After the system message appeared before my eyes, I stopped staring at the tower and turned to talk to the girl. However, she had already disappeared. I sighed and looked around.
People were still staring at me.
I left the area as quickly as possible and headed to a secluded spot to take a look at the system. I reached an alleyway between two houses—a vacant alleyway, a bit dirtier than I expected.
"Alright, what's this about? Can I make clones?"
Since the name is "Clone System," it's related to creating clones.
Then, another translucent system message appeared.
[ Clones: 0/1 ]
Rank: G
[ The user can only create clones weaker than him. ]
[ Everything the clone acquires will be transferred to the user. ]
[ You can evolve your clones. ]
[ Warning! A weak clone can be easily destroyed! ]
I read all the system messages and immediately understood how it worked. It's not hard to grasp. "I can only create one clone for now... A clone weaker than me. But how strong am I?"
Then, a new system message appeared.
Name: Zane
Level: 1
Rank: G
Clones: 0/1
Strength: 5
Endurance: 5
Agility: 5
Dexterity: 5
Magic: 5
"Hmmm... Depressing. Five points in each? That should be a crime! You can't just throw someone into another world and give them pathetic stats like this."
If I'm already this weak, imagine a clone. There's no way something like that could be useful!
Tsk!
I clicked my tongue and closed the status screen.
"At least this makes it clear I don't need a Falna to grow stronger. I'm not forced to join a Familia right now." But joining one would help me get a weapon or armor.
At the moment, I have nothing.
I have no money.
It was then that another system message appeared.
[ All of the user's money has been transferred. ]
[ You received 5,656,522 Vanis. ]
[ The money has been added to your inventory! ]
"Oh? I received all the money I had saved in the bank. Plus, I have an inventory! This system is getting me more excited by the minute. This way, exploring the dungeon will be a breeze."
Feeling excited, I took a deep breath and decided to use my unique ability.
"I wonder if the clone will look identical to me or if I can change its appearance. If I walk around with multiple identical clones, I could cause some serious confusion." I glanced around to make sure no one was nearby and activated my ability.
I didn't need to chant like a chuuni; I simply thought about the ability, and it was activated.
I also tried to think of things like, "I want the clone to look like this, change that, and so on."
But in the end, I received a system message that said:
[ Rank too low. ]
So, I need to raise my rank. But how? Besides the rank, I also have a level! How does that work? Will my rank increase as my level rises?
I'm not sure.
"The rank will probably increase as I use clones."
Finally, I created my first clone.
As soon as the ability was activated, the clone simply emerged.
From the ground, a strange, grotesque mass appeared, slowly growing and taking shape. I admit it wasn't a pleasant scene to watch. Once the clone was ready, its status appeared before my eyes.
Unlike me, it had no name, level, or rank. It only had basic stats.
"Just as I expected..."
Strength: 2.5
Endurance: 2.5
Agility: 2.5
Dexterity: 2.5
Magic: 2.5
"What crappy stats. It's really weaker than me. And on top of that, it looks like an idiot. It's identical to me, but it has a much lower IQ."
"Can you speak?"
After my question, the clone just tilted its head.
So, I decided to run a test.
I kicked it with all my strength right between the legs. When my foot hit, the clone didn't groan in pain or anything; it just collapsed and dissolved a few seconds later.
[ Your clone has been destroyed! ]
"There's no cooldown?? I can create another clone right away? That's good."
Without a penalty, I can make new clones whenever one is destroyed.
"I'm sure creating a clone uses magic or something. I'd better not overdo it."
Once again, I opened my status screen and noticed something odd.
"Agility, dexterity... Aren't they the same thing?"
Then, the system explained.
Agility increases the speed of my movements, while dexterity improves the precision of my movements. Additionally, with high dexterity, I can handle weapons like bows more efficiently.
"Interesting. But what matters right now is increasing my strength, agility, and magic. Endurance is important too. I want the clones to be more durable. Speaking of which, the system said I can evolve my clones, but I haven't tested that yet."
I need to test it.
When I was about to create another clone, someone entered the alleyway.
"Mom, look, a junkie."
"Son, don't say that!"
The mother pulled her son away from the alley, and I was left speechless.
"I should probably get out of here."
Feeling extremely offended, I left the alley and went in search of a place to stay. Since the system transferred my money, I shouldn't have trouble paying for an inn for a few days.