I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

Without a word, the players tossed Diabel into the air, each leap accompanied by even louder cheers. He smiled helplessly, letting them fool around.

"We won! We really won!"

"The first floor is open!"

Players raised their weapons high, some embracing each other and weeping, some kneeling and panting, and many more bursting into laughter. Their tense nerves finally relaxed, and the joy of surviving the ordeal transformed into the purest shouts.

In this deadly game, the mere act of "living" is enough to bring tears to one's eyes.

"Nice job, kid."

Aikir's heavy hand slammed onto my shoulder, almost making me stumble: "If it weren't for you blocking the way, there would be at least ten more corpses here now."

Just as I was about to shake my head, two figures suddenly came into view. The silver-haired swordsman—Wang Yuefeng—walked towards me.

"Thank you for your timely support," he said, his voice gentler than expected. "Without your intervention, we wouldn't have been able to seize that opportunity."

The rapier-wielding girl standing beside him smiled slightly at me. Her smile was pure, without any deliberate politeness, but rather a genuine expression of gratitude: "You're really amazing to have reacted in that situation."

“No… I just…” I subconsciously looked away. This straightforward gratitude made me feel awkward, and I ended up with an clumsy reply: “You guys… cooperated very well.”

The rapier-wielding girl seemed delighted by this remark, bursting into laughter; her laughter was unexpectedly infectious. The silver-haired swordsman also slightly smiled and extended his hand to me:

"Let's get to know each other again. I'm Mochizuki Kaede. This is my partner, Asuna."

I hesitated for a second, but still took that hand. The cool touch of the metal glove in my palm was strangely reassuring.

"Kirito... is just an ordinary player."

Actually, I had already seen this pair of partners back when the first floor BOSS strategy meeting was held in Torbana.

At that time, I was sitting on the topmost cold stone steps.

The man called Tooth King's shrill shouts echoed across the circular square, and with each word he spoke, my back tensed up a little more.

"The closed beta testers are responsible for the deaths of the two thousand people. They must kneel down and apologize to everyone, and return all the money and items they lost!"

My fingers dug deep into my palms.

Even though I knew it was nonsense, I couldn't bring myself to stand up and refute it. Because at that moment, I was genuinely thinking: if I, as a closed beta player, had stepped forward to share information earlier, could I have saved more people?

Just then, Akiel's deep voice broke the deadlock. This bald black player resolved the conflict in his own unique way, but what truly relieved me was the pair of partners who stepped forward next.

Mochizuki Kaede's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable firmness: "Instead of holding the closed beta testers responsible, we should think about how to keep the existing players alive."

Then Asuna, the rapier-wielding girl standing beside him, spoke up: "Today, we are not fighting for closed beta testers or regular players, but for all those trapped in this world—including ourselves!"

Such a simple and clear truth, yet why does it sound so convincing when spoken by her?

I noticed the players around me were nodding, and even the most agitated ones began to soften. In that instant, my tense shoulders finally relaxed.

Diabel promptly took over the conversation and began discussing the BOSS strategy. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief; this near-conflict had been averted by those two.

For some reason, the image of them standing together reminded me of Klein.

How is that uncle with the face of a down-on-his-luck samurai doing now?

For the past month, I've deliberately tried not to think about him. But now the memories are flooding back uncontrollably: his exaggerated red headscarf, his always messy stubble, and that smiling face when we parted ways.

"Hey! Kirito! Your face is actually quite cute! You're my type!"

"Klein, that disheveled warrior look of yours really suits you now!"

What if I had agreed to Klein's request back then? Would I, like Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna, have a partner I could entrust my life to now...?

Next came the boss battle on the first floor. This duo's fighting rhythm was as if they had anticipated each other's every move. Every block, every thrust, and every switch was so precise that it was astonishing.

Mochizuki Kaede's swordplay was steady yet sharp, while Asuna's thrusts were swift and deadly. Their fighting styles were completely different, yet they complemented each other perfectly.

Perhaps true strength lies not in knowing game information in advance, but in being able to trust one's partner without reservation. The tacit understanding between them clearly wasn't something that could be cultivated overnight. It was a bond gradually forged through countless battles fought side-by-side, in life-or-death crises.

At this moment, standing in the first-floor boss room, Kirito looked at the silver-haired swordsman and the rapier-wielding girl before him, and a thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind—

They are two special players.

Perhaps, one day in the future, their names will resound throughout Aincrad.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Wilderness

News of the first level's success spread like wildfire throughout Aincrad.

For countless players huddled in fear in the starting town, this was not just a victory, but the first ray of dawn in the darkness. Many players who had been in despair began to muster the courage to leave the safe zone, pick up weapons, and join the raiding teams.

With the liberation of the first level, the portal to the border town of Urbas on the second level is also officially activated.

Unlike the environment of the first level, the second level presents a typical western wilderness landscape.

The vast grassland rippled with waves of yellow-green in the dry wind.

