There's nothing I love more about nature, birds chirping, feeling that nice cool breeze across my face, and the crippling disappointment of the lack of fish in my inventory. Yeah, that's a thing now.

I let out a sigh. Sitting down at the wooden docks, I sat at the edge of it with a fishing rod in my hands. My entire time here was all but sad, I barely caught any fish at all, only two, but no more.

U/n: What a great day.... not.

Pulling back my string to look at the hook, only to see the lack of fish and the worm I had placed on there.

???: You catch anything?

That was when I noticed a presence and a soft breath going down my neck. I jumped in surprise and quickly turned around to see an elderly man behind me.

He smiles at me and stood up. He laughs when seeing my reaction.

???: Sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you like that.

He swings his rod forward and casts his hook into the lake. Taking a seat right next to me, the old man greeted me with a kind smile.

Nishida: My name's Nishida, and I'm a Fisherman-- in the game, anyway. Back in Japan, I was the head of Network Security for a company called ToTo High-speed internet.

U/n: I'm U/n, nice to meet you.

The company name was familiar, and that's when it clicked.

U/n: Wait a minute, wasn't ToTo the company that--

He nods confirming my answer.

Nishida: Yup. We were the folks in charge of Network security for this game.

Then, something in the lake had begun to tug on his fishing rod. He began to pull back on his rod.

U/n: Seems like a big one.

Nishida: Yeah! But I've caught bigger!

Pulling his fishing rod back, a large was pulled out of the lake, its mouth on his hook.

U/n: Nice.

Nishida: Thanks.

He puts the fish he caught in his inventory.

Nishida: I'm good at catching 'em, but cooking 'em? Yeah, not so good. I'd love to make Sashimi or a nice stew out of 'em. But what's the point when I don't have any soy sauce?

I guess today is the old man's lucky day, I know just the right person for the job.

Nishida: I could go for fish baked with soy sauce right now or with radishes and soy sauce, yeah.

U/n; If you, I just might be able to help you out with that.

He was silent just for a brief second before he looks at me surprised and his eyes widened.

Nishida: Wait! Say whaaaaaaaaat?!

From the corner of my eye, I saw a huge shadowy figure in the lake. It retreated deeper into the pond. I turned my attention back to Nishida.

U/n: You can calm down there buddy, it's not that big of a deal.

(Timeskip)

Apparently it was, when I brought him with me and nicely asked Asuna if she can cook the fish he caught. He completely devoured it, I never saw anyone demolish a cooked fish fast in my life before, only thing that was left of it was its bones and the head.

Me and Asuna sat on the couch just opposite of him, me and Nishida both had a cup in our hands.

Nishida: Ahh! That was an amazing meal. I has no idea you could get soy sauce in this world.

Asuna: Actually, I made it myself. If you want, you can take some home with you.

Nishida: Really? Ma'am, my taste buds bow down before you!

He laughs.

Asuna: Glad you liked it. By the way, how high is your fishing skill? I'm asking because U/n barely even caught anything yet.

Nishida laughs at this, much to my dismay.

U/n: Maybe if all the lakes on this floor weren't so difficult, I would've caught a decent amount.

I took a sip from my tea.

Nishida: Well, actually, that's not true. As far as fishing goes, the only lake that's tough to catch anything in is the big one you were at today.

I spit out whatever tea I had left in my mouth.

U/n: What?!

Asuna giggles at this.

U/n: Why would someone design it like that?

Nishida: Yes! Good question! That lake is the home of... The king of all fish.

U/n and Asuna: Seriously?

Excitement can be heard in Asuna's voice while I was just unimpressed. Nishida leans forward with this serious look on his face.

Nishida: Yup. We're old pals. I've had him on the end of my hook quite a few times. But he's so strong, he yanks the pole right out of my hands every time.

Asuna nods excitedly.

Nishida: I was wondering... do you have any plans for tomorrow?

U/n: No, I don't think so. Why?

Nishida: Perfect. Cause you'll be helping me catch, The King.

U/n: Say what?

(Timeskip)

Nishida explained to me his plan, and I gotta say, it's the most interesting one I have ever heard. Doing a switch with a fishing pole, has got to be one of the interesting things I have ever done. Not impossible mind you, but it is difficult, considering the fact it is a fishing pole and not a sword.

