Utopian System

Lucien observed the soldiers' reports from atop the wall, his tense expression reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Controlling panic had been a monumental task; fear of instant death at the monster's hands had shaken even the most experienced warriors.

"We still need them watching," he insisted to Selene, his voice low but firm. "We can't afford to lose sight of that thing."

The promise of advancing to the next level and obtaining more powerful summons had convinced the bravest.

Too many fantasized about reaching level 5 or 6 and handling the new summons that came with those levels.

Hundreds eventually agreed.

Priority was specifically given to those who hadn't fled when the monster appeared, despite everything.

They had been strategically distributed around the wall, establishing a rudimentary but functional surveillance system.

"At least now we know it circles the city periodically," Selene commented, her wound healed but the memory of pain still fresh. "Even if we can't track its exact route."

Lucien nodded, but his mind was on a more urgent matter.

"We need to be stronger," he finally said, verbalizing what they both knew. "Our level isn't enough."

"It's risky," Selene responded, her voice full of frustration. "If one of us dies trying..."

She didn't need to finish the sentence.

The city already operated with a critical number of high-level administrators. Losing any of them would be devastating to the power structure that kept everything running.

"But if we don't," Lucien argued, "when that thing decides to attack, we won't be able to do anything to stop it." He paused, remembering how easily the monster had deflected their attacks. "You saw what happened. Our best shot and it caught it like it was playing a game."

Selene unconsciously touched her collarbone where the spear had wounded her. "Take turns?" she suggested. "One tries to level up while the other maintains city management."

"Could work," Lucien considered. "But we'd need more than that. We can't delay the soldiers' progress anymore, not with that thing out there."

"But what if the situation spreads beyond the affected group? We're not ready," Selene added. "And if the population learns their leaders are taking such risks..."

"The panic we've managed to contain would explode and some groups would try to be new leaders," Lucien finished. "I know."

They fell silent, the weight of each decision becoming more evident with every passing minute.

"But it's not just the risk of losing leaders," Lucien murmured, running a hand over his face. "The barrier failure will come in less than 15 hours. If that monster enters during those 3 seconds..."

"It would be the end," Selene completed. "We could only tell everyone to enter their books. But even then, the monster waves would intensify, and with no one to stop them..."

"Total chaos," Lucien nodded. "But we at least need everyone who can to level up in these 15 hours."

The information Elio and Zara had shared about reaching level 7 would be valuable, but they both knew it wouldn't be enough.

"Maybe we needed level 10 mentioned in the book before trying to push the expansion, maybe we should have taken more risks and sacrifices," Selene said, voicing what they both thought. "But it's too late now... we don't have enough time to reach it. Not even close."

Lucien stood up, walking to the window.

The city spread below them, its inhabitants unaware of the imminent danger lurking outside.

"We have to do something," he finally said. "And it has to be now."

"An extraordinary meeting?" Selene suggested. "Gather the most loyal soldiers..."

"And share the secrets of ascension," Lucien completed. "Make the knowledge public up to level 7 right now."

They both understood the implications.

A more powerful population would be harder to control, especially without leaders at higher levels. But reaching level 10 or even 8 was highly unlikely without casualties.

Casualties among those who managed everything.

The hierarchical structure that had maintained order could begin to crumble.

"We don't have a choice," Selene said, reading the concern on Lucien's face. "The city's survival takes priority over control."

"Send the messengers," Lucien ordered after a moment of silence. "Gather all soldiers who showed courage today. Those who stayed on the wall despite the monster."

"What exactly will we tell them?"

"The truth," Lucien responded. "Or at least part of it. That the city faces mortal danger and we need stronger warriors. That we'll help them reach level 7, and everyone who succeeds will be rewarded."

"Word will spread after this," Selene warned. "Once so many start rising to level 7, everyone..."

"I know," Lucien interrupted. "But if we don't do this, soon there won't be a city to govern."

The messengers were sent, calling for an urgent meeting. In a few hours, the secrets they had kept since the Cassandra incident to maintain order would begin to spread.

♢♢♢♢

The training hall was more crowded than usual.

Soldiers of different levels gathered, their faces showing determination and exhaustion after intense hours of ascension. Among them stood Diana, now level 4 and learning the corrosive attack, her presence a constant reminder to Lucien of how much the situation had changed.

'As stubborn as her father,' he thought, remembering how his niece's insistence had led him to yield. Her progress had been impressive, though it didn't diminish his concern.

Selene, freshly arrived at level 7, remained close to him. Learning to use the insulator and killing the 4 electric eels hadn't been a significant challenge for her, not with Elio's detailed information.

However, the difficulty of ascending had taken its toll in other ways.

The tunnels weren't easy to overcome. Each challenge required hours.

Those hours also led to mistakes...

Human casualties.

The numbers were concerning. Though casualties didn't exceed ten soldiers, the resource cost was astronomical. Millions of cores and mana points disappeared with each fallen warrior, a price that would have been unacceptable in any other situation.

But there was no time for laments.

The clock moved inexorably toward the daily barrier failure, as predictable in its timing as it was deadly in its implications.

"I won't reach level 7 in time," Lucien murmured to Selene, calculating the time it had taken her to emerge. The failure would arrive before he could complete the challenge.

Selene nodded, understanding. "We must use this time to prepare everyone."

Lucien stepped forward, and the murmur of conversations gradually ceased. The soldiers, some level 5, others still struggling at 6, gave their full attention.

"The barrier failure is imminent," he began, his voice firm despite the gravity of the situation. "And we must be prepared for what that means."

He paused, ensuring his next words would be etched in everyone's minds.

"If the monster enters during the failure, our priority must be clear: eliminate the normal Locus first. The barrier must close, no matter what. Only then can we face the creature together."