C187, 188, 189
Chapter 187: Item Power (2)
The Shadow Altar.
In this chapter, the Doppelganger acts solely to achieve two goals.
To make the expedition party waste the Stone of Truth.
And if that fails, to continuously cause conflict and reduce the number of party members.
In that sense, there was one prime suspect.
[Where are you from?]
Kyleman Parteian.
The mage from Hans G's team who split the expedition party in half with a single sentence.
I also thought it was just an accidental landmine at first.
The mage team, including Hans G, didn't seem to know that the dwarf's party was from Noark.
But...
[Dwarf, are you the Doppelganger?]
I persistently attacked the dwarf's party.
Asking him where he got the equipment in his backpack, what exactly the official said when he received the identification tag, and so on, throwing countless questions he couldn't answer to make him look suspicious.
However, I didn't consider one thing back then.
How did the dwarf, struggling to answer those simple questions, appear to the Doppelganger?
'He must have seemed suspicious. And then he would have wondered why.'
It's the body of a smart mage.
The Doppelganger must have realized the truth about Noark through the questions the dwarf couldn't answer.
He must have been tempted too.
He just happened to have a suitable item in the body he possessed...
...and it would be easier to hide his identity if he used it well.
[He's, he's dead.]
The Doppelganger bastard knows how to play dead.
I've been tricked by it several times in the game.
Unless you kill them instantly, this bastard enters a hibernation state, maintaining life and toying with the player.
Just like this.
"Kyaaaaaaaaak—!!"
The Doppelganger convulses as soon as the potion is poured on him.
If I hadn't known about this element, I would have had no choice but to use the Stone of Truth on Raven even after beating up all the remaining candidates.
"It's a Doppelganger!!!"
Raven, finally cleared of suspicion, shouts in a voice that's more joyful than ever, and the Doppelganger bastard denies it while screaming.
"No, no! Hey! I! Kyaaaaaak!!"
Just how much is he looking down on us?
It's ridiculous, but it's also pointless to argue with a monster.
I just grab him by the neck and walk towards the altar.
His struggle intensifies as we get closer to the altar.
"How... did you...!!"
He finally gives up on making excuses and expresses his doubt.
I chuckle.
Actually, there was another decisive reason.
'At least act properly.'
A mage's biggest weakness is close combat.
But he blocked the dwarf's axe, which was aimed at his head, with his shoulder.
It's impossible unless he predicted the attack.
And in the first place, it's ridiculous that he died from that.
If he had died from excessive bleeding, it might be different...
But he stopped breathing before Guide Girl could even give him a potion?
「Successfully discovered the marauder possessing the expedition member.」
A white light starts emanating from the altar as soon as I press the Doppelganger's head against it.
And the forest trembles as if there's an earthquake.
"Kyaaaaaaaaak—!!"
Something in the shape of a shadow is extracted from his head and lets out a terrifying scream, darting between the trees.
And...
"Oh! It's running away!!"
...it disappears in one direction.
There's no need to panic.
It means the third chapter is over.
「1 Stone of Truth used.」
「Unsealing rate 10%.」
「Quickly pursue and kill the marauder before it regains its sealed power.」
It's time to fight the final boss.
"Bjorn, let's chase after it!!"
"Stop. We have things to do first."
I first calm Ainar down and check Parteian's condition.
Ah, of course, Raven does it, not me.
"How is he?"
"His injuries are mostly healed, so he should regain consciousness soon."
"I see."
Raven, who rushed over to check on Parteian as soon as I called her, finally relaxes.
It seems like her runaway mental state has returned, and her strength has left her.
"Whew..."
The melee damage dealer duo and the bear-like man approach with awkward expressions and each say something.
"Wow, so he really was a Doppelganger..."
"I told you, it wasn't me!"
"Ahem, mages are mages after all? To think of the possibility that someone might still be alive in that situation."
"Ha, what would have happened if it weren't for me..."
"Aruru! You know? I believed in you!"
"Believe my ass... No, wait, where did 'Aruru' even come from?"
"Uh?! Don't tell me you don't like 'Aruru'?"
Ainar looks dejected as if she's hurt.
Of course, Raven isn't the type to be swayed by something like that.
"Would I like that? Arrua Raven! Please call me by my name properly. I really hate this kind of—"
"I, I wanted to call you by your name, but it's hard to pronounce..."