Me and Asuna were both in our bed, I imagined a fishing pole in my hands and mimicked the action of tossing the line into the lake.

U/n: I don't mind helping the old man out, but how on earth am I supposed to do a switch move with a fishing pole?

Asuna: You're the only one I know who can figure it out. What if you catch it? Will you keep it?

I snickered.

U/n: If I do, I'm gonna need a big fish tank.

Asuna reaches over to the lamp that illuminated the room. She presses the button on it and the light turned off. She crawls into bed and rests her head on my chest, something she's been quite a bit. And something I grew to enjoy, even if it is uncomfortable.

She lets out a contently.

U/n: I gotta admit, that old man is something else.

Asuna giggles.

Asuna: When you both showed up, I was like, "Who is this person?" Isn't it funny how people are living normal lives in this world? And since we're the ones on the front lines, their lives have sort of become our responsibility, haven't they?

U/n: During my time here, I tried to be the hero this world needs. One of the main reasons why I go solo was because I wanted to help people. Going to places where I wanted to and not be hindered by a guild. I know that responsibility well.

Asuna gets up from my chest and places both of her hands on my face. She smiles at me.

Asuna: Everyone expects great things from you now. And guess what. So do I. Talk about pressure, huh?

She smiles warmly at me. I reached over to the necklace that she was wearing, where our daughter's saved data was in. Taking it in my hand, I traced my finger around it.

U/n: I did promise I'd save everyone, talk about pressure.

Asuna: Oh, well. They'll understand if you take tonight off.

She lays back on my chest.

U/n: Yeah.

I wrapped my arms around her, just having her beside me, feels me with great joy. I wish we could do this forever, stay in this small cabin, holding each other, sleeping together. Everything about this is just perfect.

But I know, deep down that this won't last forever, we need to clear this game, so that we can go home. Back to our friends and family.

Miles, Gwen, mom, dad, I have so many things to tell you, the adventures I gone on. The people I met, the girl I fell in love with. When I get out, I'll introduce you to Asuna. I miss all of you.

(Timeskip)

The big day has come, it was early in the morning when Nishida came to get us at our cabin. I expected the three of us to head down the dock, catch the king, and eat it. But that's not what happened.

All around us, were a dozen of people, chatting, laughing, some were even in their boats in the lake. Everyone here waited for the time where we get the king from the lake.

Y/n: There's so many people here.

Asuna, who was wearing a cloth over her head, looked at the people here.

Asuna: Can you believe all the people who showed up?

Nishida, who was a couple of feet away from me, stared at everyone and smiled.

Nishida: Well, here we go! Thanks for your patience, everyone. Here comes today's main event!

People cheered when hearing the time has come. Nishida looks at me.

Nishida: U/n, let's catch us a fish.

U/n: Let's get this started.

In Nishida's hand, was a lizard. Failing around, trying to get free. Asuna saw this and puts her hands over her mouth, horrified by what she's seeing.

U/n: Any idea how big the fish is?

Not answering my question, Nishida walked over at the edge of the dock. He holds the rod above his head, ready to cast the line in the lake.

Nishida: Okay, here goes nothing!

With a yell, he threw the line and the lizard in the lake. Feel pretty bad about the little guy.

I stared at the lake, watching for any sign of movement from within. I noticed that Nishida's rod was slightly going forward. I walked over to him.

U/n: Shouldn't you reel it in?

Nishida: No, not yet.

Whatever was in the lake, tugged on his pole more and more.

U/n: Um, Nishida?

Nishida: Hang on. Not yet.

A moment of silence filled the air. Then, his pole was violently pulled down.

Nishida: Now!

His fishing pole started to glow.

Nishida: I got the sucker!

Quickly, he handed me his pole.

Nishida: Here!

I stared at it in my hands, with no idea what to do.

U/n: Uh, switch?

Whatever was in the lake was strong, just from pulling on the pole, it dragged me all the way to the edge of the dock, nearly pulling me into the lake. Lucky, I was able to recover in time and prevent that from happening.

U/n: Alright, come out here, you!

Using all of my strength, I pulled on pole and started to run back towards land.

Asuna: Look! It's coming up!

People surrounded the dock, looking at the lake. When I got to land, I stopped and stared at the pole in my arms.

U/n: Come to papa!

