Kaito trudged through the snow, his breath forming mist in the frigid air. The journey to the Avarosan outpost had been grueling—Ashe and Fiora moved with the ease of seasoned warriors, while he stumbled through the unfamiliar terrain, his sneakers soaked and freezing.
"I should've picked a warmer region to get isekai'd into," he grumbled.
Ashe chuckled, glancing back. "You'll get used to it. The cold makes you stronger."
Fiora, ever the pragmatist, tossed him a fur-lined cloak. "Don't die before you're useful."
Kaito wrapped it around himself gratefully. "Thanks… I think?"
As they crested a hill, a sprawling wooden fortress came into view—the Avarosan outpost, bustling with warriors, hunters, and the occasional frostborn mage. Banners bearing the tribal crest of the Avarosan flapped in the wind.
Ashe placed a hand on Kaito's shoulder. "Welcome to your new home. At least until you prove yourself."
Kaito swallowed. "Prove myself? What does that mean?"
The System answered:
[New Quest: Complete the Avarosan Trials]
[Objective: Pass three tests of combat, survival, and wit]
[Reward: Unlock a new ability slot + Ashe's respect]
"Great," Kaito muttered. "Tutorial arc."
The first test was simple—hunt a frostfang wolf and bring back its fang.
"Easy enough," Kaito thought. "I've played enough Monster Hunter."
But reality was different.
The wolf was fast, its white fur blending into the snow. Kaito crouched behind a rock, gripping his borrowed sword.
"Okay… I have Shunpo and Steel Tempest. I can do this."
The wolf sniffed the air—then lunged.
"Shunpo!"
Kaito blinked behind it, slashing downward—but the wolf twisted mid-air, its claws raking his side.
"Agh!"
He rolled away, blood staining the snow. The wolf circled him, growling.
"Think, Kaito! What would a League player do?"
Then it hit him.
He feinted left, baiting the wolf to pounce—then at the last second, blinked behind it again and unleashed Steel Tempest!
The whirlwind knocked the beast off balance. Before it could recover, Kaito drove his sword into its skull.
Panting, he yanked out a fang.
[Trial 1 Complete!]
[Reward: +1 Ability Slot Unlocked]
[New Condition Met: First Kill]
[Available Abilities Unlocked:]
- Volley (Ashe W) – Rapid Frost Arrows
- Frost Shot (Ashe Passive) – Slow on Hit]
Kaito grinned. "Now we're getting somewhere."
Back at the outpost, a massive man with a two-handed sword waited for him.
"So, you're the outsider Ashe brought in," the warrior rumbled. "I'm Tryndamere. Let's see if you're worth her time."
Kaito's stomach dropped. "Oh crap. The Barbarian King himself?"
The rules were simple—first to yield loses.
Tryndamere didn't wait. He charged, his sword a blur.
Kaito barely dodged, feeling the wind from the swing.
"He's too strong! I can't block that!"
He tried Steel Tempest, but Tryndamere tanked the hit, barely flinching.
"Is that all?" he laughed.
Kaito gritted his teeth. "Fine. Time to cheat."
He Shunpo'd behind Tryndamere—not to attack, but to grab a handful of snow and throw it in his face.
Tryndamere roared, momentarily blinded—
"Yield!" Kaito pressed his sword to the king's back.
Silence.
Then—laughter.
"Hah! Clever, boy." Tryndamere wiped his face. "I'll allow it."
Ashe, watching from the sidelines, smirked. "Resourceful. I like that."
[Trial 2 Complete!]
[Reward: Tryndamere's Respect]
[New Ability Unlocked: Bloodlust (Tryndamere Passive) – Gains strength when wounded]
The final test wasn't physical.
An elderly seeress, her eyes milky white, beckoned Kaito into a tent filled with smoke.
"The spirits whisper of you," she said. "A soul from another world. But do you have the will to fight for ours?"
She handed him a bowl of bitter liquid. "Drink. And face your truth."
Kaito hesitated—then downed it.
Darkness.
Then—visions.
Viego, the Ruined King, standing atop a mountain of corpses.
A shadowy figure (Sylas?) laughing as cities burned.
Himself, wielding the powers of multiple champions, standing against the tide of darkness.
The seeress's voice echoed: "Will you run? Or will you fight?"
Kaito clenched his fists.
"I've spent my whole life running. Not anymore."
"I'll fight."
The vision shattered.
[Trial 3 Complete!]
[Reward: Mark of the Avarosan (Grants minor frost resistance)]
[New Quest Unlocked: The Gathering Storm]
Ashe stood at the gates, her bow slung over her shoulder. "You passed. Welcome to the Avarosan, Kaito."
Fiora, leaning against a post, gave a rare smile. "Don't get cocky. You're still weak."
Tryndamere clapped him on the back, nearly knocking him over. "But you've got potential!"
Kaito grinned. "I'm really part of this world now."
The System flashed:
[New Ability Slot Available!]
[Choose Wisely:]
- Concussive Blast (Jayce E) – Knockback utility
- Twilight Shroud (Akali W) – Stealth field
- Deflect (Jax E) – Dodge and stun