Socially and academically outstanding, Asuna Yuuki is poised to excel in her high‑school entrance exams. Her classmate and friend Misumi "Mito" Tozawa suggests she pause her studies for a moment and join her on the launch day of Sword Art Online (SAO)—the eagerly awaited online virtual‑reality multiplayer game. Asuna agrees, and soon she meets Mito inside the game.
In a cruel twist of destiny, Asuna, Mito, and every other player logged into SAO become trapped in the game forever. The only escape is to conquer all one hundred floors, and even worse—dying in the game kills the player in real life. With SAO transformed into a deadly nightmare, Asuna and other players—such as the lone swordsman Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya—must adapt, survive, and strive to outshine the relentless competition. Her resolve, fueled by friendship and a desire to protect those she cares about, keeps her pushing through every challenge.
