Chapter 11: A Blade Unseen

After parting ways with Asuna, Deku spent the rest of his day running a few small quests. Asuna's voice echoed in the back of Izuku's mind from earlier in the day, reminding him about how his old sword wouldn't cut it anymore. They were starting to get to the higher floors, and Asuna had insisted that he upgrade his weapon.

"I know, I know," Deku had replied, though internally, he knew she was right. His swords weren't cutting it anymore... literally. Yet, he still hadn't found the right one. He glanced away, thinking about the one sword in his inventory that he knew could handle these higher floors with ease. The Elucidator. But he wasn't ready to use it. Every time he held it, the weight of his past failures seemed to crash down on him. The memories that lingered with the sword only made the already heavy blade feel even heavier.

Still, he couldn't avoid the inevitable. He needed something better. Remembering Asuna's suggestion about the blacksmith in town, he started walking in that direction.

He found himself standing outside the shop just before sundown, the streets quieting down after a busy afternoon. The quaint building was tucked between much larger shops, yet it had a charm of its own, with a simple sign above the door with the shop's name in flowing script. The sound of hammer striking metal echoed from inside.

After taking a deep breath, Deku pushed open the door, a bell tinkling softly as he stepped inside.

The interior was warm, the walls lined with swords, axes, shields, and armor, all polished and gleaming. A young woman stood behind the counter, pounding rhythmically on a glowing piece of metal. Her pink hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she didn't even look up as Deku approached the counter.

Without turning to face him, she called out, "What brings you in today?"

Deku rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit awkward. "A friend suggested I check out this shop... said you had some of the strongest swords around."

Lizbeth finally looked up, curiosity flashing in her eyes. She wiped her hands on her apron and walked over to him. "A friend, huh?" Her eyes quickly scanned his confident posture. But there was a brief moment of hesitation as she noted how short and scrawny the boy in front of her seemed.

Deku gave a sheepish smile. "Yeah, something like that."

Liz eyed him up and down, noting his confident posture and the way he carried himself. She motioned toward a rack on the far wall. "Well, you're in the right place. I've got some top-of-the-line weapons here. Let's see if we can find you something that'll suit you."

Deku followed her to the rack, where she carefully pulled down a beautifully crafted sword, the metal shining brightly in the dim light. She held it out to him with a proud smile. "This one's got great balance. Try it out."

Izuku took the sword, swinging it a few times to get a feel for the weight. The blade was smooth, its balance perfect. Yet, something felt... off. He began muttering under his breath, his analytical side kicking in as he examined it more closely.

"So? What do you think?" Lisbeth asked, a little impatience creeping into her voice.

Izuku hesitated. "I'm... not sure about it."

Lisbeth raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "Not sure? That's one of my finest swords! Of course it'll hold up. That's one of my best babies after all." Waving a finger around proudly.

Izuku's muttering stopped, and he looked up, slightly embarrassed by her reaction. But, taking what she had said as a green light, Izuku took out his Elucidator and, without warning, clashed the two swords together. The sharp metallic sound echoed through the shop as sparks flew from the impact.

Lisbeth's eyes widened in shock as she watched the swords collide. "What are you—?"

Her words were cut off as she noticed the look on Izuku's face—a mixture of panic and regret. He held his hand behind his back, trying to hide the result of his "test."

Glowing particles began floating around them, dissolving into the air. Lisbeth stood there, speechless, her eyes narrowing as she realized what had happened. The particles weren't from the Elucidator... they were from her sword. Or rather, what used to be her sword.

"What... did you do…. That-that sword was my most precious baby and you!" she her voice trembling with fury.

Izuku stammered, "I-I'm really sorry! I didn't think—I—I didn't mean to! I swear! It was an accident! I just-"

"I just, what?!" She quickly stated back.

"I just, didn't know it would break like that!" Deku muttered. "You said it's durability would hold up soo…"

Lisbeth crossed her arms, tapping her foot. "Oh so now you're saying its my fault for not making a strong enough sword?!" Pausing briefly, while still tapping her foot before starting again. "You know what. You should give me your sword as compensation for breaking mine."

