Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

SAO: Chapter 15: Social Death - A History of Humiliation

The next day, Asuna and Lisbeth went out to explore the town as planned. As for Hikigaya... he had originally planned to spend the whole day at home doing nothing...

"This world doesn't have any entertainment facilities... At least there should be a book..."

Although he could sleep all day, it was really hard to endure when he had nothing, so Hikigaya changed his plan and decided to go out.

Just then, Asuna contacted him to discuss tomorrow's arrangements, so Hikigaya decided to meet up with Asuna and Lisbeth.

"Anything interesting?"

"Emm, nothing new, right?"

"Yeah Liz. Uh, what's that?"

Asuna seemed to be distracted by something and ran towards the outdoor stalls. Hikigaya and Lisbeth followed her, but Hikigaya saw this as a good opportunity and asked Lisbeth about what happened yesterday.

"She was still very upset about the victim, so I didn't ask for details and mainly talked about some light topics."

"I see. Thanks."

"As for the strategy, I only heard that your team of three worked very hard."

"That's about it."

"Asuna said that during the discussion after the battle, she noticed that you were particularly careful not to mention other people's names.

Considering the possible situations that may arise in the future regarding the strategy, Asuna has decided to refrain from mentioning the names of the frontline personnel as much as possible."

(After all, there will be various situations on the front line from now on... But as expected of Asuna, you're observing very carefully.

Actually, it’s okay to mention Kirito’s name, but you can wait until the next opportunity to introduce him.)

"Hachiman-kun, Liz, this way~"

"Coming"

Asuna waved anxiously, and the two of them trotted over.

"Even though we're on a new floor, what are your plans for the future?"

"I shouldn't see any changes. There's not much I can do with forging. I'll just collect materials and improve my forging skills and levels."

"I'm going to strengthen my weapons again and level up step by step."

"Then the next step will be leveling up."

"The pace of the strategy seems to be speeding up as well."

"Then let's go observe the situation and collect materials to level up tomorrow."

"Okay, if you two have no problem with that."

"Of course I'm fine, Liz."

The next day, the three of them threw themselves into the battle. Their levels increased significantly, and they collected a large amount of enhancement materials. They also successfully gathered the materials needed for Lisbeth's blacksmithing skills.

Asuna planned to entrust Lisbeth with the next stage of weapon enhancement, so she actively assisted in collecting materials.

At this time, rumors spread in the town that "the first player blacksmith was born!", and it was said that there was a craftsman with superb skills.

The craftsman was actively taking orders at his outdoor stall, his skill level improving rapidly. Lisbeth seemed to have no intention of working alone in town, and currently seemed to be Hikigaya and Asuna's personal blacksmith.

(Although I may accept commissions from other players in the future, it would be embarrassing if I messed up with strangers, so for now it’s better to practice with a circle of acquaintances who won’t cause any problems.)

On the way back from hunting that day, Hikigaya informed the two that he would be away for a few days.

"Ah~ You two. I'll be away for a few days starting tomorrow. I have some things to do."

"Well, can't I come with you?"

Asuna asked directly without asking the content. Although Hikigaya was happy, he had a reason not to give in this time.

"Ah~ Sorry, Asuna. It's not that I can't take you with me, but I'm going to go it alone this time. You guys can just hunt or gather intelligence as you please."

This was the first time she had been apart from Hikigaya for such a long time, and Asuna felt a little lonely. She also began to doubt Hikigaya's reluctance to explain his purpose. Usually, Hikigaya would clearly tell her his goal and content.

"Okay, I see. Then we'll do our own thing."

"Sorry, if there's any emergency, please contact me."

"Be careful~Hikigaya"

"Oh, come on Liz too."

That night, Hikigaya called Argo over and purchased the location information for the Taijutsu skill mission.

During their earlier conversation, Argo seemed to be aware of the existence of Taijutsu skills, and assumed Hikigaya even knew the location, so she secretly noted, "This guy's knowledge is a bit biased."

The next day, Hikigaya arrived at the eastern rocky mountains. Using a map, he scaled the rock faces, traversed caves, and slid through underground waterways. Although he encountered enemies along the way, he relied on his stealth skills and the techniques he had practiced to reach his destination in just a few minutes.

After accepting the mission in the lonely cabin, Hikigaya cheered up - he had to split the huge rock with his bare hands to obtain the Taijutsu skill.

(I was forced to do this once before, but there is a trick to this.)

Hikigaya began to hit the rock continuously. Having had experience once before, he progressed quite quickly. The next day, when cracks appeared on the rock, he suddenly felt his gaze and jumped away immediately.

