#9: March 4, 2024
I've grown to get used to random experiences, but I wasn't prepared for what happened today. After grinding for a few hours and leveling up to level 73, I decided to report back to guild headquarters, now stationed on floor 55. When I was about to enter through the front gate of our enormous new headquarters, Asuna, our loyal vice commander, was just coming out.
"Hey, Asuna," I said.
"Hey, Haiya," she replied. I twitched.
"Again, stop calling me that," I replied back. "Umm, where are you going?"
"Hmm?" she asked as if she was ignoring me. "Oh! I'm going to go visit a friend." I knew it wasn't Kirito, so I questioned further.
"What kind of friend?" I asked.
"Someone who fixes up my weapons," she replied.
"Is this 'friend' good at their job?"
"Yeah. Want to come along to meet them?"
"Sure. Not like I was doing anything else today."
"Let's go, then." I could've said no, but I was truly interested. I've had to take it easy in battle since the person I had fixing my weapon died gathering supplies, so just call it desperation as my reason. Anyways, Asuna and I went to the teleport gate and travelled to the 48th floor, where Asuna led me to this small house, decked with a water wheel among other things.
As soon as we stopped in front of it, I asked, "Is this the place?"
"Yep," Asuna replied. "C'mon. Let's go in." I nodded as we approached the shop's front door, but before we walked in, I noticed a small sign hanging next to the door.
"Lizbeth's Smith Shop," I read carefully. I pondered over the name as Asuna opened up the front door, where we were greeted by an NPC store teller and a girl, dressed in what I assumed was a type of waitress uniform and sporting pink hair, who I assumed was this Lizbeth.
"Hey, Liz," Asuna greeted; the girl turned around to face Asuna.
"Oh, hey, Asuna," she replied. "Things going well?"
"More or less," Asuna replied.
"Who's this?" Lizbeth asked as she pointed at my direction.
I decided to speak up. "Umm, I'm Haiyamoto, a friend of Asuna's."
Liz then turned back to Asuna. "Don't tell me he's your boyfriend."
Asuna began to blush. "Wha?" She stuttered. "Th-that's totally not what this looks like!" While I chuckled, I admit I was also looking red thanks to Liz's comment.
"Y-yeah," I added. "We just happen to be in the same guild."
"Sure," Liz said sarcastically. Now I was completely floored.
"Anyways," she continued, "what brings you here today? Your rapier needs sharpening?"
"Yeah," Asuna replied. "I also wanted to introduce you to him, since he had nothing to do today."
"Hey Asuna," I jutted. "Can we talk in private real quick?"
"Sure," she replied. "Just give me a sec to let Liz get to work on my weapon." I moved to a corner as Asuna and Lizbeth exchanged idle conversation. Finally, Asuna moved to the same corner I occupied.
"That's your friend that fixes your weapons?" I asked.
"Of course," Asuna replied. "She is a typical blacksmith, after all."
"That's just it," I continued. "You didn't tell me she was a she."
"Didn't I mention that?" she asked.
"You sure didn't."
"Well, sorry. I hope I didn't inconvenience you."
"That isn't it at all. It's just not what I expected." I stayed silent for a while, and Asuna did the same.
"I'm back," Liz shouted. Asuna promptly left me behind while I stood silent with my own thoughts.
"Thanks as always, Liz," Asuna said.
"Oh, it's not a problem," she replied. Tired of staying quiet, I walked over to their position to try striking up a conversation.
"Excuse me," I started. "Lizbeth, right?"
"Yes?" she asked.
"I was wondering if you could fix up my weapon." I pulled out Eliminator like I always do. "I mean, if you can handle it."
Lizbeth scoffed. "Of course. I think I can help you out." I handed her my trusty two handed sword, which to my surprise she handled fairly well despite its hefty size.
"Two handed, eh?" she asked.
"I can be very threatening with it, too," I replied.
"Wow. So scary." I could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
"Cute," I replied with deadpan delivery.
"Just wait here one moment," she said as she disappeared to her work area. I was anxious to see what her work warranted. In five minutes flat, she returned with my trusty weapon.
"Here ya go," she said. I picked it up, carefully inspecting every inch before returning it to its rightful place.
"Thanks a lot," I replied. "You know, I was looking around you shop, and I might be in the market for a new sword."
"I'm listening," Lizbeth replied.
SAO
Asuna and I finally left the noble blacksmith's shop after I conversed with Lizbeth for what felt like an hour; she wasn't the same as the last person I trusted with my weapons, but there was something about her personality that just draws a person in.
"So?" Asuna asked.
"So?" I mirrored.
"How was she?" Asuna clarified.
"She was certainly friendly," I replied.
"She really is," Asuna added. "That's why I've been helping her out." I smiled.
"W-what?" she asked.
"Nothing. It's just been a crazy day. And trust me, I've had plenty."
"I know. Your reports say it all."
"Speaking of, shouldn't we report in now?"
"I'll take care of it."
"Thanks." We spent the rest of our walk just making small talk before departing at the teleport gate; she went back to guild headquarters, while I teleported back to Algade. With nothing else to do, I decided to visit Agil's shop, since I did go through some grinding earlier.
"Hey there, Agil," I greeted as I walked through his front door.
"Haiyamoto," he greeted back. "What's going on, man?"
"Nothing much," I replied. "I just made it to level 73 today."
"Damn," he swore. "You're getting up there, huh?"
"Uh-huh," I replied. "But leveling up just doesn't feel too satisfying anymore."
"Funny. Kirito certainly doesn't feel that way."
"But Kirito is like a whole different being all together. It's inhuman how much he wants to level up."
"Anyways, what's your business here today?"
"Same as always; selling off the lesser spoils from my travels."
"Alright." We remained relatively silent as we came to an agreement on prices. When that was done, I thanked Agil before heading out, the world now shrouded in darkness once again. With nothing else today, I decided to head back to the inn room I considered home for the day. Sure, nothing really got done today, but at least I can't call it uneventful, either.
Welcome to the chapter's end. And man, did this chapter truly feel like filler. No action, no real advancement, and the chapter, as a whole, feels short. I guess sticking to established storylines is where I truly shine. Fear not, as I'm not giving up originality all together, but things are certainly going to feel more limited to actual story events from the novels/anime.
Well, in any case, I'll catch you guys later.
-rjm324