The muttering stopped. Izuku's demeanor shifted immediately. His back straightened, and he looked up at her, his eyes serious. "That's not happening."

Lisbeth blinked, startled by the sudden change in his tone.

"Okay, but you don't even seem to want it," Lisbeth shot back. "If you've got a weapon strong enough to shatter my best work, then why are you here in the first place?"

Deku's playful, awkward demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by something darker and more guarded. "That's... personal," he said, his voice low.

Lisbeth blinked, still taken aback by the sudden shift in his tone. The anger in her expression softened slightly, but she was still visibly annoyed. "Personal, huh? Well, if you're looking for a weapon that strong, I'm going to need some rare materials."

Deku raised an eyebrow. "What kind of materials?"

"There's a dragon," she said, crossing her arms, "up on the Arctic floor. Its scales are perfect for forging a sword like the one you're looking for. But you'll need a team to take it down."

Deku considered her words for a moment before nodding. "I'll help you get those materials."

Lisbeth scoffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Oh? You think you can take on a dragon just like that?"

Deku shrugged, the faintest trace of a smirk playing at the edges of his lips. "I've handled worse."

Lisbeth watched him for a moment, clearly intrigued. "Fine," she said, "But you're paying for the last one, TRIPLE if but you break the next one."

The following day, Deku and Lizbeth set out on their quest. The air was crisp, and the landscape around them gradually changed as they ascended higher into the mountains. Snow dusted the trees, and the biting cold gnawed at their skin.

As they walked, Liz glanced at Deku curiously. He had been mostly silent, only speaking when necessary, and she couldn't quite figure him out.

"So," she began, breaking the silence, "why do you need this new sword so badly? You've already got a beast of a weapon on your back."

Deku didn't meet her gaze, keeping his eyes on the path ahead. "I told you—it's personal."

Liz pouted, clearly frustrated by his evasiveness. "Well, at least tell me why you need a sword this strong anyway."

Deku glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "I fight on the front lines."

Her eyes widened, a mix of awe and concern. "The front lines? I've heard only the strongest players go there."

He nodded, his expression solemn. "That's where the game will be cleared, and it's the only way to save everyone."

Liz crossed her arms as they continued walking. "I guess that makes sense, but why are you doing it alone?"

"It's safer for everyone that way," Deku said quietly, his voice almost a whisper. "I can't afford to let people get too close."

Liz gave him a curious look but decided not to press him further. They walked in silence for a while, the only sound being the crunch of their boots on the snow-covered ground as they approached the dragon's nest. Despite the silence, the air between them was less tense than it had been before. Liz was beginning to see that Deku wasn't just the stoic, distant player he seemed to be. There was something more behind those green eyes.

"So," Liz said, trying to break the silence with a lighter topic. "What about heroes? You like them?"

Deku blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in subject. "Heroes? Uh, yeah, I guess you could say that."

She grinned, sensing an opportunity. "You guess? Come on, when you were muttering in my shop, I heard you mention quite a few of them."

He scratched the back of his neck, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "Well, yeah. I've always looked up to heroes—All Might, especially. I wanted to be a hero ever since I was a kid."

Liz's eyes sparkled with interest. "Really? That's awesome! So, is that why you fight on the front lines? Because you want to be a hero?"

Deku nodded, his expression growing serious again. "It's more than that. Before… before all of this, I always wanted to save people. To be someone who could help no matter what. But here… things are different."

"How so?" Liz asked, genuinely curious.

Deku hesitated for a moment before continuing. "In the real world, I was quirkless. No powers, no abilities—nothing. People always told me I couldn't be a hero because of that. But in here… I can make a difference. I can fight, and I can protect people. It's not the same, but it's the closest I've ever gotten to my dream."

Liz fell silent, absorbing his words. She hadn't expected him to open up like that, but it was clear how much this meant to him. There was a vulnerability in Deku that she hadn't seen before, and it made her heart ache just a little.

"You know," she said after a while, "you kind of remind me of myself."

Deku looked at her, surprised. "Really? How?"