The bare, reddish-brown rocky terrain rises abruptly like the spine of a giant beast, interspersed with deep canyons and fissures. Scattered coniferous forests dot the landscape like green islands, their canopies rustling mournfully in the strong winds.

Urbas.

This small frontier town, perched on the southeastern cliff, is the first stop for all players who have broken through to the first level.

The rough sandstone city walls are covered with traces of wind erosion, the city gates creak in the wind and sand, and the wooden hinges make a harsh friction sound.

The main street is paved with rough stone slabs, with a few clumps of drought-resistant brambles stubbornly sprouting from the gaps. Most of the buildings on both sides are built of heavy sandstone and unadorned logs, with dry bundles of reeds on the roofs that rustle in the wind.

Players who had advanced from the first level walked the streets in small groups, their equipment noticeably superior to their initial state. Their leather armor now featured metal trim, and their weapons were no longer the beginner's iron swords, but reinforced steel blades with a special sheen.

Their expressions varied: some excitedly discussed their experiences on the second floor, some solemnly checked their equipment, and others warily scanned their surroundings, afraid of being targeted by those with ill intentions.

Mochizuki Kaede pushed open the oak door of the [Wilderness Anvil] weapon shop, the newly purchased light steel armor gleaming matte in the sunlight. He stretched his shoulders; this armor, lined with canyon lizard skin, was indeed much more flexible than the equipment on the first floor.

"Xiao Feng!"

A crisp call made Mochizuki Kaede turn around. Asuna was jogging across the sandstone plaza of Urbas, her long chestnut hair fluttering in the dry wilderness wind. Today she was wearing light armor for ease of movement, and the rapier at her waist swayed gently with each step.

"I just heard some very important information!" Asuna stopped in front of Mochizuki Kaede, her amber eyes shining brightly.

"Is it information about rare equipment drops?" Mochizuki Kaede sheathed his newly purchased longsword. Over the past week, they had become completely familiar with the terrain of the second level.

Asuna shook her head, her hair swaying slightly: "No, that's not it."

"So, a new route has been discovered in the maze area?"

"That's not right either." Asuna smiled mysteriously.

"Could it be... new information about the BOSS?" Mochizuki Kaede's voice turned serious.

"You're all wrong!"

Asuna finally couldn't hold back any longer and clapped her hands: "It's [Rock Grass]! A rare spice specializing in the western rocky region!"

Her voice unconsciously rose eight octaves: "I heard that just a tiny bit can completely remove the fishy smell of meat and elevate the flavor of the dish several levels!"

Looking at the girl in front of him who had suddenly transformed into a food detective, Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but smile.

Ever since accidentally discovering the [Cooking Skill] system in this death game, Asuna has shown amazing enthusiasm. Every time she finds a new ingredient, her face lights up with pure joy.

In the virtual world of SAO, in addition to sword skills for combat, there is a system of various life skills that players can learn and use.

The [Equipment Manufacturing] skill category includes [Forging], [Tailoring], and [Carpentry]. Forging is for crafting and repairing weapons, tailoring is for crafting armor and clothing, and carpentry is for making furniture and houses.

The [Gathering] skill category includes [Mining], [Herbalism], and [Carving]. Mining involves collecting ores from rock formations or dungeons. Herbalism involves gathering herbs for alchemy or cooking. Carving involves obtaining materials such as leather and horns from monster corpses.

Production-related skills include cooking and fishing.

The [Support and Commerce] skills include [Alchemy], [Appraisal], and [Trading]. Alchemy involves crafting potions, poisons, and explosives. Appraisal identifies the attributes of unidentified equipment. Trading allows you to increase buying and selling prices and open your own shop.

The skills under "Arts and Social Skills" include "Music," "Painting," and "Beast Taming." Music skills involve playing musical instruments, providing buffs or entertainment. Painting skills involve drawing maps or recording scenes. Beast Taming skills involve taming monsters as pets.

The [Hidden and Unique] skills include [Stealth], [Sprint], and [Unique Skills]. Stealth allows temporary invisibility, avoiding monster aggro. Sprint increases movement speed, useful for long journeys or escapes. Unique Skills, as the name suggests, are special skills that only the player can obtain and use.

After learning the [Cooking Skill], Asuna's dedication to ingredients is no less than her sword skills; she even has more seasoning bottles in her inventory than healing potions.

She was now completely absorbed in her own world, gesturing with her fingers in the air: "[Rock Herbs] can be used to make black pepper sauce, or to marinate rock goat steaks... Ah! Maybe it can even make something similar to rosemary in the real world..."

"So," Mochizuki Kaede interrupted her culinary reverie, pointing to the faintly visible reddish-brown rocky mountains to the west, "are we going to gather herbs now?"

Asuna snapped out of her daze, nodded, and pulled up a map: "According to intelligence, the Sandstorm Hyenas live in groups near the rocky area, which is perfect for testing your new equipment. Besides, I've heard that the sunset there is the most beautiful on the entire second level."

