The World's Strongest Faker

Prelude to Instance Dungeon

‘20?’ His expectations disappointed him. If one does awaken, it should be in seven digits, not two digits. 

He showed the result to Tarone. And wear an expression similar to his.

“Looks like we got carried away huh?” 

“What do you mean?” Ernest asked.

“Let’s say it was a mistake...we’ve taken so much of your time. We will take our leave.” Talon rose to his feet and along with Tarone, they left Ernest's room.

“Wa wa wait!” Ernest called but it was no use. They are already outside. “What the hell. I had my hopes up! Don’t make me feel that way and leave.” 

Just outside Ernest's room, Talon stopped and tapped Tarone on the shoulder. 

As he glanced over his shoulder, Talon began speaking. 

“I don’t understand...He is not lying but the orb says he’s not awakened. If he really did kill that Shadow Knight shouldn’t he be awakened? I mean at his level, even a goblin would be a problem to him…”

“I know right.” Tarone rubbed his head, “It doesn’t make any sense. But what the orb indicates is final. He has not awakened.”

“Then how do you explain him killing Shadow Knight?” 

Tarone stroked his chin as he contemplated an answer.

“Good point, but all I can say is that maybe he is lying but not lying.” 

“You’re being unclear, Tarone. Explain it in words so I can understand.”

“So, your skills see through lies right? But what if Ernest believes that he really killed the Shadow Knight but in reality, he didn’t. Your skills work when a person truly believes that what he is saying is indeed true. He just believes that he killed that Shadow Knight and nothing more.” 

“Hmm...you might be right.” Talon sighed, “So, what are we going to do? We can’t also deny the fact that he is telling the truth. What if he really did kill the Shadow Knight?” 

“In that case, we will report this to our boss and act accordingly. In the meantime, we should have someone look at him. You know to make sure.” 

“Okay.” 

The two left the hospital as they agreed on their decision. 

…

Two hours later, Ernest finally woke up from his sleep. The pain and tiredness faded away. 

It looks like he’s fully recovered. 

He glanced to the right and saw a woman wearing a white coat. “Ernest Teucher right? You’re okay now and can be discharged. I also recommend you to stop engaging in adventuring activities for one week for your smooth recovery.” 

“I see,” Ernest nodded, “Thank you for taking me…” 

…

As Ernest left the hospital, he hailed a taxi. This is his main transportation from going to the capital from his home. It was only a forty-five minutes ride. During this, he pondered about the changes that happened to him recently, especially in the system.

By thinking of the system, it appeared in front of him.

[Before I forget, there is something I want to tell you.]

“Hmm?”

[Since you activated the system, we will give you a reward. A beginner’s chest.]

“Beginner’s chest?” Ernest tilted his head to the side, glancing at the streets. “What is it?”

[It’s now transferred to your inventory. You can check it there but I do recommend you open it at home.]

“Okay.” Ernest agreed simply. 

45 minutes later, the taxi arrived in front of the bungalow house. Ernest stepped out of the carriage and paid the coachman his travel fees. 

Earlier, just as he was being discharged, the Red Dragon paid for his hospital bill for his time. Maybe because of their sudden meeting.

He then walked towards the door, seeing that there’s no light inside. He concludes that Sophia hasn’t arrived.

But this is also a good time to get to know about his new power. 

Opening the door, he went straight to his bedroom and locked the door behind him. Making sure no one will suddenly come inside his room.

Focusing his thoughts, he opened the system. Numerous floating images appeared in front of him. Then with a little scrolling, he arrived at the inventory tab and saw a chest there.

With a tap, the chest mysteriously disappeared. This concerned him slightly, thinking that he did something wrong. But seconds later, numerous pop-ups appeared.

[Congratulations on opening the chest! You receive: 

Traveler’s Handy Sword - 40 attk.

Hero’s White Cape - 10 defense.

Hero’s Beginner set - Formal. 

100 gold coins.

5x low-grade health potion.

5x low-grade mana potion.

] 

After showing his rewards, it was then transferred to his inventory. Thanks to the images, he was able to know what type of garments a beginner set has.

It was a black blazer, black shirt, black pants, and black shoes. It was just as the name implies, formal. 

Although he doesn’t know how this garment can help him, he knows that this is just for his flashy appearance.

Equipping it without second thoughts, a wind swirled around him, causing him to feel light-headed but it fades away the moment the wind disappears. 

He walked towards the mirror and checked himself. It was just a normal young man, blonde hair, green eyes. If he removed the cape, he would appear as a young man attending a formal event. 

Next, he checked his swords. Picking it from the inventory, the sword was transferred in his grasp, as if it was apported to his hands.

It was a red sword with a black blade. He waved it on his hand and felt the lightness of it. 

He figured that this would be the best replacement for his old sword that got destroyed from the fight between him and the Shadow Knight.

Now that he had a good look at his new appearance, he took off his new clothes. It was not that comfortable for him to wear it inside his house. Then he went into the kitchen and prepared the ingredients for their meal.

Sophia will arrive at six o'clock, he looked at the clock. It was 5:30 pm. 

After thirty minutes of cooking, he finally finished it. Now he just has to wait for Sophia to come. 

And that time arrived. Since the house is a bungalow and doesn’t have enough rooms, from the dining table, Ernest can see the door in front of him. That door opened and his beautiful sister entered the house wearing a school uniform. 

As soon as she entered, she bowed her head and said, “I’m home, brother!” 

