Let's raise our cups to our guild, Black Cats of the Night!
April 8th, 2023 11th Floor • Taft
Cheers!
And a toast to the man we owe our lives to, Kirito-san!
Cheers!
Ch-Cheers.
Thank you!
Thanks.
You saved our behinds!
Thank you! Thank you so much!
It's no big deal.
I was scared out of my mind, so I was very relieved when you came to help us.
I-I see.
Um, Kirito-san.
I know it's rude of me to ask, but what level are you?
Level 20 or so.
That's about the same as us.
I can't believe you're running solo.
No need to be so polite, Keita.
I may be a solo player, but I only go after lone enemies.
It's not very efficient.
Oh, okay.
Hey, I know I'm asking this out of the blue, but why don't you join our guild?
The only player we have that can handle being a forward is Tetsuo, a mace-wielder.
This is Sachi.
I was thinking of switching her over to a one-handed sword and shield build, so she could be a forward too.
It doesn't look like she's got the feel of it yet, though.
I was wondering if you could coach her a little.
Geez, why are you treating me like I'm useless?
Anyway, it'd be too scary if you made me fight close-range all of a sudden.
You can always hide behind your shield!
I swear, you've always been such a scaredy-cat.
Well, everybody in this guild is part of our school's computer club in the real world.
But don't worry, I'm sure you'll fit in with us in no time.
Right?
Yeah!
Okay.
I guess I'm in.
Glad to be here.
Glad to meet ya!
I'm Sasamaru!
Let's get 'em!
Thanks!
Red-Nosed Reindeer
May 9th, 2023 20th Floor • Sunshine Forest
Sachi!
Fall back!
Tetsuo! Switch!
Okay!
Killer Mantis Scythe
Score!
Wow!
Grats!
You did it!
So the front-liners cleared the 28th Floor?
Front-liners Clear the 28th Floor!
-Once Again, Zero Casualties-
That's amazing.
Say, Kirito, what makes the front-liners so different from us?
Probably all the info they've amassed.
They know how to accumulate EXP more efficiently but keep it all to themselves.
Yeah, I can see that.
I think it's the willpower, though.
Willpower?
I guess it's more like the will to protect your allies—no, every player here.
We're the ones being protected right now, but our feelings are just as strong as theirs.
Of course, ensuring the safety of our comrades comes first,
but I still want to join the front-liners someday.
Yeah, I get it.
"Willpower," huh?
'Sup, Leader!
That was so cool!
Hey!
So, we'll be joining ranks with the Divine Dragon Alliance and the Knights of the Blood?
Come on, we should aim higher than that!
We should start by getting everyone to level 30.
You're kidding!
If the Black Cats can quickly level up to the point where they can join the front lines,
Keita's ideals might influence the insular mindset of the front-liners.
I've got good news for everyone.
Today's hunt netted us 200,000 coll!
Whoa!
We might even be able to buy the house of our dreams pretty soon!
Hey, why don't we upgrade Sachi's equipment?
Yeah.
It's fine.
I'll manage with what I have.
Just do it.
Kirito shouldn't have to aggro the monsters all the time.
Sorry.
I don't mind, so no worries.
Thanks, Kirito.
Sachi, I know switching builds is tough, but you'll figure it out soon enough.
Let's all do our best!
Okay.
May 16th, 2023 28th Floor • Wolf Plains
Klein?
Hey, if it ain't Kirito!
Guys, take care of those pups!
Sure!
It's been ages since I last saw you!
So you do your leveling up in the middle of the night?
That icon...
Is that for a guild?
Yeah, it is.
Hey, let's find another pack!
Bye.
See ya.
Geez.
Is it still eating at him?
This is Keita.
Sachi went out and hasn't come back.
This is Keita.
Sachi went out and hasn't come back.
We're going to look for her in the Labyrinth.
Please let us know if you
find out anything.
We're going to look for her in the Labyrinth.
Please let us know if you find out anything.
Sachi...
Search
Trace
Blade Throw
Sachi!
Kirito.
Everybody's worried about you.
Hey, Kirito...
Let's run away.
Run away? From what?
From this town,
from these monsters, from the Black Cats...
From Sword Art Online.
You... You want to commit double suicide?
I wouldn't mind that either.
Sorry. That was a lie.
If I had the courage to die, I wouldn't be hiding in the safety of this town.
Hey, why can't we get out of here?
It's just a game, so why do we have to die for real?
What's the meaning of all this?
There probably isn't any.
I'm... afraid of dying.
You're afraid of dying?
I've been so scared that I haven't been able to sleep lately.
You're not going to die.
Really? How do you know that?
The Black Cats are a pretty strong guild.
We've built up quite a margin for safety too.
