Jin Haru was nineteen years old. He lived in a small, messy room. The curtains were always closed. The lights were off. Only the glow of the monitor lit the room.
He hadn't left the house in three years.
Haru was a shut-in. A hikikomori.
He didn't like people. He didn't like noise. Most of all, he didn't like the outside world.
It was scary.
So every day, he stayed inside. He watched hunter videos online. Read tower strategy guides. Played games. Ate cup noodles. Sleep. That was his life.
The world had changed five years ago. A giant tower appeared in the middle of the world. Nobody knew where it came from. Monsters came out of it. People awakened powers. They became hunters and fought inside the tower.
Haru was interested.
No… he was obsessed.
He watched every raid video. Studied every monster. He knew every floor, every boss, every trick. If there was a Tower Exam, he would score perfect.
But Haru was weak. He was scared. He couldn't even open his front door without shaking.
"I wish I wasn't like this…" he whispered.
It was 3 a.m. He had just finished watching a video of an S-rank hunter fighting on Floor 30. The man used a lightning sword and killed a giant beast with one strike.
"So cool…" Haru muttered.
He leaned back in his chair.
"I want to be a hunter too…"
As soon as he said that—his screen turned black.
"…Huh?"
The room started to shake. A strange blue circle appeared on his screen.
[Awakening Detected.]
[You have awakened the skill: Body Double.]
"Wait… what!?"
The screen flashed.
Suddenly, Haru felt dizzy. He fell backward from his chair. Everything turned dark.
—
When he opened his eyes, he wasn't in his room.
He was standing… in a forest.
"What the hell…?"
He looked down. He was wearing different clothes. A plain black outfit. His body felt light. Strong.
He touched his face. It felt the same.
But this wasn't real.
[Body Double Activated.]
[Your real body is asleep.]
[This clone has 10% of your current stats. You can train, fight, and explore.]
[If the clone dies, your mind will return to your real body.]
"This is a dream, right?"
No. It felt real. Too real.
Then he heard it—growling.
A monster came out of the trees.
It was a small creature. Like a wolf made of shadows. Its eyes glowed red.
[Shadow Wolf – Level 2]
"Level 2? This is a low floor monster," Haru muttered. "I've seen these before in videos…"
But this time, he wasn't watching. He was the one in front of the monster.
His hands trembled.
"I-I don't have a weapon…"
The wolf growled and charged.
Haru screamed and ducked. The wolf missed, but only barely.
He ran.
He ran through the trees. The wolf chased him.
"This is not okay! I didn't ask for this! I just wanted to watch!"
But suddenly—his foot hit a rock.
He fell.
The wolf pounced.
In that moment, something clicked in his head.
"…Wait. This is just my clone."
Even if it died… he would wake up.
"…I won't die."
He clenched his teeth and rolled to the side. He grabbed a stick from the ground.
As the wolf jumped again, he jabbed the stick into its mouth.
CRACK!
The stick broke, but it stunned the wolf.
He kicked it, then grabbed a sharp rock and slashed its neck.
The wolf whined… and stopped moving.
He killed it.
[You have slain Shadow Wolf – Level 2.]
[+1 Strength]
[+1 Agility]
[Skill Shard detected.]
Then, another message popped up.
[Would you like to consume the monster's core?]
[Warning: Highly toxic. 99.9% of humans will die.]
"…I won't die. This is just a clone."
He took a deep breath.
And ate the core.
It was hot. It burned in his mouth. His body felt like it was on fire.
"Gaaahhh!"
He screamed.
His vision turned white.
Then—
[You have absorbed: Shadow Movement (Passive)]
[Your clone can now move silently in the dark.]
"…What?"
He looked at his hands. He could feel something new inside him. A shadowy energy.
"I… I got a skill from eating a monster core?"
He blinked.
"That's not normal. Normally, if you eat a monster core, you die."
He remembered a news article. A hunter tried to eat a monster core once. He died in seconds.
But Haru was okay.
Because it was his clone.
His real body was sleeping in his room, safe and sound.
A grin spread across his face.
"This is broken."
He stared into the trees. His fear slowly faded.
If he wasn't going to die… if he could eat monsters… if he could keep fighting like this…
"…Maybe I can become a hunter."
He walked deeper into the forest.
