One month has passed since the death game began. The first floor has yet to be cleared and over two thousand people have already died. Akiri has been spending the time, farming and leveling up non stop with Kirito. Currently, the two of them are finished killing different types of enemies.

Kirito: Another grinding session finished. Good job today, Akiri

Akiri: You too Kirito

They both then fist bumped.

Kirito: We should probably hurry up and get going. We're running a little late already for the meeting

Akiri: Yeah

The two of them then started to make their way back to the town.

Akiri: So we're finally taking on the floor boss, huh?

Kirito: Yeah. It's weird, I never had got this scared and nervous taking on a boss fight before

Akiri: I feel the same way. It's understandable though. Usually, in a normal game even if we die when fighting a boss, we can start over and try again with new knowledge of its attack patterns. Over and over again until we eventually beat it

Kirito: But now, once we die...

Akiri: It's game over...

(Timeskip)

Akiri and Kirito are now sitting for a meeting on how to defeat the first floor boss.

They then saw a guy with blue hair walking towards the stage. He then got everyone's attention.

???: Thank you for coming today. My name is Diavel. I like to consider my job as a knight

People started to laugh at Diavel, but he just looked at everyone with a serious face.

Diavel: Today, our party found the boss room at the top of this tower. We need to defeat the boss, reach the second floor, and tell everyone waiting in the Town of Beginnings that it is possible to beat this game. Everyone present here shares this duty! Do you all agree?

Everyone started to applaud and he spoke again.

Diavel: Alright, then let us begin our planning. First, divide into parties of six.

Akiri: ...-_-... God dammit...

Kirito: We both are already in a party. That means we need four more players

Akiri looks around and saw some sitting alone.

Akiri: There

He points towards a hooded player.

Akiri: That's one. I'll try and find some more players. You go and try to get that player to join our party

Kirito: Okay

Kirito then went to the hooded player while Akiri walks around to find more party members. Kirito went and sat beside the hooded player and begin to speak.

Kirito: You got left out too?

???: I wasn't left out. I just stayed out of it because everyone seemed to know each other already

Kirito: Then want to form a party with us? He just said we can't beat the boss on our own. So just for this fight?

The player then nodded and Kirito sent her the party invitation. She accepts it as Akiri came and sat beside Kirito.

Akiri: *sigh* The other players had already formed a party. Looks like it's just gonna be the three of us

Akiri was shocked at first when he saw that the player's name is Asuna. He then shook his head.

Akiri: (thoughts) Could just be a coincidence

The hooded player looked towards Akiri and was shocked to see him.

???: (thoughts) Akiri...

Diavel: Okay, have you formed your parties? Then-

???: Just a second!

Suddenly, a spiky, orange haired man jumped down onto the stage.

???: My name's Kibaou. I wanna say something before we take on the floor boss. Some of you here need to apologize to the two thousand who have died so far!

Diavel: Kibaou, are you referring to the beta testers?

Kibaou: Of course I am! On the day this stupid game began, the beta guys ditched us beginners, and they all disappeared. They took all the good hunting spots and easy quests for themselves, so only they could get stronger. And then, they just ignored the rest of us.

Akiri: This guy is seriously pissing me off

Kirito: Calm down, Akiri

Kibaou: I'm sure someone here was in the beta! They should get on their knees and apologize, and give up all the items and money they've hoarded! Otherwise, we can't trust them to protect us as party members, as they don't trust us!

Akiri clenched his fists tightly and began to get up from his seat. But before he could, Kirito puts his hand on his shoulder. He looked towards Kirito who is shaking his head.

???: May I speak?

A large man then got up from his seat and walked over to Kibaou.

???: My name is Agil. Kibaou, tell me if I have this right. You're saying that because the beta testers didn't take care of them, many beginners died. That they need to take responsibility, apologize, and provide compensation. Correct?

Kibaou: Y-yeah

Agil pulled out a small book and showed it to him.

Agil: You got this guide book, didn't you? It was provided for free at the item store

Kibaou: Sure, I did...

Agil: It was compiled from information given by the beta testers

Everyone looked at Agil shocked by the revelation. Agil then looked towards everyone.

Agil: Listen. Everyone had equal access to this information. And even still, many players died. I thought the topic of discussion here was what we could learn from their deaths, and how that can help us defeat the boss

Agil looked back at Kibaou to see that he had an annoyed looked. The both of them then sat back down.

Diavel: All right. Then can we continue? The latest edition of that guide book was just issued, and it contains information on the first floor boss. According to it, the boss's name is "Illfang the Kobold Lord". He is guarded by assistants known as "Ruin Kobold Sentinels". He is armed with an axe and a buckler. He has four health bars and when the last one enters the red, he switches to a curved sword type weapon called a Talwar. His attack pattern changes as well. This concludes the briefing. Lastly, money will be automatically distributed. EXP goes to the party that defeats the monster. And whoever receives an item keeps it. Any objections?

Everyone just kept silent.

Diavel: If not we'll leave tomorrow at ten in the morning. Dismissed!

(Timeskip)

Currently, Akiri and Kirito are making their way towards the inn. As they were walking, they heard a voice from behind them.

???: Hey!

They turned around to see that it was the hooded player and she was approaching them.

Asuna: Akiri, can I talk to you for a minute

Akiri: Yeah, of course

Asuna: Alone

Akiri: Sorry, I still don't trust you enough to go with you alone

Asuna: Akiri. It's... It's me...

Akiri: Huh? What are you talking about?

She then pulled her hood down and he looked at her in complete and utter shock.

Akiri: What?! Asuna?! It's... It's you...

Asuna just looks down towards the ground.

Akiri: Ki-Kirito, can you leave us alone for a sec?

Kirito: Do you know her?

Akiri: It's a long story...

Kirito: Okay then. I'll leave you to it

Kirito then walked away and Akiri took Asuna to an empty alleyway.

Akiri: So it... really is you...

He then begins to breathe heavily.

Akiri: No... No this can't be... What are you doing here? I thought you didn't have a NerveGear

Asuna: I wanted to play SAO with you... So I borrowed my brother's NerveGear...

Akiri's eyes then widened.

Asuna: I've been searching for you all this time, but I couldn't find you. Then I found out that there is a meeting in this town to discuss about the floor boss. So knowing you, I'll probably find you if I go wait for you at the meeting.

Akiri: No... You're here... You can't be here... If you're here that means...

Akiri looks towards Asuna in total shock and disbelief while hyperventilating and she just looks down.

Akiri: I'm sorry... Asuna...

Asuna then looks towards Akiri.

Asuna: Akiri? What for?

Akiri: I was the reason why you decided to play this stupid game...

He clenches his fists tightly and his eyes started to water.

Akiri: It is because of me that you borrowed your brother's NerveGear... It is my fault that you're trapped here... And it's my fault that you're going to-

He was then cut off by Asuna embracing him in a hug.

Asuna: It's not your fault Akiri... It's okay. I'll make a promise to you... That I will survive this game

Akiri: Asuna...

Akiri tears up and slowly returns the hug.

Akiri: Then I promise you, I'll do whatever it takes to get us out of here. We'll go back to the real world. I promise

Asuna just smiled at him. They embraces each other for a while longer.

Asuna: I know you will

Akiri then calmed down and took a deep breath.

Akiri: We should head back

Asuna: Okay

The both of them broke the hug and made their way to the inn. As they were walking Akiri looked at Asuna with a sad look before looking in front of him with a determined look.

Akiri: (thoughts) I'll do anything to get you out of here. Whatever it takes...