As I stepped onto the third floor, a chime echoed in my mind, followed by the glowing appearance of a system notification.
Quest Name: Doppelganger
Floor: 3
Objective: Beat your doppelganger
Reward: A class
My eyes lingered on the word that stood out most: class. It wasn't just any reward; it was the reward. That single term had been a source of quiet frustration and endless curiosity since the moment I first accessed my status. Every time I brought it up, there it was: Class: None. A stark reminder of something I didn't yet have, something I couldn't yet understand.
What was a class? The system offered no explanations, and with no one else around to guide me, I'd been left to my own speculations. Did it grant new abilities? Unlock hidden potential? Change my very identity? The unknown had gnawed at me, an itch I couldn't scratch. And now, finally, the answer seemed within reach.
But the name of the quest was unsettling: Doppelganger. The objective was clear—defeat a version of myself. My heartbeat quickened as the implications settled in. What exactly would I be facing? A perfect copy of my skills and strengths? A reflection of my weaknesses? Or something worse—an embodiment of the doubts and fears I tried so hard to suppress?
The third floor loomed ahead, shrouded in shadows and a faint sense of unease. This wasn't just another fight. It was personal. To beat my doppelganger, I would have to confront more than just an opponent. I would have to confront myself.
And yet, beneath the anxiety, a spark of determination ignited. This was my chance. My chance to claim something I'd been missing, to finally understand what the system had in store for me. Whatever awaited on this floor—whatever version of me I'd have to face—I would win. Because losing wasn't an option. Not when the reward was a step closer to becoming the person I was meant to be.
After finishing my inspection of the quest, I finally took in my surroundings I was in an enormous cave, so vast that the walls and ceiling were barely visible, shrouded in a dim, almost oppressive light. The air was thick with an unshakable sense of anticipation.
It was then that I noticed a figure on the far side of the cavern, sprinting toward me at full speed. As they closed the distance, my breath caught in my throat. The figure looked exactly like me. Every detail--the hair, the stance, the weapon in hand-was identical. It was like staring into a mirror, but one that moved of its own accord.
This was my doppelganger.
The system's instructions were clear: 1 had to defeat them to pass. Gripping my sword tightly, I dashed forward to meet my opponent, determination outweighing my unease
Our blades clashed in a burst of sparks as steel met steel. The sound echoed through the cavern, filling the silence. I aimed a swift strike toward my doppelganger's neck, but the blade glanced off their skin with a metallic clang. Stone Skin. My [Stone Skin] skill.
The realization hit me like a cold wave: they didn't just look like me-they had my skills and, likely, my stats. Every ability I relied on to survive, they could use against me
Before I could process the implications their foot lashed out in a sharp kick aimed at my stomach. Reacting on instinct, I jumped back, narrowly avoiding the blow. My boots skidded against the uneven ground as I regained my footing, trying to steady my breathing and calm my racing thoughts.
This wasn't just a fight against an opponent; it was a fight against myself Every strength I had, every strategy - might use, they already knew. If I wanted to win, I couldn't rely on brute force alone. I would have to outthink them, exploit any weakness-if they had one.
For now, all I could do was hold my ground and stay one step ahead.
Not knowing how to handle an enemy who seemed to mirror me perfectly, I decided to keep my distance, dodging and retreating as I bought myself time to think. With every strike they launched, I evaded just in time, but I couldn't keep this up forever. My mind raced for a solution
Then, an idea struck me. If they mirrored my actions, what would happen if did the exact opposite of what I'd usually do? If they were truly copying me, breaking my own patterns might disrupt theirs.
With my new plan in mind, I stopped retreating and dashed forward, closing the gap between us. My sword swung up as if to strike, but at the last second I shifted my weight, pivoting to deliver a solid kick straight to their chest. The blow landed perfectly, and they were sent flying backward, tumbling across the ground before coming to a stop
A flicker of satisfaction ran through me as I saw them sprawled on the floor. Not wasting a moment, I surged forward, my blade aimed for their head, hoping to capitalize on the opening
But just as my sword descended, theirs met it in a sharp clash, deflecting the strike. In one fluid motion, their sword shifted direction, speeding toward my head. I moved to dodge, but instead of the blade connecting, their attack abruptly stopped. Before I could react, their foot lashed out, sweeping my legs out from under me
The world spun as I flipped through the air, landing hard, headfirst, against the unyielding ground. Pain flared in my skull, but the shock of what had just happened hurt more.
Lying there, staring at the rough surface beneath me, one thought echoed in my mind: They had done exactly what I did.
If my doppelganger was mirroring my unpredictability, then this fight wasn't just physical-it was mental. Every strategy I thought up, they would counter with a perfect replica. If I wanted to win, I needed to think beyond instinct and beyond what they could anticipate.
But how?