Kazuki woke up face-down in the dirt.
It wasn't the most graceful landing. Groaning, he sat up, brushing soil off his hoodie. The air was crisp, the sky a vibrant blue, and birds chirped overhead in a forest that looked like it had been pulled straight out of a fantasy RPG.
"…Huh. No truck, no gate, no dramatic explosion," he muttered, stretching his limbs. "Guess that was my loading screen."
A soft chime rang in his ears.
> Welcome, Kazuki Shirogane.
World: Liria — Realm of Mortalis
Class: Creator
Unique Skill: [Create]
Title: The One Chosen by the Gods
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," he said, rubbing his temples. "A tutorial box? This is really happening."
> Would you like to open your Status Screen?
[Yes] / [No]
"…Sure, why not?"
Kazuki mentally selected [Yes], and a translucent blue window appeared in front of him like a hologram:
---
Name: Kazuki Shirogane
Race: Human
Level: 1
Class: Creator
HP: 100 / 100
MP: 500 / 500
STR: 10
AGI: 12
VIT: 11
INT: 18
CHR: 9
Skills: [Create] (Unique)
Titles: The One Chosen by the Gods
Inventory: Melon Bread (Crushed)
---
"Well, at least I didn't lose the bread," he said, taking a bite. "Still good."
The system chimed again, but this time the voice wasn't mechanical—it was Celestia.
"Kazuki? Can you hear me?"
He nearly choked. "You're in my head now?"
"Only you can hear me. It's part of the [Divine Link]—a system interface only you and I share. I'll check in from time to time to help… or laugh when you make dumb choices."
Kazuki groaned. "Comforting."
"You should try using [Create]. You've got enough MP right now for something small. Test it out."
He stood, holding out a hand, focusing. "Alright… let's try something basic."
> [Create] Activated.
Input: Concealment Skill.
Description: A stealth-based skill to suppress presence and aura.
Estimated MP Cost: 20
Proceed? [Yes] / [No]
Kazuki grinned. "Hell yeah."
> Skill Created: [Conceal Presence]
Effect: Suppresses user's aura, sound, and presence.
MP Cost: Passive (10 per minute)
A soft shimmer surrounded his body before fading.
He stepped lightly, then spoke. "Can you still hear me?"
"…You're like a shadow now. Impressive. You really thought that up on the fly?"
Kazuki smirked. "Yup. Gotta be careful in a world where monsters are probably a thing."
"Good instinct. But be warned, this world isn't just dungeons and dragon slaying. The Demon Emperor is already stirring."
"Demon Emperor?" Kazuki asked, eyebrows raised. "So there's a big bad?"
"Yes… and if he finds out what you are, your life won't just be yours to live anymore."
Kazuki looked down at his hands, then clenched a fist. "Then I better make sure I live it my way. Freely… and with enough power to make sure no one ever has a reason not to smile."