October 24th, 2024 55th Floor • Grandum
I see what happened.
I shall explain it to the other guild members.
We'd also like to request a leave of absence from the guild.
The reason?
We have doubts about the current state of this guild.
Understood.
However, I'm sure you two will soon return to battle.
October 25th, 2024 22nd Floor
This view is wonderful!
Don't get too close to the edge though, or you'll fall.
We managed to buy a great house.
We're completely broke now, though.
But we can enjoy a peaceful life here.
Kirito-kun, what's wrong?
Hey, Asuna.
Is our relationship limited to just this world?
You're making me mad, Kirito-kun.
This place may be a virtual world, but my feelings are very real.
I've learned one thing while living here.
And that's to never give up and keep fighting until the very end.
If we ever return to the real world, I'll definitely find you and fall in love with you all over again.
Morning Dew Girl
He's usually brash and impudent, but he looks so naive.
Almost like a child.
Wait, he's not younger than me, is he?
Kirito-kun.
I love you so much.
Let's stay together forever.
Good morning, Kirito-kun.
Good morning.
W-Were you listening?
To what?
O-Oh, nothing!
So, where should we go have some fun today?
You know...
You've had plenty of fun yesterday, the day before, and so on.
So you don't want to go anywhere?
Ah, there's one place that could be exciting.
So where are we going?
You'll find out when we get there.
Hey, let me ride on your shoulders!
M-My shoulders?
It's boring always seeing everything from the same height.
It should be easy as pie with your strength stat.
I-I guess so, but...
You're too old for that.
Age has nothing to do with it.
Come on, it's not like anybody's watching.
F-Fine, then.
I'll slap you if you turn and look!
You're being unreasonable.
Let's go.
Hey, I can already see the lake from up here!
Too bad I can't...
We'll switch places later so you can see it.
All right, let's move out!
Set course for north-northeast!
Roger.
That scared me!
There are people watching!
I guess you're right.
Come on, Kirito-kun, wave back!
No freaking way.
Should I get off?
Hang on tight!
I heard this rumor yesterday in the village.
Apparently, they show up here, deep in these woods.
Huh? What shows up?
Ghosts.
Y-You mean astral-type monsters, right?
No, no.
Real ghosts.
The vengeful spirits of hunted monsters wander out in the field every night.
We're almost there.
Where would that be?
About a week ago, a woodcraft player came here to collect some wood.
He was so absorbed in his work that it got dark before he knew it.
Then, behind a nearby tree, he caught a glimpse of something white.
A monster? Or something else?
The white shade walked slowly through the clump of trees.
H-H-Hey!
L-L-Let me off!
What is it?
K-Kirito-kun, over there!
What is it?
You've gotta be kidding me.
That's...
That's not a ghost!
W-Wait, Kirito-kun!
Geez!
I-Is that a player?
This is really weird.
What's weird?
She has no player indicator.
Maybe it's some sort of bug?
I guess.
What is this little girl doing in SAO?
Anyway, we can't just leave her here.
We'll get our answers when she wakes up.
Let's take her home with us.
Yeah, let's do that.
We know one thing for sure.
The fact that we were able to take her home means she's not an NPC.
Yeah, you're right.
If she was an NPC, you would've gotten a harassment warning the moment you tried to carry her.
Also, it's not the starting event for some quest.
If it was, our quest logs would've been updated.
Which means she's a player who got lost in the woods.
That makes the most sense to me.
But why was she there?
I'm not sure exactly, but she should have a parent or guardian here.
Yeah, she must've logged in with her family.
I hope she's all right.
Hey, she'll wake up, right?
Yeah.
Her body's intact, so her brain must still be exchanging signals with her NerveGear.
I think it's a similar state to sleep.
So I'm sure she'll wake up eventually.
Yeah.
Hey, Kirito-kun.
Geez.
If...
If this girl really did come to SAO all by herself...
She's been all alone in this world...
Good night.
I hope you wake up tomorrow.
K-Kirito-kun!
Kirito-kun, wake up!
Morning...
Did something happen—
Get over here! Hurry!
I'm glad you're awake.
Do you remember what happened?
I see.
What's your name? Can you tell me?
M... My name...
My name is...
Yui...
Yui. That is my name.
So, Yui-chan?
That's a great name.
I'm Asuna.
And this is Kirito.
Auna?
