I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

"Welcome—uh, Mochizuki Kaede!" Lisbeth looked at the slightly disheveled boy in surprise. "What happened to you?"

Mochizuki Kaede wiped the fine sweat from her forehead: "It suddenly started raining heavily on the way here, so I had to sprint all the way."

He looked down at his relatively dry clothes: "Luckily I didn't get too wet, but I'm a little out of breath from running."

Lisbeth couldn't help but laugh after hearing this: "Actually, you didn't have to rush over like that. If you get wet, I can lend you my clothes."

"I'll definitely remember next time." Mochizuki Kaede smiled and sat down at the counter. "I'll borrow this place to take shelter from the rain for now."

"Honestly, this isn't a coffee shop..." Lisbeth complained, but deftly brewed a cup of hot tea and handed it over. "Here, special black tea."

"Thank you, as expected of Lisbeth, you reacted so quickly." Mochizuki Kaede smiled as she accepted the tea.

Lisbeth squinted and teased, "Even if you praise me, I won't be served any snacks."

"That's a real shame." Mochizuki Kaede shook her head, feigning disappointment, took a sip of her black tea, and looked around the empty shop. "No customers today. Does everyone dislike going out on rainy days?"

“Yes.” Lisbeth leaned against the counter and gave him a meaningful glance. “The only person who would come in this weather is probably someone who doesn’t buy anything but wants to mooch tea.”

"I'm here to have my weapons serviced," Mochizuki Kaede chuckled, then asked, "By the way, have you considered making armor? With your skills, you should be able to forge some excellent armor."

Lisbeth rested her chin on her hand and thought, "Armor... it's not that we don't make any at all, it's just that we're already too busy dealing with weapon orders."

“This isn’t like you at all.” Mochizuki Kaede tapped her teacup lightly with her fingertips. “Taking advantage of free time like today, it’s a good opportunity to try some new things.”

“Hmm, that’s true… So, could you help me out a little?” Lisbeth’s eyes lit up.

“Alright, consider this a thank you gift for the tea. What do you need me to do?” Mochizuki Kaede replied.

“Take the measurements.” Lisbeth had already taken out the measuring tape.

Mochizuki Kaede raised an eyebrow slightly: "Measure...the size?"

“That’s right.” Lisbeth straightened the measuring tape. “I’m going to design the armor based on your body type.”

Seeing Mochizuki Kaede's confused expression, she smiled and explained, "Although the system can create armor simply by hammering materials, you can't make a masterpiece that reflects your heart and soul. You have to imagine the wearer's movements and feel the fit between the metal and the body... Even if you don't know what the final product will look like, you must always maintain your creative imagination."

Seeing Lisbeth's seriousness, Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but sigh, "Is this the spirit of craftsmanship?" He chuckled, "Imagination is indeed important, but is it really appropriate to use me as a model?"

Lisbeth shrugged helplessly: "Is there anyone else in the store besides you right now?"

"That makes sense. So what should we do first?" Mochizuki Kaede asked.

"Can I take off my protective gear? Please wear as little as possible." Lisbeth waved the measuring tape in her hand.

Mochizuki Kaede brought up his equipment menu, removing each piece of armor until only basic underwear remained. He opened his arms: "Is this alright?"

Lisbeth's gaze swept over him, and she suddenly frowned: "Take off your underwear too."

"Huh?" Mochizuki Kaede's hand froze in mid-air. "You want this too?"

Lisbeth immediately straightened her face and said in a tone like a headmaster, "Measure yourself the same way you did in elementary school."

“Alright…” Mochizuki Kaede hesitated for a moment before removing the last piece of equipment.

"Honestly, so hesitant..." Lisbeth muttered as she approached, "Stay still, I need to measure from top to bottom in order."

When the cold measuring tape touched his skin, Mochizuki Kaede unconsciously tensed his muscles: "It's a little itchy..."

