Chapter 77: End of Vacation, Urgent Communication
The morning after a relaxing stay at the hot spring inn, Hachiman received a message from Nishida. After reading it, he immediately called for Kirito and Lisbeth.
"Sorry for calling you both out two days in a row."
"It's fine, but did something happen?"
"You're calling even me... feels like something serious?"
"I'll explain now."
Hachiman began to explain the reason for calling them today to the slightly tense pair.
"Actually... I got intel today from Mr. Nishida saying that the King of the Pond is about to respawn."
"Who's Mr. Nishida?"
"He's an old acquaintance I recently reunited with. A fishing master."
"Ah!"
Kirito reacted to that.
"Is Mr. Nishida that friendly-looking man in his fifties who often fishes on this floor?"
"Exactly. You know him too, Kirito?"
"Yeah, we used to fish together a lot."
"Anyway, this fishing master Mr. Nishida sent a distress signal. Apparently, the King of the Pond is respawning today."
"The King of the Pond is a fishing-type boss?"
Hachiman nodded at Kirito's question.
"Although hooking it depends entirely on fishing skills, reeling it in requires strength attributes. Mr. Nishida can get it to bite but can't reel it in at all. That's why I called you, Kirito—makes sense now, right?"
"You mean, once Mr. Nishida hooks it, I take over to reel it in?"
"Exactly."
"Couldn't you do it, Hachiman?"
"To be honest, I'm not confident. This time I want to be absolutely sure."
"..."
"I get it. So what's my role?"
"I'd like Lisbeth to maintain Mr. Nishida's fishing rod. I'll cover the cost. If you can reinforce it too, even better."
"Understood."
"Meanwhile, Asuna and I will handle support and lunch."
"I'm already making lunch right now!"
Asuna's voice came from the kitchen.
"Feels like a picnic."
"Well, it pretty much is."
"But the King of the Pond, huh... never seen a fishing-type boss before."
"Wonder what kind of fish we'll hook?"
"I'm fired up now. I'll try it with my own rod too."
"Oh, go for it."
"You two seem to be having a lot of fun."
"Any man would get excited looking at a fish encyclopedia."
"Is that so..."
After Asuna finished preparing lunch, the four headed for the fishing spot Mr. Nishida had specified.
"Mr. Nishida~"
"Hachiman-kun! Oh my, Kirito-kun's here too. Long time no see."
"Long time no see, Mr. Nishida."
"Didn't expect you and Hachiman-kun to be friends."
"I was surprised too when I heard you knew Hachiman."
"It's fate."
"Indeed."
Hachiman nodded, then introduced Lisbeth.
"This is Lisbeth, the blacksmith I brought to maintain your fishing rod."
"I'm Lisbeth! Nice to meet you, Mr. Nishida!"
"What a lively young lady. Please take care of me, Miss Lisbeth."
"Sure, could I take a look at your rod?"
"This one. What do you think?"
"Let me inspect it... A bit of maintenance should be enough. I'll make it lighter and reinforce it too."
"Ah, Mr. Nishida—I'll cover the cost."
"Oh no, I can't let you—"
"It's fine. In exchange, please let us see the King of the Pond up close."
"Even if I have to ask Kirito-kun to reel it in, I'll definitely get it to bite this time!"
"Alright, let's all do our best today!"
Lisbeth quickly finished adjusting the rod. As expected of the blacksmith Hachiman trusts as Aincrad's top smith.
Mr. Nishida tested the rod with a few swings, cheering like a child: "Amazing!" The three watching him felt their hearts warmed—surely due to Nishida's charm.
There was still time until the King of the Pond would spawn, so the five relaxed, fished, and enjoyed lunch.
"How do you do this?"
"Hmm... Hey, Kirito, teach Lisbeth how to fish."
"Sure. Lisbeth, come here."
"Okay!"
Lisbeth ran over to Kirito happily. Although Hachiman and Asuna had just learned, they fished quite competently.
Soon, a crowd started to gather nearby—about twenty to thirty people, all holding fishing rods.
"Didn't expect this many fishing enthusiasts..."
Hachiman commented in amazement.
"The King of the Pond here is famous among anglers. Every time it respawns, fishers from all over Aincrad gather here."
"I see. Getting pumped up now, Mr. Nishida."
"Indeed, Hachiman-kun! This time, I'll definitely land it!"
"Let's do it!"
"Good luck, Mr. Nishida!"
"Thanks, Miss Asuna. I won't lose this time... Ah, it's almost time."
As he spoke, all the fishers simultaneously cast their lines into the river. Every time someone hooked a fish, cheers erupted, but no one caught the King of the Pond.
"That's odd... usually by now someone's hooked it and caused a commotion. Feels late today."
"Really...? Hm?"
Suddenly, Hachiman's sharp eyes locked onto a certain part of the water.
"Mr. Nishida, do you see that log-like thing over there?"
"Yes?"
"I sense a massive presence from that area. Not strong, but very large."
"Alright, let's aim for that spot."
"Got it."
Right after Hachiman spoke, Nishida cast his bait precisely into the indicated spot.
"Impressive as always, Mr. Nishida."
"Not really. I've been doing this for years... Wait, this is—!"
Nishida's rod suddenly bent violently, shaking side to side.
"It's here—!"
As Nishida shouted, Hachiman told Asuna to get Kirito.
