Shadow Monarch | Fate Stay Night

Chapter 2: "The Shadow Detective Arrives"

The morning sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the streets of Tokyo.

A black Jeep rumbled to a stop in front of Jin-Woo's apartment.

The doors opened, and a man stepped out—his dark suit crisp, his expression bright with confidence.

"Good morning, Sensei! Cha Madam!"

Yamato Takashi grinned as he greeted them.

Cha Hae-In, standing with Suho in her arms, smiled gently.

"Good morning, Takashi."

She had long since stopped treating him like a junior. To her, Takashi was more family than anything else.

Jin-Woo gave a simple nod, grabbing his luggage and tossing it into the Jeep's trunk. His shadows were already prepared.

Beru and Igris had already melded into his shadow, ever-watchful.

The family and Takashi boarded the Jeep and began their journey toward Fuyuki City.

---

On the Road – Hours Later

The car hummed steadily as the scenery blurred past.

Inside, Suho giggled, playing with a tiny ant-shaped toy—one that looked suspiciously like Beru.

(Deep within Jin-Woo's shadow, Beru was crying. "My Liege's heir honors me so!! KIEEEHHH!!" Yet, he remained hidden.)

Meanwhile, Takashi glanced at Jin-Woo, a smirk forming.

"Sensei," he sighed dramatically, "how come you got such a beautiful wife and a kid while I'm still single?"

Jin-Woo didn't even look at him.

"Because you talk too much."

Cha chuckled softly.

Takashi groaned, clutching his chest.

"Sensei… That was a critical hit."

Jin-Woo smirked but said nothing.

Their journey continued, the conversation flowing naturally as the hours passed.

---

Arriving in Fuyuki City

The moment Jin-Woo stepped into Fuyuki, his expression darkened.

Something was wrong.

The air was thick with magic. The city pulsed with strange energy—dark, malevolent, unnatural.

Jin-Woo narrowed his eyes.

This city is definitely abnormal.

Somewhere, in a dimly lit church, a golden-haired king sat leisurely with a glass of wine.

Gilgamesh.

The King of Heroes tilted his head slightly, feeling a brief pulse of immense power.

Then, just as quickly, it vanished.

A low chuckle escaped him.

"Interesting."

He swirled the wine in his glass.

"Let's see how this war unfolds."

---

Without hesitation, Jin-Woo activated his authority.

His shadow rippled beneath him, expanding outward like a sea of darkness.

From it, thousands of low-tier shadow soldiers emerged—silent, invisible, and unseen by normal eyes.

'Find the Masters and Servants. Report anything unusual in this city.'

The shadows dispersed instantly, spreading through Fuyuki like a silent tide.

None of the city's inhabitants had any idea a storm was coming.

Jin-Woo turned to Takashi.

"First, we're heading to the Fuyuki Police Department. I want to meet the head officer."

Takashi raised an eyebrow.

"Sounds like it'll take some time. Is it alright, Ms. Cha? You and Suho might have to wait in the Jeep."

Cha nodded.

"That's fine."

Suho, still preoccupied with his toy, didn't seem to mind.

Jin-Woo glanced at his son before turning his head front.

He still thinking about the advice of old man. Should he seal his son powers and memeroies of shadow soldiers. He thought he will decide later after talking with cha.

And He didn't know exactly what was happening in Fuyuki—but soon, he would.

And if the city was hiding something dangerous…

Then it would learn what happens when it attracts the Shadow Monarch's gaze.

{Fuyuki Police Department}

The black Jeep rolled to a stop in front of the Fuyuki Police Department.

Jin-Woo glanced at Cha Hae-In and Suho in the back seat.

"Stay here. This won't take long." His voice was calm, reassuring.

Cha nodded, tightening her grip on Suho, who was still playing with his toy Beru.

Takashi exhaled. "Alright, let's get this over with, Sensei."

The two men stepped out, closing the doors behind them.

Before them stood a modest, orderly building. Officers moved in and out, civilians queued up at the reception, and the general bustle of law enforcement filled the air.

Jin-Woo silently took it all in.

'I found a master already.' He got information from one of his shadow soldiers.

'okay! I will deal with it later'

With that thought, he and Takashi stepped inside.

---

Inside the Police Department

A brown-haired girl sat at the reception desk, lazily reading a newspaper.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, she quickly snapped upright, clutching the paper as if it were the most important thing in the world.

"Hey, who are you? If you're a client, please wait in line." She spoke quickly, her tone half-distracted.

As she spoke, she lowered the newspaper—revealing her bright forehead and sharp brown eyes.

When she saw Jin-Woo, she froze.

"Hello. I'm Sung Jin-Woo. I'm here to assist in an investigation regarding a strange case." Jin-Woo said, his voice steady as he removed his hat.

Takashi smirked. "He's known as the 'Shadow Detective.' I'm sure you've heard of him."

The moment she heard that name, her eyes widened.

"Wait… you're the Shadow?!"

Her demeanor completely changed.

"Ah! I'm so sorry! P-Please wait here! I'll get the chief immediately!"

Without another word, she rushed into an office beside her, nearly stumbling in her hurry.

Takashi chuckled.

"No water, no service… the level of hospitality here is concerning."

Jin-Woo smirked slightly but said nothing.

After a few minutes, the girl returned, smiling nervously.

"Mr. Jin-Woo, Mr. Takashi, please follow me. The Chief is waiting for you."

Jin-Woo nodded.

The two men followed her down the hall.

As they walked, she suddenly paused, smacking her forehead.

"Oh, right! I forgot to introduce myself!"

She smiled sheepishly.

"I'm Hinata. My father was an officer here… he passed away in a fire accident years ago."

