BXBX NOVEL Chapter 53: The Mission Begins
[Ah, the moment I've been waiting for,] the system replied with shameless glee, its tone dripping with arrogance. [Okay, host, let's see how much you can endure this time.]
As Lucas began to cultivate, he felt the mana flowing from the storage into the mask, fueling its power. The process was excruciating, the pain sharp and relentless, tearing through his body as the Divine Mask integrated more deeply with his being. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay focused despite the overwhelming agony.
Minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. Finally, the cultivation reached its peak, and the pain began to subside, leaving Lucas drenched in sweat.
[Congratulations, host,] the system announced, its tone almost mocking. [Your Divine Mask - Zeus is now One Star (71%). But let me guess—you're still not used to the pain, are you?]
Lucas grimaced, wiping the sweat from his brow. "No, I'm not used to it," he admitted, his voice strained and tinged with frustration.
[Good! That means you're still human,] the system retorted with shameless pride. [But seriously, you should be grateful. Without me, you'd be nothing more than a nobody. Enduring this pain is the least you could do for all the power I'm giving you.]
"Yeah, yeah," Lucas muttered, trying to ignore the system's relentless taunting. Despite its arrogance, he knew the system was right. The power he was gaining was worth the suffering, even if it didn't feel like it in the moment.
Exhausted from the cultivation, Lucas knew he needed rest to prepare for tomorrow's mission with Lucy, where he would be in disguise once again as Zeus. He lay down, closing his eyes, hoping that sleep would come quickly, though the echoes of the system's arrogant voice lingered in his mind.
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Morning light filtered through the windows as both Lucas and Lucy stirred from their sleep, ready to face the new day. The siblings moved through their morning routine with the ease of familiarity, eventually sitting down together for breakfast. The meal was quiet, each lost in their own thoughts about the tasks ahead.
Lucas broke the silence first, his voice gentle. "So, today's the big mission, huh? You ready for it?"
Lucy looked up from her plate, offering a small, determined smile. "I'm ready. Just make sure you take care of yourself while I'm gone."
Lucas chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "I'll be fine. I've got a whole day planned—might even take a nap."
Lucy shook her head, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You're impossible."
The meal continued in comfortable silence after that, until finally, Lucy stood to leave. At the door, she turned back, giving Lucas a firm nod, her expression reassuring. "Don't get into too much trouble."
Lucas grinned. "No promises."
As soon as Lucy stepped out and was out of sight, Lucas's demeanor shifted. His playful expression hardened with focus.
He activated his Divine Mask, the transformation into Zeus happening in an instant. The power surged through him, and with the speed that came with the mask, Zeus arrived at the gate well ahead of schedule.
Zeus leaned casually against a wall, a confident smirk playing on his lips as he waited. The minutes ticked by, but he was in no hurry. His posture was relaxed, almost as if he was savoring the anticipation of what was to come.
Finally, Lucy arrived, her steps purposeful and her expression focused. Zeus straightened, his smirk widening slightly. "You're quite fast," he remarked, his tone light, but with an undercurrent of challenge.
Lucy met his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly as she cut straight to the point. "Cut the crap, let's go."
Zeus chuckled, not at all put off by her brusque response. "All business, I see. Alright, let's get moving."
They approached the guards at the gate, showing their IDs and mission details. The guards, recognizing the seriousness of their task, quickly let them pass without any further questions.
As they made their way toward the village near the active volcano, where their target—a notorious terrorist—had last been spotted, Zeus decided to break the tense silence. "So," he began casually, glancing at Lucy, "tell me about yourself. Family? Hobbies? What do you do for fun when you're not on a mission?"
Lucy didn't even spare him a glance, her focus unwavering as she kept her eyes on the path ahead. Her silence was icy, almost as if she hadn't heard him at all.
Zeus raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Not much of a talker, are you?" he teased, his tone light but probing, as if trying to find a crack in her stoic exterior.
When she still didn't respond, Zeus tilted his head slightly, his gaze lingering on her with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "You know," he continued, his voice softening just a bit, "most people would at least humor a little conversation."
But Lucy remained silent, her expression unreadable, and her focus entirely on the mission.
"To think that she's this cold with other people..." Zeus thought to himself, studying her with renewed interest.
"Good," he concluded with a sense of satisfaction. "That's exactly what I wanted. No distractions, no weaknesses."
Before long, they arrived at the village where the terrorist had last been seen. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the air heavy with the distant rumble of the volcano. The ground trembled slightly under their feet, adding to the sense of unease that hung over the place.
Zeus scanned the village, his expression turning serious. "Let's ask around first," he suggested, his voice calm but carrying a hint of authority.
Lucy nodded in agreement, her eyes already sharp and alert as she began searching for potential leads. She moved with purpose, her earlier coldness replaced by a focused intensity that Zeus couldn't help but admire.