I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

He pulled the flag out of the mud and put it in his inventory. Then he turned to Yuna and gave her an approving smile: "Of course, Yuna's piano playing buff is equally important."

"Thank you for the compliment, Chairman." Yuna bowed slightly while holding her lute, rainwater accumulating on the brim of her hat sliding down the edge.

Seeing Yuna being praised, Silica unconsciously pouted, her little hands holding the moon wheel, her twin ponytails drooping listlessly.

Mochizuki Kaede noticed her unusual behavior, walked over and gently rubbed her head: "Our Silica also performed very well today. If it weren't for your Crescent Moon Wheel restraining us, we wouldn't have won so easily."

"Hehe..." Silica immediately raised her head, her eyes brightening again, her earlier displeasure vanishing instantly. She rubbed against Mochizuki Kaede's hand like a docile kitten, then suddenly straightened her back as if realizing something: "Actually...actually, I can do even better!"

Asuna watched this scene, a gentle smile spreading across her amber eyes. Just as she was about to speak, a suppressed sob suddenly came from inside the cabin. Her smile froze, turning into a barely audible sigh: "It's time to go see the Baron and the others."

The group slowly walked into the wooden house.

Baron Henry knelt in the corner, holding his delirious wife tightly in his arms. His obese body trembled violently, and tears dripped continuously onto his wife's disheveled hair.

“It’s all my fault… Jenny… I swear I’ll never touch a drop of alcohol again…” Baron Henry’s voice was hoarse with remorse.

Yuna gently plucked the strings, playing a soothing melody that flowed like a clear spring through the dilapidated wooden house: "Music can heal wounds... but some cracks take more time to heal."

Asuna leaned against the door, gazing at the couple, her voice tinged with a distant melancholy: "The Baron and his wife must have been deeply in love when they were young... How could things have come to this..."

Mochizuki Kaede stood silently to the side. Silica said, "Where is their daughter now...?"

Back at the castle, a fragment was pieced together from the lady's intermittent ramblings: after leaving the castle, the mother and daughter were captured by the old witch on the road, but the baron's daughter managed to escape.

With tears in his eyes, the baron invited everyone to stay the night. His hunched back made him look much older than his actual age: "Please rest here. We'll continue our search for my daughter tomorrow."

The following morning, as everyone was discussing how to find the Baron's daughter, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the castle. A villager appeared in the hall with a raggedly dressed girl—it was the Baron's daughter, who had been missing for many days; father and daughter were finally reunited…

The task "Every family has its own problems" has been completed.

Surprisingly, the special item reward for the mission is a [Rose Necklace].

When Mochizuki Kaede clicked on the description of the reward item [Rose Necklace], three pretty faces simultaneously crowded around her.

"Is it some kind of rare item?" Asuna's hair, like flowing silk threads, gently brushed against Mochizuki Kaede's cheek, carrying a faint, refreshing fragrance, like the aroma carried by a spring breeze.

Silica tiptoed, her playful ponytail swaying merrily with her eager movements, like a lively little deer leaping through the forest, as she coquettishly said, "Let me see too~"

Yuna stood quietly to the side, like a lily blooming serenely, but her bright eyes, as bright as stars twinkling in the night sky, were now filled with deep curiosity.

The prop descriptions are clearly displayed:

【Rose Necklace (Special Accessory)】

[Effect: The wearer gains the "Flower Language Blessing" status, which increases defense by 20% and has a 10% chance to trigger evasion when attacked, completely avoiding damage.]

[Note: Roses symbolize sincere love and cherishing; may the holder always remember this sentiment.]

Chapter 85: Bystanders

It was an exquisitely crafted silver chain, adorned with a lifelike red rose. The chain was delicate yet sturdy, gleaming with a warm luster. The rose petals were layered upon layered, their textures intricate, as if still bearing the luster of morning dew, making it irresistibly charming.

"It seems to be a very useful tool."

Mochizuki Kaede carefully examined the attribute description of the rose necklace, then looked at everyone.