It was time to test his new power.
Haru walked slowly, still feeling the energy of the shadow skill inside him. His body felt… different. Like it belonged to a predator, not a scared boy.
He crouched behind a tree.
There was another Shadow Wolf ahead. This one was bigger.
[Shadow Wolf – Level 4]
It sniffed the ground, searching for prey.
"I should run…" Haru whispered.
But he didn't move.
His hand touched the ground without sound. His breath was silent. The wolf didn't notice him at all.
"…This is the power of Shadow Movement."
He moved closer. Step by step.
The wolf still didn't see him.
When he was close enough, he grabbed a thick stick from the ground. Slowly… carefully…
Crack!
He hit the back of the wolf's neck.
The beast yelped and turned. It clawed at him, cutting his arm.
Haru shouted in pain, but swung the stick again. And again.
The wolf fell.
Blood stained the ground.
Haru panted hard. His arms trembled. He wanted to throw up. The cut on his arm hurt badly.
But he smiled.
He had won.
[You have slain Shadow Wolf – Level 4.]
[+2 Strength]
[+1 Endurance]
[Monster Core acquired.]
Another message popped up.
[Consume monster core?]
"Yes," he said without thinking.
The same burning pain filled his mouth and chest. He bit down and screamed through it.
[You have absorbed: Keen Smell (Passive)]
[Your clone can now detect monsters from long distance.]
His nose tingled. He could smell the blood, the trees, even something far away—another monster.
"This is crazy… This is really crazy."
He wiped the sweat from his face. It felt like he just survived a war.
"But it's working."
He now had two monster powers. And stats were rising too.
Other hunters needed to train for months just to raise a single stat. Haru was getting stronger with every kill.
He sat down near a tree and opened the system menu.
---
[Clone Status]
Name: Jin Haru (Clone)
Level: 1
HP: 18/30
Stats:
Strength: 4
Agility: 5
Endurance: 3
Intelligence: 6
Skills:
Shadow Movement (Passive)
Keen Smell (Passive)
---
"This is like a game…"
He stared at the screen.
"But it's real."
He touched the cut on his arm. Blood was dripping slowly.
"Wait… if I die here, I go back to my body, right?"
He checked the system.
[If clone HP reaches 0, return to original body. Cooldown: 24 hours.]
"So I can only come back once a day."
That meant he had to be careful.
"I need healing."
He looked around.
Then he saw something.
A strange glowing plant near a rock.
He walked over and picked it up.
[Healing Herb – Low Grade]
[Restores 10 HP.]
He chewed it. The taste was bitter, but warm energy spread through his body.
HP: 28/30
"Nice…"
He stood up.
His eyes glowed slightly. The forest was still full of danger.
But he wasn't the same scared boy anymore.
He looked at his hands.
"So I can level up by killing monsters. I can eat them and gain powers. And even if I die… I wake up in my bed."
He clenched his fists.
"I can do this."
Suddenly, a loud roar echoed through the forest.
GRRAAAAAH!
The trees shook. Birds flew into the sky.
Haru froze.
A huge figure stepped out from behind the trees.
A black beast, over two meters tall, with sharp claws and glowing eyes.
[Shadow Bear – Level 10]
"…Oh no."
Haru took a step back. His legs were shaking.
"I can't fight that."
He turned and ran.
But the bear was faster.
BOOM!
The ground shook as it chased him.
"No no no no—!"
He ducked under a branch, jumped over a rock, and slid down a small hill.
The bear roared again and followed.
"Crap—!"
He tripped.
The bear was right behind him.
"This is it. I'm gonna die…"
But then he remembered.
"If I die… I just wake up."
Still, his heart was pounding. His hands trembled. It still felt real.
The bear raised its claws.
Haru closed his eyes.
SLASH!
The world turned white.
—
Haru's eyes opened.
He was back in his room.
Sweaty. Gasping. Alive.
[Clone has died. Time until next summon: 23:59:57]
"…So that's how it feels to die."
He sat up in bed.
His heart was beating like crazy.
"But…"
He smiled.
"I brought back the skills. And I leveled up."
He got up from bed and looked at the mirror. His real body was still skinny. Still pale.
But his eyes… were shining.
This was only the beginning.
"I'm going back tomorrow."
