Chapter 1: A New World

The year is 2049—the era where humanity has finally perfected full-dive virtual reality. A world where you can feel the texture of objects, smell the scent of the air, taste food as if it were real, and immerse yourself in a hyper-realistic digital environment with graphics unlike anything ever seen before.

October 6, 2049. Less than Four hours left before the release.

On the rooftop of a high school, a lone boy with black hair sat near the edge, the wind gently ruffling his uniform. His gaze was fixed on his phone screen, watching a live stream. A faint smile played on his lips as the voice of a virtual streamer filled his ears.

"Guys, don't be disappointed, okay? Like, come on. Stop crying!" his tone was playful and jokingly.

The chat immediately exploded with messages.

"LOL"

"You abandoned us!"

"Cheater!"

"Liar as always, dude! LMAO!"

The black-haired boy chuckled to himself as the streamer tried to calm the chaos.

"I know you're all excited! It just so happens that today is a collab stream, so I had to push things back a bit. But, but, but! I promise you—I'll be playing Sword Art Online tomorrow! So don't miss out, okay?"

The chat continued to spam reactions, but the streamer ignored them and wrapped things up.

"This is your boy, Hamikaze Ouri, and I'm out! See ya! Tomorrow... hey, be there, okay? I'll stream SAO! Bye!!!" the stream ended.

His thumb swiped to another news feed.

On the screen, a reporter stood in front of a towering building, the SAO developers' headquarters, Argus corporation.

"Sword Art Online has already reached 1.5 million downloads worldwide since its closed beta! With just four hours left until its official launch, excitement is at an all-time high. This is shaping up to be the most popular MMO on the market today!"

The broadcast then cut to a street interview. A female reporter hurriedly approached a young man with messy red hair, walking along the sidewalk.

"Excuse me, sir! Do you have a moment?"

The red-haired man turned with an excited grin. "Oh! What's your name? I'm Tsuboi Ryoutarou, 19 years old—"

The reporter blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his enthusiasm then she cuts him off from speaking. "Uh… I'm from Channel 7 News, but… may I ask, do you know about SAO?"

The man beamed from ear to ear, practically radiating excitement. "Of course! Who doesn't know SAO?! If you don't, you must be living under a rock!"

He puffed his chest proudly. "I pre-registered as soon as it was announced, and I spent all my entire month's allowance just for it! I can't wait to log in!"

Can I get your numbe—"

The reporter's voice cut off as the screen switched to another segment, leaving the red-haired man mid-reaction.

He locked his phone and slipped it into his pocket, turning away from the screen. He walked down the hallway, his footsteps light yet distant. There was an invisible wall around him—something about his presence made him hard to approach. Other students passed by, chatting and laughing, he just passed them by and ignored them like they weren't there.

He entered the classroom. The teacher hadn't arrived yet, and the room was filled with the restless hum of students talking over each other. Without a word, he sat down at his desk near the side of the window, pulled out his earphones, and tuned out the noise.

A few minutes later, the teacher walked in, clapping his hands together. "Alright, class! Open your books to page 96."

The teacher called his name. "Kazuto," he didn't react. Then again, louder this time. "Kazuto Kirigaya!" Still nothing. With an exasperated sigh, the teacher walked over and pulled an earphone out of his ear.

Startled, he looked up. "Ah—"

"Since I was late today, I'll let you off the hook. But don't let it happen again, Kazuto."

The lesson continued, but he found himself staring out the window, his thoughts elsewhere.

The bell rang.

As he packed his things, he overheard a group of classmates chatting near the door.

"Hey, are you guys playing SAO later?"

"I think I'll pass. Someone invited me to karaoke." He smirks and waves his hair, to boast his looks.

"Lucky you!" he groans and nudging him playfully.

"What about you?"

"Nah, I'm stuck with homework. Plus, my mom won't let me play because of my test scores." He sighs, slumping his shoulder in defeat.

"Ah, that's a bummer, man. I'll pray for you." He smiles, patting his friends back jokingly.

Kazuto wanted to join in. He opened his mouth while looking down on his desk, hesitating.

"Ah…"

His voice barely left his lips before he swallowed the words. No one noticed. The conversation continued without him—laughter, playful complaints, inside jokes he wasn't part of.

By the time he realized it, the room was empty.

Alone.

He walks down the hallway, his gaze fixed on the floor with every step. A heavy silence lingers around him, drowning out the distant chatter of students passing by. His shoulders slump ever so slightly, his expression unreadable—yet, he was so disappointed to his self and he feels defeated his expressions can't be paint.

He stops in his tracks, gripping the strap of his bag tightly. The words he couldn't say earlier finally escape his lips in a whisper—

"…I'm free, and I can help you in the game."

