As soon as the two known in certain circles as Thinker and Yulier got some distance away, certain that none followed them, they backtracked and swiftly went into a safe house.

As soon as they closed the door behind them the woman dropped her expertly worn mask of calm.

"This was close, too close. I knew that some of the blood vampire were old and powerful-but that girl- she was the most powerful of her kind I have ever seen, and bigger monster a margin as vast as the sea! She must be centuries old! And Klein- I heard good things of him-he was a Clearer guild leader in SAO, but he was a snap away from literally becoming a savage murder beast and tearing the other one to shreds.

And that Kirito-the way that young boy manages to seemingly garner favor from those two, and stand beside them without fear or hesitation, ignorant of their nature, and the supernatural in general-both calling him their friend. It's uncanny…

And how could you expose our anonymity?! Our awareness of the supernatural and existence of our Edges in front of them? How could you be so calm?"

The man in question accepted her panic fueled tirade, before calmly explaining himself.

"My dear Yulier, we all would have danced over the issue otherwise, wasting valuable time hinting to make sure the others are aware and aren't enemies, or outright hiding it all. My gut feeling, which has never led me a stray, told me that it was the right thing to do-and if you were to stop and consider it logically, you would agree.

We now have an additional confirmation of our conclusion, as well as the hint that the one behind the players still stuck is unlikely to be work of a Blood Vampire, and if it is, it's something esoteric, as surely such an old one would know something about it otherwise.

We also have their cooperation in this investigation- those two standing between us and whoever holds three hundred innocents will aid in freeing those unfortunate, and defending innocents from monsters- as it was said 'fight fire with fire'.

Because I suspect that now that the Virtual Reality games attracted supernatural attention, this is but the first of many monster attacks that take advantage of it-and these two have an intimate experience as mortals, at the mercy of such abuse, that just may make them unsympathetic to such actions.

Not to mention that we now actually have a chance to talk with them, we saw just now how the presence of the Black Swordsman had two monsters, one is from a kind known for being bloodthirsty and savage, and into a sort of truce-despite the man's misgivings- some sort of Diplomatic approach just might be possible later, with those two. Just how many people could be saved then?! And the possibility of similar approach elsewhere? Or of gaining more information about these beings?

Not to mention that Argo has already likely deduced that we aren't as ignorant, or would have concluded it soon. And with one such as her, it could end unpredictably. Better they think of us as fellow players rather than helpless or prey from the start.

"This all builds on the assumption that both were genuine in their claims of wanting to help, wanting to free the stuck players, and of being friends of the boy! What if it all some kind of trap, or if they have some other scheme on the side, additionally? What if either turns on us as soon as they get what they really want you idealistic fool! That gut feeling you proudly use as a justification is the reason for your Imbuing, after all!" The woman didn't shout, but channeled her fury and panic into a cold, frigid tone of displeasure, similarly to how she was instructed from childhood-just as her mother wanted her to be- a Yamato Nadeshiko.

"They were genuine. Of that I have no doubt-the Black Swordsman can be surprisingly charismatic individual, more so than he himself is aware. Besides, if we have found love in Aincrad and intend to marry here in Real Life, is it really that hard to believe that those two founda true friend in Kirito during those two years?! I also have suspicions that what we are going to be up against will require help from both the Blood Vampire and the Werewolf.

Though I will ask my contact about what the Chronicles have about either kind.

And I don't regret my Imbuing, as dark as this world really is."

Thinker gazed on his fellow Hunter and the woman he has come to love until the combination of his earnest look and somewhat logical reasoning calmed her a bit. Though the offer of good, strong bottle of Sake helped too.

Now if only we also had a Chi Vampire to join that quest …"

The violent response of his fiancé was totally worth the look on her face as he ruefully voiced that speculation. Though he did wonder if it would end up a prediction.

CXCXCXCXCX

"Are you sure it was wise to let them all just leave, My Lady?" a sharp dressed man, of Caucasian descent ask, as he drove a car.

"Are you sure you want to tackle a Werewolf? You are not prepared to fight one. And Klein is pretty clever for one as well. The other two were a kind not too often encountered by Kindred, that tends to be little above Kine if surprised properly, but very powerful enemy if sufficiently prepared." The girl in the back replied. "Besides, it was not against my goals, in fact, I think that the meeting went rather well. Who knows, I just might get some common ground for opening a negotiation with the Werewolves at some later date."

"Truelly, My Lady?"

"I doubt it, but who knows…"

"And what was discussed in that peculiar company, if I may ask?"

"I really like you, Dave, but this IS a personal business, and as I told Kenshin when I burrowed your services, if you become too nosy, I just might kill you, GrandChilde."

She than opened her purse, and pulled a sealed latter, which she promptly unsealed and began to read.

So, you managed to purchase some RETCO stocks after all. Who was it that tried to oppose you, and thereby me, by sending an assassin, though? It can't be due to corporate business- this is a game company, not a weapons industry, and the usual local supernatural powers would be unlikely to send Kine assassins to stop me from gaining stocks in the company-it is likely another who saw the future of virtual reality, and wanted to grab it. Is it a mortal visionary? One of the more shy Local supernatural Groups, finally grasping the possibilities of such technology, or newcomers, who saw the AmuSpheres as something shiny they want for themselves?

CXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCX

Tsuboi Ryotaro was glad he caught up with Kirito, as the kid was unfamiliar with his surroundings and was planning to get home through what Klein knew to be some Leech territories. What an oxymoron, get home through leech grounds. At least he agreed to wait for me, and for my friend to give us a ride.

And if any leech makes themselves a nuisance-sorry Argo, but I warned you to keep them away.

And wasn't it quite the shock-he knew Argo, though mostly by reputation. He would have never pictured her as one of them as well. It seemed funny now, in retrospect, how SAO, and Kirito were the common factor between them.

CXCXCXCXCXCXCXCX

Kirito was uncertain. He didn't know what, but there was something weird about that meeting- Argo and Klein were at each other's throat like cat and dog, Yulier was proficiently hiding a real freak-out over something, though he was certain no one else noticed, and they all behaved as if there was something only he was unaware of…

And Agil went to the back and spent most of the meeting time there-why?

Never mind, I have more important things to worry about- I better install and log into that game as soon as I get home-we will reunite again, Asuna!