Kirito's ID was still Kirito, and Suguha's ID was, by some strange chance, Leafa.
Although the timeline had shifted by three years, Kirito had actually grown a lot in these three years, and the plot had changed a lot.
In other words, Kirito had long since moved past his issues, no longer the Chuunibyou, self-isolating youth he used to be.
Thanks to this, Kirito first repaired his family relationships, but at the same time, he also corrected his sister's feelings for him.
Yes, Kirito vaguely guessed, but due to them being cousins, Kirito tried everything to refuse.
It took a full year, using the unrequited love as motivation to become the youth national kendo champion, before Leafa gradually moved past her feelings.
Finally, some time ago, the two reconciled and restored their normal sibling relationship. They both bought the new SAO helmets and started playing this game together.
Kirito's life was also going well. Besides his daily gaming, he diligently practiced his computer skills, made many friends at school, and even became best friends with Eugeo, who came from Britain.
Yeah, that's right.
They were best friends, even inseparable, with a relationship so close they might as well wear the same pants.
Both Kirito and Eugeo liked playing games, but one was a pro, and the other was a noob.
In fact, after the SAO incident, semi-immersive VR games gradually appeared on the market.
It was just that Kayaba Akihiko had never handed over the core technology. He was still around, and even cooperating with the military and medical fields, so he naturally kept the important things in his hands.
Thanks to this, there were still no true VR games in these three years.
But that didn't stop Kirito and his friends from playing, and he naturally followed his original path, dominating as a pro.
Eugeo was bad at games but loved playing, eventually acknowledged Kirito as his master. After practicing some swordsmanship in the game, he finally gained some skill.
But...
The experience of semi-immersive and fully immersive VR games was completely different!
During the SAO beta test three years ago, Kirito considered his swordsmanship to be at the top pro level.
After the incident, he couldn't play anymore. He settled for other very rough copycat games. Although the experience wasn't great, it still allowed him to become a pro again.
But now?
Well...
Almost counter-killed by a level 5 wolf.
This time, the harder he tried to show off, the more his face hurt.
He still wasn't used to it!
Leafa was experiencing this kind of VR game for the first time, yet relying on her real swordsmanship, without using any sword skills, she easily killed the wolves.
'So embarrassing. The title of [Black Swordsman] circulating in the gaming community might be permanently stained!'
Speaking of which, since his sister was this strong, there probably wasn't any player stronger than her, right?
After all, she was a kendo champion! Even in the mixed adult category, she was a contender for the top 8!
"...Oh please. I think you're just too weak, Onii-chan. Look at that big brother over there. He's also level 1, but he's taking on three level 5 wolves without any problem, even killing them easily!"
"!!!"
'How is that possible!?'
Kirito immediately straightened up and looked in the direction Leafa was pointing.
'Wha...'
'It's a pro!!'
'Damn, damn, damn!!'
'What was I just thinking?'
'There's no player stronger than my sister?'
'Damn, who is that person wielding a one-handed sword and effortlessly killing three level 5 wolves!!'
"Hehe, Onii-chan, what do you think?"
"What do I think? I don't know! But he's very strong. Both his attack speed and agile footwork undoubtedly tell me he's a powerful master."
As for whether he was a kendo master, Kirito wasn't sure. Because Leafa participated in kendo tournaments, he naturally checked out everyone who could threaten Leafa, including the opponents in next year's adult category.
But someone resembling Kaito... there didn't seem to be any.
However, it's not necessarily correct, and maybe Kaito used the character creation system to change his appearance!
"Yes, that big brother is definitely a very strong master."
Leafa also sensed it. Based on the combat techniques he just displayed, Leafa admitted she couldn't easily perform like that.
On the other side, Kaito, who had just been warming up, also noticed Kirito and Leafa.
In fact, Kaito was also surprised to meet them, but at the same time, he found it reasonable.
Who was Kirito?
A beater... oh no, a pro.
As a pro, with competition for monsters difficult in the early areas, how could he honestly stay there and fight?
He would definitely, like Kaito, come to higher-level areas to fight.
And the person beside him wasn't the red-haired Klein, but his sister Leafa. This was probably due to the plot changes over the three years.
Well, Kirito's character creation didn't change much, but Leafa was unquestionably the golden-haired elf from ALO, just without the characteristic long elf ears.
'Speaking of which, golden-haired elf with big slimes...'
'Uuhh...'
'What am I thinking!'
"Kaito, even without any equipment, you could probably defeat any opponent in this game~"
Mika suddenly became alert and pressed herself against him again.
For some reason, Mika always felt that people would try to approach Kaito in various ways.
"Haha, Kaito-nii is too strong. I don't even need to do anything~ By the way, a level 5 cloth shoe dropped. It increases some magic, so I'll take it~"
Ako, clearly holding a wooden staff, quickly looted the drop.
She was still fantasizing about becoming a mage.
Even though the new SAO had no classes, she could still increase proficiency with a wooden staff, acquire skills, and gradually become a sorcerer.
But for now, she could only use the wooden staff as a blunt weapon for attacking.
It seemed that to become a qualified sorcerer, you first had to become a qualified melee staff fighter.
"Kaito, were you looking at others again?"
"Yes, I saw a pro player."
Kaito had gradually gotten used to Mika's habit of darkening.
After all, he was indeed looking at Leafa; Kirito was just incidental.
On this point, denying it would only make things worse. So he might as well boldly admit it.
"Those two? Are you sure you weren't looking at that blonde girl? The guy next to her was clearly just an afterthought for you, right?"
"Huh? How did you know?"
"...Okay, I just said that, and you actually admit it!?"
Jealous, the kind that can't be appeased.
Mika looked like she was about to cry.
She felt that the things Shodai, Misuzu, and Sayuri had privately discussed with her to do seemed impossible to accomplish.
'Really—'
'I just can't do it, ahhhhh!!!!'