Chapter 36: The Silent Mercenary.
It's been two days ever since that «Floor of Exile»incident has reached its conclusion. The date? It's already February 25 2025 (3 months ever since that revelation of Heathcliff).
My location? I'm currently in an inn, in Floor 80. The inn was like all typical inns you can find around Aincrad. It had some wooden tables around and wooden chairs which were under the table. The counter had an innkeeper wiping a wet goblet with some sort of cloth. In the far end of the room, is the bar. Not many players drink around the higher floors but I'm sure that some guy I know would. There really wasn't anything special about this inn.
There was some argument between two players in the inn which I started observing. Yes, it is a dispute over a trade and it seems like one of them is swindling with the other…
All that interested me was the argument between two players. Being a middleman of an agreement is an expertise of mine but that isn't the only one I have. By doing this, I'll also get more contacts in my arsenal. More clients mean more Col and business. So far, Kii-bou is probably the only player who manages to keep up to date with my info.
Recently, he turned towards me for info from the «Dual Blades»skill tree. I somehow managed to get my hands on a newly updated skill called «Vorpal Fang»that time. Being an information broker can be a tasking job but that's what I like about being one.
Before they could start a duel by means of a roughhouse, I intervened between them by using my nimble moves. It stunned them at first to the point where they backed away but they quickly regained their confident demeanor.
"Well if isn't, «Argo the Rat»! What perfect timing." The player had his right eye covered with hair as brown as wood and turquoise green eyes. He patted my shoulder which I quickly shunned away. "As eluding as always… You never really do change, eh?"
"I never knew you would get into a situation like this, «One-hit Killer»." I retaliated which made him just laugh it off while scratching his hair. "Of course I'm elusive. It's not easy to be an information broker, if you have forgotten." I ended my sentences with my usual way of ending it.
"Oi! Why can't you just call me Vukso? It isn't really that hard to pronounce, isn't it?" He retorted while giving that signature crooked grin of his. "The prospect buyer of my «Hazardous Tyrant +5»is trying to trifle with me in this trade. This weapon obviously has a higher selling price than 20,000 Col! Would you mind being the middle-man for this trade? You're an expert in doing that, right?"
"I don't mind being the middle-man…" I accepted his request but things I do aren't free, you know. "This is going to cost you later, Vukso." I made a small grin as I held out a hand to him.
Hesitant at first, he shook my hand which indicated the agreement. This rowdy player can sometimes be a pain in the neck but he is actually one of my more active clients since he makes so much misunderstandings. He never really had a trade without any real action or confrontation like this. For short, he is a troublemaker.
Becoming the middleman for this little trade (which almost got out of hand) isn't really much of a surprise to me when I knew Vukso had something to do with it. With me as a middle-man, a swindle or a dirty trick cannot be pulled. No loose ends and pulling of strings are possible as well.
What's at stake? Actually, there's none. From my knowledge of the different prices of weapons and items, I can say that the weapon currently in trade is worth a high amount of Col. Including its refinement status and its high durability, it should be worth about 50,000 Col or more. I have more pressing matters to attend to but I guess this job offer suffices enough.
I had to meet up with one of my former allies from the Beta. He didn't have any name made for himself but ever since SAO started, he started getting known for his silent battles. The name he made for himself is «Silent Mercenary» because of his founding of the «Mercenary guild».
Literally, I was stationed in between them to prevent any sudden roughhouse duel or something.
The negotiation part isn't really important. All it had was some exchanged words and possible exchanged punches if it weren't for me pacifying them. I'll be skipping all the less important details.
Soon enough, he managed to get into an agreement with his buyer and sold it for 60,000 Col. (10,000 being given to me for my services. What a generous payment…)
The buyer soon left the inn with his newly traded weapon. It was now only me, Vukso and some players scrambled around the inn.
As soon as that small detour was done, I made my way to the exit of the inn but I was abruptly blocked by that Vukso. All he promised was the trading… what could be his motive now? From experience, I can tell what my clients are plotting. This situation is one of the faces I cannot read.
"What do you want from me now? Just because you gave me a generous payment doesn't mean I'll go easy on you." I reminded him, resulting to a soft chuckle coming from him.
"Nothing! Nothing at all… It's just that my friend might just need it." He crossed him arms while leaning on the door.
