The sunlight streaming through the window stirred me awake. My body ached, a sharp reminder that the battles I'd fought were no dream. This world was real, and so was the enormous responsibility I had chosen to bear.

The scent of freshly baked bread and cooked meat drifted into the room, tempting me out of bed. Stretching my sore muscles, I spotted a tray of food on a small wooden table near the door. Someone—likely one of the villagers who now viewed me as their savior—had left it for me.

I ate quickly, savoring the simple yet hearty meal. Each bite seemed to restore some of the energy I'd spent fighting the demons the day before. When the plate was empty, I pushed it aside, rolled my shoulders, and stood. Today, I needed to figure out how to control my abilities.

Stepping outside, the crisp morning air hit me, refreshing yet brisk. The village was alive with activity. Despite the damage from yesterday's attack, the people were working diligently to rebuild. Determination shone on their faces, as if my presence had rekindled their hope.

"Good morning, Ethan," a familiar voice called. Turning, I saw the village elder approaching, his robes fluttering slightly in the cool breeze.

"Morning," I replied, offering him a small smile. "And thanks for the meal. It really hit the spot."

The elder nodded warmly. "It's the least we can do after what you've done for us. Are you planning to train today?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I need to understand how these abilities work if I'm going to survive whatever comes next."

"A wise choice," the elder said, stroking his beard. "There's a clearing just beyond the village. It's quiet and spacious—perfect for practice."

"Thanks," I said, already turning toward the path he pointed out.

The clearing was just as he described—quiet, open, and surrounded by towering trees. The ground was flat and firm, perfect for what I had planned. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the cool, fresh air, and closed my eyes.

"All right," I muttered to myself. "Let's see what I'm working with."

I focused, trying to recall the feeling of power from yesterday—the surge that had activated when I fought. I pictured the twin swords, their weight, their balance, the way they had felt like extensions of my body.

Suddenly, a faint, feminine voice echoed in my mind:

[Skill Activated: Kirito – Dual Blades]

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

The familiar black blades materialized in my hands, their edges gleaming under the sunlight. I swung them experimentally, marveling at how natural it felt. It was as if I'd wielded them all my life.

"How did I even awaken this skill?" I muttered to myself, staring at the blades.

"It is a skill of a character selected from the heroes you admire most," a calm, composed voice answered in my mind.

I froze, glancing around the clearing, but there was no one else here. The voice was in my head.

I frowned. "But I admire so many characters..."

"Kirito resonates most strongly with you," the voice explained, as though it had read my thoughts. "His courage, determination, and ability to protect those he cares for align with the values you hold closest."

Lowering the blades slightly, I processed this. "So… you're some kind of guide, huh? What should I call you?"

"I am a part of you. It is your choice if you wish to name me," the voice replied, neutral yet oddly soothing.

I thought for a moment. "All right, how about Mira? Does that work?"

There was a brief pause before the voice responded. "Mira. That is a good name. Thank you."

"Well, Mira," I said, gripping the swords tightly again, "how do I unlock other characters' skills? I want to try Jin-Woo's shadows, Goku's strength, Gojo's Domain Expansion—everything!"

"You cannot acquire additional skills until you master the one you possess," Mira replied. "As you fight and grow, you will unlock the option to choose a new skill. However, be cautious—this world is filled with powerful enemies. Recklessness will cost you dearly."

I sighed, accepting the truth. "Fine. So, what's my next move? I don't know anything about this world."

"Your primary objective is to defeat the Demon King who has overtaken the human kingdom. He is the greatest threat to this world," Mira explained, her tone growing serious.

The mention of the Demon King made my stomach knot. "The Demon King? He's bound to be insanely strong. There's no way I can face him right now. I'll be killed instantly. I need to get stronger first."

"You will not face him alone," Mira assured me. "First, you must find the human king."

"The human king?" I asked, confused. "Why him? Are humans powerless in this world? Humanity fell over a hundred years ago. He's probably long dead."

"You are mistaken," Mira corrected. "As king, his life is tied to his duty to rule. He has not aged and is far stronger than you think. However, he abandoned his throne and must be brought back to his senses."

I frowned but nodded. "All right. Where do I start looking for him?"

"I will guide you," she said. "His location is hidden, but your journey will reveal it in time."

I clenched my fists, determination surging through me. "I will find him. I'll remind him what it means to be a king. His people need him. And who knows what's happening to the other humans out there... They need help too."

I gazed at the swords in my hands and made a silent vow. This is my promise as their hero. I will master the abilities of the anime heroes I admire and use them to save this world. I will fight against every enemy, no matter how powerful, to restore hope to humanity. The world I came from wasn't the place I wanted to stay—I had always dreamed of living in a fantasy world where I could wield incredible powers. Somehow, that wish had been granted. But seeing the humans in this world suffering in chaos... I won't let it continue. I'm part of this world now, and I'll fight for it as if it's my own.

No matter what challenges awaited me, I would face them head-on. This was just the beginning of my journey. Tomorrow, I would leave this village behind and take my first step toward becoming the hero this world desperately needed.

END OF CHAPTER.