Sword Art Online Progressive Vol. 10 releases in Japan on November 10, 2026, and the latest preview shows a headless monster – just in time for Halloween!
This final preview is the last image to be spoiled from the upcoming light novel – along with a preview of the map of what looks to be the Forest Elf fortress mentioned in the book’s official blurb.
Back to the headless monster – we know from the Japanese text on the image that it is a “Troll Dullahan.” While American readers might immediately think of a certain Headless Horseman from the famous story by Washington Irving, Dullahans are actually from much older folklore that originated in Ireland. It’s likely from the Irish mythology that this headless figure is based rather than our Headless Horseman who frightens Ichabod Crane into abandoning Sleepy Hollow.
Still, I feel like this preview sees the light of day at exactly the right moment: right before Halloween.
What does the Japanese text in the preview say?
In the image of Kirito and Asuna facing the headless knight, on the right the text reads in English “A troll dullahan...?” My guess is this question comes from Asuna. She’s much better with mythology and things like that than Kirito is.
Meanwhile, on the left the text reads: “It's a ranged attack! Get out of the club's trajectory!” That bit is likely coming from Kirito as it’s purely tactics-based. Kirito originally made it to the 10th floor of Aincrad, meaning it’s possible that this monster (who is undoubtedly somewhere on floor 8) is one Kirito has come across before.
Can Kirito use his Employment on it? Perhaps not, but clearly the two are trapped in a deadly battle against this new monster.
A preview of Aincrad’s floor 8 is also revealed
While the image of Kirito and Asuna facing down a headless knight is the more exciting reveal as we head into the Halloween weekend, another bit of pivotal information was also spoiled ahead of the light novel release: a map of the eighth floor of Aincrad and the Forest Elf fortress originally mentioned in the book’s official blurb.
As it turns out, the entire eigth floor is centered around the Forest Elf fortress. And as we already know, Kirito, Asuna and the clearers are going to have to attempt to break into it and face whatever they may find there. Is it inside the Royal Castle that this Troll Dullahan will appear?
And what do Morte and Johnny Black – revealed in the last round of spoilers – have to do with the Forest Elf battle happening? I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out. You can see the rest of the Progressive Vol. 10 illustrations spoiled below.
While no release date has been given for Progressive Vol. 10 in English, it will likely release in 2027. The latest Progressive Novel to release was Vol. 9 just earlier this year in May.
Sword Art Online Progressive 9 (light novel) (Volume 9)
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You can see all the latest and upcoming releases via Sword Art Online release guide. Share what you think will happen in Progressive’s 10th volume via the comments below!