Asuna, Silica, and Yuna's eyes were all drawn to the necklace in his hand.

It seems that young girls have an irresistible attraction to these pretty little accessories, especially since the note on this rose necklace reads, "The rose symbolizes sincere love and cherishment; may the holder always remember this sentiment."

Sweet love is the most beautiful longing in the hearts of young girls.

At this moment, the necklace is like a key, quietly unlocking their beautiful dreams of love.

Mochizuki Kaede gently held the rose necklace in her palm; the silver chain shimmered softly in the sunlight. "Who among you needs this prop?"

Asuna gently brushed her chestnut hair behind her ear, forcing herself to look away: "Give it to them."

She patted the elven sword at her waist and said casually, "I already have a suitable weapon, so I don't really need this one."

Silica's face flushed red, and she waved her hands frantically: "I... I have enough with the Moon Wheel!"

She glanced at the necklace furtively before quickly looking away: "This necklace should be given to Asuna or Yuna; you two need it more than I do."

Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but shake her head: "These are ornaments, they don't conflict with your weapons."

“I don’t need it,” Asuna insisted. “My equipment is already very complete. Silica is young and more likely to encounter danger in battle. It’s perfect for her to wear for self-defense.”

Upon hearing this, Silica immediately said, "No, no! Asuna-neechan is always at the forefront, so she needs even more protection!"

Asuna frowned, her expression serious: "You're in charge of ranged control, which makes you more useful in our team. If you get injured, our team's combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced, so you're a better fit."

Silica was a little embarrassed by what she was told, but she still retorted, "But the rose necklace is so beautiful, it looks especially good on you, Asuna-neechan. It would look really good on you."

Asuna's ear tips turned red at a visible speed: "What are you saying? I think it's more suitable for a cute girl like Silica."

Yuna stood to the side, holding her lute, her white hat brim slightly lowered, but she couldn't hide the faint smile on her lips.

His brown eyes darted between the three of them, as if he were watching a meticulously choreographed stage play.

Since joining the Golden Rule, she had long noticed Asuna and Silica's gazes drifting towards Mochizuki Kaede, like restless willow catkins in spring, gently passing by and then hurriedly hiding.

Her fingertips gently plucked the strings, producing a few playful notes.

The rose necklace itself was exquisite, but what truly made the two girls refuse it was probably the identity of the giver.

In this virtual world, the rose still carries a metaphor for reality. Hidden within its layers of petals are perhaps expectations that are even more thrilling than equipment attributes.

But these two girls are very kind, which is why they kept deferring to each other.

Yuna's gaze swept over Asuna's tense shoulder line, Silica's tightly clenched fingertips, and Mochizuki Kaede's slightly confused eyes, and she suddenly felt that this scene was more interesting than any piano music.

“I think…” Yuna suddenly spoke, her voice as clear as a spring, “Since it’s an item that symbolizes [LOVE]…”

She paused deliberately, then looked at Mochizuki Kaede: "Why don't we let the president decide who to give it to?"

Mochizuki Kaede froze instantly, her mind filled with questions. What item symbolizes "LOVE"? Yuna's nonsensical question made her blink in confusion, her gaze darting between Yuna, Asuna, and Silica, trying to find the answer in their expressions.

Asuna and Silica, who had just been arguing heatedly, each trying to get the other to accept the necklace, suddenly fell silent as if frozen in place, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

Wang Yuefeng frowned slightly, lost in thought. The effect of the [Rose Necklace]: The wearer gains the "Flower Language Blessing" status, increasing defense by 20%, and has a 10% chance to trigger evasion when attacked, completely avoiding damage.

The effect is really good, but it would be a real problem to let him choose.

Just as Silica said, Asuna always rushes to the front, facing those fierce monsters and enduring the greatest danger, so giving her this rose necklace seems to provide her with an extra layer of protection.

But Asuna's point is valid. Silica is young and lacks combat experience, making her more vulnerable in complex battles. Giving her a self-defense item seems like a good idea.

