I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

The moment she stood up and saw Mochizuki Kaede, her mind went completely blank. Although Mochizuki Kaede was sitting in the water, his bare upper body was still deeply imprinted on her retina. Water droplets slid down the boy's muscular back, and the way his wet hair clung to the back of his neck was inexplicably sexy. This image caused her brain to freeze instantly.

Her legs went weak and she almost fell into the water.

"Watch out!" Argo swiftly caught her, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. She had just lightly touched Xing's stomach, never expecting such a strong reaction.

"What happened to you?" Mochizuki Kaede asked, hearing the commotion behind her.

"Hahaha~" Argo's laughter echoed through the cave, creating a series of sounds. "I just thought Xiaoxing was cute, so I played a trick on her."

She blinked and gently poked Xing's flushed cheeks with her finger.

Mochizuki Kaede breathed a sigh of relief and shook her head helplessly: "Argo, stop teasing Sachi all the time."

“Miss Argo is so mean…” Sachi’s voice was muffled, accompanied by the splashing sound of water, as the embarrassed and angry girl was slapping the water to vent her anger.

"I'm sorry, Xiaoxing." Argo leaned closer to apologize, his short golden hair still dripping with water.

She opened her mouth, but didn't know how to speak. Should she tell Argo that she had just seen Mochizuki Kaede's bare upper body? What made her heart race even faster was that she wasn't sure if Mochizuki Kaede had seen her too... Thinking of this, the girl felt like she was steaming. And what lingered in her mind was the image of the boy's strong back muscles, faintly visible through the steam.

Argo saw that she was silent and assumed she was really angry, so he moved closer and said, "I'm really sorry."

Fortunately, he came to his senses and looked at Argo's pretty face so close to his, and as if possessed, he reached out and pinched her soft side waist.

"Hahaha! It tickles! I surrender!" Argo burst into laughter, panting and thrashing about in the water like a stranded fish. "Xiao Xing! Sister Xing! I was wrong!"

On the other side of the rock, Mochizuki Kaede listened to the girls' playful sounds, and the petite figure outlined in the misty steam involuntarily came to mind. He shook his head violently, as if that would shake off those inappropriate thoughts. Then he coughed lightly, trying to change the subject: "Um... Argo, Sachi, do you know about hot spring fish?"

Yu stopped teasing Argo and asked curiously, "Hot spring fish?"

"Hmm." Mochizuki Kaede's voice came through the misty steam, "It's a small fish that helps people exfoliate. I wonder if there's such a concept in SAO."

Xing's eyes suddenly lit up: "Ah! I've seen it on TV! They swarm around in groups..."

Argo leaned lazily against the rocks by the pool, his short golden hair brushing against his cheek: "This is really popular in beauty salons in the real world, it's called... fish spa, I think?"

Looking up at the stalactites hanging from the top of the cave, Mochizuki Kaede said, "Although the hot spring experience here is quite nice, it's still different from the real world."

“After all, it’s made up of virtual data,” Xing murmured in agreement, the warm spring water making her fair cheeks flush. She secretly glanced in the direction of the stone; although she couldn’t see anything, just knowing that Mochizuki Kaede was nearby made her heart race.

Argo splashed water, creating tiny droplets: "Is there such a big difference? I think they taste pretty much the same when you soak them."

“How should I put it…” Mochizuki Kaede pondered for a moment, “Although the temperature of the hot spring water here is just right, it lacks that warmth that comes from within. It’s more like… soaking in a warm swimming pool.”

Sachi nodded thoughtfully: "Mr. Mochizuki, do you often go to hot springs?"

“There’s a nice hot spring resort near my hometown.” Mochizuki Kaede’s lips curled into a nostalgic smile. “When I was little, I often went there with my family. In winter, soaking in the open-air hot springs and watching the snow fall, that feeling…”

His voice gradually faded, as if he were lost in fond memories.

After a moment of silence, Mochizuki Kaede smiled and said, "When we get back to the real world, I'll take you to experience a real hot spring."

"Huh?" Sachi's eyes widened suddenly, almost choking on her own breath. This...this is...an invitation to go to a hot spring together in real life? Her heart raced again. Under the water, her toes curled up nervously.

