After the showdown with Oberon, Kirito and Asuna vow to each other to reunite in the real world, then log out from ALO.
The moment he returns to the real world, Kazuto rushes to Asuna's hospital.
But Sugou awaits him at the entrance, his face twisted with hatred and pain.
Driven by vengeance, Sugou attacks Kazuto with the knife he's brandishing.
In danger of losing his life for the first time in reality, Kazuto helplessly crumbles before him...