Since the launch of the revolutionary NerveGear, players worldwide have been able to immerse themselves fully in virtual reality. Among the console's most popular titles is Sword Art Online (SAO), which transports users to the sprawling, medieval world of Aincrad, where they can explore limitless possibilities limited only by imagination. With the game's global release, virtual reality gaming has never felt so real.
But this perfect fantasy swiftly turns into a harrowing nightmare when SAO's creator traps thousands of players inside the game. The logout function has been disabled, and the only way to escape is to clear all one hundred increasingly treacherous floors of Aincrad. Worse still, any death inside the game results in real-world death.
Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya, a former beta-tester, soon discovers that even with his prior knowledge, he cannot conquer SAO on his own. Partnering with Asuna Yuuki and other skilled players, he strives to overcome the seemingly impossible challenges ahead. However, between formidable bosses and sinister dark cults blocking their path, Kirito learns that these tasks are far easier said than done.