I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

"Beat!" With a soft shout, the silver wheel burst forth.

However, just as it was about to strike its target, the giant bear suddenly raised its forepaw, its heavy claws colliding violently with the crescent moon wheel, sending sparks flying. The silver wheel was deflected and returned to Silica's hand. Her arms were slightly numb from the impact, and she staggered back two steps before regaining her balance.

"Damn it..." Silica bit her lower lip in frustration.

“It’s alright, you’ve done very well.” Lisbeth took a bottle of blue potion from her pouch. “Here, drink this to temporarily boost your agility.”

The giant bear became increasingly ferocious.

It lashed out with its claws, snapping the surrounding trees in half like straw. Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna were forced to retreat temporarily, looking for a new opportunity to attack.

“Ready to go.” Silica tilted her head back and drank the potion in one gulp. The icy liquid slid down her throat, then transformed into a warm current flowing through her limbs. She felt her body suddenly become light, even the movement of the air was clearly discernible. The blade of the crescent moon was aimed at the giant bear’s forehead, which was completely exposed due to its ferocity.

The bear's horns glowed red again as it opened its massive jaws. A wave of scorching heat swept over them, and withered leaves spontaneously combusted in the heat, turning into sparks that drifted away.

"Silica! One more time!" Asuna shouted.

"Go!" Silica threw the Moon Wheel with all her might. With the help of the potion, the silver wheel transformed into a streak of light, spinning at a perfect angle as it slashed at the giant bear's horns.

"Hooooo——!"

Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna retreated simultaneously, creating space for Silica to attack. Silica did not disappoint, throwing three consecutive Crescent Moon Wheels, all of which hit the giant bear's horns.

Chapter 57: Chopping Down Trees

Finally, on the fourth attempt, she threw the crescent wheel with all her might. The silver wheel traced a perfect spiral trajectory in the air and accurately hit the crack on the giant bear's horn.

With a crisp "crack," the sharp corner broke off.

The bear's roar shook the leaves, causing them to fall. The flames that had gathered in its mouth went out of control and exploded violently inside. Scorching tongues of fire erupted from its seven orifices, charring its ferocious face black. Its massive body swayed a few times before finally collapsing to the ground like a mountain, kicking up clouds of dust.

Mochizuki Kaede's lightning blade and Asuna's rapier were simultaneously pressed against the giant bear's throat. With a final, unwilling whimper, the behemoth finally ceased its struggle, dissipating into countless blue data fragments into the air.

"We did it!" Silica cheered as she ran over.

Mochizuki Kaede patted her head: "Silica, you did a great job."

Asuna sheathed her rapier and let out a long sigh of relief: "Good teamwork."

Lisbeth walked over, her crimson eyes sparkling: "Fantastic! Now my Explosive Warhammer is secured!"

She patted Mochizuki Kaede on the shoulder excitedly: "You guys are so reliable! My fire-resistant potion didn't even have to be used!"

Afterwards, the group left the forest and returned to the water city of Lobia along the canal.

Lisbeth led the three to the far corner of the main dock. An old shipwright with white hair and beard sat on a faded wooden crate, a bottle of liquor in his right hand and wisps of smoke rising from his pipe in his left. His wrinkled face was flushed red by the sea breeze, but his cloudy eyes remained focused on the distant horizon.

“We brought back the bear oil.” Lisbeth stepped forward and took out an exquisite copper pot from her inventory.

The old shipwright slowly turned his head. He didn't take it immediately, but instead took a deep drag on his pipe, letting the smoke swirl in his lungs before slowly exhaling.

"This smell..." The old shipwright suddenly sniffed, his right eyebrow slightly raised. "You've obtained the Forest Lord's oil?"

With a clang, the bottle of whiskey rolled off the old shipwright's lap, the amber liquid spreading across the wooden dock. The old shipwright, oblivious, snatched the copper kettle with a nimble right hand, its knuckles defined, behaving with an agility beyond its years.

"Ding!" A crisp system notification sound rang in the ears of the four people, and the task record was automatically updated.

After some time, the old shipwright continued, as if to keep the audience in suspense:

“I have the highest grade bear oil, but I still need the best shipbuilding timber. Those guys from the Water Transport Guild have taken all the shipbuilding materials. We need a lot of timber to build ships. And it has to be strong timber like birch or oak that only grows in the southeastern forests.”

The mission log continues, and the second phase of "The Former Shipwright" has begun.

[The shipwright of yesteryear].

mission target:

Collect 10 pieces of [Heartwood of Fine Wood].

reward:

Explosive Warhammer x1.

