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The atmosphere of the Explorer Guild turned thorny in an instant. 

Everyone was pale white at how the crook Lanpeach and Guy, who showed up today while repeating nonsense, were on the verge of a fight.

The explorers gulped, made eye contact with each other, and nodded strongly after communicating their decision. 

{10,000 Ele to Lanpeach.}

{5,000 on the dude called Guy.} 

{Not sure here, but gotta go to Lanpeach here. 8,000 Ele!} 

The lowly explorers didn’t waste time in betting. The receptionist was the bookmaker in the fights within the guild. 

Money began to pile up more and more while Lanpeach was glaring at Guy. 

You could say that’s expected of the lowest of the Explorer Guilds. 

The two of them are tall, but Guy is over 2 meters on top of having that pressure with his armor of muscle. 

Lanpeach is over 180 cm, but his body is thin. Lanpeach would normally be the one losing if they were to clash. 

But the explorers know the strength of Lanpeach. They are smaller than Guy, but there were explorers who didn’t lose to him in the muscle department, and yet, Lanpeach defeated them easily. 

“Ya trying to pick a fight with me? I recommend ya not ta. A weakling mercenary ain’t gonna be a match against me.” (Guy)

Guy showed a threatening attitude as he cracked his knuckles. His face was mocking and scornful. 

“Hah, you think I am your average mercenary? Also, there’s no way I would forgive a kidnapper trying to get away with a girl.” (Lanpeach)

(Hmm, mercenary, huh. He thinks I am a mercenary. Also, he knows Dry. Even though there should be no reason for him to know Dry, who doesn’t stand out in the slums, and hasn’t met her before, he knows her? He must be a transmigrator just like me.) (Lanpeach)

Every word of Guy bothered him. 

They are actions that would let others know that Guy is also a transmigrator. 

Protagonists move with a party of 4 in Powder of Elements. 

The comrades can be other protagonists and characters with high stats from events. 

And then, for the players that find it a hassle to gather comrades, there’s the choice of hiring mercenaries in the Explorer Guild. 

Resurrection magic is rare in this game, so it is hard to revive a comrade when they die, and that happens often. This is a rescue feature for that in a sort of way. 

The downside is that mercenaries cost money, have low stats, their skills are average, and are just barely better than not having anything. 

Looks like Guy knows that. 

He probably thinks Dry has gotten an affordable mercenary. 

To be more precise, the minor villain Lanpeach with a bad glare that’s only wearing seedy equipment. 

(This guy is brazenly appealing that he is a transmigrator with no intention to hide it. Is he an idiot?) (Lanpeach)

“Hah, yer sorely mistaken if ya think ya can match me. I’ve been trainin’ fer a year.” (Guy)

Guy raised his fists with confidence in a boxer style without worrying about his words. 

The muscles of his arms swelled and he glared at him with a confident smile. 

“1 year, huh… Am I the only one who thinks that’s a short time? Wouldn’t you normally brag after training for several decades?” (Lanpeach)

“Hah? My growth rate is far higher than a weakling like ya.” (Guy)

It must be the so-called protagonist modifier. 

It is true that Dry apparently got stronger in 1 year, so he could understand how abnormal their growth rate is. They probably can power up with just a bit of training. 

Lanpeach got tired of Guy who was babbling on and sent a thought transmission to Libra. 

(Can you check his level?) (Lanpeach)

[Yes sir. Analyze!] (Libra)

Libra saluted and analyzed Guy.

[Guy: Level 5].

But Lanpeach gulped at how he was far higher level than he imagined. 

(Level 5?! This guy’s level is way too high. If he is a transmigrator, he should be able to earn EXP in an efficient—hm?) (Lanpeach)

It was a shocking level. Level 5 is close to the ending of mid game. But something bothered him a bit. 

No matter how high your growth rate is, can you raise your level that much?

Guy of Earth. One of the 7 protagonists. He was originally a peasant. He met an Earth Spirit while he was working on the field, went to the capital, and became an explorer. 

—He is also the least popular man among the players. 

[Libra, this guy has accessed the Space Library? Is he using the humanity strengthening system?] (Lanpeach) <Changed thought transmissions to […]>

He sent those doubts in a thought transmission and Libra shook her head. 

[No. You are the only one who can access the Space Library, Soldier.] (Libra)

[And yet, he managed to get to level 5 in less than a year? He is cheating!] (Lanpeach)

A level 5 is the level where a genius becomes a master and steps into the inhuman realm. 

The protagonist characters really are unfair just like Dry. 

[Is that something you can say, Soldier?] (Libra)

Libra gave a blank stare to him and he laughed it off.

But this is an opportunity to see the power of a level 5.

[It is fine if it is me. But this is a good opportunity to test out the power of a level 5.] (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach took a stance and showed his willingness. 

Guy grinned at this. 

It seems like he has become a protagonist that has drowned in power. 

(This guy’s background was that of a simple peasant though. I pity him for getting possessed.) (Lanpeach)

He sighed lightly at how different Guy is from his original lore. 

“Can’t be helped. Imma show ya mah power, Weako!” (Guy)

Guy’s shoulder twitched and he unleashed a jab. He targeted the face of Lanpeach.

No mercy. 

[Uncover].

But he saw through his movements with Uncover, and tilted his head. 

Lanpeach evaded the jab with a sway, and countered with the bare minimum movements on the opposite side of his face.

“Nuoh?! You…!” (Guy)

He must have lowered his guard. He bent backwards at having his face struck with a counter, but he soon threw out a jab. 

He wasn’t dealt much damage with just one counter. On the other hand, Lanpeach felt as if he punched a rock just now. 

