The Genius of Cloning in the Academy City-Chapter 76: Violet in the Deep and Dark City (1)

Albert’s assignment was extremely difficult.

「It’s math! I can’t read a single thing. What’s with these worm-like squiggles?」

「The things you can read are numbers, and the ones you can’t are symbols.」

The ‘me’ from before possession was a thorough humanities major.

I had long since severed ties with mathematics after the college entrance exams.

On top of that, the books the professor handed over weren’t only math-related.

「Why on earth would physics or chemistry be needed for magic?」

Apparently, to use magic within the game, one had to understand scientific knowledge as well. But I didn’t expect it to be this intense.

Well, rune symbols or occult mysticism would’ve been just as hard anyway.

Difficulty aside, the sheer volume was no joke either. Wasn’t there a way to study more comfortably?

「How about assigning one page per person?」

「Great idea. Let’s start copying the book right away.」

I decided to use the method I had employed when I first used illumination magic.

I printed out the book’s pages and assigned one page to each person.

「How about printing a few more pages? There’s no need for only one person to read each page.」

「That’s a good idea. If multiple people overlap, it’ll be easier to memorize!」

Before bed, we went over the book.

Looking at us study, I felt like some kind of computer.

The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

The work of the Violets could be likened to a form of grid computing.

It’s a bit exhausting, considering we operate 24/7.

If there were more of us, we could distribute the workload further.

「As I thought, we need more numbers. A hundred isn’t enough!」

「You do know that makes us easier to discover, right? We’re already on thin ice.」

The Violets, having gathered their wits, were diligently active.

Most of them focused on studying, training, and earning funds, but even those with other roles remained busy.

「Do we really need to make rocket candy? We could substitute it with a recoilless rifle or a rocket launcher.」

「That’s because we can’t acquire those right now. Just shut up and mix the sugar.」

For example, there were Violets in charge of research or bomb-making experiments who were meticulously carrying out their tasks.

The restructured dungeon team was also hunting and earning funds.

New tasks had also been added.

Two clones were assigned to follow Daphne and Irene each, guarding them 24/7.

「What are the locations of No. 58 and No. 89?」

「D returned to the dorm and is self-studying. I finished eating and returned home.」

「Why are you just calling their initial letters? Speak normally like before.」

「Doesn’t it feel like we’re in a spy movie?」

Despite calling it ‘guard duty,’ their actual role was to act as human surveillance cameras and summoning beacons for the Violets.

The reason for such measures was simple.

Now that my friends had heard the school’s secrets, I was worried they might get swept up in some nefarious conspiracy.

Another incident like the kidnapping could happen again.

Even Irene, who probably didn’t need protection, wasn’t immune to the uncertainties of life.

I had already explained it to both of them, though not about the 24/7 surveillance.

The principle was to observe and report under normal circumstances but summon dozens of clone reinforcements immediately in case of emergencies.

Of course, sticking to them too closely would make them uncomfortable and stand out.

Thus, we followed them from a moderate distance while in various disguises.

The makeup techniques Daphne had taught me were being put to great use for camouflage, albeit not in their intended way.

However, Violets who frequently operated externally were at greater risk of exposure.

Considering the world’s civilization level was about the 21st century, they could be captured on CCTV, smartphone cameras, or black boxes.

Even so, there would eventually be a limit.

As of now, there were about 130 Violets.

Including the personalities floating in the Violet Network without physical bodies, the number exceeded 200.

The more we grew, the higher the probability of exposure.

Better disguise technology was needed.

It was time to move to acquire perception-blocking equipment.

A few days later, I finished training early and moved to another region.

The destination was Circleif, a small city at the junction of the central, western, and southern districts.

The streets in October, when the sun clocked out early, were chilly.

Violet walked through streets filled with tawdry lights and the heat of desire.

Careful to avoid drunkards or drug users picking a fight, I pulled my hood low and cautiously headed to an alley behind a building.

I sniffed a few times and scrunched up my nose.

Thanks to the smokers exhaling acrid fumes in every alley, the passageways reeked of something worse than cigarettes.

I had personal reasons for visiting this red-light district.

「Don’t forget the objective. The primary goal is to secure a perception-blocking mask, but the secondary goal is establishing lasting connections with intermediaries or black-market dealers. People who can procure artifacts, elixirs, high-performance firearms, and illegal equipment.」

「This makes me feel like a mafia member.」

Currently, the problems facing the Violets weren’t limited to security and concealment. There was also a severe shortage of mana.

Previously, I had only used aura blade techniques. But with the addition of body strengthening and magic, mana consumption had skyrocketed.

