Three weeks after the battle with the werewolf, Kirito's group had reached a town called Grasay.
"I can't believe we are only on the 20th floor," said Sinon as they sat in a tavern.
"It'll take years to reach the 300th floor at this rate," said Leafa.
"But we have to try," said Kirito.
"Yeah, but our levels are barely going up anymore, Kirito," said Asuna who was now at LV. 104.
"I know, the monsters that have been appearing are just too weak, we need a better way to increase our strength," said Kirito who had only gone up three levels since entering this world, making him LV. 105.
"Hey, if you want to get stronger all of you could enter the tournament going on today," said a man sitting at a nearby table.
"I heard that people don't die in this world by battle, but don't we lose all of our equipment?" asked Silica.
"You kids have done good if you haven't been killed yet, and you don't have to worry, all your equipment stays with you, if you check the game stats screen you'll notice that it has Inventory Lockdown switched on," said the waiter that was bringing bear to the men.
"Sounds like the best idea we have right now," said Kirito who had checked and found that the waiter was right. Later that day, at the coliseum in town.
"Today we have six teams who will be duking it out for the grand prize of one-million EXP Points!" said the lady announcer who was a fairy.
"That's a lot of points," said Klein.
"The winner will also get Merlin's Staff, one of the best magical items in the world," said the announcer, as some garuds brought out a gold staff with magical ruins carved into it that was in a glass case out from behind some curtains.
"Whoa," said Silica.
"Alright, if we're going to get any stronger and continue on our mission we have to win this tournament," said Kirito.
"Team Holly Flare," said Asuan as she put her right hand out.
"Team Holly Flare," said the rest of the members as they put their hands together.