Kaito and Fiora sprinted through the forest as the distant howls of the Black Mist grew louder.
"What is this 'System'? And why me?" he thought frantically.
The blue screen flickered before him again:
[Player: Kaito]
[Current Available Abilities: None]
[Condition to Unlock New Abilities:]
1. Witness the skill in combat (ally or enemy).
2. Perform a similar action (e.g., swinging a sword for a melee ability).
3. Defeat an enemy using a related method.
[Special Note: As a starting bonus, you may select ONE basic ability (Q/W/E) from any champion you have mastered. Choose wisely.]
Kaito's heart raced. "I get one free skill? But which one?"
He had played hundreds of champions, but now, in a life-or-death situation, he needed something versatile, reliable, and immediately useful.
Fiora glanced back. "Keep up! If the Mist catches us, you're as good as dead!"
Kaito gritted his teeth. "No time to overthink this."
He quickly scanned the list—Ezreal's Mystic Shot, Yasuo's Steel Tempest, Jax's Leap Strike, Ahri's Orb of Deception…
Then it hit him.
"I need mobility. Something to survive."
His finger hovered over Tristana's Rocket Jump (W)—but then he hesitated.
"No… something even better."
He selected Katarina's Shunpo (E).
[Ability Confirmed: Shunpo (Katarina)]
[Type: Blink / Teleport]
[Range: Short]
[Cooldown: 10 seconds]
A surge of energy coursed through him. He could feel the skill—like a coiled spring, waiting to be unleashed.
Fiora suddenly skidded to a halt. "We're surrounded."
From the shadows, ghostly wraiths emerged—hollow-eyed, spectral warriors wielding jagged blades.
"Harrowed…" Fiora muttered, raising her rapier. "Stay behind me if you can't fight."
Kaito clenched his fists. "I can fight now."
One of the wraiths lunged at him. Instinctively, Kaito focused on a nearby rock and—
"Shunpo!"
His body blinked in a flash of steel, reappearing behind the creature. The wraith slashed wildly, confused.
"It worked!"
But before he could celebrate, another wraith struck from the side.
SLASH!
Pain flared across his arm.
"Damn it! I don't have a weapon!"
Fiora moved like a whirlwind, cutting down three wraiths in seconds. "If you're going to fight, at least grab a blade!"
Kaito spotted a fallen soldier's short sword nearby. He rolled, snatched it up, and—
[New Condition Met: Sword Proficiency Detected]
[Available Abilities Unlocked:]
- Steel Tempest (Yasuo Q)
- Blade Waltz (Fiora R) – LOCKED (Requires Mastery)
"Hell yeah!"
He swung the sword experimentally, feeling the weight.
"Steel Tempest!"
A sharp gust of wind coiled around his blade. The next swing released a small whirlwind, knocking back a wraith.
Fiora's eyes widened. "You wield wind magic?"
Kaito grinned. "Something like that."
The two fought back-to-back, Kaito relying on hit-and-run tactics with Shunpo while Fiora carved through enemies effortlessly.
But then—the ground trembled.
A towering, armored figure emerged from the mist, its hollow eyes burning with violet fire.
"A Ruined Sentinel…" Fiora breathed. "We can't win this."
Kaito's grip tightened on his sword. "I just got here. I'm not dying yet!"
The Sentinel raised its massive axe—
"Need a hand?"
A blazing arrow streaked through the air, striking the Sentinel in the shoulder.
Kaito turned.
Standing atop a nearby ridge, a familiar figure nocked another arrow, her golden braid swaying in the wind.
"Ashe?!"
The Frost Archer smirked. "You know my name. Interesting."
Fiora exhaled in relief. "About time you showed up."
With Ashe's volleys and Fiora's precision, the Sentinel was forced back into the mist.
As the mist receded, Kaito collapsed to his knees, exhausted.
Ashe approached, studying him curiously. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Kaito shook his head. "Not even close."
Fiora crossed her arms. "He knows things he shouldn't. And his abilities… they're unlike any magic I've seen."
Ashe's gaze sharpened. "Then he might be useful. The Avarosan tribe could use someone like him."
Kaito blinked. "Wait, I'm being recruited?"
Fiora smirked. "You want to survive? Then you'd better learn fast."
The System flickered again:
[New Objective: Travel to the Avarosan Outpost]
[Reward: Unlock a New Ability Slot]
Kaito took a deep breath.
"Guess I'm really doing this."