"One of your contacts needing my presence? I'll pass on that." Once again, I tried exiting the premises but he just kept blocking my way. Irritating as always…
"What if I say, that my one contact is actually the «Silent Mercenary»?" That sentence he spoke caught my attention. He's the client who kept calling me 10 days ago. Kii-bou requested for my services first so I couldn't really heed to that player's call. Although now, I'm ready to see what he's getting at.
His sudden mention of the «Silent Mercenary» caused uproar in the inn but that quickly quieted down after a few seconds. "How do I know if you're not planning anything funny? Among all my contacts, you are the one who causes the most trouble." I admitted which made him eye me.
My old client here still kept that poker face he always gave me. "You really do not trust me, Argo. Just because I'm part of the «Mercenary guild», don't judge me!" He went near my ear in a swift moment, further arousing my suspicion. "After all, the «Silent Mercenary» and I went to the same Beta you did. Why can't you trust a Beta player like me?"
This bloodthirsty player is a Beta?! I haven't really seen him or his companion in that test but it also could be a despicable lie. Yes, it could be if not for that serious tone in his speech.
Originally, my reason for staying in this crowded inn is to wait for that player who requested my presence but he was already beyond the meeting time. This player with me on the other hand, offers to lead me to my client. Not sure if this was some kind of trap but my intuition thinks differently.
I ponder of my decision for a while until I finally nodded in agreement. "I'll be joining you only because you are acquainted with my client. I have no other ulterior reasons." My decision led to a big suspicious smirk smeared all over his face.
"It's best that we start our travel then! The «Silent Mercenary» resides in Floor 36, in «Azuro Village»!" Why would the «Silent Mercenary» stay in such an area like that? This needs further investigation…
With that out of the way, the both of us departed from the inn and made our way to the teleportation area. It wasn't all that far though. It was just a walking distance from the inn. The «Teleport Gate» is right at the center of this town.
The town had a bright atmosphere and clouds covering the sky above. The residence? The houses around seem to be a bit run-down but many NPCs are managing around the landscape. The ground is grassy without a single concrete in place. For short, it's like a town in a wide plain (the town was wide as well).
Our walk finished as soon as we made it to the burned down house. We went to the «Teleport Gate» and we both simultaneously muttered, "«Azuro Village». With that said, we felt ourselves disperse particle by particle.
Soon enough, I found myself in «Azuro Village». The scenery? It had countless trees around and all the houses were wooden. It was like a complete nature paradise. It even had a small river flowing from a mountain. There were many wooden houses but there was one that towered a bit higher and wider than all the others (well maybe except the hall but you know what I mean).
Just by the looks of this towering house, I knew what it was. It is a possible home which can be bought. It also has numerous resources like wood around so this is a perfect undercover place in some way. The water seemed clear with no sign of corruption.
Feels quite reassuring, doing business in this calm atmosphere. In fact, I wouldn't mind staying here for a night or two. No… I must focus in finding my client before I dawdle around.
My companion turned to me and gave a crooked grin. "We're finally here! Your client should be in the house called, «Akurosuko»." Those last few words he told me were the one which caught my attention. From what has transpired in the Beta, «Akurosuko» is a locked area which we couldn't get to. I didn't bother going in that area once SAO started since it was always crowded…
Curiosity took over me as I questioned him the very question which I have really wanted to know. Even as an information broker, I never knew what it was. "What's in that lot? Yes, it's a house but what's in it?" I felt a surge of excitement go through… until—
"It's just another purchasable house, sadly… I anticipated it to be some kind of dungeon or something but apparently I was wrong." This disappointed me dearly but I got over it in no time. So much for the added information though.
A question just escaped from my mouth though. "If it was just a purchasable house, then why did no one buy it up until now… or recently?"
"Let's see… It was because—" His answer was cut short by someone who came out from the door. With the wind breezing through his tinted blue hair, his childish red eyes stared at me. A bandana covered his lower face and he had a dark blue coat covering his body. It had some string supporting it and some hoodie hanging around.
"We finally meet… Argo, «The Rat». I have been expecting you." His monotone cold voice seemed emotionless but I could feel that sense of feelings he had but it was very faint.
This guy… he felt very familiar but at the same time not. From what I remember, he's the merciless leader of the «Mercenary Guild» and would do anything in his power to obey any assignment he gets of gives to himself. Now, he actually seems more vibrant than what the rumors suggest.
With that thought aside, there is just one thing left I need to know before I could calm down from all of this. I need to know why he summoned me. What information does he need from me? All of those questions needed to be answered right now.
