SWORD ART ONLINE (SAO)

Chapter13: The Sunlight Heart

 Kirito stood at the edge of the forest, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The training session with his guild members had been grueling, but satisfying. However, something lingered in his mind, a desire he couldn't shake. As the others began to pack up their gear, Kirito finally voiced his thoughts.

"You know," he began, turning to Keita, Sachi, and the others, "I've been thinking... I might need another sword."

Sachi looked up from her inventory. "Another sword? But you already have your black sword."

Kirito nodded. "True, but I think it's time to try dual-wielding. Having a second sword could give me an edge in tougher fights."

Shino, who had joined the guild recently, perked up at this. "If you're looking for a good sword, I might know someone who can help. Her name's Lisbeth, and she's one of the best blacksmiths in Aincrad. She has her shop on the 48th floor."

Kirito's interest was piqued. "Lisbeth, huh? Sounds promising. Do you have her shop's exact location?"

Shino nodded and quickly sent the details to Kirito. "You should definitely check her out. She's a bit... fiery, but her work is top-notch."

The next day, Kirito made his way to the 48th floor, a bustling marketplace filled with adventurers seeking better gear and supplies. He weaved through the crowd until he found Lisbeth's Smith Shop, a quaint establishment with a sign that read, "Lisbeth's Armory."

He pushed the door open, and the sound of metal striking metal greeted him. Behind the counter, a young woman with pink hair was hammering away at a glowing piece of metal. She looked up as Kirito approached.

"Welcome to Lisbeth's Armory!" she greeted him with a cheerful smile. "What can I do for you today?"

Kirito returned the smile. "I'm looking for a new sword. Something powerful, that can complement my black sword."

Lisbeth wiped her hands on her apron and nodded thoughtfully. "I've got just the thing. Give me a moment."

She rummaged through her collection of weapons, finally pulling out a sleek, silver sword. "This one's made from a rare material I found on the 50th floor. It's got a good balance and sharpness. Want to give it a try?"

Kirito took the sword and swung it experimentally. The weight felt good in his hand, but there was only one way to truly test its strength. He glanced at Lisbeth. "Mind if I test it against my black sword?"

Lisbeth grinned. "Go ahead. I'm confident in my work."

Kirito nodded and swung the silver sword against his black one. There was a loud clang, followed by a shattering sound. To Kirito's shock, the silver sword broke in half.

Lisbeth's cheerful expression immediately darkened. "You... You broke my sword!"

Kirito winced, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm really sorry! I didn't expect that to happen. I'll pay for it, I promise."

Lisbeth crossed her arms, glaring at him. "You'd better. That was a lot of work down the drain."

Kirito sighed, reaching into his inventory to transfer the necessary Col to her. "Here, this should cover it."

Lisbeth eyed the amount and then huffed, her anger slowly subsiding. "Fine. I'll let it slide this time. But if you want a sword that won't break, you'll need to get me some special materials."