Chrysalis

This world contains a bizarrely game-like system. The information I’m in need of most is exactly how this system functions, for example, how does the system award XP when a monster dies?

Is it divided evenly amongst everything that caused damage? Or is all of the experience awarded to the one who deals the final blow? I’ve never received a system announcement awarding experience during combat, only after the prey has expired.

So I can assume that only when something dies is XP awarded for it.

Let’s test a few theories then.

As I draw near the sounds of combat are growing louder and louder. Sticking to the shadows I peer around the rock crevices to identify the combatants.

Locked in furious battle I see four of the filthy claw centipedes and a croca-beast.

By the shining beard of Gandalf I hate those stupid centipedes, they think they’re so great! The four crawling monstrosities have surrounded the much larger, hulking, walking croc, advancing and retreating to distract their foe and create chances for the others.

The croca-beast is doing its best to watch all of its opponents but they are simply too slippery, always moving, circling and feinting. The beast has already been wounded in several places, green ichor can be seen leaking from wounds on the creature. It isn’t going down without a fight though, one centipede already lies twitching at its feet, completely torn in half.

Slash!

Bite!

The monsters whirl in deadly combat, swinging claws and chomping fangs!

This is quite thrilling!

I try to keep an eye on my surroundings however. The last thing I want is one of those stupid slugs to slide up and eat me when I’m not looking. Surprisingly, it seems as though most monsters are giving this fight a wide berth, unwilling to get dragged in to a fight between such dangerous opponents.

I’m happy to chip in however.

The croca is snapping its jaws towards one centipede whilst using its claws ward of the others. Its tail swings furiously behind it, trying to defend its vulnerable back as it turns. Suddenly it coils up, crouching low.

This is it!

I hurriedly turn and begin to take aim and as the croca launches itself forward at one of its tormentors, I fire a blast at one of the centipedes, drenching the foul thing in my acid.

As quickly as I can I re-aim and fire another shot at the croca itself, splashing the burning liquid down its left side.

its victim, swinging its massive head from side to side it snaps repeatedly down, audibly crunching the exoskeleton of

boldly the croca has left itself open to retaliation, the remaining three centipedes, including the victim of my sneak attack, heave leapt forth, unwilling to let this chance slip. By taking advantage of the certain death of their comrade they plunge forward with wriggling glee, sinking fangs and claws into the croca beast, tearing

which it flips forward and drives into the croca’s

snaps the centipede in half, flinging pieces away into the darkness, before turning on the remaining pests. However with my acid burning it and the poison in its

three surrounding centipedes withdraw from the monster, circling at range, waiting for the poison and damage already done to wear down their prey. The target of my attack has withdrawn further that the

Gweheheheh.

Over here!

that centipede, splashing it squarely on the tail. The creature shrieks and squirms about, clacking fiercely as it attempts to locate my hiding place

No such luck, pinchy!

in, I doubt

once again I nestle into the shadows and prepare to watch how things play out from

now, air rasps between its massive jaws as it struggles for air. The eyes of the beast are still alive with fury however and the centipedes give due respect to their monstrous opponent

to back too far away from the croca-beast,

a labour at this

Dash!

itself forward, desperate to bring down even one more enemy as it goes. The wounded centipede darts

game the centipedes played has weakened the croca significantly but it has also worked in my favour, allowing my acid to slowly

beast is

Slash!

but doesn’t fall. Combine with the acid attacks from earlier, the centipede is clearly heavily wounded

from the wounded croca, immediately after

tiny

centipedes close in on their prey to deliver the finishing blow I once again take aim. This is the last of my acid for the time being, this

Pow!

again my acid fires true, straight

the hateful acid burns away

I have very little sympathy for these clawed centipedes. Hopefully not just because they look so hideous, I like to think

inspect their heavily wounded comrade before turning back to the now collapsed croca beast and finishing it off. As the large monster breathes its last breathe

...

No system announcement.

I damaged it. This means that being part of

have defeated Level 3

[You have gained XP]