Argo stretched lazily and said, "I'll be watching with anticipation~ But Maple will be the tour guide."

Mochizuki Kaede chuckled softly, "No problem."

……

After soaking in the hot springs, Mochizuki Kaede parted ways with Argo and Sachi at the town square. Sachi, clutching her newly acquired [Infernal Spear], waved goodbye with a satisfied smile: "Mr. Mochizuki, thank you so much for today!"

"Come to me anytime if you need help next time," Mochizuki Kaede replied with a smile, watching the two girls disappear around the street corner.

Back at the guild, since it was still early, most of the guild members had already left. The hall was empty, except for Stoleya, who was curled up alone on the sofa. She pressed one hand to her temple, her pale face a stark contrast to her usual appearance.

"Stroeya?" Mochizuki Kaede hurried forward, her voice full of concern. "Are you alright?"

The girl slightly raised her eyes, her crimson pupils veiled with a layer of mist: "It's just... a bit of a headache..."

Her voice was much weaker than usual.

Chapter 209: Mutation

As soon as Mochizuki Kaede sat down beside her, Stoleya slid down like a kitten seeking warmth, resting her head on his lap. Her light purple hair spread out, covering his trousers like a piece of soft silk.

Mochizuki Kaede paused, looking down at her profile. Stoleya's eyelashes trembled slightly, her brows still furrowed, clearly indicating the pain hadn't subsided: "Are you feeling very unwell? Do you need some water?"

Stoleya shook her head gently, her voice weak: "No need... just like this... I'll stay here for a while..."

"Has something happened?" Mochizuki Kaede frowned.

Stoleya didn't answer, but snuggled closer to him, as if she craved his warmth.

The hall was so quiet that only their breathing could be heard. Mochizuki Kaede glanced at the clock on the wall, silently calculating in his mind—Asuna and the others should be back soon. If they saw this scene, how should he explain it?

“Wangyue Feng…” Stoleya suddenly called out softly.

"Ok?"

"Your body temperature... feels so comfortable..." Her voice grew softer and softer, as if she were about to fall asleep.

Mochizuki Kaede looked down at her and noticed that her brows had finally relaxed a bit, and her breathing had gradually become steady. He sighed softly and smiled helplessly, "I just can't do anything with you..."

……

October.

The 95th floor of the maze area.

"Be careful, the monsters are dense ahead." Wang Yuefeng lowered his voice. A group of red-armored goat monsters were roaming not far away. Their thick hooves pounded on the stone slabs with dull thuds. Even more alarming was the goat general standing at the very back, who was at least three meters tall. His heavy armor was covered with knife marks, exuding a chilling sense of oppression.

"Proceed according to plan," Asuna said softly, her elven sword already drawn, its blade gleaming with an emerald-like luster.

Mochizuki Kaede nodded, and his figure suddenly transformed into a blur, rushing towards the Goat General like an arrow released from a bow. The Thunder Blade hummed as it was drawn from its sheath, unleashing the ultimate technique of the sword-drawing art, "One-Sword Asura." Blue light pierced through the passage like lightning, pinning the Goat General firmly to the rock wall.

Amidst the flying debris, he immediately unleashed [Azure Thunder Cross], multiple slashes weaving into a dense electric net in the air. The Goat General's health dropped at a visible rate, eventually dissipating into countless fragments.

"Beautiful!" Mitt shouted sharply, raising her giant scythe as its purple blade traced a sharp arc in the air. She and Asuna worked in perfect harmony, one holding the line while the other launched the main attack, quickly clearing a path.

Silica's crescent moon bounced back and forth among the monsters, while Yuna's buff skill enveloped everyone's weapon in a halo.

"Wait!" Philia suddenly stopped, her sharp eyes locking onto an unnatural indentation in the rock wall. Her nimble fingers searched the stone, quickly finding the hidden mechanism. With a soft "click," a jewel-encrusted treasure chest slowly rose from the ground. She took out her lock-picking tools and unlocked the chest in less than three seconds.

Mochizuki Kaede noticed that Stoleya was at the back of the group, her greatsword dragging on the ground with a screeching sound.