Including the clones that slowly multiplied and the ones I regenerated after dying or getting injured for various reasons, the demand was unimaginable.

Therefore, mana had to be secured.

Though there were many ways to do so besides increasing levels, none were particularly easy.

The first method was to obtain artifacts that increased mana regeneration and capacity.

「We’ll have to start preparing for dungeons harder than this soon…」

「How about an expedition to the islands near Rustlum?」

「Rejected. It’s too tricky and time-consuming.」

This method could amplify the total mana pool to an enormous extent.

Artifacts increased overall mana capacity proportionally.

However, most artifacts were found in dungeons, making the process arduous and time-consuming.

The second method was consuming elixirs. The blue crystal flower I had collected and swallowed in the forest behind Polaris was a prime example.

「It’s time to head south. Let’s go to Aegis Academy!」

「What about Vesperia? That doesn’t sound bad either.」

「Hey! Do you think they’d let us in if we said, ‘We’re here to pick flowers’?」

This option had the advantage of being easier to acquire compared to exploring dungeons. In the main storyline, aside from Polaris, elixirs were relatively located in safer areas.

I didn’t necessarily need blue crystal flowers.

Mushrooms glowing in various colors or blue luminescent stones were among other elixirs available.

These often appeared in auctions hosted by clans.

With luck, they might also be found in black markets.

However, choosing the elixir route meant facing unexpected obstacles.

Namely, societal hurdles!

In the main story’s first act, the number of blue crystal flowers was roughly 40.

After accounting for the ten flowers I had consumed, about 30 remained.

Twelve were at Aegis, ten at Vesperia, and the remaining eight were scattered around Rustlum.

Given that the game had turned into reality, the numbers could vary, but that was still unknown.

Polaris Academy was foolish enough not to know about the existence of such precious elixirs, leaving them abandoned in the forest.

A proper academy wouldn’t do that.

Aegis Academy carefully cultivated blue crystal flowers in well-maintained greenhouses and forests, while Vesperia Academy painstakingly nurtured them in underground gardens.

In the game’s main storyline, the protagonist’s position as a supervisor for the Inspection Bureau, ties with the academies, and heroic deeds allowed them to freely consume elixirs.

However, at present, I was just a student.

They wouldn’t even let me touch a single thing.

The same applied to the auction house.

If a rootless girl like me wandered in and asked to be let in, I would undoubtedly be chased away at the entrance.

The prices were no joke either.

Therefore, there was only one fast and efficient way for me to access a rare elixir like the Crystal Blossom.

「Why don’t you just go and steal it?」

「Exactly!」

「…?」

I was going to become a virtuous thief.

Come to think of it, terms like theft or stealing sounded too harsh.

I decided to use the more traditional and cheerful term, “pilfering.”

A perception-distorting mask was essential for our covert activities.

It would also be helpful for future pilfering endeavors.

「Oh my, it’s a restricted item!」

Sadly, perception-distorting masks or any special magical concealment gear were strictly regulated.

They were unavailable unless one was a veteran hunter registered with a large-scale clan or someone equally exceptional.

「This won’t work. Let’s head to the Red Light District.」

「You mean the black market.」

Fortunately, Rustlum’s underground economy was substantial.

Clans and corporations needed backdoor channels, and hunters or other people working here wanted to discreetly fulfill their desires.

If there was demand, supply would inevitably emerge.

Conveniently, Circle Cliff was a city positioned at the intersection of various regions’ boundaries.

It was a political gray zone where clans’ jurisdictions overlapped ambiguously.

It seemed intentionally left as a buffer zone.

This was also why Stygian Lane, Polaris’ largest entertainment district and a significant location in the main story, was located in Circle Cliff.

Even the four great clans would merely observe and take minor profits from this place.

It was a suitable area for those with jobs they couldn’t easily confess to their children to conduct business.

Smugglers, brokers, fixers, gangs, and other dishonest people thrived here.

Turning my head, I surveyed the surroundings.

Indeed, it was a sight befitting the largest entertainment district in the area.

Beneath the decadent and mysterious flashing lights, scantily dressed men and women solicited customers on the streets.

From the windows of gambling houses of all sizes, cries of laughter, sobs, and shouts intertwined with loud music.

People, intoxicated by the peculiar heat pervading the streets, came here to chase an unattainable dream for a night, throwing their money around.

While some fortunes were determined by a few coins, immense funds that could decide life and death flowed without a hitch.

This was Stygian Lane.

The atmosphere, as dreadful as it was, suited a neighborhood crawling with gang members and life’s outcasts.

I’d better wrap things up quickly and get some sleep.