She chuckled softly. "I know it sounds weird, but I've always been obsessed with making things. Weapons, gadgets, anything that could help people. In the real world, my quirk is able to help me pick up the smallest details, I call it, Zoom. But here… well, it's just me and my skills.

"I've always had big dreams," Liz began, her voice softening as she hammered out her thoughts. "Ever since I was little, I wanted to make things that would change the world. Not just weapons, but real innovations—gear and tech that could make a difference in people's lives. I even have a name picked out for my future company: Hatsume Industries." She smiled wistfully. "Someday, when all this is over, I want to build it from the ground up. I'll create the best equipment anyone's ever seen, from hero support items to everyday gadgets."

Her gaze shifted to Deku, her tone turning playful as she added, "You'd better keep an eye out for it. If you're lucky, I might even craft some custom gear for you... though it won't come cheap," she teased, giving him a wink. "You know, gotta keep the business afloat somehow."

Deku smiled, feeling a connection forming between them. "That's an amazing goal, Liz."

She blushed slightly, caught off guard by his sincere compliment. "Thanks".

The two continued walking, the conversation flowing more easily now. Deku even started to mutter excitedly about some of his favorite heroes, talking so fast that his words became a blur. Liz, however, managed to keep up, nodding and even adding her own thoughts. It was a skill she'd honed working with intricate designs and tools—listening carefully to the tiniest details.

Deku stopped mid-sentence, realizing Liz had been following his rapid-fire muttering the entire time. "Wait… you understood all of that?"

Liz grinned, clearly proud of herself. "Yep! I guess you could say I'm good with details."

Deku blinked in surprise, his face flushing slightly. "That's… that's impressive. Not even most of my friends could keep up with me when I start muttering."

They shared a laugh, the tension from earlier completely gone. Deku was slightly thrown off when he found himself relaxing around Liz in a way he hadn't with anyone else. Sure he talked to Present Mic and Mirko about the real world, but nobody else his age since… Melissa.

Eventually, they reached the dragon's nest. The massive, snow-covered cave loomed ahead of them, the ground littered with bones and remnants of past battles. Deku and Liz exchanged a glance, both steeling themselves for the fight to come.

"Ready?" Deku asked, his voice steady.

Liz nodded, her usual energy replaced with a focused determination. "Let's do this."

The battle started off with a surge of intensity, the air thick with the tension of what lay ahead. The dragon, a colossal beast with scales that gleamed in the pale, reflected light of the cavern, moved with a terrifying grace. Each step of the dragon sent tremors through the ground, as if even the earth trembled in fear. It roared, a deep, guttural sound that shook the very air around them, causing Liz to momentarily freeze, her eyes wide in shock.

But Deku remained focused, his analytical mind already working in overdrive. He watched the dragon's movements carefully, his sharp eyes scanning every angle, every shift in its enormous body. His instincts screamed at him to find the weak points. "There has to be something…" His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, ready to strike the moment an opening presented itself.

"Watch its tail!" Deku yelled, spotting the massive appendage whip around with deadly speed. Liz jumped back just in time, narrowly dodging the tail's strike that sent a cloud of snow and ice into the air.

She was fast, using her agility to dart in and out, avoiding the dragon's swipes while trying to land some strikes. Liz's sword flashed as she aimed for the softer scales around its legs, but it was like trying to cut through steel. Her blade barely scratched the surface, and even her best efforts didn't seem to phase the dragon.

"This thing's impossible!" Liz muttered through gritted teeth, frustration building. Her strikes weren't enough, and the dragon wasn't slowing down.

Deku was right beside her, his eyes never leaving the dragon. He kept searching, looking for any telltale signs of vulnerability. There had to be something, some weakness in the dragon's tough hide. But every attack it made was calculated and precise. This wasn't just some mindless beast—it was fighting with intelligence.

As Deku tried to formulate a plan, the dragon reared back, its chest expanding as it inhaled deeply. A warning flashed in Deku's mind.

"Move!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos as he dove to the side, grabbing Liz by the arm and pulling her with him just as the dragon released a deafening roar.

