Ep 16. King of the Giants
- TV14
- July 25, 2015
Kirito and his team are still exploring the world of Gun Gale Online in search of Death Gun, the mysterious player who has been causing real-life deaths through the virtual world. Their search leads them to a giant cave system, where they encounter a group of players who have formed a clan dedicated to taking down the boss of the area - a giant known as the King of the Giants.
Kirito decides to join forces with the clan, hoping to find information on Death Gun among its members. He learns that the clan leader, a player named Thinker, is actually a paraplegic in the real world who uses GGO as a way to escape his physical limitations. Thinker is fervently dedicated to the King of the Giants quest, believing that defeating the giant will somehow cure him of his paralysis.
Kirito and his team work together with the clan to defeat the giant boss, battling their way through hordes of minions and narrowly escaping death several times. Along the way, Kirito observes Thinker's unwavering dedication to the quest and begins to empathize with his desire to escape his real-life circumstances.
Eventually, the team reaches the heart of the giant's lair and engages in a final battle with the monstrous creature. Despite the odds, they are able to overcome the King of the Giants and claim the valuable loot it guards.
In the aftermath of the fight, Thinker is briefly elated, believing that his paralysis has been cured. However, he soon realizes that he is still paralyzed in the real world and sinks into a deep depression.
Kirito and his team attempt to comfort Thinker, reminding him of the brave and skilled player he is in GGO. They urge him to continue playing, despite his disappointment, and to find joy and purpose in the virtual world.
The episode ends with Kirito's team moving on to the next part of their quest to find Death Gun, leaving Thinker behind in the cave. As they depart, Kirito reflects on the complex relationships between virtual reality and real life, and the ways in which these worlds intertwine and shape one another.