[Ready anytime, BOY]

[♡Soft girls waiting 24/7♡ 1234-414-5423]

[☆★Freshly Furry★☆ Skulkit · Felinut · Miscellaneous]

[Is your sister’s true identity an armed helicopter? Code AH-Mi-64-24]

Flyers, armed with provocative phrases and images, stuck to and peeled off my shoe soles with every step.

After walking for about five minutes, I spotted a small four-story building.

It was a contact point I discovered through an anonymous mobile messenger from the dark web.

I had spent some money uncovering this.

Of course, the anonymous man I met through the messenger was merely a broker connecting me to another broker.

For an actual transaction, I needed to meet in person.

Was this the trading spot?

From the outside, it looked like something straight out of a comic depicting a Yakuza office.

「We’re here. Is this the place?」

「Let’s go inside and check it out first.」

Before going in, I adjusted my wig and checked my makeup.

Currently, I had the appearance of a black-haired girl.

I created clones and stationed them in the building opposite the meeting point and its surroundings, then entered the bar on the first floor.

Inside the near-empty bar, a menacing bald man stood behind the counter.

The large rose tattoo on his head was striking.

Two men sitting at a table, each holding a beer bottle, were laughing at something on the TV.

They seemed to be his companions.

「That’s strange. From what I heard, I was supposed to talk to the female bartender at the counter…」

「Did they change things? Just try talking to him.」

What I had heard didn’t match the situation.

I approached the bald man.

“Um, it’s a starry night. A kind sister? I’d like to order!”

“…What?”

As the bald man looked puzzled, I continued.

“A gin with butter mixed in, on the rocks. Black label, please!”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“…?”

Why didn’t he understand?

This was different from what I had expected.

Before coming here, I had learned a few code phrases for the transaction from the broker’s broker.

For example, “A starry night” and “A kind sister” signaled the desire to initiate a deal.

The bartender was supposed to hear this and respond with, “What would you like to order?”

The phrases I used after were also code.

“Butter mixed in gin” referred to illegal magical equipment.

“On the rocks” meant wanting a quick deal, and “Black label” indicated interest in purchasing in bulk.

Additionally, until the main discussion started, all conversation had to be conducted in code.

But this guy didn’t understand a word I said.

Was I in the wrong place?

The bald man, after rolling his eyes fervently, suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed, “Ah!”

Then, he burst into laughter.

“Ah-ha! Now I get it. I thought you were spouting gibberish. You’re here for a deal, right?”

Not knowing what he meant, I answered affirmatively for now.

“Alright, follow me. Let’s talk upstairs.”

The rose-tattooed bald man led the way.

The men who had been drinking beer silently rose and followed behind me.

Before climbing the stairs, I made a request.

“Um, can I use the restroom first?”

“Go ahead, but be quick!”

As soon as I entered the restroom, I summoned two additional clones in the stall.

「What’s going on?」

「Hold position for now and scout the interior of the building!」

After flushing the toilet and stepping out, the three men, still grinning, escorted me upstairs.

The second floor was quiet, while the loud chatter and laughter of men on the third floor echoed through the hallway.

Four or five similarly burly men emerged from a room, noticed me, and smirked unpleasantly.

As I held the staircase railing while climbing, something sticky got on my hand.

I brought it close to my nose.

It smelled like blood.

Upon reaching the fourth floor, I saw a room with a chair inside.

“Sit here. I’ll be right back!”

While Violet No. 110 sat quietly in the room, the Violets in the restroom stealthily moved up to the second and third floors.

「This seems fishy. I’ll check the second floor. You take the third!」

Carefully climbing the stairs, I noticed more distinct traces that I hadn’t seen earlier.

On the third-floor hallway, drops of blood trailed toward the stairs.

When I turned on a flashlight to inspect further, I spotted dark red marks that looked like they’d been hastily wiped with a dirty rag.

It was a scene I had seen often in the research lab.

When bloodstains on walls and floors were scrubbed off quickly with any available cloth, these kinds of marks were left behind.

The faint bloodstains continued down the second-floor hallway.

As Violet No. 110 waited, the other Violets surveyed the hallway.

Drops of blood led to one of the doors.

It was locked.

While the other Violets hesitated at the door, unsure of what to do, a bald man dragged four other men into the room where Violet No. 110 was staying.

“…Well then, miss. The boss stepped out for a bit. Just wait a moment. Hey! Don’t you have any sense? You bastard! Go downstairs and grab some drinks and snacks! We’ve got a guest!”

“Uh, but what about the deal…?”

“…Are you a student? So the rumors are true, huh? These days, even academy students are doing this kind of work.”