All of a sudden, everyone ran past me in a hurry, even Asuna.

U/n: Hey, wait! Where you guys going?!

The line to the pole suddenly snapped, resulting in me falling to the ground unexpectedly. I looked at the dangling line and then at the lake.

U/n: No! Come on!

I quickly ran over to the dock in a hurry. That's when I heard Asuna's voice.

Asuna: U/n! Look out!

I made it to the edge of the deck when I heard Asuna's warning, I turned and looked at Asuna.

U/n: For what?!

Right there and then, my head started to tingle. I looked down at the lake and suddenly, water bursted up. Sending me flying back and destroying the dock.

I layed on the ground as a giant fish-like monster with legs stood over me. Water fell down around as remnants of the dock's planks all fell on the ground.

The monster hissed at me, I quickly stood up and ran away, fast as I can back to Asuna and the rest of the people. After coming to a sudden stop, I hid behind Asuna while looking at her angrily.

U/n: You left me there to die!

She just laughs nervously. Then a loud screech can be heard. Turning my attention forward, I saw the fish-monster running at us on all four legs.

Nishida: Here it comes!

Nishida and the rest of the townsfolk, all started to freak out.

U/n: This thing can run?

Yes, it can run, very slowly though.

U/n: It's like a lung fish, but with legs and a few feet taller.

Nishida: U/n! This is serious! That thing's coming for us! Hurry! Do something!

U/n: Let me think about it for a second.

Asuna sighs.

Asuna: Guess I'll take care of this.

Asuna grabbed her coat and threw it off her, as well as the cloth in her head.

Nishida: Run while you still can!

U/n: She's a tough girl, she'll be fine.

Nishida grabbed my arm with one hand and used the other to point a Asuna, who stood ready for the monster.

Nishida: Save your wife, U/n!

The monster lunged at Asuna, making Nishida gasp in horror.

Nishida: No! Watch out!

Asuna used the sword skill "Linear", at great speed, she blitzed right through the monster. In the air, the monster glowed brightly and then burst into pixels.

Everyone below was surprised to say the least, the spectators all had their mouths wide open.

Asuna lands on the ground flawlessly, she sheaths her rapier on her hip and turns around to face everyone.

The crowd was silent, just complete silence. That changed quickly, when they all ran towards Asuna, cheering, giving her complaints, etc.

Me and Nishida stood in our same exact spot, he continued to stare at Asuna in shock. Finally, I decided to walk forward.

U/n: Nice work, Asuna.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw a message icon in my field of view. The sender, Heathcliff.

(Timeskip)

After reading the message that Heathcliff had sent me. Both me and Asuna went back to our cabin to meet up with him.

I layed down on the bed that me and Asuna have been sleeping on every night.

I heard the door opened that leads to our bedroom, looking at the door, I saw Asuna standing there.

Asuna: Come on, you've moped long enough already.

U/n: I know. But it's only been two weeks.

Asuna: If he needs us on the front lines, then something must've happened. Why else would he interrupt our vacation?

U/n: I guess your right, but still...

Asuna: Let's at least hear what he's got to say. Come on. Time to go.

Heaving a sigh, I forced myself off the bed and came to a stand. I walked over to Asuna at the door.

Asuna: We'll take care if this, then come back.

U/n: Roger that.

(Timeskip)

At the teleport gate, Nishida had decided to see us off.

U/n: Thanks for seeing us off. We didn't get spend much time together, but it was a blast.

Nishida: Oh, well, it was an honor and a privilege. Actually, before I met the two of you, I couldn't imagine what the folks working to clear the game were like. You might as well Bern from another planet.

I chuckled.

Nishida: Being trapped in here for the past two years...

He sighs.

Nishida: ... even if I made it out alive, I don't know if I can go back to my old job, my old life. Maybe deep down, inside, I've given up hope of ever gettin' out. I figured spending my time with a fishing pole between my mitts was the best thing for me. Pretty sad, huh?

I shook my head.

U/n: That isn't sad.

Asuna: I get what you mean.

I turned my sight at Asuna, slightly surprised by what she said.

Asuna: I used to feel the same as you-- at first, anyway. I felt lost and hopeless. Every night, I'd cry myself to sleep. It felt like each day that went by in here was another day lost from my real life.

Nishida gasp.

