Leafa thanks Kirito for saving her from the attack and teaches him how to fly properly without using a controller. They travel to Sylvein, where they meet one of Leafa's party members, Recon. Kirito and Leafa go to an inn and have a conversation about how he can get to the top of the World Tree. Seeing Kirito's determination to reach the top of the tree, Leafa decides to help and asks him to meet her at the inn the next day. When Leafa logs out into the real world, she is revealed to be Suguha. Meanwhile, Asuna is seen in a gigantic cage at the World Tree, held by the gamemaster, Oberon the Fairy King, revealed to be Sugō in the real world. Asuna is shocked that Oberon wants to control the minds of the 300 comatose SAO players. When Oberon leaves, Asuna hopes that Kirito will save her.