"Storia, is your head hurting again?" He walked back quickly and found that the girl's face was terribly pale and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

The others gathered around, asking with concern. Stoleya forced a smile: "It's nothing, maybe the air in the maze was too stuffy. Let's keep going."

As you go deeper, the passage gradually widens, eventually turning into a huge circular cave.

Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and rubble fell from the dome.

In the darkness, a pair of eerie green eyes lit up. An unprecedented goat lord emerged, shattering the rock face. It stood three meters tall, its four thick arms wielding a greatsword, a spear, a battle axe, and a scimitar, its entire body covered in blood-red armor.

"Roar--!!!"

A deafening roar unleashed a shockwave, and Mochizuki Kaede gripped her Thunder Blade tightly. Asuna's rapier glowed with an emerald-green sword technique effect, while Mito lowered his center of gravity, the purple light on his scythe surging.

The battle broke out in an instant.

Mochizuki Kaede charged forward first, her lightning blade piercing the goat lord's chest, only to be blocked by a greatsword before it could strike. Sparks flew as Asuna's elven sword pierced the monster's ribs from the side, while Mito's giant scythe slammed into its knee. Silica's crescent moon disrupted its vision, while Philia, like a ghost, circled behind it, her short sword flashing as she slashed.

Strea also raised her greatsword and joined the battle, but her movements were noticeably slower. Just as she was about to unleash her skill, a sharp pain suddenly struck. The girl's pupils contracted violently, and something seemed to struggle within her crimson eyes.

"Ugh!" She clutched her forehead, and her greatsword clattered to the ground. The goat lord, seizing the opening, brought his giant axe down on her with a whooshing sound.

"Watch out!" Mochizuki Kaede darted between them with astonishing speed, and Lei Dao hastily parried.

"Clang!" The impact of the metal clashing made his hands go numb, but he managed to block the blow. He wrapped his left arm around Stoleya's slender waist and pulled her back quickly.

“Mochizuki Maple…” Stoleya leaned against him, her crimson eyes staring straight into his, “I can’t let you… completely conquer this game…”

what?

Before he could even process the meaning of those words, the Goat Lord suddenly let out a deafening roar. All four weapons flashed with a blood-red light, and the monster's eyes turned from eerie green to crimson—it had gone berserk!

Mochizuki Kaede handed Stoleya over to Yuna.

"Be careful," he said curtly, turning to face the goat lord, who had already entered a berserk state. All four of the monster's weapons were shrouded in blood-red light, and their attack speed and power had more than doubled.

Despite their best efforts, Asuna and Mito could only barely parry. Mito's shoulder was slashed open by the longsword, and Asuna's breathing became rapid, her bangs soaked with sweat.

Mochizuki drew the Earth Sword, spun the heavy greatsword in his hand, and then hurled it like a cannonball toward the Goat Lord's chest.

With a dull thud, the monster staggered back two steps.

During the brief moment of stun after being hit, Mochizuki Kaede swiftly gripped his Thunder Blade and unleashed a thunderous strike. The Earth Sword spun once in the air, as if it had a life of its own, before falling back into Mochizuki Kaede's hand. He exchanged a glance with Asuna and Mito, the three of them nodded in unison, and then launched a fierce attack together on the raging goat lord.

Despite the relentless attacks, the monster's health was slowly decreasing. However, when Mochizuki Kaede fought it, he could clearly sense that its power was no longer at the level of an elite monster, but rather only slightly lower than that of a floor boss, which put them in an extremely difficult situation.

"This guy's strength is off!" Asuna dodged the sweeping spear, and her elven sword left a wound on the monster.

Mit swung his giant scythe, which was blocked by the goat lord's sword.

"Its attack patterns are evolving!" She gritted her teeth and retreated. "That triple slash move was something it had never used before."

Mochizuki Kaede's eyes sharpened: "Silica, restrain its right hind leg!"

"understand!"

The crescent moon whistled through the air, striking the monster precisely in the knee joint. In the instant it staggered, Asuna's rapier moved like a butterfly flitting among the monster's arms. Mito's scythe, with a sharp whistling sound, struck each vital joint with deadly precision. Philia constantly harassed and harassed, while Yuna's buffs maintained the team's fighting strength.

