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“Well then, next question. Do you know less than two transmigrators aside from me within your knowledge?” (Lanpeach)

“Yes, but I only have one comrade who gives me orders. The same question to ya. Lanpeach-don, am I the only transmigrator ya know?” (Guy)

“You are the first one. To think there would be someone else who has entered this game world.” (Lanpeach)

The color of the fire didn’t change. 

Lanpeach is an honest man after all. 

Lanpeach could tell he wasn’t lying through looking at his expression with Uncover. 

You have to be on the actor level in order to be able to deceive the skill even at level 1. That’s because level 1 is a person who has trained thoroughly after all. 

A half-baked act won’t work on Lanpeach. On the contrary, he would be able to notice he is acting, so it makes it even easier to tell when the other party is lying. 

“Now then, Guy, I would like you to stop parroting my questions already and let me hear questions overflowing with originality from you.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach waved his hand as if provoking him within this tense atmosphere. 

Lanpeach and Guy continued to glare at each other with a heavy atmosphere of sounding out the other party’s cards. 

That would be the perspective of Guy. Like a scene before a duel in a cowboy movie. 

In the Lanpeach perspective, a pretty shrine maiden is riding the shoulders of Lanpeach, so it looks a bit silly. 

The bare legs that peek out from her shrine maiden outfit were hugging his neck, so it was more serious for a man.

That said, Guy wouldn’t even dream something like that is happening. 

—And there was something he definitely wanted to ask. 

“Is your level over 30, Lanpeach-don?” (Guy)

Lanpeach had a poker face until now, but that question made his brows twitch and react. 

What’s level 30? Lanpeach was flustered since that would be in the level of a god, but Guy doesn’t seem to be joking, judging from his appearance. 

(Hah? There’s no way there’s such a high level… Wait, eh? Is that how it is?) (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach was confused about that, but he thought of a single possibility and was on the verge of getting shocked, however, he somehow managed to not show it on his face and endured it. 

He definitely can’t let this be noticed. The actions he will take from here on might end up becoming fatal. 

“…Yeah, I am over level 30.” (Lanpeach)

The flames turned red. 

Guy’s cheeks loosened a bit and relaxed after the red flame illuminated him. 

Lanpeach clicked his tongue, acting like he is mortified here, but a smile was creeping its way. 

“Ya shouldn’t do that, Lanpeach-don. I told ya these flames don’t allow lies.” (Guy)

“…It seems like that’s the truth. Then, same question over here. Do you have power matching that of someone over level 30?” (Lanpeach)

“Nope. I simply thought ya would need at least that much in order ta solo the Excatirano. Then, same question here. Do ya have power matching level 20?” (Guy)

A lie. 

Guy is sure he has power over level 30. 

Judging from the conversation, he is probably on a level where he would be able to easily defeat the Excatirano without any tricks. 

There would be no reason to come here alone if that’s not the case. 

(Guy noticed that I used ‘matching’ in my question and parroted it. I asked him to be original, and yet, he is now narrowing it down to the little details.) (Lanpeach)

Of course, Lanpeach is level 3. He is not at an unbelievable level like 20.

“Yes, that’s right.” (Lanpeach)

But he purposely answered with Yes. 

It really changed into a red flame. 

“Fuhaha, Lanpeach-don, looks like ya have noticed the level difference.” (Guy)

“…Kuh, what’s your level, Guy?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach makes a vexed face and takes a step back as if faltering. That action of his was the very picture of a minor villain who thought they had the advantage, but discovered their opponent was stronger than they thought and got scared soon after. 

Guy felt even more at an advantage here after seeing that attitude of his and his tone relaxed. 

“Don’t ya already know? But I can’t lower mah guard. Last question, can ya access the Earth Library and level up?” (Guy)

“Yes, I can defeat monsters and level up a whole ton.” (Lanpeach)

The flame really turned red and lost its effect as it disappeared. 

