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!

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

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 quickly

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 and struck

have taken the chance to manoeuvre off the roof and down the

attacker, striking with fierce claws and fangs. When another centipede approaches from the side

much the worse for wear. Of the four centipedes, one is hanging on by a thread and the other three are all injured

sense its demise,

slain Level

[You have gained XP]

finished and

is really reaching a climax now on

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

now, barely able to put

claw marks and several bites, stumbles at a critical moment allowing a centipede to catch it in the shoulder with the spike, sealing

the pain, the hound pours all of

after the incredible force has

and the burned hound, both are severely injured, barely able

is limping, its forelegs are badly bitten by this point,

launch at each other! The two monsters quickly converge and bite forward, latching onto each other. The centipede has gripped the hound by the throat, the hound is crunching down just behind the

Who will hold on?!

neither, as both creatures gradually

carnage. The three hounds have collapsed, exhausted and on the verge of death. Their

...

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

dancing in the palm of

I still

of these creatures are on a sliver of health. Effectively

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

yet, after being here for a few days I have already become accustomed to battles just like this. Being forced to fight and take the life of your

aren’t people but monsters, but, isn’t that what

to secure the last hit on these hounds before the poison steals my

hound to hound, using my mandibles to apply bite attacks until the familiar and