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.

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

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

end of its body, displaying a spike which it flips forward

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

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 others, playing extra defensive at it

Gweheheheh.

Over here!

on the tail. The creature shrieks and squirms

No such luck, pinchy!

almost successful and the threat of surrounding monsters joining in, I doubt the centipedes would

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

are still alive with fury however and the centipedes give due respect to their monstrous opponent and continue to wait it out, retreating slightly every time the beast

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

to put up much of a fight. Every breath is a labour at this point. Its blurry eyes lock onto

Dash!

the monster hurls itself forward, desperate to bring down even one more enemy as it goes. The wounded centipede darts to one side as the others once

weakened the croca significantly but it has also worked in my favour, allowing my acid

the beast is able to land a vicious

Slash!

doesn’t fall. Combine with

the final burst of strength from the wounded croca, immediately after the

my tiny ant thorax,

the unharmed centipedes close in on their prey to deliver the finishing blow I once again take aim. This is the last of my

Pow!

acid fires true, straight onto

contorts its body as the hateful acid burns

very little sympathy for these clawed centipedes. Hopefully not

comrade before turning back to the now collapsed croca beast and finishing it off. As the large monster breathes its

...

No system announcement.

it. This means that being part of a successful fight isn’t

defeated Level 3

[You have gained XP]