Sword Art Online-Encroaching Shadows

Chapter 18

"You two have to be the most accident prone, trouble finding couple in Aincrad. There I was battling ferociously against six, no twelve minotaurs when I received the desperate cry for help from Jayce! It was then I knew that I must survive death's mighty clutches so that I might return to lend aid in return for competitive pricing!" The girl threw her hands up into the air dramatically baring her teeth in a wide smile.

"Translation...you were doing quests, I sent you a message to meet us whenever you were free, and now that it's evening you came back to rest for the night and want to make some money off us? I miss anything?" Jayce set the mug down on the table staring flatly into the brown colored hood of the girl in front of him.

"You forgot the competitive pricing part." She lowered her arms, placing them on the table.

"I'm sure you're busy right now Argo, so thanks for making time." Jemza sat next to Jayce and was much more receptive to Argo's demeanor than he was right now.

"See? This is why her pricing is far more competitive than yours. She has manners." The arrival of the NPC waitress blocked off any sort of rebuttal he had. Argo quickly placed an order for a dish that Jayce knew was very expensive. Convenient, since Jemza and he had offered to treat her to dinner for taking time off her strategy guide to meet.

"How's the guide coming along?" Jemza asked after placing her own order with the waitress.

"So far so good. I'll be sure you both get it right away, and of course it will be free of charge to good friends like you two." Jayce rolled his eyes in response as she spoke.

"You put them on consignment merchants for free to all players."

"Do I? Doesn't seem like something I'd do." Argo tapped her chin pretending to be oblivious to Jayce's accusation. His fists opened and closed angrily trying to weather the usual pretense of conversations with Argo.

"We thought maybe you could explain what happened to us today. I assume a random stampede is not a normal occurrence on this floor?" Jemza's calmness towards Argo was something Jayce was extremely thankful for. She seemed immune to Argo's personality.

"Correct, the mobs in question have set locations and behaviors in line with typical creatures like the boars and wolves on the first floor. That is to say that they aren't considered intelligent like kobolds or minotaurs. The bulls that you say attacked you are programmed like normal animals and will act as such. Kobolds and minotaurs will react more intelligently when attacked calling out for help and the such." Argo's explanation only raised more questions as to how the stampede could happen. With a sigh Jayce proceeded down the next logical questioning path while opening up his system menu with his right hand.

"Then something else, outside the normal programming caused it to happen. What kind of things can cause that?" Argo thought for a few moments before holding up a hand with all five fingers outstretched. Jayce tapped on his menu a few times materializing a small bag and tossed it across the table. Jemza watched curiously at their silent interaction, but otherwise remained silent.

"It's called a <<Lure>> and is pretty rare. It only works on the creature it is meant for and to be honest in the current state of the game I wouldn't think anyone would use it."

"What do you mean? What use does it normally have?" Jemza's interest was perked now that there seemed to be answers to what happened in the savannah today. Argo finished counting the five hundred col in the bag Jayce had tossed her and placed it into her inventory.

"If this weren't a game where dying was real then people could use the <<Lure>> to attract creatures into sizable groups making them easier to hunt. Basically it is used to make gaining experience more efficient. Instead of you doing the legwork, the <<Lure>> brings the mobs to you." Something Argo said clicked for Jayce and he shook his head, slamming a fist on the table startling both girls.