Hitman with a Badass System

Michael's strategy of concealing his full power proved to be a wise decision. By limiting the doppelganger's exposure to his true capabilities, he prevented it from becoming more of a headache than it had already been. This tactical approach was now doing wonders in the battle.

Under the relentless assault from the group, with Michael leading the charge, the doppelganger began to show signs of strain. Michael's persistent attacks drew the doppelganger's focus, allowing the others to strike with increased effectiveness.

Michael engaged the doppelganger with a barrage of swift sword strikes. "You can copy my moves, but not my mind," he said calmly. His blades moved in a blur as he executed a series of complex maneuvers designed to confuse and outpace his opponent.

Mirroring Michael's actions, the doppelganger found itself gradually overwhelmed. The group seized the opportunity, their combined attacks becoming more coordinated.

An elf archer shot a series of arrows, each one narrowly missing Michael but hitting the doppelganger. "Now!" the archer called out, signaling the others to intensify their assault.

"Arcane Torrent!" A mage launched a spell, shouting. Soon, a stream of magical energy surged toward the doppelganger, causing its figure to ripple and distort. It tried to evade, but its reaction was a fraction slower, a sign that the constant pressure was taking its toll.

As the doppelganger staggered under the onslaught, its movements became less fluid, its responses less immediate. The adventurers, sensing the shift in momentum, pushed harder.

On the other hand, Gaya reloaded her crossbow and aimed for the doppelganger's joints. "Let's see you dance now," she muttered, firing an armor-penetrating bolt. The bolt struck, and the doppelganger jerked awkwardly, unable to fully avoid the trajectory of the projectile.

Seeing an opening, Michael lunged forward with a powerful thrust. "This ends now," he stated with his sword aimed at the doppelganger's heart.

The group's combined might, along with Michael's strategic planning and execution, had finally tipped the scales in their favor. Amidst the fierce battle, Jin moved stealthily towards the pond. He touched the water's surface, and a doppelganger that took his form emerged. However, this new doppelganger appeared weaker, lacking the strong energy and vitality of Michael's doppelganger. It seemed the pond had expended more energy on creating the stronger doppelganger of Michael, resulting in a less powerful version of Jin.

In the intense fight, Michael noticed Jin's actions out of the corner of his eye. He saw Jin use an amulet, a palm-sized marble. Upon breaking it, another clone of Jin materialized behind the doppelganger. This clone swiftly and silently stabbed Jin's doppelganger in the back, killing it instantly.

While most of the adventurers were too engrossed in the ongoing battle to notice Jin's cunning move, Gaya saw it and cursed under her breath. "That sneaky son of a bitch," she muttered, a mix of annoyance and admiration in her tone. "Saving his energy and playing it smart."

Having accomplished his goal, Jin quickly retreated back into the shadows, avoiding further involvement in the battle. Though unnoticed by many, his action was a clever use of resources, allowing him to conserve his energy while effectively dealing with his doppelganger.

As the battle continued, Michael made a tactical decision to enhance his abilities using the tools at his disposal. He mentally commanded his APD to inject a speed potion into his bloodstream, a concoction designed to increase his speed exponentially.

Under normal circumstances, Michael preferred to rely on his innate abilities and spells, harnessing celestial energy to achieve remarkable speed. However, in this critical moment, he recognized the necessity of using the potion, given that the doppelganger lacked access to such enhancements.

When the potion took effect, Michael's movements became a blur to the onlookers. He darted around the doppelganger with incredible swiftness, his body moving with fluid, acrobatic grace. Each movement was calculated and precise, a deadly dance of speed and agility.

"You can't keep up now, can you?" Michael taunted, his voice laced with confidence as he circled the doppelganger.

He lunged forward, delivering a series of rapid slashes with his swords. The doppelganger tried to mirror his movements, but Michael's enhanced speed gave him the upper hand. He spun, his blades slicing through the air, creating arcs of light with each movement.

Now struggling to keep pace, the doppelganger found itself on the defensive. Michael exploited every opening, his attacks becoming more aggressive and relentless.

With a final acrobatic leap, Michael flew over the doppelganger, flipping mid-air. As he descended, he brought his swords down in a powerful, cross-cutting motion. The blades met their mark, cleaving through the doppelganger with brutal force.

The doppelganger's form shuddered violently before dissolving into water and splashing back into the pond. Michael landed smoothly on the ground, his breathing steady despite the exertion.

