Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Thalnor was already on his way back to the Necrovauld Academy, weaving through the dense trees with a quiet confidence. A sly smirk spread across his lips, growing wider as he ventured deeper into the forest, where no one would witness what came next.

After a quick scan of his surroundings, his smirk turned into a mischievous grin. "No one's watching," he muttered under his breath, reaching up to peel the Thalnor Divine Mask from his face.

The moment the mask lifted, the imposing figure of Thalnor began to shimmer, his tall, robust body dissolving into the air like smoke caught in a breeze.

His features faded into nothingness, leaving behind a boyish figure—Lucas. His youthful face, with wide, innocent eyes, masked the immense power hidden beneath. He glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if testing his own reality.

"System," Lucas called, his voice firm, sharp, "absorb all the mana from this mask. Now."

[Tsk, tsk. So demanding.] The system's voice rang in his head, dripping with arrogance. [You think you're the boss here, huh?]

Lucas rolled his eyes, his patience thin. "I am the boss. Just do it."

[Fine, fine, I'll take care of it. But let's not forget who's doing the heavy lifting here, yeah? You should be thanking me.] The system's tone was mocking, but it began its task regardless.

The Thalnor Divine Mask in Lucas's hand pulsed for a moment, glowing faintly as the mana was siphoned out of it. The system hummed in satisfaction.

[Ahh, that's the stuff. I swear, you'd be nothing without me.]

"Sure," Lucas replied dryly, watching the mask grow dull and lifeless as its power was drained away. "And you'd be useless without me."

[Ha! You wish! I could find another host in minutes, believe me.] The system's arrogance was almost palpable. [But I guess you'll do for now.]

Lucas smirked, his fingers tightening around the now-emptied mask. "Whatever you say."

With a swift movement, he crushed the Thalnor Divine Mask in his grip. The once powerful artifact crumbled like brittle clay, its fragments turning to dust and scattering in the wind.

"And that," Lucas said softly, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes, "is the end of Thalnor Malachor."

[Good riddance. He was kind of an eyesore anyway.] The system chimed in, its tone lazy but amused. [Honestly, it's amazing you managed to pull off that whole act for so long without cracking up.]

Lucas gave a small chuckle, brushing the last bits of dust from his hands with a confident grin. "I'm just that good," he said, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Now, let's not waste any more time."

[Oh, sure, because you're such a busy man.] The system's voice cut in, dripping with sarcasm. [Always so humble, aren't you?]

Ignoring the mocking tone, Lucas reached into the system's inventory and retrieved the Hades Divine Mask.

Its cold, dark surface gleamed ominously in the dim light, almost as if it carried its own dark aura. He ran his fingers over its smooth edges for a moment, feeling the power contained within.

Without hesitation, he slipped it on. His body shifted immediately—his small, youthful form expanding, muscles stretching, and white hair cascading down his back.

His once-boyish features transformed into the sharp, chiseled face of Hades, the strikingly handsome, white-haired inner disciple of the Necrovauld Academy.

"System," Hades said, his deep voice steady and authoritative, "transfer the mana to me. I need to cultivate this body to the peak of six-star."

There was a moment of silence, then the system's voice returned, practically oozing with amusement. [Oh, you need it, do you? Because obviously, I don't have anything better to do than cater to your whims.]

Hades' eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained calm. "Quit complaining and just do it."

[Ahh, the mighty Hades commands! Fine, fine, but don't say I didn't warn you—this is going to hurt. And I mean really hurt. I almost feel bad for you.] The system's tone was playful, almost as if it relished the thought of the impending discomfort.

Hades sighed, bracing himself. "I've dealt with worse."

[Ha! We'll see about that.] The system's mocking laugh echoed in his mind.

Hades glanced around, spotting a hidden cave nestled within the forest's dense foliage. He made his way inside, finding a quiet, secluded corner to settle into. The cave was dark and damp, perfect for a moment of undisturbed cultivation. With a deep breath, he sat down, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.

[Alright, here it comes!] The system announced gleefully. [Try not to scream.]

Almost instantly, the mana flooded into his body like a tidal wave. The energy was wild, raw, and relentless, tearing through his muscles and veins with a searing heat that burned from the inside out. His body tensed as the pain struck him, sharp and unyielding. Every inch of him felt like it was being pulled apart and rebuilt simultaneously.

Hades grit his teeth, refusing to let out any sound. He had endured worse—he knew he had. But still, the system was right. This was no ordinary pain. It clawed at his very core, threatening to tear his consciousness apart.

[Ohhh, there it is! I can feel you shaking. Come on, is that the best you've got?] The system taunted, shamelessly enjoying itself. [It's like watching a toddler trying to lift a boulder!]

"Shut… up…" Hades growled, his voice strained, but steady. Sweat poured down his face as he forced himself to push through the torment, absorbing the mana bit by bit.

Minutes felt like hours, but slowly, the agony subsided. The energy within him began to stabilize, and his cultivation surged. Hades could feel his strength building, growing, as he pushed beyond his previous limits.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the pain eased. Hades exhaled slowly, opening his eyes. His power had risen—he had successfully reached the peak of six-star. A slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Done," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.

[Well, look at that, you survived. Barely. I'm almost impressed.] The system's voice was teasing, yet there was a hint of begrudging respect. [But really, it's all thanks to me, you know. You'd be crawling without my help.]

Hades stood, stretching his newly empowered body. "Keep telling yourself that."

[Oh, I will. And you can thank me later.]

Ignoring the system's continued arrogance, Hades stepped out of the cave, feeling the surge of power coursing through his veins.

"Let's return to the Necrovauld Academy," Hades muttered to himself, his eyes filled with dark anticipation. "It's time to go to the Holy Land—the Abyss Hole."

With that, Hades vanished into the night, his next steps set firmly in place.