Nearly two years have passed since this game of death began.
I'm still soloing on the front lines.
Kayaba Akihiko must be out there somewhere, watching this world.
What is he feeling right now?
Guess I'll head back.
October 17th, 2024 74th Floor • Labyrinth
Sword Dance of Black and White
Is that a...
50th Floor • Algade
Whoa!
This is an S-class rare item!
Skeleton Powder
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
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Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
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Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
Ragout Rabbit Meat
Lizardman Skin
Lizardman Scales
This is my first time seeing one of these.
Hey, Kirito.
You're not strapped for money, are you?
Why not eat this yourself instead of selling it?
I want to.
Odds are I'll never get another one, either.
Then just...
But who'd have a high enough Cooking skill level to prepare it?
If we tried, we'd probably just burn it.
Kirito-kun.
I've found my chef.
Wh-What?
How rare to see you in a dump like this, Asuna.
It's almost time to fight the next boss.
I just came here to see if you were still alive.
Shouldn't you be able to tell from your friend list?
Well, I'm glad you're still breathing.
Anyway, what's this about a chef?
Oh, yeah.
What's your Cooking skill at right now?
I maxed it out last week.
What?!
Amazing, isn't it?
Since you're that good, I have a favor to ask you.
I-Is this is a Ragout Rabbit?!
Here's the deal.
If you cook it for me, you can have a bite.
Half.
S-Sure.
All right!
Sorry, looks like the deal's off.
We're friends, right?
Lemme have a taste...
You'll be getting a culinary review less than 800 characters in length.
You can't be serious!
So, where should I cook it?
Uh...
You probably don't have the proper equipment at your place.
Only because the meat is so rare, we can use my place just this once.
That will be all for today.
Thank you.
Asuna-sama, you shouldn't invite such a suspicious person into your home.
Even if he's suspicious, he's still really strong.
He's probably ten levels above you, Kuradeel.
Are you saying he's better than me?
I see...
He's a beater.
Yes, that's right.
Asuna-sama, these people care only about themselves!
Nothing good will come from associating with him.
What's going on?
That's Asuna-sama, the Flash!
You're right! She's really cute!
Just go back for today.
That's an order from your vice-commander.
H-Hey, you sure about this?
It's fine!
61th Floor • Selmburg
This place is huge, and there's hardly any people.
It's really liberating.
Why don't you move here, then?
I'm way too poor for that.
Anyway, are you sure it's okay to leave that guy back there?
I already told him I didn't need an escort, but he said it's part of the policy for leaders.
We used to be a small guild where the commander would personally invite members.
But our numbers grew quickly.
After everyone began calling us the strongest guild, things started to get weird.
Anyway, it's not a big deal, so don't worry about it!
We'd better hurry before it gets dark.
O-Okay...
E-Excuse me.
How much did all of this cost?
The room and furnishings were probably around 4 million col.
I'm going to get changed, so have a seat.
S-Sure.
4 million col.
That'd be 4 mega-col.
I'm pretty sure I made about just as much, but...
Are you going to stay dressed like that?
Oh, right...
So this is the legendary S-class ingredient?
How should I cook it?
The chef's recommendation, please.
Let's see...
Let's make a stew, then.
A Ragout Rabbit should be perfect for a ragoût.
Ingredients
Pisco Seeds
Arequipa Leaves
Karim Water
Huriaca Beans
Pucalpa Leaves
Cookware
Knife
Normally there'd be a lot more work involved.
Cooking in SAO is so simple it's boring.
That takes care of the stew!
I'll make some side dishes.
That was the first S-class ingredient I've tasted in my two years here.
I'm so glad I managed to survive this long!
Yeah.
It's strange.
It feels like I was born and raised here.
Lately, there've been some days where I don't even think about the outside world.
And it's not just me.
The number of people hell-bent on clearing and escaping from this game has been shrinking as of late.
Now there's fewer than five hundred players fighting on the front lines.
Everyone's getting accustomed to this world.
But I want to go back.
There are lots of things I still want to do there.
Yeah.
We have to do what we can, or else we can't face the merchants and others who are supporting us.
Uh, stop it.
What?
