Chapter 53: The Dark Repulser
"Didn't we agree not to casually reveal information about the raid group? Maybe that's why we missed the chance to introduce each other, but now at least we finally know each other,"
Hachiman said, dodging a flying pair of tongs awkwardly.
The hem of his black coat was burnt by sparks, leaving three small holes.
"Please take care of me from now on," after the introductions, Lisbeth also formally greeted Kirito.
"Please take care, I might trouble you to craft weapons sometime," Kirito said.
"When you suddenly broke my lifelong masterpiece, I thought you were a pain," Lisbeth teased.
"Hey, Kirito, what are you up to..." Lisbeth started.
"Hahaha..." Kirito smiled sheepishly.
Despite Kirito's awkward laugh, Lisbeth showed no anger—instead, she looked quite happy.
"So, are we going to start forging now?" Asuna cut in timely, interrupting their drifting conversation.
Lisbeth snapped out of her trance, jumping up like a cat that's been stepped on the tail.
"Of course! This time I will definitely forge a legendary weapon that will make the entire Aincrad tremble!"
"So, the three of us..."
"Ah, Asuna." Hachiman suddenly interrupted Asuna, noticing her reaction.
"We prepared the ropes this time, and I want to upgrade my equipment too. Can you help go get some crystal ingots?"
"Sure."
Hachiman suddenly grabbed Asuna's wrist. With the girl's shocked eyes fixed on him, he stepped outside: "Alright, let's go."
"Wait, Hachiman-kun!" Asuna staggered to catch up, her eyes full of confusion. "Geez... you two better do your best."
"Yeah, Asuna, be careful on the way!"
"Hachiman, don't fall down!"
"Got it, see you."
This time, it was rare for Hachiman to take Asuna's hand willingly as they headed toward the teleport gate.
"Hachiman-kun, slow down!" Asuna's eyes widened as Hachiman's fingertip accidentally brushed her palm.
The sudden tingling sensation almost made her bite her tongue.
"Ah, sorry." Hachiman hurriedly let go and began explaining Lisbeth's unusual attitude.
"Could it be..."
"Yeah, I think Lisbeth likes Kirito. Letting them be alone might help bring out better forging results."
"I totally didn't notice..." Then Asuna suddenly looked back. Through the swaying door curtain, she saw Lisbeth flusteredly preparing various materials.
The blacksmith girl's flushed cheeks looked like ripe apples in the glow of the furnace, while the black-clad swordsman stood awkwardly with hands raised, like a specimen pinned to the wall.
"Someone was too busy holding Lisbeth and crying at the time, so naturally didn't notice she kept stealing glances at him."
"Hachiman-kun!" Asuna stomped her foot, her orange hair drawing a dazzling arc in the morning light. "Lisbeth's feelings are so obvious..."
It was the first time Asuna had seen her close friend like this, and she silently resolved to watch carefully.
'I wonder if she's thinking about herself?'
"So, are we really going to get the crystal ingots now?" Asuna asked as they walked toward the teleport gate.
"Of course, but to be honest, I'm a little tired. How about we each go back to rest first, then set out again in the evening?"
"No raid today, no problem."
"Then it's settled."
"Yeah, see you later!"
That evening, the two reunited at the White Dragon's Nest. Asuna suddenly noticed a strangely shaped short dagger at Hachiman's waist—the handle set with a familiar blue crystal.
"Isn't that the failed product Lisbeth made last month?" The girl used her rapier to fend off an incoming ice crystal bat. "She said she wanted to melt it down and recast it..."
"I bought it for five hundred Col," Hachiman said, tossing the dagger precisely to pierce the bat. "Though its balance is off, it fits well with my skills..."
Before he finished speaking, a deafening roar echoed from deep inside the cave.
The two exchanged looks and rushed toward the sound—the White Dragon boss, refreshed less than 24 hours ago, was perched among crystal clusters.
"Same as before?" Asuna's rapier glowed with a brilliant blue sword technique effect.
"You take the left, I'll take the right." Hachiman drew the newly acquired serpentine short sword. "After defeating it, we can collect the crystal ingots."
After defeating the White Dragon, they rappelled into the cave with ropes and successfully found two crystal ingots.
"This is enough for me; you can have both, Hachiman-kun," Asuna said, tapping her weapon.
"Is that okay? That stuff's probably hard to get again. Maybe I should just make a small round shield for my left hand to make do..."
"That thing? Hachiman wants to use a shield?" The girl tilted her head in confusion; she had never seen Hachiman use a shield before.
"Too much trouble to explain now. I'll demonstrate with it in combat once the shield is made.
Thanks, Asuna, I owe you one today."
"No problem. Glad I could help."
The next morning, as the two passed through the Seventh Main District, Hachiman suddenly stopped in front of a pastry shop.
Asuna followed his gaze to the window displaying honeycomb cakes sprinkled with powdered sugar.
"Want to bring some treats for the ones staying behind?" Hachiman checked his Col in the system, "Like honey cakes that restore stamina."
"Hachiman-kun." Asuna suddenly tugged the hem of his cloak. "You wouldn't... have planned this to create an opportunity for them to be alone, would you?"
The young man scratched his cheek. "Not really. It's just a coincidence. Kirito wanted to make weapons and recommended Lisbeth's shop. I didn't expect all this to happen. Also, Lisbeth glanced at Kirito's side profile 27 times yesterday."
"Stop it, stop it!" Asuna crossed her arms in an X shape. "No way, no way, use that scary observation skill for something serious!"
Then the two arrived at Lisbeth's weapon shop. From afar, they heard Lisbeth's energetic shout: "Raise the temperature by fifteen more degrees! Kirito, pump the bellows!"
When they pushed open the door, Asuna was speechless at the sight.
Kirito's upper body was covered in sweat droplets, Lisbeth's tied-up long hair had some strands loose, flying in the air with each hammer strike.
The molten metal in the furnace glowed like lava.
First to appear was Kirito's new weapon—a shining white "Dark Repulser," as exquisitely crafted as the "Elucidor."
"Lisbeth's amazing!"
"Thanks to everyone's help."
"How is it, Kirito?"
"It's heavy, but a good sword."
Then Asuna suddenly asked, "But Kirito-kun already has the Elucidor. When will you use this one?"
"A one-handed sword is hard to use in emergencies, so... I need a backup weapon of the same level." Hearing the sudden question, Kirito seemed to have a mental storm.
"I see."
Seeing Kirito's hesitant manner, Asuna, knowing his collecting habits, accepted this explanation.
Lisbeth, however, looked doubtful.
Sensing the mood, Hachiman quickly requested a weapon for himself.
"Now it's my turn."
"Good! Start with a short sword!"
Even for Lisbeth, forging consecutive top-tier weapons was taxing.
Although the final product was excellent, it didn't meet expectations, and the blacksmith girl looked a bit disappointed.
"I just feel it's not perfect enough..."
"You've been setting the bar too high recently. I think it's really good," Hachiman offered comfort at the right moment.
"Even so..."
"Well, the main thing is next time. Please do your best."