"So, what did you want to talk about?" Tabimiko asked the being in front of him.
"As you know, I'm going to go to the surface tomorrow with Kira and Evelyn. I want to know the average level of these people. Are they strong enough to see through an item's disguise? Are they dangerous enough to be considered a threat?" In a serious manner, Jin inquires for information, which Tabimiko intends to answer.
"That, huh? But I just can't casually estimate their level based on what I've seen so far."
"Is that so? I was expecting you would already have a guess. Well... it doesn't matter; tell me what you think." Jin replied in consideration.
Jin is a godly entity, who's body cast light on his surrounding. While Tabimiko was merely an ordinary man. The contrast between their appearance was enormous, but the way they talk to each other was in equal terms. Certainly, Jin has the higher position between the two of them, but the respect they have for each other brings them on a closer relationship, enough for formality to disappear.
More than a boss and his employee; more than a leader and his member; and more than a mentor and his student; the two of them are friends.
"I can only make a rough guess." After a while of not saying anything, Tabimiko groaned.
"I never saw them fight, so I can't be sure. But... I'll say they're around level 10 to 15. Maybe even lower."
"That low, huh?" Jin pinches his chin as he replied. There was a glimpse of surprise in his voice, but it was easily gone when he turned silent and consider.
"Say, where did you based that guess?"
"From what I've seen, and mostly, their stories." Tabimiko immediately answered. Then, he explained, "A single villager can take out two goblins. A single ogre can take out ten villagers. A group of orcs can decimate an entire village. That's what I've been told. I haven't confirmed it yet, but I trust their stories."
"I think that's enough information." Jin nodded in satisfaction.
He was a little bit skeptical, but he's sure that there was more than one truth in the information the villagers gave Tabimiko. He likes to think that the villagers would be much stronger, so he was doubting. Even so, he can always estimate their levels at a higher number on his own, to guess the possible limit of their strength to create the worst possible scenario his guild would experience if they ever went into conflict.
"Let's say that the average level of humans is 15, including those in the cities... then, isn't this world too weak?" He said with doubt.
Just as expected, shouldn't it be stronger? He already considered the highest amount, but even if he heightens their level up to 30, they would still be weak in comparison to them. No, there isn't really even a comparison, if that is true, then they're nothing to be wary about. Their guild could crush them with a single member alone.
Now that he starts to contemplate the possible threat they could make, he reminded himself why he is doing that in the first place.
No, this isn't just because of his self-interest. He is doing this because of what Kira has said -
One of the members of the guild might suddenly have the urge to go to war with humans, or something with a higher possibility, the humans going to war with them. He wants to create the worst-case scenario in his mind, so he can prepare for it in the future, might it happens or not.
"I heard there were supposed to be adventurers and heroes in this world." Tabimiko nodded to what he said, and he then added more context of his own.
"Those heroes, they are supposed to be much stronger than ordinary people. I heard rumors that they can easily take down wyverns; even defeat dragons. As for adventurers... I'll say that they're just a little above the limit of normal villagers... they might be stronger, but not stronger than heroes."
Suddenly, what he said made Jin more interested in their conversation.
"Adventurers and heroes, huh? Yes, if these "heroes" can take down dragons, they might be really powerful. But that's only when they are compared to ordinary humans. They'll only be able to scratch our armor if that was the case. And if the adventures are weaker than them... then?" Jin throws a stare at Tabimiko, waiting for him to continue his sentence, to know if they are on the same page. But...
"Then, what are you thinking, Jin? The villagers are already aware of the guild's existence. I'm guessing the surrounding cities have seen or heard of us as well. It wouldn't be long before they send someone to investigate." Instead of going with where Jin was coming from, Tabimiko strays away from the thought and presented another.
Understanding that the topic is sensitive, Jin nodded and played along with Tabimiko.
"That's a part of what I'm here for. I wanted to investigate the circumstances myself." Jin fixes himself and answered. Then, the already bright light that was surrounding him brightens up more, blinding Tabimiko and his currently human eyes.
"What do you think?" Jin's asked as soon as the light around him disappears, after which he revealed himself as an ordinary-looking human.
"What item did you use? As far as I'm concern, there's no item that randomly redoes the created appearance of a character..." Tabimiko confusedly said.
"No, this is just an ordinary appearance change. The [Scroll of Men] - it's just supposed to temporarily change your character appearance into that of a human with high-level illusion magic. I used it, then I replaced my equipment with the warrior class adventurer set items I have. With this, I'm equal to a level 50 warrior." Jin explained while examining his appearance.
"As for my face... it's an input."
"Your face really looks like that? Wait, how old are you supposed to be!?" Tabimiko almost yelled at Jin.
Right now, Jin's appearance is close to a pre-adult adventurer. The item set gave that look on him. But the atmosphere of youth around him was because of his face, which is between that of an adult and a teenager. Shock is an understatement to Tabimiko's reaction to him.
The person who had led them to become one of the strongest is just an average-looking guy. But more than that, it seems that he was also younger than him. A fact that was proven just seconds after he questioned him.
"23 years old. I brought the game when I was still in middle school." He said and turned to look at him again. "You're not that old yourself, Tabimikohuro-san."
"How'd you -" How'd you know this was my real appearance? He was about to ask that, but he was cut short when Jin answered before he could finish.
"Since you're a real doppelganger now, there's only one person I thought you will transform into. Of course, it would be the first human that will come to your mind."
Hearing Jin answer, Tabimiko leaned his back a little and put his hands on the ground. He knew that Jin was smart, but he didn't expect that he would correctly guess the person he transformed into. Was it obvious? Maybe it was. Nevertheless, he was still taken back.
"Well, that's that... yes, this is what I look like outside the game. I thought I should change it to something else, but I felt really comfortable with it, so I decided to keep it."
"Just change back to your doppelganger appearance when you get back. With your divine-level transformation, I doubt your NPCs and the others will recognize you immediately."
"That's the plan. Now that I have this newfound power to transform into anything, why would I keep transforming into the person I hate the most? This will definitely the last time I will get to experience this body." Tabimiko nodded and smiled internally. Then, he signals that they should get back to their conversation earlier.
"Will this work?"
"Definitely. It would be hard to get past that illusion magic. But... your strength will drastically decrease. Wouldn't that be dangerous?"
"As long as I do not meet with someone stronger, it's fine. Besides, we're planning of dealing with this world without using violence. I don't want to look so intimidating to the people."