[November 6, 2022 – 1:15 PM] [Kaizaki Residence – Hibiki's Room]

"LINK START!"

As I said those words, the light passing through my eyelids disappeared, the transmissions from my optic nerves was severed and my eyes were enveloped by a total darkness.

Immediately, a rainbow-colored light appeared and it gradually formed into a «NerveGear» logo, it's purpose was to confirm the connection to my visual cortex. A line of text appeared below the logo to confirm that the visual connection was OK.

Next, multiple types of sounds resonated, it's purpose was to confirm that the auditary nerve connection is working. A line of text appeared to confirm that the sound connection was OK.

I can feel the sensation of my weight and my bed slowly disappearing, confirming that my feeling of touch and gravity was similarly OK.

As the connection test continued with my various senses, the number of OK's indicated the succesful connection.

At last, the final OK appeared, and the next instant brought me falling through the darkness into the colors of a rainbow.

And after passing through this series of rings, a white screen emerged before me, accompanied by a familiar chime.

«Welcome to Sword Art Online»

I barely had time to take it in before the «Account Creation Interface» materialized. A virtual keyboard floated before me, prompting me to enter a «User ID» and «Password».

Fingers moving on instinct, I typed in my details.

Next was the IGN (In-Game Name). Without hesitation, I entered simply, "Hibiki".

I wasn't interested in making up some flashy alias. My real name was fine.

Now came the fun part—character customization.

SAO's avatar system allowed for a high level of detail. I could change my facial features, hairstyle, height, even body type. I spent a few minutes tweaking things until I was satisfied. Something cool, but not over-the-top.

Once everything was set, a final button appeared.

«Proceed»

I tapped it.

Then, I was again sent into a vortex of light and a new world slowly emerged.

«1:30 PM – Aincrad»

«1st Floor – Town of Beginnings»

The light surrounding me faded, revealing a bustling medieval town.

Massive stone-paved roads stretched out in every direction, lined with towering European-style buildings. Street lamps and vendor stalls filled the streets, while NPCs and players alike moved about.

And surrounding all of it—the vast blue sky of Aincrad.

"—WOOOOAAAAAHHHH!!!"

I couldn't hold back.

The sheer excitement, the unreal realism of it all, made me yell out in pure joy. Some nearby players turned at the sound of my voice, but instead of judging me, they just chuckled or smiled in understanding.

They felt it too.

This was virtual reality.

I lifted my arm, clenching and unclenching my fist. The movements felt so natural that I could barely believe this wasn't my real body.

A flash of green caught my eye. In the corner of my vision, a floating HP bar displayed my health above my name. Resting against my back was the basic «One-Handed Sword» that every new player received.

Without thinking, I reached for it.

—Shhhk!

The metal hissed as I unsheathed my blade.

Grinning, I swung it through the air. Left, right, up, down—each motion felt smooth and weightless, like the weapon was an extension of myself.

"This is insane!"

I heard that SAO doesn't have any magic-related stuffs, instead, an endless number of skills were added called «Sword Skills». I am so curious on how those things works so I can't hardly wait anymore to experience it all to myself.

I had the overwhelming urge to scream again, but I held it back this time.

Instead, I turned my attention north. My guild-mates are waiting.

Pushing through the crowded «Town of Beginnings», I made my way out of the main plaza.

My guildmates had told me to head north to a small settlement called «Crescend Village», where we had planned to meet.

As I ran, I was shocked by how light my body felt. No exhaustion, no shortness of breath— just pure movement. It felt as if I could run forever.

Ten minutes later, I arrived at my destination… or at least, where it was supposed to be.

Instead of a small, quiet village, I found myself standing at the entrance of a larger, busier town.

A sign near the gate read:

[Welcome to Celesia Town]

I frowned. What the hell?

Where's Crescend Village?

This wasn't right. My guildmates had described Crescend as a 'small, old-looking settlement'—perfect for a private guild base. But this place was 'way bigger' and filled with hundreds of NPCs and players.

Did they give me the wrong info?

I spotted a bulletin board near the entrance with a «Floor Map» displayed on it. I double-checked my location.

No mistake—I had gone in the right direction.

But... Crescend Village didn't exist anymore.

Had the developers changed its name and appearance before the official launch? If so, maybe Nine Star's Inn was still here.

Only one way to find out.

I stepped into «Celesia Town», determined to search.

«2:30 PM»

«Aincrad — 1st Floor»

«North Hunting Grounds»

An hour later, I gave up.

I had searched every corner of town, but there was no Nine Star's Inn. No meeting place. No guildmates.

I found myself standing at the northern exit, staring out at the open grassy plains.

"Great," I muttered, rubbing the back of my head.

"Okay... What to do..."

I slumped down against a large boulder by the road, trying to think.

Earlier, I had bragged that I could run all day in this world. But now? I was feeling the strain.

Not physically, but 'mentally'.

Even though my real body was lying motionless back in my room, the game still simulated «weariness».

As I rested, my eyes drifted toward the plains ahead.

That's when I noticed her.

A lone «player» stood motionless in the middle of the field, staring into the distance.

At first, I thought she might be lagging or disconnected. But after watching for nearly ten minutes, she still hadn't moved an inch.

Curious, I stood up and walked toward her.

As I got closer, I noticed two things:

First, she had chestnut-brown hair that fell to her mid-back. Second, her avatar was «default», except for her hairstyle.

She hadn't customized her appearance much.

"Hello?" I called out.

No response.

I tried again. "Hey, are you okay?"

Still nothing.

Now I was really curious.

