It has been a year since the death game began, and despite the initial shock and despair, many players have started to adapt to their new reality. Although the loss of their former lives and freedom is a heavy burden to bear, those who have managed to survive have developed a resilience and strength of character that has enabled them to continue on.
As time has passed, many players have come to accept their situation and have even started to see SAO as their new reality. For them, the game has become their new home, and they have formed deep connections with other players as they fight together to survive.
While the threat of death still looms over them, they have found meaning and purpose within the game world, and have learned to cherish the moments of joy and camaraderie that they share with their fellow players.
For the first anniversary of the SAO game launch, the main hub of the game, the Town of Beginnings, was decorated with elaborate and festive decorations. The streets were lined with colorful banners and lanterns and colorful lights were hung in the buildings, casting a warm and inviting glow over the area.
In the center of the town, there was a large stage set up, where various performers and musicians entertained the crowds with music, dance, and other acts.
The shops and storefronts in the town were also decorated for the occasion, with many of them offering special anniversary-themed merchandise and items. The restaurants and cafes in the area served festive foods and drinks, including special cakes and desserts made in honor of the occasion.
As players explored the town, they could participate in various events and games such as treasure hunts and other competitions. Many of these activities offered unique prizes and rewards, making the anniversary celebration a great opportunity for players to enhance their gameplay experience.
Overall, the decorations inside SAO for the first anniversary of the game launch were colorful, festive, and inviting, creating a joyful and celebratory atmosphere for players to enjoy.
.....
Rifat and his four girlfriends namely Asuna, Suguha, Asada Shino, Tozawa Misumi also decided to go to the Town of Beginning to celebrate their survival of one year in the deadly SAO game.
As they were spending time together, they came across an unusual NPC who offered them a special quest tailored specifically for them.
Intrigued by the prospect of a unique challenge and a mysterious reward, they agreed to take on the quest, as they had no other pressing things to do anyway.
The quest took them through five floors, each themed after one of the five elements: fire, water, earth, air, and spirit. Each floor presented a unique challenge that required them to overcome obstacles and defeat powerful bosses.
On the fire floor, they faced a ferocious dragon that spewed flames at them. With quick thinking and teamwork, they managed to slay the beast.
The water floor presented its own sets of challenges, as they navigated through a treacherous underwater maze and battled against ferocious sea creatures.
The earth floor tested their strength and endurance, as they fought their way through hordes of vicious monsters that attacked them from all sides.
The air floor required them to soar through the sky, dodging treacherous obstacles and battling against fierce flying creatures.
Finally, they reached the Spirit floor, where they faced the most challenging boss of all. This boss had the power to manipulate reality and bend the rules of the game itself. They had to use all of their skills and knowledge of the game to defeat this formidable opponent.
Throughout the quest, Rifat and his companions displayed remarkable teamwork and skill, each contributing their unique abilities to overcome the challenges they faced.
As they conquered each floor and emerged victorious against the challenging bosses, Rifat and his companions' bonds grew stronger. Prior to this quest, there might have been some ill will or competition between Rifat's girlfriends, but as they faced life and death situations together, they learned to rely on and trust each other completely.
Any doubts or misunderstandings they may have had were gone, replaced with a deep sense of respect and admiration for each other's skills and strengths. The challenges they faced together had solidified their bond, transforming them into a formidable team that could take on any obstacle.
As they completed the quest, they were rewarded with powerful weapons and rare items that would aid them in future battles. But the greatest reward was the knowledge that they had faced the toughest challenges and emerged victorious. The Trial of the Five Elements was an unforgettable adventure that had tested their skills, challenged their limits, and brought them closer together.
.....
As Rifat and his girlfriends celebrated their victory from the unique quest, Heathcliff was busy fulfilling his promise to the mysterious black-cloaked figure. He had chosen this particular day for two reasons.
Firstly, with everyone in a festive mood, it would be easier for him to prey on a weaker player from 'Dawn.' Secondly, since many players were busy accepting special quests, if one player went missing, it was less likely to raise suspicion or prompt an investigation, with other players assuming that they had perished while completing a special quest.
Heathcliff's actions stood in stark contrast to the celebratory atmosphere of the SAO first-anniversary event. While Rifat and his companions were enjoying a hard-won victory and strengthening their bonds, Heathcliff was committing a heinous act that would have dire consequences for the unsuspecting player he had targeted
Heathcliff congratulated his subordinate, who had just killed some members of the 'DAWN' guild and was holding a camera to record everything. "Great job. Now stay hidden until your orange bar turns green again," he instructed.
Once Heathcliff had sent away his subordinate, he reached out to the person in the black cloak and presented him with the video as proof that he had completed his promise.
The black-cloaked individual reviewed the footage and verified that the person who had died was indeed a member of 'DAWN.' Satisfied with the evidence, the black-cloaked figure removed his hood and expressed his trust in Heathcliff, stating that they could now rely on him fully.
"Let me introduce myself to you. I am the current leader of the red players alliance. After Rifat and his guild started massacring us, very few of us managed to survive. Knowing that we might get killed anytime, we decided to band together and create an alliance. Since I was the most powerful, I was chosen as a leader."
"The reason for me telling this to you is to let you have the full confidence that I do have the power and prestige to decided for the other red players. So, you can talk to me about your plans in full details."
If Rifat were present to witness the conversation between the black-cloaked person and Heathcliff, he would have been taken aback. This is because the current leader of the red players' guild is the guy who is known as "Death Gun" in the Phantom Bullet Arc of the anime SAO.
Surprisingly, he didn't die during Rifat's crusade and somehow even managed to become the leader of the remaining red players.