Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Fake Neph (3)
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"Dress Code Type: Frost!"
"Dress Code Type: Frost♥"
Shwaaaaa!
A burst of blue chill erupted simultaneously from my hand and Fake Neph's. Razor-sharp ice shards fired into the air like bullets from a machine gun.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
White powder exploded everywhere as ice collided with ice.
But the problem was the firepower. If my ice was like convenience store cup ice, Fake Neph's was industrial ice maker level.
The incoming barrage vastly outnumbered what got canceled out.
"Ugh!"
I hurled myself behind a concrete pillar. Dozens of sharp icicles stabbed into the spot where I'd just been.
Crack-crack-crack!
"What? Wanna play hide-and-seek? So cuuute♥"
The nauseating voice came from beyond the pillar. It sounded just like mine—why did it grate so much?
I panted raggedly and reopened the Monster Guide. There had to be some strategy.
I jabbed the [▼More] button with trembling fingers.
Veteran grinders who'd seen it all must have left some gems!
💬 Monster Guide Comments
— Sword
Run if you encounter it.
— Aurora
Hide in a good spot and call me. I'll come right away.
— Frost
It's a monster that doesn't show up much these days. No need to worry. If you do run into it, remember the mana wavelength and let's hunt it together next time!
👤 Author: Noir
— Noir
Doppelganger isn't a tough monster to handle. But it will be for Neph. Copycat forces ability adjustments to its base D~C rank when duplicating a target. Meaning, if the original is A-rank, you get a nerfed D-rank copy. But if the original is E-rank, you get a buffed D-rank copy. Bottom line: if Neph hasn't reached those stats yet, there's no way to win. The opponent is just stronger.
Tsk. Every strategy was half-assed.
No weak point exploits or pattern breakdowns—just calls for help!!
Irritably scrolling, a familiar name caught my eye.
Noir-sensei. She'd have something different.
Aha. Got it.
I understood why I was getting pushed back. It wasn't because the doppelganger was OP. It was because I'm trash.
I'm such a lowbie that when it copied me, it forcibly leveled up. And it gobbled up imagination like a pig on feed.
"Where are you? Come out and play already? Master's waiting♥"
Meanwhile, Fake Neph was closing in.
I chewed my lip raw.
I'd clashed with it as Bella, Frost, even Pluto—and lost every time. Of course. They're all inferior versions.
But during the brawl, I'd roughly figured out what Neph perspective it copied: the one from my octopus prince fight. That's what it based the copy on.
So there was one thing. Something I had that it didn't.
The moment Fake Neph tapped the pillar I was hiding behind.
"Dress Code Type: Aurora!"
"Dress Code Type: Aurora♥"
Wait, seriously? No need to perfectly match my costume. Blatant tailing has limits.
Anyway, Fake Neph transformed into Aurora to mimic me.
Sparks crackled from Fake Neph's hand.
Right. Back then, the Aurora costume was incomplete, so all I could do was a million volts.
But now it's different. After that day, I'd received Aurora's mana directly at Magic Castle.
Now I could use Aurora's other techniques beyond just lightning.
Aurora's mana usage reformed in my mind. Recalling her battle from a YouTube fancam, I thrust out my hand.
"Haat!"
A ferocious gust tore through the air from my hand.
Kwaaaa!
A real Aurora would've shredded the whole space into a tornado, but this was my output limit. Still, it was enough.
"Krrgh♥"
Fake Neph took the wind head-on, lost balance, and got blown back. Total panic in its eyes. Yeah, that tracks. It's a move not in your Neph data.
Because I'm the real deal.
You can't do this.
Can't do it at all.
But as Fake Neph recovered from the blast, it smirked.
Then it swiftly ducked behind the dazed bystanders.
'Damn.'
I reflexively pulled back my hand.
Those people were innocent... weren't they? At worst, guilty of falling for an 8-year-old brat's spell. Couldn't let my wind mince them like a blender.
In that split-second hesitation.
Bzzzzt!
Fake Neph didn't miss, firing black lightning from its fingertips.
"Kyaaaaah!"
A girly shriek burst from my mouth.
My whole body went numb and tingly, hair standing on end, skin reeking like grilled squid. It hurt!
"Kyaaaaah~ so cuuute♥"
Forgot for a sec since it looked just like me. But that thing was a monster through and through.
Unlike me, it had zero qualms or guilt using people as meat shields.
"What? Not shooting anymore? You were blasting away fine earlier♥"
Fake Neph peeked over shoulders, taunting.
"Worried about hurting these losers? All that goody-two-shoes crap by yourself. Gross♥"
I wanted to sew that mouth shut right then.
'Situation's bad.'
Narrow space, packed with oblivious civilians. Full-power magic would collapse the building or hurt people.
'I'm at a disadvantage here. Lure it outside...'
I edged backward toward the exit. But Fake Neph was sharp.
"Going somewhere? Not thinking of tucking tail and running like a beaten dog, are ya♥?"
It read my intent and didn't budge. Instead, it curled its lips in that classic bratty smirk.
Then slowly raised its hand.
The tip pointed at...
"...!"
Ha-sol.
"Move one more step from there. I'll show you how this dumb kid's brains get fried♥"
Bzzzt. Bzzzt.
Sparks flew from Fake Neph's hand, aimed at Ha-sol's temple. She drooled obliviously, mumbling "Master~".
'This bitch?'
Attacking my friend—in my form, no less—and a little kid at that?
But what could I do? The vibe screamed it'd barbecue everyone if I twitched.
"...That's dirty."
