The sensation of falling was disorienting and endless, like being caught in a spiraling vortex of light and shadow. Fragments of my life flashed before me—memories distorted, fleeting, and incomprehensible. It felt like I was being unraveled, pulled apart and stitched back together, tumbling between realities.

Then, just as abruptly, it ended.

I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me. Pain flared in every bone, and I groaned, struggling to push myself up. My body felt like it had been run through a meat grinder. As I blinked the dizziness away, I took in my surroundings.

The sky loomed overhead, a swirling canvas of blood-red clouds. The ground beneath me was dry and cracked, as if drained of all life. The air was thick, charged with an unnatural energy that made it hard to breathe. Ruined structures dotted the barren wasteland, skeletal remnants of what once might have been civilization.

I didn't need anyone to tell me—I was no longer in my world.

"What… where am I?" I muttered, my voice hoarse.

Before I could process anything further, a rustling noise came from my left. My head snapped toward the sound. From the haze and smoke emerged a figure—a towering, grotesque creature straight out of a nightmare.

The thing was humanoid, but twisted beyond recognition. Its gray, cracked skin bristled with jagged spikes, veins glowing faintly with dark energy. Its blood-red eyes locked onto me, burning with malice. Its claws, long and sharp enough to rip through steel, flexed as it let out a guttural growl.

I should have been terrified. Any normal person would've run or screamed. But as I stood there, facing the hulking monster, something stirred within me. A spark of excitement. My pulse quickened—not with fear, but with exhilaration. This was it. This was what I had dreamed of.

Then, a voice echoed in my mind—cold and commanding, yet distinctly feminine.

"Skill Unlocked: Kirito – Dual Blades. Combat instincts synchronized.

Mission: Protect the Village. Objective: Defeat the Monster Horde and save the humans."

"Wait, what? Skill unlocked? Mission?" My voice cracked, my heart pounding. "I don't even know how to use these powers!"

Before I could question further, two sleek black swords materialized in my hands, their blades shimmering faintly with a blue aura. My grip tightened instinctively around the hilts, as though my body already knew what to do. The weight of the weapons felt strangely right—natural, even.

The monster roared and lunged at me, its claws aimed for my chest. My body reacted on pure instinct, moving faster than I thought possible. I sidestepped the attack and slashed with both swords, the blades carving through the monster's thick hide with ease. Dark ichor splattered onto the ground as the creature howled in pain.

[Skill Activated: Kirito – Dual Blades.]

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

[Skill Level: Basic. Mastery: 0%.]

It was surreal. My movements were fluid and precise, each strike and parry executed with perfect form. Years of watching anime battles flashed through my mind, and somehow, my body seemed to mimic them flawlessly. I wasn't just fighting—I was fighting like Kirito.

The monster swiped at me again, but I ducked under its claws and delivered a flurry of strikes to its legs. The creature stumbled, roaring in fury, but I didn't let up. With every slash, I gained confidence, the rhythm of battle becoming second nature.

Then, the System's voice echoed in my mind once more.

[Skill Activated: Kirito – Dual Blades: Infinite Sword Skills.]

A surge of energy coursed through me, and my swords became a blur of motion. The monster's defenses crumbled under the relentless onslaught, my strikes tearing through its flesh and armor. With a final, powerful slash, I cleaved through its chest. The creature let out a bloodcurdling scream before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

I stood over its corpse, panting, my arms trembling. A glowing message appeared before me.

[Mission Complete. You have defeated the Monster Horde. Village Protected.]

[Kirito – Dual Blades. Mastery: 3%. Skill Level: Basic.]

Relief washed over me—but it was short-lived. The System's tone shifted, its urgency unmistakable.

"New Mission: Defend the Village. Objective: Monsters are still attacking. Protect the remaining villagers."

My head snapped toward the horizon. In the distance, I could see plumes of smoke rising from a small cluster of buildings. The village.

I broke into a sprint, my swords still clutched tightly in my hands. The closer I got, the more chaos I saw. Monsters were tearing through the village, their monstrous forms wreaking havoc on everything in their path. Villagers screamed as they fled, their terrified faces etched with despair.

"Not on my watch," I growled, charging straight into the fray.

One of the monsters noticed me and lunged, its massive claws swiping at my head. I ducked and countered with a spinning slash, my blades slicing clean through its midsection. The creature disintegrated into ash, but there was no time to celebrate. More monsters were closing in, their numbers overwhelming.

"Keep moving," I told myself, my breath coming in sharp gasps. "Don't stop. Don't think. Just fight."

I darted through the chaos, cutting down every monster in my path. Each swing of my swords felt sharper, faster, more precise. My movements were a blur, my attacks relentless. The villagers looked on in awe, their terror momentarily replaced by hope.

But then, a deafening roar shook the ground. A massive monster, easily twice the size of the others, emerged from the smoke. Its body was armored in jagged, blackened plates, and it carried a sword that radiated dark energy. Its glowing red eyes locked onto me, and I knew immediately—this was the boss.

The monster general raised its colossal sword and brought it down with terrifying force. I barely managed to block the attack, my arms shaking under the strain. The clash sent shockwaves through the air, and I gritted my teeth, pushing back with all my strength.

"Focus," I muttered, sweat dripping down my face. "You've got this."

I dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding another strike, and countered with a flurry of slashes. My blades struck true, chipping away at the monster's armor. The general roared in frustration, swinging its massive sword wildly. I ducked, rolled, and retaliated, each strike finding its mark.

Then, with one final surge of energy, I unleashed everything I had. My swords became a whirlwind of motion, cutting through the monster's defenses like they were nothing. With a deafening roar, the general fell, its massive form crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust.

The System's voice echoed one last time.

[Mission Complete. The Village is Safe.]

[Kirito – Dual Blades. Mastery: 5%. Skill Level: Basic.]

I dropped to my knees, exhausted but victorious. Around me, the villagers began to cheer, their cries of gratitude filling the air. I looked down at my trembling hands, the weight of my swords still tangible.

This wasn't just a dream. This was my reality now. And as I stared at the burning horizon, one thought consumed me:

This is just the beginning.