Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

Before long, the two arrived at the blacksmith's shop.

However, compared to the lively scene yesterday, there were only the two of them here at this moment, making it seem very deserted.

Asuna skillfully bought herself a beginner's rapier and prepared to set off.

Then she looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka beside her, only to find that the other woman had not yet purchased a weapon, but was instead looking down slightly, as if she was thinking about something.

"Ritsuka, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just feel that I'm not suited to using a one-handed straight sword, so I'm going to switch to a different weapon."

She answered while thinking.

The reason she chose a one-handed straight sword yesterday was to see if she had the talent to use a one-handed straight sword, or even to master the dual-wielding style.

However, as it turns out, she most likely didn't have it.

Furthermore, the requirement for BB is simply to clear the fifth floor of the BOSS, which means you won't get access to special skills like Dual Blades, which only appear later in the game.

In addition, BB stipulates that she must participate in the BOSS battle and play a sufficient role in it.

Based on these two points, she felt it best to choose a weapon she was more proficient with.

As for what her most proficient weapon is...

With that in mind, she made a decision.

She tapped the shop interface and, after preparing to equip a weapon, a beginner's spear appeared in her hand.

"A spear!?"

Asuna was somewhat surprised when she saw the choice she made.

It's important to know that SAO is a fully immersive virtual game world, unlike other games where you only need to click the mouse and press the keyboard to attack.

When using weapons in SAO, every move must be executed by the player themselves, just like in the real world.

In other words, besides unleashing attacks like sword skills, the player's mastery of the weapon itself is also very important.

Although Asuna didn't know much about weapons, she could tell from the spear's length—far exceeding Fujimaru Ritsuka's height—that it was definitely not easy to use.

Is choosing a long spear really a good idea?

Such a worry couldn't help but rise in her heart, but it quickly vanished—

Suddenly, Fujimaru Ritsuka adopted a very professional stance and quickly unleashed several beautiful gun flourishes, just like a scene from an action movie, which made her eyes widen in surprise.

She couldn't help but ask, somewhat shocked.

Have you ever learned how to use a spear in the real world?

"Yes, I've learned a little bit."

After getting used to the spear in her hands, she smiled and nodded when she heard Asuna's question.

In Chaldea, she is skilled with swords, bows, and spears, but she is most proficient with the spear.

The reason is simple: among her trainers, Scáthach, Li Shuwen, and Leonidas I were all spearmen, and were very skilled in spear fighting.

However, to be precise, Leonidas I used a spear.

Therefore, she was taught more by her master and Grandpa Li Shuwen when it came to using the spear, and occasionally Cú Chulainn and Karna would serve as her sparring partners.

As for his skill level, according to his master's evaluation, he can barely be considered a beginner.

However, considering that most players in SAO are just ordinary people, or even nerds who have never trained, basic gun skills should be enough, right?

"Amazing!"

Asuna gasped in surprise again at Fujimaru Ritsuka's answer and asked curiously:

"You said before that you weren't an athlete, so are you a martial artist?"

"No, no, no, how could that be!"

She was immediately embarrassed and quickly denied it:

"I've only learned a little bit about marksmanship, so I'd say I'm just an enthusiast."

The title of martial artist is too much for her; she dares not accept it, fearing that she will be punished by Grandpa Li Shuwen when she returns.

Her masters and the others never considered letting her actually use spear techniques in combat. Although she had thought about it herself, the Servants resolutely rejected her suggestion.

The reason for training her like this is firstly to let her understand the attack methods of guns and even various weapons, which is knowledge that a Master who makes decisions must learn;

Secondly, it was to exercise her body;

Thirdly, and finally, is to ensure that she has the ultimate means to protect herself and fight in extreme situations.

The current situation perfectly meets the last condition: she can finally show off her marksmanship, which she has practiced diligently—well, not so much.

After finally choosing her weapons, she smiled at Asuna:

"In that case, let's set off!"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 140: First Battle, Unexpected Situation

140.

