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As Elio and Lucien moved aside to talk privately, the rest of the team returned to work. Their elephants continued their tasks.

Kriz, unable to contain himself, commented quietly to Zara: "Do you think Lucien would appreciate a joke about leadership and tunnels?"

Zara shot him a warning look, but couldn\'t suppress a small smile. Her penguin chirped softly, as if amused. "Maybe you should save it for when we save the city."

"Oh, come on," Kriz insisted. "A little humor could light up even the darkest tunnel."

Brok, passing nearby, intervened. His elephant trumpeted softly. "Or it could cause a cave-in if you distract someone like yesterday. Let\'s focus on the work, okay?"

♢♢♢♢

Elio met with Lucien privately, aware of the curious glances following them. Their summons stood guard.

"Things have been difficult since we lost some people in the last two additions. It was too short a time to learn the corrosive attack correctly..."

The loss of 5 level 5 challengers had been a hard blow.

Even materially, the loss was enormous. Inside those books, more than half a million cores were lost. More than 5 million mana in equipment.

"Things are getting worse on the surface too," Lucien said without preamble. "We need more cores to strengthen the defenses."

Elio nodded, already anticipating the request. "The cores we\'ve collected are yours," he responded.

He knew that every core they sent to the surface could make the difference between the city\'s survival and fall.

"But I suspect that\'s not the only reason you\'ve come."

Lucien smiled slightly, though the tension never left his eyes. "Always perceptive, Elio. You\'re right. I needed to reach level 6."

The news didn\'t surprise Elio.

He knew what it meant: Becoming stronger, to continue being an effective leader in a city where more people were reaching higher levels every day.

"Will things be alright with you absent?"

"Ren has proven to be an excellent manager," Lucien commented. "But his low level is a problem when it comes to leading, one that I was also beginning to face."

"Did it take you long to overcome the icy tunnel? I suppose Tarec and Ivan..."

"Selene and Ren covered for me just for today," Lucien assured, as if reading Elio\'s thoughts. "Tarec and Ivan are managing other sections. The city is in good hands."

"Will you return today?" Elio asked.

Lucien nodded. "I have no choice. But while you transfer the cores to me, I want to talk to you about my niece... Diana."

♢♢♢♢

A few hours later, as Elio accompanied Lucien back to the surface, he couldn\'t help but feel a small sense of envy.

He wanted to return too, to see his family, the light outside.

But he had a mission to complete.

"Take care, Lucien," Elio said. "The city needs you and those cores."

Lucien nodded. "And we need you, Elio. Find that deposit. It\'s our only hope."

With those words, Lucien began his ascent.

Elio eliminated some Locus to support him as he saw him quickly disappearing among the mass of cores. He watched until he could no longer distinguish him, then turned back towards the tunnel.

As he slipped through the opening in the tunnel\'s ceiling, a familiar figure intercepted him.

It was Taron, the veteran was one of the most reliable members of his team. The expression on his face indicated that something was worrying him. His elephant summon stood close, mirroring its master\'s concern.

"Von Elio," Taron said quietly, looking down to make sure no one else was listening. "I need to talk to you about something."

Elio nodded, sensing it was a delicate matter.

Taron began to speak. "I\'ve been observing some members of my batch, the second 15 that arrived. There\'s... discontent among them."

Elio frowned. "What kind of discontent?"

Taron took a deep breath before continuing. "They don\'t like having to constantly show their balances. They feel... controlled. And there\'s more. They\'re annoyed that a level 5 has to absorb the cores for them to go use the hole."

Elio nodded slowly, processing the information. He knew those measures were strict, but they were necessary for everyone\'s survival.

Taron continued: "But what really irritates them is having the same summon as the third and fourth groups. They feel that, being of a higher level, they should have access to the penguin and avoid all the trouble with the \'hole watchers\'."

Elio closed his eyes for a moment.

When he opened them, his gaze was firm but understanding.

"I understand their frustration, Taron," he said. "But they must understand that we can\'t think about ourselves right now. Every core is vital for our survival."

Taron nodded, though the concern didn\'t leave his face. "I know. I\'ve tried to explain to them, but..."

"But it\'s difficult for them to see beyond their own situation," Elio completed. "I understand. However, I need you to keep me informed about any developments in this situation."

Elio paused, carefully considering his next words.

"If the absolute need arises for some to rise to level 7, then they\'ll have the right to the penguin to overcome the challenge. But only if it\'s strictly necessary. The cores are the only thing separating us from the monsters, and we can\'t afford to waste even one."

Taron nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"What should I do if I notice someone trying to go against the rules? Or if they\'re exceeding the \'time to go to the hole\' and refuse to show their balances?"

Elio\'s expression hardened slightly.

"If that happens, I need you to let me know immediately. We can\'t allow discontent to turn into insubordination. We\'re fighting for the survival of the entire city, and each of us must be willing to make sacrifices."

Taron nodded, his determination renewed by Elio\'s words.

"Understood. I\'ll keep them watched and inform you of any problems."

Elio put a hand on Taron\'s shoulder, grateful for his loyalty. "Thank you, Taron. Your vigilance could make the difference between the success and failure of our mission."

♢♢♢♢

Lucien\'s return, now level 6, brought a brief respite of hope. His presence strengthened the defenses, his new power a welcome addition to their ranks.

But not even Lucien could stop the inevitable.

Fifteen days after the tragedy, Selene received a message that made her heart sink even further. The tunnel had encountered an obstacle. A huge white wall blocked their advance.