"Mr. Nishida, please hold on until Kirito gets here."
"Leave it to me! I can still manage the stamina part."
Hearing the commotion, more and more fishers gathered. Kirito and Lisbeth arrived, and Kirito took over the rod.
"Mr. Nishida, please guide me."
"Understood. Kirito-kun, go for it!"
"Yes!"
"Kirito, good luck!"
Lisbeth cheered loudly. The other fishers, too, watched with sparkling eyes like boys seeing a hero.
With everyone cheering and Nishida's instructions, Kirito gradually wore down the King of the Pond's stamina. Eventually, the creature visibly began to tire and drew closer to shore.
At that moment, Hachiman received a message.
"Getting a message at a time like this... Sorry, Asuna. Ready your weapon."
"Got it."
Suddenly, Nishida shouted:
"Now, Kirito-kun!"
"Uoooooh!"
Just as Kirito pulled with full force, a massive creature burst out of the river—a strange, fish-like beast with limbs, resembling a giant salamander: the King of the Pond. It stared with bulging eyes, full of sharp teeth, and lunged toward Nishida and Kirito.
"Uwaaaaah!"
"Ahhhh!"
Nishida fled in panic. Kirito instinctively jumped back. Realizing it wasn't strong, Lisbeth burst out laughing, and Asuna stood gallantly in front of the creature.
"Linear Thrust!"
With a flash of her sword, the King of the Pond collapsed on the spot. It seemed it wouldn't disappear.
"We did it—!"
Nishida's triumphant cry set off a wave of cheers. Kirito and Lisbeth high-fived in celebration. Hachiman had his arm around Asuna's shoulder, watching quietly.
"Everyone, how about a commemorative photo?"
Nishida pulled out a prepared recording crystal. They took a group photo, then used Hachiman's crystal to take one of the four of them.
At that moment, a few players gathered around Asuna:
"You're Flash Asuna, right? We're fans! Keep it up!"
"So you're married now—congrats!"
"Th-thank you!"
Asuna clung to Hachiman's arm while receiving their blessings. Hachiman scratched his head shyly.
Seeing this, Kirito and Lisbeth approached.
"What happened?"
"Don't want to ruin the mood, but... looks like our vacation's over. The 75th Floor's boss room has been found. A ten-man scout team entered, but the door suddenly shut. When it reopened, they were gone."
"Oh no... Are they confirmed dead?"
"Yeah. It's a crystal-blocked area, and the door can't be opened from either side."
"That's rough."
"Hence, Heathcliff wants Kirito at HQ too."
"Got it."
"Mr. Nishida... about what I just said—"
Nishida looked pained as he overheard.
"Yes, Mr. Nishida. Our vacation is over."
"Sorry for always making you all take on such heavy burdens."
"It's alright. We're the so-called Four Heavenly Kings, after all."
"Kirito-kun too?"
"That's right, Kirito's one of us."
As Hachiman spoke, he changed into the Knights of the Blood Oath Strategist's uniform to show his resolve.
The other three were shocked by this rare gesture. But seeing the look in Hachiman's eyes, Asuna and Kirito immediately donned their battle gear as well. The gathered onlookers buzzed:
"That's a Knights of the Blood Oath uniform!"
"I've seen Miss Asuna's before, but the other one's a different design..."
"I saw it in a guidebook—that's the Strategist's exclusive uniform!"
"Wait, could that be...?"
"The legendary Black Swordsman? The one in all-black?"
Hachiman addressed the crowd:
"Everyone, sorry to interrupt. As you can see, Asuna and I are on our honeymoon, but we just received orders from the Commander. The three of us—Silver Shadow Hachiman, Vice Commander Flash Asuna, and the Black Swordsman Kirito—will end our vacation and deploy to the 75th Floor Boss Battle.
With weapons forged by Aincrad's top blacksmith, we will fight on behalf of everyone. One day, we will free all players. Please keep supporting us!"
This powerful declaration was unlike Hachiman's usual self. If his classmates from Soubu High had seen him, they would have been shocked.
As the crowd cheered, Nishida tearfully shook hands with the four and promised to see them again. The group left for headquarters. Lisbeth was tasked with assembling the rest of the team at their secret base.
"By the way, Hachiman—why'd you suddenly get so cool?"
"Seeing Mr. Nishida and everyone... I just wanted to reassure them."
"That was super inspiring! Super cool!"
"Actually, my legs were shaking the whole time."
"But that's my husband!"
"To be honest, the path ahead is uncertain. I'm anxious too."
"So even the perfect Hachiman gets scared?"
"That's rude, Lisbeth. I'm human too."
"Haha, looks like Hachiman's back to normal."
"Ah, my legs stopped shaking. Thanks to you, Lisbeth."
"It's the least I can do."
Seeing Lisbeth look a little down, Kirito encouraged her:
"That's not true. Like Hachiman said—we're fighting with weapons you made. We wouldn't be here without you."
"He's right. We're all grateful to you."
"Yeah! The 75th Floor will definitely have strong enemies, but please all come back safe! Silica, Argo, and I will be waiting!"
"Yeah!"
"Leave it to us."
"Then let's head to HQ. Lisbeth, gather everyone as planned."
"Got it."
And so, Hachiman and Asuna ended their vacation—and returned to the battlefield.