Raven shuts her mouth as Ainar hangs her head low.
And she asks cautiously,
"You wanted to call me by my name? What do you mean?"
"Because you're a precious companion, even though you're human and a mage."
Ainar says something embarrassing without changing her expression, as expected of a barbarian.
"Ha, seriously, that pronunciation..."
Raven sighs incredulously and then turns her head away.
"Whatever. Call me whatever you want."
"Really?!"
"Yes. They call me that at the school anyway, so it would be weird for me to get angry, wouldn't it?"
"Thank you! Aruru!"
It's a heartwarming scene where companions deepen their bond after overcoming adversity.
I think to myself as I watch them,
She's weak to this kind of thing, even though she doesn't seem like it.
'I should use this later if I do something wrong.'
I make a mental note and then we have some time to reorganize after the brief conversation.
There are a lot of things to do before the boss battle.
"Both of you, come here."
First, I call Guide Girl and the mace warrior who regained consciousness.
"You heard what happened, right?"
"...Yes."
Their eyes are vacant, as if they're still in shock from the fact that Hans G and the fairy archer were evil spirits.
"Get a grip. You can do that after we get out alive."
"What should we do?"
"Tell me what you can do first."
I check the mace warrior's combat power first.
What kind of essence he absorbed, what kind of combat he's capable of, and so on.
Normally, it would be personal information that he wouldn't reveal to outsiders, but considering the situation, the mace warrior cooperates with me.
"I see. And you?"
"I, I'm not helpful in battle except for finding the way. I'm sorry."
One 6th-grade warrior and one ungraded Guide.
"But Mr. Parteian will be a big help to you. He's a 5th-grade mage."
"What? 5th-grade?"
"That's right. Although he's specialized in support magic rather than attack magic... he's the one who usually plays the biggest role in our team. It's better to hear it from him directly when he wakes up."
I'm truly surprised.
Because Raven is still a 6th-grade mage.
How the hell did that Hans bastard persuade such a talented person to join his team?
'So we have to defeat the guardian with seven people, including a 5th-grade mage...'
I can't see the whole picture yet.
I don't have enough paint to fill it in.
Therefore, I thoroughly search the loot left behind by the dwarf bastards while Parteian is regaining consciousness.
"Check everything. Have Raven examine anything that looks suspicious. We have to use everything we can."
Hans G, the fairy archer, the beastman swordsman, the dwarf, the sorcerer, and the priest of Karui.
The archer who was offered to the altar has become a spirit, so we can't loot him until after clearing the rift.
"Aruru! What about this?"
"I can sense mana. But I can't read the spell structure, so it's not a magic tool... It's highly likely a Numbered Item."
"Ooh! These boots! They're perfect for me!"
"They're boots made of Half-Troll leather. They're enchanted with the 'Acceleration' spell. They're expensive, so be careful. We have to include them in the settlement later."
Useful items appear every time we open a bag, as expected of experienced explorers.
It feels like we've opened a treasure chest.
"Raven, can you check this too? I know it's made of Laetium, but why would they make a necklace out of this?"
"It's because of mana conductivity. The efficiency of the same spell is different. So let's see, this necklace is..."
Raven assesses the value of various items at an incredible speed, as if she's found her calling.
But even so, it takes longer than expected, and Parteian also wakes up.
"Uh, uh..."
The middle-aged mage is confused as he looks at the forest filled with corpses and equipment.
I send the mace warrior to explain.
"So, so a Doppelganger possessed my body?"
"Noark... Right, I thought it was suspicious that his bag was full of unused equipment. It makes sense if they're from that place."
"Mr. Krisen and Miss Meilin are evil spirits...?"
The mage's face turns pale as he listens to the explanation. But as expected of a mage, he approaches me and expresses his gratitude even in this situation.
"Thank you. If it weren't for you, something terrible would have happened."
"If you're grateful, go help Raven. It's not the time to relax."
"Alright."
The process speeds up significantly after Parteian joins us.
Unexpectedly, he's an expert in this field.
"...Appraisal magic? Were you from the Narman school?"
"Come to think of it, we haven't introduced ourselves. That's right."
"I'm Arrua Raven from the Artemion school."
