Chapter 1

November 6th, 5:30 PM

"This is the [Teleport Gate Plaza]? Look at all these people!" Koharu looked around, staring at the different people around the group.

Klein grimaced. "Sheesh. This looks like every single player in the game!"

"Do you know what's going on?"

"Uh-uh."

"Someone forced us to teleport?"

"Look! Up there!"

The crowd of players all turned silent as a red hexagon blinked in the sky, before rushing downwards, creating a dome of red around the [Teleport Gate Plaza].

[Warning]

[System Announcement]

Eventually, blood began dripping through the cracks in the hexagons, before they formed to create a floating red robe.

"What the hell is that thing?"

"A Game Master?"

"Why doesn't he have a face?"

"Is this an event?"

"I'm scared..."

"Don't worry, this is probably part of the opening ceremony."

"Attention, dearest players. Welcome to my world. My name is Kayaba Akihiko. As of this moment, I am now the sole person who controls this world." The figure spoke.

"Is that really him?"

"Wow, this is a hindrance."

"Kayaba is one of the SAO devs, right? You think this is some sort of kick-off announcement?" Koharu turned towards her friends.

"I doubt it." Kirito shook his head. "Kayaba Akihiko has completely avoided any public appearances until now. He's never even acted as a Game Master until today. What's this all about?"

"I'm sure most of you have already noticed an item missing from your main menus: the logout button," Kayaba spoke over the crowd. "Let me ensure you, this is not a defect in the game. I repeat, this is not a defect, this is exactly how Sword Art Online was intentionally designed."

"H-he's kidding, right?" Klein gulped.

"You cannot log yourselves out of SAO. No one from the outside will be able to shut down or remove the NerveGear from your head. If anyone attempts to do so, a transmitter inside the NerveGear will discharge a microwave signal into your skull, destroying your brain and ending your life."

"What are you talking about?"

"C'mon!"

"Come on, enough already."

"Let's get out of here."

"Hey, I can't get out!"

"Is he saying we could really die? That's not... It's not possible, right? I mean, this is just a game, right?" Koharu began to slightly shake, legs trembling.

"It's... possible." Kirito snarled. "The transmitter signals in the headgear work just like microwaves. If the safety's disabled, it could fry your brain."

"Cut the power?" Kei chimed in, trying not to reveal his inner turmoil.

"That won't work, the NerveGear's got an internal battery."

"This is crazy!"

"Despite my warnings, the families and friends of some of the players have attempted to remove the NerveGear. An unfortunate decision to say the least. As a result, the game now has 213 fewer players than when it began. They've been deleted from both Aincrad and the real world." Kayaba waved his hand, pulling open screens.

"Two hundred and thirteen?"

"No way..."

"I don't believe it!"

"As you can see, international media outlets have around-the-clock coverage of everything, including the deaths," Kayaba revealed a few images and videos of the outside world. "At this point, it's safe to assume the likelihood of a NerveGear being removed is minimal at best."

"This is all just some sorta even, right? Some kind of opening story arc, right?!" Klein began to shake in anger.

"All of your real-world bodies will likely be transported to hospitals and other care facilities with your NerveGear intact to receive care." Kayaba continued on, ignoring the cries of protest and screams. "I hope this brings you a little comfort as you try to clear the game."

"I also ask that you all act with caution. For the world of Sword Art Online is now another reality for all of you here within it. There is no longer any way to revive someone within the game. If your HP drops to zero, your avatar will be deleted from the system. Forever. And the NerveGear will simultaneously destroy your brain."

"No way!"

"You're joking!"

"There's only one way for a player to escape now: You must clear the game. Right now, you're gathered on Floor 1, the lowest level of Aincrad. If you can get through the dungeon and defeat the boss, you may advance to the next floor. Defeat the boss of Floor 100 and you will clear the game."

"Clear?"

"Why should we believe any of the crap you're saying!?"

"That's freakin' impossible."

"Even the beta testers never made it that high!"

"Now, before I go, allow me to prove to you that this world is now your "real" world. I've placed a little present in the item storage of every player. Please, have a look."

Opening [Items], players around them began pulling out a nondescript hand mirror. Soon, people began flashing, leaving behind different people.

"Son of a- You're a guy?"

"You're not!"

"Who are you?"

"A child?!"

"Holy crap, your tall!"

"Huh? Why does everyone look different?" Koharu began looking around.

"Woah, this is just like my real face..." Klein began touching his own face.

"Is that you, Klein?!" Kirito pointed at Klein.

"That you, Kirito?!" Klein back, before turning towards Kei, who immediately gave a weak smile. "So that must mean... Kei?!"

"Hey there." Kei waved. "Koharu, I see you've barely changed."

"Mhm. I just use my real face. I don't usually play games anyway." Koharu nodded. "I just bought the Nerve Gear for the VR shopping mall."

""What?"" Kirito and Klein blinked.

"I can't find good clothes with a fake face, right? This is just the same avatar I used for trying on clothes in VR." Koharu blushed. "When I started up the beta, it asked me if I wanted to convert it, and I didn't really know better so I just clicked OK and..."

Koharu turned to Kei, face slightly lowered. "It was kind of embarrassing, so I thought I'd change it, but I wanted to make sure Kei could still find me again so I just kept it."

Completely taken off guard, Kei blushed, before looking away.

"Forget the lovebirds for a sec-"

"Oi!"

"L-lovebirds?!"

"-is it really that easy to recreate someone's face?" Klein continued patting his face.

"The scan... There's a high-density signal device inside the NerveGear rig." Kei spoke up, blush completely gone. "It scans your face and creates a lookalike avatar. When we received the Nerve Gear, we had to calibrate it, remember? That's where it got your physical data."

"Kayaba wants to force people to think this is all real," Kirito growled.

"I developed the Nerve Gear and SAO solely to create and admire this world. And now my dream is finally a reality." Kayaba spoke, slowly beginning to disappear. "This concludes the official opening tutorial for Sword Art Online. Players... May fate smile upon you."

With that, Kayaba Akihiko disappeared, the red hexagons following. As the words sunk in, chaos began.

"No... No!"

"Screw you!"

"Let me out! Let me out of here!"

"I can't stay here... I have to meet-"

"This is crazy!"

"Stop pushing!"

"You have to let us go!"

"Tell us you're lying!"

"Someone!"

"Come back!"

"Oh. We can't go home, huh... We're really trapped in here." Sliding down onto her knees, Koharu's face was emotionless.

"Kei! Klein! Koharu! Follow me!" Kirito quickly began running towards the [Merchant District].

"Got it!" Yelling, Klein began running after Kirito. "C'mon, you two!"

"Sorry in advance, Koharu!" Quickly unequipping his spear, Kei twisted his position, grabbing Koharu and shifting her gently onto his back in a piggyback carry, before beginning to run. "Hold on tight!"

"Kei..." Clinging onto Kei's back, Koharu stared in a trance, before holding on tighter. "Thank you."

"No problem! Let's meet up with Kirito and Klein!"

Dodging players and avoiding people crying on the floor, Kei continued running away from the [Teleport Gate Plaza].

Unbeknownst to either Kei or Koharu, a pair of caramel eyes followed the two.