Episode Title:
The Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Episode Description:
Kirito joins a guild named the Moonlit Black Cats, but keeps his character level a secret, as it is much higher than the other guild members. Sachi, a member of the guild, admits to Kirito that she is afraid of dying, but Kirito reassures her. As Keita, the guild's leader, leaves to buy a house for the guild, Kirito and the other guild members go to the 27th Floor, where they find and open a treasure chest. However, this triggers a trap, summoning an army of monsters to surround Kirito and the guild. Kirito watches helplessly as the entire guild, including Sachi, are killed by the monsters, leaving him as the only survivor. Keita commits suicide after learning of his guild's death and Kirito's higher level. Afterwards, Kirito travels to the 35th Floor, where he defeats a secret boss named Nicholas the Renegade, to obtain an item capable of reviving a dead player. However, Kirito gives the item to Klein instead after learning the item is only effective within ten seconds of a player's death. Later that night, Kirito receives a pre-recorded message from Sachi, telling him to not blame himself and to keep living strong.
