NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67 - Doppelgangsters
Leaving Bitterblossom to play around with their new skill, which causes flowers to grow somewhere temporarily by the way, it’s time to move on to the last group to receive classes. That is to say, my now second-newest addition, the doppelgangers. They are talking to Tailor right now, but as I turn my attention that way, I am greeted by the strangest sight.
Tailor is performing alterations to a set of black robes worn by an adult human with short, slightly graying black hair, blue eyes and a slight stubble. I have never seen him before but can reasonably guess he is the victim of the very doppelganger standing there wearing his shape.
Next to him stands a young human woman with straight brown hair down to her shoulders, piercing green eyes, and a smirk on her face. It is Larissa, or rather, the second doppelganger in her shape, wearing a tightly fitting bodysuit underneath a set of cloth pieces somewhat reminiscent of the real Larissa’s leather armor, but for lack of leather materials it obviously lacks much of the original’s protection.
They turn towards me as I enter and smile. It looks awkward, they are evidently not quite familiar with these forms they picked up yet. I can occasionally see spots of waxy white bleeding into the texture of their skin as they move, and the colors are more of a constantly shifting gradient than a solid tone if one pays close attention to them.
Opening his mouth as if to speak, the one in the shape of the cultist manages out a “M-Ma - ter”. Well, much like their shapeshifting ability, that is just plain impressive. It took Juliette much longer to learn to speak after gaining the ability to, though evidently they still need some practice.
Alright you two, time to get down to business. Classes! You ready?
They both nod excitedly.
Which one of you wants to go first?
They both look towards each other, and the one with the cultist’s face nods towards his fellow.
All right. Let’s start with the difficult thing, the name, and work up towards the more difficult thing, the actual class selection.
Any preferences?
No, Larissa is her name, this is not what you are gonna look like always, is it? Sure, calling you by whoever you are imitating makes sense, but you still need a name for yourself. You earned one, at the very least.
The brows on the borrowed face furrow in deep thought, before an excited expression appears in their place.
Replica! That's… actually a nice name, and fitting too! The other doppelganger nods their head in approval, too.
Welcome aboard Replica! Next step, class!
Monster Class Selections (Doppelganger, Juvenile):
Morphic Assassin
Morphic Servant
Morphic Actor
Distracting Mirror-Image
Seems the more basic classes for Doppelgangers are Morphic. I expected them to share the “Formless” tag that mimics have, but it seems that even among shapeshifters there are distinctions. I wonder what that means for their development?
Anyways, any preference?
Morphic Actor you say? Amazing! Excited to see you perform on stage, Replica!
Status
Name: Replica
Class: Morphic Actor
Level: 4
Creature Type: Doppelganger, Juvenile
Skills:
Active:
Passive:
-
Passing Familiarity - Level 1
Level 4 off the bat, huh? Impressive!
The Passive ability allows Replica to pick up a variety of skills and knowledge quickly by observing others employing them, apparently. Should help with learning speech, at least, and it could be very helpful when thrust into roles that one was not quite prepared for, potentially? Definitely sounds useful!
Replica seems happy too, a big smile on her, or rather, on Larissa's face. I think if I was unfortunate enough to have a flesh and blood body, a headache would begin to form just thinking about this.
Moving on from the game of “Whose face is it anyways?” I began to devise in my head, its time for another name.
Have you thought about it?
You have? Amazing.
Echo? Well, that's another very Doppelganger name! I like it. So does Replica, who lets out a little cheer.
All right then, Echo.
Monster Class Selections (Doppelganger, Juvenile):
Morphic Assassin
Morphic Servant
Morphic Actor
Rogue
Bloody Substitute
Huh. That last one sounds kind of… Of course that is the one you want. Sure. Here we go.
Status
Name: Echo
Class: Bloody Substitute
Level: 7
Creature Type: Doppelganger, Juvenile
Skills:
Active:
Passive:
Betrayal - Level 1
Bloody Imitation - Level 1
At level 7 already? Well, you did get that one cultist and stole his appearance. I guess that's… exactly what that class wants to do. The Passive makes it easier to pass yourself off as a person that you killed. Huh. The active allows an attack that is massively empowered but on the condition that the target perceives you as an ally.
It’s a bit… bloodthirsty, for my taste, but hey, if it helps to stop people from shattering me, I am all for it!