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."
"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."