Haru sat in his room, holding a water bottle with both hands.
His fingers still trembled.
"That bear… was insane."
Even if it was just a clone, the fear he felt before death… it was real.
The pain. The panic. The sound of bones breaking.
Everything stayed in his mind.
But he didn't regret it.
"Two skills. Some stats. I even found healing herbs."
He looked at the system panel again. The clone was still on cooldown. About 22 hours left.
"Too long…"
He stood up and stretched. His body was weak. Thin arms. No muscles.
But inside his heart, something had changed.
For the first time in years…
He felt excited.
He sat in front of his computer and started typing.
Search: Shadow Bear weakness.
No result.
"Of course. That monster only exists in the Tower."
He sighed. But then he smiled.
"…That's fine. I'll learn everything myself."
He opened a notebook and started writing.
---
Monster Notes
Shadow Wolf (Lv 3-4): Fast. Weak in defense.
→ Weak Point: neck.
→ Drop: Monster Core (Shadow Movement, Keen Smell)
Shadow Bear (Lv 10): Huge. Slow but strong.
→ Danger Level: High
→ Strategy needed. Maybe traps?
---
He made a simple plan.
If he wanted to beat monsters above his level, he needed to fight smart.
"Next time… I'll use traps."
He searched more online.
Search: How to make traps in the forest
After an hour, he had learned about pitfall traps, snares, and tripwires.
"I can bring a rope and a small knife into the clone body."
The system beeped.
[Would you like to prepare inventory for next clone?]
[Items will be transferred to clone body.]
"Yes."
He added:
10 meters of rope
Small pocket knife
Dried bread
A bottle of water
His phone (just in case)
---
The next day arrived fast.
He couldn't sleep much. He was too excited.
[Clone Summon Available.]
[Start?]
Haru took a deep breath.
"Let's go."
---
His eyes opened.
Back in the forest.
Same place. Same smell.
But now, he was ready.
He moved carefully, climbing a tree.
From above, he could see everything better.
A small shadow moved below.
[Shadow Wolf – Level 4]
He waited.
When the wolf passed under his tree, Haru dropped.
WHAM!
The stick he had sharpened hit the back of the wolf's head.
[You have slain Shadow Wolf.]
[+2 Agility]
He wasted no time.
He ate the core.
[You have absorbed: Night Vision (Passive)]
His eyes turned dark for a moment. Then… the forest became brighter, even under the shade.
"I can see… even without light."
Another skill added to his growing list.
"Three monster powers now. I need more."
He set a trap using the rope and sticks.
A small pit, covered with leaves. He placed meat from the wolf's body inside to lure another beast.
Then he waited, hiding in the shadows.
Hours passed.
Finally, a sound.
A dark shape moved toward the trap.
A growl.
[Shadow Leopard – Level 7]
The leopard stepped forward—
SNAP!
The ground collapsed. The beast fell into the pit.
Haru ran over, threw sharp sticks into the hole.
The leopard roared, slashing wildly, but it couldn't climb up.
After a long fight… it died.
[You have slain Shadow Leopard – Level 7.]
[+4 Agility, +2 Strength]
[Monster Core Acquired]
[Consume?]
"Yes!"
The pain returned. But he endured it.
[You have absorbed: Shadow Blink (Active Skill)]
[You can teleport up to 5 meters in any direction. Cooldown: 30 seconds.]
Haru collapsed to his knees.
But he laughed.
"Hahaha…! I got an active skill!"
It was short distance, but useful in a fight. Even if the bear came again, he could dodge once.
The game was changing.
---
[Clone Status Updated]
Level: 3
HP: 35/35
Strength: 6
Agility: 11
Endurance: 4
Intelligence: 6
Skills:
Shadow Movement (Passive)
Keen Smell (Passive)
Night Vision (Passive)
Shadow Blink (Active – 30s CD)
---
Haru stood up.
He wasn't a weak shut-in anymore.
He wasn't just a scared boy hiding behind his computer.
"I'm… a hunter now."
He turned toward the deeper part of the forest.
Where stronger monsters waited.
But his eyes were calm.
Tomorrow, he'd be stronger again.
Even if he died.
Even if he got hurt.
He would wake up… and return.
Again and again.
"I'll climb that tower…"
"…even if I have to die a thousand times."
