Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Lucas stood at a distance, watching intently as Lucy held the two glowing red marbles in her hands. His eyes widened slightly in disbelief, a flicker of surprise crossing his usually calm face. Even the system, always quick with a mocking remark, fell silent for a moment.

The cores—far smaller than expected—seemed eerily familiar. They were the exact size of the Abyss Core Lucas had obtained in the Abyss Hole, something he had considered a once-in-a-lifetime treasure.

[Well, well, would you look at that?] the system chimed in, its voice dripping with shameless arrogance. [Another impossible find, and it just so happens to fall right into your lap. You're like a magnet for absurdity.]

"The same size as the Abyss Core," Lucas whispered, his voice barely audible as he studied the marbles in Lucy's hands. "But how?"

Before the system could mock him further, Olympus's deep, authoritative voice echoed in Lucy's thoughts.

[Now, cultivate with the volcanic core using the method I have imprinted into your mind,] Olympus commanded, his tone calm but laced with expectation.
Continue your adventure with m|v-l'e m,p| y- r

Lucy's brow furrowed in concentration, her grip tightening around the cores. She nodded in acknowledgment, her determination clear. "I understand, Ancestor," she responded, her voice steady.

But Olympus wasn't done yet. His voice softened as he continued, [And for your brother, give him the seven-star Volcanic Dragon core. He will know what to do.]

There was a brief pause before Olympus added, his voice fading like a distant echo, [This will be the last time I speak to you for now. Become stronger... and make your ancestors proud.]

Lucy's face tightened with determination, her brow furrowed as she lifted her gaze to meet Lucas's eyes. "Understood," she said, her voice carrying a firm, almost unyielding resolve. There was no trace of hesitation—only confidence and purpose.

As she approached Lucas, her footsteps steady, she extended the seven-star core toward him. Her expression was serious, her lips pressed into a thin line, but beneath that severity lay a quiet sense of trust.

"Here," she said, handing the core to him. "Stay close while I absorb the energy from the eight-star core. I want you nearby."

Lucas glanced down at the core in her outstretched hand before taking it, the weight of it settling into his palm. His eyes lingered on the glowing object, pulsing faintly with power. He could feel the energy humming beneath its surface, not unlike the core Lucy held for herself.

"This core..." he muttered, trailing off as he inspected it more closely. He could see the faint cracks of molten red flowing through the dark surface, its energy potent and dangerous. It was alive in his hand, a heartbeat of raw power.

Lucy gave him a faint smile, though her lips barely moved. "You'll know what to do with it when the time comes. Just focus." Her voice, though still firm, had softened slightly—there was a sisterly reassurance in it, an unspoken bond between them.

Lucas nodded, his brow furrowed in thought as he continued to study the core. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the strength it contained. "I will," he murmured, his voice quiet but assured. He lifted his gaze to watch Lucy.

Lucy, now holding the eight-star core, moved gracefully to sit down, her movements fluid despite the gravity of what she was about to do. She settled into a meditative position, her back straight, and took a deep breath. The air around her seemed to shift, growing heavy with anticipation.

"This won't take long," she said, though the weight of her words suggested otherwise. She gave Lucas one final glance before closing her eyes, centering herself as she prepared to absorb the energy.

"System," Lucas whispered, his voice low but tinged with curiosity, as he examined the glowing core in his hand. "Didn't you say cores of this size are almost never found in the universe? That they're too rare?"

There was a brief pause before the system responded, its usual smugness replaced with an edge of confusion. [I did,] it replied, though its tone was still laced with arrogance.

[It's one of the rarest phenomena in existence. In fact, these kinds of cores are practically legends. And yet... here you are, stumbling across three of them like they're common stones. Honestly, you make no sense.]

Lucas raised an eyebrow, a small smirk curling at the corner of his lips. He chuckled softly, unable to hide his amusement. "Looks like this is my plot armor at work."

The system's response was immediate and brimming with irritation. [Plot armor?] it repeated, its tone dripping with disdain.

[What kind of ridiculous excuse is that? Do you really think the universe bends to your whims? No, it's just dumb luck, and frankly, you should be thankful I'm here to make sense of it all.]

Lucas's smirk grew, and he shook his head slightly, clearly entertained. "You're not wrong, but still... three cores of this rarity, just falling into my lap? Sounds like fate to me."

The system let out a mocking huff. [Fate? Please, spare me. If anything, it's more like you've got the universe on cheat mode. And no, you didn't turn it on—I did. You're just coasting along, enjoying the benefits.]

Lucas chuckled again, this time a bit louder. He gave the core in his hand a thoughtful look, feeling the raw energy it held. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just part of the story I'm meant to live."

The system scoffed, clearly unimpressed. [Story? You sound like you're in some kind of novel, and let me tell you, you're not the protagonist, pal. If anyone is, it's me—the one making sure you don't trip over your own feet.]

Lucas shook his head, still smirking. "Nothing," he finally said, his tone nonchalant as he stared down at the core. He rolled it between his fingers, feeling the weight of its power. "Let's just say, I've learned to stop questioning things."

The system, never one to back down, fired off another remark. [Good, because if you started questioning your own luck, you might realize just how absurd your life really is.]

Lucas chuckled once more, the banter between him and the system a familiar comfort. As he gazed at the core, already sensing the power it held, he allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. Whatever the reason for finding these rare cores, Lucas knew one thing—his journey was only just beginning.