Ep. 18: The Forest House: ALO Update and the Mystery of Absolute Sword
Kazuto and Asuna discuss their former Aincrad residence while Agil reveals the New Aincrad update covering floors 21 through 30. On Christmas Eve, the group defeats the 21st Floor Boss, reaches the 22nd Floor, and repurchases their old home. While doing homework, Lisbeth mentions Absolute Sword, an undefeated player on the 24th Floor island wielding an 11-hit Original Sword Skill. Asuna, unaware due to being offline during the New Year, learns of the threat. Leafa and Lisbeth are easily defeated, and Kirito also loses to the opponent. Asuna prepares to challenge Absolute Sword but notices it is past her dinnertime. Before logging out, she asks if the player is a Sword Art Online survivor. Lisbeth reveals Kirito believes it is impossible, noting that Dual Blades would have been assigned to the survivor instead.
Episodes
- Ep. 14 · Shino confronts her past while Kazuto introduces her to allies and a woman she saved.
- Ep. 15 · The group seeks the Holy Sword Excaliber in Jötunheimr but encounters a tragic massacre ordered by King Þrym.
- Ep. 16 · Yui explains the stakes at Thrymheim's entrance as the group faces minotaurs and Freyja.
- Ep. 17 · The group defeats Thrym with Freyja's help and retrieves Excaliber from Þrymheimr.
- Ep. 18 · The Forest House: ALO Update and the Mystery of Absolute Sword
- Ep. 19 · Asuna confronts her mother and duels Yuuki in Absolute Sword
- Ep. 20 · Yuuki and the Sleeping Knights seek Asuna's aid to defeat the next Floor Boss.
- Ep. 21 · Asuna joins the healers and Yuuki defeats the boss before an emotional logout
- Ep. 22 · Asuna learns Yuuki's terminal illness truth and meets her in ALO