The gate of light swirled, and space-time shifted.
When his vision cleared again, a thick, almost choking scent of fresh grass assailed him.
Chen Mo frowned slightly, the momentary dizziness brought by the teleportation was quickly dispelled by his powerful mental strength.
He didn't look around like a newcomer, but calmly surveyed the familiar yet strange plaza.
The main city of the second floor, Urbus.
The fountain behind him, and the huge stone pillar that players mistook for a staff, were exactly as he remembered.
"Wow! The air here is even fresher than on the first floor!"
Argo's figure was already like an unbridled wild rabbit, excitedly running around the plaza; her Information Broker instincts drove her to scout the new environment immediately.
Her iconic brown cloak had long been put away, revealing her bright yellow short hair and a vibrant, pretty face.
In front of Chen Mo, she no longer needed to pretend to be that mysterious mouse.
Chen Mo looked at her and spoke calmly.
"At the bulletin board on the west side of the city, there's a quest called 'Lost Recipe.' The reward is A-grade ingredient 'Wind Breath Beast Tenderloin' and a rare-grade cooking skill book. I know you like these."
Argo's steps suddenly halted, and she looked back at Chen Mo in disbelief.
That wasn't a suggestion, but a statement.
It was as if he had already thoroughly understood this newly opened second floor.
"You... you even know that?"
"This is our secret."
Chen Mo's tone was as indifferent as water, but a slight smile appeared on his face.
He raised his hand and gently patted Argo's head.
"Go on, I'll find a place to wait for you."
After speaking, he no longer paid attention to the still-shocked Argo, and walked alone towards the town center of Urbus.
He knew a storm was waiting for him.
Not only did he know, he was also at the center of this storm.
The moment Chen Mo's figure stepped onto the town's main road, the originally noisy street fell into an eerie silence for a moment.
All the players who had teleported up from the first floor, all the latecomers who had just heard the "Strategy Legend" (strategy legend), their gazes converged on that Black Swordsman figure without prior arrangement.
There was no frantic encirclement as expected.
The crowd, like the Red Sea before Moses, silently parted to both sides, creating a wide path.
Awe.
Fear.
And a hint of fanaticism mixed with hope.
"It's... it's him..."
"'Shadow' Chen Mo..."
"That monster who soloed the BOSS..."
Whispers spread through the crowd, but no one dared to speak loudly, and no one dared to step forward.
They just watched him with the eyes of someone looking at a strong person, or rather, a monster.
Chen Mo kept his eyes straight, his steps steady, each step seemingly landing on everyone's heartbeats.
Of course, he knew he was famous.
When he chose to end the BOSS battle in such a world-shattering manner, he had anticipated everything that would happen today.
Fame is power, but also shackles.
He needed it, and he had to control it.
Finally, a young player who had mustered all his courage stepped out from the crowd and asked with a trembling voice:
"Lord Chen Mo! Please... what should we do next? Can you... lead us?"
This question voiced what everyone was thinking.
Chen Mo stopped.
The air on the entire street seemed to freeze.
He slowly turned around, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone present, and the oppressive feeling brought by his gaze made many people subconsciously lower their heads.
"Lead you?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"And then what? Like Diabel, treat your lives as stepping stones to my throne?"
The crowd was dead silent.
"If you want to live, rely on yourselves to wield your swords."
"If you want to become stronger, go to the labyrinth area, fight with monsters until you kill off all fear and weakness."
"Don't place your hopes on anyone."
"Especially not me."
After speaking, he no longer lingered, turned, and walked into an inn on the street corner.
Behind him, hundreds of players were left in contemplation and shock.
Inside the inn, Kirito was sitting at a corner table, silently wiping his brand new guardian sword.
The sword gleamed brightly, as if it had never been used.
The moment Chen Mo pushed open the door, his wiping motion suddenly froze, and he looked up, his eyes filled with extreme complexity.
Chen Mo ignored the reverent gazes from other players in the hall, walked directly to the bar, ordered a glass of water, and then, holding the cup, sat opposite Kirito.
"What are you thinking about?" Chen Mo took a sip of water and asked indifferently.
"I'm thinking about... the gap between you and me." Kirito admitted frankly, his voice a little dry, "That one sword, I'm afraid I won't have the chance to use it in this game."
"So you plan to give up?"
"No." Kirito tightened his grip on the sword hilt, his fighting spirit reigniting in his eyes, "I'll only chase after you more frantically!"
A barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of Chen Mo's mouth.
That's right.
This was the "Black Swordsman" he knew.
"This sword isn't suitable for you." Chen Mo's gaze fell on the guardian sword.
Kirito was startled: "Why?"
"It's too heavy, too straightforward. It will slow down your speed. The game talent I know you possess lies in extreme speed and reaction."
Chen Mo stood up and placed a small metal emblem on the table, pushing it towards Kirito.
"At the blacksmith shop north of the city, find a blacksmith named Horen. Give this to him, and he will forge a sword that truly suits you."
After speaking, he turned and walked towards the stairs.
Kirito picked up the cold emblem, on which was carved a complex pattern he couldn't understand.
He looked up at Chen Mo's back and couldn't help but ask: "You... why are you helping me?"
Chen Mo's steps didn't stop, leaving only a sentence that left him with endless food for thought.
"I hope the future battlefield isn't just me fighting alone."
"I also hope you don't die before me."
"I look forward to the moment you draw your sword against me."
Kirito was stunned, not even noticing that Chen Mo had already left.
He was still savoring Chen Mo's words, then, as if talking to himself, he sheathed his long sword.
"Okay, I will fulfill this promise."