I kept staring at Finn and remained silent. What should I do? Should I try to act as normal as possible? But what will happen when he finds out I don't have a falna? I shouldn't even be inside the Dungeon.
Security in the Dungeon is very different from the original story.
Normally, they check whether you're registered as an adventurer, but in this version of the world I can enter the Dungeon easily. Maybe it was a change made by God, since I have my own system and don't need a falna.
But regardless, someone without a falna shouldn't be inside the Dungeon.
If a person without a falna is discovered inside the Dungeon, they're expelled immediately—basically for their own protection. At least, that's what one of my clones read in a book about the Dungeon.
"Something wrong?" Finn asked, looking at me suspiciously.
"Why is Loki looking for me?"
"She didn't tell me. She just told me to find you and deliver a message." Finn smiled.
"You're lying," I said. I can tell that's not all there is to it.
"You got me." He chuckled and continued. "She told me to investigate you a little, but since I couldn't find anything interesting about you, I decided to contact you directly. Where's your brother?"
Hearing his question, I almost laughed. But I held it in.
They really think I have a twin brother.
I wonder what they'd think if they saw three of us together. Would they assume we're triplets?
"My brother isn't here right now. We're exploring different floors."
"Hm? Why? Wouldn't it be better to stick together and explore the middle floors? You're Level Two, right?"
I don't know exactly how my level compares to Danmachi's system, but I answered anyway. "Yes, Level Two." I gave a bitter smile.
Still looking suspicious, Finn said, "Now, the message from Goddess Loki. She wants to meet both of you. If you'd like, you can come with me now. If not, you can visit the Loki Familia's home another day."
"Go there now? But my brother isn't here." I shrugged. "Can we do it another day?"
"Do you need your god's permission to meet Loki?"
Hearing that, I smiled and replied, "Yes, yes, something like that."
"Hmmm… By the way, which Familia are you part of?"
At that question, I didn't know what to say.
This is getting complicated.
If I claim to belong to a large Familia, he'll definitely know I'm lying. But I don't know any small Familia I could use as cover.
"You don't want to say? That's fine." Finn smiled and then turned away.
"…" I stayed silent as I watched him walk off.
"I've done my job. Don't forget to pay our Familia a visit."
"Sure. I will."
I definitely won't go there in person. My clones will have to handle that.
But seriously, why is Loki interested in me?
Was that guy I killed a member of the Loki Familia? I didn't check which Familia they belonged to—maybe that's the case. Is she looking for revenge? No… Finn didn't seem angry at me or anything like that.
He looked genuinely interested in me, even though he said he was in a hurry.
What a headache. I didn't want to get involved with any Familia this early. Especially one that strong.
Well, I expected something like this to happen eventually.
I just didn't think it would be so soon.
How long has it been since I ended up in this world? Not even a month, probably.
But it's surprising that rumors about my clones haven't started spreading yet. Once I have more clones, those rumors will probably become very common.
Unless I can somehow change my clones' appearances.
####
After my encounter with Finn, I gave up on leaving the Dungeon and continued hunting on the 12th floor to reach Level 10 as quickly as possible. I had a feeling that once I reached Level 10, my strength would increase significantly.
Speaking of levels, I said I wouldn't distribute the points I had available before reaching Level 10—and I kept that promise.
Name: Zane
Level: 9 (EXP: 147,410 / 150,000)
Clones: 2/2
Strength: 64
Endurance: 48
Agility: 72
Dexterity: 47
Magic: 28
Points: 40
Skills:
Clones EX
Knife Combat LV8
Movement Acceleration LV6
Strength Enhancement LV5
Fire Magic LV1
And I kept my promise not to distribute my points until I reached Level 10.
After some time, I finally reached Level 10.
[ You have reached Level 10 ]
[ You have acquired the skill "Appearance EX" ]
[ You have acquired the skill "Telepathy EX" ]
"Finally…" I sighed in relief as I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. After leveling up, not only did my stats increase by one point and I receive 10 points, but I also gained some interesting new skills.
[ Appearance EX ]
[ Allows the user to freely alter their own appearance and the appearance of their clones ]
[ Telepathy EX ]
[ Allows the user to communicate telepathically with their clones, regardless of distance ]
[ Does not allow the user to communicate with anyone else ]
"I see, so Telepathy only works with my clones. That's great for keeping everyone under control."
But to be honest, the biggest change was this:
Clones: 2/4
The number of clones I can summon has doubled. Now I can keep four clones hunting inside the Dungeon. And with the "Appearance EX" skill, I can change all of their appearances.
But I won't change all of them.
I want to maintain this "twin brothers" facade for a little while longer.
I let out a sigh and decided to leave the Dungeon. 'I'm too tired right now.'
I summoned the other two clones and told them to explore the Dungeon as they wished—but to stay away from each other and from the other clones.
Then I began making my way toward the Dungeon's exit.
What should I do about that? Should I really go to the Loki Familia's house?
As I climbed the floors back to the surface, I made up my mind.
'I'll go.'
####
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Next Chapters: Chapter 19 - Encounter with Loki. / Chapter 20 - Why don't you join our Familia? / Chapter 21 - I want to take Freya to my bed. / Chapter 22 - Bell. / Chapter 23 - Twin brothers meet Loki. / Chapter 24 - Bonus for joining a Familia. / Chapter 25 - Hestia.