Kirito the black swordsman , his name was enough to make her giddy with delight.

Whenever Asuna participated in a boss raid, she always looked for him in particular. Her eyes tracing his every move, as graceful as it gets, never leaving her sight. Panicking frantically whenever a named mob or the boss locked blades with Kirito, of course realising moments later that he was powerful enough to parry the blows.

But still, she was worried. Not because she did not trust in his fighting abilities, but his recklessness. He had risked his life for people more than she could've counted with her fingers, although a redeeming quality indeed, she wished that he would be more careful.

Every time when Kirito clashed blades with the boss, Asuna's heart would stop, she would watch on with awe and fear as he parry and dodge blow after blow.

Although having many redeeming qualities and sacrificing his life for others, all was for naught, as Kirito was known as the Beater.

The term Beater was created on first floor of Aincrad, Asuna remembered that day as clearly as the day before. It was the day where he selflessly labelled himself as a Beater, taking on all the hate originally for the Beta Testers. As he materialised The Coat Of Midnight and walked through the crowd, she locked gazes with him, his onyx eyes displayed determination and certain sadness. She knew he wasn't the arrogant and selfish Beater he labelled himself as, running up the stairway to the next floor, she approached him.

"Wait!" Kirito stopped abruptly

"My name..."

"Sorry , did I... mispronounce it?" He asked

"No... How did you know it?" Asuna questioned

Without missing a beat he silently pointed to the empty space in the air. "If you look closely there would be another health bar under yours..."

"Ki-ri-to... Kirito?"

He nodded

"Pft.. I'm so dumb.. It's been there the whole time!" Asuna giggled

He nodded "Look ... You are strong and powerful on your own, but someday, when someone you trust ask you to join a guild. Join it."

"Being a solo player has it's limits..."

But isn't he?... "B-But how about you?"

Kirito brought up his menu.

'Would you like to dissolve the party?'

His finger hovering over the 'Yes' option , glancing at Asuna solemnly he selected the option. Without turning back, Kirito walked away and opened the door to the second floor. She watched him as he disappeared into the second floor, emptiness occupied the space beneath her health bar.

From that day onwards, she strived to be as strong as Kirito. To be able to fight next to him, that was her goal.

Mostly everyone viewed his actions as an act of selfishness , instead of praising him for killing the boss before it could do any more damage , they would accuse him of stealing the Last Attack Bonus.

But Asuna knew better , after all , she was his first partner and partnered with him on a few occasions. Being with him more than anyone else , she understood him more than anyone.

He wasn't the selfish and arrogant Beater, he was the selfless and kind Kirito. Once again watching his back as he climbed the stairway to open the door to the next floor.

She ran after him.