Sophia let out a cheerful and euphoric smile. A smile that seemed to sweep all of Ernest’s tiredness away.

Ernest smiled, “Welcome home, Sophia.” 

Sophia placed her bag down and rushed to the dining table. She leaned and saw the dish made by her brother. The moment her eyes made contact with the food, she began to drool.

“Wow! Fried Chicken?” 

“Yes, I made it just for you.” Ernest prepared a plate for her. 

Sophia can’t wait to eat her favorite meal so she sat down and helped his brother prepare her utensils.

With that, they engaged in humorous talk, talking about how the school went and Ernest’s day. He doesn’t want her sister to know that he got hospitalized as he will expect total retaliation of “Brother! Stop adventuring! It’s dangerous. I can work part-time and help you with the bills!” 

But he doesn’t want her fourteen-year-old sister to work in such an environment. She deserves to study, she deserves the life he didn’t experience.

After eating their dinner, Sophia took care of the dishes and washed them in the kitchen. 

As soon as she finished, she wiped her soaked hand and noticed her brother doing something conspicuous.

“Brother, what are you preparing for? Don’t tell me you’re going to the city again, aren’t you? Brother, I’m telling you, I can do part-time jobs and help you with the bills.”

Ernest turned around, “Sophia, I’m not going to that place, I am just going to train myself outside.”

“Train outside?” Sophia pouted, “Are you lying to me brother?” 

“Of course not, you can watch me from your room. I will not go anywhere I promise.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Okay.” 

With her permission finally settled, Ernest heads outside and looks for a suitable place. The night had finally shrouded the place and only the moonlight from the moon was only the source of light.

As promised, he didn’t go too far places where the most suitable places for training are located. Instead, he chose a place 50 meters away from his house. 

“Okay, this place brings back memories.” 

Standing before him was a large tree. In the bark, one could see dents, sliced portions, and wounds. Indicating that someone was chopping it, or specifically using this to practice their swordsmanship.

This is the place where he spent most of his time as a kid swinging swords. 

He unsheathed his new sword from its scabbard, then he held the hilt with two hands. He raised his hands above his head and swung it diagonally.

A blade that will be eventually stopped from a strong, durable bark. Ernest wanted to test his sword strength and efficiency. 

But his eyes widened at the result. The tree that had been target practice for his sword was cleanly cut down diagonally. Although he applied all his strength to the sword, there’s no way that he can cut down a tree easily like that. 

But it happened. He doesn’t know what just happened but it just happened. He was confused, shocked, and surprised. Doesn’t know how to respond. When did he get this strong? 

A tree turned into a stump. Felled down by his sword.

“Am I hallucinating?” 

To prove so, he looked for another tree. He swung the sword and the tree fell down. 

“This is not a hallucination. This is a reality! But how?” 

These sudden changes made Ernest ponder on the recent changes he has…

That was it! He knew it! 

It’s the system! 

He opened the system by thinking of the word ‘system’ and showed his stats.

[User: Ernest Teucher

Level - 1

Stats:

Strength - 30

Agility - 20

Intellect - 20

Vitality - 20

Dexterity - 20

Skills: N/A

] 

‘So this is the reason why I can cut down trees? Imagine if I invested 100 points in strength?’ 

He figured to test something other than raw strength. This time he ran. During that, he finds himself lighter and can run for more than a kilometer, and never get tired. The speed of his running increases as well.

Was it because of agility? 

He doesn’t know how to test intellect, vitality, and dexterity. But it’s good to know that the sudden change of strength comes from these stats.

Stopping in his tracks, he found a big rock in front of him.

He’s thinking of something as he looks into his fist. 

‘What if?’ 

He approached the big rock. For a normal person, when one was to punch it, the results are broken bones, bleeding, or both. But if he can slice down a tree with his current strength does it mean that he can punch through hard objects? 

‘Well nothing ventured, nothing gained. He readied his hands, clenching them. He breathed in as he pulled his arm backward, and then launched forward.’ 

The rock shattered from the shock and force of his fist. It crumbled as it created dust and smoke. 

His heart was full of jubilation after his experiment.  This strength could be his new path. A path that will soar him to greatness. But it’s useless if he’s only going to test his strengths on trees and rocks.

[Well what are the chances! I have a gift for you.]

A woman's voice sounded. 

“What gift?” 

[This is a key that will create an instance dungeon. There you can fight monsters and loot items. And also, you can use the dungeon to level yourself up.]

“What does an instance dungeon mean?” Ernest asked as he doesn’t know the term used. “Is it similar to the dungeon in the capital?”

[Yes. Now you can find the key in your inventory.] 

Ernest opened his inventory and grabbed the key there. 

[Dungeon Key - A key that allows you to create an instance dungeon.]

As soon as the key was pulled out from his inventory, a flash of light squinted his eyes. It was coming from his right. 

He took a look and saw a portal of light there, covered in chains and locks. 

There is a keyhole in the middle, it seems like he just needs to insert his key there. 

“Well nothing ventured, nothing gained.” He inserted the key and a flash of light covered his vision.

As soon as the light faded, he found himself in what seemed to be a colosseum. 

[Welcome to the Instance Dungeon: This is a bonus dungeon. Leveling stage. Objectives: Kill 300 goblins.]

“300 hundred goblins?” He said incredulously. But he calmed himself. This is just what he had wished for himself. To test his newfound strength. 

Goblins were mysteriously appearing one by one around him brandishing their dull daggers. 

“BRING IT ON!!”