But there's no one around to hear it.

and his own voice echo, leaving only an empty hallway.

He walked down the crowded streets of Akihabara, his eyes fixed on his phone, earphones snug in his ears, drowning out the city's noise. Neon signs flickered, and the air buzzed with the energy of excited gamers.

Posters plastered across game stores showcased bold letters: "Sword Art Online – The Next Evolution of VRMMORPGs!" A massive LED screen on a nearby building played a promotional trailer, displaying breathtaking landscapes and intense battles, hyping up the release.

For a brief moment, he glanced up at the screen. The name "Kayaba Akihiko" flashed across it.

The man who created an entire world…

He exhaled with a tugging smile, and kept walking.

He finally reaches his house and he hurriedly took of his shoe before dashing upstairs to his room. Dropping onto his chair, he powered on his monitor and checked the countdown—twenty minutes left until launch.

With a heavy sigh, he leaned back, opened his browser and navigated to a opened a familiar forum. 8-Kun, one of the most infamous sites on the net. Is a notorious to—an unfiltered hub filled with countless categories ranging from celebrity gossip, entertainment, gaming, and pop culture to the downright bizarre. Discussions could be insightful at times, but more often than not, the place was chaotic and unhinged.

It was the kind of site where brilliant game theories and in-depth meta-analysis sat right next to conspiracy rants and flame wars. A wild, lawless frontier of the internet.

His fingers moved instinctively, searching for a specific name—SupremeOverlord.

A well-known speedrunner, SupremeOverlord was popular in the gaming community. His name sat at the top of the leaderboard across multiple titles, his in-depth meta breakdowns and guides helping countless players optimize their builds. If there was anyone who could crack SAO's mechanics early, it would be him.

But as he scrolled through the posts, his brows furrowed.

Last update: One week ago.

"…No new updates, huh?" he muttered, resting his chin on his palm.

I had been hoping for an early advantage, maybe even a theorycrafted build to start with. But for SupremeOverlord to go silent right before launch… that was unusual.

Still, it wasn't like he needed a guide to enjoy the game. He smirked slightly and closed the forum.

Without moving his head, his eyes shifted downward at a thirty-degree angle, glancing at the launch timer once more.

Just nine more minutes.

Bored, he tuned into MeTube, scrolling through SAO-related news. It didn't take long to find a familiar face—the same reporter from earlier. This time, she was interviewing one of the game's developers, Satoshi Iwata.

"Where's Kayaba Akihiko?" she asked with a bright smile, leaning slightly toward the mic.

Iwata let out a short laugh, though his answer carried a hint of uncertainty. "He's in his office, as serious as ever. Probably fixing some last-minute bugs."

The reporter chuckled. "Your promotional video was incredible! I watched it, and I was completely blown away. The story looks exciting, and the combat system seems really deep."

Iwata nodded; his expression full of pride. "We have a very dedicated team behind all of this project. Our writers have done an amazing job, and I have no complaints about their work. The team put so much effort into crafting a complex combat system. And for those who prefer something different, they can immerse themselves in the game's story-driven missions, where the AI responds in an incredibly lifelike manner. If you ask me, it's more than just a game—it's a second world, a place players can call home. We even enhanced sensory experiences like taste and smell, allowing full immersion even without engaging in combat."

The reporter's enthusiasm grew. "I couldn't agree more! No wonder SAO has gained such massive popularity worldwide. Is there anything else fans should look forward to?"

As the interview continued, his attention wandered.

While listening to the interview, he was reading Kayaba Akihiko's long list of achievements. As he flipped through some papers, the edge of a page gave him a sharp paper cut.

Blood beaded at the tip of his finger.

Yet, he didn't even flinch.

A soft voice suddenly called out to him, snapping him from his thoughts.

"Brother, I'm heading to the dojo for practice!"

He glanced up outside of the window just in time to see his younger sister dash out, as she ran outside of the house.

Turning back to the screen, he saw the game is ready to go.

He exhaled slowly.

"Alright... it's about time."

He placed the NerveGear on his head, securing it snugly before plugging it into his PC.

Lying back on his bed, he exhaled softly, his gaze shifting to the transparent display projected onto his visor.

4:59 PM.

The faint outline of his bedroom wall was still visible through the interface.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Then, he closed his eyes.

[LINK START]

A blue login screen appeared.

User Name: Kirito

Password: ************

Log In.

A moment of darkness—blurry at first—then a sudden burst of brightness. His vision adjusted as the familiar world came into view.

Kirito looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers before clenching them into a fist. A confident smirk crossed his lips.

"I'm back... to this world."

At the center of the plaza, where the players popped into the game one after another around him, the city was alive with activity. Newcomers glanced around in awe, their eyes adjusting to the breathtaking world before them.

