Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online or any of its characters. All art is official to the series (If I use fanart without thinking, don't hesitate to tell me and I'll correct it. Art for Elucidator and Dark Repulser are from their respective Wikipedia pages.
For the sake of my story, I had to retcon a few things. For one, Heathcliff is a lot more cunning than he canonically is. I tried to at least give him his cryptic vibe. The next thing is Eiji, or his SAO name, Nautilus, from Ordinal Scale. This fanfiction will spoil some plot elements of OS and the original Aincrad arc, but if you read that then you're home free. The rest of the retcons are, Yuna dies much later in the game, around Floor 68-71, which causes Nautilus to seek strength as to never relive those horrifying moments again and joins the KoB after much training and leveling hard. In the end though, his disorder still weighs him down, and he can only truly fight when he's not afraid. Basically Nautilus has a lot more willpower than in canon. Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this.
Prologue-Floor 75
Three Months Ago
"I never thought I'd see the day."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
I responded grimly to the man, no, the monster who stood before me. Mere moments ago, I was able to prove that Commander Heathcliff was indeed Akihiko Kayaba. Much to the horror of the exhausted 'Clearers', our greatest ally was in fact our very captor himself. After fighting the strongest boss so far, it was extremely demoralizing for everyone that my suspicions were correct.
In return to my question, a wry grin formed on his face. I knew that facial expressions in SAO were exaggerated to a fair degree, yet somehow this grin looked as natural as the detailed blades of grass on floor fifty-six.
Only a monster could smile like that while knowing of the blood which stained his hands.
"You see, Kirito, I have been waiting for someone to truly recognize the identity of the Paladin who they served without questioned. I am finally free."
The words echoed throughout the chamber, though I did not understand them.
Did he really have the audacity to say that he was, 'finally free' after all of the time us players spent trapped in this game?
"How dare you Kayaba!" I yelled from the depths of my being. "After all you've put us through, you're finally free?"
Kayaba then opened up what seemed to be a command menu. His fingers typed briefly but fast before confirming whatever it was.
All of a sudden, all of my fellow players collapsed onto the hard barren floor, including the one most dearest to me.
"Kirito… it's paralysis." Asuna, the girl who my whole world now revolved around, said faintly.
"Let everyone go, Kayaba. I'm the one you want. Besides you, I have the highest level out of the remaining six-thousand players. If you wanted to disrupt the progression of the Assault Team, then killing me would be your best option."
He paused for a moment, obviously thinking about something. All I knew was that these next few words would have extreme consequences on the outcome of this game.
"Alright Kirito, I'll cut you a deal. Listen to me very carefully. If you somehow manage to fully deplete my HP and kill me in a fair fight, then everyone will go free. However, in the likely condition that you do lose, the rules of the game remain the same. Everyone will continue on, but you, Kirito, will die."
Deaf to Asuna's vain cries, I accepted the dual invitation, and readied my body, which was still feeling fatigue from the boss battle.
This was a battle I was gonna win. No matter the cost.
Kayaba raced toward me. Though speed was something he could not beat me with, his impenetrable defense coupled with the ability to freely switch to offense was the very definition of the unique skill 'Divine Blade'.
With all my might (and with my own unique skill, Dual Blades), I tried to burst through that unbreakable defense. My two blades, Elucidator and Dark Repulser, continuously slashed at the unbreakable shield.
The one I once knew as Commander Heathcliff sat back while I went to work on his shield. After spotting the look in his eyes, I knew he was planning something. Coming to the conclusion that there was nothing I could do, I focused on the shield once more.
Whoosh!
The shield swung at me so fluently as if it had a soul of its own. Thankfully, my reaction was on point, for the shield barely missed a collision with my body as I leapt and flew backwards across the open room.
Using this split-second opening in Kayaba's defense, I charged at him with both my swords.
The blades cut with surprisingly little resistance through Kayaba's skin. His health was now in the red and further depleting when something happened. Kayaba was now moving his index and middle finger in two different patterns.
I looked up to the top-left of my screen to find out that I, like the other players here, was suffering from paralysis. On top of that, Kayaba's health had also replenished to the max. It seemed to be that those patterns drawn out by his fingers were much like hotkeys.
He assigned system commands to paralyze and regain health all to a few strokes of his finger. That way he wouldn't have to time in the battle to bring up the menu.
