FOREWORD
This is the extension of a one-shot I wrote some time ago.
I am thinking on making the one-shot as a longer series.

It was burning.

The blood that erupted from his throat ignited his sensations, which where only overcome by the pain. He could barely feel his body, at least the parts that had been attached. He could barely feel the solid ground of the dirt underneath on his cheek, layered with a neverending sheet of the proof of his vitality. That proof had been slipping away from him faster and faster.

They laughed as they stabbed his back repeatedly. His ear probably hadn't been working probably, but he was sure that the conclusion was the case. They mocked him for being too immature. They mocked him for being a stupid child who couldn't mind his own business.

Meanwhile, the knights who had been fighting their own battles in the distance had to turn away, ignoring the fact that he was dying. They had only just met him after all, and had no reason to save him.

Even so, their honour and moral ate a bittersweet moment.

'It hurts, dammit. It hurts!'

His vision began to blur, as the memories of his past began to rush through him. He couldn't remember clearly though. The massive migraine he had been given caused himself to hurt whenever he thought about anything.

With his free hand, he emotionally moved it over to his head, to ease the pain, until he realized why it had hurted so much. There were either a dent, or possibly a hole. Just thinking about the situation was scary, and he never wanted this to transpire.

Told that he was a hero, but died a meaningless death.

Granted another chance to live, but was granted negative luck.

'I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.'

With the blood dripping out of his eyes, tears had been mixed in. He didn't want to die again in such a gruesome manner. He didn't want to be conscious. It would have been easier if he died here. He had no connections in this world, thus had no reason to really care.

He closed his eyes slowly, fully accepting the empty disappearance of his life.

Which is something he shouldn't be doing in the first place. He needed to fight on, he needed to resist the echoes of death, he needed to transcend the luck he was given.

If he didn't, then the story would end here. The story would be gone. The planning and organization would go to waste. He needed to live, not only for himself, but the logic that comes with many protagonists.

Remember, Kazuto Kirigaya. Remember what you were sent here to do!

But no, seriously, get up. I'm not playing this game with you. They already know what's going to happen, so no need to be dramatic.

"Hey…" Kazuto miraculously mumbled. "I told... you already…"

"Shut... the hell... up."

"What was that, kid!?"

"Fuck... my life."

Serves you right, asshole.

===== I =====

There was a location beyond space and time, where a black void filled its surroundings. At the same time, it wasn't black, but white. At the same time, it had been within space and time. It was an indescribable location that cannot be grasped by the human language.

Within and apart, there were entities walking arounds, an infinite amount for an infinite realm. Their bodies had been human, yet that was the only thing similar to that species. It was like they were wrapped with a smooth silk that removed any semblances of features.

Among the vast amount of spiritual, yet physical, forms, one appeared before another, quite literally.

"Alright, it's your turn now," the first entity said to the other.

"My turn? Didn't your person die?" the second entity replied, confused.

"He was chosen for reincarnation, so we need to swap narrators."

"The 0.001% chance of occurance. Lucky me."

"Do not worry, I have left notes about his previous life for you at the station, so feel free to use them if so needed. Also, it is quite helpful if you brought the isekai handbook alongside with you."

"I got it, I got it." Almost if commanded, his body started to fade in smaller stars, like blowing away dust. However, upon remembering what he read within the isekai handbook, he became concerned. "Wait, how generic is this guy?"

"Very."

"I hate you."

"Why do you think I chose you for the role?"

"I really hate you."

The second entity disappeared, without a trace left behind.

"Whoa, whoa, wait!" Another entity came either running or gliding in, at this point it was too difficult to tell. He came close to colliding with the first entity, who noticed the expersation in the third entity's voice.

"What's the matter?"

"Did that entity just go!?"

"Uh, yes? We just swapped narration."

"Not good, not good at all!"

"Wait, what's wrong? Is there an error?"

"Is there an error? Is there an error!? Of course, there's an error!"

"What happened!?"

"The worst possible thing!"

"You don't mean-!?"

"Someone accidentally turned off the fourth wall for its exit!"

