It has attracted worldwide attention as the latest work that maximizes the capabilities of NerveGear, a VR machine that enables "full dive," bringing consciousness and physical sensations into a virtual world.
On the official launch day of "SAO," approximately 10,000 players were informed that death in this world meant death in the real world, that players could not manually log out, and that even physically disconnecting from the "Nerve Gear" would result in death...
[Episode 1] The World of Swords
Experienced Players and Inexperienced Players
SAO's official launch has just begun. Klein, a newbie to the game, stops Kirito, a beta tester running confidently through the City of Beginnings, and asks for a tutorial on the game's introductory stages. As evening approaches, Kirito and Klein are enjoying the game to the fullest, and they realize there's no logout button anywhere on the interface.
The Sound of a Bell Heralds Ominous Fortune
Following the ringing of a bell, "SAO" developer Kayaba is teleported to the plaza of "The Town of Beginnings," disguised as a GM (Game Master) avatar. Akihiko reveals the shocking truth hidden in this world to the approximately 10,000 bewildered players, including Kirito.
【Episode 2】Beater
First Boss Defeat
One month has passed since the official launch, and approximately 2,000 players have died.
However, they hadn't even made it past the first floor yet...
But when they finally discovered the boss room on the first floor and Diabel called a "boss strategy meeting," our protagonist Kirito found himself overwhelmed with party formations. He then called on Asuna, who, like Kirito, appeared to be a solo player, and they formed a party specifically for defeating this boss.
Asuna's Skills and Diavel's Death
Asuna's skills were so impressive that even Kirito, an experienced swordsman, commented, "She's so fast I can't even see the tip of her sword." Thanks to Asuna's efforts, things were going smoothly as Diabel led the charge to defeat the boss, but
Diabel faced the boss alone, using weapons different from those used in the beta test, and risked his life.
When this death game began, all I thought about was surviving. But Diabel. Even though you were a beta tester, you didn't abandon the other players. You led everyone and fought brilliantly. You tried to do what I couldn't.
Kirito the Beater
My First Guild Member
Four months had passed since clearing the first floor. Kirito had saved the "Moonlit Black Cats" guild and was chatting with its members. Drawn by the friendly atmosphere, he lied about his level and joined the guild.
The Rapid Growth of the Moonlit Black Cats
With Kirito's help, the guild grew rapidly. Their growth was so rapid that they caught up with the frontline team that had made it through the 28th floor. Kirito even thought that the inclusion of the Moonlit Black Cats in the attacking group might change the group's closed-minded thinking.
A Slight Carelessness
Kirito suggested going to his usual hunting grounds, but his teammates suggested going to the upper labyrinth, where they could earn money in a shorter amount of time, and so they decided to go there. However, the labyrinth contained a hidden door unknown to Kirito, and beyond it lay a treasure chest.
Trap Activated
When Kirito opened the treasure chest, a trap was activated, revealing a horde of enemies. One by one, the Black Cat Gang members were defeated by these enemies. Finally, Sachi also vanished, leaving behind some inaudible words. Kirito was the only one to return safely...
The Existence of a Revival Item
Six months later, it was rumored that an event boss that appeared only on Christmas Eve would drop a revival item. Kirito believed that he had caused their deaths by hiding his level.
He then obtained a resurrection item, heard Sachi's final words, and planned to accept his "sin" by being insulted by the other members.
Klein's Help
Klein stops Kirito from going alone to defeat the event boss. However, he is surrounded by members of the Azure Dragon Alliance, who are after the resurrection item. Klein assures Kirito that he will hold them off, and sends him off to the event boss.
Resurrection Item Obtained
Kirito defeated the event boss and obtained a resurrection item. However, it had to be used within 10 seconds of the target's death in order to be effective...
Kirito handed the resurrection item to Klein with an emotionless expression...
A Message of Hope
After returning to the inn, Kirito received a gift box from Sachi, who was supposed to be dead. Then I heard Sachi's recorded voice. After listening to the message, the last words she said before disappearing were, "Thank you. Goodbye." And then, because she had some time left, she sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Live to see the end of this world, and find out why it was born, why a coward like me ended up here, and why you and I ever met. That's my wish. I'm so glad I met you and got to spend time with you.
