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5.33% Dual levelling: I level up with my clones / Chapter 12: Strengthening my ability

Chapter 12: Strengthening my ability

As the hunting team made their way back, the male Hunter who had stabbed Lee Seung earlier walked closest to him, his lips curling into a smug smirk.

His voice dripped with sarcasm as he remarked, "So what if you heal fast?" He shoved his hands into his pockets and added dismissively, "It's not like you can lay a hand on me. I'm a—"

Before he could finish, Seung vanished from his sight, reappearing in an instant behind him. The cold edge of a dagger brushed against the Hunter's throat, causing him to freeze.

"I can't?" Seung's voice was a low, controlled whisper in the man's ear. "If you're so sure, I can grant your wish right now."

The Hunter's bravado crumbled, his smirk faltering as he felt the deadly steel. The arrogance of belittling Seung for being an F-rank seemed foolish now, especially with his life hanging by a thread. Seung's grip tightened for a heartbeat longer before he stepped back, dropping the dagger. Without another word, he turned and headed towards the exit, the tension still thrumming in the air.

As he walked away, the weight of his decision pressed on him. The screen had saved his life, but the thought of killing another human being gnawed at him. He wasn't a Hunter to shed blood senselessly. He had bigger reasons, better reasons, and that's what he intended to hold on to.

"Who does this guy think he is?" one of the E-rank Hunters mumbled, barely loud enough to be heard.

"Just an F-rank, right?" another added, though their earlier confidence seemed shaken.

"Hey!" the team leader's voice cut through the murmurs, commanding Seung to stop in his tracks. He turned slowly, meeting the leader's stern gaze. "What happened today is part of what you'll face as a Hunter. Greater challenges are coming your way."

Seung's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "I'll handle those myself."

He turned back, this time not stopping until he reached the main entrance of the F-rank dungeon. Waiting for him were Mr. Choi and his clone. The three of them climbed into the car and left without another word. The drive was brief, the city lights blurring past, and soon they arrived at Seung's apartment.

"Good work today, Mr. Lee," Mr. Choi said as they stepped out of the vehicle. "I've wired you your portion of the profit."

"Oh, thanks," Seung replied, somewhat distracted. After a pause, he added, "By the way, I'm moving to another apartment tomorrow. I won't be able to hunt."

"That's fine. Just give me a call when you're ready to get back out there," Mr. Choi said with a wide grin. "Take care."

"Yeah, you too," Seung said, waving as the Range Rover drove off.

Inside the apartment, Seung collapsed onto the white sofa, utterly drained. His clone followed suit, lying down beside him. Seung glanced over and chuckled at the sight. "You need a nap too, huh?"

The clone responded with a loud snore, causing Seung to laugh softly. He then shifted over to make room.

Eventually, Seung rose from the sofa and wandered over to the edge of his bed. His mind drifted to the thought of his stats. After the battles and training he'd endured, he was curious to see how much stronger he had become. With a flicker of anticipation, he summoned the screen.

[User: Lee Seung]

[Stats]

[Strength: 0.62*1.62]

[Reflex: 0.51*1.51]

[Mana content: 2.53*3.53]

[Endurance: 0.56*1.56]

[Stamina: 0.51*1.51]

His eyes widened in surprise. "All my stats have increased by one! No wonder I've felt stronger recently." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, wondering just how close he was to leveling up. "Can't be far now, right?"

As if reading his thoughts, the screen suddenly shifted, revealing an icon he hadn't seen before. The words flashed across his vision:

[Subject has reached the requirements to level... up.]

[Congratulations, you have leveled up.]

[Bonus rewards have been granted.]

[All stats have increased by 0.5 points.]

Seung's heart leaped with excitement. When he first awakened his ability, he had underestimated the screen's power. But now, he realized just how serious it was about making him stronger.

[Your cloning ability has been strengthened. Please summon your second clone.]

A grin spread across his face as he moved to the center of the room. "Emerge!" he commanded.

Blue flames erupted around him, licking at the air as his hair billowed in the breeze. His feet hovered just above the ground, and then, with a surge of mana, the flames coalesced a few meters away from him. When the light faded, another clone stood before him.

Seung opened his eyes, filled with a mix of awe and satisfaction. "Welcome home, second. I look forward to seeing how well you perform."

"Thank you, master," the new clone responded, its voice steady and clear.

Seung tossed the clone a set of clothes, and once it was dressed, he said, "The first is tired, so let's see what you've got. Follow me to the gym."

"Yes, master."

A short while later, they arrived at the gym. The manager greeted them warmly, though he noticed Seung seemed different today. The usual naveity in his eyes was replaced with something more focused, more determined.

"Second, go lift that barbell," Seung instructed, his eyes never leaving the clone as it approached the weights. He watched intently, noting every movement. His mind raced, 'I need to know if my clones' power decreases with each new one, or if it's the opposite. If it increases, I'll need to work even harder to create a third.'

The clone gripped the 400-pound barbell and, with a grunt, managed to lift it slightly higher than the first clone had. Seung nodded, his suspicions confirmed. "This means I've got a lot of work ahead."

"Hey, we are done for today. Let's go," Seung said to his clone.