"Bear with it for a moment." Lisbeth's voice softened. Her pink hair brushed lightly against Mochizuki Kaede's shoulder with her movements, and her fingers holding the measuring tape seemed to deliberately slow down, lingering for a few extra seconds when measuring shoulder width.

"Raise your arms, I'm going to measure your bust," Lisbeth instructed.

Mochizuki Kaede obediently opened her arms, the measuring tape wrapped around his back, and the distance between them suddenly closed, almost forming an embrace. Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but think that if a customer were to walk in at this moment, it would probably be very awkward.

Just then, thunder suddenly broke out in the rain outside.

"It's thundering," Mochizuki Kaede said, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"Hmm." Lisbeth simply hummed in response, her brows furrowed slightly as she focused intently, even her breathing becoming very soft.

Mochizuki Kaede was secretly admiring her professional attitude when suddenly—

"Boom!!!"

A deafening clap of thunder suddenly struck, so close it seemed to hit the shop's roof. Lisbeth flinched, and the measuring tape in her hand fell to the ground with a thud.

"Ah ah!"

She stumbled and fell forward. Mochizuki Kaede instinctively reached out to catch her, and the next second he felt the girl's soft body pressed tightly against his bare chest. Lisbeth's cheek was right against his heart, and he could clearly feel the girl's rapid breaths brushing against his skin.

"I'm so sorry!" Lisbeth's face flushed red instantly.

"It's alright, I'm fine," Mochizuki Kaede comforted him.

Lisbeth took a deep breath, trying to calm her rapid breathing. However, when she looked up again, her gaze involuntarily lingered on Mochizuki Kaede's well-defined collarbone. The blacksmith's fingers, usually accustomed to high temperatures, were now trembling slightly from a different kind of heat.

She suddenly pleaded softly, "Um... could we stay like this for a little while longer?"

Mochizuki Kaede was slightly taken aback—was Lisbeth still afraid of thunder? Feeling the girl in his arms trembling slightly, he responded gently, "Okay."

Lisbeth felt the boy's seemingly thin yet incredibly powerful body, her voice tinged with girlish shyness: "Mochizuki Kaede's body... is stronger than I imagined. He looks so thin, but he's surprisingly strong, and the way his muscles move is so beautiful. Touching him like this feels so warm."

Her voice gradually lowered: "You always protect us with this scarred body. You risk your life and endure pain to continue the conquest... while I can only make weapons."

At the end, she said with some sadness, "I'm sorry, I wish I could have shared more of your burden."

Mochizuki Kaede replied gently, "It is because of the weapons made by Lisbeth that I can fight with peace of mind. You gave me the equipment to entrust my life to."

"Looking at the moon and the maple..." the girl murmured softly.

The sound of rain outside the window gradually subsided, leaving only the patter of water droplets falling from the eaves. After a while, Lisbeth reluctantly took a half step back, the blush on her cheeks still lingering: "I'm sorry for leaning against you like this."

"It's alright." Mochizuki Kaede shook her head. "The rain outside seems to have stopped."

Lisbeth looked out the window as if waking from a dream: "Ah... really..."

Her gaze was somewhat unfocused, as if she was still immersed in the emotions she had just experienced.

Chapter 207: Happiness, Argo, Hot Spring

Mochizuki Kaede asked, "Should we continue measuring?"

"No, no need!" Lisbeth quickly shook her head, her blush deepening.

She tried to make her voice sound calm: "Then let me help you maintain your weapon first."

"Okay." Mochizuki Kaede nodded. "Thank you for your help."

Mochizuki Kaede dressed herself neatly again, and Lisbeth turned around to fetch the maintenance tools, deftly beginning to maintain his equipment. The familiar sounds of polishing metal, brushing oil, and hammering adjustments quickly brought the girl back to her usual professional state.

"Alright." A short while later, Lisbeth handed the brand-new equipment back to Mochizuki Kaede.

Mochizuki Kaede took the equipment and smiled, "The equipment is in very good condition. The rain has stopped, so I'll take my leave now."

