The morning sun peeked through the half-open blinds of a small, cozy apartment. Sounds of bustling streets and distant monster roars echoed faintly. Our protagonist stretched lazily, letting out a yawn.

MC: (groaning) Another day, another dungeon... Or maybe just another breakfast.

He glanced at his reflection in the mirror: a 22-year-old guy, average height, messy hair, dark circles under his eyes.

MC: Yep, definitely not the hero type. Let's see, where do I start? Oh, right. Hi. My name's Ryo. Just your average guy living in a not-so-average world. You know, a world where monsters roam free, dungeons pop up like mushrooms, and people have these crazy abilities. Sounds exciting? Nah, trust me, it's overrated.

He pulled on a worn-out jacket and grabbed a protein bar.

MC: You see, dungeons started appearing about 20 years ago. No one knows why. One day, the sky split open, and BAM! Monsters. Chaos. Panic. People screaming. The usual. But then, people started getting powers—unique abilities that helped us fight back. Fast forward to now, and dungeons are just part of daily life. Monsters? Yeah, they're scary, but also... kinda boring.

Ryo opened the door to his tiny balcony, watching a neighbor walk their monster—a fluffy, oversized wolf with glowing eyes.

MC: Morning, Mrs. Lee! How's Fluffy?

Mrs. Lee: (cheerful) Oh, he's being a good boy today! No incinerating mailmen this time!

MC: (chuckling) Progress.

He sighed, leaning on the railing.

MC: Yeah, monsters are even pets now. Some people have abilities to tame them. Me? Not so lucky. My ability? Cloning. Sounds cool, right? Not really.

He created a small, translucent clone beside him. It mirrored his lazy posture.

MC Clone: (yawning) Could've at least made coffee.

MC: Look at this guy. Even my clone's a slacker. Thing is, my clones are only as strong as I am. They don't grow on their own. If I want them to be stronger, I have to get stronger. And let's just say... I'm not exactly top-tier.

He dismissed the clone with a wave.

MC: So, what do I do for a living? I'm a Dungeon Runner. Not a glamorous Hunter, no. I do maintenance work. Clearing out low-level threats, fixing protective barriers, that sort of thing. Keeps the lights on.

He grabbed his gear—a basic sword and a utility belt.

MC: My family? Small. Just me and my little sister. She's off at a special academy, training to be a top-tier Hunter. Unlike me, she's actually talented. Proud of her, though.

He headed out, walking through crowded streets. The city buzzed with life—street vendors selling monster meat, kids practicing their abilities, a giant slime bouncing down the road.

MC: (muttering) Just another day in the neighborhood.

Suddenly, a rival Hunter named Jin crossed his path, smirking.

Jin: Well, if it isn't Ryo the Replicator. Still fixing broken barriers?

MC: (forcing a smile) Morning to you too, Jin. I'd love to chat, but I have... checks fake watch ...absolutely no time.

Jin: Stay safe out there. Wouldn't want you to lose one of those clones.

MC: Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the concern.

Jin walked away, and Ryo rolled his eyes.

MC: Rivals. Can't live with them, can't push them into a dungeon trap. Anyway, where was I? Oh, right. Life here isn't too bad. Dangerous, sure. But at least it's familiar. Friends, rivals, monsters—everything has a place.

He reached the entrance to a small, low-level dungeon. A few other Runners were already there, chatting.

MC: (thinking) Yep, this is my life. Not glamorous. Not heroic. Just... ordinary. And you know what? I'm fine with that.

He took a deep breath and entered the dungeon. The air was thick with the scent of moss and something... growly.

MC: (whispering) Okay, Ryo. Stay calm. Stay focused. Remember: you're not weak. You're just... average. And that's okay.

A low growl echoed, and a small monster appeared—a two-headed wolf with glowing red eyes.

MC: (nervously) Hey, buddy. Nice... doggy?

The wolf charged. Ryo summoned a clone.

MC Clone: (panicking) Why do I always get the hard jobs?!

MC: We're the same person! Just do what I do!

Together, they fought the wolf, narrowly defeating it.

MC: (panting) See? Average. Totally manageable.

MC Clone: We make a great team... you know, when we're not dying.

MC: (sighs) Yeah. Life's good. Familiar. I've got my routine. My friends. My work. It's not perfect, but it's mine. And nothing's going to change that.

Little did he know, everything was about to change...