Sword Art Online: From Spark to Flame

Part 7 - Potions Guild <White Flame>

----- December 15th, Aincrad 17:30 -----

As per usual, Zumfat was bustling with players, mostly ones with higher attack and defense stats, though the difference in levels ranging from the first floor to the third floor was not large. <Hikari> followed behind <Drenn>, glancing around for any sign of either an exchange of potions or the distinct white outfit of the <White Flame> potions guild. <Gorundere> and <Ria> had split from <Drenn> and <Hikari> in order to cover more of the city, <Gorundere> heading to the location he had last encountered the <White Flame> potion sellers, while <Drenn> and <Hikari> would head into the market district.

<Hikari> was wearing a small dagger in place of her sword, keeping <Angurvadal> out of sight so that there would be no interference regarding the 'key' sword. <Ria> had given to her, along with a unimpressed scowl, after <Drenn> had suggested replacing the sword. <Hikari> hoped that keeping the sword out of sight was enough, but considering <Argo> now knew what she looked like, it was likely only a matter of time before she herself was being tracked.

<Drenn> abruptly stopped, glancing down the long crowded street of the centrally located market district. He then suddenly darted off into a nearby alleyway, grabbing <Hikari> by the arm and dragging her with him, causing her to cry out in a short gasp of surprise.

"Hey! Wha-!" <Hikari> began, but was quickly cut off by <Drenn> clasping a hand over he mouth. He motioned a finger to his lips, silently telling her to be quiet, then peered around the corner of the alleyway in the direction they had been going.

<Hikari> pulled his hand down from her mouth, then leaned closer to him to whisper. "What are you doing?" she quietly asked, staying deeper in the alleyway.

"It's that information broker," he responded, almost too quiet for <Hikari> to hear. She moved a little closer to him. "She's having a conversation with a few other players up ahead." He sighed, leaning against the brick alleyway wall. "I was hoping something like this wouldn't happen."

Ahead, in the <Drenn>'s sight, <Argo> was conversing with three other players of various sizes, all three of them wearing large tanned hoods that covered a large portion of their faces. The conversation continued for a minute, then one of the figures, the tallest, pulled out a small pouch of Cor, handing it to <Argo> they then turned and began heading in the direction <Drenn> and <Hikari> were hiding.

<Drenn> cursed under his breath, then quickly turned to <Hikari> quickly searching through his menu. "Put this on," he said as he brought a large black hooded cloak into existence, pushing it into her hands. She hesitated for a moment, then opened up her menu and quickly equipped the cloak, which replaced most of her upper body armour, harshly reducing her passive defensive stat.

<Hikari> glanced up passed the bottom of the hood, noticing that <Drenn> was calmly walking out of the alleyway, and quickly jogged up behind him. She saw the three tanned hoods walking in their direction, and <Argo> not to far ahead, looking lazily around, as if waiting for someone, probably customers seeking information.

<Drenn> slowed down slight, eventually putting himself just in front of <Hikari> and generally in between her and the hooded player walking in their general direction. <Hikari> temporarily peered around <Drenn> seeing his narrowed brow and attentive glances toward the hooded players. She noted that, and attempted to stay on the opposite side of <Drenn> and out of obvious sight of the players.