Wonderful writing! I really enjoyed this chapter and the differences between this and the anime are refreshing. Can't wait to read more!

Well dang, I found this just a little too early for the epilogue apparently. What a tease...

That was a beautiful ending! Update soon!

Amazing story and beautiful chapter and I look forward to seeing what you will make in the future!

I almost think you have something against female characters

My brain just exploded. Frakking awesome story.

I have no other words. My brain exploded after all..

I kinda don't want to read the next chapter now, just so it won't end...
But I'll hate myself for not finishing a chapter from this great story..
Looks like I'm bit on the backside ether way.

Very exciting! Go Kirito!

double-edged sword... I think I know what's going to happen in the end. but I'll keep it to my self in case I'm wrong..

I started reading this when you posted and I never regret it. I'm love with this realistic world you had created...

Been wanting to say this for quite awhile - your usage of psychology in the story is near-perfect. After all, we all have some kind of want to escape from reality, be it via books or games or music or something else.

I also love how the other players cheer Kirito on, as opposed to canon where they're simply left paralysed. And again, beautiful end-game scene with Kirito and Kayaba. The way you portrayed Kayaba in that scene almost made me think it was an older Kirito telling a younger Kirito the mistakes he'd make later in life. It was rather... melancholic, but logical.

And congrats on finishing the story! Can't wait for the epilogue.

-nori

/"And when it came to choosing who would populate this world of mine, I thought: 'Only someone who sees this world as reality can deserve to live here.'"/

Maybe a particular line like this wasn't added in the anime/visual novel because it was implied and I was too dumb to see it, but regardless, I'm glad you included it. I'm a lot more sympathetic to Kayaba now, and the idea that he is actually quite similar to Kirito is a very unique and plausible reading. I wonder if Kayaba has chosen to die alongside Aincrad after being so invested in it?

Also, the attention you gave to Klein, Agil, Silica, etc. in this ending (and story!), even though they couldn't physically fight alongside Kirito, was very heartwarming. I almost wish this NaNoWriMo project were longer so we can see more silly/stupid/adorable moments between them and Kirito, but of course, this fic and SAO are not that kind of story.

Great job with this alternate take. Have I ever mentioned that the arc regarding Silica was particularly intense to read? I read it right before calculus one day, and then my concentration was shot for the entire class, hahaha. It was really good. After looking through the reviews for this fic, I think I've read your writing so much that I take its quality for granted. Hope you're doing well.

Nice, I hope there is a sequel to this.

Hm, so the next and last chapter has something to do with the title? So even though he won, that also means that he has to have lost something since the title is, double edged sword. Though I don't know what he may have lost since obviously the thing he gained was that he was able to free everyone. Maybe when they get back they're handicapped or something? Maybe they're shunned from the rest of society?

uuuuuaaaaaaaaaahhhhh the end is coooooooooommmmmmiiiiiinnnnn gggg...I DONT WANT THIS TO END! TTTT orz

So, there won't be a sequel? Too bad. I was almost crying at the end, it really felt like an ending that could have conceivably have happened in canon. Can't wait for the epilogue. That New Game Kayaba mentioned, wonder it it was just placed there with no meaning, or if it will be in the epilogue.