Asuna stood in the dim room, the flickering fireplace casting shadows. She tightened the straps of her dark red leather tunic and adjusted the lightweight copper breastplate. Her fingers smoothed the pleats of her crimson mini skirt then pulled on knee-high stockings and boots with practiced ease. Taking a breath, she clipped her hooded cape into place and reached for her rapier, the polished steel glowing in the firelight. As she slid the steel into its sheath, the familiar weight a reminder of her resolve.

"This is the new reality for me.” She whispered. "I can't choose the life I want anymore, but I can choose how I'm going to die. — And it will be on my terms"

With her hand resting on her rapier’s hilt, she turned to the door, her cape swirling behind her. The cool evening air hit her as she stepped outside. Gazing up at the dark sky, the vastness of this virtual world trying to press down on her. Boots clicked against the cobblestones, she marched toward the first-floor dungeon, her heart steeled, ready to fight for her freedom or die trying.

"Even if I end up getting killed by a monster, I won't let this game...this world,... beat me."