Kiito?
So, Yui-chan, why were you in the woods?
Where is your mommy or daddy?
I-I don't know.
I don't know anything.
That's...
Hello, Yui-chan.
Can I just call you Yui?
Mmh.
Okay, then you can call me Kirito.
Kiito?
It's Kirito. Ki-ri-to.
Kiito.
I guess it's a little too hard for you.
You can call me whatever you find easiest.
Papa.
M-Me?
Auna is... Mama.
That's right.
I'm Mama, Yui-chan!
Mama!
Papa! Mama!
You must be hungry!
Let's eat!
Mmh!
Okay!
Here's your food, Yui-chan!
Yui, this is really spicy, you know.
I want what Papa's having!
I see.
If you want it that badly, then I won't stop you.
Experience is everything.
Yummy.
This kid has guts.
Let's have a full-course super-spicy dinner tonight.
Mmh.
Don't get carried away!
I'm not cooking that!
You heard her.
You heard her!
Hey, Kirito-kun.
What do you think?
She doesn't seem to remember anything.
But more importantly, judging from her behavior...
It's almost like she's a baby.
I... I...
Sorry, I don't know what to do.
You want to look after her until she regains her memory, right?
Yeah, but...
It's a dilemma all right.
If we don't return to the front lines, it'll take even longer to free Yui from this world.
Yeah.
We'll do what we can for now.
Judging from her equipment, it's hard to imagine that she goes out to the field every day.
We'll go to the Town of Beginnings to see if she has any parents or siblings.
Yeah.
I don't really want to part with Yui, either.
Kirito-kun?
How do I put this?
It's only been a short time, but having Yui with us makes this place feel like a real home.
That's how I feel.
Yeah.
But it's not like we won't see her again.
Besides, if she does have a parent or guardian, he or she must be worried sick right now.
Yeah.
We'll go to the Town of Beginnings once Yui wakes up.
Take your gear with you, just in case.
It's the Front's territory, after all.
We should keep our guard up.
Mama...
Papa...
October 31st, 2024 1st Floor • Town of Beginnings
It's been ages since I've been here.
Same here.
Hey, Yui-chan.
Do you remember any of these buildings?
I don't know.
Well, the Town of Beginnings is dauntingly big.
Let's check the central market first.
Hey, Kirito-kun.
How many people are in this town?
Let's see...
There are about 6,000 surviving players in SAO.
About 30 percent of them are here if you include the Front...
So slightly less than 2,000, maybe?
Isn't it a little quiet around here, then?
You're right.
Give me back my children!
Oh, here comes their caretaker!
Yo, you've kept us waiting!
Give me back my children!
Quit acting like we're the bad guys.
We're just teaching these kids how to be good citizens.
This is just another of the Front's important responsibilities.
Yep yep, the townsfolk must pay their taxes.
Gin! Kain! Mina!
Are you there?
Sasha-sensei!
Sensei, save us!
Don't worry about the money!
Give it all to them!
Sensei, that's not all they want!
You guys owe a lot of back taxes.
We'll need you to relinquish your equipment as well.
Everything, including your armor.
Every last thing you have.
Get...
Get out of my way!
Otherwise...
It's all right now.
Put your equipment back on.
O-Okay.
Wait... Wait a minute.
Who the hell are you guys?
Are you interfering with the duties of the Front?!
Hang on.
I don't remember seeing you around these parts.
But surely you know what happens when you oppose the Liberation Front?
Kirito-kun, take care of Yui-chan.
Sure.
Don't worry.
No attack can lower your HP at an inner area.
Yes, there'll simply be a mild knockback effect.
Even so, you're going to learn just how terrifying inner area fights can be.
Stop!
A-All of you, don't just stand there! Do something!
Awesome.
That was awesome, Onee-chan!
I've never seen anything like that!
Yeah, you were really cool!
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Onee-chan!
That was cool!
How did you do that?
I wanna try too!
Well?
Isn't Mama really strong?
Everyone's...
Everyone's hearts are...
Yui?
Yui-chan?
Yui, what's wrong?
Everyone's... Everyone's...
Yui?
Yui-chan, did you remember something?
I... I...
I... wasn't here.
I was all alone... in a dark place!
Yui!
Yui-chan!
Mama...
I'm scared, Mama!
What... was that?
Mama...
Yui-chan...