In the flickering light of the dungeon core room, Eddie 'Bones' Malone and his demonic aide Argenti surveyed the new items available in the upgraded dungeon store. The glow of the screen cast an eerie light on the stone walls as they scrolled through the listings.
Eddie's attention was caught by a peculiar listing. "Hey, Argenti, check this out," he said, pointing to a small figure on the screen. It was a six-inch tall idol, plain and featureless, yet its description was anything but ordinary.
[Doppelganger Idol]
Rank: B
Abilities: Shape-shifting, Mimicry, Sensory Link
Description: Capable of assuming any form and mimicking behaviors, this entity offers a real-time sensory connection with the dungeon master.
Price: 3000
"This could be our way to interact with the outside world without risk," Eddie mused, excited by the possibilities. "Think about it, Argenti. We can send it to the town, gather information, maybe even pick up supplies from the markets or local apothecaries."
Argenti, peering over Eddie's shoulder, nodded in agreement.
After pondering the potential, Eddie decided to make the purchase. As he confirmed the transaction, the idol materialized on a small pedestal before them. Initially, it was just a gray, featureless figurine.
[Purchase Completed]
Remaining Credits: 2100
"Alright, let's see how this thing works," Eddie said, picking up the idol. He concentrated, attempting to activate its shape-shifting ability. For a moment, nothing happened, and Eddie furrowed his brow in concentration.
"Maybe it requires a specific command or mental focus," Argenti suggested, observing Eddie's efforts.
Eddie nodded, closing his eyes to better concentrate. He envisioned the idol transforming, growing, taking on a more human-like shape. Slowly, a faint glow began to emanate from the idol, a sign that something was happening.
"Come on... work with me here," Eddie muttered, his focus intensifying. The glow grew brighter, and the idol started to quiver slightly, as if awakening from a long slumber.
After a few tense moments, the idol's surface began to ripple, and Eddie opened his eyes to see the first signs of transformation. "Yes! It's responding," he exclaimed, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
Argenti leaned in, examining the idol's subtle movements. "It seems you’ve established a connection! Try to make it transform again!”
With the doppelganger idol now responding to his commands, Eddie’s excitement grew. He focused intently, and the idol began to morph, its body stretching and growing until it stood about five feet tall. The featureless, gray figure with elongated limbs and fingers stood eerily still, waiting for further instruction.
“Let’s see what you can do,” Eddie said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He thought of Argenti and commanded the doppelganger to mimic his demonic aide. In response, the doppelganger’s form shifted, its body twisting into a rough approximation of Argenti’s tall, lanky figure.
Argenti, watching the transformation, couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. “I must admit, that is a rather crude but amusing imitation,” he remarked.
Eddie chuckled, thoroughly entertained. “Not bad for a first try,” he said. “Let’s push it further.” He then thought of various creatures, from skeletons to slimes, and with each thought, the doppelganger shifted, adopting different, albeit somewhat cartoonish, forms of the creatures.
The sight was comical – the doppelganger’s attempts to mimic the creatures were exaggerated and lacked the finer details, making each transformation somewhat humorous. Eddie found himself laughing more than he had in a long time, the stress of the recent events momentarily forgotten.
“Alright, let’s get serious,” Eddie said after the laughter subsided. “Try taking on a human form.” He pictured a generic human figure in his mind, focusing on the details – hair, eyes, skin.
The doppelganger’s form blurred, then slowly solidified into a human shape. The result was a basic human form, face still lacking detailed features, but it was a slight improvement from its previous attempts.
“Not perfect, but it’s a start,” Eddie noted. “Now for the real test – can it mimic specific people?”
Argenti suggested, “Perhaps try someone you remember well from the town or one of the adventurers you met.”
Eddie nodded, closing his eyes to concentrate flickering with a hint of nostalgia. He focused on his own human form from before he became a dungeon master, recalling every detail he could remember from his days as a thug.
