Utopian System

Chapter 397 System's Merged World - 3

It was a world that had abandoned all pretense of stability in favor of perpetual dynamism.

An aggressively explosive world.

The potassium mountain loomed threateningly, like a bomb about to explode, and in its depths, five hundred and twelve explosive ants awaited him. Each creature capable of generating violet explosions on contact, turning the battle into a mortal dance between detonations.

During the descent, Elio had created around himself a thick sphere of several layers with different resistances.

Fortunately for him, 2 hard layers surrounding a sandy layer was what, through what could be called luck and a bit of experimental ingenuity, allowed him to withstand the largest explosion at the tunnel's end...

Though slightly injured.

The mold containing his bruised body during the fall shattered when Elio landed in the chamber.

His eyes barely had time to adjust to the darkness before the first violet flash illuminated the space.

Five hundred and twelve ants moved like a living tide, their metallic bodies gleaming with the explosive potential of the element they dominated. The divine sword found the first three, cleaving them cleanly, but the resulting explosion forced him to retreat. Each dying ant detonated in a rain of violet sparks.

"Too much risk with the sword," he murmured while dodging another wave of attackers. The explosions were accumulating, limiting his movement space.

The potions weighed in his pocket, a constant reminder of his safety net, but something inside him knew he wouldn't need them.

Not against these weak creatures.

Elio released his magical power in a devastating wave.

The air itself seemed to crystallize as he combined oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen into a cold storm. The nearest ants were thrown against the walls.

Their explosions, though reduced by their frozen bodies, created a chain of violet detonations that illuminated the entire chamber.

Normally, his magic's range would be less broad, but lately he had noticed he could push his magical limits beyond the usual even without the potion.

His control over the elements had become more precise, more instinctive.

The remaining ants attacked in waves, each group more desperate than the last.

♢♢♢♢

While climbing.

The reflections on the silicon mountain created movement illusions, as if thousands of Elios observed him from different angles.

Elio adjusted his divine equipment, the helmet, cape, sword that had grown in power with each level overcome.

The view was overwhelming, but he no longer felt the apprehension of the first challenges. This was his routine now: face the unknown, map the danger, and open the path for others to follow.

The mountain returned Elio's determined gaze multiplied a thousand times.

It was time to begin.

Elio launched himself from the summit as he had done four times before, his protective barrier now improved generating almost automatically as he began the fall. The silicon tunnel gleamed around him, each surface a perfect mirror that multiplied his image infinitely.

The first impact against an invisible barrier took him by surprise. His speed decreased abruptly, as if he had hit a glass wall.

"What...?"

Another barrier appeared below, and another lower still.

The descent stopped abruptly.

His protective barrier wouldn't serve in this case.

Remembering the barriers in the tunnel levels, he decided to begin the destruction of the... floor?, but...

The elements he normally used to break through, even potassium explosions, barely left marks on the barriers.

His eyes narrowed, studying the crystalline structure. Silicon was resistant, yes, but like every element, it must have a weak point.

He reviewed his options, fourteen elements, each with its unique properties.

Fluorine showed the most promising reaction. The only halogen.