Gondola x1.

"Timber?" Lisbeth scratched her short pink hair and sighed helplessly. "This mission actually has a second stage. Looks like I'll have to go back to the Southeast Forest to be a lumberjack again."

Chopping down trees naturally requires an axe, and Lisbeth patted the forging hammer at her waist: "I happen to have a few homemade axes in my workshop."

Back in the workshop, Lisbeth took down four axes of different designs from the weapon rack: "Although I've never chopped down trees, I've upgraded these axes, so they're definitely much more efficient than ordinary ones!"

Mochizuki Kaede received a two-handed axe that was entirely black, while Asuna received a lightweight one-handed axe with a handle wrapped in non-slip leather. Silica received an axe that was almost as small as a toy, and Lisbeth kept a special tool that combined an axe and a hammer for herself.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves as the four selected their target on the outskirts of the southeastern forest.

Silica held the small axe in both hands and gestured a few times at the tree trunk, which was thicker than her waist.

"It was my first time cutting down a tree, and it felt so novel."

Silica muttered to herself and swung the axe down with all her might. The blade embedded itself deeply in the tree trunk, but it got stuck because she hadn't swung hard enough. Her petite body dangled from the axe handle and swayed a few times, a comical sight that made Asuna chuckle.

Mochizuki Kaede adopted a standard logging stance, with his legs shoulder-width apart and using his waist to power his arms.

"Hey!" With a low shout, the black axe drew a perfect arc in the air and slammed heavily into the tree trunk, sending wood chips flying everywhere.

"Pfft... Xiao Feng, your posture is so weird." Asuna covered her mouth and chuckled, "Like a professional woodcutter."

Mochizuki Kaede expressionlessly pulled out her axe: "Don't be lazy, Asuna."

With that, he swung his axe a few more times, and a clear notch appeared in the tree trunk. Each time his axe fell, it struck the same spot with precision, demonstrating astonishing control.

Lisbeth also joined in the tree-chopping, her movements made especially powerful by the blacksmith's strong arms.

Her pink hair was stuck to her cheeks with sweat, but she worked even harder: "Watch me!"

The axe slammed down with a whooshing sound.

An hour later, Mochizuki Maple put the last piece of oak heartwood into his inventory, let out a long sigh, and sat down next to the tree roots.

He cut down the vast majority of the heartwood of the finest trees.

"Xiao Feng..." Asuna blinked her amber eyes, unable to hide her surprise, "You didn't actually cut down trees before, did you?"

Silica sat to the side, hugging her knees, her little face covered in wood chips: "Brother Feng looks so professional when he's chopping down trees."

Lisbeth, who was using a forging hammer to trim the rolled edges of the axe blade, looked up when she heard this, her purplish-red eyes full of curiosity.

Mochizuki Kaede unscrewed the water bottle and took a few gulps, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down with each swallow, water droplets dripping from his chin onto the fallen leaves: "I'm just seriously chopping."

Asuna chuckled and pointed at Silica: "Silica is too small to exert much strength."

Then, pointing to himself and Lisbeth, he said, "And us..."

“We’re having an academic exchange between blacksmiths and swordsmen!” Lisbeth replied matter-of-factly, a few leaves still clinging to her short pink hair. She and Asuna exchanged a smile; the two had somehow ended up together.

It's clearly laziness...

Mochizuki Kaede shook his head helplessly, his gaze sweeping over the three of them: Silica was clumsily trying to brush the sawdust off her hair, Asuna and Lisbeth were sitting close together, occasionally letting out soft laughter, while he himself, covered in sawdust, did indeed look like a real woodcutter.

After resting, the group returned to the dock where the old shipwright worked. After handing over their tasks, the old shipwright stood up and led them to an inconspicuous old house.

The room was a mess, with sawdust and tools scattered all over the floor. The old shipwright walked through the slightly cluttered room, stood in front of a door by the south-facing window, and then took out a key from his pocket to unlock what looked like a very sturdy lock.

With a creak, a neat tool shed was revealed behind the door. Huge saws, hammers, chisels, and wood planes, among other tools, were neatly arranged together, each piece gleaming as if it were brand new.

.

.

.

.

Thank you to [Dao Ying Hong Cha Jun] for the razor blade!

Chapter 58: The Fortress on the Lake

Lisbeth received the quest reward, the Explosive Warhammer, and the old shipwright built them a medium-sized gondola.

A brand-new gondola is moored on the water at the dock.

Asuna specifically chose a red and white paint scheme, which is particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.

“So, who will be the captain?” Silica asked.