Complete silence had taken over with every entity around as they turned in both surprise and fear. The first entity made strange noises.

"Okay, okay, maybe there might not be a huge problem," a fourth entity came in, assessing the problem. However, it was obvious that it had been stressing as well. "If the exited entity does its job properly, this may be glazed over at the higher-ups."

"Not possible," the first entity muttered. "It was sent."

Another silence devoured the infinite room, as mumbles and gasps assisted in the severity of the problem until a single random voice emerged from the crowd, expressing how all of them were feeling.

"Shit. We're actually screwed."

===== II =====

When Kazuto opened his eyes, he was met with a bright scenery. It hadn't been a specific glowing light, but it appeared as if everything was radiating its energy. His surrounding had been consumed by a white, fluffy substance, while he stood on a solid flat terrain, covered in carpetary.

What happened in the last few seconds had transpired rather quickly, and he needed a few minutes to process it.

Today was the release date of a new VRMMORPG game called Sword Art Online, and he was on his way back home from the local game store, where he had purchased mentioned game. It was really hot outside, so he had been struggling to even advance on the sidewalk. Running in the heat was suicide, and he wanted to live to at least play the game.

How ironic that a truck came to slam him against the wall, instantly ending his life. It had been a shame as well, since the truck had been making huge commotions that should have grabbed Kazuto's attention. Due to the fact he like to shut himself in his room though, he tends to ignore that category.

And now, he was… well, wherever this was.

He turned his head around, and he was met with an old man, who sat there with his legs crossed. He waved at the boy, then gestured to him to come closer. Kazuto walked forward, and placed himself onto the ground in front of the old man.

The man sighed, and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, sorry about that. There was a mix-up regarding the laws of nature's' scriptures, and it ended up with your death. Again, I humbly apologize." The man leaned forward, bowing down in his sign of respect.

All Kazuto was thinking about was that the laws of nature were legitimately trying to make his life hell, even if it was unintentional. Talk about a terrible draw of luck, this was literally the embodiment of nonbelief, in both correctness and situation. He still haven't realized that he had died. It was a difficult pill to swallow.

If this was after death, would the man in front of him be an angel of some sort? Perhaps, it was God himself? Kazuto couldn't find the words to speak, flabbergasted at the circumstance.

"There were people that were affected by the mix-up, and they have chosen to pass on into the afterlife." The old man raised his head, narrowing his eyes towards Kazuto's face. Those black eyes, that similar-looking black hairstyle, the general outline of his face, they all caught the man's attention. Never once have he seen someone so generic before. An idea sparked within his mind. "However, I am willing to offer you another alternative."

"Alternative?" Kazuto mimicked, which was all he was capable of at this point.

"This is usually a dangerous method for the person, as the consequences could be dire if the person decides to fool around too much. Despite that, I can see that you are capable of handling yourself." The old man slowly stood up, and strided towards the edge of the terrain, gazing at the ocean of clouds. "How would you like to reincarnate into another world?"

"Reincarnate!?" Kazuto exclaimed in surprise. He still hadn't come to terms to being dead, this was simply too quick of a transition!

"I do not have any control as to where you will appear, however it can be simple for me to allow you to do so." Turning back to the sitting Kazuto, his arms flew forwards. "So how about it? Do you want to reincarnate?"

"I-" Kazuto's brain was short-circuiting. This had to be some incoherent dream, right? "I… alive?" His brain wasn't even capable of producing proper sentences anymore, as his face froze in the aspect of the implausible scenario.

"You want to be alive?" The cheerful speech had been concerning for Kazuto. "Alright, I'll start the reincarnate process." That cheerful speech was definitely concerning for Kazuto.

His body began to emits a blue light, as his body began to fade. "W-Wait!" Any sentences formed by the conscious Kazuto could not pierce through to the man's ears. He had only been waving and smiling.

"Good luck, and have fun!"

"Hold on!"

Suddenly, the bright clouds he was standing on top of flushed away before his eyes.

