6:00 p.m. November 06, 2022
Town of Beginnings
RAEZE Lvl: 1

Her breath escaped, rattling from her chest.

Kayaba had just disappeared after telling everyone who had entered SAO, that they were basically going to die. A short frame covered in a black cloak, looked around at everyone nearby. She watched the thousands as they openly panicked after he left, the barrier around the courtyard going with him. Feeling the panic rise in her throat, she weaved her way around to get out. She hadn't seen anyone that she knew, none of her friends from real life. Maybe some of them had died already. The girl's vision began to blur, she had to move. She knew the way out, so she ran. Her breath scraping its way out with every exhale, her ears pounding with every step, and her vision growing ever darker.

She stumbled over a fallen crate at the corner of a turn, waiting for the initial burn in her knees and palms. She looked at her palms, only to see some dirt from the ground. Her breath hitched and caught in her throat. 'My mom, Mei, my dad.' Her brain raced worrying about her family. 'What will they do?' Her tears began to fall, as she hid in the alleyway where she had fallen. She allowed the fear and pain to take ahold of her, if only for today. She would allow herself this.

6:00 p.m. November 06, 2022
Town of Beginnings
WINIK Lvl: 1

Once the barriers around the Beginnings courtyard were released, a tall lanky boy made his way around the groups of overreacting players. He knew he had to get out so he could think. He needed to figure out the little information he did have. As he walked into the main of the town, he saw NPCs milling about, along with a few players walking or running with a purpose.

His sandy blonde hair had fallen into his face, which he casually brushed away. A younger male was in a heated conversation with a taller redhead. He knew there would be a lot of friends trying to find and create alliances with friends. However, a dark flash of a black cloak caught his eye. He watched the figure move quickly, with their head ducked, around things and obstacles. As if they had been there, many times before.

His mind automatically went to beta tester. This figure might be able to help him. As he jogged behind to get closer, he watched the figure fall. 'Maybe not. Just lucky, up until now.' He began to walk away until he heard a quiet gasping sob escape the figure.

He looked around, not knowing what to do. He wasn't good with girls, which he assumed it was from the tone of the cries. 'Maybe she ran so as to hide this from others.' He couldn't decide whether he sensed strength or weakness from the act. He decided to back away slowly and go to find an inn. He needed room and time to think. He would find out more information in the next coming days.

Though, he knew he couldn't stay in the Town of Beginnings forever. He had to get out. He needed to get back to his mom.

9: 15 a.m. November 25, 2022
Town of Beginnings
RAEZE Lvl: 7

Almost three weeks had passed, as many players milled around the Town of Beginnings. Some beta testers openly came out and offered assistance to first time players. Many people worked on leveling up as fast as possible, others were too scared to even leave their rooms, and any that were left moved on to other towns.

Two hooded figures were seated on a bench, both seemingly ignoring the other. The black hooded figured gazed at the fountain, while the brown hooded figure appeared to be reading a letter. Everyone passing didn't show the pair any attention.

"Look, I've been working on some skills. Any information that we exchange is and will be confirmed before being passed along. There is certain information that everyone deserves access to. We both know that."

The brown hooded figure lifted their head to look at the sky, the sun giving glimpse away to three small whisker marks that adorned each cheek. "I get that, and I agree. However, the information needs to be compiled all in one area. We need to create a manual of sorts. Like your very special book that you still hold so tight." The girl smirked. Knowing she would catch a small nerve.

"Well, I'm sorry I cant keep all that information in my head. It's easier to compile on paper. Very few people know about that book, and I'd like to keep it that way. You can release and compile the information for people. Take credit for it. I don't care. But leave my book out of it. Tell anyone, and my help will end." The black hooded figure snipped back.

The pair was matched in many ways. Both beta testers, info brokers, liked to stay hidden. "Look Raeze, I would never tell someone something like that. If the wrong person heard about that." She paused momentarily. "I won't risk getting someone killed. Let alone someone who might someday be a friend."

Raeze smiled softly under her hood. "That's good to know Argo. I found out some information though. About a raid party. People are actually going to look for the first floor boss. Tolbana is the town to be in. I'll be headed there tomorrow. I can message you if I hear any more."

Argo smiled and nodded. "I already have manuals ready to go. I'll keep my ear down for some further info and pass it along to you if I hear before I hear from you. Maybe take some to Horunka and Tolbana. They're of course free. But more specialized information is to paid for in some way."

