Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

Hachiman finally remembered what he had said and fell into unprecedented panic. He suddenly took three steps back as if he had been electrocuted, and his lower back knocked over the shelf containing the ore.

Amid the roar of falling ore, Lisbeth suddenly pointed at Hachiman's ears and screamed, "Hachiman! Your ears are spewing steam!"

"Hachiman-kun just said..." Asuna's voice was as vague as morning mist. "That word is..."

"No, that's not it, Asuna! That's a metaphor! Like saying 'I love strawberry shortcake'! Yeah, it's a greeting! So wake up!"

These words finally brought Asuna's soul back to reality.

"Right, right. I occasionally imagine this scenario, but I'm not mentally prepared for a sudden attack. But if I think about it, it should be something to be happy about."

"Hey Asuna, what are you saying? Calm down."

"Asuna-san, your head is smoking, isn't it?" Liz poked her cheek with a wicked grin. "Would you like me to lend you my forging table to cool it down?"

"Yeah, it's okay, but you're so happy, that means it was successful, right?"

"what"

"You just said this is what you wanted, right? Is this it?"

"That's right Kirito. I couldn't believe it at first glance, but it's definitely this."

"Great...I succeeded..."

"That's right, Liz. I say it again. You are indeed the number one blacksmith in Aincrad."

“Thank you, I feel so happy.”

"Hachiman, check out your equipment!"

"it is good"

After equipping it, a silver shield appeared on his left arm. The posture was inexplicably harmonious, as if he had found the lost half of his body.

"This part can actually slide back and forth in conjunction with the punching movement," Hachiman demonstrated the sliding of the shield parts.

"Looks like it can switch between weapons and armor..."

"Although it has no offensive power, this equipment can be used to deflect enemy weapons and attacks with the left hand, but it will not be damaged no matter how you mess around with it," Hachiman explained its function while stroking the equipment.

"Hachiman previously relied entirely on his right hand to attack, block, and hinder."

"That's right. Using the equipment on my left hand to block the enemy's movements and counterattack all attacks is my original form."

"To all attacks..."

"Counterattack..."

"real or fake"

"Come on, Kirito, let's try a real fight." Hachiman waved his shield and looked at Kirito who was eager to try, his eyes full of fighting spirit.

"I want to see it but I have to go on a raid..." Asuna said it was almost time for the raid meeting.

"We'll see later Asuna. Kirito, can Liz come to my house?"

"I'm OK"

"I'm also concerned about the follow-up! The store is closed today!"

"Okay, let's go."

“Please show me the sequel.”

"Well, be careful on the road"

The three of them set off towards Hachiman's secret base.

SAO: Chapter 56: A Brief Confrontation with Kirito

"Well, let's start showing off now." The black-clad swordsman shook his bangs that fell in front of his eyes.

"Ok"

Liz sat on the edge of the forge with her knees hugged, the hammer still holstered at her waist, watching the two men standing ten paces apart in the foundry's backyard.

"It's just a simple test of how to use it," Kirito said, already assuming a one-handed sword stance, the Explainer pointing the blade at the ground. "We don't even need to activate duel mode."

"Yeah," Hachiman rubbed his nose with the edge of his shield, this habitual action making his voice muffled, "Come on, Kirito, come at me any time."

"Then let's warm up first."

The two men stood facing each other, ready to fight.

Just as Kirito was about to swing his weapon, a silver flash passed through his vision, and he felt the impact of being hit by the weapon on his right shoulder. The moment his right half was thrown back by the force, Hachiman's dagger was already against Kirito's throat.

"This is the way to interrupt the attack in advance," Hachiman took a half step back and swung his sword.

"Hey, unlike before, defense and attack are performed simultaneously."

“That’s why we need this equipment.”

While Kirito felt the situation was getting awkward, his blood was boiling.

After a moment of surprise, Lisbeth finally spoke up. "You call this a 'simple test'?"

"Next is the parry. The ordinary one is similar to the previous one. This time, try the hidden technique." Hachiman completely ignored the blacksmith girl's protest and lightly tapped Kirito's breastplate with the tip of his sword.

"Hidden trick..."

Kirito found himself inexplicably excited. Hachiman's fighting style was like an unpredictable surprise box. For Kirito, who had a warlike gene in his bones, it was indeed something to look forward to.

