“Tell us. What is your motive of trapping players in SVO?" Kirito ordered.

“Now, now. Don't be in such a hurry. You see, I am devising a plan." Rei explained.

“A plan? What kind of plan?" Liz asked.

“The plan to perfect SAO. I was not frightened by being trapped in a death game yet I was intrigued at how it emphasises the importance of ensuring we take care of our bodies. As such, I feel that there was something lacking in SAO and hence, I developed SVO. This time, SVO not only makes players more aware of the importance of taking care of their bodies. It also gives them the ability to do things they have never done before, such as flying and fighting with a sword in air." Rei explained. Kirito remained silent.

“What for?! Isn't ALO a game to allow players to fly and fight?! Why trap them in a death game again?!" Asuna shouted. Rei then stood up.

“Don't compare SVO with that shitty ALO. As if it is fun to just fly and fight. I wanted to test how much longer players can survive when they are given more options such as flying and choosing their classes. I want to collect data. Yes. Data. Data for my future development of other games. That way I can develop a better version of SVO."

Kirito remained silent but started to clench his fist.

Rei then spread his hands out and laughed. “Muha-Muhaha- Muhahaha-Muhahahahahaha--!" Rei fell back onto the sofa and the sofa fell backwards.

“Oi, Kirito!" Klein and the rest were shocked. Kirito gave Rei a punch to the face and it sent him flying back together with the sofa.

“Bastard..... What do you take human lives for?! They're not your toys! They're living people!" Kirito shouted angrily, tears dripping down his eyes.

“Kirito...." It was the first time Klein had seen Kirito so angry.

“Kirito-kun....." Asuna felt sad yet happy that Kirito had punched Rei. The rest of them were speechless.

“*Bam!* Rei! What happened? Ah! You kids, what have you done?!" Kisuke, upon seeing Rei on the sofa, drew his gun and pulled the safety trigger.

“Kisuke! It's alright. I'm fine. Stand down. NOW!" Rei commanded as he wiped off the blood from his mouth.

Kisuke obeyed and left the room, cursing. “Ouch... I didn't know you could throw a nice punch like that, Kirito.... Were you perhaps using your identity in game and imagine you were swinging your sword at me?" Rei got up and dusted off his shirt.

“Shut up! Because of your stupid ambition. All because of your stupid ambition, my friends are trapped in SVO right now! Even as I am speaking, they might be in danger! And it's all your fault!!" Kirito raised his voice and wanted to throw another punch but was stopepd by Klein.

“Kirito, that's enough. We all are sad that Kurosan and Haru are in danger but shouting at Rei won't help solve matters. What's started has already been started. There is no going back." Klein persuaded Kirito to calm down.

“Heh, Klein. That's the first time I heard you say such logical things. Good job." Liz teased Klein.

“S-Shut up! We're talking about something serious here. Don't joke." Klein rebuked at Liz. Liz then got a little angry.

“So is there anything we can do to save them all?" Sinon asked.

“There isn't. The only way to escape once you've pressed the log out button is to defeat the boss of Floor 100, Grim Reaper, a.k.a, me."

“!! You bastard!" Kirito charged at Rei again but Klein stopped him, this time, using some strength. “You're still going on about that? Tell us a way to save them, other than playing the game!" Kirito demanded.

“THERE IS NO OTHER WAY! I developed this game without considering any other alternative of finishing the game. Give up. There is nothing you can do to save them." Rei rebuked.

“No way...... Then, Kurosan and Haru will have to play all the way? No way...." Silica started to tear up.

Kirito freed himself from Klein's grip and walked up to Rei, grabbing his shirt. “If there is no other way, then so be it. But, can we see their each and every movement on screen?" Kirito asked, still angry.

“That is possible. We have a room specially designed to observe players." Rei replied.

“Reserve that room for us. We will not step out of that room, not until the game is completed." Kirito demanded.

“Oi, Kirito! Have you lost your mind? We can't stay in there forever." Sinon shouted.

“Right now, the most important thing to do is to go confront Kurosan and Haru's parents. We have to apologize to them. We're the actual ones at fault. If not for Kirito, they wouldn't be trapped in there right now." Liz suggested.

“Idiot! Are you saying it's all Kirito's fault they got trapped in there?" Klein rebuked.

“ENOUGH! I'll take full responsibility. I promised that match with them. It's all my fault that they are trapped. Let's go." Kirito let out of Rei and stomped away.

“Is there a way to send us the device needed to observe them?" Asuna asked.

“I'll have Kisuke send it to the place you want to install it. You can say it's my way of apologising for involving your friends." Rei said as he tried to drink his coffee.

“Thank you. I hope you don't ever create a game like that anymore." Asuna then walked off together with the rest.