The doppelganger quivered, its form blurring before reshaping into a rough approximation of Eddie's former human self. It was an uncanny replica, capturing his rugged features and even the defiant look that was so characteristic of him but still maintaining an uncanny, doll-like quality.
Argenti raised an eyebrow, confused. "Quite an... Interesting choice."
“It’s like looking at a wax figure,” Eddie observed, inspecting the doppelganger’s new form. “It’s close, but lacks... life.”
Argenti analyzed the transformation, “It seems the doppelganger can replicate physical appearances quite well. However, imbuing it with the essence of life – mannerisms, speech patterns – that may be more challenging.”
Eddie nodded in agreement. “We’ll work on that. For now, this gives us a good base to start with. We can refine its abilities with practice.”
As they concluded their initial test, Eddie felt a sense of accomplishment mixed with anticipation.
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Eddie then spread out a rough map of the local town and the surrounding areas, his finger tracing potential routes and key locations. “First things first, we need to figure out the best way for our friend here to blend in. It needs a role, something that'll allow it to move around freely without raising suspicion.”
He pondered various roles the doppelganger could play. “Maybe as a trader? It could sell items we find in the dungeon, or buy supplies we need. Potions, materials, that sort of thing.”
Argenti nodded. “A trader would have many contacts and access to valuable information. It's a plausible cover.”
Eddie’s eyes gleamed with a newfound sense of purpose. “Exactly. And there’s the Adventurers' Guild. If the doppelganger could join, it could gather intelligence on other dungeons, monster types, maybe even some potion recipes. Who knows what else we could learn?”
As Eddie detailed his plans, he couldn't help but reflect on his journey. From a solitary dungeon master to a cunning strategist, his role had evolved far beyond managing a simple dungeon. “I never imagined I’d be plotting espionage when I started this gig,” he mused.
Eddie then considered another crucial aspect of their plan. “Magic. It's something I’ve been curious about, and our doppelganger could be the key to learning more. Maybe it could find some books or wizards willing to share their knowledge.”
The prospect of delving deeper into the mysteries of magic sparked a fire in Eddie’s eyes. “Imagine the advantages we could gain. New spells, more powerful enchantments, maybe even ways to strengthen our defenses.”
Argenti agreed. “Gaining magical knowledge could significantly enhance our capabilities. But we must always proceed with caution.”
Eddie nodded, his mind already racing with potential scenarios and contingencies. “We’ll be careful. This doppelganger is a powerful tool, and we need to use it wisely.”
As he rolled up the map, Eddie looked over at the doppelganger, its blank, featureless face giving nothing away. “You’re about to become the most important piece in our game,” he said to it, a mix of excitement and determination in his voice.
With a plan taking shape, Eddie felt a rush of anticipation. He was stepping into uncharted territory, but he was ready for the challenge. “It’s time to play a bigger game,” he declared.
The statue, now resembling his former human self, was his link to the world outside the dungeon's shadowy corridors. Eddie was about to attempt something he'd never done before – fully merging his consciousness with the doppelganger.
"Alright, let's do this," Eddie murmured, taking a deep breath. His fingers grazed the idol, and he closed his eyes, concentrating. A status screen appeared in his mind's eye:
[Doppelganger Link]
Status: Inactive
Mana Drain: Minimal
Duration Limit: 4 hour(s)
Eddie focused, initiating the link. There was a brief moment of disorientation as his consciousness stretched and melded with the doppelganger. Suddenly, he could feel the cool stone floor beneath the idol's feet, and the dim light of the core room seemed brighter, more vivid.
"Whoa, this is... weird," Eddie muttered, experimenting with moving the doppelganger's limbs. Initially, its movements were awkward and jerky, but Eddie quickly adapted, treating the experience like maneuvering a character in a video game.
Argenti watched curiously as Eddie's body remained still, while the doppelganger began to move with increasing fluidity. "Eddie, remember to stay alert. Your consciousness may be divided," Argenti cautioned.
"Yeah, I got it," Eddie replied through the doppelganger, his voice emanating eerily from the idol.
