I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

Mochizuki Kaede didn't turn around, but Lei Dao blocked backward as predicted—

"Qiang!"

The dagger was parried precisely, and with his left hand gripping the greatsword, he delivered a backhand horizontal slash, forcing PoH back!

The remaining red-named players will no longer be retained; all six will simultaneously unleash their sword skills.

"【Cross Slash】!"

"[Mountain Collapse Strike]!"

"【Meteor Strike】!"

……

Brilliant skill effects exploded on the battlefield, and the clash of swords and shadows intertwined to form a net that enveloped Wang Yuefeng.

however--

"【One-Sword Asura】".

Mochizuki Kaede's voice was eerily calm.

The next second, time seemed to stand still.

His figure transformed into a streak of blue and white lightning, tracing eleven precise paths across the battlefield—

The first blow pierced through the chest of the dual-wielding swordsman.

With the second strike, the heavy axe warrior's axe blade severed his arm along with the weapon.

With the third strike, the spear shaft was cleaved in two.

……

When time begins to flow again—

"Pfft!" "Crack!" "Boom—!"

The ten players with red names froze simultaneously, followed by a series of notifications that their health bars had reached zero. Their weapons shattered, their armor crumbled, and they ultimately exploded into countless data fragments.

On the battlefield, only PoH remained standing.

“This is…exciting.” PoH chuckled and slowly backed away. “However, the game has only just begun, Silver Shura.”

Before he finished speaking, he had already grasped the transfer crystal, and his figure vanished instantly.

Mochizuki Kaede turned, his grey eyes locking onto Norza, who was about to retreat. Under the silver-haired swordsman's calm gaze, the Fallen Elf General unconsciously took a half-step back. His pupils beneath the mask contracted sharply; the members of [Smiling Coffin] were utterly helpless against this human. Even the unfathomable PoH had chosen to flee in disarray.

“Wait, human! We can talk…” Norza’s plea for mercy came to an abrupt halt.

Mochizuki Maple moved with lightning speed, instantly charging towards Norza. His Thunder Blade [Thunder Punisher] and Greatsword [Sword of the Earth] simultaneously unleashed dazzling skill effects.

"Pfft-"

With a muffled thud, Norza saw only two intersecting streaks of light flash across his vision before feeling a cold touch on his chest. He looked down and saw that his composite armor had been torn open like paper, revealing two deep, bone-revealing wounds that formed a perfect cross on his chest.

"impossible……"

The Fallen Elf General's body slowly knelt down, finally crashing heavily to the ground.

Chapter 136: Embrace

The crisis in the Dark Elf capital was reversed by the power of one person.

Cheers erupted throughout the city, and the square was laden with fine wine and delicacies. The elves sang and danced, celebrating their hard-won victory. However, the true protagonist of this celebration was nowhere to be seen.

Mochizuki Kaede politely declined the Queen's kind invitation and returned alone to that familiar room. The moment she opened the door, the sweet fragrance of laurel leaves lingered.

He stood by the window, gazing at the bonfires of the celebration illuminating the night sky. This victory was less for the dark elves than for Kismer—the female knight who had given her life for this city.

Encountering members of [Smiling Coffin] on the battlefield was indeed unexpected. However, for Mochizuki Maple now, these red-named players posed no threat. The level advantage, coupled with his unique skill [One-Hit Kill Asura], turned this battle into a one-sided crushing defeat.

Strangely, he didn't hesitate for a moment. Ten players, ten kills, the movements clean and swift to the point of being cruel. If PoH hadn't escaped in time, that man would have also become a victim of his blade.

This is the second time. The first time was with Kradir, and this time... it's ten lives.

Mochizuki looked down at his hands. On the battlefield, they were as steady as a rock. The feeling was strange: when the Thunder Blade was drawn, his mind was exceptionally clear, yet his body seemed to have escaped his control. Every move, every stance, was solely for the purpose of ending life with maximum efficiency.

Only after the smoke cleared did a wave of emptiness wash over him. Leaning against the window, he suddenly felt dizzy. Outside, the faint sounds of celebration and laughter drifted in.

