Kawahara, Reki

"In the year 2022, some six thousand gamers excitedly explore the new Sword Art Online, which manipulates users' brain waves to create a wholly realistic gaming experience, but soon learn it lacks a log-out button and to escape they must conquer all one hundred floors--or die trying"--Library of Congress.

After escaping Sword Art Online, the forbidden VRMMORPG of death, Kirito returns to reality to find that his game partner and lover, Asuna Yuuki, has not returned and his only clue to her virtual whereabouts is a mysterious screenshot than leads him into the new VRMMORPG world of ALfheim Online.

"Linked up and logged into the deadly VMMORPG "Sword Art Online" in both the real and virtual worlds, Kirito is stuck in a hell of one man's making, and like everyone else, unable to escape until the game is beaten"--Provided by publisher.

"The party is shaken when their leader, Diavel, is struck down by the boss of the very first floor. Asuna and her teammates are confronted for the first time with the cruel reality of their situation ... Their commander lost, the remaining fighters begin to lose heart and plan their retreat. But the fight must go on if they are to escape this game world, and in his dying moments, Diavel managed to convey his appointment for the next commander--Kirito!"--Back cover.

"Liz, Silica, and Leafa, with their new friend Lux--having ruined their clothes in their previous adventure--go to see Ashley, a survivor of Sword Art Online and a legendary master tailor. The price for Ashley's skills is a high one, and in order to pay the tailor, the girls end up in a swimsuit contest! But naturally, this isn't just any swimsuit contest. Will Lux, Liz, Silica, and Leafa get away with their wardrobes and dignity intact?!"--Back cover.

"A year after Kazuto and Asuna escaped from Aincrad, the deadly setting of Sword Art Online, they're still coping with the aftermath as they try to recover from the harrowing experience. Meanwhile, there's a new VRMMO game sweeping theworld's gamers--Gun Gale Online. When a mysterious player who calls himself 'Death Gun' claims to be responsible for real-world deaths, Kazuto (aka Kirito) is recruited to enterthe game to investigate, bringing an end to his hard-won peace!"--Back cover.

Kirito and Leafa finally manage to fight their way to the town of Alne, at the foot of the World Tree, but before they can begin their ascent, server maintenance forces them to log out. In the real world, Kazuto and Suguha Kirigaya both visit Asuna Yuuki in the hospital, and although they are still unaware of each other's in-game identities, Suguha realizes just how much her brother cares for the unconscious girl. Meanwhile, in the game, Asuna puts an escape plan in motion.

In the year 2022, Sword Art Online is launched, a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role playing game that makes use of special gaming suits giving gamers a fully immersive experience. However, the game lacks a log-out button, forcing players to find a way to beat the game in order to get back to the real world.