"Haha, I know. There's only one place that engraves such a beautiful pattern on their robes."
"My master is a bit eccentric..."
A mage from the Narman school who can use special appraisal magic.
With Parteian, we can now classify not only Numbered Items, but also items we couldn't identify before.
After some time...
"It seems like we've found everything useful, so let's gather everyone."
We finish sorting and gather in one place to begin a temporary settlement.
"Just so you know, I've written down everything you're taking, and we'll have a proper settlement later. If you want to keep using it, you'll have to pay for it then. Got it?"
"Got it!"
"Then Ainar, come here."
I look at the organized list and distribute the acquired items to each person.
The only criterion is this:
Who will be most effective using it?
"Take off your shoes and give them to Misha."
"Th, there's no way! They won't even fit me!!"
"Don't worry, I confirmed that they're enchanted with the size adjustment spell."
Although there are some complaints about my somewhat arbitrary decision, the leader's authority exists for times like this.
"Ainar."
"Alright, just give them to me..."
Starting with Ainar, my companions each take the useful equipment.
From one to four or five items per person.
I wonder how much this would all sell for?
Every time I fight explorers, I feel it deep down.
Why they all loot.
"Then that's settled."
I store the remaining loot in my and Raven's subspace pockets.
It's not just for safety reasons.
There's just too much.
Smirk.
I can't stop smiling as I look at my newly acquired equipment.
Is this the law of the Hans backlash?
「Character has equipped No. 2988 Guardian Corps Insignia.」
「Total item level increased by +1,485.」
「Character has equipped No. 8667 Outlaw of the Wasteland.」
「Total item level increased by +315.」
「Character has equipped Idium greaves.」
「Total item level increased by +400.」
That Doppelganger bastard is dead.
__________________
「Bjorn Yandel」
Level: 5
Physical: 560 (New +5) / Mental: 213 (New +15) / Ability: 191
Item Level: 3,068 (New +2,200)
Total Combat Index: 1,731 (New +570)
Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem - Rank 7 / Orc Hero - Rank 5 / Ogre - Rank 3 / Manticore - Rank 5 (New)
------------------------------
Chapter 188: Item Power (3)
I'm walking through the dark forest.
Endlessly following the direction where the Doppelganger disappeared from the Shadow Altar.
“…….”
I move my feet in the tense atmosphere.
For reference, I'm at the forefront, and the others are following a few meters behind.
It's a bit of a distance for a typical formation...
But what can I do?
This is the life of a carry tank.
"Battle stations!"
The moment I sense a presence ahead...
...dozens of Doppelgangers appear from the darkness beyond the reach of the light orb spell.
It's a change that occurs when you enter the fourth chapter.
Once the Doppelganger's seal is released, the number of clones in the field increases exponentially.
And...
"Enemies of the, the Empire...!"
"Kill... them!!"
...they no longer transform into our appearances.
At least not until we meet the main body.
I don't know why.
I just accepted it when I played the game.
Well, I guess there must be some hidden background to this phenomenon...
But that's not what I should be thinking about right now.
「Character has cast [Leap].」
I jump and land in the middle of them before they get any closer.
Kwaaang!
The ground shakes as soon as I land, and the special terrain effect [Recoil] follows. Dozens of Doppelgangers are thrown into the air simultaneously.
Kwagic!
I swing at one of them like I'm swinging a baseball bat and cast [Wild Release].
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
My threat level is tripled.
The Doppelgangers, disguised as soldiers, charge towards me like beasts with their eyes rolled back.
They can't ignore the taunt since they're classified as monsters.
"For... the Empire..."
Although the Doppelgangers disguised as soldiers don't have any skills, they're still formidable opponents.
Because their base stats are incredibly high.
Just by looking at the shield warriors enduring my mace swings, I can tell that each of them is at least as strong as Ainar.
And the fact that they're composed of various classes like archers, spearmen, swordsmen, mages, crossbowmen, and shield warriors also contributes to the increased difficulty.
But...
Kwagic! Kwagic!
Although they block what they need to block...
...they never dodge.
In the first place, dodging is pointless.
We're surrounded.
I have no choice but to tank the hits and wait for my companions' support.
「Arrua Raven has cast the 5th-grade attack spell [Lightning Bolt].」
The long-awaited magic is finally completed.
Lightning bolts rain down from the sky.
