Chihiro: "What's so strange about that?Gilgamesh as a Grand Caster candidate wielded axes and chains."
Kayneth: "It's as expected for a Heroic Spirit of his caliber to differ from the norm."
Iskandar: "Just looking at him, you can feel the weight of his presence. This is a true Heroic Spirit."
Gilgamesh: "Hmph, it's just a Grand title."
Chihiro: "And yet, not everyone is fated to achieve it."
Gilgamesh: "Are you mocking me, mongrel?"
Chihiro: "Not at all. After all, you were the one who said that the King of Heroes and the Wise King of Uruk were distinct."
Chihiro: "So, just because the Wise King is a Grand candidate doesn't mean you automatically are, Gilgamesh."
Gilgamesh: "You insolent…!"
He wanted to retort, but found himself at a loss. After all, he had indeed made that distinction himself.
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[The correct answers were A and E.]
[Congratulations to Chihiro, Hassan of the Hundred Faces, Kotomine Kirei, Zhang Jiao, and Sigurd for each receiving 5 Saint Quartz.]
[All others answered incorrectly and will have 1 Saint Quartz deducted.]
Most participants had at least chosen option E. After all, who would have guessed that the little girl was also a part of Hassan's mind?
Even Tokiomi hadn't anticipated it, having never seen that particular clone in action.
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[For today's quiz, Kiritsugu Emiya ranks first, followed by Chihiro, Hassan of the Hundred Faces, Kotomine Kirei, Zhang Jiao, and Sigurd. In third place are Waver, Gilgamesh, Kayneth, Artoria, Iskandar, Diarmuid, Lancelot, Kariya Matou, Bluebeard, Sola-ui, Red Hare, the Second, Sola-ui, Brynhildr, and the First Emperor. They are awarded one gold, one silver, and one bronze treasure chest, respectively.]
[Today's Q&A session has ended and will resume tomorrow.]
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"Heh, didn't think I'd come in second today," Chihiro said, examining the silver chest in his hand. "Still, better than nothing."
"Let's see what I've got today."
Zhang Jiao opened his own chest first. A card fell into his hands, and upon seeing it, he frowned.
The card depicted a middle-aged man in a leather jacket and sunglasses, bearing three scars over his right eye.
Chihiro recognized him instantly—it was Shishigo Kairi, an infamous necromancer.
The magic gift set he received was for necromancy, a practice dating back to the ancient days of magi.
However, Zhang Jiao seemed repulsed by it. Necromancy involved manipulating corpses, a practice frowned upon.
Reluctantly, he kept the card, since he couldn't simply destroy it.
Next, Sigurd opened his reward, revealing a sword nearly identical to his own Gram, yet somehow distinct.
Chihiro chuckled knowingly. This version of Gram had originated in Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon, where every treasure was stored but subtly altered from its original form.
Now, with two Grams, Sigurd could attempt a dual-wielding style.
Eagerly, Chihiro opened his own chest.
"Ding! Congratulations, you've obtained the 'Magic Costume: Code Cast'!"
The picture on the card depicted a striking image of Rin Tohsaka in a revealing outfit. Chihiro stifled a laugh, imagining her reaction.
Still, the card depicted a Rin from the "Fate/EXTRA" universe, not the Rin of this world. Her backstory, even her appearance, was different—lighter hair, a slightly altered physique.
Code Cast was a unique type of magecraft developed by Rin in that alternate universe. It allowed for preset commands, functioning almost like a program. Once set, casting the spell was instantaneous, with no need for verbal incantations.
Chihiro activated the card immediately, feeling the new knowledge of Code Cast settle into his mind.
"Not a bad draw today. I'm feeling lucky, so maybe I'll open the rest of my chests later."
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Kotomine Kirei: "Chihiro, where do you want to meet?"
Kotomine's message popped up in the group chat, reminding Chihiro of their earlier arrangement.
"Oops, almost forgot about that," Chihiro muttered, smacking his forehead.
This meeting was crucial; it was part of his bet with Gilgamesh. Chihiro quickly shared a location in the chat.
It was an old restaurant he'd stumbled upon a while back. The elderly chef was considering retirement, as his son had no interest in taking over.
Though the food was average, the kitchen was well-equipped, which was what Chihiro needed for his plan.
Arriving first, Chihiro rented the kitchen space for a few hours and asked the owner to gather some fresh ingredients.
As the elderly chef departed, Chihiro started preparing. Tonight, he planned to set Kotomine Kirei down a new path—one that would irrevocably change him.
After all, he had a bet to win.
***
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