The sound was unlike anything they had heard before, a bone-rattling cry that seemed to reverberate through their very bones. The ground trembled violently, cracks forming in the frozen earth beneath their feet.

Before they could react, the ground split open beneath them.

"Deku!" Liz screamed as the earth crumbled beneath them, sending both of them plummeting down into the depths of the dragon's nest. The world seemed to blur around them, the cold wind rushing past as they fell into the darkness below. Rocks and debris followed them down, crashing against the sides of the icy cavern.

Deku twisted in midair, his reflexes taking over as he tried to control their fall. He held onto Liz, making sure to shield her as best as he could from the falling debris. They hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of both of them.

Liz groaned, wincing in pain as she rolled onto her back, clutching her arm. "Well… that could've gone better," she muttered, her breath ragged from the fall. She forced herself to sit up, rubbing the sore spot where her shoulder had slammed into the ground.

Deku, grimacing from the pain, pushed himself up to his feet. His body ached from the fall, but he was still in one piece. He quickly surveyed their surroundings, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. They had landed in the heart of the dragon's nest—an icy pit littered with bones of its previous victims and jagged rocks jutting out from the ground. The air was cold and thin, each breath they took visible in the freezing temperatures.

The dragon, seemingly satisfied with having driven them away from its treasure, had flown off, leaving them stranded in the icy depths of the cavern.

Liz followed Deku's gaze, her expression a mix of frustration and worry. "Okay… so now what? We're trapped down here," she said, glancing up at the towering walls that surrounded them. There were no handholds, no obvious way to climb out of the nest. The walls were too steep and too slick with ice.

Deku didn't respond immediately. His mind raced with possibilities, scenarios flashing through his head, trying to figure out a way out. He knew there had to be something they could do, but nothing seemed clear yet. "I might have a few ideas," he muttered under his breath, though his tone made it clear that they were less than ideal.

Liz raised an eyebrow. "Care to share? Because I'm all ears for anything that doesn't involve waiting for the dragon to come back and finish us off."

Deku glanced at her, his expression thoughtful but serious. "Nothing worth mentioning right now," he said, standing up straight and brushing off some of the snow that had stuck to his cloths. His focus returned to their predicament, his eyes narrowing as he scanned their surroundings again.

Liz sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly in defeat. "Great... just great."

The silence between them stretched for a moment, both of them lost in their own thoughts. The cold bit into their skin, making every breath feel sharp and uncomfortable. The icy nest, with its eerie stillness and the remnants of past battles, weighed heavily on their minds.

But despite the seemingly impossible situation, Deku's mind wouldn't stop working. He couldn't give up, not yet. There was always a way out. He just needed to find it. He stared up at the opening of the nest, the spot where the dragon had flown off, and a small spark of an idea began to form.

"We'll figure something out," Deku said, his voice quieter but filled with determination. He looked at Liz, his expression softening slightly. "It's not over yet."

Liz nodded, drawing in a deep breath to steady herself. She trusted Deku. Somehow, despite everything, she knew he'd find a way. She could see it in his eyes—the same determination that had carried them this far.

Deku groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah… definitely could've."

They were stuck in the dragon's nest with no way out, at least not until the dragon returned. With no other choice, they settled down for the night, both of them sore and exhausted from the battle.

As they sat in the cold nest, the quiet between them grew comfortable. Deku stared up at the cavern ceiling, his mind drifting back to his dreams of becoming a hero.

"Do you think…" Liz spoke, her voice soft, "that we'll ever make it out of here?"

Deku glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "I want to think that we can… If we don't, what's the point of fighting?'' Pausing for a moment before starting again. "Although it's not getting any easier, there are less player fighting on the front lines now and more who just decided to settle down. And on top of that it seems like there's a growing number of player killers."

Another pause while Deku nodded, but his thoughts were still heavy. "Ya-know, before… before all this, I wanted to be a hero. I wanted to save people, like All Might. But now… I'm not so sure anymore."

Liz tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean? You're fighting on the front lines, protecting people. Isn't that what being a hero is all about?"

