Why didn't Asuna die in real life when she died in the game? Asuna died near the end of Sword Art Online. However, judging by the rules, why didn't she die in real life? Did Kayaba Akihiko lie about dying in the game?
If you read the light novel, after the battle teleported them to another place just to have a talk with them:

I firmly closed my eyes and allowed my tears to flow before asking:
&quot;...What about those who died? Both of us are already dead, yet we continue to exist here. Doesn't that mean you can return the other four thousand dead to the original world as well?&quot;
Kayaba's expression didn't change. He closed the window, put his hands into his pockets, and then said:
&quot;Life can't be recovered so easily. Their consciousness will never return. The dead will disappear— this fact remains true in every world. I created this place only because I wanted to talk with you two— one last time.&quot;

So everyone who died remains dead. Kirito and Asuna didn't die, simply because Kayaba intentionally teleported them somewhere else instead of letting them die.