The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City

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Kalia gasped for breath.

The giant before her showed no signs of fatigue, unlike her.

In the very brief moment of respite between fights, a single question swirled in her mind.

‘What the heck were those strange guys?’

She kicked the door open and used the guard who was just entering as a shield, knocking him down. Despite not yet fully recovered, she fought like a madwoman. She hit, swung, launched, and stabbed.

Even with her bare hands, she could easily take down non-awakened soldiers. Yet just as she was about to be blocked by the guard captain—

‘The wall suddenly exploded.’

Thanks to the sensitive senses of an Awakened One, she clearly perceived the brief moment of chaos.

Suddenly, the wall exploded, revealing a helicopter beyond it. It had the hard body typical of military vehicles. And the helicopter began to unleash rockets.

She moved quickly to dodge, but the shockwave from the explosion collapsed the floor beneath her, sending her plummeting to the lower level.

As she regained her senses and stood up, she witnessed research facility guards above her collapsing under gunfire.

‘What about Violet…?’

It had to be the ones who fired the rockets from the helicopter. But why?

She didn’t know. Laplacian was a notorious biotech company. They had too many enemies.

‘No, I need to stop thinking about that. First, I need to deal with the enemy in front of me.’

As she struggled to find a way back up with her exhausted body, the giant blocked her path.

She understood why Violet called it an ‘Ogre’. It was a brute.

“Damn it… Hey, can’t you just let me through? You guys look like you’ve been attacked by those freaks, too. Shouldn’t we prioritize stopping that?”

The ogre shook its head.

“You come first.”

Her anger boiled over at its frustrating response.

“What the hell… Did you eat bricks for breakfast? Get out of my way!”

Kalia charged at the Ogre. Flames flickered around her legs, and she closed the distance at high speed.

Footprints of fire were left on the ground. She dodged a hammer swinging at her from the side. She narrowly avoided another strike as it came down vertically.

It was just an Awakened One with enhanced physical abilities. If she could find an opening, she could definitely turn the tide in her favor.

At least, that was what she believed.

‘There’s no opening, now or ever!’

She thought she had evaded, but the hammer came in a rapid succession of strikes. There were no intricate maneuvers or clever psychological tactics. It simply drew a parabolic trajectory and came at her.

Fast and strong. That was all there was to it.

“Ugh!”

She bent her body to dodge the hammer strike. The hammer imbued with magical power swept over her face.

The sharp sound of the rushing air pressured her. If she took that head-on, it would mean certain defeat. In her first fight, she was instantly subdued by a hammer strike that had come out of nowhere.

The overswung hammer got lodged in the wall. She didn’t miss the brief opportunity while the Ogre lifted the hammer.

Quickly, she ran up the wall beside her and kicked the Ogre in the head. Sparks flew, and the beast flinched.

Kalia dug into the space inside the sledgehammer handle. A rapid-fire barrage of punches landed on the Ogre. Once, twice, thrice—please just fall already! Please!

“Guh!”

She quickly crossed her arms to block the incoming kicks. Once again, flames surged dramatically. She stepped back, the impact on her arms still stinging.

‘If only I had a proper sword…’

The Ogre was unmoving. It felt like hitting a fortress wall. Her bare-handed attacks were ineffective.

Her condition wasn’t good either. Thanks to the recovery potion Violet had given her, her injuries were somewhat healed, allowing her to move, but that was it.

“Kuack…!”

The openings caused by fatigue and injury led to mistakes. She couldn’t dodge its attack properly and got clipped. She was flung through the reinforced glass into the office beyond.

She picked up a few shards of glass and imbued them with flames before throwing them. The enhanced glass shards exploded upon hitting the beast’s body, but that was all they did.

Kalia staggered to her feet. She could sense that the end was approaching.

Yet,

“Kalia! I’m here!”

A girl with blonde hair and red eyes rushed towards her.

***

Goodness, Kalia was getting thoroughly beaten up. Was it because she didn’t have a sword?

‘I forgot this is before the main story!’

In the main storyline, Kalia was an adult woman, but the current Kalia still bore the unmistakable signs of youth. She hadn’t realized there was an unquantifiable gap in time, just a few years apart.

