What exactly is martial skill?
In his otaku days before transmigration, Shinji pondered this question more than once and came up with all kinds of absurdly exaggerated answers.
For example, things like understanding the world, seeing a mountain as a mountain, then not seeing it as a mountain, and even more ridiculous notions of self-evolution after absorbing energy.
But after arriving in this world and truly coming into contact with martial skill, the veil that had shrouded the truth was finally lifted.
In reality, martial skill isn't as exaggerated or mystical as he once thought. Its essence boils down to just one word: efficiency.
When you break down a set of fighting techniques, it's nothing more than basic movements. Why are they ineffective in the hands of an ordinary person, but can unleash tremendous power in the hands of a master?
The answer is efficiency.
It's about how to unleash strength more efficiently, and how to defeat an enemy more efficiently.
When a regular person throws a punch, they might only exert 30-40% of their full strength. A master, however, can channel 70-80%, or even their entire strength, into that punch.
Those who surpass human limits, the so-called superhuman masters or gods of battle, can take that same amount of strength and elevate its effect, achieving a true qualitative transformation.
Shinji was at the level of a master. Every punch, kick, shot, or slash he executed could carry 90% of his strength.
Cu Chulainn, on the other hand, was in the category of those who surpassed human limits. He could make one unit of strength feel like three. This was evident in how, even though he wielded a spear, he could match Shinji's speed as if Shinji were using a GunBlade combination, all without losing any of the spear's inherent advantages.
Unsurprisingly, Shinji found himself at a disadvantage. The gap in skill level was absolute, and with Cu Chulainn's expertise in spear techniques, he was justified in saying that Shinji's spear technique was lacking.
No one likes being passively beaten, especially after making boastful claims. Naturally, Shinji began using his Noble Phantasms.
This was no longer the battlefield Rin had designated, so Shinji could finally unleash his full potential.
However, this power, which was said to be capable of turning the tide of battle, didn't change the situation at all.
Excluding those he had given away for self-defense or lent to his family, Shinji still had several offensive Noble Phantasms: Kazikli Bey, Immortal Blade, Indra's Thunder, and Aegis of Athena.
Yet Cu Chulainn countered every one of them.
The Immortal Blade had great power, but it took time to activate, and with Cu Chulainn suppressing him in close combat, Shinji couldn't find any opening to use it.
Indra's Thunder didn't require time to charge, but it had a limited range. Cu Chulainn, who had been praised by a certain red Archer as the fastest Lancer, wasn't given that title for nothing: as soon as Shinji manifested the attack, Cu Chulainn had already moved out of its range.
The Aegis of Athena and Kazikli Bey had wide areas of effect and were easy to use, but Cu Chulainn had prepared for them in advance by engraving runes all over his body.
Whether it was the impaling of the Kazikli Bey or the petrifying effect of Medusa's Eye, the runes neutralized them all, rendering them ineffective against Cu Chulainn.
That's right—this was Cu Chulainn's other trump card besides his Noble Phantasms.
He had studied in the Land of Shadows for a year and three months during his lifetime, fully inheriting Scáthach's teachings.
And these teachings weren't limited to spear techniques; they included magecraft as well. Cu Chulainn had mastered all 18 of the original Runes and could freely use Rune magic depending on the situation. Although he preferred close combat and was famous for his spear, his magic skills were at a master level. If you took away his spear and gave him a staff, he could instantly switch to the Caster class—ignoring class limitations altogether.
The individual power of the Kazikli Bey was too low, and the Aegis of Athena had an obvious flaw in that it required direct sight to take effect. Even if Cu Chulainn's magic abilities had been restricted, he could easily counter these attacks.
Less than five minutes into the battle, Shinji was already covered in wounds, looking extremely battered.
In contrast, Cu Chulainn was still as calm and composed as ever, even having the time to mock him.
"What's wrong? What's wrong? Didn't she also teach you Runes? Why aren't you using them? Do you also have class limitations? Or maybe you just can't handle my Runes? Is this city-level defense too much for you?"
Cu Chulainn wasn't wrong. Shinji had been trying to break through Cu Chulainn's Runes, but all his attempts had failed, so the comment that Shinji's magic was average wasn't off the mark.
Having proven himself right through action, the blue Lancer continued to taunt Shinji, drawing more aggro.
"Hey, hey, is this all you've got? You can't even beat me. How are you going to defeat her? Where's your ambition? Where's your strength? At this rate, the next time I see her, I'm going to tell her she's old, blind, and not up to the task anymore."
"You—"
Shinji took a deep breath and, not minding the risk of taking another spear hit, made sure to get his words out:
"—just said she's 'old' and 'not up to the task.'"
"!!!"
Cu Chulainn's movements paused his expression a brilliant mix of instinctive fear and forced calm, trying to save face. Taking advantage of this, Shinji swung his spear and sent Cu Chulainn flying.
Even while airborne, the blue Lancer didn't forget to argue, "A-anyway, s-she's not here."
"It's fine. I'm here. I heard it," Shinji replied calmly.
"So what? You going to report me?"
"That's for later. Right now, I think I ought to punish my Senpai for his mistake—so he'll never forget this supreme truth: our Shishouis are still young and very much capable."
"Hey, don't you feel bad saying something so insincere?"
Hearing Shinji's declaration, Cu Chulainn's mouth twitched, but soon he gave up entirely.
"Fine, report me if you want. But punishment—by you?"
"I'm more than enough. Hmm, the spirit particle density has just about reached an optimal level. You wanted to know how I plan to kill Shishou, right? Well, use your instincts. Don't die too quickly—it would ruin the fun."
As he spoke, Shinji switched to holding his spear with one hand, while a drop of crystalline blue liquid formed in the palm of his now free hand, which he then flung at Cu Chulainn.
The moment the blue drop appeared, Cu Chulainn's instincts, honed through countless battles, kicked in, and he felt an overwhelming sense of danger. Without hesitation, he used his inherent skill Reduced Earth to put distance between himself and Shinji, who was clearly about to unleash a finishing move.
Unfortunately, by the time Cu Chulainn sensed the threat, it was already too late.
The blue liquid wasn't the kind of attack that triggered upon direct contact—it was a catalyst, a trigger for a grand fireworks display.
The drop dissipated into a light blue mist as soon as it encountered the wind. The next instant, a thunderous explosion shattered the night's tranquility. Right beside Cu Chulainn, the air itself suddenly detonated, and the shockwave sent the blue Lancer soaring into the sky.
Immediately after, explosions erupted in the air as well. The very atmosphere continued to burst apart, battering Cu Chulainn's body. Wherever he moved, the explosions followed. While a single blast didn't pack much punch, after enduring five or six consecutive explosions, even Cu Chulainn's defense, built from the original Runes and said to withstand even city-level Noble Phantasms, began to falter.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Cu Chulainn spoke up:
"What the hell is this?"
Using his spear as a crutch to stabilize himself and recover from his injuries, Shinji smiled and answered:
"My inherent skill, the art of all arts, the explosion of all explosions—automatic bomb detaches Technique. I call it Killer Queen."