(Poker face, poker face. What’s this Earth Library?) (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach somehow managed to endure this other unexpected info. It can’t be helped that he would touch the thighs of Libra to distract himself. 

[Hyaa! That’s kind of a lewd way of touching! It gives me shivers!] (Libra)

[Don’t worry about it. I won’t.] (Lanpeach)

She wriggled her body as if finding this ticklish, but she is riding on the shoulders of a man, so she should have been prepared for at least that much. 

(Yup yup, I am beginning to get calmer. That’s why, Libra-san, can you stop hammering my head?) (Lanpeach)

“The flame has disappeared, but I will give my last question as well. Do you know of a cheating bastard that can connect to the Earth Library, defeat monsters, and level up a whole ton?” (Lanpeach)

“…Yeah, there is. There’s no point lying about that. It is one of the protagonists after all. Ya will be hearing their name soon enough, and it is growth that ya would think it is unnatural, so it would be discovered real quick even if I lied here. Well, ya and I grow by defeating monsters, but it doesn’t match that person’s growth. Also, it would be better to train properly.” (Guy)

(I don’t grow. I only get 1 or 2 EXP even when defeating monsters! Well, it did feel off.) (Lanpeach)

There’s no way he wouldn’t know the name of the minor villain Lanpeach that was used like a dirty rag in this game after all. 

(C-Could it be this guy played the beta version? But the story of the beta version was just a teaser… I don’t get it. He talks as if he cleared the game in the beta version.) (Lanpeach)

There was news that the system was changed greatly after the beta version of Powder of Elements. 

It was practically complete, and yet, they thought it wouldn’t sell like this, so they remade how it worked in itself, and took 1 more year to release. 

The rumors were that the beta version was the olden RPG type where you defeated enemies to level up. Lanpeach hasn’t played it, but the beta version was apparently that. 

When it was released, it was skill based, and had a complicated story and many ways to clear quests, so it practically became a different game -is the commotion it created in the forums. 

Shock squeezed the heart of Lanpeach, but he somehow managed to endure it so it didn’t become unnatural. 

But his expression wasn’t perfect, however, Guy saw that and misunderstood. 

“I understand ya getting surprised. We learn fast because of the protagonist modifier. I can tell that I get stronger after defeating monsters, but that’s just a body sensation. However, that’s apparently shown in a log and Status Board. Being able to check those numbers makes me jealous. It is made so that ya don’t get EXP unless ya defeat stronger monsters, but we don’t know which ones are stronger.” (Guy)

“Right. Getting the numbers is a source of envy. Even though I only finally felt like I was level 10 when I could use AoE magic.” (Lanpeach)

Guy was babbling about important info like an open faucet, but he was making a big misunderstanding here, thinking that Lanpeach probably already knows this. 

Also, not being able to get EXP unless you defeat stronger monsters is a system that is helpful for Lanpeach.

“Same. I was judging that I leveled up by seeing that I got more spells.” (Guy)

Guy nodded and misunderstood here. 

He wouldn’t even think it is skill based for Lanpeach. 

It seems like he is judging he has become level 10 after learning a spell you get at level 10.

(Gotta confirm this with Dry. No, it is normal to be able to use new spells after training, so you wouldn’t think it strange unless you are a transmigrator, huh.) (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach turned the gears in his brain quickly and thought about how this new piece of information would roll. 

Looks like Lanpeach didn’t exist in the game they played. That was great for him. 

There were countless death flags for Lanpeach. 

But there’s an extremely high chance for them to use it to kill him if they were to learn about it. 

He is already in Lanpeach difficulty as it is. He didn’t feel like he would be able to survive if people were to get involved with malice on top of that, so he was relieved.

“So, Lanpeach-don, do ya wanna team up? Ya know of clearing methods that I don’t know. And, I know of a way to level up more than when defeating monsters through training. Stuff like how to use yer mana, how to clear things, training methods in the magic academy; they are all really important information.” (Guy)

Guy was thinking about cutting off connections with the person he is allied with. 