Finally, under Mochizuki Kaede's finishing move, "One-Slash Asura," the Goat Lord let out a roar of resentment—

"Roar--!"

Its four arms convulsed and opened, weapons clattering and falling to the ground. Its massive body finally crashed to the ground, dissipating into countless data fragments.

Chapter 210: The Truth About Stoleya

As everyone was immersed in the joy of defeating the Goat Lord, Stoleya's deep voice was like a bucket of cold water poured on their hearts.

"I'm sorry, everyone..."

She kept her head down, her light purple bangs falling and casting a shadow on her face, obscuring her crimson eyes that always held a sly smile. Her fingers twisted the hem of her dress, her knuckles turning white from the force. The flickering light from the remaining torches in the maze cast swaying shadows on her, making her look like a phantom that might vanish at any moment.

Asuna immediately turned around and saw Strea's pale face, assuming she was blaming herself for her headache during the battle. So she quickly stepped forward and gently took the other's cold hand: "Strea, we are the ones who should apologize. When you had a headache, we should have gone back to the guild to rest instead of continuing to risk our lives."

Mochizuki Kaede stepped forward and said sincerely, "This time, it was my oversight as the president."

“No.” Stoleya shook her head gently, her light purple hair swaying with the movement, like a violet swaying in the mist. “Mochizuki Maple, you are not wrong.”

Mochizuki Kaede noticed the cold sweat on her forehead and asked worriedly, "Does your head still hurt?"

Stoleya slightly tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a weak smile, a smile that seemed to be pieced together with difficulty and might fall apart at any moment: "I'm much better now."

Then, her expression turned serious, a resolute glint flashing in her eyes. She took a deep breath, as if making a difficult decision: "I'm sorry, everyone. Just now... I enhanced the Goat Lord..."

The air froze instantly. Silica blinked her big eyes: "Huh?"

Mitt frowned, pondering, "Did you accidentally trigger some mechanism?"

“The maze area does indeed have many hidden mechanisms, and an accident could easily occur if you’re not careful,” Philia quickly reassured her. “Don’t blame yourself too much; it might just be an accident.”

Yuna nodded in agreement with Felia.

However, Stoleya shook her head, her crimson eyes staring directly at everyone, her gaze clear to the point of being almost transparent: "There's no mechanism... it's exactly what it sounds like. I actively enhanced the Goat Lord, making it [Berserk]."

Asuna's brow relaxed, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. She was all too familiar with Strea's sudden pranks; this girl, who always had a sly smile, loved to throw out some shocking remarks when everyone was relaxed, and then laugh heartily at everyone's panicked reactions.

"You're joking again, aren't you?" Asuna's voice was tinged with helplessness.

Mochizuki Maple didn't laugh; he had long harbored suspicions. From Stoleya's proficient operation of the Void Zone's management terminal to her unusual familiarity with the area, various doubts connected in his mind. He asked in a deep voice, "Stoleya, then why are you strengthening the monsters?"

"To protect this world."

Stoleya's eyes flickered slightly, like a star about to go out in the night sky: "My head was throbbing at the time... but one message was exceptionally clear: I had to stop you from clearing the game. If you continued... this world would be destroyed."

"Continuing the conquest... will destroy this world?" Mochizuki Kaede frowned.

Stoleya nodded gently: "Yes. If this continues... this world will eventually be destroyed."

After saying that, she turned to leave. Wang Yuefeng subconsciously reached out, but only caught a fleeting wisp of wind; her figure had already disappeared into the shadows around the corner.

"What exactly happened, Xiaofeng?" Asuna asked anxiously.

Looking in the direction where Stoleya disappeared, Mochizuki Kaede sighed, "Let's go back to the guild first. I need to ask Yui."

……

Upon returning to the guild, Mochizuki Kaede immediately found Yui and told her everything about Stora strengthening monsters and operating the terminal.

“Dad.” Yui’s little face was unusually serious. “Miss Strea… just like me, she’s an AI program used for mental management.”