Reki Kawahara, the creator of Sword Art Online, is writing a new series of light novels named Demon's Crest, which will be illustrated by 22/7 character designer Yukiko Horiguchi/Shiromizakana and published by Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko imprint. On November 10, the first volume will be delivered.

The story is set in a mixed reality game that combines both virtual reality and augmented reality. The story begins with the beta test of the new virtual reality fantasy MMO named Actual Magic, or AM.

Sixth grader Yūma Ashihara marvels at this MMO born from new technology, and begins playing and clearing dungeons with his friends. Satisfied with a day of playing and eager to play more later, Yūma logs out of the game — or so he thought. After clearing a dungeon boss, Yūma's avatar is enveloped by a strange red light, after which he loses consciousness. When Yūma comes to, he awakens to a "New World" where the VRMMO has combined with the real world. Before he is able to fully process the situation, Yūma encounters his beautiful classmate Sumika Watamaki — except her appearance has dramatically changed into something resembling the game's monsters.

- OOOH SAO with a twist me likey~ -

The Sword Art Online novels, which Kawahara started writing in 2001 and serialized on his website from 2002 to 2008, are his most well-known works. The original tale concluded with the "Alicization" arc as Kawahara had described it on his website with the 18th volume published by Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko label in 2016. In 2017, the novel series made a comeback with a brand-new tale, and it is currently in its 26th volume. The series spawned novel and manga spinoffs, a multi-season anime television adaptation, an anime movie, and a planned live-action series. The Sword Art Online: Progressive offshoot novel series by Kawahara has already served as the basis for two separate movies. 

-What do you guys think? Are you excited or are you taking it with a grain of salt as well? -