I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

Tie Xiong gripped his warhammer tightly with both hands, and with each powerful swing, he sent two or three goblins flying. However, before he could even catch his breath, more ferocious green-skinned monsters surged in, quickly filling the gaps and continuing their attack on him.

Sasamaru's spear danced like a blue light curtain, the afterimages of the spear tip casting shimmering shadows on the cave wall, yet it still couldn't stop all the attacks.

"Damn it!" Dakar cursed, his dagger having just precisely pierced the throat of one goblin when another pounced, slashing a bloody gash across his arm. His health dropped visibly, and he winced in pain, gritting his teeth, "These bastards are never-ending!"

Keita's swordsmanship shone brightly, clearing away the monsters in front of him. But before he could catch his breath, the goblin archers in the back row fired another volley of poison arrows.

"Watch out for ranged attacks!" he shouted, deflecting the arrows, only to see that Xing was in dire straits.

She was cornered by a group of goblins, her back slamming heavily against the cold, damp rock wall, leaving her with nowhere to retreat. She frantically swung her spear, trying to fend off the goblins' attacks. But there were simply too many goblins, wave after wave swarming towards her.

"Ah!" Xing cried out in surprise as a goblin's stone axe grazed her shoulder armor, instantly reducing her health by a quarter. The intense pain made her tremble and almost lose her balance.

"Koyuki!" Keita tried to help, slicing through two goblins in front of him, but a third one grabbed his sword-wielding arm tightly. A fourth goblin seized the opportunity to leap up, its rusty dagger drawing blood from his waist.

Dakar charged towards Xing, but stumbled three meters away as a poisoned arrow pierced his thigh. The poison spread rapidly, slowing his movements, and a poison icon appeared next to his health bar in the upper left corner of his vision.

"Get out of the way!" Sasamaru tried to break through the encirclement to support Sachi, but the goblins rushed forward one after another, blocking his way with their bodies. One dying goblin even bit the gun barrel with its teeth, creating an opportunity for its companion to launch a sneak attack.

Ironclad's warhammer pounded with a dull thud, each swing accompanied by the sound of bones shattering. But some goblins had already crawled onto his back, like a swarm of bloodthirsty ants. Faced with so many goblins, his attacks gradually became more strenuous, leaving him no time to attend to Sachi's situation.

Fortunately, her health continued to decrease, and her spear grew heavier and heavier, each swing seeming to move in slow motion. The spear tip grazed the goblin's throat, but only caused a shallow wound.

Seeing this, the goblins let out mocking screechs and attacked even more fiercely.

A goblin seized its opportunity and pounced on Sachi. It raised its wooden club high and, with brute force, slammed it down on Sachi's arm.

"Ah!" Xing let out a sharp cry of pain as a piercing pain shot through his arm, instantly losing all strength. The spear clattered to the ground.

"No...don't come any closer..." She staggered and fell to her knees, her voice barely a whisper, carrying the timidity typical of this shy girl. Her left hand futilely tried to pick up her weapon, but the goblins had already surrounded her. Their filthy claws pressed down on the spears, casting shadows that completely enveloped the trembling girl.

At the other end of the cave, Keita watched this scene with anxious anticipation. Dakar was still fighting fiercely against the goblins around him, but he had been hit by a poisoned arrow, and his health was steadily decreasing. Sasamaru's spear was stuck between the bodies of three goblins, while Tetsuo's warhammer was deeply embedded in a pile of monster corpses and could not be pulled out.

Fortunately, she raised her head and, through the gaps between the goblins' swaying legs, took one last look at her companions' anxious expressions. Her trembling lips moved silently, as if she wanted to say something, but were interrupted by the cold glint of the stone axes raised high by the goblins.

The moment the stone axe was raised, Yuki suddenly recalled the scene from her first club activity.

The sun was warm after school that day. Keita was testing his newly bought graphics card, while Dakar was playing a horror game on another computer. Sasamaru and Tetsuo were playing rock-paper-scissors to decide who would go to the convenience store to buy drinks. She hugged her knees, looking at the game screen, and whispered, "I...I'm a little scared."

In the deadly game SAO, whenever the fear of death threatened to engulf her, it was the smiles of her companions that pulled her back to the light. Keita's resolute figure, Dakar's nonchalant banter, Tetsuo's quiet smile, Sasamaru's ever-energetic encouragement... these warm fragments have sustained her until now.

But at that moment, the cold light reflected from the axe blade stung her eyes.

Fortunately, she knew she had never truly been brave. Those "progresses" praised by her comrades were nothing more than hiding trembling hands behind her back and swallowing back sobs. Just like now, the spear was clearly within reach, yet her fingertips lacked the strength to even grasp it.

This time, the girl with short black hair closed her eyes and let out a sob: "I was still... so scared..."

The trembling final note dissipated amidst the goblins' excited howls, like a falling cherry blossom drifting into a muddy swamp.

Just as the axe blade was about to fall heavily and end Xing's life.

"Zi la——!"