Raeze chuckled, " Of course. That's the broker way. Seems you hoped I wouldn't have a problem with you giving my information out to the world."

"I knew you wouldn't, who do you think would be the first to figure out you were the one doing the PSAs on the town boards? I would've been the only who could figure it out." Argo openly laughed at the shock on Raeze's face. "Don't worry, no one else knows. But not everyone checks those. That's why this manual idea is key." Argo swiped the air to bring up her menu, summoning a rather large pile of pamphlets labeled; SAO Strategy Guide. "See you around Raeze. Look forward to our next tryst." Her gravelly laugh echoed around as she walked away.

With a heavy sigh, Raeze gathered up the rather large pile of pamphlets and tapped them to bring up the menu. She hit the blue circle to put them away, save for 5. The first of which, she left sitting right on the bench that she had recently vacated. She headed to an NPC booth and 'accidentally' dropped one off there, made her way around the crowded square and popped her head into one of the inns leaving one on the front table. She kept her head down and strained to pick out voices around her, after leaving the inn. The listening skill activated from her doing so, she picked up a pair of young girls whispering not far from her.

"This is beyond ridiculous. The guys around here are scumbags! Half of them were dressed as females when we got caught in the courtyard and the other half expect us to be their arm candy! Like, I'm sorry that I'm cute and like to play video games." Raeze snorted softly, 'Just some of the popular type girls, nothing important here.'

"But Cere, they're not all that bad. Haven't you met the cute blonde boy who's been traveling between the towns. They say he isn't a beta tester, but he's been around a time or two with mmorpgs before. Not to mention, he's super sweet and he helps train newbies. I hear he will be near Tolbana tomorrow. He's going to help a group go through a quest there."

The one girl, Cere, snorted, "I'm sure he's just like the others." She brushed her bright red, ringlet curled hair off her bare shoulder. "Look Virita, just because a guy is nice at first doesn't mean a thing. He will eventually show his true colors." Virita looked down, her round glasses sliding ever so slightly down her nose.

"Maybe he won't," Virita suggested, "Maybe we could ask for his help so we could actually get out of this lame town." She peeked up at her friend, her eyes begging her to allow this.

Cere sighed a very dramatic and elongated sigh. "Fine. Only because you're my best friend. What is his name? And how do we even get ahold of him?" Cere put her hands on her hips, demanding this information from her friend.

"Er.. we have to find him. Like, seek him out for his help. I think he's named Winik" Virita looked at her voluptuous fiery friend nervously.

"You're not serious!? We have to find HIM?! We cant even keep ourselves safe right now! We'll die if we have to go find him! We need to find one of those rats to go get him for us." Cere paused, thinking. "Or maybe get another boy to go find him for us. Maybe not have to pay that way." Her answering smirk was enough. She had figured out her way.

Raeze figured she had heard enough, so she stood from her crouched position and walked past the wall they stood by. The girls continued to converse, however their conversation quickly changed to how to convince some random guy to do their bidding. As she walked past the girls, she inconspicuously let another guide fall from her hand and flutter out from her cloak onto the ground. Reaching her left hand up and swiping her menu open, Raeze moved until she pulled up a private message window with Argo.

Have you heard of a Winik? Please respond ASAP
 R

She exited her menu and continued walking. "Hey! You dropped this!" The girl with glasses, Virita, was chasing after Raeze. "Hey," Once she finally had caught up with her, she bent over and rested her hands on her knees to catch her breath. Panting, she held up the guide. "My friend and I saw this flutter from your coat. We thought you would need it." She straightened her body and smiled politely down to the very short Raeze.

"Oh, are you sure? I haven't had mine out for a while, I don't know how I would have lost it." She dropped her hood to reveal raven dark hair, piled atop her head in a braided knot. She swiped for her menu and scrolled until she found 'her guide' and tapped to bring it out. "See, I still have mine. Why don't you keep that. It is pretty useful." She feigned her most sincere smile, having hated girls like Cere in school. However, her morals still stood. It was information everyone deserved.

Virita looked confused for a moment and glanced back at Cere, who stomped forward. "Look, you can't just drop your trash and expect everyone else to pick up after you." She sneered down, looming a good 30 centimeters over Raeze.

Raeze injected some sickly poison into her next, very carefully chosen words. "Oh my, Im sincerely sorry but you must be mistaken. See," She waved the guide she pulled out, "I already have one, so that couldn't be mine."