Deku sighed, resting his chin on his knees. "Yeah, but… I've lost people. People I cared about. And no matter how hard I try, I can't save everyone."

Liz felt a pang of sadness at his words, sensing the weight of loss he carried with him. It wasn't just physical strength that had shaped him; it was the emotional toll of watching people slip away, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop it. She shifted closer to him, her expression softening.

"But if there's anything I've learned from fighting on the front lines, it's that the higher up we go, the harder the battles, the more risk, but also, the easier it is to lose yourself. But, even so, I can't stop".

"If you don't mind me asking…. why?" she asked gently.

Deku hesitated for a moment, staring off into the distance before he spoke. "I have a friend… well, I don't know if I can call him a friend exactly, but I look up to him." He smiled slightly, thinking about Present Mic. "He reminded me of something important."

Liz stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. She didn't want to interrupt the moment, sensing he was about to share something deep.

"He reminded me that real heroes aren't the ones who are perfect or who always win," Deku continued. "The real heroes are the ones who keep pushing forward, who always get up… no matter the cost or pain. No matter how many times they fall, they always rise again….. They keep trying, even when it feels impossible."

Liz's eyes widened at his words. She hadn't expected him to open up like this, but she could see the sincerity in his eyes. There was a fire there, despite the sadness that had settled within him. It was clear to her now that Deku wasn't just some distant, aloof player. He was someone who cared deeply, who fought with his heart on the line.

Deku's voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. "There are times when I doubt myself, when I wonder if I can really keep going. But... I made a promise. A promise I refuse to break. So, I have to keep moving forward."

He finished speaking with a soft smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes but showed a glimmer of hope nonetheless.

Liz, moved by his words, found herself smiling back. "Well, that still counts as something in my book!" she said, her tone light but warm.

Deku's eyes softened, as if the burden he carried felt just a little lighter in that moment. "Yeah… I guess it does."

They sat in silence for a while longer, both of them lost in their own thoughts. The cave around them was quiet, save for the occasional sound of distant monsters far away. The cold stone beneath them wasn't comfortable, but for once, it didn't bother Deku. There was a kind of warmth in the air between them now—a mutual understanding that didn't need words to explain.

While she was trying to drift off to sleep, Liz blushed, realizing just how much she admired him. She wasn't sure when it had happened, but somewhere along the way, she'd developed feelings for him. The way he talked about his dreams, his determination, his kindness… it was all so genuine.

The dim light of the early morning filtered through the cracks of the ice cave, casting a cold glow over the dragon's nest where Izuku and Lisbeth had taken refuge. The air was frigid, their breath visible in the pale light. Lisbeth stirred first, her eyes slowly opening to the realization of where they were.

A loud, echoing roar shook the cave, reverberating through the walls, and Lisbeth shot up with a gasp. "The dragon… it's close!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in panic. Her eyes darted around the nest as if expecting the creature to burst through at any moment.

Izuku, however, was already awake. He sat cross-legged, his eyes fixed on the exit above them, lost in thought. His mind was racing, dissecting every possible move they could make to survive the impending confrontation. He barely registered Lisbeth's panic.

"We're trapped... there's no way we can fight that thing, and it's already so close!" Lisbeth's voice grew more frantic as she paced back and forth.

But Izuku remained still, his brows furrowed as he pieced together a plan. He could hear the dragon's roars growing louder, each one sending a tremor through the icy ground beneath them. His fingers tapped anxiously against his knee, eyes narrowed in focus.

Lisbeth stopped pacing, staring at him. "Izuku, did you hear me?! What are we gonna do?!"

Suddenly, Izuku's head snapped up, his eyes gleaming with determination. ""I've got a plan," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Liz looked at him skeptically. "A plan? You've got a crazy look in your eyes again."

He grinned. "Trust me."

With that, Deku rushed forward, using himself as bait to lure the dragon into attacking. Just as the dragon lunged at him, Deku dodged, grabbing Liz's arm and pulling her onto the dragon's back. He stabbed his sword into a weak spot between the dragon's scales, causing it to roar in pain.