A brief flicker of sadness crossed her face before she shook it off.

"I suppose we're colleagues now—well, sort of. I mean, we're not exactly teammates, since you're only here for this case…"

Takashi laughed. "Yeah, we can call it that. Looking forward to working with you, Hinata."

Jin-Woo simply nodded.

They stopped in front of a door.

Hinata knocked.

"Come in."

The voice was deep, aged but firm.

Jin-Woo and Takashi stepped inside.

Behind the desk sat a man in his mid-50s, dressed in a sharp police uniform. His hair was graying at the edges, but his eyes were keen, intelligent.

He put down his newspaper, smiling slightly.

"Welcome, Mr. Shadow. I've heard a lot about you. It's a pleasure to meet you."

He stood up and extended a hand.

"I'm Chief Hiroshi Tanaka."

Jin-Woo shook his hand firmly.

Takashi stepped forward, handing over a permission letter from the Tokyo Police Department.

Tanaka took the letter, skimmed through it, then nodded.

With a practiced motion, he signed the document and returned it.

"Alright, you're officially working with us until this case is resolved."

Jin-Woo met his gaze. "Good."

Tanaka smiled.

"Normally, our lead detective, Haruto, handles these cases. He's on leave today but will return tomorrow. He was the first to investigate this case—he'll assist you when he's back."

Jin-Woo nodded. "Understood."

"Since you've just arrived, I assume you need time to settle in."

Jin-Woo stood up. "I'll be back tomorrow. I need to take care of my wife and son first."

Tanaka nodded.

"Of course. Family comes first. We'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Jin-Woo."

Jin-Woo turned to leave.

Takashi followed.

As they stepped out, Takashi sighed, stretching his arms.

"Man, that went smoother than I thought."

Jin-Woo remained silent for a moment, then muttered,

---

The abandoned house was silent save for the crackle of the faintly glowing summoning circle. Bazett McRemitz wiped sweat from her brow, her steel- eyes scanning her completed work. Abandoned house for a long time and bereft of any neighbors to be witnesses.

Behind her, Kirei Kotomine stood, hands folded behind his back, his ever-present smirk giving away nothing.

"Thanks for this, Kirei. I know you're supposed to remain neutral, but it helps to have someone who knows the area."

"Think nothing of it," Kirei replied smoothly. His deep voice carried neither warmth nor mockery—just cold amusement. "A senior guiding his junior is only natural, is it not?"

Kirei's smile didn't fade. "Is that truly necessary? "

Bazett sighed, shaking her head. "I was called in for this war. The Einzberns are a major concern, and I've been tasked with keeping things from spiraling out of control."Bazett quietly stated. There had been other concerns since the flames that came out of the last war and lords like El-Melloi were up in arms about the war. Something else was wrong and the Einzberns had merely been the scapegoat they could use to get into this war.

"Indeed." Kirei answered. It was both a thing she liked and hated about the man. He didn't ask too many questions or be difficult about topics, but he also didn't show much care for things even if they were important. It was what made him a good enforcer, even if it wasn't his vocation anymor

Bazett ignored the comment. There were bigger things to worry about.

She reached into her coat and retrieved a small, ancient relic—a worn-out piece of cloth. A faint magical aura pulsed from it.

This should be enough.

"I'll begin."

She knelt, placing the catalyst at the center of the sigil.

A howling gust of mana surged outward, shaking the wooden beams of the old house. The summoning light flared brilliantly, illuminating the room.

Then—

A tall figure emerged from the dissipating light.

Clad in tight blue spandex, a long red spear slung over his shoulder, Cu Chulainn grinned cockily as he beheld his summoner.

"Yo." His smirk widened. "You must be my—"

A flash of movement.

Flesh tore. Blood splattered against the wooden floor.

Bazett gasped—her arm had been severed cleanly.

She collapsed, eyes wide in shock, her detached limb still clutched with the Command Seals burning brightly.

Kirei stood above her, his hand dripping crimson.

His expression remained unchanged.

Cu Chulainn cursed under his breath, his grip tightening on Gáe Bolg.

"Tch. Why my luck is bad?" He muttered.

Kirei raised the severed arm, holding it up as though it were an offering. The Command Seals flared—binding Cu's will to his own.

"Your service is mine now."

Cu Chulainn clicked his tongue. His new 'Master' wasn't exactly a surprise.

"You've got a bad habit of stealing what isn't yours, Priest."

Kirei smiled faintly.

"And you have a bad luck."

Cu's smirk faltered slightly.

The worst part? The bastard wasn't wrong.

Kirei turned, gesturing for Cu to follow.

"We're leaving."

Cu hesitated. He looked down at Bazett's fallen form, her breath ragged.

"She's gonna bleed out."

"That's no longer our concern."

Cu scowled but moved a hand discreetly, tracing a quick healing rune in the air. A small glow settled over Bazett's wound, stopping the bleeding—but just barely.

"Can't say I like this, but orders are orders." He muttered.

Kirei paid no mind.

The two exited the abandoned house, leaving Bazett behind.

Cu paused as they stepped out.

A strange unease prickled at his skin.

He turned, scanning the darkness.

Something's here.

'I saw a shadow move on its own. How?'he thought

Kirei kept walking, unconcerned.

Cu tapped his spear against his shoulder, his expression darkening.

He saw nothing.

'Was it my imagination?'he thought

And the shadow soldier had seen everything.

As Kirei and Cu disappeared down the street, the shadow soldier moved again and sliding into Bazett's own shadow.

The house fell silent once more.

Then The Shadow Monarch will soon appear here and start the his journey again.

---

To Be Continued…

---