「Kyleman Parteian has cast the 5th-grade support spell [Spell Enhancement].」
The power is about twice as strong as usual, thanks to Parteian's support.
Therefore, I pause for a moment to avoid getting hit by the magic.
Kwaaang!
The 'Lightning Bolts', which resemble a natural disaster, strike for about 5 seconds, but it's enough to cripple half of the Doppelganger army.
'As expected, hunting is all about mob farming.'
We take care of the remaining stragglers with the help of my companions, who were waiting in the distance.
And so, one battle ends.
The mace warrior wipes the blood off his weapon and mutters,
"...Mr. Parteian, Miss Sarman will be alright, right? I'm worried."
"Didn't you see? The Doppelgangers couldn't even get close to the altar. She'll be fine as long as she doesn't go outside."
"Still, wouldn't it have been better to bring her with us...?"
It seems like the mace warrior is still worried about Guide Girl, whom we left in the safe zone.
But it was an unavoidable choice.
Although there might be a way to utilize Guide Girl considering the Doppelganger's characteristics...
...that's only if we use her as a disposable pawn.
If we bring her along as someone we need to protect, the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.
"Stop it. Miss Sarman also agreed. We'll all die if we fail anyway."
Parteian, observing my expression, ends the conversation, and I resume exploration without saying anything.
There's no point in wasting time.
Rumble!
As we continue fighting and moving through the dark forest, I feel a slight tremor beneath my feet.
It means the unsealing rate has reached 20%.
Well, it increases by about 1% every 10 minutes, so it was about time.
"Mr. Yandel, can we go a little faster?"
"Alright."
We increase our speed as if being chased by time.
And...
"We're here."
...we finally reach our destination.
It's a sinkhole that we didn't see when we were searching the forest for the mid-bosses.
If we go down here, the boss battle will begin.
But first...
"Let's search the vicinity before we go down."
We follow Raven's instructions and search the area around the sinkhole.
It doesn't take long.
"As expected, the book was right. There's always one hidden near the entrance."
A white stele emitting an eerie sound.
In the game, it was called a 'Sealing Stone'.
But it's not really a hidden piece on its own.
They appear all over the forest once the fourth chapter begins...
"The book was right?"
...and you can naturally learn about the Sealing Stone through the [Record of Offerings] that's generated at the Shadow Altar after the third chapter ends.
Well, even so, it just tells you to find and activate it.
"The record didn't mention anything like that."
"It's a different book, not the record."
Raven doesn't answer Parteian's question in detail and places her hand on the Sealing Stone.
Swaaaaaaaaa!
A black light shoots up into the sky like a pillar.
「The Sealing Stone has been activated.」
「Unsealing rate decreased by 10%.」
With this, the Doppelganger's unsealing rate has decreased by 10%.
Of course, it doesn't really matter in our strategy...
...but there's no reason to skip it since it's on our way.
"Then we've finished all the preparations we can do here."
We then return to the sinkhole.
"Everyone ready?"
It's time for the boss battle.
___________________
「Character has entered the Marauder's Hideout.」
___________________
The boss battle, the flower of a rift.
However, the boss battle in the 'Doppelganger Forest' is a bit unique.
First of all, the expedition party has to be split into two.
One team fights the boss...
...and the other team searches for Sealing Stones in the forest filled with Doppelganger soldiers and manages the unsealing rate.
It's the standard strategy written in the [Record of Offerings].
'What an annoying concept.'
You can only clear this place if you trust each other and fulfill your roles.
We would have also split into two teams, each with two or three members from each team, and fought the boss.
If that landmine hadn't exploded.
[We can't use that method anymore. There are only seven of us.]
Things went wrong as the expedition party was halved.
We don't have enough people to split into teams.
Then what should we do?
I came up with an answer after checking the loot left behind by the dwarf and Hans G's teams, and I subtly hinted it to Raven so that she would reach the same conclusion.
All-in.
Instead of splitting our already small number into two and achieving nothing...
...we'll focus all our strength in one place and aim for a quick victory.
In short, it's the veteran player strategy.
[It might be a bit risky, but is everyone okay with this?]
[There's no other choice, is there?]
And so, the foundation for the strategy is laid.
I estimate the success rate to be 90%.