"Hold on!" Deku shouted as the dragon took flight, trying to shake them off.

Liz clung to him, her heart racing as they soared through the air. The wind whipped past them, the ground below a blur as the dragon flew higher and higher. Deku guided the dragon toward the exit, timing their jump perfectly as they leapt off its back and plummeted toward a partially frozen lake below.

They hit the water with a splash, the cold shockingly intense as they struggled to the surface. Gasping for breath, they swam to shore, collapsing on the snowy bank in a heap.

Liz lay back on the snow-covered bank, her chest still heaving from the adrenaline and her breath visible as she exhalls. She stared up at the sky, watching the snowflakes slowly drift down, her mind spinning from everything that had just happened.

"THAT, was INSANE!

Deku chuckled "Yeah, but it worked," he muttered, as he smuggly nodded his head.

"You know, you're just a little crazy aren't you?" She said while laughing.

Deku, embarrassed, started muttering once again, trying to defend himself before being cut off again by Liz.

"But hey, I guess if you weren't, then we wouldn't be walking out of here with this."

Deku, still catching his breath, sat up suddenly, eyes wide with wonder as he stared at the shimmering dragon scale in Lisbeth's hand. "You… you actually got one of the scales?" His voice was filled with awe, his emerald eyes practically glowing as he leaned closer to inspect it. "That's incredible! How did you manage to grab it while we were… y'know…" He trailed off, gesturing vaguely to the chaos they had just survived.

Lisbeth smirked, holding the scale up for him to see. "It wasn't easy, that's for sure. But when you pried your sword out of the dragon's back, it left just enough of an opening for me to reach in and yank one out." She twirled the scale between her fingers, her voice taking on a playful edge. "Honestly, I'm a little surprised you didn't notice. Must've been too busy trying not to fall off huh?" she said with a laugh.

Deku blinked, clearly amazed, as he stared at the scale again. "You mean, US, I was holding the both of us up there. but yeahh- T-that's… amazing. I can't believe you actually pulled it off."

Lisbeth shrugged with a grin. "Well, I did say I'm one of the best, didn't I?"

Deku stood up and offered Liz a hand, pulling her to her feet. "We should get moving before the dragon realizes we're gone."

As they started walking away, Liz smirked. "I mean, who in their right mind uses a dragon as a ride out of its own nest? It was impressive, but definitely crazy."

A faint blush crept up Deku's face as he scratched the back of his neck, muttering under his breath. "I-It was the most logical option given the situation. We had to get out somehow, right?"

Liz couldn't help but laugh. "Logical? Riiiight. You're either the bravest guy I've ever met or the the dumbest," she said, slightly laughing. She then softened, looking at him appreciatively. "But… thanks for saving me. That was… something else."

Deku looked away, trying to hide the slight embarrassment that crept up on him. "I-it's nothing. Just part of the job, right?"

As the two of them walked back toward the path leading to town, Liz found herself sneaking glances at Deku. He had been so confident and cool in the heat of battle, but there was also this incredibly awkward, almost bashful side to him that she found charming. It was like he was two people in one—calm and composed when it came to the fight, but all over the place when things got a little more personal.

"So," Liz said, trying to steer the conversation to something lighter, "are you always this crazy in fights? Or do I just bring out the wild side in you?"

Deku glanced at her, confused. "Wild side?"

Liz laughed. "I mean, you were like some kind of hero in there, with your moves and the way you handled that dragon. I'm pretty sure you saved my life twice today."

Deku blushed, his muttering returning. "W-Well, it wasn't just me… I mean, you helped too, and…"

Liz's smile widened as she watched him spiral into one of his muttering fits again. She could follow the words, though barely, and it reminded her of someone entirely different from the stoic warrior who had been by her side just moments earlier.

"How do you do it?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Deku stopped muttering for a moment, looking at her. "Do what?"

Liz shrugged, her expression softening. "You know, balance being so strong in battle but then… this," she said, gesturing to the nervous boy standing in front of her.

