This is how horror movies start. They try to get you to separate from the group or safety area, so they can get you alone and then---- force you to listen to kidz bop music 5ever, a fate worse than death.

@Vontell: Find Help

because i am experienced in movie logic making decisions based on emotions is usually bad. We can probably ask Leo to sniff a trail, or look closely at the ground (once we've calmed down) for a trail black tar/paint, footprints left by the dashing figure, or signs of struggle. The question is whether the figure baiting us has good intentions or bad. Why would it bait us in the alleyway, outside the core after we find Vivi is missing? Why not in front of Vivi's store?

@Vontell: Chase the Figure

@Vontell: This black goo is really suspicious. Has Leo seen it somewhere else? Or does it just have some property he doesn't like?

@Vontell: chase the figure

Okay so two people have made good points that either option could be bait to lure us away. I agree. Someone or something does obviously not want the core fixed and the situation just seems a little too serious for a "haha I stole your tools" sort of prank. And yes the figure could be leading us away to corner us, but um... we're a large group do you think it really can take us all out? And I have scythe... which can be used as deadly weapon...
Ideally though a split up option would be best, like half of us stay and protect Val, the core, and the remaining tools while the other half goes after the figure, but that is not an option so my answer is going to be...

@Vontell: Go after the figure.

They're there, they're suspicious, and they might at least know about the tools.