"Cheating bastard! You broke our agreement!"
I watched as Kayaba pulled my blades from his body and through me to the ground.
It felt as if a truck weighed down my body due to exhaustion and I knew going on was no longer an option. Yet, despite that fact, I struggled on to beat the system that had claimed many souls. I didn't get very far up when Kayaba slashed my chest. HP near gone and willpower depleted, I decided to reach out one last time to my true love.
"A...su..na." I managed to get out though choked by fresh tears.
"Any last words, Kirito?" Kayaba asked smugly.
There were many things I could say to this monster, yet I let my heart decide for me.
"Kayaba… please... make it where Asuna can't harm herself. At least… for a little while." Tears now flooded down both mine and Asuna's face. "No, stop it!Kirito that's not fair! Kirito!"
"Very well." Kayaba agreed while typing in a system command. "Asuna is now free from damage for the next week."
I looked one last time to Asuna.
"Promise me Asuna. Promise me that you will beat this game. For me, Yui… and everyone in this game. Promise me Asuna."
The woman I loved nodded before saying, "I promise… Kirito."
That was all I needed to know to die happy. Asuna's beauty is the last sight I will see, and I am more content with that fate.
Present Day-Floor 76
It has been three whole months since that day. November seventh, the day Asuna knew in her heart should have been cleared. Heathcliff, or Kayaba Akihiko, had cheated in his duel with Kirito. Then, after killing Kirito, used another command to teleport somewhere far away.
The mental scars remained, however, for the dying words of Kirito were all she focused on now. Like her former self, she became obsessed with beating this game.
As Commander of Knights of the Blood Oath, it was her job to steer the assault team in the right direction without its two most powerful players.
Her first major change was the creation of the buddy system.
Asuna placed harsh leveling quotas on her guildmates, and understanding their complaints, formed the buddy system. Every guild member had a partner to level up and watch each others backs, which would kill two birds with one stone. This of course meant Asuna had a partner as well.
Though she could not imagine having anyone other than Kirito at her back, public opinion was already low enough with Asuna deciding to take the more conservative route such as taking more time to rebuild the Assault Team, so she may even cause a revolt for not following her own commands.
Out of haste, she chose the young player Nautilus as her partner. Nautilus definitely had potential, but was held back by his Full-Dive Non-Conformity. An issue where the Nervegear had trouble intercepting signals from his brain, causing him to have trouble moving when he was afraid, or so the Commander had told her.
Today was the final day of leveling before the long-awaited boss fight at the labyrinth.
The hardened Asuna was walking toward the barracks, where Nautilus currently resided.
Knock! Knock!
"Commander Asuna reporting!" She yelled.
A man looking around the age of thirty opened the door.
"Greetings Commander. May I talk with you about a matter of great concern?" The stout middle-aged man asked.
"Alright, but make it quick."
The man began,
"You see, Nautilus' condition has seemingly gotten worse."
Asuna let out a brief sigh. Nautilus was by no means a weak player, but his unwillingness to tackle high-level bosses would eventually kill someone.
"What is your name, sir?" Asuna asked the worried man.
"Recruit Zat. That is my name and title."
The girl who now controlled the outcome of this death game thought carefully about what to do about this issue. She could always excuse Nautilus permanently from the guild, or she could try to to get it through his head that fear is unnecessary. Yet Asuna herself was deathly afraid as well.
Asuna and Nautilus decided on the East Fields of floor seventy-one. This location would be challenging, yet not too terrifying for Nautilus.
In three hours, the two had leveled up only once, and Nautilus was still under the bare-minimum needed to join the boss raid. Unfortunately, Asuna had to do something about Nautilus before he harmed himself and could always use him as a backup, but the kid could barely fight mobs much less a boss. Knowing there was only one option left, with at least a hint of raw emotion, Asuna said,
"Nautilus, can we speak for a moment?"
The young boy perked up at the question. Asuna could tell from his expression that he knew. He knew that this was the end of his career as a as a Knight of the Blood Oath. He knew that his part in the Assault Team would be passed on to another more fitting of the position.
"Yes, Commander?" He asked nervously.
The words that threatened to leave the cherry-red lips of Asuna made her hesitate.
He's a player. Just like me. Is it right to decide his fate? He will surely die without the guild to rely on. He might even commit….
