I am rewriting all the previous chapters, and expanding on the story with information from the progressive SAO light novels, as well as correcting and changing a few things from the previously written chapters. While there will be things that will be the same, there will be new material, so I recommend reading through it all.

Thank you, Gfellha


"Your look suits you ten times better too!"

That was the last phrase Klein heard from Kirito before he bolted off down the alleyway. Should I have gone with him? The red haired player wondered to himself as he turned his back and took a deep breath. Exhaling that same breath, Klein forced his legs to walk forward retracing the steps back to the main plaza. I can't leave my friends in this death game alone.

I have to find them.

The other players were going haywire, people were shouting, crying, and denying that this virtual game, this dream, had turned into a nightmare with little chance of escape. Klein fought through the crowds, forcing his way back into the center plaza. He hoped that friends were still there. It would be almost impossible to find them if they all left the main area.

In the main plaza, there were still a multitude of people. Many had collapsed, crying against the ground, shouting for their parents, others had taken to trying to attack the city's walls to no avail.

Suddenly from the corner of his eye, Klein noticed a similar shape. Quickly his attention was turned towards the being, a small grin grew across his face as he recognized him. Dale, one of Klein's online friends. Quickly I hurried over, my arm waving excitedly.

"Dale! It's me! Tsuboi Ryōtarō!" Klein call out to him.

As he turned towards Klein, there was a hint of terror etched in his eyes, though at the sight of his friend, it lessened somewhat.

Dale was a large man, whatever his avatar was before it was different now. He had his real body which was quite large and round. Dale had brown hair and his eyes were a hazel hue.

"Tsuboi? God am I glad to see you! Did you hear? Can you believe? It can't be true can it?"

It didn't take long for Klein to reach his position, and seeing the look in his eyes he knew he couldn't revoke all of Dale's hopes.

"I don't know…it could be, it could be just a big hoax…but it might be safe to play it safe until we really know where we are. By the way, what's your in-game name Dale? Mine's Klein."

"Me? I was able to snag Dale actually." He sounded so smug at the fact he'd used his real name "The others? We met up pretty early on, but they went off to look for you throughout the city. We hoped you hadn't…well, died. I'll send you an invite to our group."

A moment later a notification appeared before Klein, an invite. He accepted it instantly, and soon he noticed the names of other players in the group. Issin, and Dynamm. It was reassuring for Klein to see that they were all here. "Alright, let's round everyone up. We must survive we all have to get out of here."

It did not take long to gather everyone, all of his friends, in one place. This was the same place where Kirito had trained me to fight, those blue boars roaming around were quite good for learning.

He glanced about between them and smiled. "Hey everyone, I'm glad to see you're all still here, but we don't have time to rest. We should try and work to survive and complete this game…so I can get my pizza. Who knows how to actually play the game?"

Klein's gaze traveled between each of his friends as he waited for an answer. Issin was about the same age as him. He had a narrow face, and his body was a lot lankier then his own.

Slowly his gaze drifted toward Dynamm. Most of his hair was covered by a red bandanna. He also had two little streaks of hair jutting out, forming his mustache, as well a few visible hairs on his chin. That bandanna and mustache reminded Klein of a French pirate.

Klein's trainees glanced nervously at each other, hoping someone would speak up. It seemed none of them knew how to fight.

Klein couldn't help but feel nostalgic at this scene. The wide open plains, the blue haired boars wandering around, though to Klein's surprise, the area was still barren of players except for Klein and his friends.

Turning to Dale, Issin, and Dayamm. Klein began his introduction speech.

"Well, I didn't think I'd be the one standing here giving you this lecture to be frankly, I thought the friend I made would be helping me here. Though, he shot it out of the starting city once this…this death game started. So I'll pass on his knowledge to all of you guys."

"What's his name?" Dayamm asked in a quick instant.

"Oh, his name is Kirito? But that's not important now. He's off on his own, but I'm sure we'll meet again. He's not gonna die out there."

Taking a deep breath, Klein got back on topic. "So first off, you can't swing the sword randomly, while that will deal damage if you connect, it won't deal that much in comparison to a sword skill. Swords are also a lot faster, generally, then swinging your sword around. Let me show you my sword skill, Reaver."

As one of the blue boars walked close, Klein brandished his curved sword, and smirked. Moving his hand holding the blade back, Klein activated the sword skill Reaver.

The curved blade turned a hue of yellowish orange, and the games auto aim system controlled his movements. Suddenly, he shot forward his blade slicing through the blue boars form, slicing it.

The boar was knocked off to the side, but it wasn't finished yet, grunting to its feet it charged towards Klein.

Since Reaver was a basic sword skill, it's Post-Motion state did not last long, so Klein was able to launch a second sword skill to finish it off.