Deku paused, clearly thinking about how to answer. "I don't know… I guess I've always been like this. I used to be really nervous all the time, but since SAO, well, I've had to change. Out there, when it comes to fighting, I can't afford to hesitate. But off the battlefield..." He trailed off, unsure of how to finish.

Liz's smile softened. "I get it. You've got a different way of handling things in the heat of the moment. It's kind of impressive, honestly."

Liz's heart felt some type of buzz within. There was something so genuine in the way Deku talked about his goals, about pushing forward no matter how hard things got. It was rare to meet someone with such pure determination, and it made her admire him even more.

They walked in silence for a while, the town finally coming into view in the distance. The warmth of the buildings and the soft glow of the lamps welcomed them after the long and treacherous quest.

As they entered the town, Liz looked at Deku, her curiosity still piqued. "So, you said you fight on the front lines… but why alone?"

Deku hesitated before answering, his voice more serious. "It's… complicated. I used to... well, it's a little hard to explain, but… I lost someone important to me. Since then, I've been fighting solo. It's easier that way. Less chance of anyone else getting hurt."

Liz frowned, sensing the deep sadness behind his words. "That must have been really hard for you."

Deku nodded, his eyes distant. "It was. But I'm still here. Still fighting."

She wanted to say something to comfort him, but the words didn't come. Instead, she decided to lighten the mood. "Well, at least you're not totally alone anymore. You've got me to help you make that sword, right?"

Deku smiled, grateful for the change in tone. "Yeah. Thanks, Liz."

The next morning, after a good night's rest, Deku and Liz made their way to the forge. The materials they had gathered were enough to craft the sword, and Liz's excitement was palpable as she began working on the blade.

Deku watched in awe as she moved with precision, her hands working the metal with expertise. It was clear that blacksmithing was her passion, and it reminded him of how he felt when he talked about being a hero.

After several hours, the sword was finally complete. Liz held it up, admiring her work. "Here it is—the Dark Repulsor, S-Class, one of a kind."

Deku took the sword, feeling its weight in his hands. It was perfectly balanced, its blade gleaming in the light. "It's… incredible."

Liz beamed, her heart racing as she watched Deku admire her creation. "I'm glad you like it. I put everything I had into making it for you."

Just as Liz was about to muster the courage to tell Deku how she felt, the door to the shop swung open. "Liz! Are you okay? I was so worried!" Asuna burst into the room, her voice filled with concern.

Liz blinked, momentarily stunned by Asuna's sudden appearance. "Asuna?"

Asuna's eyes darted between Liz and Deku before narrowing slightly. "Wait… you?" She looked at Deku with a mix of surprise and suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

Deku scratched the back of his head, his confident demeanor from earlier fading as he slipped into his muttering mode again. "W-Well, I came here because you… uh… you mentioned the shop, and I needed a new sword, so I thought… maybe… I could…"

Asuna stormed into the forge, her eyes blazing with a mixture of relief and frustration as she stared down Deku.

"Where have you been?!" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Liz went completely off my map yesterday, and I've been searching for her this entire time. What were you doing with her?!"

Deku blinked, caught off guard by Asuna's sudden accusation. "W-Wait! It's not what you think," he started, raising his hands defensively, already slipping into his muttering mode. "We went up to the mountains to—uh—to get a rare material for her forge. I just—well—I didn't realize it would take this long."

"You took her to the mountains? Alone?!" Asuna's voice was incredulous as she stepped closer to him, her brows furrowed in disbelief. "Do you know how dangerous that is? What if something had happened to her?"

Deku winced at the sharpness in her tone, but before he could respond, Asuna continued, "I was worried sick, Deku! You should've told me where you were going!"

The tension in the room thickened as the two of them locked eyes. Deku tried to explain, but Asuna's frustration kept bubbling over, her words coming out faster than he could respond. They were bickering now, their voices rising as they argued back and forth.

Liz stood off to the side, watching them intently, her heart sinking as she listened to their argument. Her gaze drifted between them, and she couldn't help but notice the way they interacted. The way Asuna's eyes burned with concern and frustration, and the way Deku, flustered as he was, seemed to care just as much.