The expected pain didn't come; instead, there was a piercing crackling of electricity. Xing opened his eyes, trembling, and saw the goblin's狰狞 (zhengning - ferocious/hideous) expression frozen on its face, its raised arm suddenly suspended in mid-air.

A long sword crackling with lightning pierced through its back, the arcs of electricity dancing on the blade illuminating the monster's hideous face in a ghastly white light.

Xing stared blankly at the long sword flashing with lightning, where blue and white electric snakes were slithering wildly among the intricate patterns on the blade.

"boom!"

With a dull thud, the goblin's body was flung aside like a rag doll, revealing the figure behind it holding a knife.

The newcomer wore a black overcoat, the hem fluttering in the surging air currents. A pair of cold, gray eyes were faintly visible through his silver, tousled hair. Scattered data fragments swirled around him like a blizzard, each piece reflecting the sharp lines of his profile.

He collapsed to the ground, watching the remaining goblins explode one after another in the lightning. Those monsters that had been baring their fangs and claws just moments before were now all reduced to countless polygonal fragments flying through the air.

In just five seconds, the only sound in the entire cave was the hum of electricity.

"Can you still stand up?"

The boy reached out his hand to her.

In the distance, the members of the Black Cat Gang were stumbling and staggering towards them.

“Thank you…”

The girl with short black hair held her savior's hands tightly, as if clinging to the only piece of driftwood in a drowning river.

She choked up and could barely speak a complete sentence: "Thank you...really...thank you so much...I was so scared...thank you so much."

Tears fell onto their clasped hands, but she made no attempt to wipe them away. Instead, she stubbornly tilted her face up, letting the boy see the gratitude that filled every single tear.

The shouts of her companions grew closer in the distance, but at this moment, all that remained in her world was this warm hand and the gentle gray eyes of its owner.

. . . .

Thank you to [Dao Ying Hong Cha Jun] for the monthly pass and reward, and thank you to [Kobe] for the monthly pass!

Chapter 116: Guidance

Mochizuki Kaede's hand was tightly held by a pair of small hands. He looked down and saw a tearful girl in front of him with shoulder-length black hair, delicate features, and fair skin.

The girl was dressed in light blue clothes, with a blue armor over them. She was petite and seemed to be the quiet and somewhat timid type. The mole at the corner of her right eye added to her pitiful appearance.

At that moment, she gripped Mochizuki Kaede's hand tightly, as if he would disappear if she let go. Her lips trembled slightly as she repeatedly uttered the word "thank you," her voice choked with sobs, and her body shook slightly, clearly showing that she was truly terrified.

It wasn't until her companions rushed over that the girl seemed to wake from a dream and loosened her tightly clenched hands.

The leading swordsman stepped forward and gave a solemn salute.

"We are the [Moonlit Black Cat Guild]." His voice was a little hoarse, clearly still recovering from the battle. "I am Guild Leader Keita. Please allow us to express our gratitude for saving our lives..."

Mochizuki Kaede was about to raise her hand to politely decline.

"Please be sure to give us a chance to express our gratitude," Keita added sincerely, his eyes filled with thanks. Sachi, having finally come to her senses, looked up at Mochizuki Kaede.

Seeing the expectation shining in the eyes of these players who had survived the ordeal, Mochizuki Kaede didn't say the refusal that was on the tip of her tongue.

He smiled helplessly: "Then... I shall accept your offer."

……

"Cheers to our [Moonlit Black Cats Squad]!"

Dakar was the first to shout.

"And to our savior, Mr. Mochizuki, cheers!"

Then, while speaking enthusiastically, he steadily pointed his wine glass at Mochizuki Kaede sitting opposite him.

The others echoed this sentiment, raising their glasses in unison towards Wang Yuefeng in the center and shouting, "Cheers!"

Mochizuki Kaede smiled and clinked glasses with them.

Outside the window, night, like a giant black ribbon, slowly enveloped the entire city. The number of pedestrians on the streets dwindled, with only the streetlights casting a dim yellow glow. However, inside this bustling restaurant, the scene was one of bright lights and cheerful laughter.

The long table was laden with a variety of delicacies: steaming stewed meat, golden and crispy roasted fish, a mountain of seasonal vegetables, and pumpkin pie that exuded the aroma of honey.

Surrounded by the crowd, Mochizuki Kaede sat in the center, while Keita, to her right, solemnly raised his glass: "We really owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Mochizuki this time."

Tie Xiong, who was on the left, nodded in agreement: "Thank you."

"Thanks to Mr. Mochizuki, we were saved..." Sasamaru let out a long sigh of relief, relaxing as he leaned back in his chair.

Suddenly, Dakar across from them blurted out in accented English, "Think you!" which drew a chuckle from the crowd.

Sitting next to Keita, Sachi held her wine glass with both hands, appearing somewhat reserved. She said sincerely, "Mr. Mochizuki, thank you so much..."

"It was nothing," Mochizuki Kaede said with a smile, shaking her head.

Xing lowered her head and said, "I was so scared at that time... I was really happy to see someone come to rescue us."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again, and she quickly raised her hand to wipe them away.

