Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Unexpected Encounter (1)
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A few days later, inside the 11-1 Rift. Sector 8.
Normally, this would be the time I'd be stuck in some boring theory class somewhere on the academy grounds.
But instead, I was pushing deeper into the rift's mid-layers.
It was all thanks to that deal I'd made, securing me plenty of extra personal training time.
The damp, gloomy cave walls glowed faintly with bluish phosphorescent stones, and underfoot, the crunch of unidentified creature bones echoed. The air was thick with a cold, fishy stench.
And standing beside me was a familiar face I hadn't seen in a while.
"It's a bit gloomy in here, huh."
"...Hmph."
"Hey, Da-eun sis. You still mad at me?"
Her black hair, like polished obsidian, was neatly tied back, and she wore a form-fitting combat suit that hugged her curves.
Hunter Academy's elite instructor and the first clone I'd created with my Clone Creation skill—Cheon Da-eun... or rather, it felt more natural to call her 'Da-eun sis' these days.
At my words, Da-eun sis shot me a sharp glance but said nothing.
"Hmph."
Instead, she just snorted again and whipped her head away.
She seemed seriously pissed. It was so unlike her usual self that I couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Sorry. I've been swamped with academy stuff lately... just haven't had time to call you out."
"Who said I wanted to see you?!"
She snapped back at my excuse, bristling with irritation.
"I'm just disappointed you're slacking on your training and wasting time. You finally got a Mythic-grade skill— you should be getting stronger as fast as possible, not vanishing for days!"
Even as she said that, she couldn't hide her slightly flushed ears or the uneasy flicker in her eyes. Classic tsundere. She must've been bothered that I'd neglected her a bit because of Seraphina.
I smirked and stepped forward, pulling her into a tight hug. She stiffened at first, caught off guard, but soon relaxed into it, melting into my arms like it was familiar territory.
"Ow! What the hell are you doing all of a sudden?!"
She grumbled from her mouth, but she didn't push me away. If anything, she leaned in a little closer. It felt nice, her warmth and familiar scent washing over me after so long.
"Just missed you."
I whispered softly into her ear.
She fell silent at my question. Lifting her head slightly from my chest, her eyes wavered. She averted her gaze, cleared her throat awkwardly, and finally muttered reluctantly.
"I... I missed you a little too..."
"Pfft."
"Don't laugh! And... I wasn't just sitting around waiting for you! I've been busy too, you know."
"Huh? Doing what?"
"Some... rehab training."
"Rehab training? You?"
A clone doing rehab?
"You'll graduate the academy eventually and head out into the world, joining something like a Pioneer Team, right?"
"Y-yeah?"
Pioneer Teams were like the scouting units of Dominant Evil.
They were the starting point for conquering new rifts.
"When that time comes... I might have to fight alongside you in rifts like I did back in my active days. So I'm prepping my body in advance. Don't get the wrong idea."
"Ah..."
I was at a loss for words for a moment.
'This must be the original Instructor Cheon Da-eun's feelings.'
She probably didn't look kindly on me going under Seraphina, but deep down, she was still worrying about her student's future. Through her clone—my sis—those heartfelt fragments came through.
A strange warmth bloomed in my chest.
"......"
"W-why are you staring at me like that?!"
I kept grinning at her without a word, and Da-eun sis's face grew redder by the second. She fidgeted, unsure where to look.
"Ahem! Anyway! S-so, when are we setting up camp? The humidity's not too bad here, no monster traces around, and there's a hot spring nearby. Perfect spot to rest—how about we stay put?"
She hurriedly scanned the area, pointing to a suitable clearing. Her obvious attempt to change the subject nearly made me burst out laughing, but I held it in.
"Sure, sure~ Got it, Instructor."
I teased playfully, taking her hand and leading her to the spot. The way she didn't pull away felt especially endearing today.
Heave-ho.
I unpacked a capsule tent, portable stove, sleeping bag, and more from my backpack, quickly setting up camp.
It was a small clearing, but it soon became our cozy little space.
"There, all set."