Right, she remembered now. That Ogre guard captain resembled those giant soldiers wielding hammers that appeared as enemy characters. In-game, they served as resilient field bosses encountered early on.

If her level was up a bit, she could easily take it down, but unfortunately, right now they were at a beginner level.

Could they win?

‘Who cares about that! Right now, that bastard’s over there, so we have to fight!’

I swiftly threw the one-handed sword I brought.

“Here! Catch! It’s a new sword!”

Kalia caught the sword I tossed.

“Ah… yes, this heavy and cool sensation. How long has it been?”

She fiercely turned around and drew the sword from its sheath.

“Wait! There’s this too!”

I quickly shoved the remaining recovery potions into Kalia’s body.

Now, only one recovery potion left.

“Thank you! Now I can manage. Just stay back.”

As Kalia tried to push me behind her, I pulled out my hammer in irritation.

“I can fight too! If you try to fight alone like before, I’ll hit you!”

Kalia watched me for a moment and then nodded.

She took her battle stance again.

“Round two, you rock-headed bastard.”

I took a step back momentarily, while flames wrapped around Kalia’s sword.

The Ogre charged forward like a dump truck. Kalia met the charge head-on and swung her sword. She dodged another hammer rain. Just as she closed in, the Ogre retreated and tried to kick her.

But she wouldn’t be caught off guard twice. Kalia twisted her body to evade the incoming kick.

In that moment of opening, bright violet lines sketched in the air.

“Gnnk!”

The Ogre flinched and stepped back.

It hit! The burning mark on its thigh and abdomen was clearly visible. Whether out of anger or instinct, it swung its hammer wildly, but she was already long gone, having jumped back.

“Take this!”

That was the moment I had been waiting for.

The two clones that had moved around behind struck from the back. The rifle and pistol unleashed a storm of bullets.

—Tatatat!

—Bang! Bang!

<Critical Hit!>

<Critical Hit!>

<Critical Hit!>

[Attacking from behind activates Resonance Trait: Backstab, increasing damage!]

‘Just as I thought! It applies to ranged attacks!’

Several bullets hit the Ogre’s head. The impact that struck its helmet made the beast flinch. Kalia charged in again to land a hit with her sword.

The exchanges continued for a few rounds. Blades engulfed in flames struck time and time again.

The Ogre swung its sledgehammer fiercely, but,

“I see it all, you bastard!”

Kalia never took it head-on. She dodged the swinging hammer. She poked and slipped away slyly. Once again, wounds appeared on its arms and shoulders.

Feeling threatened, it focused defensively. The two clones continued to dart around its vicinity, showering it with gunfire.

“Just fall already!”

I kept pulling the trigger. Nothing was getting through. But I could draw its attention. Whenever it showed any inclination to go on the offense, I poured bullets into it. Whenever Kalia attacked, it would retreat.

But limits were approaching.

“Stop this meaningless struggle.”

The Ogre spoke now that it had regained its composure. It bore numerous petty wounds, but that was all.

Kalia was exhausted again. The recovery potion was merely to speed up her healing; it did nothing to restore her stamina.

—Click!

The empty chamber clicked as it struck. My only means to deliver an effective shock to the beast—the magazine of the rifle—was now empty.

“When is it going to fall?!”

I desperately fired my pistol, but it did nothing.

Now, it was blatantly ignoring me and returning its focus to Kalia.

“Ugh…!”

Had her earlier wounds opened up again? She was panting heavily and backing away.

What can I do?

I put my clones back for a moment and started rummaging through the bag.

There has to be something useful, something valuable!

Hammer, hacksaw, cutter knife, screwdriver? All useless!

Kalia’s attack power was sufficient.

The problem was that she had no chance to land a critical hit. If only there was some way to briefly incapacitate the beast…

In the bag, my fingers caught something long and fluttering.

I pulled it out and saw something familiar in black.

“Right. This was what I took off Kalia’s neck earlier…”

I held it up and led the two clones to dash behind the Ogre team leader.

It was time to use the Violet Stream Attack once more.

I shoved the last recovery potion into my body.

[* The pain relief effect of the recovery potion activates. Pain is reduced by 30%.]