"Ah."

Lisbeth nodded, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. She fiddled with the hem of her apron until the sound of the door closing startled her.

The streets were filled with the fresh scent unique to the post-rain atmosphere, and the puddles on the stone pavement reflected the gradually clearing sky. As Mochizuki Kaede turned the corner, she unexpectedly saw two familiar figures.

"fortunate?"

The petite girl turned around at the sound, her short black hair fluttering gently with her movement. Her eyes lit up instantly: "Mr. Mochizuki!" Her footsteps as she ran towards him splashed up tiny droplets of water.

Argo followed, his cloak swaying gently in the breeze: "Oh, what a coincidence!"

Mochizuki Kaede looked at the unexpected pair in surprise: "Argo, how come you're with Sachi?"

Argo replied, "I'm helping Xiaoxing with a mission~ Since we've run into you, do you want to join me?"

"What mission?" Mochizuki Kaede turned to Sachi.

The black-haired girl clasped her hands in front of her and explained softly, "It's a quest to clear out slimes in the [Dried Valley]. After completing it, you can get the [Infernal Spear]... but that area is close to the labyrinth area, and the levels there are all very high."

Argo picked up the conversation, twirling a strand of her golden hair with her fingers: "The members of the [Moonlit Black Cat Gang] were all busy, so Sachi came to find me~"

"The Blazing Spear..." Mochizuki Kaede remembered that Sachi was a spear wielder; this weapon was perfect for her. He turned to Argo, a knowing smile playing on his lips: "How much did Sachi pay you?"

"Hey~ Xiaoxing and I are old partners!" Argo exaggeratedly clutched his chest, then grinned slyly, "But I did get a little tip, though~"

Mochizuki Kaede chuckled and patted Sachi on the shoulder: "If I can help Sachi get good equipment, of course I'll do my part."

Hearing this, Xing lowered her head, an involuntary smile playing on her lips. The beauty mark under her eye appeared even more adorable as she pursed her lips, like a tiny star resting on her cheek.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Argo turned and waved. "Let's go!"

……

A dried-up valley.

The caves in the valley resembled the open throat of a giant beast, with dry, hot winds carrying sand and gravel weaving through the rock walls. The footsteps of the three echoed through the honeycomb-like caves, occasionally startling a few bats roosting in the shadows.

After half an hour of fierce fighting, the last slime was reduced to a puddle of slime by Mochizuki Maple's lightning blade. Argo ripped off his hood, his short, golden hair soaked with sweat, a few strands clinging to his cheeks: "Haa... finally done..."

Mochizuki Kaede noticed her pale face: "Are you alright?"

“It’s not so much that I’m tired…” Argo tugged at the cloak clinging to him with disgust, “it’s more that I’m disgusted! These damn slimes!”

She shook her hand, and the slime stretched out in long, thin threads.

The situation on the other side wasn't much better. The black-haired girl's bangs were stuck together in clumps, and the beauty mark at the corner of her right eye was particularly noticeable on her sweat-drenched face. She leaned against the rock wall, panting slightly; her petite body was clearly struggling to withstand the high temperature inside the cave.

"Let's go back to the city and rest first." Wang Yuefeng sheathed his Thunder Blade, a few drops of undried slime still clinging to its blade.

On the return journey, a massive slime suddenly emerged from a crevice in the rocks, three times the size of a normal slime. Its entire body was an ominous deep blue, and disgusting bubbles frequently rose from its surface.

"It's an elite monster!" Argo instinctively took a half step back, his hand already reaching for the dagger at his waist.

But Mochizuki Kaede was faster. The instant the Thunder Blade was drawn, lightning traced a blinding path through the dark cavern. His figure flashed like a meteor, the blade precisely slicing into the slime's core. The entire process took no more than three seconds, and the enormous monster was reduced to a puddle of smoking slime.

