Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Zeus reached into the system space, his fingers brushing against the familiar texture of the Hephaestus mask.

With a deliberate motion, he pulled it out and placed it over his face. The moment the mask settled, the Zeus mask he had been wearing seemed to dissolve, retreating back into the system space as if bowing out gracefully.

As the transformation began, Zeus felt his body shift and contort. His once golden hair darkened to a deep, reddish-brown, and his lean frame expanded, muscles bulging and rippling with raw power.

In mere moments, the slender, god-like figure of Zeus was replaced by the muscular, imposing form of Hephaestus.

Hephaestus flexed his newly formed arms, a grin spreading across his face as he felt the surge of strength coursing through him. "It's quite something," he remarked, his voice now a deep, resonant baritone. "These forging techniques just… appeared in my mind out of nowhere."

The system chimed in, its tone dripping with arrogance. [Of course they did! Did you expect anything less from the Infernal Genesis Core Divine Scripture? It's not just a top-tier flame element scripture—no, it's an elite creation scripture as well. You're not just learning; you're absorbing centuries of blacksmithing knowledge just by standing in this smithy.]

Hephaestus raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Quite full of yourself, aren't you?"

[Well, someone has to be the genius here,] the system retorted, its tone laced with mock pride. [And let's face it, without me, you'd just be another pretty face swinging a hammer. But with my help, you're a force of nature. Now, stop admiring yourself and let's get to work. You've got a golem to create.]

Hephaestus chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. Now that I've got the techniques, let's get started." His voice carried a note of eagerness, his smirk widening as he turned his attention to the task at hand.

Hephaestus turned his attention to the golem blueprints he had acquired earlier, his sharp eyes scanning the intricate details. The blueprint laid out a humanoid figure, meticulously crafted with skeletal bones, layered muscles, and a network of veins, yet conspicuously absent of any organs.

He couldn't help but admire the design. "This is quite something," Hephaestus muttered, his tone a mix of appreciation and intrigue. "The precision needed to construct a body like this… it's no simple task."

[Of course it's not simple,] the system chimed in, its voice dripping with smugness. [But then, simplicity is for amateurs. You, my dear Hephaestus, are about to bring this blueprint to life with the kind of finesse that only a master craftsman could muster. Look at that slot for the golem core—designed to be its very heart, its life force.

But we both know, with the Divine Mask, this golem won't just be another hunk of metal.]

Hephaestus nodded, the gears in his mind turning as he processed the design. "Normally, this golem would rely entirely on the core to function, constantly needing to recharge. A vulnerable design flaw," he remarked, his voice thoughtful.

[Vulnerable? Ha! Not with me in the picture,] the system cut in, its tone gleeful and arrogant. [With the Divine Mask, this golem will have a sustainable source of power, far superior to any conventional battery. It will even passively absorb mana from its surroundings. Talk about efficiency!]

A grin spread across Hephaestus's face as the pieces of his plan clicked into place. The system might be infuriatingly smug, but it wasn't wrong. This golem would be a marvel, far beyond what anyone would expect from a mere one-star construct.

"Let's make it," Hephaestus declared, his voice brimming with determination. He could already feel the excitement building within him—the anticipation of creation, the thrill of bringing something extraordinary into existence.

[That's the spirit! Now, let's show this academy what real craftsmanship looks like.] The system's voice was practically oozing with pride, shamelessly basking in its own brilliance.

Hephaestus rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the satisfied grin that tugged at his lips. Together, they were about to create something remarkable.

With the blueprint spread out before him, Hephaestus wasted no time. He began gathering the necessary materials—Black Iron, the one-star tier golem core, and the assortment of tools he'd need for the intricate work ahead. His movements were swift, but calculated, every action imbued with purpose.

The moment Hephaestus waved his hand, the fire in the smithy roared to life, its heat intensifying rapidly, casting a brilliant glow that illuminated the entire room. He could feel the flames responding to his will, a testament to the power of the Infernal Genesis Core Divine Scripture.

As Hephaestus set to work, the system's voice rang out, dripping with its usual mix of arrogance and pride. [Look at you, channeling centuries of blacksmithing mastery like it's second nature. It's almost as if you were born for this.]

Hephaestus grinned, his hands moving with a precision that belied his sheer brute strength. "I suppose I have you to thank for that," he replied, his tone half-mocking, half-grateful. "But don't let it go to your head."

[Too late,] the system quipped back, shamelessly. [Besides, if I'm going to be stuck in here with you, I might as well enjoy watching you work. You're not just hammering metal—you're crafting perfection.]

Hephaestus couldn't help but chuckle as he hammered the Black Iron into shape, each strike echoing with a satisfying clang. Every twist of the metal, every precise movement of his tools, was executed with flawless technique.

Slowly, but surely, the golem's frame began to take shape under his skilled craftsmanship, each piece fitting together as if it had been designed by the gods themselves.

Hours passed, the relentless rhythm of Hephaestus's work uninterrupted. The humanoid form of the golem gradually emerged, its structure solid and imposing. As he molded the veins and muscle structures, his focus remained unwavering, his eyes narrowing in concentration.

[Not bad,] the system chimed in, unable to resist another comment. [For a first-time golem creator, you're making this look easy. But then again, with my guidance, how could you fail?]

Hephaestus smirked, ignoring the system's self-satisfaction as he carved the slot for the golem core with meticulous care. The blueprint's vision was nearly complete, brought to life by his tireless efforts.

Finally, as the first rays of dawn began to peek through the small windows of the smithy, Hephaestus stood back, wiping the sweat from his brow. Before him lay the golem's body, strong and imposing, ready to receive its core and divine mask.