Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Zeus moved with purpose toward the source of the strange energy, his senses sharper than ever thanks to his recent ascent to the four-star level. Every step he took was deliberate, as he pushed through the eerie stillness that surrounded him.

As he advanced, he noticed the ground was littered with the motionless bodies of Lightning Fang Guild members. Their forms were eerily still, mirroring the fate of Zarek and his minions. A sense of unease crept over him, growing stronger with every step he took.

Finally, Zeus arrived at the epicenter of the disturbance—a massive golden stone, pulsating with an otherworldly glow.

The stone was partially embedded in the earth, its surface shimmering with a blinding brilliance that sent ripples of thunder mana through the air. The sheer power emanating from it was palpable, unlike anything Zeus had ever encountered, aside from the system's influence.

"So this is the source of the aura," Zeus muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes as he studied the massive stone before him. The glow it emitted was mesmerizing, almost hypnotic. "System, do you have any idea what this is?"

[What the hell…] the system's voice came through, uncharacteristically shaken. Its usual arrogant tone wavered, tinged with genuine surprise. [I can't believe it's actually here…]

Zeus raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the system's uncharacteristic reaction. "What's gotten into you? Why do you sound so shocked?"

[Shocked? Of course, I'm shocked!] the system shot back, regaining some of its usual cocky edge but still clearly unsettled.

[Even I didn't expect to find something like this here!] It paused, as if struggling to reconcile its surprise with its need to maintain superiority. [Not in a place like this, anyway.]

Zeus's curiosity deepened, his brow furrowing. "What's so special about this stone that even you're surprised?"

The system, now regaining its full composure, replied with a mix of arrogance and condescension, as if mocking Zeus for his ignorance.

-verified

[This isn't just some ordinary rock,] it began, practically dripping with superiority. [This is a huge chunk of Thunder Mana Stone, and not just any kind—a pure one at that.]

Zeus's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, you're telling me this massive golden stone is a Thunder Mana Stone?"

[Yes, and not just any Thunder Mana Stone,] the system continued, now fully back in its smug, superior mode. [This one's a real gem. The bigger the mana stone, the purer the mana inside it. And this one's massive.]

There was a slight pause before the system added, almost with a snicker, [With a stone like this, it's no wonder those Lightning Fang idiots became so proficient in thunder skills. They've been soaking in pure thunder mana from this stone like they were at some fancy spa.]

Zeus couldn't help but smirk, his mind racing with possibilities. "Yeah, I can't decide if they were lucky to find it first or if I'm the lucky one for stumbling upon it now."

[Obviously, you're the lucky one,] the system retorted, as if rolling its metaphorical eyes. [But do you really think luck had anything to do with it? They were in the middle of being controlled by this stone when you showed up.]

Zeus's smirk faltered as he caught the system's tone. "Controlled?" he repeated, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean, controlled?"

[Oh, come on, do I have to explain everything to you?] the system chided, dripping with mock exasperation. [A massive mana stone like this, especially one that's been buried for ages without being used, can sometimes give birth to a spirit.]

Zeus's eyes widened as the system continued, its tone now laced with a mixture of smug satisfaction and amusement at Zeus's lack of knowledge.

[And guess what? This one's nearly there. The spirit is almost born, and it's trying to take control of the humans who've been soaking up its thunder mana like it's their morning coffee.]

Zeus's frustration surged. "What the hell! Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" he snapped, his voice tight with urgency.

[Well, maybe if you asked the right questions sooner,] the system retorted, clearly enjoying itself. [But hey, better late than never, right?] It practically purred, savoring the moment as Zeus processed the information.

Zeus clenched his fists, a mix of exasperation and determination etched on his face. "So, what do we do now? We can't just leave this thing here."

[Ah, you're finally catching on,] the system replied, its tone laced with mock praise and a hint of impatience. [We're going to take it, obviously. But don't get too comfortable—if that spirit's close to being born, it's not going to roll over and play dead for you.]

Zeus nodded, his resolve hardening as he processed the system's words. "Fine by me. I didn't come this far just to walk away empty-handed."

The system's voice dripped with approval, almost purring with satisfaction. [Now that's the spirit I like to see, Host. Let's get that stone. After all, it's not every day you stumble across something this valuable just lying around, waiting to be claimed.]

Just as Zeus was about to move, something caught his attention—something deeply unsettling. The people who had collapsed around the golden stone began to stir, their bodies twitching as if they were being shocked awake from a deep, unnatural slumber.

Zeus's eyes narrowed as he watched them. "What the hell…?"

[Oh, this should be good,] the system chimed in, its tone almost gleeful. [Looks like our little stone friend here is waking up the neighbors.]

Slowly, the fallen figures began to rise, but their movements were stiff and jerky, like marionettes being yanked to their feet by invisible strings. Their eyes, once full of life, now glowed with an eerie, electric blue light, completely devoid of any human emotion.

"They're like… zombies," Zeus muttered, his voice low as he observed their unsettling transformation.

[Zombies with a twist,] the system mocked, clearly enjoying the show. [They're not just mindless; they're infused with thunder mana. Makes them a bit more… shocking, don't you think?]

The once-human figures turned their vacant, glowing eyes toward Zeus. Their faces were blank, lifeless masks, but their bodies moved with a chilling, single-minded purpose.

They began to advance on him, their steps slow but unnervingly deliberate, like a horde of thunder-infused puppets.

Zeus tightened his grip on his weapon, readying himself. "Looks like they're not going to let me walk away with that stone so easily."

[Of course not,] the system quipped, its voice brimming with smug satisfaction. [But hey, if it were easy, it wouldn't be worth your time, would it? Now, let's see what you've got, Host. Show them why you're the one who gets to claim this prize.]

Zeus's eyes narrowed as the horde drew closer. "Bring it on," he muttered, the thrill of the impending fight sharpening his focus.

[That's the spirit,] the system mocked lightly, its tone almost playful. [Let's make this fun.]

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