Authors Notes -

So this is the start of Arc 1. I introduce the MCs new situation in life and gave some hints of his slot in SAO. This whole arc is already written and will last for another 20k+ words. Up to when the canon story line begins is when Arc II will start.

This will very loosely follow canon plots. However will mostly be an AU. There will be a System I repeat. This story isn't going to be grimdark also.

Anyway this should be the last chapter I'll upload for today. I still in the process of editing the next release.

Let me know of any edits/changes you'd like to see.

Thank you for reading.

- Updated - 10/8/2021

Arc 1-1

Pain came back with a vengeance.

I couldn't hold it in anymore and screamed. Dormant blood pulses after such a long time of stagnation.

It burned through every vein and orifice inside and out. One after another, my organs begin to stir with life as they awaken from their slumber.

All at once I am sent into shock.

I can't, I can't believe it.

I don't even believe it myself.

Is reality all, but a lie?

From the verge of destruction I am reborn. From the depths of insanity I came out whole. Whatever truth I glimpsed upon has been shackled away deep inside of me.

Through this pain, came a sense of liberation.

"I'm alive… I'm alive!" Dizziness tries to claim me. However, I held on through sheer grit. "I-I didn't die…?"

Drops of blood fell to the floor. My palm covers my forehead and I pull away to see my hand completely stained red.

"Shit. I may not be here for long though."

A quick glance around and my eyes rest on the door. Blood covers the wooden steps outside. I must've fell and hit my head while walking inside.

I need to be treated soon. If not, I may find myself back in Hades again.

Though this time, I may never be able to return.

Wait…

When did I fall down the stairs? Was I not outside?

This… this isn't making any sense…

Where is the storm?

Where…. Exactly am I?

An unfamiliar room surrounds me. It is clearly not part of my original home. The place is similar to a dojo with Japanese style doors which lead out and into the courtyard.

"Was my time there not a dream? Has it been real… the whole time?"

These questions brought back fear of the unknown. It may be better if they forever remain unanswered.

I wouldn't be able to live knowing what awaits me after death.

I collapse upon the steps as my grey slacks soak a vibrant red. The outside world spins as my head pounds in pain and confusion.

Everything which happened to me felt unreal. However, as I focus on the sunset, I absorb everything at once. In a faint hope of never forgetting this moment.

Peace came to my weary mind.

"Well at least the view was worth the fight."

I'm tired, so very tired… I'm exhausted and all I want to do is sleep.

The body betrays me. It urges me to lay down. Maybe I should give in? Maybe I will wake up and realize this was all a bad dream.

A scream interrupts the haze. The approaching drowsiness is held back as a teenage girl comes running in fright.

Do I know her?

Is it due to the blood?

Why is she running towards me?

"Kazuto! Are you alright!?" Her hands find themselves upon me. Unconcerned with the blood which stains her red.

"K-kazuto?"

No. It can't possibly be-

"Oh my god, we need to get you to the bathroom now!"

That is how, I found myself dragged behind my supposed 'sister'.

Sugu cleans her hands with a towel.

She turns to me and wipes me down next. The concern she has for me is shocking to say the least.

Nonetheless the gesture is appreciated.

When at first she called me brother, I thought she was joking. I believed we were complete strangers. However, the way she cares for me and continues to say 'brother' wore on me quickly.

It's as if she truly saw me as her older sibling.

I don't even know how I should feel about this.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." I shrug off her worry. "It's only a little bit of blood. I'm not going to die."

"Just hush up. You won't be doused red if it was just a 'little' injury, Kazuto. You have to take better care of yourself. Okay?!" She rubs her forehead. "How in the world did you manage to bang your head on the steps?"

I have no idea either. One second I was in Hades, then the next, I was covered in blood. If you can tell me what happened, I would really appreciate it.

Though it would be safe to pretend to be her brother for the moment. Until I can clarify it myself.

"Um… I was practicing kendo?" I put together a lie with a straight face. "My baton fell out of my hands and I slipped trying to pick it back up?"

That actually sounds more believable than I thought. Why else would I awaken in the dojo?

"But- that doesn't explain much." Sugu pouts. "You have to see it yourself, brother."

She pulls me to my feet and supports my weight over her shoulder. With her help, I steadily managed to look in the mirror.

And surprise, surprise. I certainly do not recognize myself.

Unshockingly, a foreign face stares back at me.

Seems like I truly do have an identity crisis to address.

Well Shit.

No longer am I a simple American. Instead, I'm now an American/Japanese mix. A male teenager who overshadows my prior appearance.

I now have black matted hair due to the dried blood. A large cut is above my brow which gives my charcoal eyes a sense of depth. With a closer look, I notice a silver sheen around my iris, which promotes an exotic look.

Overall, it wasn't a bad look in my opinion, but neither did I really stand out. Though I would consider myself blessed since there is a wide selection of bodies I could have been in, right now.

