Utopian System

After resting sufficiently, the group prepared to enter the fourth level.

They approached the now-familiar blue crystal. With a shared nod, they reached out and touched its smooth surface.

In a dizzying flash of light, they found themselves transported to a new chamber. The cavern walls shimmered with an otherworldly glow, casting long shadows across the rocky floor.

As in previous levels, a new emblem awaited them: the Emblem of the Wall.

Following their newly established tradition, they chose the bearer at random from those who still didn't have an emblem.

The winner stepped forward, heart pounding, and activated the artifact.

"My defense... it's doubled," he murmured, awe evident in his voice as he felt the power coursing through him.

The others nodded, recognizing the value of the new emblem. Yet, they couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy towards the bearer of the Emblem of Power.

Its combat utility was still undeniably superior to all the others.

"But it's better than nothing," someone muttered, voicing the general opinion.

They advanced through the tunnel, senses on high alert. The sound of their footsteps echoed ominously off the walls, each step bringing them closer to the unknown dangers that lay ahead.

Upon reaching the open area, they were greeted by the now-familiar sight of one hundred Locus. These monsters were slightly larger than the previous ones, their bodies covered with even more black markings that pulsed with sinister energy.

"It must be twelve hits this time, right?" one of them whispered, recalling the progression from previous levels.

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They launched into action, implementing the strategy they had perfected. The air filled with the crackling of energy as they unleashed their attacks.

To their surprise, the monsters began to fall after eleven impacts, not twelve as they had anticipated.

The monsters also were faster than before, but still slower than the group.

"Maybe speed 4," commented the group's strategist, mentally comparing with what they remembered from their own passage through level 4. "We're at 6, so we'll still have the advantage for the next level."

Despite the increased speed of the Locus, the group managed to maintain control of the battle. Their new strategy of running around the open area, forming strategic walls, proved effective.

By the end of the battle, they had spent just over 160 mana points.

The increase was mainly due to the need to create more walls to contain the faster Locus. However, with their total reserve of 300 mana points, they still felt comfortable.

"We're getting used to this," one commented as they collected the cores left by the fallen Locus.

They discovered that each core now had a value of 1000 points. "One hundred thousand in total," one calculated quickly. "Not negligible, but still not enough to be really useful."

They gathered in front of the crystal to rest and recover their mana.

After hours inside the challenge, hunger began to make itself known. However, their improved bodies could resist several days without food, so they simply ignored the sensation.

When their mana had fully recharged, one of them broke the silence: "How many attacks do you think we'll need in the next level? Thirteen? Fourteen?"

"Considering it dropped to eleven when we expected twelve," another replied, "it could be either."

"Better prepare for fifteen," a third suggested. "It's always better to be safe than sorry."

Ready to face the fifth level, they touched the crystal.

♢♢♢♢

In the new chamber, the attack emblem appeared before them, floating gently in the air.

The two members who still didn't carry an emblem looked at each other, the tension palpable between them.

As only two remained without an emblem, they decided to use what would be a variant of rock, paper, scissors: human, Locus, or barrier.

The rules were simple but loaded with meaning: Locus eats the human, the human controls the barrier, and the barrier kills the Locus. It was a grim reflection of their reality, turned into a game of chance.

Nodding, they extended their hands. After a tense countdown, they revealed their choices. The winner had chosen Locus, symbolically "devouring" his opponent's human.

Upon activating the emblem, his physical attack doubled. The power surged through him, muscles tensing with newfound strength.

"The physical attack isn't a great addition," he commented, flexing his hand experimentally, "but it's better than nothing..."

Once again, the Emblem of Power maintained its superiority, a fact that didn't go unnoticed by the group.

They advanced towards the combat zone, encountering the Locus of the fifth level. These were even larger, with more black markings, and a new feature caught their attention: a bright mark on the chest, almost like pure mana or like the city's barrier.

"It must be just part of their appearance now that they're level 5," one commented, though uncertainty was evident in his voice. The others nodded, but doubt lingered in their eyes.

They prepared for the attack, falling into the routine they had perfected.

The battle began with an explosion of energy. The bearer of the Emblem of Power led the offensive, his attacks counting as two. The cavern lit up with the fury of their combined assault.

Almost instantly, the other members of the group advanced several carbon walls, creating an improvised labyrinth to contain the Locus.

The monsters, larger and more threatening than ever, charged against the barriers. The sound of their claws tearing into the carbon filled the air, mixing with the roar of their magical attacks.

The five ran to position themselves, their movements a well-rehearsed choreography. From their new positions, they began launching combos over the walls, their coordinated attacks falling on the Locus like a rain of destruction.

The group moved with confidence, anticipating the movement of the monsters.

The Locus, apparently confused by the strategy, seemingly couldn't even peek out before encountering a new barrier.

Taking advantage of the monsters' confusion, the bearer of the Emblem of Power unleashed three combos in rapid succession. The explosions resonated throughout the cavern.

The group continued their race around the perimeter of the open area, raising walls and launching attacks with an efficiency born of practice. However, something began to seem strange.

The Locus weren't chasing them as fast as expected.

Normally, the group could see them running after them for a moment before raising the next wall. With their level 5 speed, they should be harder to contain.

But they hadn't seen them.

This anomaly began to plant a seed of unease in the minds of the combatants.

Despite their apparent advantage, a feeling of discomfort began to grow. Something wasn't right, but in the heat of battle, they couldn't stop to analyze exactly what was out of place.

A blood-curdling scream filled the air.

The group froze for a second, their minds refusing to process what they were hearing.

In an instant, everything changed.

It was the wall-builder, the rear guard of the team.

Something had gone terribly wrong.

They turned to see a nightmare scene. A Locus had managed to flank their defense. Its claws were sinking into their companion's armor, who screamed in agony.