When he realized it, he was in a forest. He was dressed in a black trench coat, decked out with black stylistic clothing underneath. There was an armor piece placed on his heart, likely to block any immediate lethal damage. His spine felt heavier than usual, and when he reached behind to feel what was on it, he widened his eyes to discover two swords resting on his back.

He died, and came face to face with who he presumed to be God. He was transferred to another world, and more importantly, it was probably a world in which he had to fight in. All within three minutes. He took a second to breath in the fresh air, only to angrily scream in the next second.

"God-"

===== III =====

" -damn it!"

Kazuto breathed in and out, tired from the mentally draining sequence of events. These types of events are beyond his comprehension, despite being so simple. He had no choice, but to accept this awfully vivid dream. He silently gasped, and darted his eyes around the forest. His spine chilled and his body became stiff. He was not a warrior of any kind, but he had felt something looming around. Minus the feeling, he had been hearing something rather odd.

"Who's there!?" he yelled out. His eyes travelled from left to right, in an attempt to lure out the unknown presence. His hand raised onto one of his swords, and he gritted his teeth. "Stop it! Come on out, whoever you are!"

Yet his loud voice bore no fruits. His screaming appeared to do more harm than good, as he was somewhat breathless already.

"This is ridiculous." Kazuto panted heavily, and began to ignore the overlooming problem that he thought had happened.

Kazuto began to think about his situation, although his expression seemed annoyed for some odd reason. For what reason, no one other him could tell, but he did not allow that annoyance to bother his analysis.

He died in a gruesome accident, met someone who he assumed to be God (or the Devil in disguise), and he was given another chance to live out his life in another world. In other words, he reincarnated.

No, that wasn't possible. Reincarnation can't be real. It only appears in anime, manga, and in Buddhism. Sure as hell, he wasn't a buddhist, so that only left the options that his life had been an anime or manga, but that wasn't possible either. The only answer to the situation wa that it was a dream.

Yeah, it should be a dream. He probably imagined dying from the truck and he was in the hospital right now, with his parents and sister wishing for his successful recovery. He should probably mark this down as a life-turning moment where he abandons the old ways that he lived, and actually open up to those around him. Maybe get some friends, experience new things, perhaps fall in love and get a girlfriend.

Was it too much work?

Probably.

He needed baby steps if he was going to do so though.

Digressing aside, he needed to figure out how he was going to wake up from this dream, because it felt way too real so far. Slapping his cheeks didn't wake him up, it just hurts regardless of how hard he slapped. The swords on his back felt real, even though he never held on in his life; he could imagine it.

He drew the sword, having an idea as to the reality that he was in. He drew it close to his finger, pricking his slightly. He quietly jolted at the small pain at his fingertips, as a small hole was formed. Sure enough, blood had began to spill out.

"Geez, now what?"

Kazuto sighed, since he couldn't really argue against the theory that he had been in the hospital. It was more likely that he had been truly incarnate and-

"Like actually, would you shut up!?"

Kazuto screamed at the top of his lungs, exclaiming it to the heavens. He had not known who he was talking to, but it no longer mattered. The speaking voice inside his mind , he wanted it to stop so badly-

…

…

…

"Thank goodness, you actually listened this time around. I don't care if you don't want to come out, but can you stop being so creepy!?"

…

…

…

"Great, now you're entirely quiet."

"Are you here? No, you're not. How about behind this tree? Nothing? In this bush? You're not here either. What the hell are you?"

Holy hell, you're actually referring to me.

This isn't normal. This is definitely not suppose to happen.

Please kill yourself.

"That escalated quickly! I just want to know who you are and what you were doing! And probably also tell you to stop do whatever you were doing. What were you doing anyways? It was like you were narrating everything I do and everything I thought. Wait, how did you know what I was thinking? And-?!"

Kazuto, it's your turn to shut up.

"R-Right."

Besides, they are issues if I wanted to answer those questions honestly and fully. I'll just introduce myself, and that should be good for now. You are free to assume and imply as much as you want.

