Utopian System

"Oh!" Dionz looked relieved. "Right, yes. I went with the small reptile-like, dog faced warrior version. They're craftier than goblins, use basic weapons and armor, and have a slight resistance to magic."

The hologram finally settled on a single form, showing a creature that looked like a miniature of what he just described standing upright and wielding primitive weapons.

"That's all I needed to know," Elio said. "Their abilities?"

♢♢♢♢

They were already inside the 11th portal challenge…

Dionz had told them every last piece of equipment and consumable that could help so they were at maximum output for the level.

Elio Von Elian's Emberg Form lvl (23/100)

Divine Corruption 10/100

Mana: 3300/3300

Resistance: 3300 2x (6600)

Attack: NA

Magic Damage: 1516 2x 2x 2x 2x (24256)

Strength: NA

Defense: 330

Magic Defense: 330

Speed: 330

Perception / Agility: 4 AA

Spiritual God Armor 23 / ((Defense 230) (Magic Defense 230)(Resistance(2,300/2,300))

Through Emberg's form, Elio's first impression was of how different the battlefield felt with just two enemies instead of thousands. The kobolds, with their dog-like heads on reptilian bodies, moved with a predatory grace that spoke of intelligence rather than bestial instinct.

They were no weak enemies either.

Kobold

Mana: 0/0

Skill:

Infinite Deadly Fast Trow

Fast Feet

lvl 11

Resistance: 1,100,000

Attack: 1100

Magic Damage: 1100

Strength: 110

Defense: 1100

Magic Defense: 1100

Speed: 110

Perception / Agility: 1.1 A

"Right one first," Elio communicated to Poison Stinger, who clicked its pincers in acknowledgment.

They needed to hit 48 times to bring each of them down.

The kobolds didn't wait for them to strategize. Both attacked simultaneously, but with different approaches, the right one charging with a crude spear while the left circled wide, looking for an opening.

Elio directed Emberg's flames in a wide arc, forcing the left kobold to back off while focusing their real attack on the right. Poison Stinger created barriers to further isolate their chosen target, attempting to control the battlefield.

But having only two enemies meant each one could devote their full attention to combat. The right kobold demonstrated this by using its spear to deflect Emberg's flames while simultaneously dodging the boron shards Poison Stinger launched.

More than a million points of resistance meant they needed a way to deal sustained damage. Elio coordinated with Poison Stinger to create a trap, but before they could execute the plan, the left kobold interrupted with a throwing axe that forced them to break formation.

The battle fell into a dangerous rhythm. Every time they started to focus effective damage on the right kobold, the left would create an opening for its partner to escape. Their coordination was impressive, each one covering the other's vulnerabilities.

Elio tried changing tactics, having Poison Stinger engage the left kobold while Emberg concentrated fire on the right. But this split their effectiveness too much, neither able to deal significant damage while fighting separately.

The kobolds pressed their advantage. The right one's spear caught Poison Stinger with a glancing blow while the left managed to close distance with Emberg.

Elio realized too late that they'd fallen for the kobolds' trap. A final coordinated from both kobolds the 6th strike sent him back to his physical form, the challenge ending in defeat.

Back in his body, Elio felt the familiar sensation of failure, but with new understanding. Fighting multiple powerful enemies required different tactics than facing hordes of weaker ones.

Dionz barely opened his mouth to ask about the attempt when Elio was already moving. Without pause for discussion or reflection, he merged with Emberg's form, Poison Stinger automatically falling into position beside him.

"Wait, don't you want to…" the god started, but Elio and Poison Stinger were already disappearing into the portal.

New patterns needed to be learned. New tactics developed. There would be time for talk later, after they figured out how to handle these coordinated opponents. Lying around discussing failure wouldn't teach them what they needed to know.

The last thing visible before they vanished completely was the determined glint in Emberg's flame-cast eyes. They had work to do.

♢♢♢♢

The potion had barely materialized in Selene's hands when Lila snatched it, her form blurring with speed as she raced from the chamber. No goodbyes, no ceremony, just pure, desperate need to move forward.

"Well," Lucien watched her disappear, "at least the production rate is good. Two potions every three days at this pace…"

"Three," Kriz interrupted with his usual flair for dramatic timing.

Everyone turned to stare at him. His winged rabbit familiar mimicked his knowing smirk, both of them radiating smugness.

"What do you mean, three?" Selene asked.

Kriz held up his book with theatrical flourish. "Check your mana, my friends. Our mysteriously generous benefactor has struck again."

The rush to open books was immediate. Sure enough, another hundred points of mana had appeared, as mysteriously as the previous increases.

"How does he keep doing this?" Mei wondered, but she was already calculating the new production possibilities.

The third increase in as many days. Even Kriz's dramatic reveal couldn't overshadow the implications, somewhere out there, Elio was still working to help them all.

♢♢♢♢

The memories flowed like a gentle stream now, showing Nala spending every day at Elio's house.

Gone was the recluse who hid from the world, she moved with comfortable familiarity through the family's space.

"Technically, this is dating," Zara commented as they watched Memory-Nala laughing at something young Elio said.

"It's research," Nala defended.

"You're literally at his house every day."

"For observation purposes."

"You're having dinner with his family!"

The memory showed Elio's mother giving Nala suspicious looks across the table, while his father seemed delighted by her presence, taking every opportunity to embarrass his son.

"See? Even his mom knows something's weird about this."

"She's just... protective since I'm suspiciously researching," Nala muttered.

"And his dad helps it so hard," Zara added with amusement.

"Helps what?"

"Never mind. Past you wouldn't understand anyway."

The scene shifted to show Elio's father telling another embarrassing story about his son, making Memory-Nala laugh while Elio turned red.

Seeing Elio's father, so alive and cheerful, sent a wave of sadness through Zara's consciousness.