(A/N: This Chapter is focused on a new Character! Is he/she going to be an ally? Well... if that person can get an entire Chapter focused on them, you can guess! Now, enjoy.)
About two miles east of Glenwood Cavern, a shadowy human figure effortlessly glided around another dungeon like a samurai from another time period.
The figure blurred in a line from monster to monster, a beautiful katana flashing in lethal arcs of death. One after the other, they fell, their Rank C bodies unable to handle the onslaught of attacks from a single warrior. Bodies littered the ground, pooling blood staining the ancient stone walls. It was a fucking massacre.
After the final monster fell, a pile of corpses, the only things there, the figure stopped effortlessly. With a soft click, the katana was returned to its sheath. The figure placed a hand on the hilt and exhaled.
"Never thought that one day I’d come to a different world and get my favorite class ever."
The figure was a young woman, with long black hair tied loosely at the back, sharp dark eyes, and clear Japanese features. Standing proud and straight, she wore a dark and well-built outfit that allowed for ease of movement and the Katana rested easily at her hip.
"Status."
A blue panel floated before her.
Name: Aiko Kurogane (The Silent Blade)
Class: Samurai, Hero
Rank: S
Mana Aptitude: 500
Strength: 168
Agility: 300
Free Stats Points: 500
Skills
Iaido Draw (A) – Instantly unsheathe the blade and deliver a high-speed strike in a single fluid motion. The attack is nearly impossible to react to at close range and carries increased critical chance.
Bushido Resonance (B) – Temporarily heightens the user’s focus and physical abilities. While active, Strength and Agility increase, and the user becomes resistant to fear, hesitation, and minor mental interference.
Heavenly Sever (S) – Channels the user’s full spirit into a single, devastating iaido strike. The slash can cut through most physical defenses and leaves a lingering trail of cutting force that damages anything that passes through it afterward.
Unbroken Spirit (S) – When the user’s health falls below 30%, this skill automatically activates. Strength and Agility are greatly increased, pain is suppressed, and the user becomes immune to fear, confusion, and mind-affecting abilities for a short duration.
Weapon:
Kurogane Blade (Rare) – A long, single-edged katana with a dark-tempered steel blade and a simple black-wrapped hilt. Attack Power: 320. The blade grows sharper with the user’s resolve and performs exceptionally well with iaido techniques.
"Never thought I’d die because of an accident with the legendary Truck-kun, get reincarnated and get both a hero class and extra samurai class," Aiko muttered to herself. She paused and began speaking again, her tone serious. "Put three hundred stat points into Agility."
Agility: 300 -> 600
"I need more power," she said quietly. "And I need it quick."
One Year Ago
A young girl with black hair stood in a clearing, gripping a wooden sword with both hands. Facing her was one of the best swordmasters of all of Alderia.
Aiko had no knowledge of swords when she first started training under Glenn Robert, the second greatest swordmaster in the world.
When she first awoke in Alderia, she had awakened in a forest, surrounded by monsters. Overwhelmed and petrified, she screamed for help, the creatures closing in to feast on her flesh.
Suddenly an impossibly strong and intimidating aura washed over the forest, and the creatures fell where they stood, unconscious. The girl, however, stood firm.
From the tree line walked a lean and wiry man, with long white hair tied loosely in the back. He carried an air of someone who has spent his life with a blade, his posture proud yet relaxed. His eyes were sharp and appraising as he looked at the girl over.
Few could stand his aura and not faint.
"Do you want to get stronger, so you never need to rely on anyone’s help again?" he asked.
Aiko looked up at the man for a moment before slowly nodding her head.
Weeks passed
Aiko gradually adjusted to the new world of Alderia while training under Glenn. Days of continuous training blended together into a haze of hard work that would have broken most. Her arms burned from practicing form after form and sparring with wooden dummies that somehow moved like her master.
Each day she faced off against Glenn in sparring matches, and each day she lost, her body bruised and battered. Even when he limited his power to one percent, she was still crushed under his power, thrown to the ground over and over again.
Then one day she broke through her own limits,
her Hero class unlocking, along with two powerful hero skills. Her mana aptitude was still relatively low, so she could not keep them up for long.
