Chrysalis

The centipede is crushed into the stone floor of the cavern. Deep cracks appear on its carapace after the kinetic force rips through its body, shattering the hard outer skeleton.

I’m stunned.

That was one fearsome strike! If I was hit by that I’d be squashed into a pancake, no doubt about it.

Scary!

The centipede doesn’t seem to have fared much better, it twitches on the ground, barely moving. The hound steps forward slowly, a murderous glint its eye. Almost as if its thinking ’take that you bug, how dare you threaten my greatness!’.

Before it can deal the finishing blow however something unexpected happens.

Sizzling acid streaks through the air and sprays down the hounds’ left flank, immediately burning into its flesh.

Oops.

Heheheheheh.

Sorry to interrupt your proud moment there hound, but I don’t want this battle to end just yet.

Of course, one blast of acid isn’t enough to finish off a hound, but the same is also true for the centipedes.

The Claw Centipede I hit earlier has now recovered enough to once more join the fray. It advances cautiously to reinforce its three unharmed brethren against the two healthy hounds.

This is the critical moment. With one centipede essentially down for the count but still living and one wounded hound the battle has become very even.

The centipedes seem a little unwilling to proceed with the fight now. They continue to posture aggressively but don’t actively make any moves to attack against their larger opponents.

The hound I injured is mildly wounded by my acid but not badly enough to keep it out of the fight, disregarding the source of the acid it returns to the aid of its allies in fending off the swarming assailants.

At that moment.

Splash!

onto the wounded hound! It howls miserably as the burning liquid strikes it once again, rolling and scrabbling at the

this moment the three living centipedes rush forward, hundreds of tiny legs skittering so fast the creatures almost seem to flow over the

the attacker before swinging its vicious tail around to slam the centipede away. Too late however as another centipede has taken advantage of the

the roof and down the

fierce claws and fangs. When another centipede approaches from the side it is brutally slapped away

possibly fatally poisoned and other badly burned, the hounds are very much the worse for wear. Of the

carnage however as the poisoned hound, seeming to sense its demise, pushes further

have slain Level 3 Claw

[You have gained XP]

few quick chomps with the mandibles the almost dead centipede is finished and I quietly drag the carcass away to a secluded fold

a climax now on

are giving their all to survive, lashing forward with their poisoned spikes

to put up any kind of fight as the

a critical moment allowing a centipede to catch

and claw attacks as it does so. Enduring the pain, the hound pours all of its momentum into

stunned creatures can barely move after the incredible force has shattered its legs and deeply cracked

both are severely injured, barely able to put up a fight. Slowly they circle each other, watching

bitten by this point, the centipede

if a hidden start gun has gone off they simultaneously launch at each other! The two monsters quickly converge and bite forward,

Who will hold on?!

out neither, as both creatures gradually collapse, completely

collapsed, exhausted and on the verge of death. Their opponents, the centipedes, are

...

Hmm...he.....hee.......hu hu ha HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!

You were dancing in the palm of my

beheld the entire process with my own eyes, I still cannot quite comprehend exactly how well this

a sliver of health. Effectively 1 HP. This is an unprecedented harvest of XP and

a persons’ attitudes can change isn’t it? Not too long ago I was an average person. I lived

few days I have already become accustomed to battles just like this. Being

it by saying they aren’t people but monsters, but,

later! I need to secure the last hit on these hounds before the poison

to apply bite attacks until the familiar and soothing refrain of Gandalf rings in my