The fishing line hanging on the surface of the lake was tied to a float, but the float did not move at all. Just staring at the soft light dancing on the water, the sandman soon began to attack me.
I yawned loudly and pulled the fishing rod back. The silver hook at the front of the fishing line was empty and shining. The bait that had been hung on it had long disappeared.
It had been more than ten days since they moved to the twenty-second floor. In order to obtain the ingredients for my daily meal, I removed the double-handed sword skill that I had practiced a long time ago from my skill grid and replaced it with the fishing skill. Then, he imitated Jiang Taigong fishing by the stream, but for some reason, the fish did not bite at all. His skill proficiency was almost over 600. At this time, even if he could not catch a big fish, he should be able to catch something. However, every day, he would just waste a whole box of bait that he bought in the village.
[I can't fish anymore...]
He cursed softly, then threw the fishing rod to the side and lay down. Although the wind blowing over the lake was cold, the super thick winter coat that Asuna had made for me with her tailor skills kept me warm. She was still practicing her sewing skills, so of course, it was not as perfect as the custom-made ones from the shop, but as long as it could keep her warm, it would be fine.
Ain Grand had now entered the season of 'Cypress Moon'. In Japan, it was November. Although it was almost winter, fishing had nothing to do with the season in the game. Perhaps his luck value had been used up because he had married a beautiful wife.
Thinking of this, I became very happy. A big smile appeared on my face and I continued to lie on the ground to sleep. Suddenly, a voice came from the top,"
"How's the result?"
She jumped up in shock. She turned around and saw a man standing there.
He was wearing heavy clothes and a hat that could cover his ears. He was also holding a fishing rod like me. However, what was surprising was the man's age. No matter how he looked at it, he should be over fifty years old. His face, which was wearing iron-framed glasses, had wrinkles that indicated that he had just entered old age. In SAO, which was full of serious gamers, it was rare to see such an old player. It should be said that he had never seen it before. Could it be-?
[I'm not an NPC.]
The man smiled bitterly as if he had seen through my thoughts. Then, he slowly walked down the slope.
[I'm, I'm really sorry. I don't think it's possible either, but…"
[No, no, no, no wonder you think that way.] I think I should be the oldest player in this game.」
He shook his strong body and laughed.
The man said," Sorry," and sat down next to me. He took out the bait box from the small bag at his waist and called out the pop-up menu with an unfamiliar gesture. He chose the fishing rod and hung the bait.
[My name is Nishida. He was a fishing master here, and in Japan, he was the security minister of a company called Toto Express Line. I'm sorry I don't have a business card."
After saying that, he laughed again.
[Ahhh…]
I can roughly guess why this man is in the game. Dongdu Express Line was a network operator that cooperated with ARGUS. They should also be responsible for managing the network connecting to the SAO server group.
[My name is Kirito. He had only recently moved in from the upper floors. Mr. Nishida's company…should be…responsible for maintaining the SAO network line…?」
"Basically, I'm the person in charge of this part.」
I looked at Nishida-san, who nodded with mixed feelings. In that case, this man should be related to this incident because of his work.
"Aiya, the higher-ups also said that it's fine if I don't log into the game, but my personality is that I have to confirm the results of my work with my own eyes. This is the result of not admitting my age.」
Seeing him smile and swing the fishing rod smoothly, it was obvious that he was a very professional fishing master. He seemed to like to talk. Before I could speak, he continued,
"Other than me, there are twenty to thirty older fathers who came to this world for various reasons. They were probably all obediently staying in the Town of Beginnings, but I really couldn't give up on this interest.」
As he spoke, he pulled the fishing rod for me to see.
"I kept looking for good rivers and lakes, and finally crawled to this place.」
[I-I see... but no monsters will appear on this floor.]」
When Nishida heard what I said, he just smiled and didn't answer. Instead, he asked me,"
[How is it? Are there any good fishing spots up there?]」
"Hmm... the comprehensive lake on the 61st level should be called the sea. I heard that you can catch quite a big fish.」
"I see! Then I have to give it a try."
At this moment, the float at the end of the man's line began to float violently. Nishida moved his wrist precisely to the rhythm of the fishing rod. His fishing skills should be pretty good, and the value of his fishing skill should be quite high.
[Oh, so, so big!]
I hurriedly leaned out of the water. Nishida was leisurely controlling the fishing rod beside me, pulling a big blue fish out of the water in one breath. After the fish jumped a few times in the man's hand, it automatically disappeared into the prop bar.
[Amazing...!]
Nishida scratched his head in embarrassment and said,"
"No, fishing here only depends on skill values.」
Then, he smiled and said,
" However, it's not bad to be able to catch fish, but I really don't know how to cook it afterwards... Although I really want to eat stewed fish and sashimi, I can't do it without soy sauce..."
[Ah…that…]
I hesitated for a moment. We moved here to avoid everyone, but I think this man shouldn't be interested in gossip.
"... I know of a seasoning that is very similar to soy sauce..."
[What did you say!]
Nishida's eyes lit up under his glasses as he leaned towards me.