Mochizuki Kaede's gaze shifted to Yuna. A faint smile played on her lips; she looked exactly like a bystander waiting for the drama to unfold.

A thought suddenly popped into his head: Why not give it to Yuna?

Yuna plays a crucial role in the team, providing buffs. In battle, her defense and evasion abilities directly affect her ability to reliably support her teammates. Ensuring her safety greatly benefits the entire team's combat effectiveness.

Moreover, since Yuna joined the Golden Rule, he hadn't really given her any decent equipment, so this rose necklace was the perfect gift for her at this moment.

Thinking of this, Mochizuki Kaede reached out and handed the exquisite rose necklace to Yuna.

Yuna's smile froze on her face as if it had been paused.

She clutched the lute tightly, flustered, pressing the strings so hard they produced several off-key notes: "I...I?"

How did I go from being a leisurely bystander to the center of attention in the blink of an eye?

Mochizuki Kaede explained earnestly and patiently, “Yuna, you’ve been with our team for a while now, and as the guild leader, I haven’t given you any decent equipment yet. Moreover, as our team’s buff support, you are crucial in battle, so having this item will provide you with an extra layer of protection.”

Upon hearing this, Asuna immediately realized what was happening, her eyes lit up, and she said with a smile, "That's right, Yuna is a newcomer to our team, and Xiaofeng is being very considerate in doing this. That's how it should be done."

Silica nodded vigorously and echoed, "I agree! Sister Yuna, please accept it."

"Eh—" Yuna couldn't help but chuckle. She really didn't expect Mochizuki Kaede to suddenly make such a decision, and the reason was so convincing.

She glanced at Mochizuki Kaede furtively, wondering to herself: Is the student council president perhaps a bit oblivious when it comes to matters of the heart? Otherwise, how come she didn't notice the subtle tension between Asuna and Silica earlier?

However, she was still very grateful for Mochizuki Kaede's thoughtfulness. Continuing to refuse would only make her seem hypocritical. So, she breathed a sigh of relief, reached out and accepted the rose necklace, a smile returning to her lips: "Then I thank you, Chairman."

Chapter 86: The Mechanical Maze

After Yuna accepted the rose necklace, the group rested briefly before heading to the sixth level of the maze to conduct reconnaissance.

The sixth level of the maze area is completely different from the previous ones.

This is a mechanical maze made up of countless giant gears.

Gears crisscrossed and meshed, slowly turning and emitting a deafening roar that echoed through the metal tunnels. The smell of machine oil mixed with the burnt odor of metal friction filled the narrow passages, making it feel like a giant machine factory.

Mochizuki Kaede led the way, her lightning blade poised to be drawn at any moment. Asuna followed closely behind, her rapier gleaming coldly in the dimly lit mechanical labyrinth. Silica gripped her crescent moon tightly, while Yuna clutched her lute, wary of their surroundings.

Just then, the inspection hole in the dark suddenly popped open.

Seven or eight mechanical beasts, pieced together from discarded parts, crawled out. Steam spewed from their joints, their limbs were sharp mechanical claws, and their compound eyes, composed of gears, gleamed with a dangerous red light. The monster at the very front suddenly opened its jaws, revealing a rotating, serrated disc.

They lunged at the group, baring their teeth and claws, roaring like engines.

Mochizuki Kaede immediately drew her weapon: "Everyone, be careful!"

A mechanical beast leaped high into the air, its sharp claws reaching for Mochizuki Kaede's head. Mochizuki Kaede dodged to the side, simultaneously thrusting his longsword upwards, plunging it fiercely into the monster's body. The blade struck the serrated disc, creating blinding sparks, and the mechanical beast's hydraulic pipes snapped, spewing out scalding steam.

Yuna's zither music rang out just in time, and the amplification aura rippled outwards. Mochizuki Kaede launched another attack, his longsword transforming into a golden beam of light, instantly cleaving the mechanical monsters in front of him in two.

"Leave the left side to me!"

Asuna's rapier pierced precisely into the eye gear assembly of another mechanical beast.

