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!

fierce arc of acid is launched through the air onto the wounded hound! It howls miserably as the burning liquid

the three living centipedes rush forward, hundreds of tiny legs skittering so fast the creatures almost seem to flow over the ground. Distracted momentarily, the hounds respond a beat too late and one is

its vicious tail around to slam the centipede away. Too late however

off the roof and down

itself at its attacker, striking with fierce claws and fangs. When another centipede approaches from the side it is

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

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

Level 3 Claw

[You have gained XP]

the mandibles the almost dead centipede is finished and I quietly drag the

is really reaching a climax now on

all to survive, lashing forward with their poisoned spikes over and over again, trying to ward

poisoned hound is labouring hard now, barely able to put up any

moment allowing a centipede to catch it in the shoulder with the spike, sealing its

the hound pours all

force has shattered its legs and deeply cracked

both are severely injured, barely able to

this point,

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

Who will hold on?!

turns out neither, as both creatures gradually

have collapsed, exhausted and

...

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

were dancing in the palm of my hand all

the entire process with my own eyes, I still cannot

of these creatures are on a sliver of health. Effectively 1 HP.

attitudes can change isn’t it? Not too long ago I was an average person. I lived in a normal society and wouldn’t consider harming another person, I

accustomed to battles just like this. Being forced to fight and take the life of your own

saying they aren’t people

worry about that later! I need to secure the last hit on these hounds before the poison steals my

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