“You are hard!” (Lanpeach)

“My hardness is invincible!” (Guy)

Lanpeach clicked his tongue at the smug face of Guy and crossed his arms. 

[Guard].

He used another defensive skill and blocked the heavy blow of Guy. 

Guard halves the damage of the enemy, so bare fist attacks have barely any effect…… Or at least that’s how it should have been, but Lanpeach was slowly being pushed to the back. 

“What unbelievably stupid strength. You trained way too much.” (Lanpeach)

“I train everyday! Ora ora, this yer last chance ta give up.” (Guy)

Lanpeach’s arms were beginning to grow numb from the jabs that were like straights, and frowned.

[HP: 32].

[It hurts this much but there’s no damage?!] (Lanpeach)

[It is okay, Soldier. The numerical value of your body is unharmed. That’s why you haven’t budged even when you were hit several times.] (Libra)

[I am impressed that you can say that after seeing me almost lose here. I can’t lift a finger against him.] (Lanpeach)

The jabs of Guy were unending and it doesn’t seem like he is running out of breath. 

Unbelievable stamina. 

The jabs were resonating all the way to his bones. 

Guy is aiming to smash him with a straight the instant his guard lifts up. 

For the people watching, this looked like Lanpeach would be beaten up without being able to lift a finger.

The men that were beaten up by Lanpeach yesterday were watching with expectation, wishing for him to get defeated. 

But that wasn’t the case for Libra alone. She was grinning as she peeked at the face of Lanpeach.

[You managed to avoid the first hit, right? Why are you not using Physical Combat~?] (Libra)

[I am impressed you can tell. Something is bothering me a bit here.] (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach averted his gaze from those insightful eyes, continued blocking the attacks, and calmly observed the footwork and way of adding strength to the jabs of Guy. 

It is a mess. 

His footwork is disorderly and his jabs are purely relying on strength.

“Peach-oniichan, need Dry’s help?” (Dry)

“I-It is okay. This much is easy. The princess should just sit on her chair and wait patiently.” (Lanpeach)

Dry also saw that Lanpeach was at a disadvantage, and tried to stand up from her seat, but he squeezed out his voice while blocking the attacks of Guy. 

That appearance of his only looked as if he was acting tough, and was trying to play it off as if he was on the verge of losing. 

[Ahaha, buhahaha, Soldier, don’t make me laugh!] (Libra)

The shrine maiden girl rolled laughing at the way too cheesy line. 

Dry blushed a bit and sat back down. 

Lanpeach coughed at how he just created a new piece of dark history. 

“Uhaha, actin’ tough. Give up before I unleash mah deadly straight! I have trained mah body efficiently!” (Guy)

Guy stole glances at Dry as he laughed, certain of his victory. 

“If you can become that strong by training efficiently, can you please tell me too?” (Lanpeach)

“That’s the thing. It is impossible for ya. It is a training method of the magic academy after all!” (Guy)

The arms of Lanpeach lowered and the crooked face peeked out. 

Guy didn’t miss that opening, put strength in his right arm, and unleashed a full power straight. 

Everyone was paying attention, thinking it would finally be settled, but Lanpeach didn’t miss that big swing either. 

He swiftly took a strong step with his right leg and unleashed a straight of his own.

“Ooh!”

The fists of both Lanpeach and Guy were nailed on each other’s cheeks as everyone raised cheers. 

Both arms crossed for a cross counter, and it looked like a miraculous cross counter from a boxing movie. 

“I-I… I-Impossible.” (Guy)

“D-Damn it, so I ate it, huh.” (Lanpeach)

Both of them fell to the floor after receiving a hit that could make you lose a molar. 

It seems like it was pretty powerful for Guy who is sturdy, his nose was bleeding. 

Guy was dumbstruck by the unexpected attack and didn’t even wipe his nosebleed.

“See? You said you are Guy or something, right? Y-You lose… Leave already.” (Lanpeach)

It has affected Lanpeach all the way to his legs no matter how you see it, but he still stood up with his legs trembling, and pointed his finger towards Guy. 

“Haah… It is not that much damage, but that’s pretty strong for a mercenary. Yer a mercenary, so it makes sense though. Reality is different in a lot of ways, huh. I will report it to that person.” (Guy)

Guy stood up with an unfazed expression as if he didn’t receive any damage, but it must have been pretty shocking, he left the guild while mumbling something. 

“Peach-oniichan, so cool! Dry is a princess, so she will kiss you on the cheek. Chuu~.” (Dry)

“No thanks. But that was pretty interesting.” (Lanpeach)

Dry was happy that Lanpeach saved her and clung onto him, puckering her lips, but he pushed her away with his hand, and muttered this while looking at Guy exiting through the door. 

[Interesting? Why?] (Libra)

[I will tell you, Libra. You have to be careful of the men that are blatantly stupid. Especially one that blabbered loudly in a way so that Dry would hear it.] (Lanpeach)

He answered Libra with a faint smile while putting a hand on his disheveled hair. 

[His movements when he blocked the spoon and when he was fighting were completely different.] (Lanpeach)

[Aah, it is true that he looked like he learned martial arts when he blocked the spoon.] (Libra)

[Right? But he acted like he was a rookie used to battles when he was fighting me. Now then, I am a bit interested in what’s the meaning of that.] (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach shrugged his shoulders and returned his trembling legs to normal. 

It is mysterious how he looked all beaten up one second and then completely fine in the other. 

“Hehehe, you are not that strong, Lanpeach-san.”

The guys from yesterday were grinning and gathered as they thought Lanpeach was unexpectedly weak and began reevaluating him, planning on getting back at him, but…

A few minutes later, regular customers of Insect Toll increased in this guild. 

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