56 Chapter 56: Kirito's Determination

"...So, are we nearing it or not?"

"We are, so stop complaining. If you are tired, just go back."

"I'm not!"

In a fricking snowy mountain with a temperature of minus 20 Celsius, a pair of boy and girl are bickering with each other repeatedly for god knows how many times.

The boy is obviously Kirito, with his black coat and all while the other is the supposed called 'she' blacksmith, Lisbeth.

Compared to Kirito who is all black and light clothes, Lisbeth's outfit is a combination of red and white, but with a thick coat covering her body.

Now then. When reaching this point, some people may wonder why the heck does a blacksmith who is obviously not battle oriented come far away from safe zone to this dangerous area, much less with snowstorm as a bonus.

In all actuality, she doesn't have any proper reason to accompany the boy as her main role is to just take the material and smith it.

But well, her pride won't allow it. Or rather, she herself is very, VERY frustrated with Kirito.

(Ahhhh sheesh! This really makes me angry!)

The thing is, when Kirito gloated her best creation as just some stick anyone could get, that really snapped her sense of reason.

Kirito may take his word lightly, but Lisbeth doesn't think the same. To repeat, he just broke her best sword.

Now, for Lisbeth to make that one sword, just how many materials she had to sacrifice? How much time she had to pour onto it? Just how much trial and errors she had to do in order to achieve into that stage?

If any reasonable artist knows her situation, then he or she will definitely sympathize her and only say, "My condolences. How unfortunate of you to meet a gangster."

So, she wanted to get revenge for this boy by giving the triple amount of suffering she had to him in any way possible.

That's all.

.....Just, she failed miserably.

"...Haaah, you know. You don't need to come with me, really. I know the general location of that material so why don't you just lay back at your own store?"

"Hmph! Don't think you could run with that kind of excuse! You still haven't reimbursed the loss!!"

"That sword? Well, sorry about that. I never really thought its durability was so weak until it broke like that."

Yup, here it is.

This freaking attitude of him makes her angry parameter shoot through the roof, surpassing the sky and reaching the space without stopping.

Really, if this guy could just be considerate on his word or on the action with a li~~~~ttle bit of consolation, then she won't be this mad. Sadly, not only he showed any kind of remorse until now, the nerve of him to lightly diss her skill as blacksmith continuously.

"....Hah. I don't even know whether to be mad or be impressed by you now."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you are that annoying until it makes me having a migraine!"

For your information, there's no such thing as disease, migraine or whatnot. Not to forget, virtual is virtual after all. Therefore, for Kirito to make Lisbeth feels like that is outrageously 'impressive'.

Of course, his guild members know that this boy is just socially poor and taciturn, but doesn't mean badly. Although, Asuna secretly commented that it's a miracle for Rein able to be his buddy with him for two years.

(...Friends, huh.)

While bickering and walking with her, Kirito is reminded of people who can be truly regarded as friends for him.

The guy who decided to protect his guild members instead of being protected by him, the guy who becomes the backbone for normal players by selling weapons...

A girl who...gives another purpose for him to live.

But this girl is very special to him. If he says he wants to be friend with her, then he'll have to shake his head horizontally.

Because he wanted more than just the title of a friend. Rather, it can be a curse if its status won't change eternally.

(I really, really like her, do I?)

After a man to man discussion with Agil, he surprisingly admitted to this new and unknown emotion sprouting on his heart.

But he didn't hate it. On the contrary, he embraced it as it is.

He likes her when she pointed her smile to him. He loves her when she cares for him. Even if they fight all the time for a petty reason, he still accepts her as it is.

It is ticklish, warming, and sweet to him.

Truthfully, he felt very surprised the moment he noticed his own feeling and accept it without much embarrassment nor rejection to it.

Maybe...just maybe. He felt a bit lonely with his family members in the other world. But, It's not like he rejects them nor isolates them. Nay.

There's not much special reason behind it.

If he puts into words,

(I just... want to be with her.)

He craves for a new bond. Another link in his lonely life and sad childhood.

