I was stupidly stuck long time on my first 4 off, because although I knew I can't optimize it more, I couldn't force my mind to a different solution. When I got fed up with that route, I finally tried something else and won with the next try... *banging head on table*
Standing ovation for this one. I will confess to being straight up hoodwinked. Final solution leaves me thinking this would be a cosmovibe level if I didn't know the author.