Of course, probability is just a number, so we have no choice but to try it and see.
Life isn't something that always goes according to Plan A.
Thud!
I jump down the hole first, like a barbarian, to check if it's safe. And when I give the signal, the others follow one by one.
"The air is chilly."
It's a cold cave.
[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaak—!!]
It seems like he also sensed our presence, as he lets out a grotesque howl from inside.
I chuckle.
This is one of a barbarian's roles.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go get him."
To encourage my companions.
I take the lead without hesitation and enter the straight passage, and the others, who were hesitant, regain their composure and follow.
Thud, thud.
After walking for about forty steps...
...the fog that was scattered throughout the cave clears, revealing the boss room.
A cavern with a giant magic circle drawn on the floor.
Stones of Truth are scattered around like toys, and something in the shape of a person is crouching in the center, its back to us.
And a sniffling sound.
"You, you too... came to kill me...?"
Something turns its head and looks at us.
The face that's revealed isn't any of us.
It's just an ordinary child.
If it weren't for the fact that his eyes, nose, and mouth are upside down.
"I, I didn't do anything wrong..."
The child glares at us with resentment.
And then the emotion in his eyes turns to anger.
It's a common intro to a boss battle.
"I'm the same as you—!"
Therefore, I skip it before he can finish his line.
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
Since it's not a good environment to use 'Leap', I just dash forward and swing my mace.
Thwack!
The child's head is crushed while he's still sitting.
But it doesn't feel like the usual impact.
It's like hitting a sandbag filled with water.
[Kyaaaaaaaaak!!]
A scream echoes throughout the cave, and the child turns into a black slime.
Bubble, bubble, bubble!
It expands and contracts like sea urchin spines.
'I'm the first one, huh.'
When the process is over, another me is standing there.
Mimicry.
It's a unique skill possessed only by Doppelgangers, something you can't obtain even by absorbing an essence.
But it's a bit different from the field.
"Kyaaaaaaaaak!!"
He no longer imitates my words and actions.
And...
「The nameless marauder has cast [Swing].」
...he's not just mimicking, he's stronger than the original.
It's like a 5th-grade monster's stats are added to the stats and skills of the mimicked target.
He's not a 4th-grade monster for nothing.
Whoosh!
I first dodge to the side as a test.
His mace crashes into the ground...
Kwaaang!
...and creates a crater, shaking the entire cave.
It's a level of power that I wouldn't be able to achieve until my Strength stat increases by at least 200. I feel a sense of pride, thinking that this is my future self.
However...
'I can definitely block this.'
I can just make up for my lacking stats with items.
I block him with my shield, preventing him from reaching my companions.
Kwaaang!
I don't hear the clear sound of impact I was expecting.
And the weight I feel through the shield is beyond imagination.
This is 50% reduced impact?
"Raven!!"
I call for support, like a cunning explorer.
Magic flies towards me immediately.
It's mostly curse magic with short casting times since our opponent is a high-grade monster.
Kwaaang!
His attacks are a bit easier to handle now.
But it just means the first prerequisite for the strategy has been met.
The real first phase starts now.
「The nameless marauder has cast [Flesh Explosion].」
Black slime splatters from the Doppelganger's body, which is mimicking me, and falls to the ground. They're small particles, too many to count.
"Iherno Haindar!"
Raven's staff spews flames and melts the particles, but it's impossible to eliminate them all.
The particles that stubbornly crawl on the ground start to mimic our appearances after going through a transformation process.
"There are four of them!"
Raven calmly informs me, and…
…I make a quick judgment.
Since they’re clones, they won’t be as strong as the original.
Therefore, the plan continues.
“Ignore me and defeat them!”
I decide to focus on the main body and leave the clones to my companions.
That’s when…
“They’re all Hans Krisen!”
…I freeze at Raven’s additional briefing.
‘What?’
I check my surroundings, even though we’re in the middle of a battle. Of course, Raven didn’t give me the wrong information.
‘…Damn it.’
How can they all be Hans G?
They should transform into one of the fifteen people, whether dead or alive.
Then what the hell are the chances of this?
Raven shouts, oblivious to my thoughts,
“It’s a good thing there’s no Mr. Yandel among the clones! Let’s hurry up and take care of them!”
Her voice is as if she’s delivering good news.
I can understand her feelings.
