Labyrinth Renovation – 035 | Sousaku – 創作

Episode 35: Magic Array Summoning!

We filled a bag with various items from the hardware store and visited the 96th floor.
Indeed, if you look closely, the magic array does not appear to be inactive.
It's red and still glowing slightly.

"So, what should I do on this?"
"Just place an offering and call out to the thing you want to come. If they agree, they should answer."

This is definitely a demon summoning, right?
Well, it's a crazy world where monsters appear, dungeons suddenly spring up, and entire hardware stores are summoned from another reality. There must be some demons around.

"Hmmm? Can I call anything? I would like a reference list. Since a doppelganger appeared, I wonder if it's possible to summon a friendly doppelganger or something like that."
"I wonder. Would you……maybe? "
"Let's give it a try. Even if my doppelganger attacks me, I should be able to handle it."

With that said, I will call upon my doppelganger.
As an offering, if you give them a power tool, they'll come running. It's a me after all.

"……Ahem. Okay, here we go! Answer my call! Doppelganger!"

When I shouted that, the magic array glowed, and just like when we first arrived on this floor, a figure appeared above the magic array.
A figure that looked as if its entire body was covered in shadows.
A mysterious figure stood there, ambiguous in every way, its gender unclear.

"U……Uh? I thought my doppelganger was going to appear."
"I am your shadow, and you are my true self. Answering the summons, I have arrived. I am a Doppelganger."
"IT SPOKE! "
No, I guess talking is okay. It'd be hard to communicate without talking.
Actually, even Pochi and the others talk, so talking must be the default in this world. Probably.
Even so, it's a neutral and mysterious-sounding voice. I like it.

"Oh, it's a little different than I expected, but can you make it so you look like me? "
"Of course, Master. Now, please join hands with me."

Saying that, the doppelganger pushed its right hand forward.
When I timidly put my hands together, Doppler immediately took my form.

"Oh, it's me!"
"Master's information has been obtained. Please leave anything you need to me."
"Hmm? You're not going to become me on the inside? "
"I have acquired your memories, but my personality remains the same."

That makes sense, and it may be convenient.
If everything becomes “me,” my sense of identity would suddenly collapse.

"If you put your hands together, can you become someone other than me?"
"Of course, Master."
"Okay, now you try being Fiona."
"Eh, what, me!?"
"It's not that surprising, is it? Maybe I'll have it do Pochi, Tama, and Kaiser too."

So, I tried it all, and Doppler was able to transform into everyone.
I see, this is good as an ally, but it would be extremely troublesome if it became an enemy……

"Anyway, dude... Actually, it's inconvenient if you don't have a name. Do you have a name? "
"No, I am a kind of replica reconstructed from the original in the other world. A being created to become your servant in exchange for an offering. There is no name."
"Uh? Really?"

If the Doppler's main body is defeated, will this one disappear too even if not harmed…… maybe? No, I imagine there's a place (like the demon world? ) where there are tons of these guys, and the ones that are summoned are extracted from there.
When I asked Doppler about this, it explained it to me in detail.

"I don't know the name of the place where my original body was located. If I were to guess based on what Master said, it might be something like the demon world or the underworld. This magic array is a device that allows calls from this world to be heard. In exchange for offerings, those who feel inclined to respond use their own magical powers to send a part of themselves and 『exchange』 it. In other words, it's like a bartering device, if that makes sense."
"I see…… But I don't get it. The offering I placed was a power tool……"
"Ah! It was wonderful! Such a device does not exist in our world, so the main body gave me half of its power! "
"That much?"

I can't understand their values.
Well, power tools may be a part of human wisdom, but even so... It's a good thing they didn't make a deal with Earth before.

"Well, I understand what you mean. So, what should I call you……should I name you? "
"Right. If Master would be so kind as to grant me a name."
"Hmm. Something like Shadow? Doppy is nice too."
"Then let's use Doppy."

Are you choosing that one? Well, it's fine, but... Whatever. Doppy sounds cute, alright.
"Then, Doppy will basically stay in my form. Here."

When I held out my palm, it didn't reach to me and yet transformed into my image.

"Oh, are you for real? You mean you can change into any form you've already changed into before?"
"Right. Of course, there are limits, but..."
"That's awesome!"

This guy is quite a strong character. It's a Copy Ninja.

"Now, what should I do? Master."
"Let's see. First of all…… I want to summon a human-type creature that is capable of physical labor, strong, and also skilled in combat, but doesn't look intimidating. Can you recommend one? "
"Hmm……? I see, so you want people to work in this dungeon? I have retrieved information from master's memory, so the main tasks are placing treasure chests, installing equipment, performing maintenance, rescuing explorers…… and so on. Then I know just the person for the job."
"This guy is too talented……"

I might understand how Fiona feels. With this, even I won't be needed, right?
Fiona, sitting next to me, looked a little gloomy too while probably thinking that. She's cute.