The Divine Mask

Lucas stared at the glowing system screen beside him, his heart pounding in his chest. The room was dim, the only light coming from the ethereal glow of the screen, casting eerie shadows on the walls. His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight before him. "Is this... my cheat?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, trembling with a mix of hope and fear.

He reached out a trembling hand, almost afraid to touch the screen, as if it might disappear if he did. "I can't believe it," he murmured, his voice breaking. "After all this time... after everything I went through..."

Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. To think that the cheat he had desperately longed for during his second life, a life filled with struggle and hardship, would finally appear in his third. The realization was overwhelming, and he let out a shaky breath, a mixture of relief and joy flooding over him.

"It's real," he whispered to himself, a small smile forming on his lips. "It's actually real."

But as quickly as the tears came, they dried up, replaced by a fierce determination. His smile turned into a smirk as he imagined the possibilities that lay before him. If he had a cheat now, everything would change. The game was about to be played on his terms.

"Alright, let's see what we've got here," he said, focusing intently on the screen.

[Divine Mask - God Clone System]

"Divine Mask? God Clone System?" he muttered, puzzled and intrigued. He leaned closer, trying to decipher the meaning behind these words.

[User can create clones with unique abilities, manifesting as masks.]

[When worn, these masks bestow the user with the clone's powers.]

[Masks can also be placed on golems or dolls, transforming them into entities with the clone's abilities.]

As Lucas read the descriptions on the screen, his mind raced with excitement and curiosity. The summary was clear: With this cheat, he could create a mask. He repeated the key points aloud, trying to fully grasp the implications.

"So, when I wear the mask, I can use powers different from my own?" he muttered, pacing the room. The soft glow from the screen illuminated his thoughtful expression. "And if I place the mask on a golem or doll, it becomes a humanoid clone acting as my subordinate?"

He stopped pacing and looked out the small window of his room, the moon casting a silver light over the village. His thoughts whirled with possibilities. "I could have an army of powerful clones," he whispered, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Different powers, different abilities... the possibilities are endless."

Lucas imagined a scene where he and his clones faced his enemies. Each clone wielded unique powers, overwhelming their opponents with sheer versatility and strength. The thought filled him with a newfound sense of power and purpose. He could protect Lucy. He could finally exact his revenge.

"But how do I create the mask?" Lucas wondered aloud, his excitement mingling with uncertainty. He turned back to the glowing screen, hoping it held more answers.

As if responding to his thoughts, new text appeared on the screen:

[Creating a mask requires no initial cost.]

Lucas's eyes widened in astonishment. "I don't need anything? I can just create numerous masks?"

The room seemed to pulse with his excitement, the glow of the screen reflecting in his eyes. He began to imagine all the masks he could create, each with different powers, each an asset in his quest to protect Lucy and defeat his enemies.

But then, more text appeared:

[However, while the creation is free, the user must personally cultivate the mask.]

Lucas's excitement was momentarily dampened. He frowned, contemplating the implications. "Cultivate it myself?" he echoed, thinking aloud. "I can handle cultivating one or two masks, but what about the future when I might need many?"

He sat down on the edge of his bed, the wooden frame creaking under his weight. The moonlight streaming through the window cast a serene glow over the room, contrasting with the turmoil in his mind. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his eyes.

"I need a way to manage this," Lucas murmured to himself, his mind racing. "If I have to cultivate each mask myself, it could become overwhelming."

He paced the small room, the wooden floorboards creaking under his weight. The glow of the system screen cast shifting shadows on the walls, reflecting his inner turmoil. He glanced back at the screen, hoping for more guidance.

As if responding to his thoughts, the screen flickered and new text scrolled into view:

[Do not be concerned. Simply establish the mask's foundational path. Once the basics are set, the mask can continue to cultivate independently, given sufficient resources.]

Lucas stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening with understanding. He read the message again, letting the words sink in. "So, I just need to lay the foundational path," he muttered, a glimmer of hope returning to his voice. "After that, I can provide resources, and the mask will cultivate on its own."

He sat down on the edge of his bed, the mattress sagging slightly. "This changes everything," he whispered, a mix of relief and excitement flooding over him. "I won't be alone in this fight. I can create an army."

The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the screen. Lucas leaned back, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. "With this power, I can protect Lucy. I can finally take the fight to those who wronged us."

He stood up, his resolve hardening. "Alright, let's see how this works," he said, determination clear in his voice. He turned back to the screen, ready to take the first step.

"System," he called out, "how do I create my first mask?"

The screen flickered again, displaying a simple command:

[To create a mask, focus on the desired power and will it into existence.]

Lucas took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He envisioned a mask, focusing on the power he wanted it to possess.