‘Just a single shot…! Just endure one time!’

At that moment, Kalia stumbled while trying to evade an attack and rolled on the ground. The two clones and I rushed forward in a line. The Ogre glanced back.

“Violet Stream Attack!”

The lead clone shouted and swung the cutter knife. The Ogre casually countered with a kick. It hurt even more than before!

The third clone grabbed hold of the falling second clone and jumped higher. The beast showed signs of surprise. As it swung its hammer sideways, I soared upward, wielding the hacksaw.

“Kuhh…! Hah…!!”

The pain was almost unbearable. The third clone caught the full force of the sledgehammer.

Going with the momentum, it slammed into the wall with a crash.

Bang! The sound echoed as its waist broke in half, splitting apart.

Kalia screamed as she witnessed her destroyed clone.

“Violet! No!”

Even with the 30% pain reduction, the unimaginable agony coursed through my spine and spread throughout my body.

I gritted my teeth and lunged between the clones.

“Was there another one?”

The Ogre’s hammer had just struck my clone and stopped. I quickly clung to its arm.

“You little brat, this isn’t funny.”

As it swung its arm, I was flung away.

“Graaah!”

I crashed into the wall. I’d rather pass out, but thanks to the recovery potion, I couldn’t. The Ogre glanced at my fading clone and approached Kalia.

“Your little friend was of no help. It’s over now.”

The Ogre lifted its sledgehammer.

“Ugh! Kalia! Now!”

“?”

I activated the electric switch. Maximum output!

—Zzzzt!

“Ugh! What the…!”

The electrifying shock hit its right arm, forcing the Ogre to drop the handle of the sledgehammer. This was the power of the last electrical shock collar I had attached when I clung to its arm!

It immediately tore at the electric shock collar. But it was too late. A massive burst of flames shot up from Kalia’s body.

—Boom!

“Cough…Cough…”

With a single charge, the sword pierced through its chest. She took it down…!

“Wah!”

Kalia let out a short scream as she was pushed back.

Wait, is it not dead even after taking a sword to the chest? The bastard was flailing and trying to pull the sword out of its chest. This doesn’t make any sense!

The two of us reeling, I clung onto it.

“Ah! Just die! Die already!”

I poked the screwdriver into the beast’s neck repeatedly. The clone joined in, poking and hitting its back relentlessly.

—Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Please! Have some conscience! Just die! Aaaah!”

I screamed, jabbing at it for a while.

The Ogre stopped moving and collapsed forward with a thud.

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

[* You faced a formidable foe, so experience points have been adjusted!]

“I won…!”

I immediately supported Kalia.

“Ah… right. That was a clone, wasn’t it? You have quite a talent for surprising people…”

“Yeah! I don’t care! We won! Let’s get out of here quickly!”

We helped each other and headed toward the elevator.

—Tatatat!

—Catch them!

—Help me!

The sounds that presumably came from those terrorist bastards were getting closer.

We reached the platform. Here, too, every entrance was sealed except for one fire door.

“But how do we open the elevator door?”

“I have this!”

I pulled out the severed wrist of the bald director I’d taken earlier. Kalia grimaced and grimaced when she saw it.

Please let this work.

I pressed the severed hand against the elevator’s recognition sensor. The screen scanned the palm, lights flashing back and forth before the door beeped open.

“Finally…!”

“Hooray!”

We jumped into the elevator. The door closed, and we heard the descent.

“Please don’t let there be more stuff down there!”

“That shouldn’t be the case!”

I really hope that’s not true.

When the door opened, a spacious room that looked like a lobby and a corridor welcomed us. It was smaller than I expected. A glass door stood right in front of us. Beyond the glass door, parked cars could be seen.

“A parking lot? Then we’re near the exit!”

“Let’s go!”

We ran outside without hesitation. We raced down the aisle of the parking lot lined with pillars.

As we passed parked cars heading for the exit, I spotted a researcher gasping for breath as he got into a car.

“Ugh! I can’t die here…!”

—Thud!

<Critical Hit!>

[Attacking from behind activates Resonance Trait: Backstab, increasing damage!]

“This car now belongs to Violet!”

