The misfit team of Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki are met with a stunning panorama of crumbling ruins and mysterious catacombs after defeating another boss and entering the fifth floor's gates. However, this lovely journey doesn't last long. The fragile integrity of the frontline raiding group is under danger as hostilities between the Dragon's Knights Brigade and the Aincrad Liberation Squad—the two major guilds devoted to clearing Sword Art Online—continue to escalate. As a result of their hurried decision to take action, Kirito and Asuna managed to assemble a small group of allies for their perilous expedition. As a result of the near-tragic event that caused them to be forced apart on the first level, Asuna and Misumi "Mito" Tozawa must come to grips with their love.