Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

Snakes have held a significant place in human history, almost as if the information were encoded in our DNA. Humans have an inherent aversion to snakes, and in various mystical systems, snakes often occupy important antagonistic roles. 

In Norse mythology, there's Jörmungandr; in Indian mythology, the Nāga; in Christianity, the serpent that tempted Adam and Eve to eat the apple; in Greek mythology, the Hydra; in Japanese mythology, Yamata no Orochi... 

Similarly, the fox holds a prominent position across multiple cultural systems, especially in East Asian cultures. In China, foxes transitioned from benevolent deities to mischievous spirits. In Japan, the fox is a symbol of the rice god Inari, while also being represented as a demonic figure like Tamamo-no-Mae. 

The fox embodies both "good" and "evil." 

Li Mo, who had transitioned from human to non-human, now carried attributes of both humanity and the fox. 

Under the **secret art** taught by Koyanskaya, the black mud was continuously **consumed**. The **malice** contained within **impacted** Li Mo's soul, like an overwhelming tidal wave that seemed ready to crush him. Yet, at the same time, the **materialized malice**—the black mud—was being absorbed. 

The **White Fox Bloodline** proved his non-human nature. 

The **Authority of the Beast** represented the foundation of a **Beast**. 

The black mud, under the **secret art's** influence, was crushed and transformed into nourishment, feeding him. The **Authority of the Beast**, stimulated by this nourishment and guided by the **secret art**, began to **transform**. 

**One to encompass all.** 

This was the path to becoming a **Beast**, as deduced by Koyanskaya. 

Using the **Authority of the Beast**, a symbol of the **Beast**, to unlock the path to becoming one. 

At this moment, as a pristine tail appeared behind him, the man named Li Mo transformed into a young **Beast**. 

The unique aura of a **Beast** emanated from him. 

**White Fox Bloodline** 

**Authority of the Beast** 

**All the World's Evils** 

All the necessary conditions were met. 

The path had been opened. The existence known as "Li Mo" began to **ascend**. His soul, body, and **will** underwent a **transformation**. 

The **false authority** of the **Authority of the Beast** began to change. Supported by his bloodline, nourished by the black mud, and transformed by the **secret art**, it gradually became... 

**Spiritual Core**. 

He had stepped into the realm of the extraordinary. With a **Spiritual Core**, was he now similar to a Pseudo-Servant? No, he was something different. 

This was a feeling—a **premonition** that came with achieving the extraordinary. 

He could not become a **Beast** like Goetia. 

This was merely a **premonition**. 

Soon, Li Mo pushed this **premonition** aside and turned his attention to the **Black Grail** standing before him. 

He could clearly sense the **Spiritual Core reaction** of the opponent. Yes, during the Third Holy Grail War sixty years ago, the **Greater Grail** had absorbed Avenger's **Spiritual Core** but failed to **digest** it. Instead, it was usurped. 

The **Universal Wish-Granting Machine** was, in the end, just a rigid tool. 

"Have you met Justeaze?" 

"Who is that?" 

"Is that so?" Li Mo replied calmly. The Einzbern family's saint had long since become the **Greater Grail** decades ago. 

Her **consciousness**... No, did that saint truly have her own consciousness? If she did, would she have willingly sacrificed herself to become the **Greater Grail**? 

Would things have turned out this way? 

Li Mo felt his thoughts drifting. 

He wasn't showing much respect to his enemy. 

In his eyes, the opponent before him couldn't even be considered a warrior. 

"If you don't know, that's fine. **Black Grail**, may I ask you, do you kill people?" 

He had already taken on the characteristics of a **Beast**. The **malice** of the black mud no longer affected him. 

In fact, through direct contact with the black mud, he began to **reclaim** its control. 

The method was simple. The black mud was the **symbol** of **All the World's Evils**, the **malice** of humanity. The **Black Grail** before him could manipulate it because she was Angra Mainyu. And Angra Mainyu could do this because he had been **defamed** as **All the World's Evils**. 

**Defamation** was the key to his becoming a Heroic Spirit. 

Therefore, all Li Mo needed to do was **defame** himself to the same level as the opponent to **contest** the black mud's control. 

But how to do so was the **key**. 

In Li Mo's view, becoming a Heroic Spirit was an extremely profound form of magecraft, even bordering on the level of **Magic**. 

A Heroic Spirit was not the historical figure themselves but a **projection** of that figure. Heroic Spirits recorded on the Throne not only possessed the power of their historical selves but were also influenced by the records of human history. 

Take Vlad III, for example. 

Historically, Vlad III was not a Dead Apostle, yet as a Heroic Spirit, he had a vampire aspect. The widespread image of Dracula had altered him. 

How was this achieved? 

Heroic Spirits were mysteries in themselves. 

That level of mystery was too distant for Li Mo to ponder deeply. Instead, he focused on the **Black Grail**. 

Using the identity of a **Beast**, through **mystical methods**, he **defamed** himself, bringing himself to the same level as his opponent. 

The nameless youth of the past had been **defamed** and became Angra Mainyu. In the process of becoming a Heroic Spirit, his **personality dissolved**, becoming **void**. He had no fixed **appearance**, no fixed **personality**. 

Now, Li Mo used magecraft to **defame** himself to the same level as his opponent. He continuously **contested** control of the black mud. Even if he couldn't completely reclaim it, it didn't matter. His goal was to **consume**. 

The nourishment was plentiful. 

"Kill people? Are you going to kill me? I see now. So, you've been targeting me from the start, haven't you? Let me think... Your goal is to dismantle the **Greater Grail**, right? You're worried I'll interfere with that? 

But that doesn't make sense. If that were the case, you shouldn't be exuding the same aura as me now. You want to devour me, don't you? 

Evil." 

From the initial **tension**, the **Black Grail** now understood what Li Mo had become. 

She sensed the **Spiritual Core reaction** within him. After growing a pristine tail, he had become similar to her. 

"I've never killed anyone." 

Then, the **Black Grail** spoke. 

The black mud gathered around her, and a black veil draped over her white hair. 

Black, white, and red—three colors converged on her. 

The **Black Grail** raised her hand, and the black mud transformed into red **silk ribbons** in her grasp. But the straight form of the ribbons made it clear they were lethal weapons. 

Suddenly, Li Mo thought of Sakura Matou from the *Heaven's Feel* route. 

Would she have been influenced by the **Black Grail** back then? 

Probably. 

Li Mo wasn't sure. He retrieved the **Tengu's Eye Katana** from his system and faced her. 

Blades and ribbons danced as the two moved across the black mud. To them, the black mud, representing "evil," was merely a backdrop. 

One side relied on the endless **mana** provided by the Holy Grail, making her nearly **undying**. 

The other side wielded **honed techniques** and a **fighting spirit** forged in countless battles. 

For a short time, the two were evenly matched, locked in a cycle where the **Black Grail** was wounded, only to recover and continue fighting Li Mo.