Inside the dungeon, shadows flickered along the stone walls as Ryo faced the aftermath of yet another successful clear. His lone clone stood beside him, arms crossed, tapping its foot impatiently.
Clone: (mocking) "Congratulations, Ryo. Another dungeon down. Another day of glorious mediocrity."
Ryo: (rolling his eyes) "You know, for a clone, you've got a pretty big mouth."
Clone: "I am you, remember? Just without the social filter."
Ryo smirked and leaned against a moss-covered wall, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Ryo: "So, remind me again why you think making a hundred clones to swarm this place is a good idea?"
Clone: (grinning) "Strength in numbers, genius. If I had this skill, I'd flood the dungeon with clones, send them all charging in like cannon fodder."
Ryo: (laughs) "And that's exactly why I'm glad you don't have the skill. Besides, I'm not turning this place into a clone carnival."
Clone: (dramatic) "Oh, but think of the spectacle! A hundred Ryo's all screaming in unison, 'We're average but persistent!'"
Ryo: (deadpan) "Yeah, sounds like a nightmare."
Clone: "You're no fun. You know, I get why you play the 'average guy' act. Keeps expectations low. But let's not kid ourselves. You're not weak."
Ryo's eyes flickered with something unreadable—something heavy.
Ryo: (quietly) "It's easier this way."
The clone sighed, the light-hearted tone dropping.
Clone: "I know. But you can't hide from the past forever."
Ryo: (snapping) "Enough."
Silence hung between them, thick with unspoken words. Then, with a wave, Ryo dismissed the clone, leaving only his own shadow.
---
Outside the dungeon, the usual crowd gathered—low-level Runners, vendors, and curious bystanders.
Bystander 1: "Did you see him clear that dungeon? Looks like he barely broke a sweat."
Bystander 2: "Ryo? Nah, that guy's nothing special. Just lucky."
Bystander 3: "You kidding? He used to be... different. Stronger. I heard he—"
Bystander 2: "Shh! He's coming."
Ryo walked past, pretending not to hear. His eyes focused straight ahead, but his mind replayed their words.
Ryo: (thinking) They don't know. And that's fine.
---
At the Dungeon Runner Office, a stern-looking official approached him, clipboard in hand.
Official: "Ryo. Good work, as usual."
Ryo: (shrugging) "Just doing my job."
Official: "You know, with your skills, you could apply for higher-level dungeons. Bigger pay. Better recognition."
Ryo: "I'm good, thanks."
The official's eyes narrowed.
Official: "Why? You weren't always... like this."
Ryo's jaw tightened.
Ryo: "People change."
Official: (sighs) "Look, I get it. But you're wasting your potential. We could use someone like you."
Ryo: (forcing a smile) "Appreciate the concern. Really. But I prefer low stakes. Less... complicated."
The official watched him for a moment before walking away, muttering under his breath.
Official: "You can't hide forever, Ryo."
---
As Ryo walked through the city, the conversations echoed in his head. He passed bystanders who whispered and pointed, old colleagues who watched him with pity or curiosity. He knew what they saw: an average guy, wasting away his potential.
He reached his apartment building, climbed the narrow stairs, and paused at his door.
Ryo: (whispering) "Average is safe. Average is enough."
He opened the door.
But instead of his familiar, cluttered apartment, he stepped into... somewhere else.
The air was thick, charged with energy. Towering trees stretched towards a sky that shimmered with colors he'd never seen. The ground pulsed beneath his feet.
Ryo: (stunned) "What the...?"
A distant roar echoed through the forest. Ryo's hand instinctively went to his weapon.
Ryo: (grinning, a spark of the old fire in his eyes) "Looks like 'average' just took a vacation."
To be continued...