That person certainly did give him money and taught him training methods, but the clear methods were almost the same as the ones Guy remembered, moreover, he was making him go to life threatening explorations, and using him like a slave. 

He already felt like he had repaid his debt. 

The man in front of him called Lanpeach seemed to have clearing methods that he didn’t know at all. 

He has never heard of such a method to defeat the Excatirano. 

—Moreover, it is a name he has never heard before. Something came to mind. When you clear the game with all the protagonists and reach the True End, and take a specific action, you can choose a hidden protagonist. 

It wasn’t written on the guides, but there were rumors of that. 

Guy thought Lanpeach was that.

“Fumu… What’s your condition?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach showed as if he had interest and crossed his arms. 

Guy felt like there was a chance here, smiled, and told him what he thought. 

“Become mah subordinate. Dry is also on yer side, right? Both of ya become mah subordinates. If ya do, I will tell ya ways to train that were not in the game. Then, ya will tell me clearing methods and earn money. Not a bad deal, right, hidden protagonist-don?” (Guy)

Guy spread both arms and directed a gentle smile. 

Lanpeach noticed he was misunderstanding, judging from what he was saying, but he purposely acted as if he didn’t know and smiled back, waving his hand. 

“Won’t do. I will be the top and you are the subordinate. I will be fine with that.” (Lanpeach)

“…Well, both of us think of each other as the stronger one, so that’s how it would end up, huh. But I don’t know the Status of the hidden protagonist, and yet, ya know mah Status. Ain’t that a disadvantage?” (Guy)

Guy’s gaze turned into an inquisitive one. 

Lanpeach took a deep breath and resolved himself. 

“…Got it. My job is Summoner. It is a hard to use Status befitting of a hidden protagonist.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach snapped his fingers and gave the signal to Libra. 

“Ehen, I am the Artificial Spirit, Libra! The summon of the summoner, Soldier!” (Libra)

Libra understood with precision what Lanpeach wanted and spat out lies. 

This is a bet. 

From what he remembered, the lost beta version was a level system and also a job system. 

He bet on that and lied about the existence of an invented job. 

Glossy silver hair tied in twin tails, red eyes like rubies, small lips, and a cute small face. 

Charming and alluring, small but with big breasts, her waist was tight, wearing a shrine maiden outfit with short sleeves, Libra floated over to the shoulder of Lanpeach.

Guy opened his mouth wide and was speechless at that wondrous beauty. And then, his shoulders began to tremble as if he couldn’t endure it. 

“Wa?! A summoner, huh… I have never heard of that job… M-Moreover, y-ya have such a cute Artificial Spirit… That ain’t fair! Her function is at night or something?! Mah Spirit is cute too, but it ain’t human!” (Guy)

“Ehehe, if you pamper me more, you can unlock the night mode.” (Libra)

“Oi, can you two stop teaming up to lower my social reputation?” (Lanpeach)

Guy glared at him full of jealousy, and the little devil poured a full tank of gasoline on his fire. 

She is going ehehe and wriggling around which made him cough, making it nastier in nature. 

Looks like they don’t plan on listening to the complaints of Lanpeach. 

“Fine. A duel then. Imma show ya mah power! Sorry if ya die!” (Guy)

Guy takes a stance with dark eyes that are half acting and half serious. 

His heart burning with jealousy for living the dream of a man by having a pretty girl as an Artificial Spirit, and his desire to investigate the true strength of Lanpeach. 

(I feel like I raised a death flag… Oh well, fine. I can check just how much of a difference there is from the beta version level of Guy compared to the level 5 of the skill system. Libra did appraise him as level 5 after all.) (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach readied himself to oppose Guy and smiled boldly. 

Both hid their cards close to their chest.

Lanpeach began his battle with the second protagonist. 

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