Tongzi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Tongzi (桐子)
Alias(es)	“Black-Clothed Swordsman”; “Cheater”; “Beater” 426 427
Species/Race	Human; later develops demon-like physical abilities 447 485
Gender	Female 412
Affiliation	Crystal Palace 433 437
Occupation/Role	SAO player, swordswoman, and Crystal Palace guild leader 410 462
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 410

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Early SAO advancement	416	The dungeon ordeal raises her level by two and yields rare equipment, including the longsword Breaker. 416
Level 40	433	Her level astonishes the inexperienced Moonlit Black Cat Troupe, who have rarely encountered players above level 30. 433
Dual Blades unlocked	454	Her reaction speed reaches the threshold for SAO’s unique Dual Blades skill; she uses Star Burst Stream to defeat the Blue-Eyes Demon. 454
Enma Blade transformation	466	A deep-blue item transforms her and equips her with the Enma Blade, allowing her to defeat Kayaba Akihiko. 466
Demon-like physical reinforcement	468, 485	After Aincrad, her strength, agility, senses, reaction time, and regeneration continually rise; she later learns these are demon abilities. 468 485

Background and History

Tongzi enters Sword Art Online as an experienced player who presents herself as an “Adventurer” while trying to trigger what she believes is a hidden quest. After goblins attack her in the forest, Luo Yifang rescues her. Mistaking him for an unusually intelligent NPC, she accepts his offer to open a dungeon gate in exchange for protection and treasure. 410

Luo and Kayaba Akihiko subject her to successive monster waves to evaluate her potential. Tongzi survives through exceptional reflexes, rapid adaptation, precise attacks on weak points, and intelligent use of terrain. Although she initially resents Luo’s manipulation, she begins to suspect he is not an NPC after he repeatedly intervenes at crucial moments. 411 412 414 415

After clearing the dungeon, Tongzi gains levels, the rare sword Breaker, and an unexplained white ring. She later befriends Asuna, offering the inexperienced player food, shelter, and companionship. The two decide to share resources and remain together despite Tongzi’s wish to distance herself from others for their safety. 416 417 427

Luo modifies Tongzi’s ring into the Greedy Silver Snake, granting increased Col income and access to his exclusive cash shop in exchange for work. Tongzi uses its advantages cautiously, since every purchase deepens her debt to Luo. Her early use of privileged equipment and foreknowledge of the first-floor boss earns her a reputation as a “Cheater” and “Black-Clothed Swordsman.” 421 424 427 432

Tongzi later aids the Moonlit Black Cat Troupe but is devastated by Dakar I’s death during a trap-room incident. She blames herself for bringing the group into danger, while Luo arranges for her soul to be transferred into a new body in Academy City and reassures her that the surviving troupe members are safe. Sachi subsequently joins Tongzi’s guild. 446 447 448

Back in Aincrad, Tongzi becomes one of the strongest frontline players. Her Dual Blades skill allows her to defeat the Floor 74 Blue-Eyes Demon, and she ultimately confronts Kayaba Akihiko when the other players are incapacitated. With a blue item linked to the Enma Blade, she defeats him, though Aincrad’s collapse and the incomplete logout reveal that the crisis is not truly over. 454 466

After the game, Tongzi discovers a glowing V-shaped mark on her left hand, increasing physical abilities, and the ability to summon the Enma Blade into reality. Luo entrusts her with the Enma Blade, Kayaba’s Seed inheritance, and responsibility for protecting the world from future full-dive-related threats. 467 468 470

Appearance

Tongzi is a fourteen-year-old black-haired girl. During her SAO journey, she becomes associated with a black Midnight Coat, which contributes to her “Black-Clothed Swordsman” reputation. 412 426 427

• A faintly glowing, V-shaped mark appears on the back of her left hand after the final Aincrad battle. 467 468
• The mark emits blue light when she summons or stores the Enma Blade. 468 470
• Her post-Aincrad physical growth forces her to consciously restrain her strength in everyday life. 468

Personality

Tongzi is initially quiet, socially withdrawn, and more comfortable with games than with people. Before SAO, she has few friends and views gaming as sufficient companionship. Her reserved nature makes Asuna’s early closeness somewhat unfamiliar to her. 422

In combat, she is courageous, competitive, and unwilling to yield to overwhelming odds. She treats impossible encounters as chances to surpass herself, combining instinctive reactions with deliberate tactical judgment. 412 414

Despite her strength, Tongzi is deeply compassionate. She repeatedly helps weaker players, worries about Sachi’s mental state, and accepts responsibility for the safety of her guild members. This kindness also leaves her vulnerable to guilt, especially after Dakar I’s death. 433 443 446 462