....Which is why.

"....*sigh*."

He has to reject this feeling. He needs to close his eyes when he wants to open it. He has to stop both of his legs raring to go when he supposedly wants to move to protect her.

Because.... that position is not for him.

Due to one person. A man who gives him the chance to work out with his family. A man who gave a reason to stand up and fight even in the face of cruel reality.

....And a man, who also stole the opportunity of his first love even before stepping the starting line.

"..."

Unknowingly, he gritted his teeth with more force. Both of his hands form knuckles when reaching this point.

He knows it. He understands he has to give up this godd*mn emotion. That man already gives so much to him. He doesn't even know where to start for repaying him.

So, he should stop it. If he knows what it means to repay grace, then he isn't supposed to.... interrupt them.

But.....does it have to be like that?

Does he have to bury this feeling? Why he should give up even before starting a struggle for it?

Is this....the result he 'really' wants to obtain for?

"...No."

No.

Just one single word.

However, it contains his determination, his resolve, and his decision after a long, bitter dilemma.

Irrational?

it is.

Selfish?

it is too.

Ungrateful?

That is also a yes.

He knows it. What he is planning, what he will do may be the branching point on his entire 16 years of life that may result in an ending worse than anyone could think.

....Even so. Even if it'll lead to losing his sworn brother. Even if he has to sacrifice everything he had accumulated, he will still do it.

Because.

"I like her."

A very simple and straightforward reason.

Unconsciously, he blurted it out even though there's another girl listening to him.

"Did you say something?"

Snapped from his muddled thought, Kirito turned his head to the blacksmith for achieving his goal. She will be the one to make a weapon for him.

A weapon...aimed not only for monsters...but to players too.

"No, nothing. Probably you just misheard it."

"....Is that so?"

Facing her doubtful face, Kirito only shrugged his shoulders.

It is not the time nor the place to talk about it. Most of all, he doesn't even want to say about it either.

"Yes. ....Come on, we have arrived now. Or what? Did you get cold feet after reaching this far?"

"Wha!? You really!! Do you really have to act like this!!"

In response to her outrage, he only turned his head and point to the summit of this mountain.

Tracing his fingers, Lisbeth looks toward the scenery.

Although a pity for the snowstorm covering the view, her hunch is ringing that this place will be very beautiful with all of the white crystal combining with sunset.

But she won't have the leisure to have a picnic in this place.

"It comes."

*Bang!*

At the same time of his quiet declaration, a monster or rather, a freaking ice dragon who just woke up from its slumber point its red eyes toward the intruders.

Not only this dragon felt irritated from just waking up, it feels really pis*ed off for someone to trespass its territory, trying to steal its treasure.

"GROARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!"

*Fwisssh*

"Kyaaaaaaaaa!!"

A gale combines with its roar, facing toward the pair without mercy. Their clothes flutter from it. Not only that, Lisbeth almost lost her balance just from that starting action.

Just like what Kirito said, she really began to have cold feet.

"...ah....Ah!"

Her legs tremble when facing this monster. She has a hard time standing properly. After all, the thing facing them is outright 15 meters tall with scary, red glare penetrating her body to the core.

Her instinct is screaming to her constantly.

(I have to run! I...I can't defeat it!)

Run. Escape. Turn around.

Her confidence as a master macer disappears instantly. Pride won't fill her stomach, nor will saves her dear life.

Luckily, the black swordsman has enough consideration to her.

"SNAP OUT OF IT!"

"!!"

With that shout, Lisbeth immediately wakes up from her stupor and calms down a bit.

"Hurry up! Don't just blank out and move!"

"B-but where!"

"There! Hide behind that crystal! Then the dragon won't be alarmed by you anymore!"

"W-What about you!?"

What about him?

"Isn't that obvious?"

Taking his black sword from his sword, he raises his weapon and points it toward the bast*rd.

This is just one of the small, puny obstacle he has to face.

"I will do what I am supposed to do."

If he can't even do it...

"GRAARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!"

Then his dream will and always be a pipe dream.