Chapter 98

Finally, Moot-chan's secret treasure was down to the last one.

According to the information Moot-chan left, the last one is supposed to be in the Forest of Transcription.

She didn’t tell me what kind of enemy would be guarding the last treasure. But I have a hunch...

"Probably a Doppelganger."

The trees shimmered, reflecting the light. But it wasn’t the usual green. The trunks and leaves glowed like crystal, incredibly beautiful.

After leaving the Desert of Transformation and traveling west for four days, we finally reached the Forest of Transcription.

Karin-chan was with us. Although her role as our guide through the desert was over, she came along to accompany us. ...Samuel-chan had tried to send her away multiple times.

Before entering the forest that shone like gemstones, we had a discussion.

"I see. The Shadow Puppeteer, right? I’ve heard of it."

"Karin knows too! It’s said to live in this forest and confuse those who enter. According to the elder of Karin’s village, it doesn’t attack or become hostile; it just plays pranks!"

Karin-chan said, and I pondered, "Hmm."

Unlike the Water Snake and Poison Chicken, the Shadow Puppeteer was a monster within the game.

Beyond the Forest of Transcription lay the Crystal Castle, which we needed to reach to progress the story. The Shadow Puppeteer was the boss of the Forest of Transcription.

When the Shadow Puppeteer appears as an enemy, it mirrors our appearance and abilities, becoming exactly the same. It’s not a matter of defeating it by leveling up; the higher the level, the stronger the Shadow Puppeteer becomes.

"The Doppelganger will mimic us."

"Imitate, you mean?"

"Yes. It will look the same and have the same strength."

"Really!? Is that what you mean by pranks? Will there be two Karins? If there are two Karins, I won’t know which one is the real Karin!"

Karin-chan said, "This is a problem!" and thought deeply.

Indeed, how to defeat an opponent with the same abilities is the issue.

"If we encounter the Doppelganger, we should talk to it first."

"Yes. It might not listen, but the best way is to ask it to hand over the treasure."

"Right! The Shadow Puppeteer isn’t an immediately hostile monster. It might understand if we talk to it."

"But if that doesn’t work... we’ll have to defeat it."

After defeating the Water Snake and Poison Chicken, we obtained items. I really want to defeat the boss to get the treasure!

But how to defeat it?

What I did in the game was—

"Use a lot of items."

—Overwhelming with a large number of items!

"Miss Rini’s items...! They are indeed something the Shadow Puppeteer can’t mimic and are very powerful!"

"Miss Rini’s items! The tent, pickaxe, and healing potions were amazing. The Shadow Puppeteer can mimic appearance and abilities but not items!"

At my words, Samuel-chan and Karin-chan blushed with excitement. I smiled at them.

...They both believe in me.

Even if the Shadow Puppeteer mimics our appearances and abilities. Even if talking to it and asking for the treasure doesn’t work.

—We will definitely win!

"Whoever it mimics, it’s fine. Rini will use items."

"Yes! If it mimics Miss Rini, I won’t make a mistake."

"Karin has a good nose and can tell by smell!"

We all looked at each other and nodded, "Okay!"

However, when Samuel-chan’s gaze met Karin-chan’s, she quickly looked away.

"If there are two rabbit people, we can defeat both."

"Why not!? You have to tell them apart!"

Karin-chan puffed her cheeks at Samuel-chan’s words.

Thus, the three of us entered the Forest of Transcription, advancing deeper and deeper.

The shimmering trees made our hearts leap with excitement, and we were excited to meet the Shadow Puppeteer.

"It’s fun."

Following Moot-chan’s advice to suppress the Magic Overload, we started the treasure hunt.

I could experience the scenery I wanted to see in the game with my own senses.

...I really feel it was a good thing.

Living with my parents. Traveling with Samuel-chan. Meeting Carries-chan and Pio-chan. Meeting Queen Hasano in the Elven Forest. Traveling with Moot-chan and Karin-chan.

Warmth floated in my chest, and I found myself smiling.

So...

So, I was probably letting my guard down.

"Miss Rini! Wait! There’s something there!"

"Miss Rini, this way!"

Karin-chan sniffed the air and pointed deeper into the forest.

Samuel-chan was on guard, hiding me behind her.

"Huh? Is something moving?"

"Is this the Shadow Puppeteer?"

I looked into the depths of the forest over Samuel-chan’s shoulder.

There seemed to be something about the size of an adult, distorting the scenery unnaturally and trembling. It felt like something transparent was there.

Then, the distortion stopped, and a light shone.

The light was blinding, and the distortion began to shake rapidly. It then contracted.

The Shadow Puppeteer must have mirrored one of us. The transparent distortion popped, and a human figure appeared.

The figure was—

"This is...?"

"Huh? Who is it?"

Samuel-chan and Karin-chan looked at the figure curiously.

But I couldn’t focus on their reactions...

"That... is..."

My voice... trembled. My heart pounded uncomfortably, and my pulse quickened. No, wait... but, that is...

"I... am..."

The moment I understood, it felt like my throat was being squeezed shut.

The figure that appeared... was me.

A high school girl who lived in Japan, with black hair and black eyes. The sweatpants and hoodie I always wore at home.

She was hunched, her gaze darting nervously.

Yes, that was me. Then, who am I now? ...Who am I?

"Ri—"

"—ni-chan—"

My ears were ringing.

My chest hurt.

The world in front of me... was dark.

A black vortex spun, swallowing me whole.

"It’s pitch black."

Whose voice whispered that?

It felt like I had been holding my breath, and as soon as I opened my eyes, my throat made a hissing sound, and I took a deep breath.

My heart was pounding, and my palms were drenched in cold sweat.

And I... I...

I sat up, looking around.

"My... room."

The bed I always slept in. The comforter I had kicked off was on the floor.

This is... yes. My room. The room where I lived as a high school girl who was a shut-in. The room where I fell asleep on Christmas night, planning to have many events the next day.

"Oh, right..."

I gripped the front of my shirt tightly. I immediately realized the possibility.

"I’m back... No, was everything until now a dream?"

I don’t know. I don’t know, but...

Rini Shulm Guorga, who had maxed out her level and carried over items to reincarnate. The four-year-old who had traveled the world.

—Is now just a shut-in high school girl.

Volume 3 of the novel will be released on 5/25. Thank you for your support.