Asuna could not finish that thought, for it was too dark to bear.
Breaking the stiff silence, Nautilus spoke first.
"I already know I'm useless." He spoke. "I know that I'm no use to the Assault Team, okay?"
The pain in his voice was evident to the hesitating Asuna.
"Nautilus, you don't understand. This is not something I want to do, but the priority of keeping my guildmates safe is second only to getting out of the game."
The level of the boy before her was one-hundred-eight. Asuna's strict rules required everyone in the Assault Team to be at least level one-hundred-ten, so she was hoping she would be able to raise Nautilus to where he needed to be. Unfortunately, an entirely different outcome had occured. She was now planning to excuse Nautilus...permanently. Finally confirming the heartless decision in her head, she final spoke what needed to be said.
"You already know what to do." Asuna said coldly, trying to act like she didn't care. Nautilus, whose head hung low beneath his shoulders, said nothing more as he opened his equipment window. He put all brown leather clothes on. The boy who had just lost everything gave up even more, and resigned from his old life as he gave up the white and red uniform to Asuna.
Asuna had planned on grinding monsters until Nautilus reached the level requirement, but when she saw the lack of confidence he possessed as she confronted him, her mind made itself up.
"You may collect your belongings, but then you must leave." Asuna firmly told him.
Realizing that she walked out here for nothing, Asuna started toward the teleport gate in the city.
It was then that she heard Nautilus. Only this time, his voice was much more grim threatening. The boy she knew was no longer evident in his tone of speech.
"One day. One day you will regret this."
Asuna mustered up all of her willpower to ignore these taunts.
"Get back here!" He said while Asuna continued to walk away and ignore him. "You all think your so high and might, yet you choose who to save."
Asuna swore she saw a single tear run down his left cheek, like he was remembering something, or someone. Indeed, Nautilus had lost someone dear as well.
"You're hero, Kirito, couldn't even get us out of this game. Because of him more people will die! He's a murderer!"
Unable to control herself any longer, the slender hand unsheathed her rapier, and living to her name, dashed like lightning to her target.
The sword just barely grazed the skin of his cheek. Asuna had to restrain herself, or else she would give in to her urges and kill Nautilus.
"If you ever talk about me or K-" She had to stop herself. Since that day, his name has not left her mouth. "If you ever talk about me or him, I won't hesitate to end your life." Asuna's very presence was like paralysis to him. His condition made it impossible to move while he was afraid, and afraid he certainty was.
Asuna let him go before warning him to run and never look back
It was about nine o'clock PM in the floating fortress of Aincrad. Asuna had decided to attend a local celebration on the seventy-sixth floor in the town of Arc Sophia. She wore a 'Cloth Hood' to partially disguise herself. People would eventually find out her true identity if they stared at her for too long and saw her nametag, and chaos would ensue due to her controversiality as a leader. Asuna had deprived herself of "fun" since he died, and she didn't have any intention on changing that fact.
When she finally arrived at the tavern, the party had started. The town was celebrating the Assault Team's return to fighting bosses again. If anyone questioned her excitement, Asuna would respond with, "We do what we have to." Inside, though, she was bursting at the seams, for new progress was about to be made in the war against the death game Sword Art Online. The only reason Asuna trained up the Assault Team first was because of her newfound sense of caution. If the Clearers suffered heavy casualties like they did on floor seventy-five, then the end of the game would be out of reach.
It was at that moment, a hand grabbed Asuna's shoulder.
"Ah!" She shrieked, though the light BGM combined with the cheers of joy drowned out her cries.
"Shhh! It's me, Klein!"
Asuna turned and stood face-to-face with Kirito's old friend. "Fuurinkazan Leader Klein, what are you doing here?" She asked in a condescending tone.
"Calm down, Asuna. We're not at headquarters, you don't have to use honorifics." Klein said in an abnormally depressed tone.
"Come on. You'll stir up trouble in a crowded place like thi-"
"Maybe trouble needs to be stirred up." Asuna interrupted rudely. "After that, people might wake their asses up and realize that there is nothing to truly celebrate until we beat this game!"
It was then that Klein realized just how much damage the loss of Kirito had done to her. Even when Asuna was just the cynical sub-leader, she at least showed visible signs of emotion. Now, all traces of said emotion were gone.