【Episode 4】The Black Swordsman
A Fragile Girl
Silica, a young beast tamer, gets into a fight with her party member Rosario in the forest on the 35th floor and disbands her party. While navigating the forest alone, she gets lost and encounters a monster. Her familiar, Pina, is then killed by the monster.
Kirito happens to be passing by
Silica is also nearly killed by a monster, but is saved by Kirito, who happens to be passing by. However, when Silica is in tears over the loss of her precious familiar, Pina, Kirito tells her that familiars can be revived using the flower blooming at the top of the 47th floor, and offers to help her get there free of charge.
Kirito's nickname
Kirito and Silica finally obtain the Flower of Resurrection after battling monsters, but Rosario and the others, who are lying in wait for them, demand that they hand it over. However, Kirito reveals his true identity, and Rosario and the others are frightened to realize that he is the "Black Swordsman," a member of the attacking team and a beater.
Kirito's Overwhelming Power
Rosario declared that there was no way the attacking team could be in a place like this and attacked, but Kirito took no damage and the difference in level was clear.
And so, they successfully revived Pina.
The strength of this world is merely an illusion. There are far more important things than that. See you next time in the real world. Then we can become friends again.
【Episode 5】In-Sphere Incident
Top Guild: The Knights of the Blood Oath
Asuna, the vice-captain of the top guild, the Knights of the Blood Oath, is active on the front lines and has progressed up to the 59th floor. During a strategy meeting, Asuna proposes using villagers as decoys to lure the boss into the village, but Kirito, who is also present, disagrees. The reason is that Kirito sees the villagers as people, while Asuna sees them as part of the system.
Nap
Asuna spots Kirito taking a leisurely nap in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees and scolds him. However, Kirito retorts, "It would be a shame to enter the labyrinth on such a beautiful day in this world," and resumes his nap.
PK (Player Kill)
Asuna learns of a nasty plan to challenge players to a duel while she sleeps, but is so inspired by Kirito that she falls asleep herself.
Asuna wakes up to find Kirito there, watching over her to prevent her from being PKed while sleeping.
A Mysterious Incident
Asuna and Kirito discover a player named Cains has died within a monster-proof zone. Hearing the screams, Kirito and his friends rush to the scene to investigate. However, since Diel's penalty kick was impossible in this situation, Asuna suspected an unknown penalty technique, and began investigating the case with Kirito.
Grimlock
The spear that pierced Cainz was examined by "Egil," who possesses the appraisal skill, and it was determined to have been crafted by the player. The creator was "Grimlock" and the spear's name was "Guilty Thorn," nothing particularly unusual about it.
Golden Apple
Grimlock was a member of the "Golden Apple" guild, to which Cainz belonged.
Six months ago, the guild was divided over an item that boosted agility by 20, but by majority vote they decided to sell it. However, the member who went to sell it never returned...
[Episode 6] The Phantom Avenger
Further casualties result.
With no clues to the solution to the incidents occurring in the city, Kirito's accomplice, Yoruko, is also attacked. Kirito pursues the culprit, but the culprit uses a teleportation crystal to teleport away, allowing him to escape.
The Victims Have Something in Common
All of the victims were members of the "Golden Apple." Kirito believed there must be some systematic logic behind Yolko's attack. However, as Kirito stumbled over his thoughts, Asuna handed him a sandwich, but he dropped it.
The sandwich's durability will be completely gone if it falls...
The Trick Revealed
Kirito declares that the culprits are none other than "Cainz" and "Yolko." The trick is that their HP won't decrease even if they're attacked within range. The spears that pierced Cainz and Yolko reduced the durability of their armor and clothing. As their equipment shattered, Cainz and Yolko teleported away, pretending to be victims.
Kirito Begins to Open Up
The murderous guild "Laughing Coffin" suddenly attacked Cainz and Yolko in the graveyard. Kirito then appeared and drove off Laughing Coffin, threatening that a team of attackers would arrive immediately.
After the incident was resolved, Kirito and Asuna exchanged friends.
Summary
From episodes 1 to 6, we've seen plenty of intriguing revelations, such as Kirito's reason for insisting on going solo, Asuna, the vice-commander of the Knights of the Blood, and the existence of the murderous guild Laughing Coffin! I hope you'll also take a look at the rest of this article!
