Today is the third chapter.
Wang Yang had tossed Argo 1,000 Kael so readily, not because he wanted to hear what she had to say next, but as a roundabout way of thanking her for the Beast Trap she'd given him the night before. In his eyes, the Beast Trap wasn't just a rare item; it could save his life at a critical moment. Unfortunately, it was a one-use item.
Argo was visibly surprised when Wang Yang so readily tossed her 1,000 Kael. She kept staring at him, making him so uncomfortable that he had to look away.
How to put it? Her eyes seemed to be glittering with gold.
"Mr. Xiang Kong, you seem like you have a lot of money." Argo unceremoniously stowed the 1,000 Kael in her inventory, her gaze never wavering.
"Seems like... I guess I do have a little money." Wang Yang pretended to casually glance at Argo. The golden glint in her eyes seemed to be growing stronger, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
Argo suddenly smiled, looking delighted. Then she said, "I've changed my mind. The information I'm about to give you will cost 10,000 Kael."
Wang Yang was stunned. He turned to her, eyes wide. "Lady, where did your integrity go? Your professional ethics?"
"Well, it depends on the person," Argo replied casually.
"Do I look like a fat sheep to you?" Wang Yang was at a loss.
Argo tilted her head slightly and studied his face. Her smile faded, and she said evenly, "Based on what you just did, I can't see anything about you that doesn't look like a fat sheep."
"..."
"Then do I look like an idiot to you?"
"If you toss me 10,000 Kael right now, probably."
Wang Yang found it difficult even to keep up a wry smile. Still, he'd realized something: Argo was badly short of money.
"Are you short on money because of that task where you're distributing the strategy guides?"
Argo's eyes tightened. She turned to look at the players in the plaza and said in a nonchalant tone, "Have you ever heard of an information broker being short on money?"
"Sure, but I've never heard of an information broker giving the public free, useful information, either. I'll buy it." Wang Yang smiled, opened his inventory, and chose to materialize 10,000 Kael. A heavy purse appeared in his hand.
This time, Wang Yang didn't toss it to her. He held it out instead; if he threw it, it would look too much like charity.
Argo turned and stared blankly at the purse in Wang Yang's outstretched hand. She didn't take it, but asked, "Do you understand how much value 10,000 Kael can create right now?"
Wang Yang nodded with a smile. "Of course. For example, it could speed up the distribution of free strategy guides, improve players' chances of surviving and getting stronger, and reduce the death rate."
Argo fell silent. She still didn't take the purse, but sighed. "You're a strange person. The other Beta Test players are desperately leveling up and getting stronger, but you have time to sit around daydreaming here—and can casually produce 10,000 Kael, too."
"That's because I'm not a Beta Test player..." Wang Yang said earnestly.
Who would believe that?
Argo rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I don't believe a player who's just started playing SAO could be strong enough to defeat the Wild Boar Leader, then produce 10,000 Kael without breaking a sweat."
"Can you take the money already? It's heavy." Wang Yang sighed inwardly. He couldn't help it if she didn't believe him.
Argo drew a light breath and said solemnly, "Before I take the purse, I need to know why you're doing this."
Wang Yang blinked. Was he supposed to say that it was his duty to do his part for the greater good? Or that he'd dreamed of being a Good Samaritan since he was a child?
What nonsense... That would make him sound so noble.
Wang Yang gave an awkward laugh. "Isn't this just a fair transaction? I'm paying for the information you're about to give me."
Argo looked at him deeply, then dismissed his excuse with a casual remark. "Don't forget, you still have an information tip coming from me."
Lady, why are you making this so difficult? If that's the case, why did you ask me for money in the first place?
Wang Yang smiled awkwardly, at a loss for words.
"Fine. I'll just assume I've run into an idiot."
Argo smiled, snatched the purse with one hand, and quickly stowed it in her inventory. Wang Yang watched, wide-eyed.
"This is the most worthwhile deal I've ever made." Looking at the 11,000 Kael in her inventory, Argo narrowed her eyes, a glint of amusement visible through the slim opening.
Seeing Argo take the purse, Wang Yang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
At least this way, I've contributed a little to the players in SAO. For someone like me, who wants to wait for the frontline players to fight for their lives, then safely leave the game once it's cleared two years from now, this should at least ease some of my guilt.
Wang Yang turned his head and looked toward the plaza, his eyes flickering with a faint melancholy.
"Listen up. This information is worth 11,000 Kael." Argo hadn't noticed Wang Yang's subtle change. Thinking that the stalled task could finally get moving again, she couldn't help sounding a little more upbeat.
"SAO has changed in some ways since the Beta Test. For example, my current task has more than twice as many stages, and the requirements have become more than twice as demanding. That's why I haven't been able to release the strategy guides."
"Do you know what that means? It means SAO isn't exactly the same as it was during the Beta Test. Still, I don't think anything has changed too drastically. That's the second reason I can't release the strategy guides right away."
"I have to take responsibility for the information I provide. It has to be completely accurate, because misleading players could get them killed. Even I can't check every single detail, but I'll do my best to verify the information. So until a certain someone sends me confirmation, I won't release the guides right away, even though I'm able to produce them."
She'd started out sounding upbeat, but when she began talking about the information, her tone gradually turned serious.
Wang Yang listened as he watched Argo. Her cloak hid half her face, but it did nothing to diminish the distinct charm she exuded at that moment.
It wasn't cuteness at all, but the air of a serious, mature woman. It was incredible that a girl who looked so cute could give off such an air.
"That's all," Argo concluded.
"So how long will it take you to release the guides?" Wang Yang nodded and asked.
Argo pondered for a moment. "Before, it would've taken five days at most. Now that I have 11,000 Kael, about three days."
Wang Yang smiled, then abruptly stood up and brushed off his backside. "Don't forget to give me a copy when they're ready."
Argo stayed seated and looked up at Wang Yang, sounding exasperated. "Go pick one up at the item shop yourself."
"How heartless..." Wang Yang's smile began to stiffen.
"Are you going to level up now?" Argo suddenly asked.
At that, Wang Yang's stiff smile vanished. "Level up... Maybe. Goodbye."
Not wanting Argo to notice anything unusual, Wang Yang waved and strode toward the alley beyond the steps.
Watching Wang Yang walk away, Argo furrowed her brows.
"What a strange person. I don't know why the Sword and Fire Squad spread the rumor that you're a hunter, but I'm sure you aren't one."
This was the second time a girl in the game had called Wang Yang a strange person.
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