Asuna: So I'd cry, and afterwards, I'd go and fight as hard as I could. All I cared about was winning, getting stronger, and getting to the next floor. But then, I was walking along and I saw someone taking a nap in the shade. I was so mad. I told him he shouldn't waste his time like that.

I scratched my cheek, feeling somewhat embarrassed. I remember that day well.

Asuna: And then he said-- and I'll never forget it-- "This is Aincrad's nicest season. Today's weather is at its optimal setting!" He said it'd be a waste to go into some dungeon on such a beautiful day. So I tried lying down, too, and you know what? I slept like a baby.

I smiled remembering that memory, the first time I ever saw her sleep.

Asuna: When I woke up, it was evening and he was giving me the weirdest look. Anyway, we formed our own party. And that's when I realized something. Even in a world like this, He was really living. He wasn't losing a day in the real world. He was gaining a day, here.

I felt her Asuna's hold on my hand, tighten. Like she's afraid to let go.

Asuna: I learned so much from him. And by "him," I mean U/n. When I thought about him before falling asleep, I noticed I wouldn't have nightmares. I began looking forward to seeing him again.

Tears swells up in her eyes, hearing her say all this, warms my heart.

Asuna: It was like, for the first time, I was glad I was here.

She wipes the tears from her eyes with the palm of her hand.

Asuna: U/n is everything to me. He's what the last two years were about. He's proof I'm alive. Why'd I put on the NerveGear that day? It's obvious. So I could come here and meet him. You're still alive, right? You must have something to live for, too.

Nishida smiles with his eyes closed.

Nishida: Yeah, you're right. Yeah, you're absolutely right. Life isn't so bad here. No, it's actually pretty damn good.

He grabbed hold of her hands in his.

Nishida: I wish there was something I could do to help, but we'll, there it is. Good luck and be safe.

U/n: Thanks old man. One day, we'll go fishing again, someday.

Asuna: Take care, okay?

With a nod, Nishida backs up from us. Here goes.

U/n and Asuna: Teleport-- Grantham.

A blue light engulfed us, as I began to take us to our destination. But for some reason, today feels different. I don't need that tingling sensation in my head to tell me something bad will happen. I could feel it in my gut.

(Timeskip)

U/n: The recon team was wiped out?

Me and Asuna stood before Heathcliff and the others members, sitting in their respected chairs.

Heathcliff: They were scouting for the upcoming boss fight. It was a party of twenty members, taken from five different guilds. Ten of them reached reached the center of the room... then the boss appeared. And that's when the entrance closed m, cutting them off from the rest of the party.

This all sounded too familiar, like the time I saved the members of "Moonlit Black Cats" from a Anti-Crystal Zone.

U/n: A Anti-Crystal Zone. That's what they walked into, didn't they?

Heathcliff: Precisely. And it couldn't have been more than five minutes or so when the door finally opened. The room was empty. There wasn't any trace left behind of the ten soldiers or the boss.

Hearing this news surprised and spiked worry in me.

Heathcliff: Now more than ever, clearing the game should be everyone's number-one priority. We're going to launch an attack with the largest group we can assemble.

U/n: You can count on us to fight with you. But I'll tell you this, Asuna's safety will be my top priority. If things goes sideways, you can be damn sure I'll be protecting her. That's not negotiable.

A smile creeped up his face.

Heathcliff: A person with something to protect is a strong ally to have. I'm expecting a good fight from you.

Something about that sentence threw me off, now he's definitely hiding something. I just don't know what it is, but I'll find out one day, for now, I gotta focus on this fight. And Asuna's safety.

(Timeskip)

After the meeting between Heathcliff, me and Asuna decided to wait in a room by ourselves for the time being. With each passing second, my worriedness gotten more and more stronger.

Asuna sat on the desk in the room while I leaned against one of the large windows in the room.

Asuna: Three more hours of waiting. What should we do?

I didn't answer her. Fear of losing her soon started to take control. I don't want to lose her, the one good thing that came in my life. She's my everything.

Asuna: What's wrong with you?

What I'm about to say is stupid, I know she won't accept it, but I still gotta say it.

U/n: There's something I wanna ask you. But, please, try not to get mad at me. Instead of going to the boss fight, could you stay here, where it's safe?

She turns her back on me.

Asuna: Why would you ask that?