Note: The term "Doppelgänger" has its roots in the German language, where "doppel" means "double" and "gänger" means "walker" or "one who goes". So the literal translation would be "double walker", referring to a copy or duplicate of a person. In popular culture and various spiritual traditions, the concept of the Doppelgänger is often associated with a manifestation of the self, which can be either a reflection or a shadow of a person's true essence. This phenomenon is intriguing and provokes reflections on the duality of existence and the nature of identity.
...
Silence hung in the air for a moment. The four of them stared at the figures in front of them, future versions of themselves. Or rather, empty doppelgängers of those versions. They had no conscience, no intelligence, just a reflection of what they could become.
Chae Nayun was the first to react.
Or rather, she was the first to freak out.
"W-WHAT THE HELL?"
She pointed at her copy, who just stared at her indifferently, without expression or feeling.
"Is that... is that REALLY supposed to be me?!"
She started walking in circles, gesticulating exaggeratedly.
"That's wrong! I would never look so... so..."
Disbelief mixed with confusion made her start walking in circles, gesticulating wildly. Her eyes moved up and down, analyzing every detail of the figure in front of her, and with every second, her expression became more dramatic.
"SO STYLISH?! WHAT? AND THAT SHORT HAIR? WHY IS IT SO COOL?!"
Kim Suho, on the other hand, reacted with a glint of curiosity in his eyes. He observed his own projection and crossed his arms, calmly assessing it.
"Wow... I look a lot stronger."
He flexed one arm, comparing himself to his ideal self. The difference was glaring. The doppelganger in front of him had an intense aura, an overwhelming presence. His shoulders were broader, his muscles well-defined, and his posture was that of a true leader. It was like looking at the incarnation of a legendary hero.
"Do I get faster too?"
Suho muttered to himself, feeling a small shiver of excitement.
The doppelgänger remained silent, firm and unmoving, but his presence alone conveyed a latent power. Suho smiled, satisfied.
"If I keep training, I'll get there."
Yeonha, on the other hand, was analyzing her own version of herself with critical eyes, as if she were judging an important report.
"Hmmm... so that's how I'll be? As expected."
She took a step forward and looked closer.
"But... those sharp eyes. Why are they brighter than mine?"
Kim Hajin, who until then had been watching everything in silence, sighed.
"This is a circus..."
Meanwhile, Nayun was still absorbing the shock of seeing his own doppelgänger.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute! Why is this version of me HIGHER?! That doesn't make sense! I demand a refund on this deal!"
She started pacing back and forth, shaking her head.
"That's unfair... How come I look so amazing and I'm still just... me?!"
Her doppelgänger, empty of consciousness, just stood there, without any response.
The group continued to stare at their own ideal future images. Even without intelligence or consciousness, the doppelgängers served as a glimpse of each person's potential.
And, in Nayun's case, they only generated an existential crisis and a burning desire to discover how, exactly, she would become so impressive.
"...I need to train more."
She muttered, clenching her fists.
And so, between Nayun's confusion, reflections and outbursts, I continued to watch everyone
They were just empty images, but still impressive.
Chae Nayun's doppelganger radiated confidence. Her hair, once long and loose, was now short and perfectly styled, as if it belonged to a warrior who had no time to waste. Her posture was straight, full of determination, and there was something in her eyes, a firmness, an unshakeable conviction. She was the kind of person who went into battle knowing she was going to win.
I let out a discreet sigh.
'I wonder if this ideal version of her is also hot-headed...'
Kim Suho, on the other hand, seemed to have evolved from a promising hero into a true living legend. His doppelganger exuded pure strength, broader shoulders, well-defined muscles, almost 2 meters tall, but without losing the lightness of a swordsman. His presence was intense and firm.
I shook my head.
'Of course. This is the protagonist of the world we're talking about.'
Yoo Yeonha looked exactly as Theo had expected. Her future was the most predictable of all, a refined, impeccable-looking woman, wearing an even more impeccable Cube uniform, who screamed power and influence.
Her eyes, however, were different. Sharper, more cunning, as if they could see through any deception. The Yeonha of the present was already dangerous when she wanted to be...
But this version? This was someone who controlled everything around her with a single glance.
I smiled in a corner, seeing her snub-nosed expression.
'As if she wasn't nosy enough already.'
And then there was Kim Hajin.
I watched as he frowned. His doppelgänger was the only one that didn't make sense. Unlike the others, he didn't exude power, or confidence, or any obvious trace of evolution, not really, but in his appearance, he was taller, had a beard and his eyes shone blue. He wore simple clothes, and looked calm, as if he were just another face in the crowd. But there was something about him. Something strange. An invisible weight, a feeling that... Even though he was discreet, he was the most dangerous of the four.
I laughed as I let out a short sigh.
'Well... Fenrir, the one that not only heroes, but villains and Djinns trembled with fear just hearing his name.'
"Tap! Tap!"
I clapped my hands to get their attention.
"Since everyone seems calmer, let me continue..."
"Wait Theo, just one question."
Nayun interrupted him, waving her arms.
"Uh! What do you want to know?"
"Is this really our projection now?"
Nayun asked, frowning.
"I'd say it's more like half-doppelgängers. They're just like us, only older, and without conscience or intelligence."
Yeonha answered first, crossing her arms.
"Yeonha, you're half right."
She raised an eyebrow, interested.
Then I continued.
"Remember what I said when I cast my spell on you?"
Suho scratched the side of her head, trying to remember, and after a few moments her eyes lit up.
"Yes, if I remember correctly, you told us to look at ourselves and try to bring out our ideal selves from the future, right?"
"Huhum!"
I confirmed with a nod.
"I used my magic to take your ideal selves that you created in your thoughts, in your existence and brought them into reality, they literally are, your powers that you just thought up."
After waiting a few seconds until everyone had understood a little, my voice continued as I pointed at the doppelgängers.
"Fight them, face their challenges and absorb their skills and power. Each confrontation will be a test, each victory a step further in your evolution. But don't get lost in the chaos of battle, dive back into your existence and remember who you are. The journey is not just about strength, but about understanding.
If the ideal you strive for changes, then
So look inwards. Use your mind as a sharp blade, your being as a compass that points to the truth. Lean over the edge of the abyss of
The eyes of the four of them widened.
This was insane.
Simply unbelievable.
Yeonha swallowed, feeling a shiver run up her spine.
"Does that mean... we can fight them and absorb their abilities and power?"
Nayun's voice trembled slightly as she tried to process the grandeur of that revelation. If this is true, it would be unprecedented.
Now it all made sense. Now they understood why Theo had insisted that they keep their abilities a secret.
An unsettling thought settled in each of their minds.
'If someone... no, if the world found out about something like this, Theo would be chased all over the world.'
Djinns, villains and even heroes would run like mad after him.
That was the pensive thought that flooded the minds of each of the four.
...