And even if they show the ping it's often a lie... Best example is Diablo 4 half a year back... In-game showed around 60ms when in reality it was like more than half a second +
Network tools showed always at least triple the amount the game tried to let you believe.
IMO publishers and devs are using shortcuts and trying to hide it...
The nice part: you don't have to engage into combat. You can talk your way out or maybe, what will suit you more, use poison and be friend with the shadow.