Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Zeus wasted no time after entering the library, immediately heading to the first floor. The sheer number of manuals on display was overwhelming—over 30,000 in total, each one containing the knowledge of countless warriors and mages from generations past. But Zeus wasn't deterred. With his thunder speed, he was able to read at a pace that seemed almost inhuman.

He began his work, moving from shelf to shelf with incredible speed. Each manual took him only 2 to 5 seconds to read, his eyes flicking across the pages in a blur.

The first floor was vast, and though his speed was unmatched, the sheer volume of manuals meant it would still take time to complete his task.

For nearly two days, Zeus worked tirelessly, never pausing or slowing down. The entire time, he allowed the system to record every word, every technique, every spell contained within the manuals. When he finally finished, he had read and recorded every single manual on the first floor.

"System, did we manage to upgrade our current Divine Scripture to a four-star level with all these manuals?" Zeus asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

[Of course not,] the system responded, its voice dripping with exaggerated disappointment. [You didn't actually think those puny one-star manuals would be enough to elevate our Divine Scripture to four-star, did you?]

Zeus sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation crossing his features. "I was hoping it might give us at least some progress," he admitted, though he knew deep down the system was right.

[Hope? Oh, how quaint,] the system mocked, its tone laced with arrogance. [Listen, all those one-star manuals are little more than child's play. They're useful for beginners, sure, but we're aiming for something far beyond that.]

[If you want to make real progress, you're going to need more advanced techniques. You'll have to read those two-star and three-star manuals on the second and third floors.]

Zeus rolled his eyes at the system's condescending tone. "I figured as much," he muttered, not bothering to hide his irritation.

[Well, it's good you're catching on,] the system continued, shamelessly patronizing. [You've got a lot more reading to do if you want to keep up with the big leagues. Now, get moving.]

[Those higher-tier manuals aren't going to read themselves, and you certainly can't expect to reach four-star by slacking off, can you?]

Zeus exhaled slowly, trying to keep his annoyance in check. "Yeah, yeah, I'm on it," he grumbled, as he turned to make his way toward the second floor, already mentally preparing himself for the next round of intense reading.

The second floor was notably smaller in comparison, with only about 10,000 manuals. Still, it was no small task, but Zeus set to work immediately.

He moved through the shelves with the same relentless pace, reading and recording every manual he encountered. This time, it took him just a day to complete the entire floor.

Once finished, Zeus made his way to the third floor. Here, the number of manuals was significantly reduced—only about 5,000 in total. With his thunder speed, he managed to finish recording all the manuals in just half a day.

As Zeus moved through the library, his speed and focus unrelenting, he couldn't help but notice the disdainful looks thrown his way by the other outer disciples. Whispers followed him like a shadow, growing louder with each manual he picked up and read.

"Look at him," one disciple sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "He's just flipping through those manuals like they're picture books. There's no way he's actually learning anything."

Another disciple, standing nearby, scoffed and shook his head in agreement. "What a waste of time," he muttered, crossing his arms. "He's just trying to show off, acting like he's some kind of genius. Doesn't even realize how foolish he looks."

The two shared a smug glance, convinced of their own superiority, but Zeus paid them no mind. Their words barely registered, mere background noise compared to the task at hand. He was too focused on his goal, and he knew these disciples had no idea what he was truly capable of.

As the hours turned into days, Zeus tirelessly continued his work. He spent four full days in the library, methodically recording every manual from the first, second, and third floors. His movements were precise, his mind sharp, never wavering from his mission.

Being a three-star warrior, Zeus no longer required sleep, and as the newly crowned third-rank outer disciple, he knew he was untouchable during his one-week challenge-free period.

This was his time, his opportunity to absorb as much knowledge as possible, and no amount of mockery or disdain would distract him from it.

Finally, after tirelessly completing his task, Zeus took a moment to catch his breath. He then turned his attention inward, addressing the system with a hint of impatience. "So, is it enough? Did all this reading pay off?" he asked, his eagerness barely contained, hoping to see the fruits of his labor.

[Enough? You really are impatient, aren't you?] the system retorted, its tone tinged with a mixture of arrogance and mild exasperation. [Give me a moment. I need to sift through all this information you crammed into me. You wouldn't want me to miss anything important, would you?]

Zeus smirked, shaking his head slightly as he leaned against a nearby shelf. "Fine, take your time," he replied, his voice calm but carrying a subtle edge of anticipation. He knew the system was thorough—if annoyingly so—and he could feel the next phase of his cultivation just within reach.

[Of course, I'll take my time,] the system shot back, its voice dripping with shameless arrogance. [Processing this much data is like untangling a knot—one wrong move, and you'll end up with a mess instead of progress. But don't worry, I'm not you. I've got this under control.]

Zeus chuckled at the system's usual self-assuredness. "I'll hold you to that," he muttered, more to himself than to the system. As he waited for it to finish, he allowed his mind to settle, readying himself for whatever came next.