The next day.
Aincrad, Floor 48, Lindas.
Lisbeth's weapon shop.
Kirito and Lisbeth stood before the forge, the atmosphere subtly quiet.
The shop door was pushed open, and the wind chimes jingled softly.
Chen Mo walked in, holding Argo's hand.
The two didn't speak immediately, just stood side-by-side, their gazes sweeping between Kirito and Lisbeth, with a knowing playfulness in their eyes.
Kirito felt completely uncomfortable, a chill running up the back of his neck.
"When did you two... arrive?"
"Just got here," Chen Mo's voice was flat.
"We specially came to watch someone get what he wished for," Argo added with a smile, her cat-like eyes narrowing into crescents.
A drop of cold sweat trickled down Kirito's forehead.
The two of them, speaking in unison, made him feel embarrassed, as if he had been seen through.
"What's the fuss about...?"
"Nothing!"
Chen Mo and Argo spoke in unison, then exchanged a smile. Their unreserved intimacy made even Lisbeth, standing nearby, blush.
Kirito was completely out of patience.
He gave up resisting and handed the new sword in his hand to Chen Mo.
Chen Mo's gaze finally moved from Kirito's disgruntled face and landed on the sword.
It was a single-handed longsword, entirely pale blue-white, with an extremely thin blade that flowed with a cold radiance, like solidified moonlight.
The hilt was interwoven with blue and silver metals, and the guard was carved into a pair of outstretched wings. Rather than a weapon of war, it looked more like a timeless work of art.
daylight - weapon.
It stood alongside Kirito's other pitch-black elucidator, a stark contrast of black and white, light and dark, yet incredibly harmonious.
Due to the addition of another top-tier forging material, the sword's attributes had been elevated to another level.
"A fine sword."
Chen Mo's praise was soft, yet carried an undeniable weight.
He didn't take it, but merely extended a finger, his fingertip slowly tracing a path an inch from the blade, as if sensing its sharp edge and the soul within.
"The dragon heart stone's energy conductivity exceeds 98%, and the impurities in the crystal quartz ingot have been almost completely removed."
He looked up at Lisbeth, a hint of genuine admiration in his eyes.
"This craftsmanship has already surpassed the scope of the term 'top-tier blacksmith'."
Before Kirito could even feel proud of his new sword, a pink figure had already flashed like lightning to shield the sword.
Lisbeth spread her arms, puffing out her cheeks, as if defending her most precious creation.
"You, you don't even think about it! This sword is imbued with my heart and soul and... anyway, it's not for sale! Even for you, there's no room for discussion!"
Watching Lisbeth's tense yet proud expression, the playful look on Chen Mo's face slowly receded.
He could feel something flowing from that sword that transcended data and materials.
It was the soul of the blacksmith, and also a budding bond.
Chen Mo's gaze passed over Lisbeth's shoulder and landed on Kirito, his expression becoming more serious than ever before.
"This Kirito guy..."
He paused, then said to Lisbeth, word for word.
"I'll leave him to you from now on."
"Huh?"
Kirito stumbled, almost falling over on the spot.
Lisbeth, however, seemed to instantly understand the deeper meaning of his words, her cheeks flushing crimson with a 'boom', but she showed no shyness. Instead, she puffed out her chest and nodded heavily, as if accepting a sacred mission.
"I understand!"
"Hey, hey! You two, am I invisible?!" Kirito finally protested, unable to bear it any longer.
What greeted him was Argo's merciless and precise strike.
"Well, this is a surprise, Kirito-kun."
Argo walked around him with her arms crossed, clicking her tongue in wonder.
"According to my data analysis, your social activity radius has been consistently below five meters for years, and your emotional circuitry is roughly equivalent to an insulator. The fact that you could win the affection of our genius blacksmith lady is, in itself, a topic worthy of research, isn't it?"
Kirito's face flushed at her words, and he retorted with a dry laugh: "If you put it that way, isn't Chen Mo just as much a loner? Aren't you still..."
Before he could finish, two icy glares instantly pierced through him.
"Hmm?"
Argo narrowed her beautiful golden eyes, her smile dangerously sweet.
"Could you please repeat that? The signal is bad; it seems my info terminal didn't quite catch it?"
On the other side, Lisbeth had already reached out and accurately pinched Kirito's ear, twisting it slightly.
"Are you saying I've been nothing but trouble for you, is that it?"
"No, no, no! I was wrong! You misunderstood!"
Kirito instantly surrendered, clutching his ear and begging for mercy repeatedly.
Chen Mo watched from the side, shaking his head and silently offering his friend his wordless sympathy.
Kirito felt that gloating gaze and glared at Chen Mo, muttering in a voice only he could hear.
"Just you wait, this guy will also have his day when he's completely controlled..."
Chen Mo ignored his grumbling. He was watching Argo scold Kirito with great interest when suddenly, Argo's smile faltered, and her eyebrow twitched slightly.
She let go of Kirito and turned to Chen Mo, her expression becoming somewhat playful.
"My dear, it seems someone has paved the way for us."
"Hm?"
"Latest intel," Argo wiggled her finger, "Just now, those madmen from the Assault Team have already forced their way through the Floor 60 Boss."
At these words, the playful atmosphere in the shop instantly solidified.
Even Kirito, whose ear was still being pinched, showed a surprised expression.
"That fast?"
"Yeah, without you blocking their way, they're like they're on a stimulant, grinding through the labyrinth day and night," Argo shrugged.
She looked at Chen Mo, her eyes sparkling with excitement, her eager expression like a wild cat preparing to hunt.
"So, the plan remains unchanged? Directly to the Floor 61 Labyrinth Area?"
The Labyrinth Area was forbidden territory for ordinary players and required teamwork even for the Assault Team.
But for the few people present, it was just a place for a slightly more serious stroll.
Chen Mo met Argo's expectant gaze and calmly gave his answer.
"No."
He paused, then said something that left Kirito and Lisbeth completely speechless.
"We're going straight to the Boss room entrance."
"The Assault Team has already scouted the path, so there's no need for us to waste time."
His tone was matter-of-fact, as if he were stating something perfectly normal.
Meanwhile, in the camp of the Knights of the Blood Oath, Asuna was frowning at Heathcliff's order to rush to the Floor 61 Boss room at all costs.
Beside her, Mito's eyes, however, gleamed with a hint of excitement.