I have no name. I am an entity beyond time and space, but also within time and space. I am nowhere, but I am everywhere. What you had been hearing beforehand had been my given job of this world. I am a narrator of the world.

"N-Narrator of the world?" Kirito tilted in head in confusion while raising his eyebrows.

And yes, my job does consist of describing everything that happens to you, or regards you. Just let that part slide.

"Wait, then this really is an anime or manga?" Kazuto gasped. "If you're a narrator, then this is my story?"

Hold up, wait no! Don't think it as an anime, manga, light novel, or fanfiction (especially that last one)! That is the last thing you should think of! It would be better for both you and me if I said that this was a normal thing.

"What do you mean by that?" Kirito inquired, crossing his arms.

Everyone has a narrator of the world. No one is excluded, since there are an infinite amount of us. Your cousin has one, your aunt and uncle have them, if you had friends, they would have some.

"H-hey! I mean, that's kinda true," Kazuto's voice trailed off slightly before returning with a loud speech, "but that's still uncalled for! You also kinda glazed over my sister and my parents? How about them?"

If I could describe myself laughing, I would be laughing. Alas, that's not the role of a narrator, but that's not going to stop me from giggling.

Just know that having a narrator you could hear isn't special. There just seems to be a malfunction this time around.

"Can you fix it? I don't want a random voice in my head all the time," Kazuto sighed.

I want this fixed too, so I can smack talk about you behind your back, but I can't personally fix it. Knowing the other entities, they would probably delay this problem as long as possible, since all of us are fams who cover each other's backs in dire situations. It's nice having friends, isn't it Kazuto?

"I want another narrator," Kazuto moaned, drooping his body forwards.

Anyways, no fixing or switching as of now. Unfortunate for both of us.

"What do we do now?" Kazuto looked into the dense forest in front of him, used to the fact that whenever someone had been talking to him, they sort existed on the same plane.

Continue as you would normally. It'll be easier for me, since I could just point you to the nearest interesting spot, but it comes off an unnatural and the higher ups don't like that.

Although, you should deal with that plant monster before you leave.

"Wait, what plant-"

A loud crash rumbled through the ground behind him. He shivered from both his fear and the vibrations he felt. He heard the intense growling that shouldn't be coming from a plant. After all, plants were docile and didn't try and kill you.

Of course, this had been a monster, which from gaming experience wanted you dead most of the time. Survival of the fittest, right? He didn't want to turn around, but he had to. If it was an actual monster that wanted to kill him, he needed to face it. Alternatively…

===== IV=====

Kazuto didn't bother to look back and dashed forwards, holding his breath. He was surprisingly fast for someone that constantly stayed in his room. That definitely wasn't normal though.

The hell are you doing!?

"Not dying, that's what!"

No, stay and fight the monster! This isn't interesting if you run!

"I. Don't. Want. To. Die." Kazuto was intent of not turning back, regardless of what the narrator would say. Even if there was a reward of riches and women, Kazuto would probably not turn back. Maybe if it was riches and men, only then he would be interested-

"Can you not joke at a time like this!? Do something!"

I'm a narrator, what do you mean 'do something'?

By the way, that plant monster is faster than you think.

Almost immediately after the narrator's warning, the plant monster appeared, crashing down on the trees nearby. From one clearing to the next, there was no escape. It was hungry and once it laid its eyes on Kazuto, it didn't want to release its prey from its grasp. Vines quickly extended outwards of the main body and attacked the swordsman, who drew his sword instinctively, slicing and blocking the attempted onslaught.

"Would it kill you to mention that first!?"

I don't die. I'm a narrator.

The monster swung more of its vines from the side, as Kazuto leaped out just in time, rolling to catch his fall. Placing both hands on the grip, he blocked more charging vines, to the quantity seemed endless. From the left and the right, from above to below, Kazuto was forced on the defensive, and he couldn't retreat.

The vines managed to sneak past Kazuto's defense, slashing his legs and causing grazes of blood to appear from the wounds. With the broken defense, Kazuto lifted his foot, stomping on the vine that recently wounded him. He looked at the monster, with no visual change. Hurting the vines won't do anything, whether it be a slash of a blunt attack.

