Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Lucas knew exactly what kind of Divine Mask he wanted to create next. His mind had been working on the idea ever since he uncovered the potential use of the Necrovauld Academy access card. Now, the time had come to bring that idea to life.

"System," Lucas commanded, his voice firm and resolute. "I need a Divine Scripture that delves into necromancy, dark magic, curses—something that will allow me to blend seamlessly into the Necrovauld Academy."

The system responded almost immediately, its tone dripping with a mix of arrogance and amusement. [Oh? So, you're planning to infiltrate the Necrovauld Academy, are you?]

A sly smile spread across Lucas's face, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Infiltrate? That's such a harsh word. I prefer to think of it as simply becoming a student there."

[Heh, call it whatever you want,] the system retorted, a mocking edge to its voice. [But I have to admit, it's a clever idea.]

[You won't just be limited to the knowledge and power of the Celestial Academy. You'll be dipping into the resources and dark secrets of the Necrovauld Academy too. I didn't think you had it in you to be so… versatile.]

Lucas's smirk widened, his confidence unwavering. "Of course. I'm just a genius, after all."

The system let out a shameless chuckle, clearly enjoying itself. [Genius, huh? Well, let's see if your idea can live up to your ego. Give me a moment to craft the perfect scripture for your little adventure.]

Lucas could feel the familiar hum of activity within his mind as the system got to work, its arrogance evident even in its silence.

A short while later, the system returned, its voice laced with pride and a touch of condescension. [Alright, I've outdone myself this time. I've created something truly exceptional.]

Lucas raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the system's unusual tone. "Oh? What did you come up with?"

[It's called the Abyssal Nether Core Divine Scripture,] the system announced, practically preening.

[This scripture taps into the energies of the Netherworld itself. It gives you control over necromancy, souls, curses—you name it. It's like handing you the keys to the underworld. You can thank me later.]

Lucas's eyes lit up with interest, his mind already racing with possibilities. "I see… this will do nicely."

[Naturally, it will,] the system added, its voice brimming with smug satisfaction. [With this, even those dark magic-obsessed Necrovauld fools won't know what hit them. You're welcome, by the way.]

Lucas chuckled, the excitement of the impending transformation tingling at the edges of his thoughts. "Thank you, system," he said, though the system's arrogance hardly needed any more encouragement.

[Flattery will get you everywhere,] the system quipped, its voice practically dripping with smugness as it prepared to reveal the new Divine Mask.

The mask radiated a dark, foreboding energy, perfectly embodying the essence of the Abyssal Nether Core Divine Scripture. Lucas reached out and took hold of the mask, feeling the weight of its power in his hands.

"You will be named Hades," Lucas declared, recalling the god of the underworld from his first life on Earth. The name felt fitting, a reflection of the mask's dark potential.

With a deep breath, Lucas donned the Hades Divine Mask. The transformation was immediate and profound. His physical appearance shifted—his hair lengthened and turned a stark, icy white, cascading down his back.

His eyes, once golden and bright as Zeus, now burned with a deep, unsettling red. The aura around him changed as well; where Zeus exuded majesty and power, Hades radiated an aura of malevolence and dark allure.

Lucas, now transformed into Hades, studied his reflection in the mirror with a satisfied smirk. The image staring back at him was almost perfect—a striking figure with long white hair, piercing red eyes, and an aura that exuded dark, ominous power.

But he knew the transformation wasn't complete just yet. There was still one crucial step left: he needed to fully cultivate the Abyssal Nether Core Divine Scripture and integrate its formidable power into his very being.

He sat down in a meditative position, his expression shifting from satisfaction to focused determination. "It's time to channel the energy of the Netherworld," he murmured, his voice low and steady.

[Oh, this should be fun,] the system chimed in, its tone dripping with anticipation and a hint of sadistic pleasure. [This isn't your usual cultivation, you know. It's going to get… uncomfortable.]

Hades felt the energy begin to swirl around him as he channeled the dark forces of the Netherworld. Unlike the searing physical pain of previous cultivations.

But this time, the discomfort was far more insidious. It wasn't pain, exactly—it was a deep, unsettling feeling that gnawed at the core of his being, as if the energy was trying to drag his very soul into the abyss.

"Uncomfortable?" Hades muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and amusement. "That's one way to put it."

[What, feeling a bit unsettled?] the system mocked, its tone laced with arrogance. [This is the Netherworld's energy you're dealing with. It's supposed to make you squirm. But don't worry—I'm sure you can handle it… eventually.]

Hades smirked despite the discomfort, his resolve unwavering. "I've handled worse."

[We'll see about that,] the system retorted, almost daring him to falter. [Let's just hope your spirit is as tough as you think it is.]

The sensation was relentless, as if tendrils of darkness were trying to wrap around his soul, pulling it deeper into the unknown. But Hades remained focused, his mind sharp as he continued to channel the energy, refusing to let it overwhelm him.

For two hours, he endured the spiritual unease, every second a test of his willpower. The system, never missing an opportunity to mock, remained a constant presence in his mind, but Hades didn't let it distract him. He pushed through, ignoring the gnawing discomfort as he forced the energy to bend to his will.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the dark energy began to settle within him. The unsettling sensation faded, replaced by a profound sense of power that rooted itself deep in his essence.

[Well, would you look at that,] the system mused, its tone a mix of surprise and grudging respect. [You actually pulled it off. You're officially Hades now, through and through.]

Hades opened his eyes, a satisfied gleam in their crimson depths. "Of course I did," he said, his voice calm and assured. "I'm not one to let a little discomfort stand in my way."

[True enough,] the system conceded, though it couldn't resist adding one last jab. [Just don't get too cocky. You're dealing with forces that even I find… intriguing.]

Hades simply smiled, the dark energy now a part of him, intertwined with his very soul. The transformation was complete, and he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.