The manager, who was initially making some records, glanced at Seung when he heard what he said.

"Done already?" the gym manager asked, surprised. "That's not like you."

Seung rubbed the back of his neck, offering a sheepish smile. "I've got something I need to take care of."

"Alright, see you around, mister," the manager said, smiling widely.

"Yeah, take care," Seung replied, heading out with his clone.

Meanwhile, back at Seung's apartment, a knock sounded at the door. Mr. Song stood outside, holding a food warmer. "Lee Seung, are you in there?" he called out.

The door creaked open, and Mr. Song stepped inside, making his way to the dining table. "I noticed you haven't had a decent meal in a while, so I brought you some food," he said, placing the warmer down. "Come eat."

The clone, sitting at the table, stared at the food with wide eyes. It didn't hesitate, grabbing the spoon and digging in like it hadn't eaten in days.

"Thanks for the food!" the clone mumbled between bites.

Mr. Song watched in mild surprise. "What's gotten into Seung? Is he that hungry?" he wondered aloud. After a moment, he decided to leave, mentioning his shop as he headed out. But the clone barely acknowledged him, too focused on the meal.

As Mr. Song descended the stairs, he froze at the sight that greeted him. His eyes widened in disbelief, mouth hanging open. There, just entering the building, was another Lee Seung.

Seung stopped, realizing immediately what had happened. 'Oh God, he's seen my clone!'


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Kutley Kutley

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Chapter 13: E-rank Monster (1)

Seung's heart skipped a beat.

'Oh God, he's seen my clone!' Seung's thoughts spiraled, his gaze locking onto Mr. Song. His mouth hung open, caught between panic and disbelief.

The old man, however, seemed unfazed. His eyes darted between Seung and the apartment, as if trying to piece together a puzzle that had suddenly come to life.

Mr. Song's furrowed brows and narrowed eyes betrayed his confusion. Was he comparing Seung to someone else he thought he saw inside?

The tension thickened as Seung, Mr. Song, and the masked clone walked into the apartment. Once inside, Seung seated himself on the floor, flanked by his two clones. Mr. Song sat across from them on the white sofa, his body rigid with unease.

"Second, take off your mask," Seung ordered the newest clone, his voice steady but his mind racing. As the mask came off, revealing an identical copy of Seung, Mr. Song's eyes widened. The old man's face paled, his jaw dropping as he gaped at the three Seungs before him.

"Wha-what in the world is this, Seung? Wh...where did these people come from?" Mr. Song's voice trembled, each word drenched in disbelief.

Seung inhaled deeply, steeling himself. He knew he had to come clean, but the words felt heavy on his tongue.

"They're my clones," he confessed, his tone frank but softening to ease the shock. "I went to the awakening company and activated a cloning ability. It's not illegal, you know that. I use my ability safely… in the bodyguarding field."

"Oh," Mr. Song exhaled a shaky breath, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Your secret to getting this apartment… it's through that job?"

"Yes," Seung nodded. "I've already secured it."

Seung then turned to his first clone, the one with a slight tilt to his head that always made him stand out. "First, take Second to the gym. I'll call you later on the phone I got you."

"Yes, sir," the clone replied, his tone as respectful as ever. The two of them left the apartment, their synchronized steps echoing through the stairs. Mr. Song watched them go, still awestruck by how human they seemed.

When they were alone, Seung faced Mr. Song again, this time with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry," he said, his voice gentle. "Even if the bodyguarding job gets dangerous, my clones will be there to protect me. That's why they exist."

A moment of silence passed before Mr. Song's expression softened into a smile. Relief washed over his face like a tide finally pulling back. "I'd like to accompany you to your new apartment. You must be moving tomorrow."

"Yes," Seung confirmed.

"No qualms," Mr. Song said, nodding. "Christmas is next week, and my granddaughter's coming home. Can you join us?"

Seung's heart tightened at the mention of Christmas. He forced a smile, though it barely reached his eyes. "Yes, of course. Christmas is… great, after all."

But his eyes betrayed him, turning a shade of red that didn't go unnoticed by Mr. Song.

---

Elsewhere, at Dongwon Guild, the imposing structure loomed over the city. Mr. Choi's car slid into the parking lot, the engine's hum the only sound as he exited and walked briskly inside. The building's cold, sterile interior contrasted sharply with the tension simmering in his chest.

He pushed open the door to the evaluation department, greeted by a flurry of half-hearted salutations.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Minho," a young woman with spectacles muttered, her eyes glued to her laptop screen.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Choi," echoed the chorus of others, their voices blending into the background noise.

"Afternoon, everyone. Keep up the good work," Mr. Choi replied, his tone curt as he made his way to the front of a particular desk.

Seated there was a man with curly brown hair and piercing crimson eyes. His nameplate read 'Department Head - Kang Wonsik', and his muscular frame filled the chair that had become his throne for the past five years.

"Oh, look who finally decided to show up," Kang Wonsik sneered, his lips curling into a smirk. "It took you long enough to remember you had no choice but to heed my summon."

