Asuna reveals that she wants to distance herself from the Knights of the Blood Oath for a while.
Kirito decides to stake Asuna's freedom in a duel with Heathcliff, the notorious leader of the Knights of the Blood Oath, said to be the most powerful man in Aincrad.
Knowing how formidable an opponent Heathcliff will be, Asuna worries for Kirito's safety, but Kirito reassures her with a laugh that he doesn't intend to go down easily.
And so it begins - the one-on-one battle between Heathcliff, master of the unique skill, Holy Sword, and Kirito, wielder of Dual Swords.