Chapter 129 - 125: Is Miss Mage Being Blackmailed?

Chapter 129: Chapter 125: Is Miss Mage Being Blackmailed?

Just like in his previous life, there were many different ways to classify monsters in this world.

Some were classified by appearance, some by their method of reproduction, and some by their alignment toward good or evil.

But when classifying them by "Intelligence," they were divided into three main categories: low, medium, and high.

And they came with detailed definitions—

Low-Intelligence creatures: Behavior is driven almost entirely by instinct, desire, and conditioned reflexes. They lack the ability to learn or engage in complex thought. Within their groups, there is only the most basic cooperation, with no true division of labor or culture.

They may understand simple commands and words but cannot comprehend or use systematic language.

They may use tools or weapons, and even make simple imitations of existing tools, but they do not possess the ability to create.

Medium-Intelligence creatures: Possess basic thinking and learning abilities. They can form tribes or groups with a clear division of labor and may develop the rudiments of a simple culture.

They can understand and use simple language, but only to express direct needs.

They can use and craft relatively complex tools but still lack the ability to create.

High-Intelligence creatures: Possess the capacity for abstract thought, logical reasoning, and long-term planning. They can establish structurally complex civilizations and systems, passing them down systematically.

They can master complex languages and scripts, and they can understand and use lies.

They can use and craft intricate tools and possess the ability to create.

Hmm...

It all sounded very complicated, but the main difference really boiled down to one thing.

Whether or not they possessed "creativity."

This was precisely why monsters capable of making traps were considered "high-intelligence creatures."

And if one could create "serial traps"...

...it clearly meant that this War Lizardman possessed the abilities of "deception" and "reasoning" in addition to creativity.

"Look on the bright side. If that’s the case, the loot in this cave should be even better than we imagined."

"If we succeed, this haul could be enough that we won’t have to go on another adventure for months."

"But staying safe is what’s most important, right? We don’t even know the true Power of this Leader."

"What’s there to be afraid of? There are so many of us, and we have a Miss Mage, too."

"That’s true..."

A few minutes later, the eight of them were gathered around the pitfall trap, discussing whether or not to continue.

Urzha and Furen were inclined to press on.

The young Andrew and Geluo, who had already fallen for one trap, were more conservative.

The remaining two, Mirana and Bai Ya, were silent.

Bai Ya, in particular, immediately lowered her head guiltily the moment she heard the word "Mage," her heart racing with anxiety.

’It sounds like they’re starting to count on me!’

’But I’m not a Mage!’

’If we really run into danger, won’t I just be a liability who gets everyone killed?!’

’It’s all the captain’s fault!!’

Clutching the hem of her clothes, Bai Ya secretly turned to glare at Lu Wei, resolving never to do something like this again.

Meanwhile, the gazes of the others were all focused on Lu Wei and Marcus, waiting for them to make the final decision.

"Lu Wei, what’s your take? Should we continue?"

After a moment of silence, Marcus looked at Lu Wei, seemingly ready to hand the final decision over to him.

This was understandable. After all, Bai Ya, the "strongest combatant" of the eight, was a member of the Mushroom Squad.

So if Lu Wei decided to give up, Marcus would have no choice but to agree.

However...

"I think we can continue."

After a long moment of thought, Lu Wei gave an answer that made Furen and Urzha ecstatic.

He then added:

"But we need to adjust our Tactics."

"Eight people is too many. The space in the cavern is tight, so we won’t be able to fight effectively. If something unexpected happens, we might just get in each other’s way."

"So it’s best to downsize. Five or six people will be enough."

"Hmm... that makes sense."

Marcus nodded. "Then who should stay behind?"

"Geluo is injured, so he’s one."

"Close-quarters combat is bad for an Archer, so Andrew should sit this one out too."

"And finally..."

Turning to the visibly relieved Bai Ya, Lu Wei said calmly, much to Marcus’s surprise, "You go out and keep watch for us too."

"Huh? Lu Wei, are you sure about this?"

Marcus was stunned, his tone immediately turning urgent. "Wouldn’t it be safer with Miss Mage here?"

’See!’

’I never said Bai Ya was a Mage!’

’He’s the one who guessed it!’

Lu Wei pursed his lips. "It’s fine. It’s the same with or without her. Mirana and I can handle the Leader-level War Lizardman."

"But..."

Marcus opened his mouth, seeming to want to say more.

But Lu Wei cut him off the next second. "Marcus, trust me. It really makes no difference whether she’s here or not."

"Well..."

Looking from Lu Wei to Bai Ya with a bewildered expression, it took Marcus a long while before he seemed to have an epiphany.

’Miss Mage must consider it beneath her to act...’

"Alright, then."

Having come to this conclusion, he no longer insisted, but asked with a hint of resignation, "What do we do about the traps?"

"About that... Go get Hess."

Without answering immediately, Lu Wei first looked at Bai Ya and gave a casual order.

Bai Ya was used to being ordered around by him, so she agreed and ran off.

Marcus and the others stared wide-eyed again, utterly shocked that he would dare command a noble Mage as if she were a servant.

"Why is Miss Mage so obedient to Lu Wei?"

"Does he have some kind of dirt on her?"

The four of them stared at Lu Wei, their faces a mask of shock.

But Lu Wei had no time to worry about what they were thinking. He simply began to explain:

"With so many traps in the tunnel, an Ordinary War Lizardman couldn’t possibly remember the location of every single one."

"I just took a close look. This pitfall, and the Crossbow Arrow trap from before, have no obvious markers around them."

"So they must be using scent to identify and avoid the traps."

"If you all smell carefully, can you pick up a faint, unusual odor?"

Lu Wei’s tone was quite serious as he looked at the group.

Hearing his logical analysis, everyone immediately started sniffing around carefully.

After a moment, Furen, Urzha, and Geluo’s expressions grew more and more confused; they clearly couldn’t smell a thing.

But Mirana suddenly frowned.

"It’s true. There’s a very faint smell of urine."

"And something like the smell of rotting leaves," Marcus added in a low voice.

"Yes, it’s a mix of those two smells."

Lu Wei nodded. "But if you step back a few meters, the smell disappears. Therefore, this must be the marker for the trap."

"Damn... you might actually be right..."

Marcus sucked in a breath, astonished by Lu Wei’s detailed observation.

He then immediately understood why Lu Wei had sent Bai Ya to get Hess.

"I get it. The Fur Ball’s sense of smell is incredibly sharp. It might be able to help."

"Exactly. But that’s only if it can understand what we want it to do."

Lu Wei shook his head with a bit of resignation, thinking it wouldn’t be an easy task.

But the next second, Marcus suddenly burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, that’s not a problem at all!"

"Geluo happens to know [Beast Language]!"

"He can only manage simple communication, but that should be enough!"