ZhangYe
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Chapter 30 - Find the killers.
🕑 Added 2025-04-23 15:18:02 +0000 UTCPov: Zane
"So the Loki Familia is making a move. Not just them—Freya Familia is starting to act too." I need to take care of this before things spiral out of control.
I dismissed clones 12, 13, and 16—the only ones whose appearances I hadn't modified much. Then I commanded all the clones: "Please, remove your masks."
The Loki Familia is probably looking for people wearing those masks, so the clones can't keep using them or they’ll become targets.
Since everyone’s appearance has been altered, it should be fine.
Even if one of them gets discovered, I can just dismiss the clone, change their appearance, and pretend the character never existed. That’s my advantage—once a clone’s appearance changes, they stop being hunted.
Just like I need to change mine.
I’ve had the skill “Masks” for a while now, and I haven’t used it.
"I guess I’ll go with a look that won’t draw attention."
I started modifying my appearance. I made myself shorter, turned my hair gray, and grew a white beard. I also added wrinkles across my face and body.
Once the changes were done, I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror.
"I look like an old man who wouldn't hurt a fly. It’d be great if I had a skill to create a fake soul to inhabit this body while I’m not using it."
Something like... programming this body to behave like a friendly, unremarkable old man.
"I’ll need to look for a skill like that."
Leaving the bathroom, I contacted the clones in the dungeon again.
'You’ve all removed your masks, right? Respond one at a time.'
Since I’d changed their voices, I could easily tell them apart.
They all confirmed they’d taken off their masks.
'You’re not drawing attention, right? Your appearances.'
The only one who said he still drew attention was Berserker, due to his size and muscles. The others were blending in as regular adventurers, which was good.
'Keep hunting, and avoid any conflict with other adventurers. If you’re approached by members of the Loki Familia, don’t cause a scene—just answer their questions. And don’t let them realize you don’t have a falna.'
I’m confident things will be fine.
I tried to recall the appearance of Loki Familia’s main members, especially their captain, Finn, and described them to the clones.
They promised it would be okay, and I believed them.
With the conversation over, I summoned clones 12, 13, and 16.
When they appeared in front of me, I saw that they were almost level 20. Soon, they’d be able to evolve.
"I think I’ll use one of these clones from now on. I’ve been using clone 16 a lot, so I’ll stick with that one."
I won’t give clone 16 a character appearance—just clones 12 and 13.
But which characters should I use?
####
I’d been too focused on anime characters, so I decided to search my memory for someone from a game or series. After a bit of thinking, I remembered a hugely popular character who appears in both games and a series.
But originally, he’s from a book.
Geralt—the protagonist of The Witcher.
Or should I call him The Witcher?
Well, either way—it doesn’t matter. He’s a badass character, wildly popular and well-loved.
I started editing clone 12’s appearance. I made him taller, gave him muscles, lightened his skin, and changed his hair. His previously black hair turned white and grew long.
The color was similar to Frieren’s.
His eyes were important, too—I gave him yellow, cat-like eyes.
Once the appearance was done, I designed his outfit.
A simple black outfit. A long-sleeved shirt and pants. “I remember he wore leather armor, but for now, I’ll leave that out.”
Speaking of armor, I should remove it from my other clones. Having everyone wear the same armor is a problem.
It’d be great if I could modify the appearance of their armor as well.
When I finished editing his look, I gave him a name. “From now on, your name is Geralt.”
I could’ve used his full name, but I decided to keep it simple.
Geralt bowed his head and smiled at me.
"Thank you for the name and appearance, master."
"No problem. Now it’s your turn, clone 13."
"Yes, master!"
"Your name will be Reinhard."
####
After finishing Reinhard’s appearance, I modified both of their voices. I’m not sure if they were exact copies, but they were pretty close. Then I moved on to clone 16.
The body I’ll be using from now on.
I chose not to base it on any character, just a generic look. I gave him a lean build, similar to a 17- or 18-year-old. I didn’t want someone too muscular or too conventionally attractive.
Black eyes and short black hair.
"This looks like Kirito or a typical anime teen. Not exactly my favorite look, but it probably won’t draw attention."
Then I changed his voice.
"A slightly deep voice—something that doesn’t quite match the face. That could be the distinguishing feature."
With everything done, I dismissed the three clones and took control of one of the clones inside the dungeon. I chose Zoro’s body.
Using it, I summoned the three clones again and switched to clone 16’s body.
Zoro was surprised when we appeared out of nowhere.
"It’s me, Zoro. Sorry for the sudden entrance."
"Master?"
"Yes, that’s right. I left my real body at home—I’ll be using this one from now on. I need to be on the frontlines to deal with everything going on." I want to find who killed the Loki Familia members.
If I find them and hand them over, maybe the Loki Familia will leave us alone.
Or... maybe not.
I just don’t want those murders pinned on me. I did order my clones to kill those four people earlier, but no one cared about that.
But how am I going to find the culprits?
The best way is probably through my clones.
"You three—start searching for any suspicious individuals wearing masks. Report back to me. Focus between the 4th and 5th floors."
I gave the order to Geralt, Reinhard, and Zoro.
They nodded and vanished.
Then I gave the same command to all other clones.
"Now I need to meet the Loki Familia members. They’re probably already inside the dungeon, right?"
I’m not going to tell them I’m a clone—I just want to get close while the clones search. Being near the “enemy” without being discovered? Priceless.
####
I started climbing the dungeon floors while my clones searched. They found several masked individuals, but none seemed suspicious.
The real problem is... what exactly qualifies as a suspicious person?
Does simply wearing a mask make someone suspicious? (yes)
But I also imagined the killers might not usually wear masks, only putting them on when committing the murders.
They're probably just people who are taking advantage of the fact that wearing masks has become commonplace to live out their twisted fantasies.
Finding them won’t be easy.
'To all of you. Whenever you find someone masked, question them. Don’t attack—just ask questions. I’m sure a murderer won’t enjoy being interrogated.'
Eventually, I reached the first floor of the dungeon.
And there, I was caught off guard by a short, blonde-haired man. He looked like a child, but wasn’t one.
Finn...
That was Finn Deimne, captain of the Loki Familia.
Behind him was a group, including Ais’s team.
Finn saw me and looked straight into my eyes. Because of his childlike appearance, I didn’t feel intimidated, even though he was incredibly powerful. I glanced at the spear—way bigger than him—and nearly laughed.
I turned to leave, but then heard Finn’s voice.
"Hey, you. You don’t have a falna. What are you doing here? Aren’t you a bit young? It’s dangerous."
I froze.
Of course, he noticed I didn’t have a falna.
Thankfully, he seemed to think I was just a clueless kid.
"I’m sorry. I heard murders were happening in the dungeon, and I came to look for my brother. He’s been inside for almost a day now... But I got too scared to keep going."
"Your brother? What Familia is he in?"
"Dellingr Familia."
"Dellingr?" I used the name of a Minor Familia, so Finn had no way of knowing whether I was lying. "Even if you’re worried, you can’t be here without a falna. You’ll die in seconds. I’m sorry, but you have to leave."
Despite his appearance, his words carried authority.
What do I do now?
If I ask to join his group, he’ll refuse.
"Alright. If you see someone who looks a lot like me, just a bit taller—please help him." I said, with eyes full of tears.
As I walked out of the dungeon, I made sure to memorize the faces of everyone in Finn’s party.
With a small smile forming on my lips, I left the dungeon.
Comments
Layfon
Thanks for the Chapter
igor Caetano
hehe
asdo
hmmm only flaw in his disguise would be dieties like freya who can see his soul and know who he really is