The blue boar, as it was speared by Klein's blade, snorted loudly, and a red line flashed through and then, suddenly, the boar exploded into a series of pixels as it faded from the existence of this world.

Dale, Dayamm, and Issin all cheered. Klein couldn't help but chuckle, it was a simple creature, a simple mob. It was nothing to cheer for.

"Alright, well, I feel like I should mention this now, there is a down side to sword skills. While they can deal more damage than just swinging, and it auto locks onto the target, there is a cool down state for it. While its short, it does stop you from being able to protect yourself from a counter attack. The skill I used, Reaver, was a basic skill so it's Post-Motion state is rather short. Though I assume that higher level sword skills will have a longer cool down state. So, as we level, we will have to wary of that."

"Now, let me see your weapons."

Issin brandished his spear, holding it's long hilt with one hand, and Klein's eyes moved over inspecting Dayamm, who also held a curved blade in his hand, before, finally, his attention was brought to Dale, who was wielding a weapon that looked like a cleaver sword.

"Alright, Issin, your weapon is fairly simple, it's a spear, I imagine it has a base sword skill that's like a jab, or a thrust, so you gotta figure that out. Dynamm, you have a curved blade like me, so your base sword skill will be Reaver, as for you, Dale, I have no idea what your sword skill would be, so for now, let's find out. I'll watch while you guys train. I'll make sure noon dies, but do not travel to far. It'll be too hard to keep track of you all then.

As they all nodded and went off on their own, Klein was thinking. The large cleaver like weapon that Dale held, was more of a DPS type weapon, and a spear, which is what Issin was using, had only a choice of being a DPS type weapon. So only himself, and Dynamm could tank, since they both cold hold a sword and shield at the same time.

Dynamm was doing the best out of the three trainees, since he was the only one who actually saw his starting sword move used. Klein would talk to him about that later.

Rather, he directed his attention towards Dale. His cleaver like weapon suddenly engulfed in a red hue as it struck one of the boars by the side, sending it cascaded through the air, where the boar burst into nothingness.

"Hey, Dale, nice! What's your sword skill called?" Klein called out to him, as he made his way over. Though, he was still keeping his eye on the others.

"Oh, heh, you won't believe this, it's actually called Cleave."

"Really? Well…I'd say that's rather appropriate since you weapon is a cleaver sword type thing."

"True, true. So, tell me about this guy, Kirito, who taught you."

"Mmm, Kirito, he's an odd fellow to be honest. When we started this game, and went off to explore, I saw that Kirito kid running off as if he knew the place, so I ran after him. In short I got him to teach me the basics of this game."

Pausing for a moment, Klein glanced off across the fields into the distance. He couldn't help but wonder how far Kirito had gotten. Letting out a small sigh, he continued to speak. "

He never said it, but I think he was in the beta for this game. He was too much of a natural to be a new player, so I got lucky. Shame though that he didn't stick with me, but he has to do what he believes is right. Unlike me, all he has is himself in this death game. It's kinda sad when I think about."

Dale nodded, before turning his attention forward. Taking a deep breath he spoke again.

"I have a feeling, it's just a feeling mind you, but I think beta testers are going to get discriminated against in this death game. Human's base instinct is for survival, so since those beta testers know more about this game they will probably use that knowledge to their own benefit to survive. I wouldn't be surprise if there are players who blame them for all the death of brand new players, which isn't right. But keep that in mind when you talk about him. If this hypothesis does come true, you wouldn't want to bring undo animosity towards your friend. So when you refer to him, leave your suspicion that he's a beater tester out of it."

Klein took a deep breath and nodded. "I really hope what you said doesn't come true, but on the off chance that it does happen…. I'll make sure to keep quiet about that Dale."

With that, Klein went off towards Issin who was battling a boar with his spear. He had a nice advantage, since he was able to keep the beast at a distant while striking it with quick jabs. Unlike Dale, Klein, and Dynamm, Issin didn't need to use sword skills as often. That was probably one advantage to the spear.

When facing on enemy, they could easily keep the beast at a distance, but their flaw was when they were engaged in close combat. Though, that didn't happen here as Issin moved in to deal the final blow.

The blue glowed a blueish hue as he thrust forward, screwing the boar before it burst into thin air. Klein smirked. Issin was doing pretty good at this point.

"So, Issin, what's that sword skill called?"

"Oh, it's called Jab just like you thought. Though, I discovered that I don't need to use sword skills as often, since it's easier to keep them at a distance. And you lied."

"I did?"

"Yah, hitting them without a sword skill still does a nice bit of damage. It is really comparable to the sword skills."

"Oh, haha, my bad, but you don't have the auto aim and the increased speed."

"Nope, that's probably the point of it though. So people can still land when they aren't actually skilled with their chosen weapon."

