366 -361- You should smile more often

Afterward, Rozen and Asuna together escorted Lis back to Lindarth in 48th floor.

Given Lis's skills, it was still somewhat risky for her to venture alone on the front lines, and having trustworthy clearing group players accompany her was essential.

Once Rozen and Asuna safely delivered Lis to Lindarth, it was already nighttime. They received a message from the clearing group that the boss on the 60th floor's training area had been successfully defeated, and the next step was to advance into the labyrinth area, heading straight for the boss guarding the floor. This meant that Rozen and Asuna couldn't afford to miss out on this crucial clearing effort and had to return to the front lines.

However, at least for today, they could finally take a proper rest. While walking toward the teleportation gate plaza in Lindarth, Rozen and Asuna discussed the events of the day.

"Thank you for today," Rozen said to Asuna. "Without you, I might not have obtained this sword."

He lightly patted the sheath hanging at his waist, which contained the crystal sword known as "Azure Abyss."

Asuna glanced at the sheathed sword and couldn't help but sigh softly. "No need to thank me. With the materials you provided, even without Lis, you could have forged a very powerful sword. Lis's skills are indeed exceptional, but there are other master-level blacksmiths in this world who could have achieved similar results."

Rozen seemed somewhat casual in his response. "Well, you know, the weapon forging system ultimately depends on random parameters. While other blacksmiths might be able to create a good sword, whether it could reach the same level as this one remains uncertain."

Asuna questioned, "So, you're saying that there might be other blacksmiths who could create an even better sword than this?"

Rozen chuckled and then said, "Do you really believe there could be a better sword than this one?"

Asuna fell silent.

There was indeed no more convincing argument than that.

Asuna had witnessed the performance of "Azure Abyss" and couldn't believe that anyone, at this stage, could craft a sword superior to it.

To clarify this, at the current floor, swords of this caliber were exceedingly rare, and without considering enhancement factors, swords of this quality would only become available after reaching the 80th floor or beyond.

In other words, before the 80th floor, it was unlikely for swords of this level to drop from monsters or be obtained from chests.

Lis had the same perspective, which was why she felt no sense of accomplishment. Asuna shared this view and didn't believe that she had played a significant role. However...

Rozen stated with a carefree tone, "Even though luck played a part, without Lis, I wouldn't have obtained this sword. And you were the one who introduced her to me. So, just accept my thanks sincerely."

Seeing Rozen in this manner, Asuna, who had come to understand his personality, smiled gently. "Alright, I'll accept it."

Rozen stopped walking and gazed at her face with a firm expression.

"Wha... What's wrong?" Even someone like Asuna felt awkward under Rozen's intense gaze.

But Rozen continued, "Isn't it quite nice? I mean, you can smile like that. Why do you always have that icy demeanor?"

Asuna was taken aback. Clearly, this rapier user hadn't anticipated Rozen saying something like this.

It's not that Asuna was unaware. Even if she tried to deny it, she could tell from people's reactions that she had an exceptionally beautiful appearance.

Over time, she had heard her fair share of compliments, some of them quite cheesy. However, when it came from Rozen, of all people, Asuna found herself in an unfamiliar state of uncertainty.

"Don't... Don't say strange things like that!" Asuna retorted, her voice raised. "Who would suddenly just say something like that?"

Rozen, seemingly oblivious to Asuna's reaction, extended his hand and, in the midst of her confusion, brushed aside her chestnut-colored hair.

"Although it's a virtual form, it's based on your real-world appearance, right?"

Rozen continued to ignore Asuna's stiffness and gazed at the soft, delicate silk-like hair in his hand. He smiled faintly and added, "Don't waste something you've brought from the real world. You should smile more often from now on."

Leaving these words behind, Rozen turned away and departed, leaving Asuna standing there alone.

Asuna remained rooted in place, staring blankly at Rozen's departing figure. It didn't take long for her fair face to turn a startling shade of red.

If anyone else had witnessed this scene, they would undoubtedly be flabbergasted.

Asuna touched the hair that Rozen had just brushed aside. Her heartbeats resounded like drums in her mind. In this virtual world, it was the first time Asuna experienced such genuine and complex emotions.

This marked the beginning of a change in the young girl.