Thankfully, this figure doesn't have the typical Asian appearance. Otherwise I would've been mildly devastated.

In fact, I'm glad with what I have to work with, since my foreigner traits have carried over to this life. Giving me enough definition to see subtle hints of my prior identity. However, the eyes can be considered an added addition. A plus in my books as they gave me a supernatural lure.

"Dang. This isn't so bad." My looks are more than passable. "Uh, I- I mean, the cut isn't that bad…."

"Bad? Brother, look at your shirt! It is soaked! I don't care how 'bad' you think your injury is!" She tears up. "I heard your scream and I assumed the worst. And, and when I saw all the blood… my heart dropped…"

Now I feel bad.

"I'm sorry." What else could I say? This day has been hectic. "I'll take a shower first… Then afterwards, if it isn't much to ask, can you put some stitches in for me?"

"Y-yes! Just take your time, please." Sugu touches my forearm. "You can leave your clothes on the sink and I'll grab you another set. Don't be afraid to shout if you need my help. Though, I'll still come to check on you if you take too long."

I could only agree to her demands.

Though, this headache I had is still here. It seems it has carried over from my previous life too.

I enter the shower and watch my 'sister' with a cautious eye. I'm nervous to undress in the same room as her. Luckily, I'll use the curtain as a barrier for my modesty.

I'd rather like to check what 'package' I'm working with alone. I'd rather not scare my new 'sister' if I am in for a surprise.

However, her small curious eyes told me otherwise. Way too many alerts were ringing alarms in my mind. Sadly, I'm too tired to deal with this body's situation with his younger sister.

I'll deal with her later.

For now, my whole transmigration hysteria has yet to be concluded. Dealing with my new sibling is a tad beyond what I am willing to manage at this point.

I toss my clothes at her face. Sugu catches it and hurries to leave.

"Take care!" She says as the door shuts.

I snort as a chuckle escapes me from the absurdity of my situation. I know for a fact, no one is ever isekai'd for no reason.

Most protagonists usually have a goal they have to accomplish, or at the very least they are to provide entertainment to higher beings.

Whatever situation I found myself in, is currently unknown to me. My own circumstances will have to be discovered in due time.

The shower sprays me where I stand. Droplets of pink run down my skin

I touch my chest in mild wonder. Still trying to process how I was healed. However, a migraine stops me from thinking too deep. I was starting to encroach on the 'truth' once again.

I noticed the bottom of the tub is a slight red. There is more blood on me than I thought. Even now my brow seems to be leaking.

Unconsciously I touch my wound. "Ouch!"

Yep, I'm not dreaming. I almost wish this wasn't real. For a moment, I hoped I was going crazy.

Well at least, this isn't all bad. The Reaper did fix me up before sending me off. It would've been an awkward affair otherwise.

Imagine myself waking up with a gaping hole in my chest and I die a minute later after my resurrection.

I would have mentally broken down from the sheer ludicrously.

But it still brings up more questions.

For what reason was I healed? Why did the skeleton guy fix me? Let alone, how am I even here to begin with?

These questions linger in my mind without an answer. I have yet to find a central point to connect these events. There has to be some sort of web or an order to why I am here.

However, my reality is already set in stone.

Sugu is my supposed sister. She truly believes I am her brother. If she hasn't found any hints of me being a newly resurrected zombie yet, then I doubt she ever will.

Overall this is a small relief in the grand scheme. I have yet to notice any sort of catch involved with my second coming. Usually in these situations there is some sort of clause attached.

Like a Monkey's Paw which brings misfortune.

As long nothing adverse occurs, I'll just enjoy my warm shower in peace. I can already feel my body rejuvenating from it's vegetable like state from earlier.

I hope that sometime soon I will be able to adjust to my new slot in life.

At the minimum, I shouldn't try to worry Sugu. She deserves some relief after worrying all over me.

"You there?" Speak of the Devil and she shall appear.

I move the shower curtain and see Sugu with a fresh pair of clothes. "I'm here, sister. Thank you for getting me something new to wear."

A blush covers her face. She must be weak to compliments. Poor girl, what kind of brother was I before this?

It appears the original host wasn't taking good care of his sister. Good thing I am here though, it's something I should rectify.

"N-no problem! I'll get the needle and thread ready." The curtain opened and she saw my exposed chest. "D-don't forget to come to my room!"

My 'sister' dashes away and it took a moment to realize why. It appears my half naked appearance is a little much for her to handle.

God, please tell me I'm not in a Romcom. I'm not ready for the clichés yet.

Well, since she ran off and worrying about the state of my existence isn't something I want to do, I might as well change.

The faucet shuts and I wipe myself down. A black shirt alongside a grey pair of slacks are put on.

Surprisingly I look much better than I first thought. A thorough cleaning really brought out my features.

