While fishing at the lake, Kirito is approached by an elderly player, Nishida.
As Nishida is an avid fisherman, the two hit it off, and Kirito decides to help him try and catch the local god, said to live in that very lake.
After knowing nothing but battle, day in and day out, on the front lines, Kirito and Asuna, through their encounters with Nishida and the others, realize that there are ordinary people around them, doing their best to live another day.
As the weight of their responsibilities as top players hits home, they receive a message...