Utopian System

"The heat dissipation problem," Dionz nodded sagely, wiping broth from his chin. "Classic thermodynamics."

"Since level eighteen's 256 enemies, we haven't been able to hit them all in a single entry. Each level takes an exponentially longer time… We need a different approach or this will take years."

"We're close to beating this level twenty," he continued, "but level twenty-one would take three, maybe four days at this rate. The explosion radius just isn't enough anymore."

Emberg created a small flame diagram showing their current blast radius compared to the poison stinger boron increasing enemy statues spread.

"I think it's time to switch back to the book," Elio concluded. "Work on reaching level thirty there first."

Dionz set aside his empty noodle bowl, suddenly more serious. "Good thinking. If the curse level twenty isn't overwhelming you, might as well use this time productively. A new combination from the book's level thirty could give you exactly what you need for larger scale explosions."

He created a small hologram showing potential combination effects. "Think about it the right pairing could solve both your problems.. No point spending days grinding through levels when you could be developing better tools for the job. Besides," he glanced at his notes from earlier, "your handling of the corruption suggests you should do more book challenges first."

Elio raised an eyebrow at the god's notes, but Dionz quickly changed the subject.

"Just imagine what you could do with a combination specifically designed for wide-area effects! Though, uh, maybe don't tell Nala I suggested that."

♢♢♢♢

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

Divine Corruption 20/100

Mana: 4300/4300

Resistance: 4300 2x (8600)

Attack: NA

Magic Damage: 2516 2x 2x 2x 2x (40256)

Strength: NA

Defense: 430

Magic Defense: 430

Speed: 430

Perception / Agility: 5 AA

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

The final explosion of level twenty faded, and Elio emerged from the portal for the last time.

The satisfaction of completion was tempered by the knowledge of how long it had taken, but a victory was still a victory.

His book materialized, displaying his updated stats:

Elio Von Elian's Statistics

Skills:

{5 Basic ones}

{5 Heaven's ones}

{11- 23 Magical ones}

Divine Corruption 20/100

Familiars:

{5 Tier 1}

{5 Tier 2}

{11 - 15 Tier 3}

Fire Salamander(Merged - 1)

Wind Swift(Merged - 1)

Illumination Jellyfish (Merged - 1)

Absorption Scorpion (Merged - 1)

1st Fusion (+130)

2nd Fusion (+130)

Emblems:

Wind, Fire, Water and Earth

Level 23

Mana: 2230/2230

Resistance: 2230/2230 (+2300)

Stamina: 33/33

Attack: 2020 (2220)

Magic Damage: 2023 (+23)(+130)(+130)(+230)/ (2536) A

Strength: 23 A

Defense: 223 (246)

Magic Defense: 223 (+23)(+23) / (269)

Speed: 43

Perception / Agility: 5.3 A

God Weapon (23) / ((Attack 230) (Magic Damage 230))

Divine Elemental Resistance Cape / Magic Defense 23

Divine Helmet

System's Armor 23 / ((Defense 23) (Magic Defense 23) (Magic Damage 23) (Resistance(2300/2300))

Portable oral oxygen stone

Balance:

God mana points

10 summoning potions

20 special cores

180 commandment cores

Additional Effects:

Lifespan Extension: +10 years

All formations enhanced by 10%

Dionz whistled, looking over the numbers. "Well, you're definitely overpowered for where you are in the book now. These stats are way beyond what you'd normally have at level 23."

"Your divine corruption experiment rewards really amplifies everything, doesn't it?" Elio observed, studying the numbers.

"That, plus all the rewards from the book challenges." Dionz created a quick comparison chart in the air. "You should be able to handle quite a few of the next book levels before hitting any real resistance. Speaking of which..."

The god's expression brightened with familiar enthusiasm. "Ready to hear about the next element? It's got this fascinating representative creature and..."

"Fine." Elio rolled his eyes.

"Chromium! Another extra effect, 10% boost, this time to magical defense. Just like Vanadium gave you those extra years..." Dionz was practically bouncing with excitement. "And wait till you hear about its representative creature!"

Elio braced himself for another incomprehensible explanation.

"It's this amazing crustacean that lives in underwater volcanic vents! Two thousand meters down where, oh wait." Dionz caught himself. "You don't know what crustaceans are. Or oceans. Or volcanic vents..."

He created a hologram, then dismissed it, then created another, clearly struggling to find the right way to explain.

"Okay, imagine... imagine water, but so much of it that you can't see the bottom. And in that water, there are these... these mana deposits! But not regular deposits, they spew superheated water filled with acids and metals that would melt most creatures instantly!"

Elio's expression made it clear he was losing him.

"The point is," Dionz gestured enthusiastically, "these little guys live in conditions that would destroy almost anything else! Their shells are made of materials that can withstand acids that would eat through metal! The pH levels are… no, you don't know what pH is either..."

He stopped, took a breath, and tried again. "They're basically tiny armored warriors that live in poison water that's hot enough to cook most things! And they just... waddle around down there like it's nothing! Isn't that fascinating?"

"So... they're tough?" Elio ventured.

"Tough? TOUGH? They live in conditions that would dissolve… you know what? Yes. They're tough. Let's go with that. Much simpler than explaining oceanic thermal vents and extremophile adaptation..."

Emberg and Poison Stinger exchanged looks that clearly said, "Here he goes again."

"But you should see how they… no, no, I'm stopping myself this time. Just... just know they're incredible examples of environmental adaptation and… I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

Elio nodded, trying not to smile.

"Right. Tough creatures. Magic defense boost. That's what you need to know. Though if you're ever interested in deep-sea biochemistry..." He caught Elio's expression. "Another time then. Let's focus on the challenge."

♢♢♢♢ Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire

"I need another core," Lila said, standing before Lucien in his study. Her voice carried the weight of recent revelation. "I want to try something."

Lucien looked up from his documents, noting the determined glint in her eyes. "This has something to do with Elio?"