"Academy gear's gotten pretty good these days."
"Must be 'cause I'm in D-Class now. The higher you climb, the better the academy support gets."
"I see..."
D-Class, Instructor Seraphina's class.
Did I just shoot myself in the foot mentioning that?
As I started to worry, sis spoke up again.
"From now on, you don't need to throw yourself into the front lines."
"Huh?"
"Before, with the Straggler Reorganization Exam as your goal, we focused on boosting your raw combat skills. Improving your basics beyond just using clones was key. But things have changed."
"Changed how?"
"You're a proper hunter now... no, a full-fledged summoner. Time to play the role. Summoners stay back, quietly commanding and supporting their summons. Holding position steadfastly and reading the battlefield—that's the virtue."
Her tone was firm.
In short, leave everything to the clones while I hang back.
It sounded off at first, but her logic was brutally practical.
"I'll clear up to the 10th floor solo."
"You sure? That's pretty far—our link might break."
Clones had a limit: if they strayed too far from me, the summoner, they'd despawn automatically. The 10th floor was quite a hike physically.
"I've got that covered. Your ability—the 'mana tether'."
"Mana tether?"
The words made me grimace reflexively.
"Ugh, sis. Why bring that up again? You know how much hell I went through getting rid of it."
"Yeah, it was rough. But we learned something thanks to it, right? That flimsy-looking mana tether has insane potential."
Me?
"Remember? It held all the way from the dorm to the rift—that huge distance. Sure, it was a shackle for you, but flip it around: you maintained a mana tether that far at your level. Impressive, huh?"
"Now that you mention it..."
Ah.
I finally got it.
If we intentionally linked a mana tether between me and the clone, it wouldn't break no matter the distance.
"Wanna... give it a shot?"
"Mm."
I reached out skeptically, pressing my palm to hers.
Focusing my mind, a faint thread of mana flowed from me to her. It started thin and dim but thickened and sharpened as I concentrated. Not the crude 'tether' from before—this felt stable, controlled. A true connection.
But the cost was steep.
Sluuuurp...!
"Guh!"
A wave of exhaustion hit me like my strength was draining out. My head spun, vision blurred. My legs buckled; if Da-eun sis hadn't caught me, I'd have collapsed.
"You okay?"
"Y-yeah, but... my mana’s almost tapped out. Like 80-90%. I'm basically a normie now...?"
My creations hogged mana via the tether before, but for just one sis to lock up most of it?
Combat was out; even walking would be tough.
"But it's possible. That's a win."
"Huh? How?"
"You've got a new clone now. She can guard you even if I'm gone."
"Wait... how'd you know about that?"
"Hmph."
Da-eun sis turned away petulantly, lips pursed in a pout.
"You didn't even tell me first. I'm hurt."
"No, it's not—"
"That 'Miyazaki Rena' clone. Word's spreading among the instructors. They say you turned a celebrity hunter from the media into your perfect copy..."
Among the instructors? Already?
I'd only summoned Rena recently—no way rumors spread that fast...
'She went digging for my info on purpose, didn't she?'
As I stared, she muttered at her shadow.
"W-well, it's your taste, not my business... but I'm worried. Liking such a tiny body. One wrong move and it's jailbait. My student's a pedo? Wait, she's actually an adult, so maybe not. But looks matter, and guys usually obsess over this kind of flesh..."
She suddenly realized I was watching and startled, coughing awkwardly.
"Ahem! Anyway!"
She straightened her expression and got back on track.
"Point is, thanks to your Miyazaki Rena clone, I can head out far without worry. Someone to watch your back means I can focus on clearing to the 10th."
"Ah... yeah."
Her true feelings were plain as day, so I just smiled and nodded.
Still tsundere, but her concern felt nice.
"Go on then, sis."
"...Ugh, fine."
She clutched her chest and headed inward.
As Da-eun sis vanished into the cave depths, silence settled over the clearing.
'Whew...'
I hadn't dared with her around, but alone now, my instincts stirred.
Hadn't tested the new magic yet either.
Did she know? In a quiet spot like this, I only had one thing to do.
