April 8, 2023 Floor 11: Taft
Here's to us, the Moonlit Black Cats!
Cheers!
And here's to Kirito-san, the man who saved our lives!
Cheers!
C-Cheers...
Thanks.
Thanks!
You saved us.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
It was nothing.
I was really scared.
Then when you came to save me, I was so happy.
S-Sure...
Um, Kirito-san...
I know this is really rude to ask,
but what level are you?
Level 20 or so.
That isn't too different than ours.
It's really amazing that you're a solo player.
Keita, you don't need to be so polite.
Solo players just target isolated enemies.
It isn't that efficient.
Oh... Oh, I see.
In that case, Kirito, what would you think
about joining our guild?
The only one we have who can occupy the vanguard is Tetsuo, a mace user.
Her name is Sachi.
I'd planned to have her switch to sword and shield use,
so she could fight in the front.
But she says that she isn't really sure how.
Do you think you could show her the ropes?
Don't talk about me like I'm useless.
I can't go out and fight in the front rank.
I'd be scared.
Just hide behind your shield.
You've always been a scaredy-cat.
Everyone in our guild
is from our school's PC Research Club.
Ah, but don't worry...
You'll fit in soon.
Right?
Okay.
Then I will join, after all...
Thanks.
Let's all do our best!
The Red-Nosed Reindeer
May 9, 2023 Floor 20: Sunlit Forest
Sachi,
get back.
Tetsuo, switch!
Right!
All right!
You did it!
So the lead group made it through Floor 28...
Amazing.
Hey, Kirito.
What's the difference between the lead groups and us?
They know all the fastest ways to get EXP,
and they don't share them.
I'm sure that's part of it.
But I think it's willpower.
Willpower?
I suppose you might say it's a determination to protect one's friends... No, everyone.
Right now, they're still protecting us.
But I'd like to think my will is just as strong.
Naturally,
our first priority is our friends' safety.
But someday, we want to make it up there, to the top, with the rest.
I see.
You're right.
Heh, maybe...
Hey, leader,
looking good!
Come on...
So, we're going to be
up there with the Holy Dragon Alliance and the Knights of the Blood Oath?
What?
There's nothing with setting big goals.
First, we'll all hit level 30.
That's impossible!
If the Black Cats ever do grow up and make it to the front lines,
Keita's ideals could change the insular atmosphere up there.
I have an announcement for you.
As of our last hunt, we've saved 20,000 Cor!
Before too long, we'll be able to buy our own house.
Hey, why don't we get more equipment for Sachi?
Yeah.
No, I'm fine as I am.
Don't worry about it.
We can't make Kirito protect us forever.
I'm sorry.
I don't mind.
Don't worry about it.
Sorry, Kirito...
Sachi, I know it's hard to switch jobs.
But you're almost there.
Let's all do our best!
Yeah.
May 16, 2023 Floor 28: Wolf Plains
Klein...
Hey, it's Kirito!
You guys, clean up the rest of the trash mobs.
Sure.
I was thinking I hadn't seen you for a while.
You're out leveling this late?
That mark?
Did you join a guild?
Yeah, I guess...
Hey, we can move on!
Bye.
Yeah.
Jeez, that's still bugging you?
"This is Keita.
Sachi left and hasn't returned.
We're heading to the dungeon area.
If you learn anything, let me know."
Sachi...
Track
Sachi!
Kirito?
Everyone's worried.
Hey, Kirito...
Let's run away together.
Run away from what?
From this town,
the monsters...
From the Black Cats...
From Sword Art Online.
D-Do you mean a double suicide?
That might be okay.
No,
I'm sorry.
That was a lie.
If I had the courage to die,
I wouldn't hide within the safety of the town, would I?
Hey, why can't we leave this place?
Why do we have to die, even though it's a game?
What's the point of this?
I don't think there is a point.
I'm afraid of dying.
You're afraid of dying?
I'm so scared, I haven't been able to sleep lately...
You won't die.
Really?
How can you say for sure?
The Black Cats is a strong guild.
Our margin of safety is well above average.
And Tetsuo and I are both here.
There's no need for you to force yourself into the front ranks.
I really don't have to die?
I can go back to reality someday?
