Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Doppelganger Hunt
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For now, no one was entirely sure who the doppelganger was, so they sat spaced out in twos and threes, faces tense and alert.
I opened my sub-space openly to lighten the mood and ease some tension, pulling out a bundle of dried firewood for the campfire.
“Oh my god… Is that a sub-space artifact?”
It was the kind of exclamation you’d expect from someone who knew the prices outside. The woman pointing at me made me exhale softly.
The grumpy hunter showed no change in expression, while the dwarf narrowed his eyes at my ring.
“I figured you were some noble lord just from looking, but you’re no minor house bloodline, huh.”
“Wow, that thing must cost a fortune. I’ve only heard rumors—first time seeing one in person.”
The young man’s eyes sparkled a bit.
Everyone’s reactions were pretty standard.
I shrugged at their responses, piled the firewood in the center among them, and lit it.
The archer without a bow just glanced around warily at their reactions before edging closer to warm his hands by the fire.
Half-gloves covering just his index and middle fingers. Definitely an archer.
It wasn’t that cold, but they’d all been on edge, so the warmth loosened their faces a little.
While I was at it, I pulled out a chair from the stuff I’d swept up from my room—like setting up a proper scene—and sat by the fire alone.
Truth be told, I wanted to give chairs to Luna and Cain too, but in this mood, they wouldn’t sit even if offered; they’d just stand guard.
It was around dinnertime, so I took out marshmallows and bread, skewered them on sticks, and started roasting.
“You all have emergency rations, right? Come on, pull some out and let’s chat while we eat.”
I handed well-roasted pieces to Luna and Cain with a smile.
Luna, keeping vigilant with a serious face, stretched her marshmallow long before eating it—adorable.
“I… got separated from my companion who had the food, so I don’t.”
The archer said glumly, and the assassin shrugged with a mocking smirk.
“I’ve got some—dried fruit, though.”
He shook a pouch that seemed full of fruit and moved closer to the fire like the archer, warming his palms.
“Sheesh, who dumps all their food on one person in a labyrinth? Not like me, right? Wait… like me… Huh? Why’s there a hole here…?”
The dwarf was more of an airhead than I thought.
Varied reactions all around.
“Same here. I left my rations with the bear I was traveling with… Never thought I’d get separated from them…”
So, from the reactions: the archer and dwarf warrior have no food, and the druid without animals too.
I bit into bread roasted just enough to char the outside lightly, butter melting through with a nutty aroma, and chewed as I spoke.
“If the doppelganger’s impersonating someone, they might not have minor items like rations, right? How about we separate the ones without food for now?”
I phrased it like seeking opinions, emphasizing it wasn’t my unilateral demand. Who’d say no here?
“Of course, no food doesn’t automatically mean doppelganger—we all know that, right?”
They glanced around warily, so I added more, and they finally nodded like yes-men.
Three faces crumpled.
“No, what the hell? I was really here. Just my pouch got stolen.”
“No… I didn’t expect to get separated from my companion either.”
The dwarf and archer grumbled with forlorn looks, but when the druid silently moved aside first, they reluctantly followed, faces saying they had no choice.
They spaced out from each other too, huddling near the altar under silent pressure.
“Still, no personal rations in a labyrinth is suspicious enough. A little separation makes sense.”
The young man tried to soothe, but the assassin bit into his tough dried fruit, snickering mockingly at the retreating archer, dwarf, and druid, even waving them off.
“Tough luck. Necessary evil, you know. Can’t side with you guys.”
He said it half-jokingly, warming himself by the fire while eyeing Cain.
In the midst of it, the hunter tapped the motionless swordsman’s shoulder.
“You don’t have any either?”
The swordsman glanced tensely at Luna, hesitated at the hunter’s words, then pulled jerky from his pouch.
“So, how about we share how we each ended up here.”
I spoke arrogantly, like a fish in water flaunting all my traits. Luna’s expression turned odd.
Like, young master, what’s with you all of a sudden…? Don’t worry, Luna. I’ve got this.
‘This is a game I can’t lose from the start.’
[Replication(S)] [Mana(C)] [Endurance(B+)] [Replication(A)] [Gluttony(B)]…
I could already see them all.
But there were reasons I didn’t point and shout, That one! That one!
First, I didn’t know the doppelganger’s exact power level.
Second, whether these were all the people here.
Third, if we could really trust that altar inscription.
From my position, I could identify the impostor—doppelganger—for sure, so no rush.
I’d act once confident we could take it down with minimal damage to us.
The hunter, face twisted since my suggestion, crunched dry bread then scowled.
“But what makes you special? Why’re you playing leader?”
I leaned back in a spine-cracking slouch—bad for the body, good for my mood—kicking my legs lazily with a grin.