They're so close, Liz thought, her chest tightening. Even if they don't realize it yet, it's obvious they care about each other. A lot.

As she watched them, a realization slowly dawned on her—a painful one. I probably never had a chance with him, did I? she mused sadly, her fingers tightening around the hammer she still held. Look at the way they're talking. The way they fight. There's something between them… something real.

Liz let out a soft sigh, her eyes lowering to the floor for a moment. They just haven't admitted it to themselves yet.

She shook her head, forcing herself to snap out of it. This wasn't the time to dwell on her feelings. Pushing her emotions aside, Liz cleared her throat, her voice cutting through the rising tension between Deku and Asuna.

"You know," Liz began, her tone light but carrying an edge of humor as she stepped forward, "the only reason I even went with him is because this idiot walked into my shop, tests my best sword, and breaks it. Before even buying it!"

Both Deku and Asuna froze mid-argument, their heads snapping toward Liz in unison.

"He... what?!" Asuna blinked, her expression caught between disbelief, frustration, and anger. "After I so KINDLY suggested Liz to you… and you go and treat her like that?"

Deku winced, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "W-Well, I didn't mean to—"

"Oh no, you definitely broke it," Liz said, crossing her arms with a small smirk. "Smashed my sword like it was made of glass. And then—get this—he just casually mentions that he'll go find the material to make up for it. Like it's no big deal."

Asuna's eyes narrowed as she whirled back on Deku. "You broke her sword? Before even buying it?" Her voice was sharp, and Deku could feel the intensity of her stare burning into him.

"W-Well..." he muttered, avoiding eye contact. "I didn't mean to—"

"You didn't mean to?" Asuna cut him off, her voice rising. "Deku, do you have any idea how much work goes into crafting a sword like that? You can't just go around breaking things and thinking it's fine!"

Deku started to mutter under his breath, his words coming out in a rapid, barely coherent string of excuses. "I didn't—I wasn't trying to—I just needed to see if the durability would hold up in combat, and I—"

"Durability?!" Asuna's frustration was building, and Deku felt the pressure mounting. "You broke a perfectly good sword for what—an experiment?"

Deku winced, mentally kicking himself for bringing this upon himself. Why is she scarier than any of the bosses? he thought, feeling a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.

Liz, watching the entire scene unfold, couldn't help but smirk to herself. The way Asuna was laying into Deku, the way he was stammering, trying to defend himself—it was clear as day. The dynamic between them was almost... endearing.

She folded her arms, leaning back slightly as Asuna continued to scold Deku. It's no wonder I don't have a chance, Liz thought, her heart sinking a little. Look at them. They fight like an old married couple.

As much as it stung to admit, Liz knew what she was seeing. She might have felt something for Deku, maybe even a little spark when they had worked together, but watching him with Asuna now... it was obvious. They had something deeper, something neither of them even realized yet.

Liz sighed inwardly, shifting her weight slightly. I guess it was never meant to be... she thought, glancing at Deku and Asuna once more before clearing her throat to interrupt their bickering.

Yeah... they're perfect for each other.

Liz leaned in close to Asuna, her grin turning sly and whispered. "You know, Asuna, he's kind of a keeper."

Asuna's eyes widened, her face turning a deep shade of red. "Wh-What?"

Liz laughed softly, enjoying the moment. "I'm just saying, you've found a good one. Don't mess it up or I might just come in and sweep him up." Grinning widely.

Asuna stammered, trying to find the words. "It's not like that! We're just… he's just…"

Deku, standing awkwardly in the background, had no idea what was going on between the two girls. All he knew was that the heat was finally off him, and for that, he was grateful. "I… uh… I'm just gonna… go now…"

The two girls watched him, one blushing and the other grinning, as Deku awkwardly backed out of the shop as fast as he could, scratching the back of his head.

Asuna turned to Liz, still flustered. "I-I can't believe you said that!"

Liz laughed again, patting Asuna on the shoulder. "Relax, Asuna. I was just teasing. But seriously, he's a good guy. Don't let him get away."

Asuna, still red-faced, glanced toward the door where Deku had just left. She sighed, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips.