Nobuyuki Sugou/Synopsis

## Biography

### Background

Not much is known about Sugou's past, but what we do know is he managed to get a job at RECT Progress. He eventually got close to the company's CEO, Shouzou Yuuki, although the latter still didn't know his name.

### Fairy Dance Arc

#### Pre-Episode 12

When the SAO disaster happened, Argus, the game's developer, was on the verge of collapse due to their involvement in the incident. Sugou saw this as an opportunity and told Shouzou they should buy the SAO servers, as Argus shutting down would result in the servers getting shut down too, which could potentially result in all the players dying. Since the VR industry was now a minefield that no one wanted to get involved in, Shouzou was initially reluctant at the idea. However, he was eventually convinced after learning that buying the servers would benefit their public image and technological superiority.

Once they did buy the servers, Sugou used SAO's data to continue development of one of RECT Progress' abandoned projects, an educational game called ALfheim Online, teaming up with Ubisoft to do so, and constructed a new VR Headset called the AmuSphere. Although the game was a flop upon its release, due to a mixture of confusing advertisements and the fact that the SAO disaster was still fresh in the people's minds, it eventually became a hit with roleplayers just over a year later.

During his studies of SAO's code, Sugou discovered that the NerveGear was able to scan the players' real-life abilities and assign their base stats accordingly, allowing them to rise from their former selves into a legendary hero. Sugou was especially intrigued by the fact that a player's Charisma stat could grow as well, making any order impossible to refuse, no matter how absurd it was. He then became obsessed with the idea of using this feature to manipulate the masses and rule the world.

Luckily for Sugou, on November 7, 2024, SAO was prematurely cleared by a player named Kazuto Kirigaya. Seeing this as his chance, Sugou used his access to the SAO servers and prevented 300 players from logging out, redirecting them to ALO instead. With a handful of guinea pigs now at his disposal, Sugou and a small group of employees began experimenting with the Charisma stat, in the hopes of making brainwashing technology to achieve his goals.

One of the players he managed to capture was Asuna Yuuki, the daughter of his boss. Sugou saw this as an even greater opportunity and he locked her away in a cage at the top of the World Tree, the goal of the roleplayers' in-game competition, and gave her the username "Titania" to match the theme of his, the Fairy King Oberon. Oberon then told Asuna he'd let her go if she agreed to marry him, but she refused his advances for two months.

Sugou then became aware that Shouzou was tempted to kill Asuna to avoid her medical bills. Taking advantage of Shouzou's greed, Sugou asked Shouzou for Asuna's hand in marriage, which would make him responsible for her medical bills, and offered him a briefcase full of money in exchange, which Shouzou agreed to. With his engagement to Asuna secured, Sugou waited for his brainwashing program to be completed, so he could use it on Asuna and make her his ideal wife.

#### Episode 12

One day, Sugou meets up with Shouzou in Asuna's hospital room, where he meets Kazuto, who Shouzou introduces Sugou to as "Versace". However, Sugou points out to Shouzou that his name isn't Versace, explaining that it was the brand of briefcase he used to hold the money he bought Asuna with. Shouzou is surprised by this revelation, but instead of learning his future son-in-law's name, he suggests that Sugou should change it to Versace, as it's "all classy and Italian". Saying this reminds Shouzou that he's overdue buying a new Ferrari and leaves to call his Ferrari guy.

With the two of them alone with Asuna, Kazuto tries to explain to Sugou that Asuna's already married to him, even if it was in a video game. However, as Kazuto's talking, Sugou leans over Asuna and sniffs her hair, commenting that she "smells like innocence", much to Kazuto's horror and fury. Sugou then voices his surprise that Kazuto is the one who's been garnering so much fame recently. Hearing this, Kazuto tries to hide his rage by making fun of Sugou's age, since he learned about Kazuto via a newspaper. However, Sugou shuts Kazuto down, pointing out that his whit doesn't matter at the end of the day, as Asuna belongs to him now. Kazuto then points out that there's no way this arrangement is legal, as Asuna isn't able to consent to the marriage, accidentally insulting her in the process. However, Sugou reassures Kazuto that he has a feeling that Asuna will wake up soon and be more than happy to say yes. He then starts playing with Asuna's lips and making her "talk" about how she prefers him over Kazuto. This infuriates Kazuto and he grabs Sugou's arm, only for Sugou to warn him that he has "Asuna's life in [his] hands", a statement that confuses Kazuto.

