Utopian System

Emerging from the portal after another grueling challenge, Elio felt the familiar weight of corruption as its level increased to 27.

The pressure was still there when he focused on it, but a bit lighter now that Lila shared some of the burden. Her consumption of the sphere had distributed part of the load, making it more manageable even if a little… but much more noticeable as now Elio would think of his friends more often.

"So," Dionz floated beside him, "how are those explosive combinations working out? The first few challenges went quickly with your wolf-komodo fusion, but this one took almost a full day again."

"The numbers keep growing," Elio observed, reviewing his latest battle. "But I'm getting better at expanding the blast radius. Each explosion can affect a wider area now."

"Looking for ways to make them even bigger?" Dionz asked with a knowing smile.

"The coverage needs to improve," Elio nodded. "When they start being millions of opponents, even large explosions would take too much time to clear the field."

"Don't overthink it too much," Dionz waved dismissively. "Once you have better control, I can show you some interesting ways to create more sustainable chain reactions. The chemistry behind it is quite fascinating, though explaining molecular bonds without a basic understanding of atomic theory might be... well, never mind that for now."

Elio's interest was clearly piqued. "What kind of chain reactions?"

"All in good time!" Dionz's smile widened. "Besides, you have visitors coming. Can't have you distracted with chemistry lessons when..."

The god gestured at the statue, which began to glow. A moment later, two familiar forms emerged - Gorgita and Selene's flying fish.

"Two this time!" Dionz announced proudly.

"Elio!" Lila's voice came through Gorgita, the invocation still gleaming with the divine equipment he'd provided. "The sphere worked! The corruption weight... it's shareable!"

"I know, I can feel it too…"

"We've been testing the limits of her new summon," Selene added through her fish form, which moved with her characteristic precision.

"And more importantly," Dionz interjected, "you managed not to lose the sphere in transit! Which means we can send more... assuming Nala doesn't come out to notice these completely unauthorized divine power transfers."

"How are the others?" Elio asked.

"Preparing," Selene replied. "With Lila's successful crossing and return, we're establishing better strategies to get through the rings. The divine equipment you provided Lila has been invaluable for helping me arrive too."

"Though the level 10 insects are still annoying," Lila added. "Fast hideous things, even if they're just oversized bugs. But the equipment makes them manageable."

"Speaking of equipment," Dionz signaled the trading interface again, "shall we enhance our new visitor as well? Can't have Selene's fish feeling underdressed compared to Gorgita."

While Elio selected divine gear for Selene's invocation, they discussed his progress. "Level 30 will take about ten days at this rate," he explained. "The numbers keep increasing, and even with the wolf's explosive abilities, clearing so many opponents takes time."

"But the corruption is lighter now?" Lila asked through Gorgita.

"Yes," Elio confirmed. "But more manageable. Your help with carrying it makes a difference."

"Fascinating how that worked out," Dionz commented while putting some equipment around Selene's fish. "Almost as if the system was designed for shared divine corruption from the start... though of course, that would imply some rather interesting things about the original plan..."

"Dionz," all three others said simultaneously.

"Right, right! No cryptic hints during equipment fitting. Though I must say, these invocation forms take to divine gear remarkably well. Almost like they were meant to... no, no, focusing on the task at hand!"

As the last pieces of equipment settled around Selene's fish form, both invocations now radiated divine power. Their enhanced capabilities would make future crossings easier.

Selene nodded. "Having both invocations enhanced like this will help secure new cores."

"Just remember," Dionz cautioned, "I can only help slip you through the statue while Nala's occupied with her system analysis. And even then, we have to be careful about..."

A distant rumble interrupted him.

"Ah," the god looked slightly nervous. "Speaking of being careful... Perhaps we should wrap this up before someone notices these completely unauthorized visitors?"

Elio gave them one core each.

They said their quick goodbyes, both invocations preparing to return through Dionz's temporarily opened the passage.

As Gorgita and the fish disappeared back through the passage, Elio turned toward his next challenge portal. Ten days to reach level 30 seemed long, but with the corruption weight shared, with his companions being able to cross the rings, the path forward felt clearer.

Progress was progress, no matter how gradual. And now they were all moving forward together.

"Ready for another round?" Dionz asked, sealing the passage behind their visitors.

Elio nodded, already focusing on the portal ahead. Whatever chain reactions Dionz wanted to teach him would have to wait. For now, he had more immediate explosions to master. Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire

♢♢♢♢

"Go!" Selene's voice rang out as her fish form intercepted a swarm of flying insects with a powerful air push, creating space for Gorgita to slip past. They were almost through the tenth ring, both divine spheres secure in Lila's enhanced form, when the largest swarm yet descended upon them.

"Selene, don't-" Lila started, but her friend had already made her decision.

"Get those cores back safely," Selene commanded as her fish form began glowing with energy.

Before Lila could protest, Selene directed her invocation into the heart of the swarm. The divine equipment flared brilliantly, drawing the insects' attention and creating a clear path for Gorgita's escape.

The last thing Lila saw before crossing the final barrier was Selene's fish form disappearing under a wave of creatures, but she knew her friend's real body was safe back in the city.

When Gorgita finally arrived in the meditation chamber, Kriz was waiting with Mei and the others. His usual dramatic flair was subdued by the seriousness of the moment.

"Two cores," Lila announced through her invocation before transferring back to her body.

Instead of consuming 1 sphere herself, Selene took one and Lila handed the other to Kriz. "We need to distribute the power base. The next crossing will get us more enhanced supporters."