At the same time, he could clearly see the flames dancing in the other person's pupils. The flames made Hachiman's usually lifeless eyes burn unusually bright.

"Kirito, chop from above diagonally as usual."

"clear"

Kirito carefully controlled the rhythm of his attack, and under the cover of a feint, he attacked Hachiman with the trajectory of a kasaya slash, with the blade of the Elucidator about to touch the opponent's shoulder.

(It’s too late to resist now!)

Just when Kirito was sure he would hit the target, Hachiman suddenly pushed his shield forward and hit him in the face. Although he expected the damage to the face would not be serious, Kirito still subconsciously took a half step back.

In that split second, the shield suddenly retreated, its back edge precisely deflecting the slash. Unexpectedly parried, Kirito's defenses were wide open, his throat once again pressed against the cold blade. The entire process was so swift that even Lisbeth couldn't see it clearly, only seeing the hem of Kirito's black windbreaker rise as he stumbled back.

"You must be joking!" Kirito covered his numb palm. "How could this be possible at this time..."

"That's it"

"It turns out that forward and backward movement can trigger a parry."

"That's right," Hachiman tapped the inner edge of the shield with his sword. "When you retreat to block, instantly rush forward to launch a 'Flash Attack'. When your opponent is off balance, use a 'Void Slash'. When your opponent stands up, follow up with a 'Flash Attack' and a 'Void Slash'."

"Isn't this an infinite combo? That's so unfair!"

Hachiman shrugged.

"This equipment also has weaknesses. For example, it can't handle powerful combos from both sides, and its parrying effect is weakened against shield-wielding enemies."

"Been taught a lesson"

"How about Liz, that's about it"

The blacksmith girl didn't react at all.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Turning around, I saw Liz standing there with her mouth wide open, stunned.

"...What are you staring at?"

"No, no"

"without?"

"What was that just now?" Liz finally reacted.

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden...Kirito?"

"We're just having a normal exchange."

"I might have a major misunderstanding about the Clearers... I can't even see their attacks! Is Asuna like this too? I've never seen anything like this..."

"Hey, hey, stop mumbling and come back to your senses." Seeing that Liz was still muttering to herself, Kirito gave her a knife with helplessness.

"Hachiman is waiting for your evaluation"

"Ah, um, pretty impressive?"

"Right? The weapons you craft are amazing, aren't they?"

"Hmm! I didn't expect it to be so powerful! But who did you learn that peculiar technique from?"

"Well...it's a trade secret," Hachiman said, thinking of the figure in the white coat.

"Although I'm curious, I won't ask."

"Feel sorry"

"Yet Hachiman can perform such a complex operation with ease."

"The key lies in his ability to accurately judge the timing of parrying, which is why he can control such a high-threshold weapon."

“I can understand that.”

"By the way, there is one more thing"

Lisbeth suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Kirito, are you hiding something?"

"Hide what?"

"Why did you create the black sword?"

"I just explained..."

"That's a lie, right?"

Kirito was visibly panicking.

(Woman's intuition? No, it's simply Kirito's acting that's terrible...)

Hachiman suppressed a smile and tried to smooth things over. "Since we're going to be working together again, it's better to tell Liz. A blacksmith's work will have more soul when they understand the story behind the weapon."

"...That's true."

"Hey Liz"

"how?"

"Will you swear to keep Kirito's shameful secret?"

"Shame!? Okay, I swear! Tell me now!"

"Hachiman you..."

"Kirito, show us that move you used in practice."

"Although I haven't fully mastered it yet, the most gorgeous move I have is..."

Kirito operated the interface for a moment, and the Dark Repulser suddenly appeared in his left hand, while the Elucidator was still in his right hand.

"Eh? Eh? Can Dark Repulser and Elucidator be equipped at the same time? For special cases like Asuna's...?"

"This abbreviation... never mind, just read it directly."

Kirito took a deep breath and assumed a double-sword stance.

"Watch out Liz, Starburst Air Slash!"

In the dazzling special effects, the two swords burst out with a meteor-like combo, and sixteen sword lights exploded like a storm. Lisbeth subconsciously raised her hand to block it.

"Tsk, that's all we can do at the moment."

“More practice is needed.”

"That was just now..."

"Dual Blade Style"

"You have such a skill?!"

"Special skill, Liz," Hachiman picked up a falling leaf with the tip of his dagger.

“…Special Skill!? Ehhhhhhhh!?”