Kazuki Harada floated in an endless void. There was no sound, no sensation. Just the black abyss pressing down on him from every angle.
'Am I dead?' he thought, struggling to move his arms. But they wouldn't respond.
[Welcome, Kazuki Harada. You have been chosen.]
A voice echoed through the darkness, soft yet commanding. It sounded neither male nor female, just a calm, emotionless tone.
[Transferring soul to designated world.]
Suddenly, the void shattered. Light burst forth, blinding Kazuki as he was pulled through a tunnel of colors and sound. His body felt like it was being stretched and compressed at the same time.
Then, just as abruptly, it all stopped.
Kazuki's eyes snapped open. He was lying on a bed of soft grass, a gentle breeze caressing his face. Above him, the sky was a deep, endless blue, with two suns hanging high and bright.
'Where... am I?' he thought, slowly sitting up. His body felt lighter, almost as if he were floating. But before he could gather his bearings, a loud shout echoed through the air.
"Hey! You there!"
Kazuki turned his head. A woman in full armor was marching toward him, her expression stern and unyielding. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, and her golden eyes were narrowed dangerously.
"What are you doing here, boy?" she demanded, drawing her sword. "Men are forbidden to wander the fields alone. State your name and purpose."
Kazuki blinked, his mind still spinning. "I... I don't know. I just woke up here."
The woman scowled. "Another useless man who's lost his way. Tch."
Before Kazuki could respond, the air shimmered, and a translucent window appeared before his eyes.
[Skill Unlocked: Skill Copy.]
Kazuki's eyes widened. 'What the hell is this?'
[Skill Copy: The user can replicate a single ability from any person or monster they defeat or kill. Current Target: None.]
The woman raised her sword, pointing it directly at Kazuki's throat. "Last chance. Are you going to answer me, or do I have to drag you back to the capital in chains?"
Kazuki swallowed, his heart pounding. But as he stared up at the fierce warrior before him, a single thought echoed through his mind.
'If I can copy her skill... then maybe I can survive in this world.'
And so, the game began.
Kazuki's heart pounded as the armored woman's sword hovered inches from his throat. The blade gleamed in the light of the twin suns, reflecting the cold intensity in her golden eyes.
"Well? Are you going to speak or not?" she demanded, her grip tightening on the hilt.
Kazuki swallowed, forcing himself to calm down. The translucent system window still hovered in front of him, the words \[Skill Unlocked: Skill Copy] blinking steadily.
'Can I really use it now?' he thought, his mind racing. 'If I can copy her skill, I might stand a chance.'
The woman's eyes narrowed. "I don't have all day."
[Would you like to activate Skill Copy?]
Kazuki's eyes widened. He could barely believe it, but he mentally willed the command. 'Yes!'
A soft chime echoed in his mind.
[Target Acquired: Female Knight - Elara Sylfane.]
[Skill to Copy: Blade Mastery - Beginner Rank.]
[Copying...]
Kazuki felt a surge of warmth spread through his body. It was as if knowledge was being poured directly into his mind—how to hold a sword, how to balance his stance, how to predict his opponent's movements. It was basic, rough around the edges, but it was something.
Elara frowned, lowering her sword slightly. "What are you staring at? Did you hit your head or something?"
Kazuki clenched his fist, the new knowledge pulsing through him. "No... I just remembered something."
"Oh? And what would that be?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Kazuki pushed himself to his feet. His legs were still shaky, but he forced himself to stand tall. "How to fight."
Elara blinked, her expression caught between amusement and irritation. "You? Fight? Don't make me laugh. Men here can't even lift a sword."
Kazuki's gaze fell to the sword strapped to her waist. "Let me borrow that."
Elara's eyes narrowed. "You must be out of your mind. You think I'm just going to hand over my—"
In a flash, Kazuki moved. His hand shot out, gripping the sword's hilt before Elara could react. The sensation was strange, foreign, but the knowledge he'd copied guided his movements.
"What the—?!" Elara gasped, her eyes widening as Kazuki drew the sword from its sheath.
The weight felt heavy in his hand, but his body instinctively adjusted. He raised the blade, taking a basic stance he'd just learned seconds ago.
"You... how did you..." Elara's jaw tightened. "Fine. Let's see what you can do, boy."
Kazuki took a deep breath, his palms sweaty against the hilt. 'This is it. If I lose here, I'm done for.'
And with that, he lunged forward, swinging the sword with all his might.
The clash of steel echoed through the field as the battle began.
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