Asuna saw Nishida when she welcomed me home. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she immediately smiled and said,
" You're back. You have a guest?"
Well, this is the fishing master, Mr. Nishida. And-"
I turned to Nishida and was about to introduce Asuna to him, but I hesitated and couldn't say anything. At this time, Asuna smiled at the old fishing master and said,"
[I am Asuna, Kirito's wife. Welcome to our home."
After saying that, he nodded energetically.
Nishida's jaw dropped as he stared at Asuna. Asuna was wearing a simple long dress, a linen shirt, an apron, and a headscarf. Although she was completely different from the heroic swordsman in the KO B era, her beauty did not change at all.
After blinking a few times, Nishida finally came back to his senses and said,"
" Oh, oh, how rude. I'm completely stunned. My name is Nishida, and I'm here to disturb you today…"
He laughed as he scratched his head.
Asuna used her cooking skills to prepare the fish she got from Nishida into sashimi and stewed fish before placing them on the dining table. The fragrance of her homemade soy sauce wafted through the room. Nishida looked touched and kept moving his nose.
Although it was a freshwater fish, it tasted like the oily yellowtail fish in the season of abundance. According to Nishida, this was a type of fish that could not be caught with less than 950 fishing skills. The three of us chatted for a while and then focused on moving the chopsticks in our hands.
The plates on the table were immediately emptied. After dinner, Nishida held a cup of hot tea in his hand and sighed with an intoxicated expression.
[... Aiya, it's really too delicious.] Thank you for your hospitality. However, I really didn't expect that there would be soy sauce in this world..."
"Ah, we made this ourselves. If you don't mind, please bring it back."
Asuna took out a small bottle from the kitchen and handed it to Nishida. However, I think it's better not to tell him that the materials contain the antidote ingredients. She smiled at the embarrassed Nishida and said," It's okay. You shared such delicious fish with us." She then continued,"
"And Kirito never caught any fish.」
Suddenly, someone pointed the finger at me. I could only take a sip of tea unhappily and answer,
"The difficulty level of the lakes nearby is too high.」
[Actually, that's not the case. The only difficult one is the big lake you're fishing in.」
[What…]
Nishida's words left me speechless. Asuna held her stomach and snickered.
[Why is it set like this...]
[Actually, what about the lake…]
Nishida lowered his voice. Asuna and I leaned over.
[It seems to have an owner.]
[Master?]
Nishida smiled at Asuna and me who were speaking in unison. He pushed his glasses up and continued,"
"In the prop house in the village, there is a particularly expensive bait. I wanted to buy something to test it out, so I bought it to use.」
He could not help but swallow his saliva.
"But I can't catch any fish with this bait. After trying it out in many places, I finally realized that I should use it on the lake with the highest difficulty.」
[Did, did you catch it…?]」
[He did take the bait.]
He nodded deeply. However, he immediately revealed a regretful expression and said,
"However, I didn't have enough strength to pull the fish up, and the fishing rod was dragged away. I saw a little shadow at the end. It was not just big, it could be said to be a monster. Of course, I'm not referring to the monsters that appeared in the training area.」
He spread his arms wide open. At the lakeside, when I told him that no monsters would appear here, Nishida's face revealed a meaningful smile. This was probably what he meant.
[Wow, I really want to see it!]
Asuna's eyes were glowing. Nishida said," This is what I want to discuss with you." Then he looked at me.
[Kirito, are you confident in your strength…?]」
[Hmm, it should be alright…]
[Then do you want to fish with me?!] I'll be in charge of the bait. I'll give it to you after I take the bait."
[Ah ah, the 'switch' for fishing.] Can you do that kind of thing…"
Asuna excitedly said to the doubtful me,"
[Just give it a try, Kirito!] Sounds interesting!"
She was still in a hurry to do whatever she thought of. But in fact, I'm also very curious about this matter.
[Then let's give it a try...]
After I finished speaking, Nishida smiled and said," That's more like it." Then he started laughing loudly.
That night.
Asuna cried out that it was so cold. Then, she crawled into my blanket and stuck her body tightly to me. She let out a satisfied sound from her throat. She blinked her sleepy eyes and smiled as if she had thought of something.
[... There are all kinds of people here...]
"He's really a lovable old man.」
[Yes.]
Asuna, who was smiling, suddenly stopped smiling and said in a low voice,"
[I've been fighting in the upper echelons until now. I've completely forgotten that there are people living an ordinary life here...]
"It's not that we're special, but since we have the level to fight at the front line, it means that we have a responsibility to these people.」
"... I've never thought of such a thing... I just feel that becoming stronger is the first condition for me to survive here..."
" I think there must be a lot of people looking forward to Kirito now. Of course, that includes me."
[It's a pity that my personality is one that makes me want to run away when I hear people say that to me...]
[Really…]
Asuna pouted in dissatisfaction. I stroked her bangs and prayed in my heart that I could live like this for a while longer. For the sake of Nishida and the other players, we must return to the battlefield one day. But at least for now-
From the information Aguirre and Klein had sent him, he knew that the 75th checkpoint was in trouble. But I truly believe that my life here with Asuna is the most important thing to me right now.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]