Utopian System

"It works!" he exclaimed, taking a few tentative steps. "It's not perfect, but it's a great advance." Elio couldn't help but grin, the joy of discovery momentarily overshadowing the gravity of his situation.

With meticulous precision, Elio began to apply additional layers of the insulating material to his boots. This time, he made the coverage thicker, ensuring that every centimeter was protected. Not satisfied with just that, he extended the process to his hands, creating a kind of protective gloves.

Each application was done with utmost care, Elio acutely aware that his life could depend on the quality of this protection.

However, Elio knew he couldn't get carried away by excitement.

He still had to complete the seventh level, and this new material, although useful, was not a complete solution. The weight of the challenge ahead settled back on his shoulders, tempering his elation with a dose of reality.

Elio decided to eat a bit and recover his lost stamina, mana, and resistance from the first attempt. He pulled some provisions from his backpack and began to eat slowly, savoring each bite as his body recovered.

Hours passed as Elio waited patiently, monitoring his resistance and energy.

The silence of the tunnel was oppressive, broken only by the sound of his breathing and the occasional shift of his position. His mind wandered, thinking of his friends, of the city he was fighting to protect.

♢♢♢♢

Finally, after what seemed like eternities, he saw himself fully recovered. A sense of renewed purpose filled him as he prepared to go again.

"Well, it's time to move forward," he told himself, looking at the long tunnel stretching before him. "Let's see what other secrets this level holds."

Each step was easier than before, thanks to his new protection.

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With renewed confidence, Elio resumed his advance through the tunnel. Each step was firm and sure, free of the paralyzing pain that had plagued him before. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his ingenuity.

After what seemed like hours of walking, Elio stopped abruptly. In front of him, completely blocking the passage, stood a barrier that seemed both familiar and strange.

"It looks... similar to the level 6 barrier," he murmured, approaching cautiously. "But there's something different." His heart raced, anticipation and trepidation coursing through him.

The barrier shimmered with a faint silvery glow, very different from the ice he had faced before. The air around it seemed to crackle with an unseen energy, raising the hair on the back of Elio's neck.

Trusting his new protection, Elio extended his hand to touch the barrier. The moment his fingers made contact, a sharp pain shot through his entire body. Elio jerked back, gasping. The shock of the pain left him momentarily stunned, his mind reeling from the unexpected intensity.

"Damn it!" he exclaimed, shaking his numb hand. "Definitely not ice." He flexed his fingers, wincing at the lingering tingling sensation.

Recovering from the shock, Elio assessed the situation.

His insulating layer had mitigated part of the impact, but it was clearly not enough for prolonged direct contact.

"Okay, direct approach ruled out," he muttered, taking a step back to observe the barrier in its entirety. "There has to be another way." His mind raced, analyzing the barrier from every angle, searching for any weakness or clue.

Remembering his experience at level 6, Elio began to consider a distance approach. If direct contact was too dangerous, perhaps an attack from afar would be more effective this time. He took a deep breath, centering himself as he prepared for his next move.

Carefully, Elio backed up several meters, keeping his gaze fixed on the barrier.

Concentrating, he began to form an ignited carbon ball in his hand, similar to the one he had used to bring down the ice barrier. The energy crackled around his palm, the heat intense but controlled.

"Here we go," he murmured, aiming carefully. "Let's hope this works." His voice was steady, but inside, doubt gnawed at him. What if this failed too?

With a fluid motion, Elio launched the carbon ball towards the barrier. The projectile flew through the air, leaving a trail of sparks in its wake. It impacted against the silvery surface with a burst of light and a crackle of energy that echoed through the tunnel.

When the glow dissipated, Elio squinted to assess the result. To his surprise and dismay, the barrier still stood, barely showing signs of impact…

The only difference was that it seemed to have changed color, to a bright red.

The sight sent a chill down his spine.

"It can't be," he murmured, frustration growing inside him. "It worked with ice, why couldn't I destroy it even a bit?" His mind raced, trying to understand what he was facing.

Determined, Elio prepared another projectile, this time mixing carbon and nickel. The result was similar: a spectacle of light and sound, but the barrier remained intact…

The color and brightness became more intense.

Each failed attempt only served to heighten Elio's anxiety.

"There has to be a way," he told himself, his mind working frantically. "Each level has a solution, I just need to find it." He clenched his fists, refusing to give in to despair.

As Elio contemplated his next move, a soft hum began to emanate from the barrier. The silvery glow pulsed rhythmically, as if the structure was coming to life. The air around him seemed to thicken.

Suddenly, small arcs of energy began to jump from the surface of the barrier, crackling in the air. The sight was both beautiful and terrifying, a dance of light that promised danger.

Elio took a step back instinctively, his senses on high alert. The hum intensified, and the energy arcs became more frequent and larger. He could feel the hair on his arms standing on end, the air charged with an invisible force.

"This can't be good." The words had barely left his lips when the situation escalated dramatically.

At that moment, a huge arc of energy detached from the barrier, snaking through the air directly towards Elio. The tunnel lit up with a blinding glow as the discharge approached at a terrifying speed.

Time seemed to slow down as Elio watched the arc of energy racing towards him.

Elio barely had time to raise his hands in a defensive gesture before the energy reached him.