Is That My Alter Ego

4 – What?

“Uhh…”

I rose from the bed. It seems my body isn’t accustomed to moving around yet.

For some reason, the doppelgänger feels more familiar than the original body. Is it because I’ve been in the form of the doppelgänger for a long time?

“Hmm… I still don’t like it.”

I stared at my reflection in the mirror in the bathroom. Black hair and red eyes, just like the doppelgänger, but…

It seems like I’m not even 160 centimeters tall! What is this!

Not a kid anymore. I seem to be shorter than I was in middle school!

Can’t I just live as the doppelgänger? The doppelgänger is tall, muscular, and overflowing with strength. Even… well, never mind.

“What’s going on…”

A flabby body, without a single visible muscle, looked back at me. The difference from when I’m in the form of the doppelgänger is too extreme.

The sense of reversal when changing from something bad to something good is much stronger than when changing from something good to something bad.

“Oh well, what can I do. This is my original body.”

Snap. Creak.

I quickly put on a coat and stepped outside.

“Damn, look at the weather. It’s killing me.”

Today, the weather was as dark as ever. Are there more stars visible today than yesterday? I like stars.

Oh, I engage in activities as the doppelgänger, and when the doppelgänger sleeps, my original body becomes active. Naturally, the original body is active in the early morning.

Something’s strange. I spend more time in the form of the doppelgänger than in my original body. In fact, shouldn’t this body be the doppelgänger?

Thud, thud.

Clang.

Anyway, I visited the library that I went to every day. I’m not the type to read books well, but I ended up looking for books because I had nothing else to do.

And since this body spends more than half of the day in a sleeping state, I just couldn’t fall asleep. To pass the time, I started exploring the knowledge of this world through books, which turned out to be more interesting than I thought.

“Hmm… What should I watch today?”

Yesterday, I read a book that explained the foods of this world. I had thought it would be dreadful compared to Earth, but it turned out to be better than I expected.

Of course, it fell short of keeping up with Earth’s overwhelming technological prowess, but it was still at an acceptable level. They even had beer and plenty of snacks.

I roamed around shelves filled with numerous books, and one book caught my eye instantly.

“A Monsterology Dictionary? This should be interesting.”

Monsters. It seemed like monsters existed in this world. Creatures that indiscriminately attack people or something.

Anyway, there were countless types of these monsters, and I heard there were even some unique individuals among them.

Alright. Today, I’ve made up my mind! I promptly took out the book and headed to the reception desk.

“Um… Excuse me… Could I borrow this…?”

“……….”

Clack, clack.

As I handed the librarian the book, the librarian, expressionless, looked at me, wrote something, and soon handed it back to me.

“Th… Thank you… Goodbye…”

“…………”

Nod.

Clang.

Watching the still expressionless librarian nod slightly, I happily left the library.

You might wonder why I speak so timidly. Well, I’m a hikikomori! It’s not easy for me to talk to people.

Personally, it was even more challenging than defeating a boss in a game. It was truly a difficult task!

“hahahaha. By the way, I never get tired of looking at the scenery of this town.”

Walking back home, I etched the village’s landscape in my mind, a scene I’ve admired countless times.

The place where I stand is Trea Village, a small town located on the coast.

I looked out at the sea from atop the cliff. The moonlight beautifully shimmered upon the sea surface, brightly illuminating the endlessly sprawling ocean.

Above the sea, the stars seemed to densely spill across the sky.

This entire scene was like a painting, even more so. I could never tire of it, no matter how many times I saw it.

“Phew.”

As usual, I sat down on a small bench with the beautiful scenery spread out below and continued reading my book.

The faint sound of waves. And the noises of night insects adorning the ambitious night.

And the cool, refreshing sea breeze.

‘…This is bliss!’

I could probably look at this scene for the rest of my life and never get bored.

Srustle-

I turned a page of the book, glanced again at the horizon, and immersed myself in reading without noticing time passing by.

“Ah. Time to get up, I guess.”

Before I knew it, the sun began to rise, climbing over the edge of the sea. Now… it’s time to return to being the leader of the Ska Mercenary Group.

I quickly returned home and lay down on my bed, more cushiony and comfortable than any bed I’ve experienced on Earth.

“Today… is the day we recruit new mercenaries.”

I wonder what will happen. My heart seems to race just thinking about it.

I get absorbed in it as if I really have become the leader of the Ska Mercenary Group.

Ah. I am the leader, right? Anyway. It’s so much fun, as if I’ve stepped directly into the game and am writing my own story.

“Yawn…”

Is it time to wake up?

I let the wave of drowsiness sweep over me, not resisting, and closed my eyes.

***

Flash.

My eyes opened. The cozy house, and the felt resilience and strength of my body.

I woke up as Venice, the leader of the mercenary band.

“……”

I immediately got up to check the time.

9:20 AM. I was supposed to meet Seris and Ska at the mercenary base at 10 AM, so if I start getting ready now, I should be right on time.

Creak- Thud.

What time does a man need to prepare? I quickly got ready and stepped out of the house, heading towards the mercenary base.

Leria Village was as peaceful as always, with one exception

“Serys, Deputy Commander. Could all these people in front of the mercenary base be applicants for admission?”

“…Yes, Commander.”

Serys stared at the crowd gathered in front of the mercenary base with a somewhat uncomfortable expression.

Perhaps Serys had experienced this situation several times before. Nevertheless, only thugs seemed to flock to the mercenary base.

