In real life, the player Sinon is a high school student named Shino Asada. On her way home from school, she’s dragged into an alley by delinquent girls. Their leader, Endo, tries to extort money from Shino, but she bravely refuses.

The man in the ragged cloak is an SAO survivor, and he might also be a player Kirito fought with to the death... This thought consumes Kirito, and his anguish is palpable - to the point that it worries Suguha.

Kyouji attacks Shino, saying he'll kill himself after she's dead. Kazuto saves her at the last second by jumping Kyouji. During the fight, Kazuto is hit with Kyouji's poison syringe, but miraculously it doesn't work and Kirito is saved. The next day Kazuto and Shino go to meet Kikuoka, and discuss the incident. Kikuoka has a message from one of the captured Death Guns...

Recap episode of Episodes 1-14 (Phantom Bullet arc) of Season 2, also known as Episode 14.5. Narrated by Sinon.

Getting to experience the outside world, Yuuki’s days are more satisfactory than ever before. In ALO, the players have a barbecue and end up on a quest. In the real world, Asuna and the girls take a trip to Kyoto. One day, Asuna receives an email…

Kirito, along with his childhood friend, Eugeo, has been tasked with cutting down a colossal tree called the Gigas Cedar. They’re swinging their ax when their friend Alice arrives with lunch. As they eat, the three friends decide to go to a fabled cave.

In the real world, Kazuto Kirigaya lies unconscious. At Kikuoka’s request, Kazuto is moved to a well-equipped hospital, but when Asuna and Suguha try to visit, they’re turned away. Suspicious, Asuna and the others split up to find out more about Rath.

Pasukan umpan mendapati bahawa Vecta menghantar tenteranya merentasi jurang. Critter pula menggunakan tipu helah untuk menghimpunkan anggota baharu Amerika.

Apabila Kirito bersemuka dengan ingatan menyakitkan tentang masa silamnya, Asuna bertarung dengan Vassago yang menjelaskan obsesinya terhadap Pendekar Berpedang Hitam.

Rinko mengadakan sidang akhbar untuk mengumumkan kecerdasan buatan sebenar yang pertama. Alice menjawab semua soalan wartawan yang sukar dengan cekap.