"2024 Floor 48:" "Lindas" "That'll do it." "Liz!" "You're welcome." "Aren't you going hunting with the guild today?" "I took the day off." "I'm meeting someone." "So that's it." "What?" "I have to go!" "You've found something important to you." "Did you say something?" "nothing at all." "Good luck!" "It isn't like that!" "see you." "I wonder if I'll ever find something." "The Temperature of the Heart" "I guess... too." "Okay!" "Welcome to Lisbeth's Smith Shop!" "W-Well..." "I'd like to order a custom-made weapon." "Does he have enough money?" "metal prices are high." "Don't worry about the cost." "I just want the best sword you can make right now." "That's somewhat vague." "Could you give me an idea of the stats you're looking for?" "I see." "something as good as this or better?" "An Elucidator..." "It's one of the best magic swords you can get from a monster drop." "Can you do it?" "How about this one?" "It's the best that I've ever made." "It's a little light..." "I used a speed-type metal to forge it." "May I test it a little?" "Test it?" "Its durability." "Wait!" "your sword will break!" "it'll just be... too bad!" "Irreparable..." "Why did you do that?" "!" "Sorry!" "I didn't think that yours would be the one to break..." "You trying to tell me that my sword was weaker than you expected?" "I guess." "I could make a dozen swords that would snap yours in half!" "I'd really love one." "Something that could snap this in two." "Then you'll have to help me every step of the way!" "Every step of the way?" "starting with obtaining the metal." "I can get it myself." "I'd rather not have you slowing me down." "Don't you insult me." "I'm an expert mace user." "Then where do we find the metal? there's supposedly a dragon that eats crystals." "it builds up a rare metal in its body." "huh?" "I should probably go— you need a master smith with you." "Still want to go alone?" "and stay out of the way." "Hey!" "My name's Kirito." "I guess we'll be partying up." "Kirito!" "You're being rather curt... whatever." "Lisbeth." "1)}Floor 55:" "Western Mountain" "It's cold..." "Don't you have any extra clothing?" "I didn't know Floor 55 would be this cold!" "Don't you need this?" "I'm more disciplined." "You just keep grating on me." "It's warm." "all alone with this guy." "This is weird..." "Lisbeth?" "Giving up already?" "I'm just fine!" "just call me Liz." "Liz." "Get over yourself!" "It's beautiful!" "What are you doing?" "!" "Get your teleport crystal ready." "I know." "And I'll do this part alone. hide in the shadow of one of the crystals." "Do not come out." "What?" "I'm no newbie..." "I can help—" "No!" "All right." "Let's get going." "and hide!" "Its breath attack!" "Dodge!" "Wow..." "All with that thin weapon?" "Who is he?" "Go on and finish him off!" "You idiot!" "Don't come out yet!" "What?" "It's over－" "Liz!" "No!" "No!" "hang on!" "You're alive..." "I'm alive." "just in case." "Okay." "thank you for saving me." "It's a little early to be thanking me." "How do we get out of here?" "We can just teleport." "Teleport:" "Lindas!" "No way... that means there should be another way." "We don't know that." "This trap could be meant to kill anyone who falls into it." "that's true." "Come on..." "At least try to cheer me up!" "I have an idea." "Really?" "to run up the wall." "Are you stupid?" "Let's find out." "Unbelievable... it'd work." "Like hell it would." "What a strange feeling." "This would never happen in real life. in a place I've never been." "And running up walls?" "You really a weirdo." "Sorry." "Kirito..." "Can I ask something?" "What is it now?" "why did you save me?" "I'd rather die with someone than let them die alone." "Liz." "You really are stupid." "No one else would think that way." "Hey..." "Hold my hand?" "Okay." "It's warm." "but..." "Liz..." "Huh?" "What are you doing?" "Look at this." "Crystallite Ingot" "Could this be... the metal we came to find." "creating this in its stomach." "That's why no one received any." "You did it." "But what's it doing here?" "This hole isn't a trap." "It's the dragon's nest." "that ingot is the dragon's excrement." "Its poop." "we've achieved our goal." "All that's left is... right?" "Yeah. which means it won't be long until..." "It's here!" "H-Hey!" "What?" "!" "hang on!" "We're outside!" "Amazing!" "Kirito!" "You know something?" "What?" "I..." "I like you!" "What?" "I can't hear you!" "It's nothing!" "2024 Floor 48:" "Lindas right?" "thanks." "The warmth of Kirito's hands..." "The way I feel." "I wasn't imagining it." "I'll tell him how I feel." "Its name is Dark Repulsor. then it isn't in the information brokers' directory." "Try it out." "Yeah." "H-How does it feel?" "Heavy..." "It's a good sword." "All right!" "It feels like a soul is forged into it." "then..." "The job's complete." "I'll pay you for the sword." "How much?" "well..." "I don't need any money." "In exchange..." "I want to be your exclusive smith." "What would that mean?" "Liz? stop by and let me maintain your gear." "from now on!" "Liz?" "I..." "I..." "Liz!" "I was really worried!" "Asuna?" "Liz!" "or track you on the map..." "Where were you last night?" "I got stuck in a dungeon." "A dungeon?" "Did you go alone?" "with him." "K-Kirito-kun?" "A-Asuna..." "It's been a while." "Or maybe it hasn't." "Two days?" "You surprised me." "you already dropped by." "I would've gone with you." "Do you know each other?" "we're both part of the lead group. so I referred him to your shop." "So that's why." "did you?" "O-Of course I didn't!" "The way you stuttered is suspicious..." "I almost died back there." "You could show a little compassion!" "That's why I've told you so often not to fight solo." "I see." "So that's it..." "Did he say anything rude to you?" "Liz?" "Rude?" "He snapped my best sword in half!" "I-I'm sorry..." "It's nothing you need to apologize for." "but he's not a bad guy." "Asuna." "It's not like that!" "Liz?" "but I have to go pick up some supplies." "I'll be right back." "What about the store?" "You two keep an eye on it!" "Liz!" "Lisbeth..." "You can't be here right now." "Just a little longer." "And I would've gone back to my usual cheerful self..." "Liz..." "How'd you know I was here?" "so I could scan the whole town for you." "You always do the craziest things." "Sorry..." "I'm fine." "and it just shook me up... please..." "Forget everything I said." "I wanted to thank you." "I've always..." "I've honestly always thought it would be better to die than to survive alone." "Kirito? I was glad we both made it." "I was able to think that everyone and I are living as best we can." "Liz." "Same here... something real in this world. it was the warmth of your hand." "Tell Asuna what you just told me." "Liz..." "I'm fine!" "this warmth will linger for a while." "please..." "End this world." "I'll keep working." "I promise." "I'll win the game. come by anytime." "Sure." "You'll always be welcome at Lisbeth's Smith Shop!" "Next Time:" "The Sword Dance of White and Black"