Kirito und Leafa erreichen Alfheims Haupstadt Arun, direkt am Fuße des Weltenbaums. Bevor sie sich jedoch den Anstieg beginnen können, werden sie dazu gezwungen, sich abzumelden. Zurück in der realen Welt, entschließt sich Kazuto dazu, Asuna zusammen mit Suguha im Krankenhaus aufzusuchen.
Kirito and Leafa reach Arun, the capital of Alfheim, located directly beneath the world tree. However a sudden announcement of an emergency shutdown for server maintenance prompt the two to find a nearby inn and log out. The next day, Suguha accompanies Kirito to visit Asuna at the hospital. Meanwhile, in the World Tree, Asuna stumbles upon a room where experiments are being made with the brains of the other SAO players trapped in ALO. She then attempts to log out of the game by using the GM console inside the room, but is captured by two of Sugou's assistants. However, she manages to snatch a key card before being thrown back to her cell. Back in the real world, Suguha gets heartbroken upon seeing Kazuto tending to Asuna, and is comforted by Kirito after she logs back as Leafa on ALO, still unaware that both him and her brother are the same person. Later as the pair approach the World Tree, Yui suddenly detects Asuna's presence, prompting Kirito to fly ahead leaving Leafa behind.
Kirito et ses compagnons ont enfin atteint Aarun, capitale du centre et plus et plus grande ville d'ALfheim, situé au pied de l'Arbre du Monde. Mes les serveurs doivent bientôt fermer pour cause de maintenance et Kirito et Leafa doivent donc se déconnecter temporairement, se promettant de se retrouver le lendemain. De retour dans le monde réel, la soeur cadette de Kazuto, Sugaha, est tourmentée par ses sentiments naissants pour son frère aîné. déterminée à jauger à quel points ses sentiments sont réels, Sugaha demande à Kazuto de lui permettre de l'accompagner à l'hôpital rendre visite à Asuna.
Asuna riesce a fuggire dalla propria cella e si ritrova in un'area dove vengono condotti esperimenti sui giocatori. Proprio quando però sta per fare il log-out dal sistema viene catturata e portata indietro. Intano Lyfa e Kirito giungono ai piedi di Yggrdasil e gui Yui rileva la presenta di Asuna.
ついにキリトたちは《世界樹》のふもとにある《アルヴヘイム》最大の都市《央都アルン》にたどり着いた。だが、間もなく定期メンテナンスでサーバーがクローズされるため、キリトとリーファは翌日の再会を約束していったんログアウトする。一方、現実世界では、和人の妹・直葉が兄への淡い想いにひとり悩んでいた。自分の気持ちの正体を確かめようと思い立った直葉は、和人に頼んで明日奈の見舞いに同行することに。
스구하는 오빠를 따라 아스나가 입원한 병원을 찾는다. 그리고 병실에서 느낀 복잡한 심경을 로그인 하자마자 키리토에게 털어놓는데...한편 탈출한 아스나는 실험체 격납실이라는 방에서 충격적인 진실을 목격한다.
Enquanto Asuna continua tentando escapar, uma outra mulher na vida de Kirito tenta entender seus próprios sentimentos.
Mientras Asuna sigue intentando escapar, otra mujer en la vida de Kirito intenta dar sentido a sus emociones.
桐人他們終於來到世界樹下面，亞爾普海姆最大的城市中央都市亞崙，可是這時遊戲內發出了定期維修要關閉伺服器的廣播，所以桐人與莉法約定明天再見後就各自登出了遊戲。另一方面，在現實世界裡，和人的妹妹直葉對因為對哥哥產生好感而一個人在煩惱著。直葉為了確認自己的真正心意，所以決定與和人一起去醫院探望明日奈。