Sugou then introduces himself to Kazuto and explains that he was the one who convinced Shouzou to buy the SAO servers. This means that Sugou is the reason that Kazuto and all the other players of SAO are still alive, a fact that horrifies Kazuto. With this all this in mind, Sugou declares that he deserves some "satisfaction" by marrying Asuna, looming his power over Kazuto. Sugou then tells Kazuto that the wedding is next week, while also informing him that he isn't invited. Despite this, he's still allowed to send them a present, with Sugou suggesting a sandwich press. Sugou then laughs at the helpless Kazuto, before warning him to leave before security arrives, and proceeds to leave the room.

Sometime later, Oberon visits Asuna at the top of the World Tree, asking how his "little birdy" is doing. Asuna then promptly spits in his face.

#### Episode 14

The next day, Oberon visits Asuna in her cage, at the top of the World Tree, Oberon is talking to Asuna, who has apparently escaped a considerable amount in the last 24-hours, wreaking havoc and torturing her guards. Oberon asks Asuna to refrain from her constant escape attempts, as he's disappointed that he's the only one planning out their wedding, asking her to at least help pick a china pattern. Asuna then sarcastically claims that her escape attempts are her trying to get enough exercise to fit into her wedding dress. Oberon then comments on how violent Asuna has been to his minions, stating that the bills for their psyche evaluations are starting to pile up, particularly for one man named Shoji. He then states that he has no idea why she's so hard on Shoji, but Shoji's starting to take her attacks personally. Asuna admits that she is pretty harsh with Shoji and asks if he's in the game today. Hearing this, Shoji, who has been secretly listening to the conversation, pipes up out of fear and tries to convince Asuna that he's off sick.

Oberon is amused by this remark and starts telling Asuna how great an investment the SAO servers were, stating that, while Kayaba Akihiko made "a misstep or... seven", he was undeniably a genius when it came to SAO's design. In fact, once RECT Progress were able to fix all of the bugs, they were able use SAO's data to build ALO like it was nothing. Oberon then starts talking about how amazing the game's features were, pointing out how the NerveGear could turn people's real-life abilities into stats. Asuna rudely points out that she already knew this, having been trapped in the game for two years. Undeterred, Oberon starts pointing out the benefits of such a system, as a child could wield the mightiest of weapons if they increased their Strength, or how anyone could move like a world-class gymnast if they increased their Dexterity. Asuna doesn't get the point of Oberon's ramblings at first, but she soon becomes terrified when he mentions the Charisma stat.

Oberon reveals the power of the Charisma stat, criticizing Kayaba for not utilizing such a feature to its full potential, as he gave it to "a bunch of greasy imbeciles begging for nudes", instead of bending the masses to his will. Asuna then sarcastically comments on how stupid Kayaba was. Oberon agrees with Asuna and reassures her that he shall not waste this opportunity like Kayaba did. He then reveals that he trapped 300 SAO survivors in ALO, including Asuna, and his plan to rule the world. He then tells Asuna that the project should be finished by the end of the week, and he'll use his invention to eliminate Asuna's "rebellious streak" just in time for them to get married.

Horrified by his plan, Asuna declares that Oberon's insane. However, she also calls him an idiot, questioning how stupid Oberon is for telling her his whole plan, as if she'll just sit around and let him do it. Oberon laughs at the idea of her trying to stop him, stating that it's lucky she's so pretty. He then tells Asuna to struggle all she wants, but if she thinks she'll be able to overpower him, the System Admin, then she's even dumber than he thought. However, as soon his back is turned, Asuna escapes from her cage and goes on a bloodthirsty rampage, much to Oberon's annoyance.

#### Post-Episode 14

Asuna apparently escaped a considerable amount in the next 24-hours, wreaking havoc and torturing her guards and other members of staff to the point they needed therapy, especially one brain technician named Shoji Yanai. This resulted in Oberon's budget getting slightly drained, as he had to pay the bills for all the psyche evaluations his minions attended.

