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!

acid is launched through the air onto the wounded hound! It howls miserably as the burning liquid strikes it once again, rolling

hundreds of tiny legs skittering so fast the creatures almost seem to flow over the ground.

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

I have taken the chance to manoeuvre off the roof and down the wall, cautiously approaching the

poisoned hound howls in anger and throws itself at its attacker, striking with fierce claws and fangs. When another centipede approaches from the side it is brutally slapped away with a swipe of the

other badly burned, the hounds are very much the worse for wear. Of the four centipedes, one is

any pause in the carnage however as the poisoned hound, seeming to sense its demise, pushes further into the fray. Emboldened, the remaining hounds also press

Level 3 Claw

[You have gained XP]

a few quick chomps with the mandibles the almost dead centipede is finished and

a climax now on the

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

able to put up any

moment allowing a centipede to catch it in the shoulder with the

pours

incredible force has shattered its legs

centipede and the burned hound, both are severely injured, barely able to put up a fight. Slowly they circle each other, watching and waiting

hound is limping, its forelegs are badly bitten by this point, the centipede isn’t much better, several legs are crushed,

at each other! The two monsters quickly converge and bite forward, latching onto each other. The centipede has gripped the hound by the throat,

Who will hold on?!

gradually collapse, completely spent, unable to continue

exhausted and on the

...

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

in the palm of my

with my own eyes, I still cannot quite comprehend exactly how well this has

these creatures are on a sliver of health. Effectively 1 HP. This is an unprecedented

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 had never been in a proper fight during my past

yet, after being here for a few days I have already become accustomed to battles just like this. Being forced

mind I justify it by saying they aren’t people but monsters, but, isn’t that what I am

the last hit

hound, using my mandibles to apply bite attacks until the familiar and soothing refrain of Gandalf rings in my