I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

If it weren't for his name and HP displayed in the top left corner, Mochizuki Kaede would have felt like he was truly in a medieval fantasy story.

This is the game world – Sword Art Online (SAO).

Chapter 3: The Eldest Daughter of the Yuuki Family

"Welcome, swordsman."

A woman in a white dress walked towards Wangyue Feng: "This is the central square of the starting town. I am the beginner's guide NPC. How can I help you?"

Is this an NPC? Mochizuki Kaede was surprised because the woman in front of him, in terms of both tone and movements, felt no different from a real person.

Perhaps the only difference is that her eyes lack the emotion and liveliness of a human.

"Your character name, level, and health are displayed in the upper left corner of your field of view."

The female NPC continued, then raised her hand, her right index and middle fingers tracing a line in the air, revealing a semi-transparent interface: "This is how you open the character's main menu."

Mochizuki Kaede followed her movements, raising her right index and middle fingers straight up and then swiping them downwards.

A white main menu then appeared in mid-air, with function icons arranged simply: [Map], [Inventory], [Skills], [Party]...

"If you need basic equipment, you can purchase weapons and armor at the blacksmith shop on the right side of the main street. There are many ways to obtain Kor (money) and level experience, but the two main ones are—"

The female NPC pointed towards the city gate: "First, hunt wild monsters to obtain loot. Second, accept the quests posted on the village bulletin board."

After a pause, she added, "Would you like me to demonstrate basic sword techniques or explain how to use the skill menu?"

After gaining a general understanding of the entire operation process and game framework, Mochizuki Kaede dismissed the NPC. He had experience with other online games, so he picked it up relatively quickly. The basic framework of SAO—inventory, skill tree, and quest system—was similar to other MMORPGs.

In addition, SAO's unique combat system is centered around "sword skills" and combined with action commands to form a very distinctive combat mode. In other words, "you don't play the game while lying down, but while running around."

"The system gives you 1000 Cors. Go to the weapon shop to buy weapons and armor first. I remember it's on the right side of the main street..." Just as Mochizuki Kaede was about to leave the square and head to the weapon shop, a clear female voice caught his attention.

"Um, I'm looking for my friend—"

Following the sound, Wang Yuefeng saw a tall girl with long chestnut hair standing in front of the newbie guide NPC. Sunlight gilded the ends of her hair with a soft golden edge. The girl turned her face slightly to the side, her long eyelashes trembling gently as she spoke. She was wearing the newbie's initial outfit, yet she inexplicably exuded a unique temperament.

"She is..." Mochizuki Kaede looked at the gentle and graceful girl and felt that she looked strangely familiar.

The new player guide NPC asked the chestnut-haired girl in a gentle tone, "What is your friend's character name?"

"Hmm, her name is Usagizawa Fukasumi, she's the same age as me, and her height is about..." The chestnut-haired girl unconsciously leaned forward, gesturing in the air with her slender fingers.

The NPC smiled and said, "Sorry, no player named Usagizawa Fukasumi was found."

“She should be here…” the chestnut-haired girl said, sounding flustered.

Mochizuki Kaede suddenly remembered who this chestnut-haired girl was.

—Yuuki Asuna, the eldest daughter of the Yuuki family. Her father, Yuuki Shozo, is the CEO of RECT, a major electronics manufacturer, and has collaborated with the Mochizuki family.

The chestnut-haired girl seemed to notice his gaze as well, turning her head to look at him. She first saw Mochizuki Kaede's signature silver hair, then paused slightly after seeing his face, before her eyes lit up with surprise: "Aren't you Mochizuki's Kaede?"

That familiar look and tone of voice are just like they were back then.

Seeing that the other person recognized him, Mochizuki Kaede walked over and stopped at just the right distance between them, a smile playing on her lips: "Long time no see, Miss Yuuki."

The chestnut-haired girl tilted her head slightly to look at Mochizuki Kaede, a smile appearing in her amber eyes: "Kake is still the same as before. Even though he is younger than me, he always acts like a little adult."

She gently wagged her index finger: "Just call me Asuna."

Mochizuki Kaede sighed helplessly, "She's only a year younger than you, Asuna."

“Even a year makes a difference~” Asuna tucked a strand of chestnut hair that was fluttering in the wind behind her ear, her tone carrying a hint of older sisterly pride, “And I remember you were still in middle school, right? I’m a high school student now.”

"So you play this game too?" she then asked.

Mochizuki Kaede shook her head and replied, "No, my brother bought it. He's leaving the country today."

“Me too,” Asuna chuckled, covering her mouth. “I also borrowed my brother’s gaming equipment, and he happened to be leaving the country today.”

