I've herd people calling Lisbeth/Rika Shinozaki a bad, disposable character who did nothing to the plot of SAO, in this thread I would like to talk about it

So let's go all the way back to episode 7 of the Aincrad arc where she was introduced. We learn that she is a blacksmith who has a well going business. We see how Kirito goes in looking for a sword around the same strength as his Elucidator sword

And so Lisbeth tells Kirito where to find the main material to make the sword, She insists to go with him and so they both go.

Once they get the material to make Kirito's sword Liz forges her heart and soul into making the best sword she can to later confess her feelings (at the time) towards him. Once the sword was done, they called it the Dark Repulser Sword

Once it was done this became one of Kirito's two swords he will later use for his unique skill called Dual wielding. On Floor 74 against the Gleam Eyes he had to use the Dark Repulser to defeat the boss, or else Kirito, Asuna, Klein, His guild and the others wouldve died

Meaning that the game of Sword Art Online wouldve never been cleared. That on it's own is already defining the amazing character that she is, but further on in War of Underworld she had to convince thousands of players to convert their avatars to the Underworld

With the risk of losing their accounts that is. With her words she was able to convince almost every player that was there and therefore be able to help Asuna, Sinon, Leafa, Kirito and the world he saved. Without Lisbeth Kirito wouldve been in permanent AFK mode

Gabriel wouldve got Alice's soul, and Vassago would've killed Potato Kirito in the underworld.

I hope this thread has helped you value more her amazing character, thanks for reading