Mr. Choi's jaw tightened. He wasn't in the mood for Wonsik's antics. "See who hasn't been promoted, stuck in the same chair for five years," he shot back, his voice cold. "Now, why did you call me?"

Kang Wonsik's smirk didn't falter. He reached into a drawer, pulling out a document and tossing it across the desk. "Read it."

Mr. Choi's hands trembled as he unfolded the paper. His eyes scanned the text, and a wave of anger surged through him. 'Rejoin the guild or… repay the loan in a week?' The absurdity of it all made his blood boil.

Wonsik's voice dripped with mockery. "The Guild has left you no choice. You can't possibly repay the loan in a week, especially when your own guild isn't even earning a penny."

A bitter laugh escaped Wonsik's lips, each sound a dagger in Mr. Choi's pride.

'Never.' Mr. Choi's thoughts seethed with defiance. 'I swore five years ago never to return here, and I'm not breaking that promise now.' With a burst of fury, he crumpled the document and tossed it aside.

"What?! How dare you..." Kang Wonsik shot up from his chair, but Mr. Choi's glare froze him in place.

"Listen, Kang Wonsik," Mr. Choi hissed, his voice low but lethal. "I know the Guild is on the brink of collapse because of the hunter shortage. And yes, I'm damn good at persuading novices to join. But I'll never help this place. Not after what Dongwon Guild did to me."

With that, Mr. Choi turned on his heel and stormed out, leaving a room full of stunned onlookers in his wake.

"What got him so angry?"

"I've never seen him like that before," murmured a few staff members.

"Shut up, you idiots!" Wonsik bellowed, slamming his fist on the desk. Silence fell, but the tension in the air was palpable. "Aish, that good-for-nothing bastard," he spat under his breath.

---

Mr. Choi practically flew into his car, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His teeth ground together as he fought to keep his emotions in check. His phone buzzed, the sound cutting through the haze of anger clouding his mind.

Ding… ding… ding…

He glanced at the screen. Mister Lee.

'Why is he calling me now?' Mr. Choi wondered, his curiosity piqued as he answered. "I'm surprised to see your call, Mr. Lee."

Seung's voice came through, light but with an undercurrent of urgency. "Haha, I know, it's unexpected. I wanted to ask if you're free right now. I need to inquire about a treasure found in monsters."

Mr. Choi's brow furrowed, curiosity replacing some of his earlier anger. "What treasure are you talking about?"

"The Jar of Life," Seung replied, his tone dead serious.

Mr. Choi's breath hitched. The significance of that treasure wasn't lost on him. "Okay, I'll come pick you up at your apartment."

"Thanks. I'll be waiting," Seung said before the call ended.

As Mr. Choi drove towards Seung's place, his mind raced with thoughts of the Jar of Life. But as he neared the Central Train Station, something caught his eye that made his blood run cold.

A massive portal had torn open near the station, and from it emerged a towering monster, its grotesque form crashing through the glass structure with a sickening crunch.

Crash!

Screams erupted as people fled in terror, the chaos intensifying with every second. Security guards scrambled to form a line ten meters away, their guns trained on the beast.

"Everyone, run! Get into the train and lock the doors!" one of the guards shouted, his voice barely audible over the panic.

Mr. Choi slammed on the brakes, his car screeching to a halt five meters from the station. He fumbled for his phone, his fingers shaking as he dialed Seung's number.

"Wh..." Seung's voice started on the other end.

"Get to Central Train Station right now, Mr. Lee!" Mr. Choi's voice was frantic, his eyes locked on the monster tearing through the station. "A monster has escaped from a portal!"

On the other end, Seung's heart pounded as he sprang off the sofa, shouting, "Leave the food, guys! Let's go!"

His clones were already on their feet, racing after him as they bolted down the stairs. Seung's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as he barked orders. "Mr. Choi, check if there's a screen on the monster. We need to know what we're dealing with."

Mr. Choi didn't hesitate. He sprinted towards the station, even as the monster raised its claws high in the air, poised to strike. His breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn't slow down. He had to get closer, had to see what they were up against.

"I'll take a screenshot and send it to you," he panted, snapping a photo with his phone and sending it to Seung.

Ding!

The image appeared on Seung's phone just as he burst out of the apartment building. He skidded to a stop, his clones flanking him as they studied the picture.

It was a massive beast, easily towering over the tallest buildings in the area. Its skin was a sickly green, covered in scales that glinted menacingly under the harsh lights. Its eyes were pits of darkness, staring out with a hunger that sent chills down Seung's spine.

But it was the usual red screen over its head that made Seung's blood freeze in his veins.

E-Rank Monster: Collosal Mirefiend

At the moment the monster was about to deliver a blow to the security guards, Mr. Choi shouted, diverting its attention to him. "Hey, silly monster! Come face me!" His voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding.

Lee Seung's heart raced as those words echoed in his ears. Mr. Choi had just called for death. Panic surged through him, and he shouted, "No… no, Mr. Choi! What did you do?!" The desperation in his voice was unmistakable.

Before ending the call, Mr. Choi's voice softened, carrying a weight of finality. "I called for death. That means you must come quickly to save me and the people. You're a Hunter, Mr. Lee."


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Kutley Kutley

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