Mochizuki Kaede nodded. He knew that Asuna's brother, Yuuki Koichiro, was a calm and outstanding person.

Asuna was happy to see familiar faces in the unfamiliar game world.

"Ah, I almost forgot about the important thing." She lightly patted her forehead, her chestnut hair swaying gently with the movement. "I'm still looking for my friend."

She then looked at the NPC next to her and asked, "Are there really no players named Usagizawa Fukasumi?"

"After another search, this player was still not found," the NPC replied with a smile.

"Her name is Tu-Ze-Shen-Cheng, with the character Tu followed by the water radical (Ze)..."

As Asuna was still explaining to the NPCs, a commotion suddenly broke out in the square as a tall figure rudely pushed through the crowd.

"Wait—why are you here?"

With a rough voice, a purple-haired man rushed forward, and Mochizuki Kaede instinctively stepped in front of Asuna. The large, well-defined hand that had been about to grab Asuna now pressed heavily on his shoulder.

This sudden situation caught Asuna off guard. What came into view was a hideous bone mask with an eerie red glow in its eye sockets.

The purple-haired man ignored Mochizuki Kaede, who was blocking his way, and looked at Asuna. Seeing the look of fear in Asuna's eyes, he muttered in confusion, "Are you scared by the mask?" Then he took off the mask, revealing an even more frightening face.

Asuna was clearly startled again: "Who are you?"

"It's me, Fukasumi."

"I don't know any guy named Fukasumi... Huh?"

Asuna was stunned for a moment. The purple-haired man quickly brought up the system menu, and the next second, a clear, melodious female voice, completely opposite to his rugged appearance, came from his mouth: "It really is me..."

"Huh? That voice..." Asuna seemed even more puzzled, but she quickly shook her head, "But I'm not looking for you, I'm looking for a girl named Usawa Fukasumi, Fukasumi as deep and Fukasumi as clear..."

Mochizuki Kaede's gaze darted quickly between the purple-haired man and Asuna, and she immediately understood the situation. This seemingly rugged purple-haired man was none other than Asuna's friend, Usagizawa Fukasumi, whom she was looking for, except that he was playing a male character in the game.

The purple-haired man, his face flushed red with shame as he faced the stares of the surrounding players, shouted in his originally clear, feminine voice:

"That's why I told you... don't call people by their real names in the game!"

Chapter Four: Sword Skills

After the purple-haired man explained, Asuna finally confirmed that the person in front of her was indeed her friend, Usawa Fukasumi.

“But my character name in the game is Mitt,” Mitt emphasized again, “so don’t call me by my real name.”

“But Asuna, you really are bold…” she couldn’t help but facepalm. “You use your real name as your character name, and the game character is also based on a real person.”

Asuna waved her hand dismissively: "Because I don't understand any of the settings or anything."

She pointed to Mochizuki Kaede beside her: "And Kaede also uses her real name and real person, just like me."

Mito then looked at Mochizuki Kaede, her eyes seeming to say, "Are you an idiot too?"—Through the introduction just now, she learned that this silver-haired boy was Asuna's friend.

Asuna looked at Mito's muscular physique with curiosity and exclaimed, "But he's really amazing. You can't tell he's Fukasumi at all."

“I already told you it’s not Fukasumi, it’s Mito!” Mito sighed, but then gave a gentle smile. “But I’m very happy to meet Asuna here.”

“I’m also very happy to have met Mito.” Asuna smiled.

Mitt stretched his neck, making a slight clicking sound: "Then let's go."

"Departure? Where to?" Asuna asked, tilting her head, her chestnut hair swaying gently with the movement.

Mitt gave a mysterious smile: "Let me teach you how to experience the real fun of this game."

Seeing that Asuna still looked confused, she explained, "It means fighting monsters while fully armed."

"War...battle?" Asuna's voice rose involuntarily.

"Don't worry," Mitt waved his hand. "The area around town is full of small fry and monsters."

"But I'm not good at games..."

“It’s okay, this isn’t a fighting game,” Mito continued. “You fight with your whole body. With Asuna’s athletic ability, she’ll definitely be able to pick it up quickly.”

She patted Asuna on the shoulder: "Relax, just treat it as a special sport."

"Is that so?" Asuna asked, still somewhat doubtful.

Mitt looked around the square: "But before that, let's go explore the town first."

Asuna turned to Mochizuki Kaede, her eyes filled with anticipation: "Kaede, why don't you come along too?"

Mito followed her gaze and shrugged: "Since it's Asuna's request, I have no objection."

Watching the two of them finalize their itinerary in a quick exchange, Mochizuki Kaede's lips curled into a helpless smile.

Although Asuna always naturally treated him like a younger brother who needed her care, it was impossible to refuse her kindness. Besides, being new to the area, having an experienced person to guide him was certainly a good thing.