Players bustled through the streets, chatting, trading, gearing up and preparing for their adventures. The hum of conversations mixed with the clinking of armor, the distant sounds of blacksmith hammers, the scent of fresh bread and sizzling meat drifted through the air and the occasional sound of pings of system notifications.

The Town of Beginnings, capital of the Renteia Empire

The grand capital of the Renteia Empire, stood as the heart of adventure. Towering stone walls surrounded the city, their banners fluttering in the wind, displaying the empire's golden crest, cobblestone roads led to towering spires, were guild halls and grand taverns.

I strolled through the bustling city plaza, where new players materialized one after another in flashes of blue light. The streets were packed, yet the game ran smoothly—no lag, no frame drops, no delays. It was astonishing how detailed the world was. The crisp textures, dynamic lighting, and lifelike animations made it easy to forget this was a game.

"This game was beautiful" I muttered to myself.

I want to try the NPC's interactions, I'm curious about it, at the corner of my eyes I saw a stall nearby and I decided to test it out.

The fruit stall was a simple wooden setup, with a sturdy counter made of aged oak. A faded canvas canopy stretched above, shielding the vendor and his goods from the sun. The stall's front was lined with woven baskets, each filled with vibrant fruits—red apples, golden pears, and bright citrus oranges stacked neatly in pyramids. The scent of fresh produce mixed with the faint aroma of wood and earth.

Behind the counter, a wooden crate held additional stock, while a chalkboard sign hung at the side, listing prices in neat but slightly smudged handwriting. A small iron lantern dangled from one of the stall's posts, unlit for now but ready to provide a warm glow when night fell.

The vendor himself stood with a practiced smile, his calloused hands arranging the apples with care, occasionally wiping one with a cloth to keep its shiny red skin appealing.

A middle-aged man with brown hair, stood by a wooden stall lined with colorful produce.

"Sir, my fruit here is the best! Freshly picked this morning," he announced proudly.

I smirked, a mischievous thought crossing my mind. "Hmm... hehehe"

The NPC tilted his head. "Hmm? Something wrong, sir? My fruit is top-quality and reasonably priced!"

Feigning curiosity, I pointed at an apple. "Really? Well, how much for this?"

"The apples are only 25 silver, and the oranges 18 silver—a fair deal, don't you think?" The vendor beamed brightly.

I raised a brow and replied with a deadpan tone, "Oh, wow… so reasonable. I totally thought this was cheap."

The NPC's expression changed ever so slightly, but he remained cheerful. There was a brief flicker in his eyes—a micro-reaction.

I peeked at him with my right eye. An almost human response… to sarcasm?

"Sir, I assure you, the quality is worth the price," the fruit vendor insisted, keeping his sales pitch steady.

I smirked. Let's push this AI a little further. I wonder if I can haggle in this game.

"Hmm… but I saw a stall down the road selling apples for 15 silver."

The NPC's smile stiffened and sweat a little. "That… that must be a mistake, sir. No other vendor sells at such a low price."

I folded my arms, amused. "Are you sure? Maybe you should lower your price a little, you know, for customer satisfaction?"

A vein twitched on his forehead. He was forcing himself to stay calm. "Sir… again, my fruit is of the highest quality and fairly priced."

Wow. What a realistic expression. But what if—

"Can I take a bite to see if it's really top quality?" I added sarcastically.

"… "

The NPC's face darkened. "No. Absolutely not." A sharp, stern rejection.

I snatched an apple and run away with it, and I took a bite.

A high-quality apple delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, making each bite refreshing and satisfying. As your teeth sink into the firm, crisp flesh, you hear a slight crunch—an unmistakable sign of freshness.

The first burst of juice is cool and invigorating, coating your tongue with a natural honeyed sweetness, followed by a subtle tang that tingles at the edges of your taste buds. The texture is smooth yet slightly grainy, melting in your mouth without any unpleasant mealiness.

The aftertaste lingers with a light floral note, reminiscent of fresh autumn orchards, leaving you craving another bite.

Wow this apple is so good. "I really can't believe I can do this! Hahaha!"

Then—

"STOP! STOP RIGHT THERE, THIEF!"

I was surprised and turned around. The NPC vendor was sprinting after me, his face twisted in fury.

What the hell?! He's actually chasing me?!

He grinned "let's see how far you can go."

He bolted and go through every nook and corner of the streets, weaving between players, past vendor stalls, and weapon shops. The bustling city blurred around him, but he didn't care—he was too caught up in the rush.

As he ran, players turned to look at him, their gazes drawn not just by his speed but by the carefree, bright smile on his face.