Hans G’s combat power is relatively low among us, and having four summoners would be a bad combination.
It’s definitely a good thing for us.
But…
Thump.
…my heart starts pounding like crazy.
----------------------------------
Chapter 189: Item Power (4)
Doppelganger clones are different from the main body.
They can only use the mimicked target’s abilities, and the ones that are newly summoned in the boss room have low intelligence.
No, should I say proficiency?
Unlike the real Hans G, who summoned all his summons simultaneously at the beginning of the battle…
…the clones stutter and summon them one by one.
“One down.”
The bear-like man’s crossbow pierces one of their foreheads before they can even do anything.
The rest follow a similar fate.
“We defeated them all!”
We hear the victory cry in less than 30 seconds.
I was worried that something crazy might happen since there are four Hanses, but it was easily resolved for now.
Therefore…
“Now’s our chance!”
…we have to pour all our damage into the main body before he summons more clones.
Well, it won’t be easy…
“Kyaaaaaaaaak!!”
The main body starts rampaging as our attacks are focused on him.
[Leap], [Swing], [Gigantification]…
And…
「The nameless marauder has cast [Flesh Explosion].」
…even that skill he hasn’t been using since losing his regeneration.
The bastard, with my physical abilities and the average stats of a 5th-grade monster added on top, boasts the power of a true boss monster.
“Everyone, fall back!”
In the end, Raven pulls the melee damage dealers back.
It’s not a bad judgment.
We already have enough damage with two mages and one archer.
There’s no need to risk having the melee damage dealers on the front lines. And besides, the efficiency of physical damage is low while the Doppelganger is mimicking me.
“The three of you, protect us!”
Misha, Ainar, and the mace warrior.
As the three melee damage dealers change their positions to escort the damage dealers, the backline starts bombarding the enemy from afar.
‘Geez, where do you think you’re going?’
The main body tries to ignore me and charge towards the backline as the high-powered ranged attacks continue, but I draw aggro and keep his attention with [Wild Release].
After some time…
Crackle!
…a ‘Lightning Spear’ pierces the head of the bastard, whose body is battered from spamming [Flesh Explosion], and the Doppelganger turns into a black slime.
‘I guess we overcame the first hurdle.’
Of course, the first phase is far from over.
The first phase only ends after everyone in the boss room has been transformed in order.
But…
“Oh! It’s me this time!!”
…it won’t be as difficult as me, no matter who it is.
Indeed, the battle with Ainar, who’s next in line, ends before we even encounter the clone summoning pattern twice.
It’s because the melee damage dealers don’t have to stay in the back anymore.
“Kyaaaaaaaaak!”
That’s when, as we defeat the Doppelganger who transformed into Ainar…
Rumble!
…the magic circle on the ground starts glowing, and the entire cave trembles.
Ah, it’s not an ultimate move or anything.
It means the unsealing rate has increased by 10%.
「Unsealing rate 20%.」
It hasn’t even been a few minutes since the boss battle started…
…but there’s nothing I can do about this.
The unsealing speed increases significantly once the battle begins.
‘It was about 5% for every 10 summoned clones.’
It’s the most frustrating part of this strategy.
There’s no way to prevent the summoning pattern, so the increase in the unsealing rate is inevitable.
Well, if we had a second team outside activating the Sealing Stones, it would be less burdensome, but that’s not our case.
‘We have to finish it before then, somehow.’
It’s game over if the unsealing rate reaches 100%.
Because from then on, each clone becomes as strong as the main body.
And the clones can even use [Self-Replication] to multiply.
"It's my turn."
Raven is next.
Unexpectedly, there's a slightly dangerous moment.
I was planning to finish it quickly since magic has a casting time…
But the summoned clones were the problem.
Two out of four were me.
“Behel—laaaaa!”
“Behel—laaaaa!”
I don't know what kind of magic the Doppelgangers were trying to cast.
But Raven shouted that we would all die if this continued, so it would have been a disaster if the spell had been completed.
Well, I smashed their heads before that happened.
Kwagic!
After that, the Doppelganger transformed into Misha, the mace warrior, Parteian, and the bear-like man in order, and we defeated them as quickly as possible.
It means the first phase is finally over.
Rumble!
I click my tongue, looking at the magic circle on the ground, which is glowing again.