Maybe it wasn't my sisters fault for blushing like mad?

When paired with my black hair and the silver tint of my eyes, I indeed gave off a certain charm. I wouldn't be surprised if I could entice any girl and walk away with their number with no effort at all.

Though, Japan might be a hard place for such a situation to unfold. Open relationships are discreet as the people here tend to hide their feelings when in public.

I finish dressing myself and comb my hair out of my eyes. Out of the bathroom I made my way in search for Sugu's bedroom.

"Huh, where am I?" I didn't really pay attention when entering here. "I wish I had some memories to work with. They would be really useful right now."

With no generic set of memories to work with, I had to adventure blindly. My journey was uneventful, but eventually I found my way.

And guess what.

Her room is right next to mine.

"Oh? Took you long enough. Come sit." She pats to a chair.

I slid past her door to enter. I pull the seat forward to sit down as I watch her work on taking care of me.

A hook touches my skin. I can feel the cold metal graze past my wound.

"Ugh… It hurts, be gentle."

"Sh, no complaining Kazuto. I have yet to start."

Pain spreads as the needle pierces skin. The hook weaves in and out along my gash. Blood oozes, but Sugu is quick to wipe it clean.

It takes five minutes. Where, throughout the procedure, I had to bear with the discomfort. Luckily, she's a better surgeon than I gave credit for as the operation comes to an end smoothly.

"There we go!" She gives me a hand-mirror. "Look at it. What do you think?"

There's no further signs of bleeding. The large gash has closed and a clean set of stitches are set. If this heals correctly, I'll have a cool scar to show off.

"It's all good sis. We finished here?"

"Nope~~" A brown bottle appears in her hand. "There's just one last step to do."

A shiver runs down my back. Her smile doesn't hint anything good for me.

And wait, isn't that hydroperoxide?

What the hell woman?! Are you trying to torture me too?!

"No. No no no. Nope, I ain't letting you do that." I cross my arms. "There has to be some antibiotics I can take instead."

"Awh, don't be a 'baby', brother. Aren't you supposed to be older than me?" My concentration slips and the rag sneaks in closer. "Look, the rag is already soaked."

"B-but-" The cloth finally touches my wound. "AUGH! SUGU! Why does it have to burn!?"

"Shhh. Quiet now. It's almost over."

I curse the blasted bottle. Somehow the pain is worse than having a hole torn through my chest. At least then I was numb to everything when it happened. Instead of what I am currently feeling..

The chemical burns my skin. My chest throbs as if phantom pains are appearing.

Why do I have to suffer so?

This better be worth it. I swear if I get an infection after all of this I'm going to burn the local pharmacy to the ground.

"F-finally…" I whimpered as the rag recedes. "A-are we done h-here now?"

Sugu takes a moment. She lifts the rag menacingly, but lowers it with a cheeky smile. If she wasn't my sister, I would've smacked her to kingdom come.

"Yep. We are done now. But please, be careful next time. We don't want a repeat again. Do we brother?"

This she-devil is really asking for a smacking. I don't know where she got that sort of cheek from.

But, maybe teasing her in the shower… is coming around to bite me.

I roll my eyes. As long as this remains a joke, I can handle it. Her worry is a little much for me to handle if this is the norm.

I think I better understood my body's previous situation.

"I'll be careful… I-I think I'll go to sleep early today."

I'd rather not deal with her antics. This day has been far more stressful than I have planned.

"You will? Do you need some help?"

A shiver runs down my back.

"N-no. I think I can handle it from here Sugu." I get up to leave. "Well anyway, wake me up if I sleep in late."

"Will do." Sugu hugs me from behind. "Take care brother."

Her embrace eased some tension. I'm beginning to think this isn't an act. She really does care for me.

It feels weird, but even I can appreciate the sibling love after everything I went through. I hope she can manage to calm down by tomorrow morning though.

I admit my start in this life isn't so bad. My family seems rich to own multiple buildings and I have a sister who can be a tad too caring.

Honestly, this could have been way worse. Just the thought of those grimdark novels sets me on edge. I'm happy with my lot in this life. It is much better than being born into slavery.

Finally, I enter my 'new' room.

My bedroom has little in the way of furniture. I have a twin bed, a table with a desktop, a book shelf and a dresser. It wasn't much, but it's enough to make it worthwhile.

Though, this awfully felt similar to a military set up if I ever saw one. I hope my 'parents' aren't some hard asses.

I can live perfectly fine without that sort of hassle. Though, for now I will have to worry about it later.

I belly flop onto the bed and sink into the mattress. Nothing I've ever felt, could have possibly felt better than this.

Without my notice, I fall asleep as the night passes me by.

Post Notes-

Next Chapter will introduce a hint to the crossover. Also introduces the system too.

You can give ideas for what you'd like to see in the system status page. Be warned though, I've most of it already set up.