Chapter 2: Transformation
Snake-woman Lilith was undergoing a transformation. Her flesh-and-blood body was gradually being replaced by shadow energy, turning her into a semi-energy life form. This transformation was driven by her deep fusion with the mask, pushing her towards becoming part of it.
Lilith's transformation wasn't strictly necessary. Like others who wore the shadow mask, she would be controlled by Lu Li's will, but only her will would be controlled. Lilith, however, chose to completely merge with Lu Li's will, making it her sole purpose. Therefore, she did not resist becoming a semi-energy life form.
Lu Li realized that most of his battles relied on shadows or summoned units. His ability to manipulate his physical body, even when fully unleashed, couldn't match the monsters in the instances.
As a human, Lu Li knew the limits of his body and understood the advantages those monstrous bodies possessed. Given enough time, with his ability to manipulate genes, he could train his body to its peak human potential in half a year. With another year or two, he could alter his genes, pushing his body beyond human limits.
However, observing Lilith's transformation through the shadow mask, Lu Li conceived a bold idea. After some thought, he realized the feasibility of this plan.
Eight masks floated up under Lu Li's will, with Lilith's mask on her arm glowing with a dim light. The shadow assassin's mask, marked by black lines and a horn on its forehead, summoned a shadow assassin who kneeled before Lu Li.
The claw ghost's mask, featuring sharp teeth and two spiral horns on its temples, also summoned a claw ghost who knelt before Lu Li.
Lilith's mask, adorned with black patterns and hollow eyes, seemed to stare at Lu Li. Her snake eyes were filled with infatuation as her tail squirmed restlessly.
The other six masks floated in the air, emitting dim light. Lu Li took out the animated plankton card from his rewards and used it. A mass of red, wriggling substance flew out, attaching itself to one of the masks.
The red plankton, glowing faintly, rooted itself in the mask, absorbing shadow energy, trying to integrate its properties and develop into an animated being.
As the other masks floated, shadow energy circulated among them. The mask with the plankton glowed brightly, and Lu Li's will seeped into it.
The consciousness of the plankton, formed by hundreds of individual plankton, was nearly non-existent. As Lu Li's will invaded, the plankton turned from red to dark.
Lu Li's will penetrated the core of the plankton, branding it with his mark. Behind the mask, a shadowy substance floated, eventually being absorbed into the mask.
The mask now appeared completely black and unremarkable, with a layer of invisible plankton on it. After sensing the mask, Lu Li handed it and the remaining idle masks to the shadow assassin.
The shadow assassin took the masks, nodded, and disappeared into the shadows, leaving only a whisper: "I follow your will, my master!"
"From now on, it's up to you. Don't leave this place. The claw ghosts will follow your orders. Don't let anyone disturb me. If discovered, eliminate them quietly," Lu Li instructed Lilith, then canceled the claw ghosts' summons and handed the mask to her. "I repeat, don't let anyone disturb me. If exposed, prioritize silencing them without causing a commotion."
After giving his instructions, Lu Li's shadow enveloped him, forming a large cocoon. Surrounded by darkness, Lu Li fell into a deep sleep. Lilith coiled around the black cocoon, pressing her body against it, her eyes filled with infatuation, feeling content to be with her master.
Meanwhile, the shadow assassin, carrying six shadow masks, evaded the ubiquitous surveillance and people's gazes, hiding within the city, distributing the masks as ordered by Lu Li.
A mask was placed in a tattered sales briefcase, another in a taxi's trunk, one on a streetlamp where a streetwalker stood, and another on a sink in a bathroom where a thug was bragging about unlocking his genetic potential. A recent graduate, rejected from a job interview, found one in his rented room.
Each mask was accompanied by a note that read, "Use it well."
Most people dismissed it as a prank but inexplicably kept the strange masks. The masks seemed alive, and they felt an implanted suggestion, deeply remembering the masks.
One thug, fantasizing about unlocking his genetic potential, didn't think much before putting on the mask. Shadow energy poured into him, triggering a transformation.
After ensuring the masks were kept, the shadow assassin, carrying the last black mask, found its final host, who was at home, engrossed in violent, bloody games, expertly controlling monsters to torment survivors.
Fu Bin, Lu Li's classmate, was usually timid and bullied, a scapegoat in the class. Lu Li rarely interacted with him but occasionally saw him being bullied, his clenched fists never daring to strike back. When selecting hosts for the masks, Lu Li entrusted most to the shadow assassin, but he specifically chose Fu Bin for the black mask, believing it would suit him.
As Fu Bin played games in his bedroom, he suddenly heard a chilling voice behind him: "Fu Bin, right?"