After winning a competition featured by CAT, Neku Sakuraba is drawn into the death game know as Sword Art Online. Faced with numerous obstacles, Neku must meet them head on, or die trying.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. That phrase certainly described one SAO winner's current situation. Seriously, he wins one death game, and end up in a literal death game. Did fate really hate him that much? Oh yeah, she did, especially since his wife was the payment to play this game. But he'll have to learn to trust. (Moving to AO3...)

Neku Sakuraba is a anti social teenager who alienates the world from his eyes and ears. When he's part of a game where he can't afford to lose his life, he's going to have to work together and partner up for help. Will he overcome his own personal hatred of people and help everyone? Or will he die in his own selfishness and loathing of the world around him? Before Reaper's game.