How to create a custom starting save for the "Mask of Darkness" category

First of all, you need to be familiar with how the game's save system works and its location. You can find more info here.

The category in question starts from the Battlefield with a 0:00 speedrun timer. In theory you're not able to duplicate a speedrun file in this guide we will learn how to do it easily.

Here I will show you how to create such a file and duplicate it easily for your attempts.
In the example, I'll create the base file in Slot 2 and copy it via the game menu in Slot 1 every attempt.

1. Download the "100%" Save in the Resources (or click here).

2. Start a new instance of the game. This is to avoid old bindings to be carried over. This is important for later if you have some custom binds.

3. Create a new file in Slot 2 that is in Speedrun Mode, with the difficulty you want (Rookie or Immortal).

4. Once you are on the battlefield, change any game options you want (unless they are prohibited by the leaderboard rules, of course). Then go back to the main menu.

5. Copy the file "GameOptionsSlot2Index0.AlkContent" to a new folder. Mine is called "DLC Fast", for example.

6. Now delete the file in Slot 2 and re-create one without any special mode (no speedrun mode, no permadeath mode). Then, once you're in Battlefield, go back to the main menu.

7. Now, go back to your file explorer and copy the 100% file into this SaveSlot 2. Then you can enter it.

8. You have all Amulets and Athra Surges unlocked here so you can create your own combo.
   Do it now because you won't be able to change it later, so you'll always start your run with the combo you chose.
   Also take the opportunity to change your keybinds, if needed.

9. After that just talk to Neith to unlock the quest and follow her until your grab the fake feather and arrives in the Battlefield. At this point, the game autosaves. Return to the main menu.

10. Backup your "PopSaveGameSlot2Index0.AlkSave" and "ProgressionSlot2Index0.AlkContent" in the same folder used in Step 5 ("DLC Fast" in our example). if you have custom binds, also backup the file named "InputsBindingOverrideSlot2Index0.AlkContent".

11. Now everything is ready! Copy/Paste all of these in your SaveSlot2.
    If you didn't restart the game, the save info in game may not be accurate but it doesn't matter.
    Just copy that save onto Slot 1 via the game's menu and voila! Everything works :)

Everytime you do a run, just copy the Slot 2 onto the Slot 1 in game and it will work!
If you delete your Slot 2 by mistake one day or just to clean or because you wanted to run another category, it's ok: just create a new normal savefile in Slot 2 and copy/paste everything you backed up is in the "DLC Fast" folder :)

If you have any questions, please ask in the PoP Discord server.