Maybe she was an NPC? But no—above her head was a «green cursor», indicating she was a real «Player» just like me.

Intrusive thoughts won. I reached out and pinched her cheek.

"Kya!"

She jolted in surprise, quickly stepping back. Her expression shifted from shock to anger as she whirled around to face me.

"Finally, a reaction," I said triumphantly

Hearing that, her brows twitched.

This may be a virtual world but for some people, what I did just right now is exactly what they called, you know, 'sexual harrasment'. She grits her teeth and balled her right fist tightly...

...and before I could react, she slammed it right into my freaking face.

I flew ten meters back, skidding across the grass. What a unworldly strength.

"Ow—" I started, then paused.

"—Wait. That didn't hurt."

I touched my face, feeling nothing but the usual sensation. A chunk of my «HP Bar» had dropped, but there was no pain.

I grinned. "Awesome! No pain!"

The girl didn't look amused. Sword drawn, she stalked toward me, eyes burning with murderous intent. I had almost forgotten the 'very real threat' in front of me.

The girl was now slowly approaching, her furious expression darkening by the second.

"W-W-Wait! Wait! It's a misunderstanding!" I blurted, frantically waving my hands.

She didn't stop. Her movements were steady, controlled—like a predator closing in on its prey.

Then, to make matters worse, she suddenly drew the sword from her left side. A «One-Handed Sword», just like mine.

The tip of the blade pointed directly at my face.

"Explain," she ordered, her voice cold.

What's with this killing intent? I didn't do anything 'that' bad, did I?

"W-Wait! I was just trying to talk to you earlier!"

I stammered, taking a cautious step back.

"But you weren't responding at all! I thought maybe you were an NPC… or lagging! Or—o-or disconnected or something! I didn't mean anything weird by it, I swear!"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Really now?" Her tone was sharp, accusatory. "And was that 'sexual harassment' of yours really necessary?!"

She jabbed a finger at her left cheek—the one I had pinched, to make a point.

"HUH?! Sexual harassment?!" My voice nearly cracked. "It's not like I touched your 'real' body! This is just a virtual avatar! And more importantly, I 'barely' touched you! What's the big deal?!"

The moment the words left my mouth, her brows twitched.

Her grip on her sword tightened.

"What did you just say?"

Her «left foot pressed forward».

She raised her sword «high above her right shoulder», and suddenly—

A bright blue light engulfed the blade.

Oh crap. That's a Sword Skill, isn't it?!

"ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!!" I yelled, immediately dropping to my knees, hands raised in surrender.

Her glowing sword hovered just inches from my face. The attack hadn't been released yet, but the energy crackling around the blade sent a clear message.

For a long moment, she just stared me down, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, the glow began to fade.

She lowered the sword, but her glare remained sharp.

I let out a silent breath of relief. Crisis averted.

But the fact remains—that she just used a «Sword Skill»...

...That meant she knew how the combat system worked!

And since I still had no idea where my guildmates were, she might be my best chance at learning the basics.

Clearing my throat, I cautiously looked up at her.

"Hey..."

Her eyes narrowed again. "What?"

"The move you just did... that was a Sword Skill, right?"

"Yeah. What of it?" She still sounded irritated.

I hesitated for half a second before deciding to go for it.

"Can you teach me?"

Her frown deepened. "Huh? And why should I do that?"

I clasped my hands together. "Pretty please!?"

At this point, I was literally begging. That alone should tell how desperate I was to experience Sword Skills for myself.

She let out an exasperated sigh.

"There were actually people who were 'supposed' to teach me all this," I admitted, scratching my cheek. "My friends. They're playing SAO right now, and we had planned to meet up at a specific town..."

She lowered her sword, as I explained my situation.

"But when I got there, the place was completely different from what they described. I searched for an hour, and I still couldn't find them! I can't afford to waste more time, and you look like you already have some experience with Sword Skills, so—please! Help me out!"

For a few seconds, she just stared at me.

Then, with a long sigh, she finally sheathed her sword.

"It's not that I don't want to teach you," she admitted, placing a hand on her hip. "It's just... I barely know anything myself."

I blinked. "Wait, what? But that move you did just now—"

"Yeah, that was a Sword Skill," she acknowledged. "But I didn't 'learn' it properly. I just mimicked what I saw from other players doing earlier... out of anger."

I groaned. "Ugh. So this was a mission failed after all."

She tapped a finger against her chin.

"Wait. I did hear something about a 'tutorial book' for Sword Skills in the Player Menu. I just haven't checked it myself yet."

"A tutorial book?"

She nodded.

Feeling like an absolute idiot, I raised my right hand and swiped down.

A «ringing sound» accompanied the appearance of a glowing «white menu window».

I tapped the «Shop» button and browsed through the available items.

And there it was—

«Sword Skill Handbook – Price: FREE»

I tapped «Buy», and instantly, a small «handbook» materialized in my hand.

Opening it, I found basic tutorials on using Sword Skills.

I massaged my forehead. "I feel so dumb right now. I didn't even know this thing existed."

She nodded slightly. "So that's it. You don't need someone to teach you. You can just learn on your own."

I sighed, closing the book.

"Yeah. Sorry for bothering you. And, uh... about earlier..."

She shifted awkwardly.

"W-Well, me too. You just startled me, that's all. I really hate being surprised."

That explains a lot. So she's the kind of person who punches anyone just by surprising her. Scary girl.

Then, a thought crossed my mind. I didn't even know her name yet.

"By the way," I asked, tilting my head. "Can I ask for your name?"

She hesitated. For a moment, I thought she wouldn't answer.

But then, finally—

"Asuna."