Yeah.
You aren't going to die.
I'm sure they'll beat this game eventually.
Come in.
I'm sorry.
I just couldn't get to sleep.
If you stay in this guild, you'll be safe.
Someday, you'll go back to reality.
There are lots of players like you who are afraid of dying.
But they still laugh, cry, and live, as best as they can in this world.
I'd never really thought about it...
Kirito?
It's okay.
You're going to survive.
I'll protect all of you.
Okay, see you.
Teleport: Town of Beginnings.
I didn't know buying your own home would be so exciting.
You sound like an old man!
Hey, let's go make some cash
while Keita's buying the house.
Will we buy furniture?
Want to go up to the dungeon?
Wouldn't our usual hunting grounds be better?
We can do it faster above.
At our levels, we'll be fine.
June 12, 2023 Floor 27: Dungeon
I told you we'd have no problem.
We might be almost at the front lines.
Heck, yeah!
A hidden door here?
A treasure chest!
W-Wait!
It's a trap!
Everyone, let's get out of here!
Teleport: Taft!
We can't use our crystals!
This is a crystal-nullification area?
Tetsuo!
Damn it!
Sachi!
Kirito!
Sachi!
December 24, 2023 Floor 49: Myugen
Lately, you've been taking big risks with your level-raising.
Did you get any new information?
Nothing worth charging money for.
What a useless information broker. Pretty unusual for you.
This is a first-time event. It wasn't in the beta test.
There's no way to get information.
On Christmas Eve...
In other words, late tonight,
the event boss, "Nicholas the Renegade," will appear.
Beneath a certain fir tree.
The big guilds are searching pretty hard for it.
You have an idea where it is, don't you?
Maybe.
You're seriously going to try and solo it?
In this world, the dead won't return.
But there's a rumor that Nicholas the Renegade
drops an item that can revive the dead.
If I try and fight him alone,
I'll probably die.
I'll die in a place where no one will see me,
leaving nothing behind.
You were a beater...
You never had any right to be with us!
That's right.
I...
My arrogance...
killed you.
If I hadn't hidden my level...
If I can defeat Nicholas,
Floor 35: Forest Maze
Sachi's soul will return,
and I'll be able to hear her last words.
No matter what words she uses to curse me,
I must accept them.
Yo.
You followed me?
Yeah.
You're after the revival item?
Yeah.
Don't risk your life on a stupid rumor.
If you die in the game, you die for real.
The moment our HP drops to zero,
our brains in the real world—
Shut up.
Fighting solo is crazy. Cut it out!
Join us...
Whoever gets the revival item drop keeps it, without hard feelings either way.
That's fair, right?
Then there'd be no point.
I have to do it myself.
I can't let you die here,
Kirito!
You were followed, too, Klein.
Looks that way.
The Holy Dragon Alliance?
They'll do anything for a rare item.
What do we do?
I...
Damn it!
Go, Kirito!
Klein...
Go!
We'll hold them off!
Shut up.
Kirito!
H-Hey...
Huh? What?
Let me see.
"The target player..."
(within ten seconds)
"Within ten seconds"?
Use it on the next person you see die.
Kirito...
Kirito!
You have to survive!
Survive until the end, please...
Bye.
Sachi?
Merry Christmas, Kirito.
By the time you hear this,
I'm guessing I'll be dead.
How to explain it...
To tell the truth,
I never really wanted to leave the Town of Beginnings.
But if I keep feeling like that,
I'll probably die someday.
And it's no one's fault.
It's my own problem.
Ever since that night, you've continued to tell me
each night that I won't die.
If I'm killed, you'll probably blame yourself,
so I decided to record this.
And I know your true strength.
I accidentally saw it a while ago.
I thought really hard about why
you would hide your level and join us,
but I never did figure it out.
But when I learned how strong you really were,
I felt so relieved.
So even if I die,
you keep living, okay?
Live to see the end of this world,
and to see why it was born...
The reason why a weak girl like me ended up here...
And the reason you and I met.
That's what I want you to do.
There's still plenty of time left.
Since it's Christmas, I'll sing a song.
Bye, Kirito.
I'm so glad I met you,
that I could be with you.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Next Time: The Black Swordsman