(What's going on... This should be a safe zone with no monsters, but someone's coming?... There's someone in the shadows of the cabin, more than one?)

Hikigaya tiptoed closer to the cabin and peeked in from the back.

(It's Liz... No, Liz can't come here alone... Ah, is that possible?)

At this moment, there was a "bang" sound above his head, and someone landed from behind. Hikigaya's shoulders were grabbed from behind.

"Liz~ I got it~"

"OK~ I'll be right there~"

This voice was a familiar one he had heard almost every day recently. Hikigaya squatted down with his head in his hands and asked in a trembling voice:

"A-Asuna? Why are you here?"

"Because Hikigaya-kun is so suspicious, I wanted to buy your location information from Ms. Argo, but she said she couldn't reveal it without your consent.

So I bought other information: "Please sell me the same map or information that Hikigaya-kun bought."

(Argo, you bastard!!!!)

"Then I got the map and realized it was very close, so I stopped by to gather intelligence."

"Okay, you're really proactive..."

"I was just curious, but I didn't want to bother you, so I was waiting for you to ask. But when Ms. Argo handed me the map, she smiled strangely and said, 'Thank you for your patronage.'"

(Argoa ...

Looking at Hikigaya, who was crouching motionless with his head in his hands, Asuna asked cautiously:

"I came here on impulse, but I'm sorry... I think I've caused you trouble..."

"No, that's not the case, Asuna."

"Oh~? What happened to Hikigaya?"

"Hello, hello Miss Lisbeth, long time no see."

"It's really suspicious...."

"I didn't do anything suspicious, Asuna-san."

"Face?"

Hikigaya dug his own grave again in panic. The two looked at each other and nodded, then began trying to knock Hikigaya to the ground.

"Wait, stop it!"

"Liz, I'll count to one, two, three."

"Yeah. One, two!"

Following the slogan, Hikigaya was thrown over. On his face was painted——

If I had to describe it, the exquisite beard would be

"Hiki Doraemon!?"

After that, the two of them couldn't hold back their laughter and rolled on the ground laughing for a long time.

"That's why I don't want to say it..."

Hikigaya said with tears in his eyes.

"S-Sorry, I didn't expect it to be like this."

"Sorry, Hikigaya."

"But if you look closely, she looks like Miss Argo."

"Oh, really."

"I guess that guy didn't pass the test, so this is what happened. I guess."

"Taijutsu, what exactly do you do?"

"It will become like this if you accept the mission first. It will never disappear before you clear the level. The conditions for clearing the level are..."

Hikigaya knocked on the half-cracked rock.

"Break this with your bare hands"

As he said that, he punched the rock.

"Wow, so hard..."

"It doesn't hurt, but it does require perseverance..."

"Anyway, it'll probably take until tomorrow night. Don't worry about me. Do as you please."

"Should we do this mission too?"

Asuna suddenly asked.

"Ah~ Asuna, wait until you level up a few more times and have time to do it. Liz doesn't have to do it, as long as she's not stationed on the front lines all the time."

"Let's talk about it later."

"Um"

"Then let's go back, Asuna."

"Okay, come on, Hachiman-kun."

"Oh, I'll contact you when I'm done."

(Another dark history...)

The humiliated Hikigaya vented his anger on the rock, and succeeded in splitting the rock earlier than expected, on the afternoon of the next day.

When I was about to leave with a sense of accomplishment, it seemed that someone else came.

(Why do people always come to places like this... It's Kirito.)

Thinking it was Argo's doing, Bibi hid and observed.

He was able to conceal himself better than anyone else, and was not discovered. Kirito didn't seem to be looking for Hikigaya specifically; he didn't act like he was looking for anyone, but simply accepted the mission. Upon seeing the beard, he looked dazed and frustrated with the mission.

(This guy accepted the quest without even asking about the details... Argo hadn't told him after all.)

Watching Kirito start hitting the boulder, Hikigaya decides to encourage him to leave again and suddenly jumps out from behind Kirito.

"Yo~ Kiri-chan! The road ahead is long, so work hard!"

Hikigaya gave a thumbs-up and smiled at Kirito, who froze after being suddenly called out. After confirming that Kirito had let out a silent scream, Hikigaya disappeared without a trace.

SAO : Chapter 16: The Fraudulent Blacksmith

After Hikigaya returned to town, he briefly informed Asuna of his return.

As he walked towards the class transfer gate, he saw several players who were requesting weapon enhancements.

(That must be the legendary blacksmith. Let me observe him for a moment.)

He quietly sat down on a bench and began to watch. At the forging table, the hooded blacksmith was concentrating on swinging his hammer, while the client's expression was agonizing.