Klein nodded before stretching. "Yah, that makes sense. Though, do you mind if I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Do you mind taking Picking, Trap Dismantling, and Searching? Dynamm and I will probably tank for now, since in this game it would be a good idea to have two tanks, and the armor choices Dale tends to take tend to conflict with that sort of area, I thought I'd ask you."

Issin let out a small chuckle, before giving a small shrug. "Sure, that's no problem. That was actually something I was wondering about to be honest. Though I think Searching would be a good idea for everyone to have if they can fit it in."

Klein let out a sigh of a relief before giving a small shrug. "Good, good. That makes things a lot easier there. Well, I'ma go see how Dynamm is doing. Gotta see if he's fine with tanking with me for the time being."

After parting from Issin, Klein approached Dynamm, who was, by far, doing the best out of the group. His blade glowed the same hue as Klein's from earlier, and he unleashed Reaver against onto the boars, decimating it and shattering it into thousand of polygons which disappeared in another second.

"Hey, Dynamm, can I talk with you?"

Turning away from the now empty patch of land, the pirate looking fellow offered a small smile and nodded. "Yah, sure what's up?"

"Well, I was thinking. Issin, and Dale can't really tank with their chosen weapons, so I was wondering if you wanted to tank with me, since we're the only ones who can really do the sword and shield combo here."

Dynamm thought for a moment, before giving a small nod. "Alright, that makes sense. I was gonna bring up the standard party of four, but since there aren't any healing classes in the game, two tanks will probably suffice."

"Yah, that was my thoughts exactly. When we're fighting a tough enemy, we can swap out and use the healing items to heal back while the other goes in and tanks."

"That sounds like a pretty reasonable there. Well, we should probably go back to killin these boars. We should try and get as much experience as we can."

Klein gave a small nod, before turning his attention to the wide-open fields. "Yah, the boars aren't too tough. We all have that the boar killing quest, so we should get that done before heading back to town.

Finally, Klein turned his attention to the blue haired beasts and began to engage the boars. Issin, Dale, and Dynamm all continued attacking the boars aswell. It was a simple, and fun way to pass the time.

The boars didn't offer to much experience points, but when they all returned to town, and turned in the boar extermination quest, the gained a new level, reaching level two.

"Wow, leveling is a lot slower then I thought it would have been…sheesh, an entire day, and we only got one level." Klein murmured in a slightly disheartened tone.

Clearing this game was going to be a lot harder then he thought. Hopefully the people on the outside would find some way to break them free of this death game.

Dale, put his hand on Klein's shoulder and offered his friend a small smile. "That's one more level then we had earlier. Think about it like that Klein."

"Hah, I guess that is true Dale. We should look at things in an optimistic fashion."

As they finally passed through the large gates, returning to the massive starter city, Klein was met with a totally different scene then earlier that day.

After the announcement that the game was a death game, everyone was filled with hatred, anger, and panic. But now, it was a much different tone.

As the artificial sun begun to set in the distance, casting a looming shadow over the walls of the starting city, a depressive wave had begun to envelope the city.

Klein was only disheartened even more. He thought that there would be more people who'd be trying to escape, but there were droves of people huddled against the walls, leaning against them, their eyes filled with hopelessness.

"What did we walk into?" Issin murmured, his eyes staring down the roads.

Quickly, Klein shook his head. Were these people really defeated?

That was when someone walked over, his hair was a brown hue, and he had a bit of a boyish look, though due to his height he had to of been around seventeen or so. There was also a two-handed staff on his back.

"Wait, were you out there…. outside the city walls?"

Klein gave him a small nod. "Yes, we were, we were off killing boars."

The man's lips arched into a small smile, and did a small excited glanced. "Yes, so it's not stupidly dangerous out there. Thanks, maybe I can convince my friends to go out there…they were wary, but seeing as there are people who returned….they might be more willing to go."

Klein couldn't help but smile at him. "Yah…if we can survive out there, you can survive to. By the way, I'm Klein."

The other gave a small smile, before turning off. "I'm Keita, hopefully we'll see each other around Klein."

That was when an idea hit Klein. He knew what he wanted to do. Turning to his friend, he smirked. "I have an idea…."

Returning his gaze to the downcast people, and smirked. "If we show these people that we can survive out in the wilds, that may convince other people to do the same. Hmmm, we can even try and teach people the basic skills or something….we can only get out of here if we work as a group. So we need as many people as possible who are willing to venture out into this world as possible. Will you help me?"

They all gave small grins. "Of course we'll help!" Dale exclaimed, before giving a thumbs up.

"Mmmm, maybe I can meet a girl who I can inspire….though I can also pick us each up a shield while I'm at it." Dynamm mused softly, before giving a small shrug.

"I think that's a wonderful idea Klein. Maybe you guys can go off and try and inspire people, and I can do something about working out a training session or something?"

"That works, that totally works. Let's get this done! We'll meet back here after the sun has set."