Lots of people with that same expression have ended up proposing to me.
It sure looks like you aren't very close to any other girls.
It's fine, I'm a solo player.
You have no intention of joining a guild, Kirito-kun?
I know former beta testers aren't comfortable with being in groups.
But...
Ever since we hit the 70th Floor, the monster algorithms seem to be getting more and more irregular.
Yeah.
There are some surprises that a solo player can't handle.
And you can't always teleport out.
I always keep a solid safety margin.
And in my case, party members are more likely to hinder than help me.
Oh?
Fine, you're the exception.
I see.
Party up with me, then. It's been forever.
Black is my lucky color this week, too.
What?!
But what about your guild, Asuna?
We don't have any leveling quotas.
Th-Then what about your escort?
I'll ditch him.
Asuna is inviting you to her party.
It's dangerous at the front lines.
F-Fine.
Asuna is inviting you to her party.
I guess I should thank you for today.
I enjoyed the meal.
Me too.
I'll ask you again next time—
though that's probably the last time I'll find an ingredient like that.
Oh? Normal ingredients can be made to taste good if you're skilled enough.
The way the world is now...
Is this really what Kayaba Akihiko wanted to create?
October 18th, 2024 74th Floor • Kamdet
She's not coming.
Watch out!
Ow...
What...
...is this?
Ow!
U-Uh, good morning, Asuna.
What?
Asuna-sama, please do not run off on your own.
Let us go back to the guild headquarters.
No way!
And why were you waiting outside my house so early in the morning anyway?
I thought this might happen,
so I made it my responsibility to watch over you in Selmburg for the past month.
Th-That's not the commander's orders, though!
It is my duty to guard you.
That includes watching over your home.
No, it doesn't, idiot!
Please don't act so unreasonably.
Well, let's return to headquarters.
Sorry, but I'll be accompanying your vice-commander today.
I'll be responsible for her safety.
It's not like we'll be fighting a boss.
You can go back to headquarters by yourself.
What are you talking about?!
A rookie player like you can't possibly protect her!
I'm a member of the glorious Knights of Blood.
I can do a better job than you.
That's a pretty bold claim.
You're prepared to prove it, aren't you?
Accept the duel?
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Are you sure?
Don't worry.
I'll report this to the commander.
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Duel request accepted.
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First-Strike
Instructions
Hit opponent with a powerful initial attack
Deplete opponent's HP by half
Watch carefully, Asuna-sama.
I shall prove that only I can protect you.
That solo player Kirito and a member of the Knights of Blood are dueling!
This is gonna be awesome.
I-Impossible.
Wh-Whoa, he destroyed the weapon.
Was that what he was going for?
You can come at me again with another weapon,
but shall we just call it a day?
A-Asuna-sama...
He cheated!
He must've used some sort of trick to break my sword!
I wouldn't have lost to some dirty beater otherwise!
Kuradeel.
This is a direct order from the vice-commander of the Knights of Blood.
As of today, you are relieved of your escort duties.
Stand by at headquarters until you receive further orders.
That is all.
What?
You...
Teleport: Grandum.
Sorry for involving you in this.
I'm fine, but are you okay?
Yes.
I think my being too focused on clearing the game and being too strict with the other members
is the reason why being in the guild is so stressful.
Well...
You did what had to be done.
If it weren't for you, the front line wouldn't be as far up as it is.
I guess that's not something a lazy solo player like me should be saying, though.
But anyway, even if you decide to take a break and party up with a slacker like me,
I don't think anyone has the right to complain.
Well, I guess I should thank you.
I'll accept your offer and take it easy for today.
You can be the forward.
W-Wait a second!
Shouldn't we take turns with that?
I'll do it tomorrow!
Huh?!
74th Floor • Labyrinth
Having someone good along makes fights so much easier.
Kirito-kun, switch!
U-Uh, right!
Kirito-kun, look.
Isn't that...
You're probably right.
It's the boss room.
What now?
Should we take a peek?
Boss monsters never leave the rooms they guard.
We'll be okay if we're just opening the door.
Y-Yeah.
Ready a teleport crystal, just in case.
Okay.
Ready?
Let's open it.
Yeah.