Gift of Origin

In truth, Arkhan had wanted to try Gae Bolg's ability that could reverse the nature of causality a long time ago, but back then, he didn't have any means of coming back to life, and Cu Chulainn couldn't possibly use this move on him.

It turned out that after becoming a Servant, he actually had the chance to fulfill his long-cherished wish.

Cu Chulainn's famous move truly lived up to its reputation.

With his keen eyesight and intuition, Arkhan couldn't even perceive the trajectory of the spear.

One moment there was some distance between them, and the next moment it suddenly pierced his heart. It felt as if something invisible had wiped out the space in between, utterly unstoppable.

From this, it seemed that Cu Chulainn hadn't exaggerated at all. If one didn't have extreme luck, they wouldn't be able to stop this attack that could defy fate.

"Tch, you sneaky bastard..." Cu Chulainn clicked his tongue, slinging his crimson spear over his shoulder, reverting to his previous carefree demeanor.

"Oh? Not planning to keep fighting?" Arkhan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"What's the point?"

Cu Chulainn spoke impatiently, his face irritated.

"My Noble Phantasm can only pierce through a person once. If it didn't kill you, the next attack definitely won't hit. Since you could bear this attack, I've got nothing to say."

"Honestly, I know you probably have plenty of means to kill me, even without me knowing. But you still showed up in my front, fought me, even took my Noble Phantasm head on... I don't know what your intention is, but I have to admit, I'm impressed by your guts."

"This time, I had a blast and no regrets. Kill me or whatever, it's up to you, I don't care."

After saying all that, Cu Chulainn plopped himself down on the ground, looking like he was ready to meet his end.

Arkhan paused for a moment, then shook his head with a hint of resignation.

"Well, you really never change..." Arkhan muttered with a sigh before asking a question. "By the way, if I remember correctly, you should still have the Gift bestowed by the Lion King, right? Not planning to give it another shot?"

"You even know about Gifts?" Cu Chulainn blinked, then shook his head. "Yeah, that crazy woman nearly got killed by you, so how could you not know? Anyway, enough talk. I won't rely on this Gift. If you're going to kill me, just do it. No need for all this nonsense."

"That won't do, Sir Lamorak. In such dire circumstances, how can you not give it your all? By acting like this, you're letting down the expectations of both Preceptor and His Majesty."

A soft, feminine voice suddenly echoed, causing both Arkhan and Cu Chulainn to look up and follow the source of the voice.

On the remaining half of the broken cliff top, a beautiful girl leaned against a large tree. She wore a red and white Victorian-style dress with wing-like coattails and a pair of over-the-knee boots. Her long vivid red-pink hair swayed in the breeze, and a mocking smile hung delicately on her exquisite face.

"Tristan..." Arkhan's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone cold. "Last time I let you escape by chance. I didn't expect you to show up before me again. Are you in such a hurry to die?"

Hearing his cold words, memories from the past flooded back into Tristan's mind, causing her delicate body to tremble slightly. She involuntarily swallowed her saliva, fear flickering in her eyes.

However, she quickly remembered Merlin's words, took a deep breath, suppressed her fear, and sneered.

"Hmph, I admit your strength is indeed impressive, Outsider. But don't forget, this is our territory. From the very beginning, our preceptor has anticipated your actions."

"You want to take out the Knights of the Round Table to weaken our forces, but little did you know, we've got our own plans in motion. We're using these fellows as bait to lure you out, like fish in a barrel."

"Huh?! What did you say?!" Cu Chulainn shouted with anger and his gaze instantly turned cold.

He did not appreciate being used as a pawn, especially with such sneaky behavior. It made him feel like a clueless clown.

Tristan didn't even glance at him and continued her words.

"And as expected, you took the bait. Now that you've fallen into our trap, there's no escaping this time, Outsider!"

"Escape?" Arkhan couldn't help but chuckle as if hearing the funniest joke. "I'm curious, where do you get the confidence to think you can keep me here? Or did you bring the Lion King and Merlin along?"

"His Majesty is in the crucial phase of executing the Holy Selection, no room for distractions. As for Preceptor... Hmph, you haven't earned the privilege of facing her yet." Tristan sneered, then turned to Cu Chulainn. "Sir Lamorak, the man standing in front of you is a big hindrance for us. Aren't you planning to do something?"

"Are you blind or what? Can't you see I've already lost?" Cu Chulainn scornfully glanced at her. "And who do you think you are, giving me orders? If it weren't for my oath not to harm women, I'd have pierced your heart on the first day we met."

"You—!"

Upon hearing his words, Tristan flushed with anger, her body trembling. After a moment, she took a deep breath before sneering coldly.

"Fine, if you won't obey, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Hearing her words, Arkhan furrowed his brow slightly, feeling a sense of unease creeping over him for some reason.

Tristan reached out her hand, grasping at the empty space in front of her, with a crazed smile on her lips.

"Come forth, it's time for you to show your true self to this world, Cu Chulainn!"

As her hand closed in, Cu Chulainn's body suddenly stiffened. The dormant power within him was awakened in an instant, like a fierce beast stubbornly rising to the surface, breaking through until it breached the new horizon.

His body trembled violently as wisps of black magical energy emanated from his pores, filling the air with a bloody and ominous aura.

His crimson eyes flickered between rage and struggle, emanating a primal aura akin to that of a primitive predator, as if a demon from hell had broken free from its chains and descended upon the earth, bringing endless slaughter and bloodshed.

"You... fucking bitch!" Cu Chulainn gritted his teeth tightly, his voice tinged with a hint of low, rugged tone, as if another consciousness was gradually awakening within his body.

"Why resist?" Tristan's smile grew even wilder and more reckless. "His Majesty bestowed upon you the Gift of Origin precisely for moments like this, didn't he? It's just restoring your former self—the most heartless, despicable, cruel, and powerful version of you. It shouldn't matter to you, since it's still you anyway."

Cu Chulainn remained silent, reached out to grab his Gae Bolg, and without hesitation, plunged it into his own heart.

*Pu-chi!*