It seemed like Serys was concerned that the same situation might happen again.

“Serys, Deputy Commander. Can you list and write down the numbers on a small piece of paper?”

“For what reason…?”

“It would be cumbersome to conduct entrance exams, controlling each of these people individually. So, we’ll draw numbers, aiming to take the test quickly and efficiently.”

When people gather randomly and disorderly like this, the most effective way is to make numbered tickets.

It was the most equal and definite method.

“Here you go, Commander.”

“Thank you.”

“………”

Serys quickly prepared hundreds of numbered tickets in an instant. How could she be so nimble with her hands?

Anyway, I started infusing magic one by one according to the ticket order.

“Commander, may I ask why you’re infusing magic into the paper?”

“Ah, it would be too inefficient for all these people to just stand still and wait. If everyone disperses autonomously in the village and ignites magic according to their numbers, it signals that their turn has come.”

“Ah…! Such a method…!”

Serys’s expression of indifference slightly broke, and she seemed to wear a face of admiration.

Who could have imagined such a thing in this world? Drawing numbered tickets, checking them on your phone, and going when your turn approaches. Latecomers can cancel immediately after a few minutes of grace period.

How efficient and effective it is! There’s no need to waste any unnecessary time.

“Well then, Seris Deputy Chief. Why don’t you start distributing the tickets to those who arrived first?”

“Understood, Director.”

Seris took the tickets from me and started distributing them quickly and efficiently.

At first, the people who received the tickets were puzzled, but after hearing Seris’s explanation, they understood and began to admire and find their seats one by one.

“Seris Deputy Chief, are you ready?”

“Yes. I have always been ready.”

“Good. Let’s begin then.”

As soon as I ignited the number 1 ticket with magic, the first participant entered the arena in no time.

“…What should I do?”

“Just stay still.”

Upon hearing those words, Number 1 smiled as if he couldn’t believe it.

Well, I have the fastest way, after all.

‘…Analyzing talents.’

[Potential: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Level lower than a bug!)]

“Eliminated. Please leave as is.”

“What? No…”

Goooooo-

“Is there a problem?”

“…Damn.”

The first candidate seemed about to say something, but without a word, they left the examination ground as I raised my magical power and observed.

“Guild Master. Is it okay if you choose just by looking at their faces?”

“Don’t worry. I have a plan for everything.”

No potential at all? They were immediately disqualified.

A minimum of two potentials and no additional unique abilities meant absolute disqualification.

I intended to continue the Scar Mercenary Corps as an elite force.

More frightening than capable enemies are incompetent allies. I have no intention of tolerating incompetence.

“….Are you really just going to stand there?”

“Yeah.”

[Potential: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Even worse than insects!)]

“Disqualified.”

Unfortunately, you cannot join us!

After that, a multitude of disqualifications unfolded. Ceris initially seemed like she wanted to say something as she watched me, but soon wore a disappointed expression, simply staring.

“….Disqualified.”

***

“…Accepted. With this, it’s all over.”

“I’m not sure if this is right, Guild Master…”

Phew. The hours-long parade of disqualifications finally came to an end. Ceris, you’re not sure if this is right? Of course, it is!

I looked at the successful candidates, who stood at attention with tense expressions.

‘…Average potential of 3, all with two or more unique abilities. Excellent.’

Even though they all seemed so naive, every single one of them was a person with outstanding potential. This should be sufficient.

“Believe in me, Seris, the vice commander. The revival of the Scar Mercenary Corps has just begun.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

Don’t make that face like you’ve given up. I’m sensitive, you know.

There will surely be good results. I’ll prove it through the outcome!

“Focus, everyone.”

“”…Focus!””

Good. I like seeing everyone act swiftly. That’s the spirit I want to cultivate.

“From today, you are all members of the ‘Scar Mercenary Corps.’ Be proud of it.”

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone happily savored the joy. Judging by the situation, most of them seemed desperate for money, so just the fact that they could earn some made them so happy.

Alright, shall we get started then?

“Happiness ends there. Now, let me tell you what you should do.”

“”Yes!””

Everyone stared at me with a mixture of tension and anticipation, their round eyes wide open.

What should they do? That’s obvious…

“Run 300 laps around the training ground, at full speed.”

There’s always been a saying that stamina is a nation’s strength. Stamina serves as a robust foundation in any situation.

“”……….???””

Didn’t hear me? I’ll say it again. Run 300 laps around the training ground, at full speed.

Why are you looking so bewildered? I said, run!

“Captain… This is a bit…”

A brave mercenary approached me. Well, doing 300 laps around the training ground all of a sudden seems a bit excessive, doesn’t it?

“Is there a problem? If you have complaints, you’re free to leave the mercenary corps. We don’t need members who won’t follow orders.”

As I said that, the members, now seeming to realize their mistake, began to sprint at full speed with weary expressions.

Well, if you’re not up for it, you can leave. What else can you do anyway?

This is the foundation for all of you. Understand?

***

“…….Sigh.”

Seris chuckled in disappointment as she watched the dust rise heavily in the training ground.

The Captain. Among all the people I’ve ever met, he’s the most peculiar and strange.

“I really can’t predict him at all.”

What kind of antics will this person get into in the future? Truly, it was impossible to anticipate even a step ahead.

Unaware of the anticipation budding in a corner of her heart, Seris stood silently beside the Captain, watching over the members.

“Pick up the pace! Can’t you run properly?!”

Of course, Seris was enjoying it a little too.