"Thanks♥"
Should I drop transformation and surrender? No, worst idea. One doppelganger trait: process the copied target and impersonate them.
Vet Neph growers might end up raising a monster instead!
Forcing through risked Ha-sol's life. What now?
Then.
ROOOAAARRR!
A beast's roar thundered from above. Eardrum-shattering rumble I'd endured for days.
The instant it hit, Fake Neph's smug face froze. It looked up at the ceiling in terror.
"Tch♥"
Vrrrrm.
Space ripped open behind it, unveiling a Backside World gate.
"Too bad. Wanted to play more♥ But the buzzkill showed up."
Fake Neph blew me a kiss.
"See ya next time, la~me♥"
"La...me?"
What'd you say?
"You little...!"
It vanished into the gate after that. I had to catch it—but couldn't.
"Ugh...!"
My body wouldn't obey.
KABOOOM!!
The concrete ceiling shattered, a massive shadow crashing down. Through the dust cloud emerged Ruffie, the tiger wreathed in blue ghostly flames.
And atop it...
"What? It already left?"
Blinding golden hair whipping, Shining lounged with legs crossed.
She looked down at me with a playful grin.
"Did our Neph lose?"
"..."
"La~me♥"
Next time I see that Fake Neph bitch, she's dead!!!!!!!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Things wrapped up fast after Shining arrived.
She'd seen my chat and tracked my mana wavelength right away. Two Neph manas clashing? Doppelganger—off she went.
Police and ambulances she called carted off the scattered people. Magical girl-police teamwork was routine.
Before long, crowds swarmed like clouds.
All because of Ruffie. A house-sized tiger grooming itself? That'd draw aggro anywhere.
One by one, people came to. Ha-sol among them, blinking dazedly.
'Pissed.'
Honestly furious. At Ha-sol? No. At myself.
First time getting this wrecked since becoming a magical girl. And this was that cliché, right? 'People around me in danger because of me.'
What if Shining hadn't shown up? I'd have surrendered, or Ha-sol's head would've exploded. One or the other.
Damn. Feels awful.
Didn't expect it to hit this hard.
Then a cop approached us.
"Shining and Neph—any plans? If you're okay, could you both come in for statements now...?"
"I'll submit a written report. Still gotta handle the monster."
"R-Really? Thought you'd already taken care of it."
"Don't worry. We'll wrap it before more issues pop up."
Shining grasped the situation instantly. Vet skills on point.
Melted ice shards, busted steel door, needle marks in the floor.
Just from that, she clocked: newbie got soul-farmed.
Normally I'd die of shame, but not now. Rage overrode embarrassment.
We headed to Shining's lounge after.
"Doppelganger... Doesn't look natural-born. Our Neph's popular, huh?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Think about it. Among active magical girls, who else could a doppelganger target?"
She pointed at me cutely. Yeah, me.
"Only easy mark like you gets sniped."
"Sniped...?"
"Yup. Sniped."
'Monster Association, maybe...'
Who else would target me specifically?
Could be Ulv, or not. No invite this time, unlike last.
"Anyway, big problem."
"What?"
"Doppelganger got away. Meaning..."
Shining poked my chest with her index finger.
"It learned your combat data."
"...Huh?"
"Next time? It'll come stronger. Knows your weaknesses, habits, quirks—all of it."
Per her, doppelgangers suck because if you don't one-shot, they evolve.
Can't exceed D-rank cap, but next Fake Neph would pack wind magic too.
Future already looked bleak.
"So."
Shining asked.
"Want me to handle it?"
"...Pardon?"
"It could've been a real threat... but thanks to you, it's not. We know it mimicked you—no falling for it. Next time we track your mana, slice and dice. Done."
Her face was dead serious, closer to the haughty Shining from vids.
"Should I? Or nah."
Blatant bus offer. Free carry—vets assemble, shred the fake, feast on scraps. Admit defeat? Sure.
But.
I shook my head.
"...I want to take down the doppelganger myself."
Even I hadn't expected that from my mouth. I love freebies.
Especially since Shining offered—and I kicked the platter away? Unthought-of.
But whatever. Losing soured my mood.
Letting someone else kill it? Felt like I'd never grow as a magical girl.
Plus that parting shot. No sleep till I smash her pot myself.
What? Laaaaame? Laaaaaaaaame? Had to do it personally.
Shining's eyes narrowed at my answer.
"...Fine. If that's how you want it."
Ambiguous gaze—pleased or annoyed?—vanished quick.
"Okay. Do it that way. You do have a shot, actually."
"...Huh?"
"Right? Your unique magic lets you wear other girls' costumes and use their powers?"
Nailed it without me spilling. Intuitive stuff—gallery guessed easy. Not shocked she knew.
"Yeeah... But a shot how?"
"Next fight, use a new power."
Still lost, I tilted my head. Shining thumped her chest.
"My costume. By next fight, your familiar egg hatches. Then you can borrow my power."
"Ah!"
True.
Forgot: didn't even wear Shining costume against Fake Neph. Tamer Shining needs a familiar—useless otherwise.
Shining's power could tip scales. Key was egg hatch time.
"R-Right! Senpai! Any idea when the egg hatches? Skipping today didn't mess it up, did it?"
We infused mana daily at set times. Skipped today—hope no issue.
"Hatch when? Hmm..."
Urging her, she rubbed chin with finger.
"5..."
5 days? One late day reset it?! What if Fake Neph shows before?
But.
"4..."
Something off?
I looked down at my chest.
*jigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejigglejiggle*
"Ack."
A crack split the eggshell.
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