Mochizuki Kaede lay on her back on Kissmel's bed, her silver hair spread across the pillow like snow bathed in moonlight. The clamor of the celebration outside the window gradually faded away, leaving only boundless silence spreading throughout the room.

He stared at the ceiling, his thoughts racing.

—What should we do next?

Should we continue tracking down the red-named players? Or rush to the front lines to speed up the strategy? Or perhaps...?

His fingertips traced the fine wrinkles on the sheets, where the warmth of Kissmael's body seemed to linger. In this world, both illusory and real, they exchanged all their firsts: the vows of their first marriage, the awkward kisses, the touch of her purple hair against his chest during their passionate embrace…

All of this happened in the virtual world, but to Mochizuki Kaede, Kissmael was never just data. She was real, more real than any reality.

But now, she's dead.

"what do I do……"

Mochizuki Kaede's fingertips dug deeply into his palm; he had never been so acutely aware of his own powerlessness.

Ironically, he couldn't even give Qizmail a real future.

If SAO is eventually cleared, will this virtual world collapse? Will Kissmael's existence be completely erased by the system, like a dream?

He has been avoiding the question.

A cramping, empty feeling came from my stomach.

He curled up, like a coward, escaping this unsolvable problem. Kizmail's last words became the best excuse—"Go pursue your own future, don't stop because of me." What a perfect pardon, allowing him to escape responsibility with a clear conscience, continue moving forward, and immerse himself in this illusory happiness.

"Am I... really this selfish...?"

His last murmurs faded into silence, and he fell into a deep sleep.

Countless days passed; time seemed to have lost its meaning here. Every day, elven servants would bring food, the exquisite dishes emitting an enticing aroma, yet they failed to whet Wang Yuefeng's appetite. He would mechanically accept them, occasionally taking a few bites before putting them down again. It seemed the Dark Elf Queen had specifically instructed him to be well cared for, the hero who had saved the royal city.

Sometimes, he would sit by the window and stare blankly at the spires of the royal city.

Sometimes, he would open Keith Mair's diary, his fingertips tracing each word she had written. Those pages recording her daily life were now the only proof that she had ever existed.

More often than not, he simply lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, letting time slip by.

……

Morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled shadows in the room.

Mochizuki Kaede opened his eyes and vaguely felt someone sitting by the bed. He turned his head sharply, and for a moment, he thought he saw the purple-haired figure of Kissmel.

But what catches the eye is a gentle chestnut color.

Asuna sat quietly by the bed, her porcelain-like skin glowing softly in the morning light. Her amber eyes held worry as she whispered, "Are you awake, Kaede?"

Mochizuki Kaede was stunned.

"Asuna... what are you doing here?" His voice was a little hoarse.

"Because we haven't been in touch for a long time," Asuna said with concern, "you didn't reply to my messages, so I just came here... Did something happen?"

Mochizuki Kaede propped himself up, remained silent for a moment, and finally slowly said, "Kizmel is dead..."

"What!" Asuna was stunned this time as well. Her body trembled slightly, and her eyes were filled with shock and disbelief. She and Kissmel also had a deep bond. They fought side by side and laughed and chatted together in the hot springs.

But what Mochizuki Kaede said next completely stunned Asuna. He calmly recounted his relationship with Kismer, from the soul contract to the elven wedding... Every word was like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, stirring up ripples in her heart.

The room fell into a long silence.

Asuna's fingers tightened around the hem of her skirt. She should be grieving for Kismer's sacrifice; in fact, her eyes were indeed welling up. But at the same time, a more complex emotion surged within her chest.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

until--

She saw the look in Mochizuki Kaede's eyes.

She had never seen that look in those grey eyes before; it was as if all emotions had been emptied out, leaving only the most primal bewilderment. His silver hair fell messily, making him look more vulnerable than ever before.

Asuna's heart suddenly softened completely.

Without hesitation, she leaned forward and embraced Wang Yuefeng.