Tongzi is blunt and easily exasperated by Luo Yifang’s teasing, coercive training, and sudden appearances. Nevertheless, she gradually recognizes his reliability and accepts his help when necessary. 415 428 429 470

Abilities & Skills

Exceptional Reflexes and Combat Instinct

Tongzi possesses reaction speed far beyond that of an ordinary person. Even before gaining later enhancements, she can react to surprise attacks that would kill normal players before they could move. 411

• Identifies enemy weaknesses and interrupts attacks before they are completed. 412
• Uses agility and flexibility to evade attacks at extremely close range. 412
• Exploits terrain, enemy size, collision, and aggro behavior to fight stronger opponents. 412 414
• Maintains an aggressive “offensive rhythm” that chains dodges, critical strikes, and stuns. 412 414

Swordsmanship

Tongzi is a highly skilled swordswoman whose technique remains effective even before she acquires advanced SAO skills. 410 412

• Uses the rare longsword Breaker through much of the early game. 416
• Can fight groups of higher-level monsters while managing limited HP and recovery items. 412 414
• Defeats the Floor 74 Blue-Eyes Demon by continuing her attack despite being one strike from death. 454

Dual Blades

Tongzi unlocks SAO’s unique Dual Blades skill after her reaction speed reaches the required threshold. 454

• Wields two swords simultaneously. 454 466
• Uses Star Burst Stream, an extremely rapid multi-hit sword skill. 454
• Avoids relying solely on known Dual Blades techniques against Kayaba, knowing he could anticipate skills he designed. 466

Post-Aincrad Physical Reinforcement

Tongzi’s body grows increasingly superhuman after Aincrad. Luo attributes the change to strengthening her soul and maintaining her body’s vitality. 470

• Strength, speed, senses, and reaction time become several times greater than an ordinary person’s. 485
• Her power can injure even a trained swordswoman if she fails to control it. 468
• Possesses rapid regeneration; a wound inflicted with the Enma Blade heals within moments. 485
• The ongoing enhancement requires restraint, as real life lacks the limitations of game systems. 470

Enma Blade

The Enma Blade is a divine artifact-like sword entrusted to Tongzi by Luo Yifang. She cannot initially draw or wield it, but it later manifests during her final battle with Kayaba. 432 433 466

• Materializes in her left hand through the V-shaped mark. 467 468
• Can be stored again through the same equipment-retrieval motion she used in SAO. 470
• Enables her to defeat Kayaba Akihiko during the final Aincrad confrontation. 466
• Serves as a coordinate through which Luo can locate and reach her when needed. 470

Equipment

• Breaker — Rare dungeon longsword with stats strong enough that Tongzi expects not to need a replacement before level 30. 416
• Greedy Silver Snake — Modified silver ring that grants minor HP recovery, increases Col gained from monsters by 25%, and unlocks Accelerator’s exclusive cash shop. 421
• Sacrifice Ring — A consumable ring that prevents one in-game death per character; Tongzi gives one to Asuna. 422 437
• Midnight Coat — Black coat associated with her “Beater” reputation. 426
• Enma Blade — Sword inherited from Luo Yifang; later usable in reality as well as virtual worlds. 466 468 470
• The Seed — Kayaba Akihiko’s inheritance, entrusted to Tongzi alongside responsibility for the world’s future virtual-world development. 469 470

Relationships

• Luo Yifang / Accelerator — Mysterious benefactor, manipulator, trainer, and eventual protector. He tests Tongzi harshly, equips her with special items, entrusts her with the Enma Blade and Seed, and remains someone she distrusts yet considers reliable. 410 415 421 430 470
• Asuna — Closest friend, housemate, guildmate, and trusted combat partner. Tongzi helps Asuna survive early SAO, while Asuna repeatedly refuses to abandon her despite rumors and danger. 417 427 437 454
• Sachi — Member of the Moonlit Black Cat Troupe who seeks out Tongzi after Dakar I’s death and joins Crystal Palace to support her. 443 448
• Moonlit Black Cat Troupe — A lower-level group Tongzi helps train and protect. Dakar I’s death leaves Tongzi burdened by guilt and changes her outlook on responsibility. 433 446
• Kayaba Akihiko — SAO’s creator, who tests Tongzi’s talent through monster waves and eventually becomes her final opponent in Aincrad. 411 412 466
• Kazuto Kirigaya — Tongzi’s adoptive sister. Tongzi accidentally injures her during a sparring session after her physical strength increases. 468 469
• Artoria (Lily) — Temporarily looks after Tongzi in Academy City after Luo transfers her soul into a new body. 447