#### Episode 15

The next day, Oberon asks Asuna to refrain from her constant escape attempts, as he's disappointed that he's the only one planning out their wedding, asking her to at least help pick a china pattern. Asuna then sarcastically claims that her escape attempts are her trying to get enough exercise to fit into her wedding dress. Oberon then comments on how violent Asuna has been to his minions, stating that the bills for their psyche evaluations are starting to pile up, particularly for Shoji. He then states that he has no idea why she's so hard on Shoji, but Shoji's starting to take her attacks personally. Asuna admits that she is pretty harsh with Shoji and asks if he's in the game today. Hearing this, Shoji, who has been secretly listening to the conversation, pipes up out of fear and tries to convince Asuna that he's off sick.

Oberon chooses to let all this go, however, since Asuna's violent tendencies will be erased once the project is complete. He then tells Asuna that his minions are making progress on her new personality, which so far is a mixture of Leave it to Beaver and hardcore porn. Asuna then asks how the brainwashing is going to work, asking if she's going to be like an Alexa or if it's going to be "a full Stepford". Oberon doesn't answer this, unfortunately, as he knows that Asuna's trying to find a weakness in the programming. Oberon then compares Asuna's annoying actions to Kazuto, which catches Asuna off guard, as she didn't know that Oberon knew him. Oberon reveals to Asuna that Kirito has logged into ALO, and that he's probably going to try and rescue her. He admits that he could easily ban Kirito's account to prevent him from making further progress, but Oberon finds that idea boring. Instead, he decides to allow Kirito to continue, allowing him to gather enough forces to climb his way to the top of the World Tree, only to find that the doors are impregnable, all so Oberon can watch the hope die in Kirito's eyes. Oberon then giggles with anticipation, stating that it will be "quite the show", before asking Asuna what she thinks of his plan.

In response, Asuna tells Oberon that, if he were to ever harm Kirito, she will wear his guts like her mother's pashmina. When Oberon asks her to repeat herself, Asuna elaborates that she'll have him experience pain and torment beyond his imagination. She then states that she will tear his body apart piece by piece, all while he begs for a mercy that will never come. She will then add Oberon's screams to her Spotify before mounting his head on a pike. Oberon tries to brush off Asuna's threats, commenting that the profanity filter is making her sound silly, only to see the fury still present in Asuna's eyes. Feeling intimidated, Oberon tells Asuna that he is her King, and he will not let her disrespect him like this. He then reminds Asuna that she can threaten him all she wants, but at the end of the day she's powerless to stop him, and she will still end up spending the rest her life in "blissful, mindless servitude" as his wife. This falls on deaf ears, however, as Asuna somehow manages to escape during the rant and launches another bloody rampage on Oberon's minions, starting with Shoji. Annoyed by this, Oberon picks the china pattern by himself.

#### Episode 17

The following day, Sugou decides that he wants to have the wedding that very night and starts moving things ahead of schedule. During this time, the technical support representative, Sean, ask him if he can log the test subjects out, prompting Sugou to fire him. He was so focussed on rearranging things that he didn't stop when one of his employees, Kyle, informs him that Asuna had escaped again. He then announces his wedding on Facebook before calling the baker responsible for the wedding cake, yelling at him about moving up his complicated cake idea, to the point that the baker starts crying.

Finally, Sugou visits the wedding venue, where he calls Asuna to tell her about it, causing her to groan in frustration. As he comments on how breath-taking the decorations are, he accidentally calls the event "[his] big day". Although he initially tries to correct himself, he decides to stick with his statement, as he's "earned this". Just then, Sugou hears a noise on Asuna's end and asks if he should come over. Asuna tells him not to, however, claiming that the noise was her accidentally banging her head on the table, repeatedly. She then tells Sugou that she's excited for the wedding, claiming that she's looking at pictures of her red and black wedding dress, calling it a bold choice. Sugou is disgusted by this claim and decides to fix this mistake at once, kissing Asuna goodbye before hanging up.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Episode 12
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Episode 13
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Episode 14
4. ↑ Episode 11
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Episode 15
6. ↑ Episode 17