Cere was about to respond, only what could have been guessed as a long winded reply from the large intake of breath. Until Raeze noticed from her HUD, the mail icon blinking. This obviously distracted her as she interrupted Cere, before she began. "Look ladies, Im sorry however, I must be going. I hope that guide helps you as much as it has helped me." In her haste, she didn't even truly say goodbye. She ran off to gain as much ground between her and those girls as possible.

Tapping on the icon, she brought up her messages and opened up her most recent.

He is being talked about. Do you need your own info, or is someone buying it?
 =^.^=Argo the Rat

Raeze quickly typed back.

Apparently he is an up and coming resident nice boy. Helping newbies and already working around Tolbana. Is he worth checking out?
 R

Raeze found an empty bench on the outskirts of town. She had a feeling she would be needing to make a trip to Tolbana. The reply came quickly.

I hear he is looking for a buyer for the Anneal Blade. Maybe you could find it in your heart to help?
 I didn't know you needed some arm candy. I thought info brokers liked to work alone.
 =^.^= Argo the Rat

Raeze couldn't help but roll her eyes. She didn't care how cute he was, she just cared what information he could give her. She had already learned that not everything was the same from the beta test.

Haha, very funny. You know why I'm interested. However, maybe on the way there I could find a prospective buyer. Thanks for the info. What do I owe?
 R

The reply was almost instant.

Oh Rae, I'll put it on tab.
 =^.^= Argo the Rat

Nodding to herself, Raeze stood from the bench and set off to Tolbana.

4:00 p.m. December 01, 2022
Tolbana
RAEZE Lvl: 10

Raeze made it to Tolbana in record time. She entered the town and headed straight to the town center, to find the message board. She scanned it, figuring out if she could find anything from this Winik guy. Instead, she saw a notice for a meeting to search for the boss room.

She sent a quick message to Argo, letting her know the information. She then headed to an inn to get a small nap and organize her stuff for the meeting. As she opened the door, a small bell chimed overhead.

"Welcome! How may I help you?" An NPC innkeep smiled from the front desk. Opening her menu, she exchanged some col for a simple room. "Thank you! Have a wonderful stay!"

Raeze nodded and headed to her room. 'Maybe I'll get to view this guy at the meeting. See what information I can glean from these players. Maybe I can snoop around the inn and see if anyone will be having any obnoxiously loud conversations.' She sat down on the bed and began scrolling down her menu. 'Or I could spend some time in one of the bars.' Sighing she removed most of her gear, and began unwinding her long straight raven hair. "I did say I would take a small nap." She hadn't actually slept much during her trip. She didn't trust others to keep away from her sleeping form.

An incoming message a few hours later jolted Raeze from her slumber. With a yawn, she rubbed her eyes and opened the message.

I hear your boy is there. You should run into him. Good luck ;) See you tomorrow
 =^.^= Argo the Rat

She thanked her for the reply and got up to get dressed. Instead of her usual attire, she donned something a little more feminine. She had learned that she tended to get better information that way, from males and females. The skirt was a gold that matched the trim on her top, which an off the shoulder, light blue gathered top. There was a white, halter type turtleneck bodysuit underneath that cut in on the sides. She also added an under breast plate just in case something bad happened. Lastly she threw on some darker blue arm sleeves that attached to the middle finger, simple metal wrist guards, and white thigh high boots trimmed in gold.

As for her hair, she pulled it back into the start of a low ponytail and began to twist it. She pulled it up to resemble a french twist and pinned it to let the remaining cascade down her back. It made her hair look much shorter than it actually was and it helped change her look enough that people couldn't easily recognise her from possible previous dealings.

Locking the door, she left her room and exited the inn. She knew how this outfit would make people react, however, she always cringed when it happened.

"Hey, cutie! Where ya goin'?" One larger guy yelled at her just as she had left. "Yeah! You can't be going anywhere important. Let us buy you a drink!" Another one called, muscular in nature.

Raeze suppressed an eye roll and giggled at the pair. "Oh I sure don't want to get in between your date!" She tossed a few coins at them as she passed. "But please, have a good night on me!" She winked at them and pranced off down the road. She didn't pay attention to their reactions but quickly entered the first bar that she came to.

"Have a toast on me! For helping with that quest." A male player was clapping another rather tall male on the back. He looked a little embarrassed and nervously scratched the back of his head.