The three walked along the main street, where there was a bustling scene: players were discussing in groups of three or five, NPC vendors were hawking fruits and hot food on the roadside, and NPCs who looked like street performers were playing light music.

After turning a few corners, they arrived at a fairly large weapons shop. Asuna lingered in front of the display cases for a long time before finally choosing a rapier. Mito examined it for a moment and then unhesitatingly took down the giant purple scythe hanging on the wall. Mochizuki Kaede glanced around briefly before selecting a slender light sword.

After purchasing the equipment, the three continued to travel through the town.

They visited all sorts of shops: from alchemy workshops filled with the scent of herbs, to jewelry shops displaying exotic minerals, and bakeries wafting the aroma of bread.

Asuna would exclaim in amazement at each new place they passed, while Mito would give a long explanation, and Mochizuki Kaede would quietly follow behind them, looking around with curiosity.

From Mitt, Mochizuki Kaede learned that they were currently in the beginner village, [Starting Town], which was also the core area of ​​the first floor of the floating giant castle [Aincrad].

The enormous castle, Aincrad, floating in the infinite sky, has 100 floors. Its interior space contains numerous towns, forests, and grasslands, each with different ecosystems and monsters.

There is only one staircase connecting each floor, and it is hidden in a dangerous maze area overrun by monsters. If players want to open the passage to the next floor, they must find the floor boss guarding the staircase and successfully defeat it.

Only in this way will the transfer portal between the upper and lower floors be activated and connected, allowing players to freely move between the two floors...

The three then left the town and came to a nearby open grassland. A gentle breeze rustled through the grass, creating waves of green. Several bright blue wild boars were leisurely swaying their rounded rumps, foraging among the grass.

One of the wild boars seemed to have spotted them, and it adopted a charging stance towards the three of them, its tusks bared and its red eyes flashing with ferocity.

Mito turned to Asuna and Mochizuki Kaede, a smile playing on his lips: "Now, let me demonstrate the most basic gameplay of this game to you."

"Okay, okay." Asuna picked up the rapier with a "I'm ready" expression.

Mochizuki Kaede nodded and gripped her light sword tightly, her eyes becoming focused.

Mitt drew his flying sword from his waist and explained, "The combat system in this game isn't activated by simply shouting out skill names. You need to first assume a starting stance and pause briefly..."

As she spoke, she lowered her center of gravity, drew her right arm back into a throwing posture, and aimed at the wild boar. At this moment, the flying sword in her hand was enveloped in a purple light.

"The moment you sense the skill is ready—"

call out--

A purple light streaked through the air as the flying sword struck the wild boar with incredible precision, almost imperceptible to the naked eye. The boar let out a piercing scream, its body convulsing violently before suddenly shattering like a broken glass sculpture, disintegrating into countless polygonal fragments that scattered in all directions.

That was a beautiful strike.

Mitt turned to look at the two of them: "Do you understand?"

Asuna nodded, seemingly understanding.

Mochizuki Kaede did not respond immediately. He slowly gripped the hilt of his sword, his mind replaying the sword stance he had practiced countless times in the dojo—breathing, center of gravity, point of force. He naturally took a half step forward with his left foot, lowered his center of gravity, and locked his gaze on yet another wild boar that had spotted them and was charging toward them.

"call--"

With a breath, the light sword suddenly lit up with a bright blue skill effect. The next second, his figure shot forward like an arrow, the sword drawing a perfect horizontal line in the air.

In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance between himself and the attacking wild boar.

"Shh!"

The blade pierced through the wild boar's head to its tail, leaving a straight blue trail. The boar didn't even have time to groan; still in its charging stance, a neat, square slash mark appeared on its body. After a brief pause, the boar crashed to the ground, disintegrating into countless shimmering fragments.

In front of Mochizuki Kaede, the amount of experience points gained was displayed in purple font.

"Snapped--!"

Asuna clapped from behind, her amber eyes filled with admiration: "Xiao Feng is amazing!"

Mochizuki Kaede smiled and said, "Actually, it's not difficult, it's very simple. Asuna, you can try it too."

Mitt, arms crossed, commented, "A wild boar of this caliber would be nothing more than a slime-level mob in other games."

But her gaze involuntarily drifted back to Mochizuki Kaede. This newcomer was able to execute sword skills so smoothly on his first time playing the game. If Asuna hadn't confirmed it herself, she would have almost thought he was a veteran player who had participated in the closed beta.

Chapter Five: Declaration of Death

The setting sun bathed the entire grassland in a flowing gold, and the slanting rays danced on the tips of the grass, casting a warm silhouette light over the three of them.