The clones looked excited. I thought they'd be worried or something, but they actually want to fight.
I smiled and leaned against the dungeon wall.
"What should I do? I'm not smart enough to come up with a plan."
After thinking for a little while longer, I contacted Frieren.
'Frieren, members of the Loki Familia are inside the dungeon, and they're hunting us. Where are you right now?'
[Master? I'm at the Loki Familia's home. I'm with Tiona right now.]
'Ais's group isn't inside the dungeon? That's a surprise.'
[No, they didn't go into the dungeon. But a large number of Loki Familia members did. They were being led by Finn.]
'You should have told me that earlier. I'm practically cornered here.'
[I'm sorry.]
'It's fine.'
[Do you think you can handle this on your own? I can try to do something to help.]
'I wanted to place one of my clones among the Loki Familia.'
I recently acquired the "Shadow" ability, and it's incredibly useful.
If I could hide a Shadow Clone inside the shadow of one of the Loki members, it would be perfect for spying.
Unfortunately, I can't do that right now.
[Unfortunately, I can't help you with that, Master. I can't go to the dungeon at the moment.]
'It's okay. I think I can manage if I'm careful. Keep me updated on the Loki Familia's movements.'
[Nothing's happening here right now, but if something does, I'll let you know.]
I cut the connection with Frieren.
Honestly, I'm a little annoyed.
She should have warned me about Finn's group earlier. I would've had time to prepare.
But it's also my fault. 'I kept hunting monsters and didn't plan ahead.'
Well, I won't say I hate this.
I enjoy adventuring, and this is going to be fun.
"You! Come here."
I pointed at one of the clones I had created recently, and he stepped forward.
"I'm going to undo you. Sorry. I need to make a new clone."
"Why? Did I do something wrong?"
"Don't question me."
"All right, do as you please."
The clone lowered his head and awaited his end. Then he disappeared.
I opened my status window to check.
Clones: 63/64
'One slot freed. Time to test this new ability.'
I activated the Shadow ability, and as I did, something appeared on the ground.
A dark blotch began to spread.
The shadow expanded and slowly took the shape of a human.
It didn't take my original form… it had no appearance.
It was the silhouette of a man, no doubt about it, but completely black. No eyes, no mouth, nothing!
'That's… kind of creepy.'
I approached and touched it.
When I touched its arm, the texture was incredibly smooth.
As I touched it, a dark aura began to spread over my hand, making it equally black.
Once I stopped, my hand returned to normal.
Dark particles drifted from its body.
"Your appearance is a little… unusual. Can you speak?"
[Only in your mind, Master.]
"That's good enough. Show me what you can do."
We were in a dimly lit area, so there were plenty of shadows.
The clone slowly vanished, hiding beneath my feet, blending perfectly with the shadow my body cast.
[I can hide perfectly.]
'I can't even sense him in my shadow… I can't feel his presence at all.'
Usually, I can sense if a strong adventurer or monster is nearby, but I can't feel anything from him.
"Can you mask your presence well enough to fool a level six or seven adventurer?"
[I don't know how strong they are, but I trust my camouflage. I think it'll be fine.]
"I see. Come out of my shadow now."
The clone emerged, returning to its dark humanoid form.
Then, I activated the NeuroLink ability.
As I expected, it worked perfectly.
I tried to speak, but couldn't—this clone really has no mouth.
'I'm heading out. I'm going after Finn.' I informed the nearby clones.
Rock Lee opened a hole in the wall I had created with magic, and I passed through it with ease.
It was like my body was made of water.
Even though we were inside the dungeon, it was well lit, and lots of shadows were being cast.
I moved through the shadows effortlessly.
'This clone's stats aren't very high—I need to be very careful.'
Minutes passed as I moved through the 27th floor.
'I can't wait to find them.'
After almost an hour, I finally found him.
'Finn. That bastard.'
####
POV: Finn
"I can't find any more of them. Damn it, I should've seen this coming." Just remembering the bodies makes my blood boil.
I should've known they couldn't handle those filthy creatures.
Tsk!
I clicked my tongue and looked behind me.
"All of you, stay here. I'll go on ahead. I'll find where they're hiding." I'm sure they're hiding. The creatures I encountered earlier must have warned the others.
They're afraid of me.
"But—"
"Don't disobey me! Stay here! If any of them shows up, kill them." I barked.
The men stepped back, and I prepared to move forward.
But then… I felt something dangerous approaching.
I looked around, then turned back.
In the middle of the group behind me, something suddenly appeared.
It was a shadow.
A dark, humanoid figure.
"GET OUT OF THERE RIGHT NOW!" I shouted.
Startled by my sudden outburst, they finally noticed there was someone among them who didn't belong.
But it was too late.
I could've sworn that shadow… smiled at me.
Then—
BOOM!
A powerful explosion went off, launching me backward toward the waterfall.
As I fell, I saw the bodies of some of my comrades torn apart.
I felt a rage I had never known before.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" I screamed as I plummeted into the waters at the deepest part of the 27th floor.
####
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Next chapters: Chapter 72 - I want people to be paranoid. / Chapter 73 - Suspicion. / Chapter 74 - Fang Yuan is crazy.