After realizing that talking casually to Asuna would not end well, Klein started to head inside the tavern to join the party. Before he left, though, he said one last thing.
"You cut Nautilus from the Assault Team, didn't you?"
Asuna nodded while maintaining that despair-ridden look. "It was for his safety as well as the guilds'. I will not apologize for making a good call." She knew deep in her cold heart that Nautilus would die, so at least one part of her statement was a lie.
"You might regret that call after you see his new numbers." Klein said in a serious manner before walking into the tavern.
Asuna cared little for the boy Nautilus after he provoked her earlier today, but his last words still echoed in Asuna's mind needed as many able hands as possible.
She burst through the tavern's doors and yelled, "Klein!" All gazes fell upon her as the room went silent with only the BGM music remaining.
"Hey! It's Commander Asuna!" One man shouted. "You may have the right to push us around at headquarters, but you have authority here!" Another party-goer from the large crowd screamed.
At this point, Asuna was fed up with the harrassment from the very people she promised to protect.
Klein had somehow disappeared within the mass of people, but he was no longer Asuna's main concern.
"Are you all in denial?" Asuna asked the crowd in a booming voice. " Or do you just want to accept that we're trapped and make it normal?"
Asuna had always tried her best to stay composed; meaning not many had seen her snap like this. A some of the crowds' faces gained a troubled look, while other became angry. There was one man in particular though who Asuna was curious about. The stranger was tall and muscular, which made it easy to separate him from the crowd. The black beard hovering about four inches below his chin made it reasonable to assume that this man was much older than Asuna. He started walking toward her, and she thought, Damnit. Just one more grudge against me.
"Commander Asuna, pleasure to meet you. You may not know me personally, but I have attended many team meetings over the past few floors as part of the Guilty Wanderer's." The stout man said with a surprising amount of respect in his voice.
Asuna knew of this guild, for they had contributed greatly to the 'Clearers'. Though they were a small guild, numbering in just five members, they worked unbelievably well together and could do some damage.
"Yes. I remember the legendary feat your guild accomplished on floor seventy-two." Asuna replied, to which the man chuckled.
"Yeah! You mean the one where two of us jumped up with shields to block the 'Goo King's' attacks, then let go of the shield when the boss tried to slime them, and successfully cut off its arm. All the while, us remaining three on the ground rained many sword skills upon the monsters' body!" The man said, obviously admiring his own stunts.
The crowd continued to murmur before someone said, "Get out of 'ere!"
Asuna knew that was directed at her, but before she could respond to this disrespectful fool, the man who Asuna had previously talking to shouted back first.
"This is your Commander! At least talk to her with respect!"
What? He's taking up for... me?
Asuna couldn't believe what she was hearing. In all this time she had been commander, there had multiple arguments over her decisions as a leader, but she was not prepared to hear it from someone like this.
"If you don't agree with her tactics, that's fine, but she's trying her best to get us out of this death game." The man finished speaking, the turned to Asuna. "You should probably going. I'm sorry things ended like this."
In response Asuna just stuck her hand up motioning for him to stop apologizing.
"Klein, I'll be outside. You have ten minutes to meet me there or so help me-" She was interrupted by the groans of Klein wherever he was.
"Alright, alright." Klein said as he pushed his way through the disorganized mob of people.
Asuna looked back one more time, and saw that some still held anger for her on their faces. Deciding to step away from the negativity, she stepped out of the tavern and onto the bustled streets of Arc Sophia.
After a few minutes of waiting, Klein finally came out to meet with her.
"Heya Asuna." Klein said in an almost depressed tone. Asuna only offered him a deathly cold gaze in return.
"Geez, you really need to lighten up more. Klein said, unaware of the grave mistake he had just committed.
"Shut up Klein!" She said furiously. "If you hadn't have just ignored me, none of that would've happened. Just- just tell what you were going to about Nautilus.
Klein heaved a heavy sigh, for he didn't like the way Asuna had changed. Even though he didn't know Asuna the best, his good friend Kirito did, and he knew that this was not the girl the 'Black Swordsman' married.
"Listen, Nautilus is a high enough level to attend the boss raid tomorrow. He's at level one-hundred-fifteen or higher."
Asuna gasped. She was level one-hundred-thirty-one. Nautilus was but sixteen levels behind her.
