Oh, I wasn't referencing SAO, it was more a disclaimer that the idea was inspired by something else and not entirely original. ^_^ I wouldn't take plot or world ideas from it, I was just giving the origin of the concept.

Hm... I think you're right too - but he's not keen on obtaining the rep, he's trying to just get ahead. Money, equipment, stealing the experience, etc. But I like your idea. ^^ I think I know the exact kind of trouble to put him in too, seeing as it's quite possible that he's been cornered somewhere in the fantasy realm by a group of Mechanics that he's affected, all claiming to have finally found him. He would be vehemently rejecting that he was the guy they were looking for, and then she would intervene - trusting that he was telling the truth and the other guys were all mistaken?