Utopian System

"Your mistake was showing 'Elio' the exact location of the artromus capable of crossing here."

Lucien's finger stopped mid-descent.

The flash of light that exploded from it was blinding.

When Zahyla's vision finally cleared through her powerful regeneration, the horror of reality hit her: Zalvek and his newly fed warrior lay split in two perfect halves behind her.

And there, emerging from the mist like a specter, was he.

Elio.

♢♢♢♢

A few days before...

"Two thousand in rotation," reported Lucien, his expression grave while reviewing the reports. "We've optimized the shifts as best we can, but..."

"It's not enough," Elio completed, his fingers drumming almost too hard on the strategy table. "We need at least ten thousand level ten soldiers to stabilize the patrol situation."

"Ten thousand?" Lucien frowned. "Elio, the mana consumption to reach that number of..."

"It's just a target," he interrupted, his gaze fixed on the deployed maps. "Something to aim for. I know we won't achieve it before this time limit, but we need a clear goal for this new wall."

"And your personal goal is level twenty?" Zara's voice had an edge of concern. "You've risked too much already. Let someone else try first."

"I can do it," offered Lucien, stepping forward. "The risk is..."

"No. There is no time, also…" The word was firm, definitive. "I am this city's leader. And a leader..."

"Goes to the front," Zara completed with exasperation. "We know, we know, but..."

"It's not just that." Elio turned to them, his eyes shining with determination. "The last time I doubted, the last times that I held back, we lost valuable people. I won't make that mistake again. Not while I have a chance to get the strength to protect those I care about."

A heavy silence followed his words. Lucien and Zara exchanged looks, recognizing the unshakeable determination in his voice.

"I'm sorry you stayed 2 levels behind Lucien, but... I need you here, organizing the defenses. And..." he turned to him, "I need you to ask Ren to transcribe all the information we have about last night's level 14. Something simple, easy to understand for the new recruits."

"You're going to try 15 now?" asked Lucien, though he already knew the answer.

Elio nodded, beginning to walk toward the door. "There's no point in postponing the inevitable."

Zara followed him, their steps resonating in synchrony through the hallway. "You know you can't convince me not to go with you, right?"

A small smile formed on Elio's lips. "I know. That's why I don't try."

As they walked away, Lucien observed them with pride and concern. The fifteenth level would probably be one of the harder ones... But if anyone could achieve it, it was Elio.

"May the walls protect them," he murmured, before departing to find Ren.

♢♢♢♢

The level advancement system had become a meticulously organized nocturnal activity.

After daily responsibilities ended and the city began to calm, the elite groups gathered to continue their progression.

Elio always went first, one level ahead, facing each new challenge without prior information, mapping the dangers so others could advance more safely.

While walking to gather the others, Zara observed Elio from the corner of her eye.

The weight of the three metamorphosis potions in his pocket was visible, an exorbitant cost that the city had collectively assumed. He had only used two so far, one at level eleven and another at thirteen, both quickly replaced by citizens' contributions.

When word had spread about the need for metamorphosis potions, the contribution had been immediate and generous.

"You still haven't answered my question," Zara said suddenly, her voice trying to sound casual while keeping her gaze forward.

Elio almost tripped. "What question?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Don't play dumb," her fingers nervously played with the edge of her armor. "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."

Elio maintained silence, hoping the topic would fade like the other times.

He had no such luck.

"When are you going to take my hand?"

The powerful city leader, the man who faced monsters without hesitation, swallowed nervously. "It's not that I don't want to... it's just that with the war approaching..."

"There's always something, isn't there? For someone who can face monsters without hesitation," Zara stopped, her cheeks slightly flushed despite her defiant tone, "you're quite a coward about certain things."

"I'm not..." Elio interrupted himself seeing the look in her eyes. "It's not cowardice."

"No?" Zara crossed her arms, a pose that pretended to be intimidating but didn't completely hide her vulnerability. "Then tell me why you can't give a simple answer about when we're going to... you know..."

"Be officially united?"

Zara's blush intensified. "D-don't say it so directly, idiot."

"But you asked..."

"That's not the point!" Zara looked away, her voice lowering. "It's just that... for someone who doesn't have problems grasping certain places... That time you took my chest fairly easily, but taking my hand seems too difficult."

"That was EmberG!" protested Elio, his face reddening. "You know it wasn't me!"

"Hmph." A small smile formed on Zara's lips. "For someone who claims it wasn't him, you seem to remember it quite well."

"I... it's just..." Elio stammered, trapped.

Zara's laugh was soft, but her next words made Elio's heart race.

Zara took a step closer, her rough attitude mixing with something softer, more vulnerable. "If the memory bothers you so much..." her voice dropped to almost a whisper, "you could... you could create a new one. One that is really yours... I-I wouldn't mind if you wanted to do it again. Of your own will this time."

The air between them became dense, electric. Zara's usual roughness melted for a moment, revealing the woman beneath the warrior. Their eyes met and the world seemed to stop.

"Zara..." Elio's voice was hoarse.

She took another step closer, her heart beating so hard she was sure he could hear it. "I'm just saying that... if you wanted to... I wouldn't oppose to..."

The sound of laughter and clashing metal broke the moment like glass. Zara jumped backward, her mask of toughness instantly returning as Kriz and Brok emerged from the training zone.

"D-don't think this ends here!" Zara whispered fiercely before hurrying ahead, leaving a stunned and flushed Elio behind.