Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Chapter 76: Trouble Brewing

Lucy was meticulously selecting a mission, her mind fully absorbed in the task at hand. She weighed each option carefully, considering the challenges and potential rewards, her thoughts entirely focused on pushing herself further. However, just as she was about to make her choice, a shadow fell over her.

A group of senior disciples had approached, their presence imposing and their intentions clear. They stood in a semi-circle around her, blocking her path.

Lucy's expression immediately soured as she glanced up at them, recognizing the situation for what it was—yet another attempt at intimidation by those who considered themselves superior.

The leader of the group, a tall and broad-shouldered young man with a sneer plastered across his face, stepped forward. His eyes, filled with condescension, bore into her.

"You're a new disciple here, aren't you? Shouldn't you greet your seniors properly?" he demanded, his voice thick with arrogance and entitlement.

Lucy met his gaze with a look of complete disinterest. She had seen this behavior before—older students throwing their weight around, trying to establish dominance over the newer, weaker ones.

But Lucy wasn't weak, and she wasn't about to waste her time pandering to their egos. She dismissed them with a single glance and turned back to the mission board, her expression betraying no emotion.

Her blatant disregard infuriated the group. The leader's sneer twisted into a scowl, his voice rising in volume and venom.

"How dare you ignore us, you lowly commoner!" he spat, his words loud enough to draw the attention of nearby disciples. The disdain in his tone was unmistakable, and a few onlookers began to whisper among themselves, sensing trouble.

Lucy, however, remained unperturbed. Her hand hovered over the mission she had decided on, her mind already on the tasks ahead. But as she reached out to accept the mission, the leader of the group, now visibly enraged, leaned in closer, his smirk returning with a sinister edge.

"Go ahead," he taunted, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper, "accept the mission and leave. But when you return, let's see what happens to your little brother."

The moment the words left his mouth, Lucy froze. Her hand, poised over the mission selection, slowly lowered as a dark fury began to boil within her. She turned her head sharply to face him, her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.

The calm indifference she had shown earlier was gone, replaced by an icy rage. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice low and menacing, each word dripping with barely contained anger.

The leader's smirk only deepened, clearly pleased with the reaction he had provoked. He straightened up, crossing his arms over his chest as he met her fiery gaze with smug satisfaction.

"I said you better come with us, or else something might happen to your little brother," he repeated, the threat in his voice unmistakable.

Lucy's fists clenched at her sides, the knuckles turning white. Every instinct screamed at her to lash out, to teach these bullies a lesson they wouldn't forget.

But she knew she couldn't afford to be reckless, not with her brother's safety potentially on the line. She swallowed her fury, forcing herself to stay calm. "Where are we going?" she asked through gritted teeth, her voice tense but measured.

The leader chuckled, clearly enjoying the power he believed he held over her. "Come with us," he said, his tone dripping with self-satisfaction. He motioned for his cronies to lead the way, confident that Lucy would follow without further protest.

Reluctantly, Lucy fell in step behind them, her mind racing with strategies and contingencies. She was already calculating her options, planning how she could turn the situation to her advantage. She wouldn't let them harm her brother, no matter what it took.

As the group left the mission center, a murmur of voices rose from the disciples who had witnessed the encounter.

Some shook their heads in pity, while others whispered among themselves, casting nervous glances at Lucy. "How unlucky she is to be targeted by those seniors," one of them muttered, the sentiment echoed by others who had seen similar scenarios play out before.

A short while later, Zeus arrived at the mission center, his senses immediately alert. The moment he stepped inside, he could tell something was off. The usual buzz of activity had shifted, replaced by an undercurrent of tension that set his instincts on edge.

As he moved through the crowd, he caught snippets of hushed conversations and noticed the uneasy glances being exchanged.

It didn't take long before he managed to corner a few disciples who reluctantly revealed what had happened—Lucy had been taken away by a group of senior disciples.

Zeus's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he absorbed the news. He wasn't overly worried about Lucy's safety—he knew she was more than capable of handling herself. Those seniors were likely only three-star disciples at best, given that this area was reserved for outer disciples.

But what truly concerned him was the aftermath if Lucy decided to retaliate. If those seniors ended up dead, the situation could spiral out of control faster than he was prepared to manage.

With a determined stride, Zeus approached an officer stationed nearby, his tone measured but carrying a subtle edge. "What happens if other outer disciples attempt to harm us, but we defend ourselves and… kill them?"

The officer looked up from his post, meeting Zeus's gaze with a calm, almost indifferent expression. "As long as you have proof of their intent to cause harm, you will not be held accountable, even if they end up dead."

Zeus felt a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, a mix of relief and anticipation. "I see," he said, his voice laced with a hint of satisfaction. The information was exactly what he needed.

[See? I told you this academy has its priorities straight,] the system chimed in, its tone both shameless and proud. [But really, if Lucy ends up wiping the floor with those idiots, it's not like anyone will miss them.]

Zeus chuckled inwardly, amused by the system's usual mocking tone. "I just hope Lucy plays it smart and doesn't escalate things too much," he muttered, half to himself and half to the system.

[Smart? With her strength, she doesn't need to be smart. Just let her do her thing. If she flattens them, it'll be their fault for picking a fight,] the system replied, clearly enjoying the potential chaos.

Zeus shook his head, though a small, knowing smile remained on his face. "Still, I'd rather not have too much attention on us this early. Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

[Fine, fine. But don't say I didn't warn you if things get interesting,] the system teased, clearly relishing the drama.

With that, Zeus turned his thoughts to his next move, trusting that Lucy could handle herself but ready to intervene if necessary. The mission center buzzed around him, but his focus remained sharp, already planning his next steps as Zeus.