‘40% unsealing rate in the first phase…’
It’s the number I expected.
Tsk, I wanted to reduce it as much as possible.
“Everyone, get into the formation we discussed!”
I dismiss my regret and give the order.
The Doppelganger, having finished the first phase, is in the center of the cave, expanding and contracting as it transforms.
“If, if it’s something… no one, knows…”
The Doppelganger’s voice echoes throughout the cave.
It means the next phase is about to begin.
“What’s the difference… between that… and the truth?”
The Doppelganger finishes transforming.
「The nameless marauder has cast [Swap].」
It’s time to start the second phase.
_____________________
One of the Doppelganger’s abilities, [Swap].
Its effect is very intuitive.
It switches the location of the main body with a clone created with [Self-Replication].
But…
…that’s only when you obtain the skill through an essence.
“…Why me from the start?”
“…Why me from the start?”
There are two Ravens now.
Their faces are identical, and I can’t feel any difference in their tone or expression.
For reference, it’s impossible to tell them apart by location.
‘I lost a mage I raised diligently because of this.’
I think it was the first mage I successfully recruited in [Dungeon and Stone].
I was very shocked back then.
Swoosh.
I move my gaze and look at the Stones of Truth scattered on the ground like toys.
Originally, the standard strategy is to use this to distinguish between the real one and the fake.
Well, the unsealing rate increases as a result.
But we can’t use this since we don’t have any outside support.
Then how do we tell them apart?
Smirk.
I smile and look at the two Ravens.
Their lines were identical at first, but now their words and actions diverge.
“Do, don’t shoot!”
“What are you guys doing! She’s the fake!”
One is speaking defensively, and the other is defending herself with a somewhat aggressive attitude.
I mutter briefly,
“What are you waiting for? Shoot.”
I hear the bear-like man pulling the trigger of his crossbow behind me.
And…
Boom!
…a giant arrow, like a siege weapon, is shot and smashes Raven’s small head.
Thud.
A small body collapses limply.
“Uh, don’t tell me… she was the real Aruru…?”
“Murderer!!! You killed Aruru!!!”
Everyone, including Misha, freezes.
But…
“There’s no way. Everyone, calm down.”
…Raven’s body, which collapsed to the ground, soon turns into a black slime and floats in the air.
It means we got the right answer.
Ah, for reference, the aggressive Raven was the real one.
“Now, go to your spot.”
I send Raven, whose position has been switched with the Doppelganger, towards the wall and then approach the transforming slime.
“You’re next.”
I raise my mace and wait for a moment, and the Doppelganger finishes transforming.
“Hiik! Pu, put that down, you barbarian!”
What is he talking about?
Thwack!
I smash his head with my mace without hesitation.
And as expected, it’s the right answer again.
It’s only natural.
Doppelgangers can’t copy Numbered Items.
“Uh, but shouldn’t you at least hesitate a bit since it’s me…?”
Misha is the owner of No. 5991 Viper’s Fang.
“Miss Kaltstein, what are you expecting from a barbarian?”
Raven received ‘Misplaced Trust’ from Parteian and has been holding it in one hand throughout the boss battle.
“It’s finally my turn. I’ll take care of this.”
The bear-like man is wearing ‘Deceiver of the Necromancer’.
“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”
And Ainar is wearing a ring called ‘Foxfire Knot’ that she obtained from the fairy archer.
Although it doesn’t have any useful options, so we’ll sell it later.
Kwagic!
The Doppelganger’s second phase is a cakewalk if you have good items.
And did he finally realize it?
「The nameless marauder has cast [Swap].」
The Doppelganger, transformed into the mace warrior, immediately ambushes us without a word of complaint.
He’s aiming for the mage, who has the lowest defense.
If we were in a tight formation like before, it would have been difficult to avoid that attack…
“I’ll block it!!”
…but we spread out and stuck to the walls as soon as we entered the second phase.
In other words, we have enough time to prepare for a surprise attack.
Kwaaang!
Ainar’s greatsword clashes with the Doppelganger’s mace, and an explosion occurs.
Misha stabs him from behind in that gap.
And then it’s finished off by the bear-like man and Raven’s interception.
“Everyone, go back to your positions!”
After one turn, I have the team members who were transformed by the Doppelganger gather in one place and form a tight formation.