Klein walked down the streets, his eyes drifting from person to person. Some were more active than others, a few were trying to cheer up their friends.

It was good to know that there were a few who had not lost hope.

Suddenly, the sound of crying assaulted Klein's ear, and he turned to the side and noticed a fifteen-year-old boy huddled up against the wall crying.

Pity whelmed up inside the older man, and he knelt down next to the teen. "Hey there," Klein said kindly, a small smile across his face.

The teen was startled by the sudden sound, but the smile across a stranger's face seemed to comfort him.

"Are you afraid?" Klein asked kindly

"Y…yes….aren't you?"

"Well….yes, I am to be honest. I am afraid of dying, but I won't let myself become a victim. I have people who are counting on my to survive, and lead them. I can't let them down, and I can't let myself down."

"Do you think help will come?"

"I hope they do manage a way to get us out…but if what Kayaba says is true….well, I doubt they'll try something since they'll be to cautious to try something. So, the surest way to escape this place, this world, is the get to the top floor and beat it. "

"Do you think it's possible?"

"If we get enough people working together, I think we can do anything. And it is possible to survive out in the wilds. My friends and myself were out all day long, and we survived and leveled up. So can you, and everyone else in the game. If we all work together that is. "

The teen nodded and looked down, frowning slightly. "I…I think you're right."

Klein smiled at the other. "I'm Klein by the way, what's your name?"

"My in-game name is Jyth…thank you." Jyth replied wiping the rest of his tears from his eyes.

"I think I'll try going out there and fighting tomorrow. I have friends here who started this with me, We'll get out together."

Klein nodded with a smile, before he pushed himself up, Jyth joining him in standing. Giving a wave Klein turned from the boy and began to walk off. A moment later, Jyth came darting past him. Seems like he has something to do.

Giving a quick glance to the other's in the alleyway, their eyes were trailing him. They heard what he said, and they had to be thinking about what he said.

Good.

There was still much more to do, and many more people to help.

Klein continued walking throughout the streets, trying to helping people, and trying to give people hope of a better future. A future back in the real world. Though there were things that he saw that disheartened him.

There was a multitude of young children, too young to have been normally in the game. Too young to be trapped in a life or death game with little hope of escape.

Klein knew he could not help them. He was never that good with young kids.

As Klein continued his journey throughout the city, his attention came to a young women staring blankly into a deep well.

Klein made his way in her direction, and it did not take him long to arrive.

The women was wearing the standard gear that all new players were, and its shade of color was a dark blue. She had long brown hair and green eyes, covered by a pair of glasses.

"Hello there beautiful….might I ask why you're staring down into that well there?" Klein inquired with a small smirk across his lips.

The women jumped at the sound of Klein's voice and turned to face him. Her gaze was filled with fear and sadness.

"I…I'm sorry I didn't hear you there…" she began, before she quickly turned her attention back to the wall.

"M…my husband who joined the game with me jumped into the well claiming this was all a lie…that Kayaba couldn't actually kill us and told me to follow him…" she began as tears began to stream down from her eyes.

Klein grimaced at the women, before glancing at the well himself. "I don't think you should jump down that well…on the off chance that this is real and consequences are real…" his voice trailed off and he shook his head.

"I…I know…that's why I didn't follow. But how can I help? I'm afraid I'll die….I'm a school teacher not a solider, I taught kid for heaven's sake!" the women exclaimed loudly before continuing.

"I have a one year old daughter that I need to take care of to…but if I do die in this game, she'll be left alone…."

Klein felt anger rise up inside of him at the thought of this women's life being torn from her. Though Klein knew she had the ability to make a difference.

"You're right, you shouldn't fight to clear the game. You can't leave your daughter orphaned if this is a death game….but there is something you could do to help." Klein informed her kindly.

The women's eyes perked up as she looked at Klein. "What is it?"

"There are a lot of young kids huddled around the city, with no to help and guide them. Most of the people will focus on surviving and won't stop to help them…but you, you are a teacher. You could help them. Your role could be to help the kids trapped here leave with as little mental trauma as possible…"

Her eyes lit up with hope. "You're right…It's my duty to help them…."

Klein nodded with a smile, as he took a step back. "Go and help them. Someone has to."

Klein smiled as the woman began to run off, before she suddenly stopped and glanced at the man who had given her hope. "What's your name? My name is Sasha…and thanks. Thanks for giving me an actual purpose. A reason to survive."

Klein felt intense happiness that he had truly helped someone. "My name's Klein, I hope you don't mind me being to forward, but as I mentioned, before you are attractive…"

Sasha's cheeks tinted red slightly as she scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "I'm still holding onto the hope that my husband isn't actually dead, thank you very much!" Sasha's voice was filled with a slight amount of animosity as she turned away and left Klein standing alone.

Taking a deep breath, Klein turned his own back and proceeded towards the main plaza. The day was over.