former SAO players’ character data, but they also boldly proposed a way for it to exist alongside ALO. Of course, they were also trying to fight against the decrease in playerbase due to RECTO Progress’ human experiments by using an impactful upgrade. But that definitely wasn’t the only reason. The creators of the new company were all veteran MMO players who’d been playing since the 2D age and couldn’t bear the deletion of the intricately designed floating castle— That is what Asuna heard from Agil who had connections with someone from the company. With Aincrad’s resurrection, Asuna set a small goal in her heart and began to play the game as an Undine healer and rapier user. Her goal was obvious: To save enough Col, no, Yurudo, reach the 22nd floor before anyone else, and buy the small wooden house deep within the coniferous forest. A long time ago in another floating castle, for 2 short weeks in that exact place, she had formed a family and passed sweet, happy, peaceful days. Last May’s update opened the first 10 floors. September opened up the th to 20th floors. Then, on Christmas Eve— December 24th’s night, the door leading to the 21st floor opened. Asuna, with Kirito, Klein, Agil, Lisbeth, Silica and Lyfa, formed a 7 member party, and rushed up to the next floor as soon as the call celebrating the opening ended. The 22nd floor was a sparsely populated floor with nothing but forests, and there were plenty of residences in the village’s main street, so there’d probably be no competitors aiming for the same house. Even so, they rushed like a gale through the 21st floor’s wilderness and challenged the Boss found at the end of the dungeon along with the other parties. Klein later attested that Asuna, despite having spent half of her ability points on support, was even more imposing as she fought