“What are you doing? Go!”
The mace warrior hurriedly moves as if coming to his senses at my words.
A faint light is emanating from his shoes.
It’s a cheap 9000-series Numbered Item called ‘Path of Abundance’.
It has a decent option for warriors.
It’s not something we looted and lent him, he originally owned it.
Did he diligently save money and buy it?
「The nameless marauder has cast [Swap].」
Anyway, Parteian, the middle-aged mage, is next.
Although he lent ‘Misplaced Trust’ to Raven, it’s not a problem. Because the magic staff he’s carrying is a Numbered Item.
Kwagic!
It doesn’t take long to defeat the bastard after he finishes transforming since the mimicked target is a mage.
Now only I’m left.
“Mr. Parteian.”
“That? I’ll prepare right away.”
The mages, who suffered greatly from the Doppelganger who transformed into me, are already preparing their strongest spells.
“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”
As soon as the Doppelganger finishes transforming, I push him back with my shield.
“The one in the back is the fake!”
The mages, who instantly made their judgment, unleash their prepared spells simultaneously.
Of course, he doesn’t die in one shot, as expected of a tank…
…but there’s no interruption to the magic this time since there are no summons in the second phase.
Crackle! Kwaang! Whoosh!
High-powered attack magic is literally poured onto him.
He eventually collapses, unable to endure.
I feel a strange sense of bitterness as I watch him.
‘I need to work on my magic resistance setup too.’
I still have a long way to go as a tank.
____________________
The Doppelganger’s third phase.
In other words, we’ve finally reached the last phase.
“Everyone, come here!”
Raven quickly gathers everyone and forms a new formation without me even having to give an order.
And at that moment…
Rumble!
…the cave shakes violently as if there’s an earthquake.
Dust falls from the ceiling.
“Kihihi, hihi, kik, kihihihi!”
The Doppelganger, which has returned to a slime-like form, lets out a grotesque laugh.
Honestly, I’m not even creeped out anymore.
I just have this question.
Where the hell is he talking from when he doesn’t even have a mouth?
“Be careful! If Mr. Yandel is defeated—”
“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”
I briefly dismiss Raven’s anxiety.
It’s not that I’m completely confident in victory.
It would be a lie to say I’m not nervous.
It’s a long-standing habit of mine to always assume the worst and be wary of potential variables.
But sometimes, a leader has to show confidence and lead the team.
Clench.
I put strength into my hand, holding the mace, maintaining just enough tension to get my blood pumping.
The last phase is a kind of ‘berserk mode’.
Every second is precious from now on.
Because he summons an incomparable number of clones compared to the first phase.
Boom!
The black slime, which had expanded to a size that would make anyone think it was about to burst, explodes.
Black particles scatter throughout the cave.
The two mages, as if they’ve been waiting, unleash flames to eliminate them…
…but they can’t even erase half of them.
And explosions continue to occur in the meantime.
「The nameless marauder has cast [Self-Replication].」
「The nameless marauder has cast [Self-Replication].」
「The nameless marauder has cast [Self-Replication].」
The particles gather and take shape, mimicking our appearances.
There are dozens of them, just by looking.
Hans G, the fairy archer, the dwarf… they all appear, as if to remind us that we’ll never see them again after today.
The once spacious cave is now completely filled.
“Don’t be too scared. The clones that appear here aren’t as strong as before!”
As Raven said, these guys are much weaker than the ones we saw before. They’ll probably explode into smoke after just one or two hits.
However, there’s another reason why ‘berserk mode’ is scary.
「Unsealing rate 50%」
「Unsealing rate 60%」
The magic circle on the ground flashes repeatedly, indicating that the unsealing rate is increasing.
At this rate, the seal will be broken in a few minutes, and the Doppelganger will regain his full power.
Therefore, it’s time to take it out.
「Character has used [Outlaw of the Wasteland].」
「Melee physical damage temporarily increases in proportion to the number of humanoid monsters.」
It’s the item that gave me the confidence to defeat the Doppelganger bastard…
「Current increase rate 112%.」
「Current increase rate 157%.」
「Current increase rate 278%.」
「Current increase rate 342%.」
「Current increase rate 4…….」
…and the one that allowed me to estimate a 90% chance of winning.
“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”
Items are also a skill.