The vines made their way onto Kazuto's sword arm, lifting him into the air. Dangling from one supported arm, the monster didn't desire to devour his prey alive. It wanted Kazuto dead first. It quickly transitioned to a powerful downwards swing, bringing Kazuto alongside the ride. A huge dust cloud formed from the sudden impact with the dirt.

However, the vine had been sliced cleanly with Kazuto's spare sword he grabbed with his free hand. The vines were surprisingly study much to Kazuto surprise, allowing his quick escape but jumping off the makeshift platform, transitioning into a roll as he hit the ground.

With two blades in his hand, the monster began to size Kazuto up once again. It began to see Kazuto as a pesky being, but was devoted to ending his life. He didn't know how much longer he could last, as he panted heavily.

He needed a plan using everything he knew, which was nothing. Well, he had two swords, the opponent used vines, and he contemplating to simply let the monster digest him.

The wild barrage of vines approached Kazuto from different angles, simulating the first attack pattern, but in a noticeable increase of directions that it came from. Rolling forwards, Kazuto attempted to rush in the stab the main body, but he felt something wrapping around him stomach.

The vines had locked onto him, and threw him backwards into a tree. Blood leaped out as he coughed upon impact and fell down onto his knees. He struggled to stand, with the aid of his sword.

"This is honestly…" Kazuto mumbled, obscured by the blood leaking out of his mouth.

The same annoying, green torture devices were launched at him again, and without hesitation, he ran away from the monster. He peered back to check if any were going to catch him, with a single unit reaching out. He jumped backwards, dodging his grasp, but fell on his back. He clicked his tongue, and clenched himself for more pain.

Though it never came. The vine had been stuck mid air before him, just at the tip, before it retracted.

Could the monster not walk up and increase that range though?

'That's it.'

The information he had to attack this monster was that he had two swords, the opponent used vines, said vines homed on to him, they were limited in range, and the monster was rooted during the duration of its vine attack.. He had an idea.

Approaching the monster once again, he taunted it. "Is that all you got!? Come get some!" Kazuto was unsure if it would work, but surely enough, it growled as a response. The moment Kazuto saw the vines extending outwards, Kazuto ran into the multitude of trees acting as the environment for their battle.

However, instead of running in a straight line, Kazuto laced himself with trees, as the vines followed him. He returned with a similar route, and looked backwards as he headed back to the clearing.

The vines had tangled themselves within the packed trees. Finally, some good luck for him.

Drawing both swords, he leaped at the stomach, slicing it wide open. It howled loudly in pain, but Kazuto didn't stop at all. He went deeper, thrusting his blade, slashing it side to side, vertical and diagonally, out of anger and adrenaline.

Twenty seven attacks is what it took until the plant monster laid limp. The vines belonging the the monster shriveled and came back to the dead monster. Kazuto couldn't hear any other sounds coming from the opponent.

Kazuto Kirigaya had been dropped into the new world, with completely no knowledge and a questionable narrator, and he faced against a man-eating creature. All of this within the first hour after his death.

And he won.

"Fuck... my life," he muttered under his breath, gasping for air.

He won-ish.

──────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹──────
Re:Swords and Arts (Within Another World)
Written by BlazingKeld

Episode 1 Part 1
Insanity of Reincarnation
──────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹──────

「The author of this fanfiction does not own Sword Art Online nor its proper characters.
This fanfiction was created to aid in the author's writing skills. Please do not expect frequent updates.」

Author's Notes

And I just wrote this in an entire day. I feel like Kazuto right now. Fuck my life.

As if I needed another series to update, I finally get around to coming up with ideas with the one-shot I wrote previously. Did I not say bring pitchforks!?

Looking at you Den.

Don't think you can run away too, flo and L5. You three caused this.

But I'll be honestly, I had a ton of fun writing this, so it might get updated again soon.

Again, if you haven't seen the previous one-shot, this series is inspired by SaintInfernalNeo's works.

I'll see you next time.