Sword Art Online ー The Cloaked Swordsmen

Chapter 6 - Survival

"Finally! I am never doing that again"

After getting out of the house, I exclaimed, dispersing the depressing mood a little bit.

"You mean the collection quests? you know, there's a lot of those in MMO's" Kirito said with a questioning look while rubbing his face. "How are you so calm already?"

"Eh? Well, you know I just... Shut up! It's none of your business what I think about and what inspires me, hmph! Anyway, look at all these materials I got from those Nepenthes..."

I said pulling out several materials such as, the [Nephenthes tongue], [Nephenthes vines] [Nephentes lips], [Nephenthes slime], all of which could be used as hair dye when combined.

"...right. It's a lot, but next time, try not to be so reckless." Kirito said the last part in a whisper.

"In any case, Kacchan, go get a room at the inn. I'm gonna go catch up to Argo. See ya!"

I ran off, waving Kirito goodbye. I ran past the crowds and went towards the gate where Argo was waiting. She was swinging her legs back and forth while sitting down on the fence.

Then, when she heard my heavy footsteps, she turned her head with an expectant look. The moment she saw me running towards her, she flashed a smile and greeted me by waving her hand.

"Yo, Kei-boy, I knew you'd come. You ready for the juicy intel?" She said with an eager smile, which could nearly light up the village and disperse the darkness around.

"Ah. Well yeah, but before that, thanks for the help." I said as Argo waved her hands in front of her frantically.

"No, no, no it's okay. We're the only info brokers in Aincrad so we oughta stick together, ya know?"

"Hmm? Well, thanks but i'm not an info broker. The correct term would be... a travelling merchant."

"Eh? What kinda travellin' merchant? D'ya even have anything to sell?" She threw several questions at me as I raised an eyebrow and sat on the fence, while she followed and sat next to me with a slight thud.

"Already juicing me for info? I actually got some rare hair dye on me right now. However, before I disclose more info, I want my intel. Asap." I spoke, opening the main menu interface and materializing 500 Cor as a sack appeared in my left hand.

"Say no more. Alright, soー" Argo spoke and clapped her hands together, before snatching the bag of Col from my hands.

"Supposedly, there's this mob that ain't in the beta test from the south of here. 'though I haven't really checked it out yet. I'm thinkin' about making a field guide for the newbies. wanna help me? Well, after ya... get new equipment. Yer looking kinda damaged at the moment, Nyahaha."

 She laughed as I scratched my head in embarrassment. My white cloak had holes and was tattered. It was a miracle it hadn't shattered into pieces yet.

"Yeah, sure. Plus, I'm level four now, so I might be the only person who can escort you there. Well, apart from Kirito of course." Saying so, I got off the fence, before helping her get off, since she was struggling.

"OOoo Already? Well, thanks, Kei-boy. 's go get 'ya some new gear."

"Alright lead the way, I guess." I said as Argo grabbed my hand and started dragging me across the village,  and approached a nearby NPC.

"Ah welcome, traveller, care to take these off my hands?"

The NPC spoke as a window popped up and a list of items was shown, while on the left side, the price of the items appeared. Of course, that was only the image, name and the price of the items. The items themselves were on the ground next to the merchant.