Sword Art Online Episode 10

Crimson Killing Intent (紅の殺意) is the tenth episode of the Sword Art Online anime adaptation. It aired on September 8, 2012.

Plot
It is the day after Kirito accepts to duel Heathcliff for the sake of Asuna. At the 75th floor: «Collinia», a lot of players gather to watch the fight at the coliseum. Kirito was waiting at his room with Asuna; who was still annoyed that Kirito accepted to duel the strongest player of the whole game. Asuna reminds Kirito that Heathcliff was the famous player who was able to hold back a boss in a fight, plus the fact that no player had ever seen Heathcliff’s health bar reach the yellow zone. Kirito told Asuna that he understood his odds, however he boldly declare that he still do not plan to lose.

While Asuna watches from one of the entrance, Kirito enter the arena to where Heathcliff is. After selecting the «First Strike» option for their duel, both Heathcliff and Kirito ready themselves as the timer counts down. When the timer reaches zero, Kirito starts out with full-on assault with his «Dual Blades», however Heathcliff is able to block all of Kirito’s attacks with his tower shield. Kirito seem to be at a disadvantage as Heathcliff easily defends and attacks because of his unique skill: «Holy Sword».



Still not letting up of his assault, Kirito continues to attack with his two swords and finally knock away Heathcliff’s shield to his side. As Kirito tries to goes in for the finishing blow, Heathcliff move his shield at an impossible speed and once again block Kirito’s attack. Seizing the moment, Heathcliff made the final attack and causes Kirito’s health bar to reach the orange zone, therefore meaning Kirito have lost his «First-strike» duel to Heathcliff.

On October 22, Kirito speaks with Asuna while readying for his duties in the guild. In that moment, Asuna uses this time to question Kirito why he avoids guilds and exclude others, despite being a nice person. Kirito confidently answers her about his time with the Black Cats of the Full Moon, and how all of them died. Although shaken up by that fact, Asuna who understands everything promises that she'll protect him. In the HQ, Asuna talks to Godfree about taking Kirito to a mandatory training session in floor 55 to see his skills. Kirito accepts, and for his surprise, Kuradeel will also accompany them in their training. Before leaving, they give their crystals to Godfree as a testament to prove their skills.

On floor 55, they stop to rest and Godfree gives them each a portion of food, while drinking Kirito notices something weird. But it was too late, the water had paralyzing poison. Kuradeel stands and kills Godfree, revealing his revenge plan to Kirito and that he's part of the PK guild, Laughing Coffin. He resumes to kill Kirito before the poison's effectdisappears, stabbing him mercilessly.

With his HP nearly depleted, Kirito was nearly at death's doors, but just a thought about Asuna gave him motivation to resist and hold back Kuradeel's blade. Asuna, with quick speed, enters just in time blowing away Kuradeel and gives a full-healing crystal to Kirito. She proceeds to fight Kuradeel, just before killing him, he surrenders and begs for forgiveness.

Asuna lowers her guard and Kuradeel takes the chance to attack, Kirito enters just in time to stop Kuradeel by taking a blow and losing his hand. He then kills Kuradeel with his Martial Arts skill, and Kuradeel's last words are that Kirito is a murderer.

After the harrowing experience Asuna believes she is to blame for this and says that she will never bother Kirito again. Kirito stops her, kiss her, and embraces her and states his life belongs to her. Not wanting to partway from Asuna’s side, Kirito told her that he wants to be with her. They both later have dinner at Asuna’s house; Kirito was startled when Asuna suddenly rose from her chair when they finished their meal. Asuna then turn off the lights and start undresses herself, when Asuna then asks Kirito to take off his clothes as well, Kirito realizes his mistake when he told Asuna that he wanted to be with her for tonight. Kirito tries to correct the situation; however he just made another mistake in his life. Asuna then punches Kirito for the whole embarrassing ordeal.

Afterwards, Asuna wakes up to find Kirito by her bed; happy that her time with Kirito isn’t a dream. After hearing that Asuna plans to stay away from the frontline battlefield for a while, Kirito bring up that there is a small village at the southwest region of the 22nd floor. Kirito told Asuna that she can stay there for a while with him, as well as something else.

As Asuna patiently wait to listen, Kirito faces her and ask her to marry him.

New Characters

 * Godfree

Inventory

 * Kirito
 * Elucidator
 * Dark Repulser
 * Heathcliff
 * Liberator
 * Godfree
 * Teleport Crystal - given by Kirito
 * Antidote Crystal - given by Kuradeel
 * Heal Crystal - given by Kuradeel
 * Asuna
 * Lambent Light
 * Heal Crystal

Sword Skills

 * Double Circular
 * Vorpal Strike
 * Starburst Stream
 * Embracer

Locations

 * Floor 55 Grandum - Knights of the Blood Headquarters, Dungeon Entrance
 * Floor 50 Algade - Kirito's house
 * Floor 61 Selmburg - Asuna's house

Adaptation Notes

 * Adapted from Sword Art Online Light Novel Volume 01 


 * In the light novel series, it was a group of four while it was only Kirito, Godfree and Kuradeel, a group of three in the anime.
 * The scene with the "Ethics Code off" option was omitted from the anime.
 * It is heavily implied that Kirito and Asuna slept together. With Asuna waking up nude and clasping a blanket onto her body it can be assumed that they continued. This can also be seen in chapter 16.5 of volume 1 which only appeared on the web version of the light novel