At this moment, Qi Tai leaned closer to Mochizuki Kaede and asked in a low voice, "Um, Mr. Mochizuki, although it's a bit presumptuous of me to ask, what level are you at now?"

It's not surprising that Keita would be curious about Mochizuki Kaede's level, after all, he had personally witnessed how those troublesome goblins were wiped out by Mochizuki Kaede as easily as cutting vegetables.

Wang Yuefeng looked at the level displayed next to his health bar in the upper left corner of his vision and said truthfully, "I'm probably more than twenty levels higher than you guys."

"Eh!" Keita's eyes widened, and he exclaimed in surprise.

"Hey, Commander, what are you whispering about?" Dakar complained.

"Ah, no, it's nothing," Keita said, his gaze returning to Mochizuki Kaede, his eyes now filled with awe.

His lips parted slightly, then slowly closed again, his expression hesitant.

Mochizuki Kaede keenly sensed Keita's thoughts. The guild leader, seeing that he was a solo player with strong abilities, wanted to invite him to join the guild. However, considering the huge level difference between them, Keita hesitated and didn't dare to speak.

Even if Keita Makoto were to ask, Mochizuki Kaede would politely decline.

He had been acting alone all this time, trying to track down the infamous guild, "Smiling Coffin." This murderous group had recently become active again, and several lone players had already been killed.

Speaking of which, he is now far from the front lines, while the raiding group composed of major guilds such as the Aincrad Liberation Army, the Dragon Knights, and the Golden Rule has already advanced to the twentieth floor.

"Mr. Mochizuki." Keita suddenly straightened his back, his voice several decibels louder than usual, causing the other members to stop talking and look over.

"Although I know this request may be a bit abrupt, even a bit shameless..." Keita said, slamming his hands heavily on the table, "we, the [Black Cats of the Moonlit Night], really yearn to become stronger... If possible, we hope to receive your guidance."

The candlelight flickered in his eyes, reflecting his unwavering determination.

"We want to become a guild capable of protecting more players, just like the frontline strategy team. The senior members of the strategy team have an incredibly strong determination and will to protect all players. Although we are currently the ones being protected, our spirit—our determination to protect others—is second to none. One day, our [Moonlit Black Cat Guild] will also be able to join the strategy team and contribute to clearing this death game!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Tai belatedly realized his embarrassment and scratched his head awkwardly.

Mochizuki Kaede's lips curled up slightly, revealing a gentle smile. He gazed at the older, bowed president before him, as if he saw something dazzling clumsily shining.

"Yo! Captain!" Dakar suddenly grabbed Keita's neck from behind, breaking the brief silence. "That was so cool! But if you had been this cool earlier, you probably would have gotten a girlfriend by now?"

His laughter echoed in the private room, but it couldn't hide the admiration in his eyes. Sachi smiled faintly, and Tetsuo and Sasamaru exchanged a knowing smile.

"Idiot!" Keita's face flushed red instantly, and his previous imposing manner vanished.

The laughter gradually subsided, but a tense anticipation still lingered in the air.

Keita looked at Mochizuki Kaede anxiously: "So, Mr. Mochizuki, what is your answer...?"

He seemed a little nervous, and even the others held their breath. Sachi clasped her hands under her chin, her moist eyes fixed intently on Mochizuki Kaede.

Looking at them, Wang Yuefeng realized he hadn't been to the front lines in a long time, and his current investigation into the movements of the red-named guilds required him to operate at the lower levels. Perhaps... staying for a while wouldn't be a bad idea?

"Okay." He nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'll guide you for a few days. Please give me your feedback."

In an instant, the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Please guide us!" All the members of the [Moonlit Black Cat Group] said in unison, their voices filled with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation.

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Thank you to 【Life is Like a Dream】 for the monthly pass!

Chapter 117: The Hand of Titan

Mochizuki Maple's lightning blade traced a blue-white arc, precisely severing the mantis monster's raised scythe-like forelimb. At his level, he could have finished the monster off with a single strike, but he deliberately held back, the blade swiftly retracting after severing the limb.

"Luckily, switch!"

He sidestepped, making room for the girl behind him to attack.

Xing's hands gripped the spear tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. Although the spear tip still trembled slightly, she bit her lip and strode forward—

"Drink!"

The spear thrust out, precisely piercing the mantis monster's weakest point. The monster let out a piercing screech, its remaining limbs flailing wildly, but Mochizuki Maple had already anticipated its movements, lightly deflecting its attack with his lightning blade.

"Very good, but the gun was holstered too slowly." Mochizuki Kaede's voice was calm and clear. "Tetsuo, prepare for a heavy blow!"

The monster staggered backward, just inside Tie Xiong's attack range.

"Ah ah--!"

Ironclad's warhammer crashed down with a dull thud, instantly denting the mantis's shell. But the blow was slightly off-target, and the monster struggled to raise its severed limb to retaliate—

"Lower your center of gravity further." Mochizuki Kaede's voice rang in Tetsuki's ears. At the same time, his Thunder Blade slashed diagonally, deflecting the monster's counterattack. "The warhammer isn't about brute force; you have to use your waist and legs to generate power."