CHAPTER 5.1 - 2nd Floor

"Wait! We all got the same information from the Beta Tester's guide book right?! Concerning the information about the Boss, There should have been no difference in knowledge between the Beta Testers and us" Asuna depends on the side of Kirito. She heard earlier that he warned Diavel but he didn't listen so for her it's not fair to blame Kirito for the death of other players even though he is a Beta Tester

"We were all convinced that the Boss would be the same as the guidebook, so when we fell into dismay, he helped us deal with the Boss by applying the knowledge he had from having more prior experience with the game," Agil said

"It's natural to come to this conclusion isn't it?" Asuna said

"No, you're wrong" The man from behind the crowded player spoke again "From whom did the information come?"

"From Argo-"

"Yeah, from Argo that dealer and that guy are working together those Betas teamed up, conspired against us, and deceived us" Asuna was speechless "They stole the useful information by pretending to be honest players and scattering out false information" That man smiled

"Argo-san is not that kind of person! Who said that?! Show yourself!" Asuna pulled out her rapier the other players were scared of her not only because of her aura but because they had already seen her skills in using a sword

"You and that black tank man have been supporting them, an awful lot haven't you?" That man spoke again mocking them "Are you two also one of the accomplices?" Asuna was about to go to that man from behind when she heard a laugh

"HAHAHA, that's an absolute beginner you know?" Asuna looked at Kirito "C'mon now, Fencer-san. If you get so worked up about this, they're going to think you and that tank man my companion right?" Kirito's faces are mocking Asuna "Did you even think that you were being used? This is why you are still ignorant about this world.. Miss goody two shoes" Asuna looked at him "The same goes for you guys too, Beta Testers? Information dealers? Would you not class me with such amateurs?" Silence prevailed "Thousand closed Beta Testers, how many real MMO gamers do you think there were? Most of them were newbies who didn't even know how the leveling system worked" Kirito looked at them with a smirk on his face "I'm the real thing. I've ascended to floors beyond anybody else, so I know things that no else knows"

"What the hell.. That's cheating?!"

"You damn cheater, a freaking cheater!"

"Beater!" The shouted

"Beater? That sounds nice! I like it! I'll gladly accept it" Kirito looked at them wickedly "From now on don't confuse me with those Beta Tester newbie's" He started walking away but he suddenly stopped and look at the one player who called him cheater "By the way during the Beta Test there were a lot of stupid players, who struggled to finally defeat a Boss before foolishly being killed by mobs, which they had never encountered before HAHAHA"

"Beater!!!" They shouted

"Hey!" Agil called Asuna "You know that wasn't his true feelings don't you?" She nods "Can you deliver to him my message?"

"Wait a minute" Kibaou stopped Asuna "I.. Tsk… I have a message too" Asuna and Agil shock "Please deliver one from me too"

When Kirito came out of the Boss room he was immediately greeted by a breeze, he smiled looking at the beautiful scenery but inside he was sad he had to say that earlier so that Agil and Asuna would not be affected

"Wait! I have a message from Agil-san!" She heard Asuna and she stop from walking away "He said 'Let's also fight the next Boss together" Asuna said when she reach Kirito while gasping for breath "And also Kibaou-san said, 'You have saved me today but I still recognize you yet, I aim to clear this game my way'" Asuna imitated Kibaou's voice while raising her hand "Like that"

"I see.." Kirito smiles a bit "Um.. Well.. About what I said a while ago.."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"Eh?"

"Because I did a lot of unnecessary things and.. I ended up causing you to carry a heavy burden"

"Ah-No, I was the one who dug me into that hole, so it's no big deal" For Asuna, she is the one to blame "Rather, you were the fire that got back on our feet, we might have all annihilated if it wasn't for you, it looks like you have the power to bring everyone's hearts together" Because of their victory all the players were encouraged that it was still possible for them to get out in this world

"If someday, somebody you trust invites you their guild, join them" He walks towards her "As there is an absolute limit to being a solo player"

"Right now I don't think I can think about such things yet, as I found another aim, not one 'someday in the future, but an aim 'right in front of me'" Kirito looked at her in confuse

"Oh? What is it?"

"It's a secret. But I'll give you one hint" Asuna faced him and giver her sweetest smile "I'm thankful, for what you've taught me" Because of him Asuna had the courage that she can be defeat all the Boss floor, and he also thought her how to fight

Kirito's face turn red looking at Asuna's pretty face she's dazzling in his eyes

"Anyway, there's something important you haven't told me?" Asuna raised her eyebrow "Your name, during the battle you called my name right? You must have brought it from Argo-sama but that's not fair" Only Argo knows her name so she was surprised when he called her by her name

"Ah, I see! This was the first time you joined a party with somebody right?" Asuna nod at him "My name should be written there!" Kirito pointed to the left side of Asuna "Around there you're able to see my Hp gauge right? Look" Asuna looked at where Kirito pointing his finger but she saw nothing "Hey when you move your face, the gauge also moves" Kirito touch Asuna's face to make her look at him "Just try moving your eyes"

Asuna followed him at after a few moves of her eyes she saw kirito Hp level and his name "Kirito… Kun?"

"Yeah.." Kirito was slightly taken aback and stared at her this is the second time he heard his name from someone here in SAO. They blush "W-Whoa! Hey, by the way, isn't the scenery here is great? Hehehe"

"Hahaha, well I said what I needed to say so I'm going to head back now" Asuna laughs softly that making Kirito more blush

"Ok then" He turned around "See you later Asuna, I'm going to go ahead first"

"Right. I'll catch up to you soon" They separate their ways

*** Second-floor Aincrad***

The 2nd Floor of Aincrad is a savanna realm covered in plains and boulders and roughly the same as the size of the first floor. The 2nd floor is divided into a wide-open northern half and a narrow southern half. The floor consists mostly of the table-topped mountains, looming over plains, dotted with small caves through which underground rivers run. It is primarily inhabited by the large Ostrich-type monsters.

Urbus is the main settlement on the second floor. It is about 300 meters in diameter. The entire city appears to be excavated from a flat-topped mountain and rests in a crater. The city gates and walls rest on the outer rim of the crater. Like all district settlements, Urbus has a main street which runs north-south. The 2nd-floor Teleport gate is located in an elevated town square. The building in Urbus are all relatives of the same height, so it is possible to jump from rooftop to rooftop.