Sachi's eyes shone with admiration as she gripped the spear tightly in her small hands. Argo, on the other hand, shrugged, unfazed. As an intelligence broker who had long partnered with Mochizuki Kaede, she knew the silver-haired boy's strength better than anyone.

Behind the dissipating slime, the rock wall suddenly collapsed, revealing a hidden cave. Warm steam rose from the cave entrance, forming white mist in the dry air.

"There's a heat source inside," Mochizuki Kaede observed warily.

"Hot air? In a place like this?" Argo leaned closer suspiciously, then suddenly exclaimed with delight, "Maple! Xiaoxing! It's a hot spring!"

Before the two could react, she had already nimbly slipped inside. Mochizuki Kaede and Sachi exchanged a glance and followed her into this unexpectedly discovered secret realm.

The cave's interior is a hidden world, with natural hot spring pools separated by several massive basalt rocks. Steaming heat condenses into water droplets on the cave ceiling, dripping onto the water's surface with a crisp sound.

“This is a rare opportunity, let’s take a dip!” Argo had already started unbuttoning his cloak.

"Eh? But..." Sachi's face instantly turned red to the roots of her ears, and she unconsciously stole a glance at Mochizuki Kaede.

Noticing the girl's embarrassment, Mochizuki Kaede offered, "You guys go to the bar, I'll keep watch outside."

“Don’t joke around~” Argo shook his sticky blond hair. “You’re dirtier than us.”

She pointed to the rock in the center of the hot spring: "Xiaoxing and I will soak behind the rock, you can stay in front."

Sachiya mustered her courage and whispered in agreement, "Mr. Mochizuki... feeling all sticky... must be really uncomfortable..."

Seeing their insistence, Mochizuki Kaede no longer declined. He turned his back and only took off his equipment after hearing the sound of water entering his body and Argo's "It's done." The warm spring water instantly enveloped his entire body, and the fatigue seemed to dissolve in the water, while the slime's slime gradually peeled off his skin.

"Ah~ This feels so good~" Argo leaned comfortably against the rock wall, turning to look at Sachi, who was still huddled in the water: "How are you feeling, Sachi?"

"It's...it feels so good." Sachi's voice was barely audible. Even as a woman, exposing her body in front of others was still too embarrassing for her. In the rising steam, she buried herself even deeper, only revealing the tip of her reddened nose and her wet eyes.

Argo called out to the other side of the boulder, "Maple, if a monster suddenly appears, you have to protect us. We're completely unarmed right now."

Chapter 208: Stoleya's Abnormality

Mochizuki Kaede was enjoying the sensation of the spring water caressing her skin with her eyes closed when she heard this and opened her eyes: "Don't worry, I used the enemy detection skill, so there's no need to worry about monsters."

He scooped up a handful of water and poured it on his shoulder: "This slime really needs to be washed off properly."

“Exactly!” Algora echoed in a drawn-out tone, dipping her short, golden hair into the water and then tossing it around, the water droplets shimmering in the fluorescent moss of the cave. She playfully kicked her leg, and ripples immediately spread across the surface of the water.

Yuki leaned quietly against the rock, the hot spring water reaching her chin, the warm current gradually relaxing her tense body. Hearing their conversation, her thoughts suddenly drifted to the other side of the rock—Mr. Mochizuki was also...completely naked, wasn't he?

The thought instantly flushed her cheeks, and she quickly shook her head to banish these embarrassing ideas. She instinctively hugged her arms tightly; the hot spring water was indeed very comfortable, and she was just about to completely relax—

"Ah ah!"

Suddenly feeling something touch her abdomen, Xing cried out and stood up from the water, leaping to the side like a startled deer, completely forgetting her current situation. The rising steam, like a thin veil, swirled around her petite body, but could not conceal her fair and exquisitely shaped figure, with two cherry-red nipples appearing and disappearing in the mist.

Hearing the sound, Mochizuki Kaede turned his head. Although the misty fog blurred his vision, the girl's fair features were still clearly visible. After only one glance, he immediately turned back and closed his eyes.