A next day During one particularly brutal spar,
Unbroken Spirit was automatically activated.
Any pain she had dulled instantly, and her strength and speed increased. Rising from the ground, she rushed forward and with a single strike cleaved off her master’s right hand. The skill only lasted five seconds, and when it ended Aiko found herself unconscious on the ground.
Glenn looked at the stump where his right hand used to be, before looking at his student.
"So she’s a Hero class huh...? Haven’t seen one of those in ten years."
Having lost an appendage, Glenn was less than pleased, but a glance at his student showed that he was even less pleased with what happened next. He had not used his full power, and as long as he did not fight an opponent of equal or higher power, his body could regenerate.
When he was about to take her up an carry her back to the shed she slept in.
A new voice spoke from the tree line.
"So the second greatest took in a student after all. After betraying us because we killed your daughter... What if I kill your student? Will you be swallowed by rage again and slaughter thousands like before?"
A beautiful woman stepped from the tree line, her long crimson hair flowing over her shoulders. She wore only a dark bra and underwear, as if armor was beneath her. An ornate odachi rested in her hands as she strode forward, her presence alone making the air tense.
"Look who finally decided to show up after all these years," Glenn said, his voice tight. "They really sent you. Bunch of cowards."
The woman--the greatest swordmaster in Alderia, Glenn’s former master, lover and rival--smiled mockingly. "I see you’re still the same after all this time. My most precious student... who ran away from me because his daughter was killed on my orders."
Glenn twisted his face in anger. "She was your daughter too, and you still followed orders. You killed her just because she unlocked one of the most forbidden classes. Coward."
The red-haired woman’s voice softened into something almost affectionate.
"Our daughter, Glenn Roberts." Don’t you ever say that again."
Glenn’s voice dripped with malice. "[Perfect Copy]."
A perfect copy of Glenn appeared beside him and gently picked up the unconscious Aiko. Without another look, they both sprinted into the forest.
The red-haired woman watched them go before turning to Glenn.
"So you decided to fight me after all... even though you’re weaker. Still I’ll praise you for mastering Perfect Copy well enough that it has a will of its own. Congratulations."
Glenn summoned an odachi of air into his remaining hand. "[Perfect Strike]."
He poured everything he had into a single strike. A wave of raw cutting power shot forward toward the woman. She moved her blade slightly to the side to redirect the attack, and it sliced through the distant mountain, cleaving it cleanly in two.
"Let’s not drag it out," The woman said in a cold voice. "I’ll end it in one strike."
She moved faster than the eye could follow, her odachi flashing once.
Glenn’s head separated from his body, rolling on the ground as his body fell at his feet. The second-greatest swordmaster of Alderia was dead, killed by what used to be his master, lover and greatest rival.
The red-haired woman looked over him for a moment. "You were strong Glenn... but you died because had become weak." She turned and disappeared into the woods, a single tear running down her cheek before she disappeared.
Somewhere in Alderia, a young girl awoke on a simple wooden bed covered in clean but worn sheets. Her body ached, bandages wrapped around a few places on her arms and legs. Her black hair was damp with sweat.
A young man stood beside the bed.
"So you’re awake," he said quietly "I’m John. How about you?"
Aiko blinked as memories slowly came back to her. She remembered the spar she had with Glenn.
"I’m Aiko," She said, a little cheerful. "Where is my master, Glenn?"
The young man frowned. "I’m sorry... but the second greatest swordmaster, Glenn Roberts, died three days ago in a fierce battle with his former master."
Aiko stared at him. "No... that can’t be. Leave me alone please."
John nodded and quietly left the room, shutting the door behind him.
As soon as the door shut, Aiko broke down, tears streaming down her cheeks as she gripped the sheets, crying out her master’s name over and over, saying that she still hasn’t surpassed him...
Present day
Aiko stood among the many corpses of the monsters she had just slaughtered, her hand resting on the hilt of the Kurogane Blade.
I have to find that woman, she thought, her eyes cold and focused.
And avenge my master... even if it’s the last thing I do.