"Look, you asked for my services. You paid me to help. It's nothing." The tall, lanky, green haired player's face had tinged in a blush.

"Come on, Sir Winik! You've been such a big help! I still want to buy you a drink." The male turned to a bar keep. "A pint each for my friend and I, please." Then he passed over some col. The gentleman behind the bar nodded and two pints materialized in front of the pair.

Raeze raised her eyebrow at the male that was called Winik. She made quick notes of a few things as she made her way to the bar, catching the attention of quite a few people.

First thing she noticed, was his dark forest green hair. She didn't recognise him from the beta, but she didn't know of anyone who knew about the spot to find the item to change hair color. She made a note to ask Argo if anyone had requested the information from her.

Secondly, his facial features reminded her of someone she knew from the real world. She couldn't pinpoint exactly where, but she was willing to bet money that she knew him.

Third, she was careful to not openly recognise the fact that his eyes were upon her the moment she stepped in. He had continued to glance over at her periodically. Something she was able to continuously monitor between her multitude of admirers.

She kept a sweet open friendly smile on her face, but had anyone knew her they could tell that she was tired and getting irritable. However, this was one of the easiest ways to obtain a large amount of information. People were buzzing about the meeting that would be taking place the following day. Also, multiple people seemed inclined that she needed one of Argo's Guides. Raeze saw that Argo was keeping up well with the demand for this kind of general info, extremely happy that she could assist with that.

As the night got later and later, her smile began to falter more. Being around so many people wore her out rather quickly. Luckily, most people in the bar began to head out. "Good night, Kyo! It was so nice to meet you!" Most females hugged her, guys would look her up and down as if they wished they could take her to their rooms for the night.

Winik waited a few minutes before raising from his own seat. The pint had made the edges of his vision slightly blurry, but he was still in relative control of himself. He brightly approached the small statured girl. "Hello, Kyo? Did I hear that right?"

Raeze lifted her brow, her fake smile quickly plastering itself back onto her face. "Oh, hello! Yes, my name is Kyo." She made her eyes crinkle. "Can I ask yours?" She tilted her head toward him.

"The name's Winik. I have a proposition for you." He sat on a stool beside her and ordered some tea. "I've done a quest and have an item, maybe you'd like?"

Raeze looked at him in mock confusion. "You're trying to pawn a weak item off onto a girl? How rude."

Winik spewed out a little bit of his tea. "No! It's actually a rather strong sword, I just use an axe. It's of no use to me." He put his head down a little. "You also remind me of someone I know- knew, I guess." His brow furrowed, trying to find the right words. "Someone I had seen around town."

This piqued her interest, so she leaned toward him and rested a hand on his arm. This caused her to notice the actual muscles that lay underneath. In shock, she subtly removed her hand. "I'm sorry that I make you think of something so hard right now. However, I don't use a straight blade. I prefer the curved variety. Maybe I could help you find a buyer." This time her smile was genuine, causing him to smile in return. A flash of a face popped into Raeze's head. 'He looks so much like… no, it's not possible.'

"A buyer? How do you have that kind of connection?" He murmured in her direction.

"I have my ways. You make the call and I'll send out word. I just need to see the item." She fluttered her eyes at him, hoping to lower his guard.

"Uh, I don't think that should be done here. Are you..? Can we go somewhere?" Winik looked at her like he had just figured something out, his vision suddenly cleared.

Raeze's eyes narrowed at his tall profile. "I won't fall for a lure for you to just loot me. I'm alot stronger than I look."

"Oh I believe it. However, I have some questions and I don't think they should be asked here. They're… specialized." He chose his word usage very carefully.

Raeze recognized it too. Argo has spoken with him, she had met him and he had asked the right questions as far as how to figure a broker. There's a list of things we are to look for when talking with people. Telling a broker that you have 'specialized questions' is one way to easily get their attention.

Raeze looked at the time. Most people should be in bed at this time, so she nodded. She placed a small piece of paper onto the table and left the bar. All conversation ended at that point. Once out, she opened her menu and donned her cloak, then continued on her way to the inn.

Opening the door to the inn, the same bell was heard overhead. "Welcome! How may I help you?" Raeze went straight to her room and waited. During this time, she changed back into her capri length pants, flowy blouse, leather gloves and boots. She released her long hair from it's twist and proceeded to pull it up and braid it, wrapping it into a knot on top of her head. Just as she took a seat at the table in the room, a timid knock was heard at her door.