Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Lucy's breath came in controlled, steady bursts as she walked deeper into the Death Volcano. Her Volcanic Dragon Claws flickered with heat, still glowing from the last battle.

The corpses of the Necrovauld and Malachor disciples lay scattered behind her, their defeat a testament to her strength. The oppressive heat from the volcano intensified with every step she took, the air shimmering with raw, dangerous energy.

The deeper Lucy ventured, the more the landscape around her changed. Jagged rocks twisted in unnatural shapes, and pools of molten lava bubbled ominously beneath her feet.

"We can't just let her go, can we?" one disciple murmured, his voice trembling as he clutched the hilt of his sword, the tip dragging along the rocky ground.

Another disciple, his face slick with sweat, wiped his brow with a shaky hand. His eyes darted toward the swirling lava below, and he shook his head, defeated. "We've done what we were told," he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.

"Our orders were clear: guard the materials in the outer and middle layers. No one mentioned going deeper into... that." He gestured vaguely toward the seething abyss, where the heat distorted the very air.

A third disciple, younger and more anxious, bit his lip and glanced between the others. "But what if she finds something dangerous? What if she—"

"Let her!" the second disciple snapped, his voice rising in both fear and frustration. He shot the younger one a dark look, his hands twitching nervously. "You want to die down there? We all know what lies deeper. The elders don't even dare tread further in. You want to be the fool that does?"

The younger disciple's mouth opened, but no words came out. His eyes widened slightly, fear creeping up his spine.

The first disciple, the one who had spoken softly earlier, sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze still fixed on the volcanic depths. "He's right. It's suicide to go down there. She'll face whatever's waiting for her—no reason for us to get involved."

He cast a final glance at the retreating figure of Lucy, who was now just a silhouette against the glowing heat. His expression shifted from concern to apathy. "If she's that desperate to die, let her."

One by one, the others nodded, their faces reflecting a mixture of relief and cowardice. They had no desire to follow her deeper, where even the air felt like it could ignite their skin.

"Let her go," another muttered, his voice calmer now, almost detached. "The deeper she goes, the more dangerous it gets. She'll be someone else's problem soon enough."

With that, they slowly began to retreat, their steps hesitant at first but then quicker, as if they couldn't wait to distance themselves from the dangers that lay ahead. Behind them, Lucy's figure disappeared entirely into the fiery glow of the Death Volcano. None of them looked back.

Back at the edge of the volcanic region, Lucas stood, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he watched the retreating figures. He had been waiting for this moment. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as the system's voice cut through the silence, filled with smug satisfaction.

[Damn, your plan worked,] the system's voice echoed in Lucas's mind, dripping with smug satisfaction.

Lucas's smile widened, his eyes narrowing as the edges of his lips curled in quiet triumph. His fingers tapped lightly against his thigh, a soft rhythm of victory. "So, they're coming?" he murmured, his tone calm but laced with anticipation.

[Oh, they're coming alright,] the system replied, its voice almost gleeful. [The elders from Necrovauld and Celestial Academy have arrived. Exactly as you predicted.]

Lucas's smirk deepened, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the chaos was about to unfold. His plan to attract the attention of both factions had succeeded perfectly. The subtle shifts in the air, the growing tension—it all told him that the game was about to get much more interesting.

"It worked because you helped me delay the plaque from breaking until now." Lucas's tone was casual, almost dismissive, as if discussing the weather. His posture remained relaxed, despite the high stakes of his plan.

[Of course, it worked because of me!] the system boasted, its voice puffed up with arrogance. [Do you think something as basic as manipulating a death plaque is beyond me?] It let out a scoffing laugh. [Tweaking that thing was child's play—ridiculously easy.]

"I'm sure it was," Lucas chuckled softly, the sound barely audible above the crackling heat of the Death Volcano. "Your shamelessness never fails to amuse me."

The system cackled in response, its voice practically oozing self-importance. [Well, someone has to remind you of who's really in charge here. You may be clever, Lucas, but without me, you'd still be running around like a clueless mortal.]

Lucas rolled his eyes, his smirk unwavering. "I'll give you credit where it's due. You've been useful. This time." His tone was playful, but the subtle tension in his posture betrayed his focus on the larger game at hand.

The system, ever shameless, puffed up even more. [Useful? That's an understatement. If it weren't for me keeping that plaque intact, your precious elders wouldn't even be here. You'd still be twiddling your thumbs, waiting for something to happen.]

Discover tales on m_vl_em_p_yr

"I suppose," Lucas conceded with a sly grin, his mind already racing ahead to the next phase of his plan. His eyes flickered with a calculating gleam, reflecting the fiery glow of the volcano around him. "Now, when they fight, I'll be able to reap the rewards later."

The system snorted, its voice full of mocking amusement. [Oh, you really think you'll just sit back and enjoy the spoils, don't you? Typical mortal. Always looking for the easy path.]

There was a pause before it added, almost gleefully, [But hey, I'm not complaining. It's going to be fun watching them tear each other apart while you, once again, reap the benefits. You're devious, Lucas, I'll give you that.]

Lucas's eyes narrowed in satisfaction as he glanced at the volcanic horizon, where the first signs of the impending clash between the powerful elders of Necrovauld and Celestial Academy began to take shape. "Devious? Perhaps. Efficient? Definitely."

[Efficient, indeed. If only more mortals had half your brains… or my brilliance.] The system laughed again, its arrogance palpable.

[It's almost unfair, isn't it? While they scramble around like headless chickens, we're just sitting here, waiting for the chaos to unfold. You really are lucky to have me guiding you.]

Lucas chuckled darkly, the sound low and filled with anticipation. "Luck has nothing to do with it. I knew from the beginning this would work. Now, the real show begins."

He stood in silence, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, watching as the pieces of his plan fell perfectly into place.