She winked: "As payment, how about I make whole lamb stewed with herbs for dinner?"

Mochizuki Kaede suddenly noticed the leather tool bag that had appeared at her waist: "What's that?"

"【Chef's Adventure Kit】" Asuna proudly displayed the silver grinder, folding cutting board, and other tools inside. "It used up all my Cor... but with this, I can process high-quality ingredients in the wild!"

Looking at the smile blooming on the girl's face, Mochizuki Kaede smiled helplessly: "Then go."

Asuna had already turned and started jogging, her hair flying as she looked back: "Hurry up, or we'll miss the best time to collect them!"

Mochizuki Kaede quickly followed, the longsword at her waist clanging crisply against her newly purchased armor, the sound echoing on the stone pavement of Urbas. This seemingly ordinary afternoon suddenly came alive because of a sudden whim about spices.

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Canyon's Secret Medicine

Western rock field.

The reddish-brown rocky mountains pierced the earth like the fangs of a giant beast, radiating distorted heat waves under the scorching sun. Cracked, dry riverbeds meandered through them, and occasionally a few tenacious thorny grasses could be seen, trembling slightly in the sweltering wind.

"So hot……"

Asuna wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand; her leather gloves were already soaked with sweat.

The dry, hot wind whipped up sand and slapped against their faces. Asuna raised her hand to shield her brows and squinted at the vast rocky landscape: "The intelligence says that the [Rock Herbs] grow near the wind-eroded caves."

Mochizuki Kaede handed her the water bag: "Be careful not to dehydrate. This area is not only the territory of the Sandstorm Hyenas, but the high temperature itself is also very dangerous."

Asuna took the water bag.

Mochizuki crouched down, his fingertips tracing a fresh claw mark on the ground: "Be careful, this is the trail of a Sandstorm Hyena. They hunt in packs and are masters of ambush in the shadows of rocks."

As soon as they finished speaking, a "crack" sound of loose rocks rolling came from the rock pillars in the distance, and the two of them tensed up at the same time.

"Four at three o'clock."

Wang Yuefeng lowered his voice, his longsword pointing diagonally at the ground, the blade reflecting a blinding white light under the blazing sun: "Watch out for their forepaw movements."

The sandstorm hyena pack fanned out, their dry nostrils spewing out sand-laden breath. The leading elite hyena suddenly tilted its head back and let out a piercing howl—

"coming!"

Four sandstorm hyenas launched a surprise attack simultaneously, their hind legs unleashing astonishing leaping power. Mochizuki instantly anticipated their trajectory, his longsword tracing a perfect semicircle.

The metal clashed with the claws, creating ear-piercing sparks, and the two sandstorm hyenas at the forefront were forced back by the force of the sword.

Asuna swiftly shifted two steps to the side, her rapier precisely piercing the gaping maw of the third sandstorm hyena.

The sword tip pierced through the monster's head from behind. Accompanied by the blue light effect of the [Pierce] skill being completed, the Sandstorm Hyena's body stiffened for a moment before turning into fragments and dissipating.

"Watch out for sandstorms!" Mochizuki Kaede warned.

The remaining sandstorm hyenas suddenly crouched low, frantically pawing at the ground. In an instant, a sandstorm, carrying gravel, swept in.

Mochizuki immediately closed his eyes and retreated, parrying with his sword based on the directions he remembered.

"Clang!" The vibration of metal clashing came from the hilt of his sword, and he barely managed to parry the elite hyena's sneak attack.

Asuna's situation is even more critical.

Two sandstorm hyenas, using the sand curtain as cover, pounced simultaneously from the left and right. At the critical moment, she suddenly leaned back, her slender waist almost bent at a right angle, and the sandstorm hyenas' sharp claws grazed her nose.

Before she could fully regain her balance, her rapier had already turned into a flash of silver light.

Two sword beams struck the throats of the two sandstorm hyenas with pinpoint accuracy.

The elite hyena had already circled behind Wang Yuefeng, its red-glowing claws raised high—

"Switch!"

Suddenly, Mochizuki Kaede ducked and rolled, and Asuna's rapier shot out from where he had been standing, meeting the onrushing elite hyena head-on. The monster was unable to change direction in mid-air, and the sword tip pierced straight into its vulnerable abdomen.

"Final blow!"

Mochizuki Kaede's longsword followed closely, its upward slash sending the elite hyena flying. As the monster tumbled through the air, both swords simultaneously glowed with skill lights—

"Double Thrust!"

The rapier and longsword, like two bolts of lightning, pierced simultaneously through the elite hyena's head and heart. Accompanied by a sound like shattering glass, the final enemy dissipated into countless blue polygonal fragments in the hot wind.

Asuna breathed slightly, only noticing her fingers trembling slightly as she sheathed her sword. Several deep claw marks appeared on Mochizuki Kaede's armor.

"It's more complicated than I expected..."