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.

head from side to side it snaps repeatedly down, audibly crunching the exoskeleton of the centipede that writhes and twists madly in the

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,

of the centipedes rears up the end of its body, displaying a spike which it flips forward and drives into the croca’s back, surely injecting some

swing of its head 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

and damage already done to wear down their prey. The target of my attack has withdrawn further that the others, playing extra defensive at it hisses and clacks at the surroundings, unsure where

Gweheheheh.

Over here!

I fire a burst at that centipede, splashing it squarely on the tail. The creature shrieks and squirms about, clacking fiercely as it attempts to locate

No such luck, pinchy!

successful and the threat of surrounding monsters joining in, I doubt the centipedes would be so foolish as to

shadows and prepare to watch

wounded 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

victim is moving slower now, clearly wounded. It refuses to back too far away from the croca-beast, but also

close to finished now, unable to put up much of a fight. Every breath is a labour at this point. Its blurry eyes lock onto its final

Dash!

even one more enemy as it goes. The wounded centipede darts to one side as the others once again close in on

centipedes played has weakened the croca significantly but it has also worked in my

enough of a hindrance that the beast is able to land a

Slash!

doesn’t fall. Combine with the acid attacks from earlier, the centipede is

immediately after the furious attack, it

pounds in my tiny ant

to deliver the finishing blow I once again take aim. This is the last of

Pow!

again my acid fires true,

its body as the hateful acid

have very little sympathy for these clawed centipedes. Hopefully not just

inspect their heavily wounded comrade before turning back to the now collapsed croca

...

No system announcement.

I damaged it. This means that

Level

[You have gained XP]