We also have Tetsuo and me, so there's no need to force you to fight up front.
Are you sure I'm not going to die?
Will I return to the real world someday?
Yeah, you won't die.
You'll live to see the day we clear this game.
Come in.
Sorry, I couldn't sleep.
This guild will keep you safe.
You'll return to the real world someday.
There are probably a lot of other players who are scared of dying, just like you.
But they still laugh, cry, and try their best to live on in this world.
Such thoughts had never crossed my mind.
Kirito?
Don't worry. You'll survive.
I'll definitely protect you guys.
All right, I'm going out for a bit.
Teleport! Town of Beginnings!
So we're finally getting our own home?
I've never been so moved!
Quit acting like an old man.
Hey, let's go farm some coll while Keita's buying the house.
Oh, are we buying furniture?
Why don't we go to a labyrinth in one of the higher floors?
What's wrong with our usual hunting grounds?
We can earn money quicker on a higher floor.
Our levels should be high enough for that by now.
June 12th, 2023 27th Floor • Labyrinth
See, it's a cakewalk!
We'll be joining the front-liners in no time.
Totally!
A hidden door? Here?
A treasure chest!
Oh snaps!
W-Wait!
It's a trap!
We're getting out of here!
Teleport! Taft!
The crystals won't work!
We're in a crystal-nullification area!
Tetsuo!
Goddamn it!
Sachi!
Kirito!
Sachi!
December 24th, 2023 49th Floor • Mujen
Seems like you've been doing too much leveling up.
You got any new info for me?
Nothing I can charge for.
And you call yourself an information broker.
It's the first event that wasn't part of the beta.
I couldn't get much info.
The event boss, Nicholas the Renegade, will show up late tonight on Christmas Eve.
He'll spawn under a certain fir tree.
Even the elite guilds are searching tirelessly for him.
You know what I'm talking about, right?
Yeah.
Are you really going to solo him?
Reviving somebody isn't possible in this world.
Equipped
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Rubber Plate
Metal Plate
Silver Chest Guard
Cardboard Armor
Silver Chest Guard
But there's a rumor that Nicholas the Renegade will drop an item that can revive a player.
If I go solo, I'll probably die.
I'll die a meaningless death where nobody will see me.
A Beater like you had no right to get involved with us!
That's right.
I... and my arrogance killed you guys.
If I hadn't concealed my true level...
If I manage to defeat Nicholas,
35th Floor • Forest of Disorientation
I can bring back Sachi's spirit and finally hear her last words.
No matter how angry her words may be, I have to accept them.
Hey.
So you followed me?
Ch'yeah.
You looking for the revival item?
Yeah.
Don't risk your life over something that's probably total bull!
This is a real game of death, you know!
Once your HP hits zero, your brain in the real world will—
Shut up.
Don't try to solo him! It's nuts!
Join up with us!
The revival item will go to whoever gets the drop, so there'll be no hard feelings!
That's meaningless to me.
I have to do it alone.
Look, I'm not going to let you die here!
Kirito!
Looks like you were followed too, Klein.
Yeah, looks like it.
The Divine Dragons?
They're willing do anything to get their hands on a rare item.
What now?
I'll...
Bastards!
Go, Kirito!
Klein?
Get moving!
We'll hold them off!
You're noisy.
Kirito!
H-Hey...
That's the revival item.
Let's see...
After a player dies but before the light effects completely disappear (i.e. within ten seconds), you can revive the player by selecting this item from the pop-up menu, or by holding it in your hand and saying "Rebirth" followed by the player's name.
The player...
(within ten seconds)
Within ten seconds?!
Use that on the next person who dies in front of you.
Kirito.
Hey, Kirito!
You... You have to live on!
Live on till the end! Live!
Bye.
Sachi?
Merry Christmas, Kirito.
If you're hearing this message, I'm probably already dead.
How should I begin?
Well...
To tell you the truth, I never wanted to leave the Town of Beginnings.
But I know if I continue to fight while feeling this way, my death will be inevitable.
That's nobody else's fault but mine.
Ever since that night, you've told me over and over again that I won't die.
So if I do die, you'll probably try to shoulder all the blame.
That's why I'm recording this.
Actually, I've always known how strong you really are.
One time, I accidentally snuck a peek.
Even after thinking long and hard,
I still don't understand why you're hiding your true level while fighting with us.
But I was overjoyed to learn that you're really strong.
It really put me at ease.
So even if I die, please do your best to live on.
See how this world will end and find out why it was created.
Find out why scaredy-cats like me are here, and the meaning behind our having met.
That is my wish.
I have a lot of time left.
Well, since it's Christmas, I'll hum a little tune.
I'll see you, Kirito.
I'm really glad we met
and spent time together.
Thank you.
Farewell.