2023-11-22

"It doesn't seem as difficult as I imagined?"

After successfully defeating several initial monsters—wild boars—using the same fighting methods as yesterday, Asuna looked at her hands and murmured in surprise.

SAO has now become a true death game, where you can really die in battles against monsters. Therefore, she was actually very nervous when facing monsters again.

However, after carefully dealing with the first wild boar and then taking down two more in one go, her fear of fighting and death gradually subsided.

Because she discovered that even real battles didn't seem as dangerous as she had imagined.

If things continue like this, it might work!

This is probably what Ritsuka meant by a change in mindset.

Of course, we cannot be careless even so.

Facing a single monster is fine, but if you are accidentally surrounded by multiple monsters, the situation will be extremely dangerous.

However, the initial monster they are currently targeting, the wild boar, is a yellow-named monster, which is a neutral monster.

Although they gather in groups within the area, the other party will not attack them unless they initiate an attack.

In other words, as long as you attack them one by one, there generally won't be any unexpected problems.

Fujimaru Ritsuka warned her, and she strictly followed her instructions, fighting only against single monsters.

However, on the other side—

"Ah!"

Fujimaru Ritsuka charged into the boar herd, unleashing one of the basic spear skills, "Sweep."

The basic skills of the spear are four: [Thrust], [Sweep], [Downward Slash], and [Upward Slash].

Among them, the [Sweep] attack has the widest range, and combined with the spear's long attack range, it instantly hits three wild boars at the same time.

The attacked wild boars roared angrily, their markings turning from yellow to red, and charged at her.

Immediately afterwards, Fujimaru Ritsuka stopped using her [spear technique] and instead simply used a thrust, a flick, and a tap to finish off the low-health boar with three normal attacks.

Yes, it's easy and simple.

From Asuna's perspective, Fujimaru Ritsuka's movements in battle are relaxed and graceful, as fluid and natural as flowing water, making every move a pleasure to watch.

She even dared to say that many of the so-called exciting fight scenes she had seen in movies were far less natural than those of Fujimaru Ritsuka.

It was clearly a very dangerous battle, but the opponent looked like she was dancing gracefully, beautiful and powerful.

"Amazing"

Asuna stared blankly at the other person's figure, and couldn't help but let out a heartfelt sigh.

Although the other party denied the title of martial artist in the town of beginnings, it seems that he was just being modest now.

This was the first time in her life she had ever seen someone so amazing.

However, it seems that she has only ever met one martial artist, Fujimaru Ritsuka.

She even began to suspect that Fujimaru Ritsuka might be a professional sent by the government to rescue them, the trapped players.

Otherwise, how could he be so powerful?

Regardless, the skill displayed by Fujimaru Ritsuka made her feel reassured, and she unconsciously became full of confidence for her future journey to clear the game.

On the other side, after clearing out several waves of wild boars, Fujimaru Ritsuka finally got used to the combat feel of the spear in the game.

Although it is touted as a virtual game comparable to reality, it is ultimately quite different from reality.

Additionally, although BB said yesterday that she improved the AI ​​performance of the monsters in the game, apart from the boars being more agile, the feeling in battle doesn't seem very noticeable.

However, she quickly realized that this was just the initial monster area, and even if she leveled up, it wouldn't improve much.

Otherwise, it would be too difficult for new players.

Thinking of this, she turned her head and asked Asuna, who was not far away:

"Asuna, how are you feeling? Are you adjusting well?"

Hearing the other person call her, Asuna immediately snapped out of her reverie and nodded in response:

"Okay, no problem!"

Upon hearing this, she smiled and said:

"In that case, let's continue on our way and head to the next town."

"Ok!"

The area they are currently in is the leveling zone outside the town of Beginning.

Although it's called a leveling area, the monsters here are the lowest level, and the experience and materials you get are minimal. It's more like a practice area for new players than a leveling area.

The main reason they stayed here was that she wanted to get used to the feel of the spear and help Asuna adapt to combat.