It was the brightest smile he had worn in years, for the first time in a long while, he felt truly alive. This moment—this world—it was exhilarating.

Every step, every turn, every breath filled him with pure excitement.

And even though, somewhere behind him, the exhausted NPC vendor was still struggling to catch his breath…

Kirito laughed.

"This is truly the best VRMMORPG ever!"

My stamina bar began to drop, bit by bit.

Wait… sprinting consumes stamina? That wasn't in the beta test.

—

A few minutes passed.

I glanced back. Alright, he must've despawned by now—

"Stop… please… stop and pay for that… apple…"

What?

The NPC vendor was still there, panting heavily, drenched in sweat.

He fell to his knees, desperate. "Sir… please… pay for the apple…" His eyes were teary.

I stood frozen.

A sudden blue notification window popped up.

KARMA

2 - 98 / 100

⚠ SYSTEM WARNING ⚠

If you do not pay the vendor, your karma will drop, and you will become a rogue player.

"Wait… what?!"

I frowned. This wasn't in the beta.

The NPC vendor begged "My family… this is our livelihood. If I don't get that silver, I won't be able to feed my children…"

For a moment, I actually felt guilty—until I reminded myself.

This is just an NPC.

…But damn. That felt too real. And I didn't even think I get a system warning, they really improve a lot in this game.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my head. "Alright, alright. I was just messing with you."

The vendor's face lit up instantly. "Of course, sir! That will be 25 silver."

I raised my hand, extending my index finger toward the air. With a light tap and a quick scroll down, a thin, blue translucent window popped up in front of me.

[Inventory].

Rows of items filled the screen—mostly potions and scrolls, each labeled with their effects: Attack Speed, Extra Damage, Movement Speed, Crit Rate. The scrolls included Armor Defense Debuffs, Life Drain, and Damage Debuffs, along with a few extra Green-Grade gears.

My gaze shifted to the silver coin icon next to my gold counter—150,000 silver.

I tapped the silver icon, typed 25, and watched as the amount materialized in my palm. Without hesitation, I handed it to the NPC vendor.

"Thank you, sir! For your patronage!" The NPC cheerfully thank me and his voice is full of gratitude. With a wide grin, he turned and jogged back to his stall, almost skipping with excitement.

And I took another bite of the apple.

Crisp. Juicy. Almost… too real.

I chuckled to myself.

"Man, this game really is something else."

As I'm chewing the apple, I noticed something at the corner of my eye, under my status window.

my stamina bar was regenerating fast.

A buff?

Sure enough, the apple had granted a Stamina Regeneration Buff. By 5 stamina per-second

"Huh… so even food has effects. Not bad."

The red-haired man fallowed me, he was out of breath, hands on his knees as he gasped for air. "Wait... Please wait!".

A man with shoulder-length red hair, his outfit consists of a red and beige long-sleeved tunic with a dark belt securing it at the waist. He wears black fingerless gloves, which add to his rugged, adventurer-like appearance. His pants are dark, fitting snugly, and tucked into sturdy boots with straps. 

Kirito raised an eyebrow, then smirked sarcastically. "Huh. Didn't think I had another NPC following me." Did the system actually mark me as a rogue player? That'd be a pain in the ass.

The red-haired man straightened up and shouted, "I'm not an NPC! I'm a player!"

I blinked. "Oh?" then I folded my arms. "Alright then, what do you need from me?"

The red-haired player steadied his posture, took a deep breath, with one hand on his hip, exudes a laid-back yet charismatic personality and locked eyes with him.

"You move without hesitations and you know every corner of the street. You are a beta tester, right?"

He met the red-haired player's gaze without hesitation, kirito posture relaxed yet firm. His arms were loosely crossed, weight shifted slightly to one side, as if the question didn't faze him in the slightest. There was no tension in his stance, no flicker of doubt in his sharp eyes—just a calm, almost amused expression, as if kirito had already expected the question.

I confidently answer it, "Yeah. I am a beta tester."

The red-haired man's face lit up with excitement, a relieved smile spreading across his lips.

"Can you give me some tips on how to level up fast? Maybe a good grinding spot?" He rubbed the back of his head. "It's my first day in the game, you see."

Kirito hesitated for a moment.

Before I could respond, he suddenly stepped closer and grabbed my shoulders. "Come on, man, I'm begging you! Help a newbie out!"

I blinked, momentarily speechless.

Then, as if realizing how desperate he looked, he quickly straightened his back and let go. "Oh, right! I forgot to introduce myself—I'm Klein, by the way." He grinned confidently.

Kirito stared at him for a moment.

Then, with a small smirk, he placed his hand on his waist, puffed out his chest slightly, and looked Klein in the eye.

"…I'm Kirito."

The world of Sword Art Online has begun.