"How... did he do that? You know of his issue, right?" Asuna asked, to which Klein answered, "Yeah, you mean his Full-Dive Non-Conformity? I know about that. But here's the thing, his condition only kicks in when he is afraid."
Meaning that he's not afraid anymore, Asuna thought to herself.
"Thanks for the info Fuurinkazan Leader Klein, but I've got to go now. Get some rest for the boss tomorrow." Asuna stumbled off into the streets, for she was in fact heading to the KoB's base on the fifty-fifth floor to see if Nautilus had already taken his belongings.
When she had arrived at the barracks, Asuna found nothing belonging to Nautilus. It appeared as if he had already left. As to not disturb the recruits who were sleeping, she walked back outside.
While Asuna was having her minute of downtime, a familiar voice rang out.
"Asuna..."
She looked up to find a man dressed in all black, with a sword grasped in each hand.
"K-Kirito." Asuna whispered softly to her lover.
The Kirito before her was translucent and fading. It would only be a few seconds now until he had fully disappeared.
"Kirito... please... don't leave me."
The Next Morning
Bom! Bom! Bom!
Asuna was awoken by a loud noise. Not by the alarm clock she had set for six A.M., but by a knock at the door. Last night, she had stayed at an inn, and regretfully sent her guildmates a message containing her location if they needed here for whatsoever reason.
While she opened up her menu to put her uniform on, Asuna called out to whoever was behind the door.
"Who's there?" She asked.
"It's Recruit Zat, Commander!" The man shouted.
After she got fully ready, Asuna opened the door. Recruit Zat's slender frame stood there in the hallway. He was panting like he had ran here fast.
"What is it Recruit?" She asked in her signature tone.
"Nautilus is outside requesting a duel from you! He's somehow at level one-hundred-nineteen!" Recruit Zat said worriedly.
"Calm down, I'm coming."
When she reached the door to exit the inn, Asuna thought about what might happen.
I know he can't beat me, and so should he. Yet, despite that fact, he still wants to duel?
As Asuna stepped outside, she was able to confirm that Nautilus was indeed there.
He donned leather clothes. In one hand, he firmly grasped a sword, while in the other, an iron shield.
His face wore a threatening sneer as he looked at Asuna.
"What are you doing here, Nautilus?" She asked, to which he responded, "First of all, I'm here to apologize."
The onlookers, as well, as Asuna, were in disbelief.
Apologize? Asuna wondered.
"I'm sorry for the way I mocked Kirito yesterday. It was rude and uncalled for. But the fact still stands. Commander Asuna, you are a horrendous leader."
The onlookers, who were shocked, now gasped almost simultaneously. An awkward silence was broken by murmurs and whispers. The whispers were in fact about Asuna, and her effectiveness as leader of the Assault Team and Knight's of the Blood Oath.
"What gives you the right to judge me?" Asuna asked as she somehow got even more enraged than before.
To everyone's surprise, Nautilus had an answer to even that.
"I, too, have lost someone dear to my heart, but unlike you, I let my tragedy change me for the better. Every day I pushed myself to the limit. One might even say that I surpassed it." Nautilus was correct on one thing. He did lose somebody close to him. Her name was Yuna. Her and Nautilus logged into SAO together. Unfortunately, sweet Yuna was killed in a dungeon accident. Nautilus could have saved her, but his fear and Full-Dive Non-Conformity prevented his legs from moving.
What pissed Asuna off the most at the moment was the fact that Nautilus truly believed that he had the moral high ground.
"So it is that I ask you, Asuna, do you accept a duel between us?"
A duel menu appeared before Asuna.
'Duel'
'YES' 'NO'
As to not look weak in public, Asuna hit yes, and selected First Hit for the rules.
There's no way he can beat me at a First Hit duel with my speed, Asuna told herself reassuringly.
The timer ticked down for what seemed like a eternity. Three... two...one.
The two opponents dashed at each other with unbelievable speed.
Asuna rained a flurry of quick light jabs onto the iron shield. Nautilus had a plan, however. If he could get Asuna to put all her weight into a sword skill, then focus on his shield, he would be able to let go of the shield and Asuna would fall to the ground. After he plunged his sword into her, he would end this battle with a victory.