“Separating the foodless wasn’t just my solo call. And chatting to find the doppelganger was everyone’s idea, wasn’t it? Got some inferiority complex?”
“What the…!”
“Shut it, seriously. Mister, if you don’t wanna get more suspicion, pipe down? Don’t you know if things go south, we can just kill first and check blood in a bowl?”
The hunter growled, gripping his weapon, but the assassin sharply scolded, thumb-jabbing our party.
“Nobody’s thrilled about this. Someone stepping up to lead makes it easier—why bitch?”
“Exactly. We’re all on edge, so let’s talk peacefully.”
They chimed in belatedly, and the man reluctantly snorted, dropping to the floor with a thud. The archer spoke glumly from his distant spot.
“Don’t wanna be suspected, but… I’m fine……”
He eyed the crackling fire longingly, though…
From my view watching it all, it was pathetic and hilarious.
“So, who’s first?”
This time, I pulled grapes and the codex from sub-space, placing the codex under the grapes like a trivet.
Sub-space was great. Still fresh.
Ripe grapes filled the air with sweetness.
I handed bunches to Cain and Luna, popped one in my mouth too.
“Hmm. To prove you’re not the doppelganger, your movements before arriving should check out, right? Gaps or weirdos might’ve been ambushed and swapped.”
The dwarf spoke, and the assassin circled gazes with a light smile to ease things.
“Doppelgangers can’t grasp all human habits from just one or two meals, right? If we toss out random stuff, the fake might slip.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
I swallowed my chewed grape and spoke.
“I’ll go first. My path was…”
Injured leg, sat in chair, sold some potions.
Our party fought few monsters on lower and middle floors, used compass for shortest path down—only ones here with full party intact.
“So, we three should be excluded first, right?”
They all stared at Luna like scripted.
“Hmm. But didn’t that bunny arrive last?”
“Yeah, and she looks pretty weak.”
Assassin and druid spoke; swordsman muttered, ‘Easy to kill.’ Druid middle-aged man added.
“Doppelganger’d target her first, probably, milord.”
Arrows suddenly on Luna; she flushed, flustered.
“I… I’m not. Really……”
Sorry, Luna. Time to step aside now.
“Good point. Even if not doppelganger, if we gotta kill one, she’s the least loss, right?”
Assassin’s cold words; young man waved hands in panic.
“B-but no solid proof.”
“Yeah, could be an archer like me, or magic type.”
“Old men, what? Not wearing mage robes—split skirt with greaves is weirder. Who dresses like that?”
“But……”
Assassin’s words drew archer and young man in.
“Plus, beastkin often slaves—probably this noble’s maid originally? Handsome swordsman aside, girl’s no big sacrifice.”
“If so suspicious, just kill her and see.”
Silent swordsman joined; hunter toyed with weapon.
Mood turning vicious; young man mediated.
“No need to rush… Others should share their stories too, right?”
“Sigh… Not saying kill now. Just suspicious, so separate at least?”
“That much……”
Even young man glanced at me.
Thanks for the help, guys.
“You think too. Handsome swordsman—anything off about the girl?”
Assassin prodded last; Cain stared blankly at Luna, then stood by me again.
I hummed, then spoke.
“Yeah, Luna, go over there for a bit.”
“Young master…!”
“You suspecting her?”
I subtly shook head at Cain’s whisper so others wouldn’t see.
Smiled gently at teary-eyed Luna, tugged her ear fondly, sent her off, then asked.
“Oh, by the way. Are doppelgangers usually that strong? Labyrinth adventurers aren’t weaklings.”
Tension eased—no immediate stabbing—so they slumped to floors or leaned on walls; someone answered.
“I hear even doppelgangers vary in power.”
One spoke, others piled on.
“Swallow a strong adventurer’s corpse lucky, they get stronger.”
“Or more devoured, base stats rise.”
I tore flaky croissant, stuffed browned marshmallow and chocolate chunk in layers, waited for chocolate melt, bit in full.
“Mmm. Doppelgangers die to a stab like people?”
Mumbled through chews; bearded man scratched stubbly cheek.
“While transformed, not original form—yeah.”
“Original? Doppelganger true form?”
“Yeah. Gotta have pre-devour shape.”
“Plus, changing forms probably needs reverting first?”
Talked slowly while I alone ate goodies. Cain stopped eating after a bit.
Summary: Doppelgangers grow with devoured power but capped, not 100%. Original form only dies to magic attacks… etc.
Wasn’t dragging for that info.
I smiled at glum Luna in corner—late arrival penalty—grabbed codex under empty grape bowl.
“Luna.”
“Yes?”
“Cain.”
“Ready.”
Reliable.
Tossed bowl to sub-space, stood with codex open, smiled slowly.
“Now… kill them all.”