As Eddie practiced controlling the doppelganger, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with nervousness. This was uncharted territory – espionage in the human world. The possibilities were thrilling, but the risks were real. If his true nature was discovered, it could mean disaster.
"I need to be careful," Eddie thought. "Can't let anyone know what I really am. This doppelganger has to be convincing."
He spent the next few hours perfecting the doppelganger's movements and expressions, ensuring it could pass for a real person. The idol's face, initially blank, now bore a semblance of human emotion, though still uncannily doll-like.
As the practice session drew to a close, Eddie checked the status screen again:
[Doppelganger Link]
Status: Active
Mana Drain: Minimal
Duration Limit: 1 hour(s), 15 minute(s)
"Time flies when you're having fun," Eddie remarked wryly. "Looks like I can't keep this up all day. Gotta make every second count."
With a final nod to Argenti, Eddie then disconnected from the doppelganger.
Eddie's consciousness retreated back to his own skeletal form, leaving the doppelganger idol standing motionless. He felt a strange sense of detachment, having been in two places at once.
As he stood up, stretching his bony fingers, Eddie couldn't shake the feeling that he was on the brink of something big.
Eddie and Argenti worked diligently on the final touches for the doppelganger's disguise. Eddie had chosen to model the doppelganger's appearance after a character from a show he vaguely remembered, giving it a simple yet believable appearance.
It possessed a rugged build, suggesting physical strength, and its hair was a salt-and-pepper gray, giving it a seasoned look. The face, while detailed, still retained a slightly plastic, toy-like quality, which didn't quite capture the nuances of a real human.
To remedy this and maintain the illusion, Eddie decided to cover the face with a mask or helmet. He rummaged through the stash of adventurer gear they had acquired, selecting a practical. This accessory not only masked the doppelganger's less convincing facial features but also added to its mysterious allure, making the character more intriguing and less likely to draw unwanted scrutiny.
"Let's make sure you don't stand out too much, but also don't look too plain," Eddie mused, observing the doppelganger. He adjusted its hair and clothing, trying to strike a balance between ordinary and noteworthy.
Argenti, holding up various pieces of attire, added, "Remember, Eddie, subtlety is key. You want to gather information, not attract unnecessary attention."
Eddie nodded, selecting a simple yet stylish ensemble from the stash of adventurer gear they had accumulated, some of which were remnants from their encounter with the Crimson Overlord. "These should do the trick," he said, dressing the doppelganger in a rugged traveler's outfit.
As he worked, Eddie practiced human mannerisms with the doppelganger, ensuring its movements were fluid and natural. He rehearsed common gestures and expressions, wanting to ensure the doppelganger wouldn't arouse suspicion with awkward or stiff behavior.
"Alright, let's give this a final once-over," Eddie said, stepping back to assess their work. The doppelganger now looked like a seasoned traveler, with an air of confidence and a hint of mystery. It was the perfect blend for the role Eddie had in mind.
Argenti looked on approvingly, "It's a convincing disguise.”
Eddie nodded, his mind racing with the potential of his upcoming venture.
With the disguise complete, Eddie fully disconnected from the doppelganger to allow his mana to fully regenerate, watching it shrink back down to the former statue size, now with the appearance they had given it before clothes and all. He took a moment to reflect on the task ahead, the excitement and apprehension mingling in his undead heart.
A few hours later, Eddie reconnected to the doppelganger, feeling his mana fully replenished. The sensation of being in two places at once returned, but this time he was more confident, more prepared.
As dawn broke, Eddie, in his doppelganger form, stood at the edge of the forest nearest his dungeon. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool morning air fill the doppelganger's lungs.
"This is it," Eddie whispered to himself, a mix of excitement and nervousness in his voice. "Time to see what this doppelganger can do." His bag full of different items they prepared for him to trade off or use to show his legitimacy as a merchant of some kind.
With a determined step, Eddie guided the doppelganger onto the path leading to the town. The new day beckoned, promising adventure, intrigue, and the unknown.