The precision parts exploded like a shower of flowers, but the monster's remains were still twitching and shooting out rivets.

Silica's crescent moon whistled through the air, tracing a silver arc and knocking down all the flying rivets.

Just as everyone was focused on dealing with the mechanical monster, the terrain of the maze area suddenly changed.

The massive gears, which were originally tightly connected and meshed together, were forcibly torn apart as if by an invisible hand. Accompanied by a deafening metallic scraping sound, a huge steel plate pierced through, instantly separating Mochizuki Kaede, Yuna, Asuna, and Silica.

"Asuna! Silica!" Mochizuki Kaede's shouts were instantly drowned out by the deafening clang of gears meshing. He could only watch as Asuna's chestnut hair flashed through the steam, and Silica's outstretched hand quickly disappeared behind the spinning machinery.

Mochizuki Kaede and Yuna stood together, the surrounding metal walls constantly shifting position. Steam billowed from the mechanical pipes, enveloping their figures in a hazy white mist.

Mechanical monsters poured out of the various inspection holes, and the clicking sound of their gears meshing was particularly eerie in the confined space.

"Yuna, keep moving!" Mochizuki Maple shouted, and his Thunder Blade drew a sharp arc, slicing the oncoming mechanical beast in half.

After nearly half an hour of fierce fighting, the last mechanical beast finally exploded into parts under the thunder blade.

Mochizuki Kaede's breathing was slightly rapid, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Yuna's white hat was also askew, and strands of dark brown hair clung to her flushed cheeks.

"President, what should we do now?" Yuna's voice was tinged with panic, and her usually bright eyes, which were usually lively when she played the lute, were now filled with worry.

Mochizuki Kaede frowned, quickly opened her friends list, and swiped her fingers rapidly across the virtual interface, trying to send a message to Asuna and the others. However, the screen kept displaying "Message failed to send" messages, something that had never happened before.

His gaze instantly turned serious, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

"Let's first confirm Asuna and the others' safety," Mochizuki Kaede said in a deep voice, suppressing her inner unease.

He knew that Asuna possessed considerable strength, and with her elven sword, superb swordsmanship, and Silica's assistance, she should be able to escape unscathed unless they encountered a floor boss. However, with communication cut off, he couldn't completely relax.

He looked at Yuna and noticed that her face had turned somewhat pale.

Mochizuki Kaede took a deep breath to calm himself down. As the president, he had to remain calm at this moment and give Yuna confidence. He looked at the path behind him, which was now completely blocked by huge steel plates and mechanical parts, then turned to look at Yuna and said softly, "Don't panic, let's go ahead and check the situation. Come closer to me."

Yuna nodded vigorously, quickly walked to Mochizuki Kaede's side, and stood close to him.

The two walked cautiously forward.

The corridor reeked of engine oil, and the lights on the walls flickered as if they might go out at any moment. The roar of gears echoed in the air, making one's heart race involuntarily.

They spent about half an hour navigating the intricate mechanical maze.

As they rounded a corner, Mochizuki Kaede suddenly reached out and stopped Yuna. His gaze was fixed on the area ahead, where two players dressed in black cloaks stood.

The first player was short and thin, completely covered from head to toe by a hooded cloak. Since there was no visible silhouette of a weapon, the opponent was either unarmed or using a small weapon similar to a dagger.

The second player was also wearing a hooded cloak, but was clearly equipped with a one-handed sword on his left hip.

What's even more striking is that the buoys above their heads aren't green, symbolizing safety, but rather red, representing danger. In SAO, this brutal death game, red-named players are avoided by all players; they take pleasure in killing other players and are the true criminals.

The two people's voices could be faintly heard amidst the roar of the mechanical maze:

"Hey, let me try... Wow, it's so heavy?!" the skinny red-named player suddenly exclaimed. "These stats... the attack power bonus is insane!"

"Really?" another player with a red name replied lazily, drawing out the sound.

"Hey! Your reaction is way too cold! If you don't want it, just give it to me!"

"Hey~ But aren't you a specialist in short swords~ Can you even use it?"