The three of them looked at Mochizuki Kaede without prior arrangement.

"..." Mochizuki Kaede remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded gently under the expectant gazes of everyone.

"Now it's time to name the ship!" Asuna clapped her hands excitedly.

Mochizuki Kaede smiled slightly, her tone teasing: "How about we call it 'Asuna'?"

Asuna immediately retorted, "I think 'Little Maple' would be a more suitable name."

“I agree,” Silica whispered in agreement, a smile playing on her lips.

Lisbeth laughed and said, "It's a nice name to pronounce."

Thus, this red and white gondola was named "Little Maple".

Everyone boarded the brand-new "Little Maple" with great enthusiasm, embarking on their first private gondola trip.

Although Mochizuki Kaede is nominally the captain, he has to take on the role of the boatman at this moment.

Asuna stood at the bow, her hands resting on the gilded bow ornament. She had become the true captain. The sea breeze blew by, and she tilted her head back slightly, letting the damp wind caress her cheeks. Her chestnut hair fluttered in the wind, carrying a faint fragrance.

"Xiao Feng, go faster!" Asuna suddenly turned around, raised her arm towards the stern, and commanded, her voice filled with undisguised excitement.

Mochizuki Kaede silently increased the pressure on her oars, sending up sparkling water droplets. The "Little Maple" turned gracefully on the emerald water, and as the boat tilted, Asuna instinctively gripped the hull, letting out a soft, bell-like laugh.

Silica leaned against the gunwale, her little hands gently splashing the water: "Wow, so fast! Much faster than the gondolas driven by NPCs!"

Lisbeth leaned back in her comfortable chair: "This is much more comfortable than walking."

At a bend in the canal, a group of phosphorescent fish swam in pursuit of the boat's shadow, leaving stardust-like trails in the clear water.

After the Little Maple returned to the dock after its maiden voyage, Lisbeth was the first to jump ashore.

"I need to head back to the workshop to try out my new weapon." She patted the [Explosive Warhammer] at her waist. "If you ever need weapon upgrades, just come find me!"

She waved to the three of them, and as she turned around, the forging hammer clashed with the tools at her waist.

After watching Lisbeth leave, Asuna's eyes still shone with the joy of making a new friend: "Xiaofeng, where are we going to level up today?"

Just as Mochizuki Kaede was about to answer, a familiar voice suddenly came from the dock: "Oh, you already have private gondolas?"

Mochizuki Kaede turned around and saw Diabel waving at them. Behind him stood the swordsman Kirito and the bald black man, Agil.

Diabel took a few steps closer: "We're also planning to build a private gondola in preparation for the [Fortress on the Lake] quest."

He glanced at the brand-new [Little Maple] and smiled, "It seems we can cooperate perfectly."

"A fortress on the lake?" Asuna blinked in confusion.

Mochizuki Kaede's gaze swept over Diabel and his two companions: "You've already teamed up?"

Kirito nodded slightly: "It's just a temporary team. The [Fortress on the Lake] is a necessary quest to unlock the fourth level of the BOSS dungeon."

Aikir patted his muscular chest and laughed heartily, "We just happened to run into these two guys looking for teammates. They heard the mission required water combat, so we thought we'd get a boat first."

Diabel smiled and extended his hand: "How about it, want to join in? With our strength, we should be able to easily complete this task by working together."

Mochizuki Kaede turned to look at Asuna and Silica, and after receiving their affirming glances, he shook Diabel's hand: "It's a pleasure working with you."

Subsequently, Diabel and his group also commissioned a private gondola from the old shipwright. Because Agil had previously logged a large amount of high-quality timber, the [Knight] they built was more spacious than the [Little Maple].

Two gondolas were moored side by side at the dock, the red and white "Little Maple" and the silver-blue "Knight" forming a striking contrast.

"Then, let's set sail!" Diabel stood at the bow of the Knight, pointing confidently at the distant sea: "Our destination: the fortress on the lake!"

Mochizuki Kaede's "Little Maple" followed behind the "Knight".

The two gondolas left long trails on the sea and sailed eastward for a long time before finally arriving at their destination.

The entrance to the deep labyrinth was dimly lit; although it wasn't completely dark, visibility was significantly reduced.

"We've arrived at the underwater maze."

Diabel's voice came from ahead.

With Kirito and Agil working in perfect harmony, the Knight smoothly steered its silver-blue hull into the maze entrance.

Mochizuki Kaede, piloting the [Little Kaede], followed closely behind. He said to Asuna and Silica, "Be vigilant and watch out for monsters."