Two more days passed.
Every day, Haru used his clone to enter the forest.
Every day, he hunted, learned, and evolved.
He died three more times.
Once to a giant snake.
Once to poison gas from a weird mushroom monster.
And once… he slipped on a cliff and broke his neck.
But he came back stronger every time.
Now, his skills looked like this:
---
[Clone Status – Level 6]
HP: 60/60
Strength: 9
Agility: 17
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 10
Skills:
Shadow Movement (Passive)
Keen Smell (Passive)
Night Vision (Passive)
Shadow Blink (Active – 30s CD)
Poison Resistance (Passive)
Monster Instinct (Passive – +10% dodge)
Lesser Healing (Active – Heal 10 HP, 60s CD)
---
Haru stared at the system panel with a proud smile.
"This is more than I ever imagined."
He sat on his bed, thinking deeply.
The outer forest was getting boring.
Most monsters died in two or three hits now.
He wanted more.
He needed a challenge.
He turned toward his PC and typed:
Search: Tower Entrance First Floor
A few results appeared.
[Hunter Guide Blog]
Tower 1st Floor: Only available to registered hunters.
Warning: High risk. Team recommended.
Monster Level: 10~15
Survival Rate (Solo): 14%
"…Only 14% survive?"
Haru leaned back in his chair.
He felt his chest tighten. That old fear was still inside.
But now, something was different.
He was afraid—but also excited.
"It's just the clone. Even if I die, I'll come back."
He stood up and went to the mirror.
His real body looked the same. Pale. Thin. Weak.
But in the mirror, he saw something new in his eyes.
Determination.
---
[Clone Summon Ready]
[Would you like to enter the Tower – First Floor?]
[Warning: This zone is for Level 10+. Entering below recommended level is dangerous.]
"Yes."
---
[Initializing Clone Transfer…]
---
Haru's eyes opened.
Stone walls. A long hallway. Dim lights.
He had entered the Tower.
A cold wind brushed against his skin.
The system beeped.
[Tower – Floor 1: Shadow Cavern]
Objective: Survive 1 hour or clear the boss room.
Time Remaining: 60:00
He summoned his dagger.
Footsteps echoed.
He walked slowly, keeping to the shadows.
A growl.
From the darkness ahead, a monster appeared.
[Shadow Ghoul – Level 12]
A tall creature with long arms and pale skin. Its mouth dripped black saliva.
"Alright… here we go."
The ghoul charged.
Haru rolled to the side.
Shadow Blink!
He disappeared and reappeared behind the ghoul.
SLASH!
His dagger dug into its back.
The ghoul screamed.
It turned, claws flashing—
Haru blocked with his arm and slashed again.
Pain exploded in his ribs, but he didn't stop.
He activated Lesser Healing, and blinked away just before the claws hit again.
In a few more strikes… the ghoul fell.
[You have slain Shadow Ghoul – Level 12.]
[+6 Strength, +3 Endurance]
[Monster Core Acquired: Shadow Claw (Active Skill)]
He ate it.
[You have learned: Shadow Claw – Your next attack deals double damage and causes bleeding.]
His hands glowed with a dark aura.
"…Perfect."
More monsters came.
Two ghouls. Then three. Then a bat-like beast that screamed so loud it made his ears ring.
He fought. Bled. Blinked. Healed.
He died once again.
But this time, his clone lasted 44 minutes.
That was his new record.
---
Back in his room, Haru gasped as he woke up.
His real body was drenched in sweat.
But he smiled.
"I almost lasted the full hour."
He pulled out his notebook and wrote.
---
Tower First Floor Notes
Shadow Ghoul: Weak to back attacks.
Giant Bats: High-pitched sound. Hit them first.
Shadow Claw is OP. Use when ambushed.
---
After writing, he whispered:
"Next time… I'll finish the whole floor."
He looked at the wall beside his bed.
A sticky note was there.
Goal:
Clear Tower First Floor
Reach Level 10
Register as Hunter (Real Body)
Make money. Move out.
He sat down and stared at the ceiling.
He was still afraid.
Still a shut-in.
Still broken.
But something deep inside had been lit.
A fire that would never go out again.
"My name is Jin Haru," he said softly.
"And I'll become the strongest hunter in this world…"
"…without ever leaving my room."