Utopian System

Chapter 393 System's Devising

"Your mistake was showing 'Elio' the exact location of the artromus capable of crossing here."

Lucien's finger stopped mid-descent.

The flash of light that exploded from it was blinding.

When Zahyla's vision finally cleared through her powerful regeneration, the horror of reality hit her: Zalvek and his newly fed warrior lay split in two perfect halves behind her.

And there, emerging from the mist like a specter, was he.

Elio.

♢♢♢♢

A few days before...

"Two thousand in rotation," reported Lucien, his expression grave while reviewing the reports. "We've optimized the shifts as best we can, but..."

"It's not enough," Elio completed, his fingers drumming almost too hard on the strategy table. "We need at least ten thousand level ten soldiers to stabilize the patrol situation."

"Ten thousand?" Lucien frowned. "Elio, the mana consumption to reach that number of..."

"It's just a target," he interrupted, his gaze fixed on the deployed maps. "Something to aim for. I know we won't achieve it before this time limit, but we need a clear goal for this new wall."

"And your personal goal is level twenty?" Zara's voice had an edge of concern. "You've risked too much already. Let someone else try first."

"I can do it," offered Lucien, stepping forward. "The risk is..."

"No. There is no time, also..." The word was firm, definitive. "I am this city's leader. And a leader..."

"Goes to the front," Zara completed with exasperation. "We know, we know, but..."

"It's not just that." Elio turned to them, his eyes shining with determination. "The last time I doubted, the last times that I held back, we lost valuable people. I won't make that mistake again. Not while I have a chance to get the strength to protect those I care about."

A heavy silence followed his words. Lucien and Zara exchanged looks, recognizing the unshakeable determination in his voice.

"When are you going to take my hand?"

The powerful city leader, the man who faced monsters without hesitation, swallowed nervously. "It's not that I don't want to... it's just that with the war approaching..."

"There's always something, isn't there? For someone who can face monsters without hesitation," Zara stopped, her cheeks slightly flushed despite her defiant tone, "you're quite a coward about certain things."

"I'm not..." Elio interrupted himself seeing the look in her eyes. "It's not cowardice."

"No?" Zara crossed her arms, a pose that pretended to be intimidating but didn't completely hide her vulnerability. "Then tell me why you can't give a simple answer about when we're going to... you know..."

"Be officially united?"

Zara's blush intensified. "D-don't say it so directly, idiot."

"But you asked..."

"That's not the point!" Zara looked away, her voice lowering. "It's just that... for someone who doesn't have problems grasping certain places... That time you took my chest fairly easily, but taking my hand seems too difficult."

"That was EmberG!" protested Elio, his face reddening. "You know it wasn't me!"

"Hmph." A small smile formed on Zara's lips. "For someone who claims it wasn't him, you seem to remember it quite well."

"I... it's just..." Elio stammered, trapped.

Zara's laugh was soft, but her next words made Elio's heart race.

Zara took a step closer, her rough attitude mixing with something softer, more vulnerable. "If the memory bothers you so much..." her voice dropped to almost a whisper, "you could... you could create a new one. One that is really yours... I-I wouldn't mind if you wanted to do it again. Of your own will this time."

The air between them became dense, electric. Zara's usual roughness melted for a moment, revealing the woman beneath the warrior. Their eyes met and the world seemed to stop.

"Zara..." Elio's voice was hoarse.

She took another step closer, her heart beating so hard she was sure he could hear it. "I'm just saying that... if you wanted to... I wouldn't oppose to..."

The sound of laughter and clashing metal broke the moment like glass. Zara jumped backward, her mask of toughness instantly returning as Kriz and Brok emerged from the training zone.

"D-don't think this ends here!" Zara whispered fiercely before hurrying ahead, leaving a stunned and flushed Elio behind.