'Miyazaki Rena.'
I closed my eyes and focused. Mana gathered over my hand holding the doll. Familiar process now. Sparks of mana crackled as particles coalesced from the air, forming a human shape.
Swoosh—
As the mana stabilized, a slender girl in a blue school swimsuit appeared.
Floating with eyes closed, she slowly lifted her lids. Her vacant, emotionless green eyes met mine. Her doll-like beautiful face showed no expression.
"Miyazaki Rena, summoned... Ugh?"
Her petite frame slipped perfectly into my arms.
"...Awaiting orders."
Rena just blinked blankly at me. I gently stroked her hair. The cool, squishy slime texture felt nice between my fingers.
"Shh. It's fine."
"......?"
I'd tweaked Rena's design a bit over the past few days, but still only 40%. Looked like I'd have to wait longer for her consciousness to awaken.
But hey.
This biomechanical onahole with machine consciousness? Surprisingly hot.
Huuuuh. Haaaah.
I deeply inhaled the artificial yet oddly sweet scent from her smooth nape and shoulders. Still doll-like without emotions, but her body's unique aroma stirred something in me.
Then, I recalled that last time.
After sex, she'd... sucked all my semen into her via that spot. Too tired and dazed then, I'd brushed it off as 'whatever, good's good'...
Looking at her belly now, it was gone without a trace.
"Rena, last time... my cum, remember it?"
Her expressionless face nodded.
"Affirmative. Master's essence preserved in clean, fresh state."
"Preserved? How?"
Without explanation, she parted her small lips slightly.
Gulp... squelch... blorp...
On her pink tongue, a transparent, jelly-like mass began to form, wriggling faintly like it was alive. Semitransparent, condensed from liquid—clearer and purer than mine, but instinctively, I knew it was derived from my semen.
"Ugh...! W-what the hell is that?!"
Revulsion hit me; I nearly recoiled. Even as a clone, storing it like that?
But weirdly, up close, no fishy semen stench. Faintly sweet, alluring even.
"...No smell?"
"Unnecessary elements removed from Master's essence. Pure pheromones concentrated."
Rena explained mechanically. The blob on her tongue seemed to shimmer.
"Current state: highly stable energy, excellent preservation. And... lethal allure to female specimens."
"Lethal... allure?"
"Yes. Effect was minor before; recent enhancement indicates Master's virility strengthening."
Didn't know about that...
"Rena, wanna stay machine consciousness forever?"
"......?"
Like having a super competent assistant.
I knew the original consciousness was superior, but this had perks.
Absolute obedience to orders, for one.
Combat? Done. Sex? Done.
This stoic type had its appeal sometimes.
"Hey, Rena."
"Order."
"That slime pussy of yours. Squeeze my dick like last time. Tight, like it's gonna burst."
"...Impossible."
Huh?
Defiance?
As I stared, Rena suddenly stood from leaning on me.
"Detected two energy signatures rapid-approaching from rear. Engaging."
"What?"
"Switching to combat readiness."
She bolted out of the tent toward the cave passage without hesitation. I stood dumbfounded as she vanished from sight.
'What the—
Has she lost it?'
Enemies now? In this moment?
But faint vibrations and mana pulses from her direction sent chills down my spine.
"...Wait, for real? Enemies?"
Whoooosh—
A cold gust rattled the tent flap. My head, hot with lewd thoughts moments ago, cooled instantly.
'Shit!'
No Da-eun sis meant bottomed-out mana. If Rena couldn't hold them...
I scrambled up, ready to dash out. My heart pounded anxiously.
I peeked cautiously through a tent flap gap.
In the darkness, Rena had spread her slime mucus around, glaring down the passage.
From that direction, two figures approached slowly.
One boy, one older girl.
A guy and a girl.
Torchlight faintly outlined their faces.
I froze, breath catching.
"Why the hell are they here right now?"
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Dominant Evil's undisputed protagonist, the one I possessed.
And his ever-reliable main heroine by his side.
Kim Do-yoon and Yoon Ha-rin.