It was at that moment, Nautilus saw it. The tip of Asuna's rapier turned to a flaming blue color, meaning she was about to use a sword skill. Unfortunately for Nautilus, Asuna did not put all of her weight into the skill, so when the shield went flying, Asuna did not go with it. Instead, she was able to slowly turn the skill to Nautilus. The raw strength of the rapier skill, 'Shooting Star', was enough to break through Nautilus' last line of defense, which was his sword. He simply could not block Asuna's rapier from reaching his body. When Asuna finally landed a clean hit, the duel ended.
"Sorry, but you're wrong. You clearly don't understand that we're in a war. A war against this floating castle. Caution will only lead us to victory in the end." Asuna told the boiling Nautilus.
"In the end you'll see, Asuna." Nautilus spoke in a disappointed yet foreshadowing tone. Then, the troubled boy headed to the nearest teleport gate, admitting defeat for today.
Later that Day
"Alright, from the info we gathered, a boss called 'Ghastly Gaze' awaits behind these doors. Only through bravery and strength will we persevere. Watch your partners back, and they will watch yours. Let's go!" Asuna's speech rallied the Assault Team. Everyone roared a massive "Ah!" as they rushed into the boss room.
An unknown light source illuminated the dimly lit room. In the middle of said room was a giant eyeball-like creature. A rot like substance surrounded the eye, making it's appearance all the more disturbing.
The twenty-three members of the Assault Team all surrounded the beast, while Asuna and Klein distracted it, the base of the monster was facing great damage due to the many sword skills now puncturing it's body. It's three-bar health had now quickly been reduced to two bars.
Asuna had chosen Klein as her partner on this raid, so after she stunned the boss, she ordered Klein.
"Gotcha!" Klein yelled back as he bolted toward the boss. His skill of choice was 'Washu', a nine hit katana skill. This, combined with the attacks from down below, lowered the boss' health to just one bar.
Guess Nautilus was right. I was too cautious. We're making short work of this thing.
Just as Asuna thought this, something happened with the boss. Attacks were doing far less damage than they previously were. Looking up at the boss, Asuna noticed a permanent defense boost and attack boost.
"Move! Move! It's going to-" But before she could finish, the 'Ghastly Gaze' spun around and knocked the twenty-three players at it's base and Klein to the ground, depleting half of all their health.
"Commander Asuna!" A voice shouted for her attention. The owner of the voice was in fact the man who stood up for Asuna at the tavern. "Commander Asuna, my guild asks for permission to take the lead here."
Asuna hesitated on giving up her lead temporarily before realizing that there was no other option.
"Permission granted. I'll distract it while you guys deal some damage." Asuna ran while shouting to grab the Ghastly Glare's attention. Meanwhile, the Guilty Wanderer's got ready to attack. They surrounded the boss at different angles. The man who asked permission jumped up first and used an sword skill called 'Rage Spike', followed by the others, but even after that, the beast still had a sliver of health left. Taking the lead once more, Asuna jumped up and used 'Star Splash' just as hard as she could.
The boss' health depleted slowly as Asuna used the eight hit skill. When there was but one hit remaining in the skill, the beast's health bar reached zero, and it shattered into a thousand pieces. As a reward for her work, the 'Last Attack Bonus' was granted to her. The bonus was a pair of 'Duel Gloves'.
"Get ready and head to the next floor." Asuna told the injured Assault Team. Then, Commander Asuna headed to activate the teleport gate at floor seventy-seven."
Author's Note: Edit after posting second chapter: Sorry I didn't get the rest of this chapter out on Sunday. It is currently 12:15 A.M. on the 16th of July when I'm writing this, but at least you get something for tomorrow! Anyway, be ready for an even better chapter next Sunday. I plan on releasing the whole chapter at once from here on out. Thanks for reading
Now the rest of this Author's note is from when I wrote the first half of the chapter: I'm thesmallpebble, and thank you for reading SAO: Surpassing the Limit! This is my first official fanfiction...wow. I wanted to get some thoughts on my work before I continued, and I also just couldn't wait any longer because I was so eager. Now, please leave constructive criticism in the reviews. I don't care if you thought it was the worst thing in the world, as long as it's constructive. Hopefully I will be able to set a release schedule soon. Oh, and check out Saint Infernal Neos. Saint's help encouraged me to post this. His stories are pretty good, too. Never thought I'd truly want to read something called, "SAO: The Eroge" but I do. Thanks for reading and a tip o' the hat!