Unexpectedly, this moment will come.

Asuna thought so while placing the Enhanced 5 [Knight's Sword] on the center line.

Five meters ahead, a man in black hair and white coat casually held the sword in his right hand. Even though his standing posture relaxed, the sharp sword tip did not shake at all, as if he was trying to suck Asuna's gaze away, and shining coldly.

The place where the two confront each other is a quadrangle square surrounded by mossy ancient buildings.

There was no sound around, and there was no breath of players or monsters. The afterglow shone in from the outside of the floating city was faint, and the blue-purple twilight was getting deeper in seconds.

Since the beginning of the game where death is equivalent to real death in this game, she can't forget the initial despair, thinking that one day she would die alone in the game, if it weren't for him...

Perhaps it was because I felt that the other party was also a lonely person that I chose to team up with a stranger, but I didn’t expect that in the battles, I became more and more dependent on him, as if I had placed all my hopes on the other party.

No, it might be true at the beginning, but in the end I was attracted by his gentle personality.

but......

"If you don't make a move, then I'll do it."

As if seeing through the shakenness in Asuna's heart, Lu Ming suddenly made a faint sound. The long sword held by his right hand began to move slowly. The sunset that was about to disappear slid across the sword like a drop of red blood.

The sword in Lu Ming's hand was still the one I used from the first level, but now it looks very different from before. Although the sword itself is by no means gorgeous, after being tempered, the sword body will release light in an extremely clear manner even in the dusk.

Asuna still remembers that the other party once said that his sword had become one with him and would continue to evolve in the battle, but she, who had been with her, now she has discovered the changes.

Just like the sword she recast on the third floor, she was obviously more than a little stronger.

Just imagine that one side’s sword splits the other side’s body, the field of vision gradually narrows and the breathing becomes rapid. The feeling of the floor firmly steadily with both feet gradually fade away.

So far, she has fought countless monsters.

Not only are the inhuman beasts and bugs, but also fiercely fought with the soldiers of forest elves whose appearance is no different from the players.

At that time, I never felt such fear.

Fighting with opponents who are also players is actually so different.

Or maybe, because the opponent is Lu Ming, it is like this?

At the moment of thinking this, the tip of the knight's sword that Asuna had raised with her right hand shaking slightly.

Looking at Asuna with a change in her expression, Lu Ming took a light step.

"No!"

When she didn't even notice it, a hoarse voice came from Asuna's slightly opened lips.

"No! I hate this!"

He grabbed the disobedient right arm with his left hand and pulled it down. Asuna also looked away from Lu Ming's face and stared at the stone floor dyed with dark green.

It seemed that she felt that her attitude was too much like a childish temper, but she still stubbornly continued to lower her head.

Immediately afterwards, I heard the sound of the heels of the leather boots rubbing.

Then, it was the sound of the sword slashing through the air.

Then, there was a brisk metal sound of "ding".

Asuna looked up and looked at it. Lu Ming, who inserted the sword back into the scabbard around her waist, just stretched out his hand and rubbed Asuna's long chestnut hair hard.

"Even if you say you hate me." He smiled bitterly, and continued while confirming the remaining time of the duel in the upper part of the Horizon, "Isn't it that you want to teach me a lesson? Isn't it Asuna?"

Five minutes later.

Just now, in the corner of the ancient building square in the duel arena, Lu Ming lit a small bonfire, took out a metal flat pot from the prop bar, and began to burn hot water.

What was a little surprised was that even the firewood used to burn fire was taken out of the prop bar. Asuna asked in surprise, "When did you have this habit?"

"Ah, I learned it from Kirito." Lu Ming said proudly, "I also brought some other props so that I would not have to sleep in the open when camping outside in the future."

In fact, most of Lu Ming's backpack is used to hold these things. After all, ordinary props and materials are useless to him, so it is better to bring some practical daily necessities.

"Sorry..." Asuna whispered as she looked at the burning flames with her eyes fixedly.

"Why do you want to apologize?"

"Because I have been busy with guild affairs and have no time to accompany you..."

"Isn't that your dream?" Lu Ming interrupted Asuna's self-blame, "And you at that time had a different feeling than usual. The name "Shining" is not only a description of your style when fighting."

......

Before I knew it, the sunset had disappeared, and the surroundings were surrounded by blue-black darkness.

On the floor below, at night, the moonlight shining from the outside will also be reflected by the bottom of the upper floor, and a faint and clear light will be emitted, but on this fifth floor, it is almost impossible to even feel the moonlight.

Without the lighting of the bonfire, I guess even Lu Ming, who was close to me, could only see the general outline.

Thinking of something hidden in the darkness behind the stone wall surrounding the square, Asuna immediately approached Lu Ming's body and felt much more at ease.

"So, who is Hitzcliff, why did he get this treasure, and would use it to exchange for you to join the [Blood Alliance Knights]?" At this time, Asuna finally remembered the reason for her duel with Lu Ming.

"Uh, I can't say it specifically, because the other party has requested to keep it confidential." Lu Ming paused for a moment, and then spoke, "But it's all like this. I just want to say that I understand it naturally."

He handed Asuna a look that could only be understood but not expressed, but because it was too dark, she didn't notice it.

However, with Asuna's wisdom, he quickly realized the meaning of Lu Ming's words.

"I really didn't expect..." She said with a complicated expression and did not continue to ask, "Then who are you going to bind? After all, these three places are so precious."

"I don't need it, so I'll give you one. Kirito can also bind it. If the remaining one is really not good, you'll keep it for now. There will always be a suitable person who needs it."

"Okay." Asuna didn't ask too much. He could ask Kayaba Akihiko to invite him in this way, and combined with Lu Ming's performance, he could see his particularity.

"You will be with me until when?" Asuna leaned on Lu Ming's shoulder, slowly closed her eyes, and a faint light of tears flashed by.

"Until you become strong enough and no longer need me." Lu Ming was silent for a while and spoke gently. Everything in the future will take time to verify.
Chapter completed!