Though the system's tone was still mechanical, in Kai's ears, it sounded like heavenly music. His eyes widened in disbelief, heart pounding with excitement.
Black Swordsman!
"I can't believe I got Kirito's inheritance!"
He knew Kirigaya Kazuto all too well. Black Swordsman, Beater, Dual Blade, techno-cheater, harem king—this guy had taken down a system admin, slashed bullets with lightsaber-speed, pulled off 999-hit sword skills, had bros and babes alike… and never missed a chance to flirt. A walking bundle of sin.
And now, Kai had drawn his inheritance!
If the system had a physical form, he would've kissed it on the spot.
So maybe, just maybe… he was one of those Chosen of Lady Luck after all?
Breathing in the cold night air, Takashina Kai forced himself to calm down and turned to the glowing interface.
The black humanoid shadow representing him looked the same. His five stats hadn't changed either. The only visible difference—under "Class Inheritance," the word "None" was replaced by "Black Swordsman."
After a moment, the shadowy figure faded and transformed into an inverted skill tree.
"So this is the Black Swordsman's exclusive skill tree?"
Eyes bright, Kai scanned the fruit-like icons hanging on the tree.
[One-Handed Sword], [Dual Blades], [Insight], [Balance], [Godspeed Reflexes], [Solo Player], [Strategy Fiend], [Light of Resolve].
Eight skills in total. The first tier contained [One-Handed Sword], [Insight], [Balance], and [Godspeed Reflexes]. The second tier had [Dual Blades] and [Solo Player]. The third tier had only [Strategy Fiend], and the top fourth tier featured [Light of Resolve].
The pyramid structure was clear: to unlock higher-tier skills, you had to raise the lower-tier skills to Level 2. Every skill had five levels: Lv1 (Novice), Lv2 (Proficient), Lv3 (Skilled), Lv4 (Expert), Lv5 (Master).
Right now, Takashina Kai could only activate one skill.
[One-Handed Sword]
Seeing it light up in white, he calmed down.
"Well, every tall building starts from the ground. One step at a time."
Just as he reached to activate [One-Handed Sword], he hesitated.
"Hey, system…"
He frowned at the skill tree.
"I remember Kirito had more skills than this."
As a true otaku, Kai was confident in his memory. Kirito's elaborate sword techniques weren't listed here at all.
Earlier, he was too excited to notice. Now, something felt off.
"What about Vorpal Strike?"
No answer.
"Sonic Leap?"
Still no response.
"Horizontal Square? Deadly Sins? Starburst Stream? Eclipse?!"
He listed off several signature and ultimate techniques, then muttered, "Don't tell me none of these count as Black Swordsman inheritance?"
[This system cultivates class inheritors, not class clones. The exclusive skill tree only includes core passive skills. Active techniques must be learned by the host through training. No shortcuts.]
"So basically… you just don't provide active skills, right?"
[Host may choose to reject system training and forgo activating the skill tree.]
Was it his imagination, or did the system's tone just gain a hint of sass?
Whatever. Kai mocked it mentally but wouldn't give up the inheritance.
Passive skills were still skills!
And the system had a point. Kirito's techniques were amazing, but they belonged to him. Copying them might feel cool at first, but Kai wouldn't be himself anymore. He wasn't some wannabe clone. If Kirito could pull it off, so could he—and maybe one day, he'd even surpass him!
…Or so he told himself.
Truth was, if given the choice, who wouldn't want to turn into Superman overnight?
This system was so damn stingy.
Might as well call it Passive Skill Inheritance System instead.
Having recovered from his rollercoaster of emotions, Kai sighed and tapped the skill.
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully activated the Black Swordsman Exclusive Skill Tree. Skill [One-Handed Sword] has been lit. Current Level: Lv1. Keep it up and strive to unlock new class inheritances!]
[Class inheritance officially activated. Trial task countdown begins. Remaining time: 59 days 23:59:54]
As the messages appeared, the [One-Handed Sword] icon turned gold, with a small "Lv1" floating below. Above the tree, a blood-red countdown began ticking.
"59:23:59:46"
Staring at the timer, Kai's lips tightened. His expression darkened.
"So it starts…"
He'd already prepared for this and accepted that death might come. But seeing the timer drop second by second brought real pressure. It felt like a massive hand had gripped his chest.
He didn't fear death—he'd died once already. In fact, he now cherished life more than ever. But the real pressure wasn't fear of death. It was the unknown.
What kind of trial could be worthy of the word?
"System… what happens if I fail?"
[If the host fails the trial in any form, including but not limited to death, the system will erase all traces of the host's existence and search for a new candidate.]
"I see…"
He smiled bitterly.
This system was like a strict teacher—offering great benefits, but drop the ball once and you're abandoned. No mercy.
Takashina Kai wondered if getting such a system was luck or misfortune.
Sighing at his fate, he glanced back at the [One-Handed Sword] icon. As he focused, a line of text appeared:
[One-Handed Sword Lv1 (0/5000): Slightly increases understanding of sword techniques and basic proficiency with one-handed swords. While wielding a sword: slight all-stat boost, slightly enhanced battle instinct, slightly higher dodge chance against sword attacks, and slightly increased crit rate during sword skill use.]
"All of them are 'slight' increases?"
He frowned but quickly relaxed.
Well, it was only Lv1. What did he expect?
The real test would be actual combat.
Unfortunately, he was broke and swordless. The few bills in his pocket were worthless here. Not even enough to buy a leek, much less a blade.
He needed a sword—fast.
As he spaced out in front of the interface, a certain bouncy, twin-tailed loli goddess suddenly appeared at the end of the street.
Kai's eyes widened.
Hestia?!
That small figure, the twin tails swaying with each hop… there was no doubt—it was her!
That signature ribbon. That ridiculously revealing outfit. No one else in Orario had such unorthodox taste.
What was that phrase again?
Watching her bounce away, twin tails swinging, Kai suddenly recalled an old saying.
"Twin tails are the best"… Wait no—"You search high and low, only to find it effortlessly."
He'd been worrying about how to find Hestia and Bell. Now, they walked right up to him.
Hah! This must be fate.
Straightening his suit, slapping his cheeks, Takashina Kai put on his most radiant and friendly smile. He took a bold step forward and called out loudly:
"Goddess! Please wait! Wait a moment!"