I quickly jumped into the driver’s seat. Kalia and clone number 2 hopped into the passenger and back seats, respectively.

Wow, now that I see it, this is an electric car. It’s my first time driving something I’ve never been able to in my past life now that I’m a girl.

“You… can you drive?”

“Believe it or not, I’m a class 1 driver! Trust me!”

“… Class 1? Is there even such a license? That’s the first I’m hearing of it…”

I manipulated the gear and pressed the accelerator. The car slid smoothly through the passageway.

“Yeehaw!”

We climbed the main door through the pathway.

“It’s the sky…!”

The bright morning sunshine and blue sky greeted us. It had been so long since I’ve seen the sunlight; it was too moving!

Even Kalia, who rarely smiles, seemed to have her mouth agape in astonishment.

“But Violet, what’s that motorcycle behind us?”

Kalia pointed to the rearview mirror.

Two motorcycles were speeding towards us from a distance.

Oh no, those must be the Obsidian Legion bastards who invaded the research facility earlier.

“Get down!”

They aimed submachine guns at us and fired. Instantly, the inside of the car was thrown into chaos.

I shouted frantically.

“This is insane! Just let us go!”

They were closing in with incredible speed. Did they intend to leave no survivors from the research facility?

My body was hurting, my head spinning. I was so angry I couldn’t hold back. A drastic measure was needed.

“Kalia! You can drive too, right?”

“Yeah, somewhat…”

I swiftly moved to the back seat. I bunched up a piece of fabric suitable for a gag and bit down, curling up my body.

—Vroooom!

Clone number 2 opened the door. The wind blew into the car. The menacing roar of the motorcycles grew closer by the second.

“Hey, Violet! Are you planning to do something crazy again…? Wait, you don’t mean that, do you?”

“Umm… What do you think?”

When I smirked, she seemed panicked, swinging her arms to stop me.

“Hey! Wait! Don’t! Don’t do it!”

The second clone jumped right out of the car. I saw the wheels of the motorcycle closer than ever.

Now here’s the dilemma: What happens when a human-sized object is sucked into the wheels of a motorcycle speeding ahead?

—Thud!

The answer: Traffic accident!

The motorcycle toppled over. The pursuer, unable to withstand the inertia, was hurled forward.

“Gaaaah!”

I shrieked as the sensation of my entire body breaking filled me. Clone number 2 was undoubtedly destroyed.

It’s okay…! They would be destroyed too!

“Hey!!!!!”

Kalia shouted again. Tears streaming, I gave a thumbs-up to reassure her. She scowled at me in disbelief.

Wait, how do we deal with the remaining pursuer?

As I turned back, something astonishing happened.

Seeing their comrade soar through the air like a human rocket, the remaining pursuer revved the motorcycle towards us, drawing a sword and leaping into the air.

“Are you an Awakened One?!”

The one who jumped off the motorcycle landed right above us.

“Kyyaaaaa!”

“What? Above us?”

Kalia hastily drew her sword, but the enemy was faster. We ducked. As the pursuer swung the sword wildly, the rooftop of the vehicle split open in an instant.

“Wow! We’re an open-top car now!”

The malevolent motorcycle rider aimed their sword at us.

—BANG!

“Wait, what?!”

The motorcycle driver was sent flying as a baseball bat came from nowhere and struck him.

Looking up, I saw a yellow pickup truck racing alongside us.

A burly man dressed in a denim vest, with long, messy hair and a mohawk, was leaning out of the passenger window, bat in hand.

“Damn it! Kalia! Sorry to be late! Things have been completely hectic around here!”

“Uncle Marco! Why didn’t you come sooner?!”

Kalia’s face lit up when she saw him.

“Violet! It’s the Brotherhood!”

“I’ll handle the introductions later! Hey, little lady, hop on!”

As I pondered how to get on, Kalia hoisted me into the passenger seat.

“Huh?”

“Hold on tight!”

She leaped into the bed of the pickup truck. We landed with a thud.

The abandoned electric car rolled away, tumbling down the embankment.

I sprawled on the bed’s floor. As the tension release, the fatigue and pain overwhelmed me all at once.

Only then did I realize.

“I’m free…!”

I closed my eyes. So sleepy…