Hime was conducting various experiments as part of her testing.
I suggested, ‘What happens if the two of you play rock-paper-scissors?’
I thought it would result in endless ties, but it ended quickly with one try.
On the other hand, the quiz didn’t yield a conclusive outcome.
When I posed a question, both Himes provided the same answer in unison.
「What about the status of the bunshin?」
Are all the stats the same as the original, or is the bunshin weaker?
There’s even a possibility that the original’s stats might decrease.
Just like in the story where G〇ku divided himself into four and told T〇en Shinhan, ‘Splitting into four was a failure!’—the skill could end up being impractical.
「The bunshin’s health is one-fifth of the original’s, but all other stats are the same. The downside is that using the bunshin reduces my maximum health by one-fifth as well. There’s no pain associated with the reduction in health.」
Hime explained, while both Himes practiced with kunai they were holding.
You even carry kunai privately? For self-defense?
Hmm?
Since the bunshin duplicates clothes and equipment as well—
「Couldn’t this be used for some pretty terrible things? If the bunshin holds money and makes purchases, the original’s wallet remains untouched, right?」
You could easily create counterfeit bills that fool vending machines. Even ATM deposits could be manipulated.
「「I wouldn’t do such evil things.」」
Both Himes gave me a reproachful look.
Well, Hime doesn’t need to do such things. She can get anything she wants with money.
But what about things that can’t be bought with money?
「What if Hime has a skill bead and makes a bunshin? If you lick the skill bead that the bunshin has, would you learn the skill without using up the bead?」
If that worked, then valuable items like the Hero’s Elixir could be used infinitely through the bunshin skill.
Wow, I’ve thought of the ultimate use for this skill.
But Hime’s expression isn’t very encouraging.
「Hmmm, wait a moment.」
Hime said, deactivating her bunshin and entering the back room.
When she returned, she was back in her usual twin-tail hairstyle.
She activated the bunshin again, and the bunshin handed me something.
「Try wearing this, Taira.」
「Oh, a bright red coral hair ornament…」
I equipped the ornament and checked my stats.
「Huh? The defense value didn’t increase.」
「Just as I thought. It seems that other items like the substitute bracelet also don’t work.」
「I felt normal pain when I was hit earlier. Oh, but it seems the kunai can still be used normally. It looks like effects from magic tools or potions can’t be copied.」
She showed me the substitute bracelet, and even after examining it, I couldn’t see its effect. It appeared to be just a regular bracelet now.
It seems that the skill bead’s effect might not be copied by the bunshin.
「Bowgun arrows might be something that could be copied.」
「That’s about it. If magic effects could be copied, we could easily level up by copying experience potions in large quantities.」
「That’s true.」
Experience potions can be made in unlimited quantities if you want, but with our current levels, it would take hundreds to level up even once.
Recently, we’ve been hunting mimics in the PD, so we have a lot of Treasure Box T potions, but we haven’t used them yet.
「The D-can is amazing… Taira, I’ll buy all the D-cans in the market, can you use detailed appraisal on them for me?」
「I’d honestly prefer not to. I already have a large number of unopened D-cans at home. I’d rather you help me open them. There are a lot of troublesome ones I have to deal with alone.」
I’ve been told by Danpon that I need to get rid of them soon.
There are many I can open myself, but some are quite troublesome.
「For example, what should we do?」
「Hime could wear a D-can on her waist and run a full marathon.」
「I’d happily do that! Running a full marathon might get me a skill related to that!」
Well, the chance of getting a skill bead from a D-can isn’t that high. When you say full marathon, you might end up with an Olympic gold medal or a water bottle instead.
Anyway, since Hime is so motivated, it should be fine. I’ll bring it tomorrow.
「I’m her….! There are two Himes!?」
Milk arrived and was, of course, astonished.
I’ll look forward to Ayame’s reaction to the same surprise.
-0-
Ayame was stunned to see two Himes, so much so that it felt like we should hold up a ‘Surprise Successful’ sign.
After that, I explained the skill beads to Ayame, since leaving her out felt a bit unfair.
「I’m sorry for not telling you earlier. I didn’t mean to exclude you. I’ll make sure to get a skill bead for you too.」
「No, it’s fine. The Archmage gear I got from Ichino-san already gives me more power than any skill bead could.」
Ayame is truly a good person.
I should arrange her skill bead soon.
-0-
After that, the four of us went to Tenshiba D.
Once we confirmed that no one was around, we quickly tried out the bunshin skill.
Hime charged into a group of pot octopus alone. The pot octopus spat ink, but Hime easily avoided it and used the bunshin skill.
She successfully annihilated the entire group by herself.
「Oshino-san, you’re amazing!」
「「Thank you, Ayame.」」
The two Himes said in unison while sheathing their kunai.
Next, it’s time for cube hunting.
「Oh, and Milk’s level has reached 20, so now you can access up to the fifth floor.」
「Actually, I could go to the fifth floor as soon as I joined Papa’s EPO organization. Now, I can even explore up to the eighth floor.」
At the ruins of Kusaka Amusement Park D, Milk’s level surged from 16 to 20 in one go.
The combo effect of the Growth Bracelet and Growth Ribbon contributed, but fighting without safety margins provided significant experience points. Milk had managed to defeat most of the Stone Giants by herself in the latter stages.
Hime’s level is now 28, and Ayame’s is 27.
By the way, my level is now 35.
I only reached 34 in the Kusaka Amusement Park D, but I also went into PD afterward.
So, Milk can reach up to the 8th floor now, and since levels increase the depth by one floor every 5 levels beyond level 20, I should be able to access up to the 11th floor.
「Hime, I’d like to try going down to the 11th floor. Is that okay?」
「Hmm, you’re already level 35? In that case, gather iron from the Iron Dolls on the 11th floor. Dungeon iron will be necessary for future use.」
「I understand. I’ll get the iron from the Iron Dolls.」
I borrowed a map from Hime and set off alone, aiming for the 11th floor.
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