"He did it! He actually did it!" one of the adventurers exclaimed, their voice filled with a mix of shock and awe.

"That was incredible!" another added, their eyes wide as they processed the display of sheer power and skill.

As Michael's doppelganger dissolved into the pond, the water level noticeably lowered. The adventurers, energized by this victory, were reinvigorated with a sense of drive and teamwork. They quickly organized themselves, each taking turns to face their doppelgangers with the support of the group.

One by one, the doppelgangers emerged and were defeated in a series of battles. The adventurers employed a combination of brute force, cunning tactics, and cooperative strategies. Each victory brought them closer to their goal, and slowly, the pond's water continued to recede.

Finally, after the last doppelganger was killed, the pond completely dried up, revealing a hidden door at its base. The group gathered around the newly uncovered entrance, their eyes fixed on the mysterious door.

As they watched, runes etched above the door started to glow with a faint light, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the hall. The door creaked ominously, a sound that resonated through the silence of the room.

"Looks like we've found our way forward," one of the adventurers said, his voice echoing slightly in the now quiet hall.

"Whatever lies beyond that door, we're ready for it," another added, gripping their weapon a little tighter.

Gaya stepped closer to the door, peering at the glowing runes. "Let's hope it's worth all this trouble," she remarked, a hint of fatigue in her voice.

"Stay sharp. This dungeon has more tricks up its sleeve," Michael cautioned, his eyes scanning the area.

As they stood before the newly revealed door, some of the adventurers and the rich nobles who had joined them began to express their concerns and fears about what might lie ahead.

"I didn't sign up for this kind of danger," grumbled one of the noble brats, his previous bravado diminished.

"Who knows what sort of fucked up things await us through there?" another adventurer muttered, cursing under his breath.

Despite the growing nervousness among the group, Michael knew that hesitation would not serve them in this dungeon of uncertainties. Taking the lead, he stepped confidently towards the pond and leaped into it, disappearing through the door. Gaya followed him, demonstrating the same calm demeanor as Michael.

The others watched as their two strongest allies vanished through the door, leaving behind a sense of uncertainty mixed with a need to follow.

Unknown to the rest, Michael harbored a deep concern. He had not told anyone about his observation of the bright glow and the smile resembling Silvaris's on his doppelganger's face. The thought that Silvaris might have controlled his doppelganger irked him.

This possibility suggested that Silvaris was more deeply involved in the workings of the dungeon than they had initially thought. It meant that the doppelgangers might have been more than mere reflections of their physical forms. Instead, they could have been puppets manipulated by the master of the dungeon.

*********************

"Where in the fuck are we?" Gaya exclaimed, her voice echoing slightly as she looked around in bewilderment.

Michael and Gaya found themselves standing in the midst of an expansive forest. The ground beneath them was covered with dried leaves, crunching softly under their feet. Tall trees, with a mix of green and brown leaves, towered above them, creating a canopy that filtered the light in a soft, dappled pattern.

Michael surveyed the expansive forest before them, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger or clues. "Seems like this is a pocket dimension attached to the dungeon," he said thoughtfully.

Gaya looked around, her eyes wide with curiosity and caution. "A pocket dimension? So, we're still inside Silvaris's game?" she asked, trying to make sense of their new environment.

"Looks like it," Michael replied, his gaze still fixed on the trees. "But this place feels different... more natural, less constructed."

The forest seemed tranquil, a stark contrast to the treacherous and unpredictable nature of the dungeon they had just left behind. However, Michael knew better than to let his guard down. In a place created by Silvaris, appearances could be deceiving.

"Let's keep our eyes open," Michael advised, as he began to cautiously lead the way through the forest. "If this is part of the dungeon, there's no telling what we might encounter here."

As they made their way through the dense forest, Gaya couldn't help but voice her concerns about their current situation. "What kind of sick traps or games does that fucking thief have planned for us here?" she asked with her voice full of anger and frustration.

Although Michael shared her sentiments, he remained calm with his eyes scanning the forest for any signs of danger. It wasn't long before he spotted something unusual in the distance, among the dried leaves. "There's something over there," he said before quickening his pace towards the object.

As they approached, the grim reality of what lay before became apparent. It was a body, a dwarf's, lying motionless on the forest floor. His throat had been slit, the blood pooling around him, staining the dried leaves a dark crimson.

Upon seeing the body, Gaya gasped in recognition. "I know him," she said, her voice low and filled with shock. "He fought the doppelgangers with us... he was one of the adventurers…"