I rallied my words and finally spoke back to him. "What did you want from me, Silent Mercenary? You redundantly requested for my services 10 days ago but unfortunately I was busy in those times. Now I'm ready for what you need." I had my hood still on me so that I could at least show some seriousness.
He responded with some unmoved look as Vukso left me and this silent player alone by walking towards the «Teleport Gate» (I actually prefer Vukso not to be in my business). "I'd like to buy the information about «Azura»… That mini boss residing in Floor 76…" That question he gave fazed me… It's rare to hear that request. To be more exact, it's rare for that request to be something about that monster.
He threw me a pouch of Col. What it contained? It contains about 2000 Col… He must be desperate in getting to this monster. Now it makes me wonder why he wanted this information in the first place. Not many players look back and go to Floor 76 because of memories of that boss. By far, that boss was the only one able to drive numerous boss raiders back, while speaking!
With that aside, I opened up my menu and checked on all my notes about this rare mini boss. It wasn't really that hard to find since I already organized and labeled everything.
«Azura» is a beast class monster with a slithering, poisonous tail and lethal claws. Its body looked fairly humanoid but it stands on all fours. Its head was shaped like some sort of bedhead which girls can get in the morning. Its fangs are to be avoided as well. From my provided information, its fangs have great poison.
After I scrolled down and gathered all the important information, I sent it to him. "When defeated, the player who deals the final blow gets the bonus, «Murky Demise» while the others get the common drop, «Toxic Fang»." I informed my client, resulting to him taking off that bandana.
His face? It had 2 long scars starting from his cheek and ending on his chin. I wouldn't want to know the reason behind those though. Surely, that isn't some decoration he uses… It truly is a scar from the real world and I wouldn't want to hear the story behind it… That would be terribly cruel just to ask.
He went closer to me which prompted me to equip my claws, which were hanging on my left waist. "Whatever you want, I'm not going to give. Our deal is now over. If you think anything foolish, then I will not hesitate in fighting back." I jumped a few steps back for some safety precaution.
Before I could even react, he suddenly grabbed my wrist which flinched me just enough to not move. "I really don't want anything else. Your information was useful but I also want one more thing from you… Firstly, stop calling me my nickname and call me, Havuki. Secondly, I would also want you to fight alongside with me and my temporary partner in this raid."
"What?! I'm just going to accept any information giving but I will not let myself be a sidekick to some player I have just met!" I rebuked his idea completely as I escaped from his grip within a second of his hold. "I may be an adept fighter but I won't be so easy to persuade!"
No exchange of words was given after my response. All it did was make me turn away and begin taking my leave. There was no way I'm teaming up with a sudden client like him! I'm heading my way to some floor to get some solitude…
Just before I left his sight, he called out to me. I didn't want to turn back and continue with the conversation but I had to. He gave me an extra 1000 Col. The price of that information was just supposedly 1000 Col and not 2000.
My intuition told me not to turn back but I did due to that kind donation he solicited (To be more exact, an extra payment).
"Fine… what do you want, Havuki? I won't join you in your supposed to be fight until I have a very valid reason!" I muttered which made him look at me with a small smirk.
"Will 20,000 Col change your mind, Argo?" His words took me aback. Was he seriously trying to bribe me with that much?! "I'm serious Argo… I really need those pillaged items for my cause. I need to gift that item to «The Flash» as soon as I can… An urgent call from «Azure Sky» told me about what we could expect on Floor 84… «Moody Vanquisher» is coming with us so we'll have to wait by Floor 76 for him."
"… If you're that desperate and addicted to acquiring that drop, I guess I could join you in battling the boss. With the fact of me getting paid, I can't deny it." I can't believe I'm saying this but he actually persuaded me! He just had to bring out Col… "Let's make our way to our destination then."
«Moody Vanquisher» as an ally?! This is nowhere near better! From what I remember, I met him a year ago when Kii-bou introduced me to him. He really isn't all that bright and there must be something wrong with his head. I'm just being frank but that's the truth! Wherever it is, he somehow always makes things get into a slump.
Once we made a mutual pact to abandon the party after the deed is done, we went on our way. The «Teleport Gate» was at the hall so we had no problem going to that specified area. Floor 76 is an area changing floor so I had to stay vigilant with my partner. My second job in one day? This should be fun… We went in the area and soon enough, we felt ourselves being transported.
End of Chapter 35
Next Chapter: Demise.