“It’s alright…” she whispered, her fingers running through his silver hair. “It’s alright…”

Mochizuki Kaede's body stiffened for a moment. Asuna's scent was completely different from Kissmel's laurel leaf fragrance. But at this moment, the warmth of this embrace was just as real.

“I know…” Asuna’s voice muffled on his shoulder, “Losing someone important is very painful.”

Her fingertips gently patted his back, like soothing a frightened child.

"I don't know how to comfort you," Asuna said, resting her chin gently on his shoulder. "But at least don't bear all of this alone."

Her arms tightened slightly, yet a restrained strength was palpable. Neither overly forceful nor perfunctory. This was a gentleness unique to Asuna, imbued with her distinctive sensitivity and resilience.

Mochizuki Kaede lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her slightly trembling shoulders. This always strong girl was also grieving for her deceased friend.

. . . .

Thank you [Happy Lemon Pie] for the monthly pass!

Chapter 137: A Turning Point

They embraced quietly, the morning light outside the window gradually brightening. Asuna's embrace was warm and firm. Mochizuki Kaede could smell the faint fragrance of her hair, mingling with the lingering scent of laurel leaves in the room. The embrace lasted a long time, so long that even the shadows cast by the sun outside the window shifted slightly.

"Thank you," Mochizuki Kaede finally said softly, his voice regaining its usual calm. As he straightened up, his silver hair shimmered in the sunlight. "I'm alright now."

Asuna released her grip and carefully examined his face. His usually calm and composed face, though weary, no longer held the previous bewilderment. She keenly sensed a new resolve gathering in his grey eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked softly.

Mochizuki Kaede replied, "The old sage on the eighth floor... is the one who presided over my soul contract with Kizu. Perhaps..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Asuna immediately understood what he meant. Her eyes widened slightly: "You mean...resurrection? Is that really possible in SAO?"

"I don't know." Mochizuki Kaede got up from the bed. "But it's worth a try."

Without the slightest hesitation, Asuna immediately replied, "Then I'll go with you."

……

The eighth floor.

Gareth.

Mochizuki Kaede led Asuna to the library where the old sage lived.

Inside the library, rows of tall bookshelves were filled with all sorts of worn-out books, and a faint scent of ink permeated the air.

The old sage sat quietly in a corner of the library, his fingers resting on a thick, ancient book. He looked up, and behind his heavy glasses, his aged yet bright eyes reflected the figures of the two visitors, as if he had already foreseen this reunion.

"You have come." The old sage's hoarse voice seemed to come from the depths of time. In the scent of parchment, complex emotions surfaced on his face: regret like falling autumn leaves, sympathy like melting winter snow, and the expectation in his eyes like the first new bud of early spring.

Mochizuki Kaede stepped forward and said, "Sage, you must already know about Kismer..."

The old sage raised his wrinkled hand, indicating that he didn't need to finish: "The wind has already told me about Little Qiz."

His eyes were fixed on Mochizuki Kaede: "You have come for the matter of resurrection."

"Can you save her?" Mochizuki Kaede's voice was filled with urgency.

The old sage slowly shook his head and sighed softly: "The ancient and mysterious resurrection magic was annihilated along with the magic during the [Earth Severance]."

Upon hearing this, the light in Wang Yuefeng's eyes instantly dimmed, and he seemed to have all his strength drained away. But just then, the old sage took out an exquisitely carved wooden box from a drawer in the oak table. The words "United Hearts" were engraved on the lid in ancient Elvish.

"This is the contract box from when you and Little Qiz completed the ritual under the ancient tree. It contains a small fragment of her soul, which may be of help to you." The old sage's voice was deep and solemn, as if he were conveying an important mission.

He continued, "You need to go to the first level..."

……

level one.

In the central square of the starting town, the transfer gate emitted a dazzling blue light.

The azure data particles, like a galaxy swirling backward, gradually coalesced into two human figures within the spiraling beam of light. The silver-haired, black-clad swordsman stepped out of the light barrier first, followed by the chestnut-haired rapier wielder. Without a moment's hesitation, they headed straight out of the city, heading towards the center of the first level.