Chapter 15: You Guys Are Simple Minded
If not now, Lucas had no idea when he could join or assemble an expedition group to the Deep Cave of the Abyss in the future. And his biggest fear was that someone who also knew about the place would clean it up before he arrived.
''Do you want to be part of my party?''
He would organize a group dedicated to cleaning the hidden dungeon. Lucas had analyzed the people in the square and was inviting the two most prominent targets out there, which would certainly increase the survival rate of the entire group. He didn't intend to let anyone die for nothing, so he'd do his best without flinching.
If he really had the bad luck he thought he had, he could end up losing the true sword of agility or some equipment during the expedition, which certainly constituted his entire fortune.
Even so, Lucas knew that if he was willing to take that risk, he could obtain items and abilities that would definitely come in handy in the near future.
Therefore, he expressed all of his strong emotions and firm resolve when he looked at Fists and Sapp.
Was Lucas very ambitious and daring? Certainly, for he was putting his own life and the lives of others at risk because of his plans.
Did he have any feelings of shame or guilt in doing this? No, he didn't.
Lucas then cleared his mind of the serious thoughts that filled it and lowered his head, looking directly at the two notable adventurers, who were looking at him with expressions of confusion and puzzlement.
"E-eh, what are you talking about?" The young swordsman asked in astonishment.
''What is your level? I only accept proposals from people with adequate levels." The young woman responded decisively.
''What? Ah yes. I'm level 69, and I guarantee I'll be useful, so there's nothing to fear.''
''So what do you think of the proposal? You said you accept requests from people with suitable levels, right?''
"H-huh…" The swordsman was still reluctant, and gripped his own arm nervously.
Fists gestured at him, almost as if to say 'Leave it to me' as he shook his head quickly.
"I haven't made up my mind yet."
''What? But you just told me that you accept requests from people with high le…'' Lucas was cut off mid-speech.
''I certainly said that at first, and I cannot deny it. But, you see, I don't intend to form a team without first confirming their level and where we're going. After all, as you may know as someone at level 69 in these regions, raid expeditions are relatively difficult and have to be planned seriously."
Fists glared at Lucas, who wasn't equipped with any of the items he'd purchased, as he'd left them in his inventory — that look conveyed strongly that she didn't believe Lucas's claim that he was a level 69 person.
'Then you shouldn't have said you'd take it if I was of a suitable level, you idiot.' Lucas inwardly grumbled, keeping his external expression impassive.
Ket thought Lucas should give up, but would he? Certainly not, it wasn't part of his personality to give up, and he also didn't want to miss out on such a golden opportunity to grow even stronger, right before his eyes.
He would manage to get those two to join the party, whatever the cost.
''Come on, accept the invitation. We're going to a dungeon near the Forest of Blood and in the middle of Traymon's abandoned mines, so you don't have to worry. Besides, I won't hold you back at all."
"What's your level?" The woman repeated once more, narrowing her eyes.
Lucas was currently at level 39, but with only his basic stats and battle senses, his combat skill was easily above level 50~67. Coupled with the effects of his newly gained gear, he would surely become even stronger.
However, if he confessed that he was at level 30… Those two would certainly not accept the invitation and would simply turn their backs on Lucas.
"Like I said, my level is 69. I don't intend to discuss this 'cause I'm telling you the truth."
"What is your level?" The woman once again insisted on asking the same thing.
Lucas sighed deeply and saw no option but to try a new approach.
''39 ... no, no ... close to 40.... No, Plus 55.''
Ket looked confused as she heard Lucas speaking, and the other two didn't know how to react to the man's awkward speech.
''39 close to 40, plus 55? What's the meaning of that?''
''I ended up getting lost in speech. It's just level 55.''
The swordsman remained hesitant and a little nervous, while Fists had a worried and confused expression on her face.
''I see your weapon is a broadsword. The way it is, shouldn't it be around level 30? Even though it has a high rating, claiming to be at a level above 55… Your lie could have been better, I must admit."
''Look, you are very skeptical and ask a lot of questions. I'm level 55, are you satisfied with the answer?''
Obviously Lucas was just bluffing. He kept such an immobile expression, that surely almost anyone would have fallen for his lies easily.
However, Fists was a very cautious person and therefore not easy to deceive.
''Even so, I still maintain my point of view regarding your sword. Also, I haven't considered your armor, as you haven't shown it so far and is dressed in these casual and simple clothes."
