Chapter 166: Chapter 166: System's Free Levels

Lucien and Selene, having recovered their mana, stood ready to face the level 5 challenge.

Both wore max-level armor and carried two spears, an extra precaution in case the first corrosive attack failed. Elio emphasized the importance of speed in the initial attacks, before too many barriers could be generated.

Their summoned swifts hovered nearby, boosting their magic damage to 24 and ready to assist if needed.

The elephant had 50 resistance, but...

Everyone knew that a direct hit to the core would multiply that damage by 10, potentially ending the battle with a single precise attack.

Elio, unable to contain his nervousness, repeated instructions he had already given multiple times. Ember, his salamander, chirped anxiously on his shoulder.

"Remember, the corrosive attack is key. If you miss, use the second spear quickly, don't try to recover the first. Don't underestimate the carbon barriers..."

Lucien gently interrupted. "Elio, we know. You've told us several times. We're prepared."

Selene nodded, a slight smile on her lips. "We appreciate your concern, but it's time."

The group fell silent as Lucien and Selene took their books. With one last exchange of glances, both disappeared, transported to their respective challenge chambers.

♢♢♢♢

For a moment, Lucien allowed himself to reflect on how far they had come.

The city was growing in strength at a dizzying pace. Although some soldiers were becoming arrogant with their new power, most remained united, aware of the threat posed by the barrier failure.

His thoughts turned to Farbe and Raelar, whose contributions had not been in vain. 'This is for you too,' he thought.

Lucien materialized in the familiar stone chamber. The carbon elephant was there, imposing and threatening. His frog tensed on his shoulder, ready for action.

Without wasting time, Lucien began charging the corrosive attack. The elephant, sensing the threat, started generating carbon barriers at a frantic rate. But Lucien was already prepared.

With a cry of determination, he launched the attack. The corrosive energy tore through the barriers as if they were paper, directly impacting the elephant's core. There was a blinding flash, an agonizing shriek, and then... silence.

Lucien blinked, surprised by the speed of his victory. The elephant had disintegrated, leaving only glowing particles floating in the air.

"That was... anticlimactic," he murmured to himself...

Lucien Lythorien's Statistics

Skills:

Life Rock (New)

Familiars:

Wind Swift (+20 MD)

Rock Elephant (0/1,000,000)

"Now we have four system armors," Elio explained, addressing the rest of the group. "One for each of the next challengers, so you won't have to wait..."

Zara stepped forward. "I'm ready," she declared, her voice firm and determined. Her red rabbit puffed up proudly on her shoulder.

Kriz, maintaining his usual good humor even in moments of tension, joined her. His playful rabbit hopped excitedly at his feet. "I'll do it too, as we agreed. Can't let Zara have all the fun, right?"

Brok nodded solemnly, his imposing figure radiating silent confidence. His muscular rabbit flexed, ready for the challenge.

Micah, although visibly nervous, also stepped forward, his determination overcoming his anxiety. His rabbit seemed to mirror his nervousness, but stood ready nonetheless.

However, Ren remained behind, his face a mask of doubt and fear. His analytical rabbit seemed to be calculating the risks. "I still... I think I'll pass this time," he said quietly. "I don't feel ready yet."

Elio approached Ren, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Ren. There's no shame in recognizing your limits. Your contribution is valuable in many other ways."

With a final exchange of glances and words of encouragement, the four challengers prepared to enter their respective challenges.

Zara was the first to open her book, disappearing in a flash of light.

To say that Elio wasn't worried about her would be the biggest lie in the world. Ember curled tighter around his neck, sensing his anxiety.

The challenge chamber materialized around Zara.

In the center, the swift awaited her, its bright eyes fixed on her. Zara inhaled deeply, focusing on the task ahead. Her rabbit bristled with anticipation on her shoulder.

Dressed in Elio's system armor, the elemental resistance cloak waving softly around her, Zara felt invincible. On her, ten max-level daggers waited to be used, and in her hand, the familiar spear provided a comforting weight.

Her red rabbit, ready for battle. Zara smiled remembering Elio's words:

"It's overkill, but better to be prepared."

The swift wasted no time, launching a barrage of magical attacks.

With a grace born from hours of training, Zara easily dodged the first attacks.

Responding quickly, she threw her spear, guiding it with her magnetic control. The swift, agile and fast, managed to dodge narrowly. But Zara was already prepared for this.

With a fluid gesture, she sent her daggers flying, each following a unique trajectory. The swift dodged some, but others found their mark, eliciting shrieks of pain from the creature.

The swift, wounded but not defeated, intensified its attack. The air filled with ice projectiles, creating an icy storm in the chamber. But Zara remained unperturbed, protected by the system armor and the elemental resistance cloak.

Remembering Elio's warning about the swift's frenzy when injured, Zara decided not to give it that chance. With a battle cry (amusingly high-pitched), she ordered her red rabbit to attack while she unleashed a storm of her own attacks.

The ten daggers and the spear flew simultaneously, some guided with deadly precision by Zara's magnetic control. The swift, caught between the rabbit's attack and the rain of metal, had no chance.

Ice ball after ice ball impacted the monster, each magical attack inflicting 18 points of damage. With only 40 resistance points to start with, the swift quickly fell under the relentless assault.

With a final shriek, the swift disintegrated into a cloud of glowing particles.

Zara remained on guard for a moment longer, expecting some final trick.

But the challenge was over.