“What are you talking about?”

While I tilted my head in confusion, the bald man began rambling on his own.

“You know, miss, you’re an Awakened, right?”

“Uh… how did you know?”

“A girl your age coming into a place like this… Hmph, there are only three types: problem-solvers, junkies, or… sluts.”

“Oh, I see.”

“So, you’re a problem-solver. They say hunting humans is easier than hunting beasts these days, so lots of people are switching sides. Am I right? Even before you came, the boss went to negotiate with another problem-solver over the reward.”

“Haha, is that so?”

Something about the situation felt off.

The rose-tattooed bald man continued talking, uncaring if others overheard him or not.

“…Awakened folks make me so jealous. Just one job, and the pay is crazy, right? If I were a hunter, shit… I’d make a fortune, buy a car, and line it with girls who throw themselves at me just for the car. Ah, sorry, miss. That made you uncomfortable, didn’t it? Just joking, hahaha!”

“Uh-haha!”

The men burst into laughter, and Violet in the fourth-floor office forced herself to smile in agreement.

「This place is weird! I need to get out.」

「Got it. Just wait a moment! Hold on!」

Suddenly, the Violets on the second floor picked up strange noises near the door.

It was a painful groan.

Though the windows around the door were dark, the curtains inside were drawn.

“Um, I should probably be going…”

“Hey now, leaving already? That’s no fun. What about Aramis’ demands? Why didn’t you mention that? Who suggested we rob this smuggler bastard and split the goods, huh?”

My mind snapped back to clarity.

Talk about bad timing—what a mess I’d gotten involved in!

“Right, yes, you’re absolutely right. But before we continue, can I just… use the restroom?”

Sensing something suspicious in my demeanor, the rose-tattooed bald man narrowed his eyes.

“Hey, didn’t you just go to the restroom earlier? What’s the deal? Weren’t you sent here by Aramis’ people?”

Without a second thought, the Violets on the second floor generated another clone beyond the door.

The Violet clone that materialized inside the room opened her eyes wide at the scene before her.

A woman dressed as a bartender and three or four other men were tied up, covered in blood.

Tape had been placed over their mouths.

The captives desperately shook their heads when they saw the Violet clone.

“Boss, earlier this woman said something about butter gin or whatever. Isn’t that their code word?”

“…Oh? Damn, Jimmy, you’re pretty smart. Hey, you. They don’t sell drugs here, so what did you come for?”

The rose-tattooed bald man grabbed my shoulder tightly, and his men surrounded me.

“Yes, that’s right! I came here to make a deal with someone. So, could you please just let me go?”

“Then I guess you’re not an Awakened. Doesn’t look like you’re a junkie either…”

“No, I don’t know anything about this!”

“Who cares? We’d like to find out more about you, starting now.”

The lecherous gleam in the rose-tattooed bald man’s eyes became blatantly clear. The atmosphere in the room grew vile.

“Can’t you just let me go?”

“Our clever Jimmy, how long until the boss gets back?”

“About 30 minutes. So…”

The men grinned wickedly.

“Looks like we’ve got some time to have a little fun.”

I sighed and pulled out my mask.

“Hey, what are you doing? Got a thing for covering your face, huh…?”

The bald man’s face froze. Understandable.

In the blink of an eye, my clones materialized and smashed the back of his men’s heads with hammers.

<Critical Hit!>

[Attacking from behind has activated Synergistic Trait: Backstrike Severe Injury. Damage increases!]

When the enhanced strength of my physical reinforcement combined with my synergistic abilities, the results were catastrophic.

The hammers shattered the gangsters’ heads as if bursting watermelons.

-Crack!

Blood sprayed up to the ceiling, and bits of pulverized skull scattered everywhere. Even the bald man’s head was splattered with the remains of what used to be his underlings.

“Uh…? Uh…? UHH!!”

“Don’t move. You can feel it, can’t you? Stay silent and still. I’ve got questions for you.”

The frozen bald man barely managed a nod before the office door burst open.

“Boss, I brought the drinks and snacks you asked for—”

Ah, great. So much for handling this quietly.

“AAARGH!”

I decapitated the thug screaming outside the door immediately, but it was too late. The bald man seized the moment and yelled.

“An ambush! It’s an Awakened! AAAHH!”

I quickly knocked him unconscious with a blow to the back of the head, but loud footsteps thundered up the stairs from below.

I gave the signal.

“Everyone, prepare for combat.”

The masked Violets rushed out the door simultaneously.

Additional forces materialized around the Violets stationed outside.

This was getting messy.

I’ll have to kill them all!