Lucas now understood why that pretty girl was without a group… It wasn't just because of her class, it was mostly because she was simply UNBEARABLE… However, he had to admit that Fists' judgement was clearly accurate, leaving him surprised by her knowledge of equipment and items.
Even though the items didn't yet have user restrictions or usage conditions built in, their effects and rating made clear the level margin at which they would be used effectively. But for someone in the middle of a village square to have so much knowledge, Lucas only thought of one thing: She and the swordsman were clearly people transported from the other world, just like him.
Lucas didn't wear the armor for exactly that reason, as although few people demonstrated enough skill to recognize the levels of items that had no usage restrictions, the difference in the appearance of his gear would still be very evident from the ones used by people who were actually at level 55 or higher, scattered in heaps across the whole square.
As for the reasons why he didn't buy tier 40+ gear, there were two mainly motives: First- Despite having a good amount of money, it wasn't enough to buy higher tier gear without ending up going complete bankruptcy.
Second- He found it more effective to buy items with special effects in exchange for lower stats.
While Lucas thought about these things, Fists looked at him suspiciously.
"Anyway, ignoring the fact that you're not dressed in your armor, it's strange that you claim to be level 55 with a lower level sword than my gauntlets." The woman interrupted the young man's thoughts with these words.
''And what's your name anyway?''
''Hades.''
''Hades, eh? It's the first time I've seen you here, and I've been in this village for a while, now. Have you ever done any hunting in infested areas around here? I know how powerful monsters are in this area from experience, so if you're really at the level you're claiming to be, you can surely hunt them down with ease."
The young swordsman nodded in agreement.
''Based on all of this, you must be someone who recently arrived here. As for your level, it certainly shouldn't exceed 40.''
Lucas had been read like a page in an open book, it was scary as fuck.
'This person is too smart to be a mere martial artist.' Lucas thought, but still not giving up on the idea of forming a group with those two. In fact, he was even more excited to be able to form a party with such a capable person!
'I will not give up, and in the end you will join me!'
''Look, let's be honest with each other, ok? First of all, I apologize for trying to trick you with a false level."
The woman huffed haughtily, while she and the swordsman still responded badly to the situation. Then Lucas added: ''As you know, only people level 50 and above can hunt in the fields around the village correctly. However, I'm not level 50 and I still managed to cross the path to the village, alive and well.''
''Yes, so what? You might have just hitched a ride with someone of a higher level.''
''You couldn't be more wrong. The reason I tried to convince you two to join my expedition party is that the place I would take you to, needs people with some specific skills to help constantly attack the enemies of the place. I judged through an ability that I have, of inspecting people's status without them showing me for themselves, that you have enough skills to fulfill my wishes."
''...''
''...''
''You can choose not to believe me, I respect that. And I want to admit that I'm not level 50 or above, I'm just level 39.''
''See? I knew you were lying to us!''
"But my combat abilities far outweigh the stats unmodified by titles and other external factors, of a person at level 90. And to prove my point, just look for yourself."
Tintin~
A window appeared in front of the weird swordsman and the crazy martial artist.
[User 'Hades' wants to share his stats window with you, do you want to accept?]
[Y/N]
Both pressed the confirmation button and were amazed at what they saw.
''Holy crap... You weren't lying when you said those things."
"Anyway, we're leaving." Lucas decided to play an 'anger' act, almost like he was in a drama movie.
He turned, no longer holding them both in place, and left the bench in the center of the square, but Fists and Sapp followed him.
''What is it? Do you want something?" Lucas's attitude was completely cold towards the two.
However, the two only asked to join the young man's party and suggested a handshake with a strange smile stamped in their face.
''Ok, despite everything you said to me. We need help, so why not, right?''
Lucas had no doubt that Fists was interested in him after he showed the woman his stats. He saw through her honest eyes that they expressed such emotion.
He shook the young woman's hand and thought, 'You can call yourself smart, but you've been manipulated like a mere pawn.'
Lucas was squirming as he controlled his laughter. He wanted to laugh at the 2 idiots who fell into the web of his mind trap.
''By the way, if you found what I showed you impressive. Know that this woman next to you is a level 123 healer.
Ket nodded slightly as she said, ''It's my pleasure, the name is Ket.''
''WHAT?????'' The two exclaimed in surprise, but Lucas ignored them.
''So let's go. We can't waste even a second more if we don't want to miss this one-time chance."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
kouboutes_07
kouboutes_07 Next chapter, we will finally reach the deep cavern of the abyss! I hope you're enjoying the novel so far, I'll try to release one more chapter today, but I'm not guaranteeing anything.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone