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!

liquid strikes it once again, rolling and scrabbling

living centipedes rush forward, hundreds of tiny legs skittering so fast the creatures almost seem to flow over the ground. Distracted

to dislodge the attacker before swinging its vicious tail around to slam the centipede away. Too late however as another

the meantime I have taken the chance to manoeuvre off the

hound howls in anger and throws itself at its attacker, striking with fierce claws and fangs. When

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

to sense its demise, pushes further into the fray. Emboldened, the remaining hounds also press forward on

Level 3

[You have gained XP]

and I quietly drag the carcass away to a secluded fold in

is really reaching a climax now on the

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

labouring hard now, barely able to put up any kind of fight

hound, suffering from claw marks and several bites, stumbles at a critical moment allowing a centipede to catch it

Enduring the pain, the hound pours all of its momentum into a massive swipe of the tail, catching two centipedes and sending them slamming into the

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

is left now is one wounded centipede and the burned hound, both are severely injured, barely able

this point,

other! The two monsters quickly converge and bite forward,

Who will hold on?!

gradually collapse, completely spent, unable to continue the

I behold a scene of ridiculous carnage. The three hounds have collapsed, exhausted and on the verge of death. Their opponents, the centipedes, are similarly disabled,

...

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

in the palm of my hand

beheld the entire process with my own eyes, I still cannot quite comprehend exactly how well this has all worked out for

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

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

I have already become accustomed to battles just like this. Being forced to fight and take the life of your own food

my mind I justify it by saying they aren’t people but

later! I need to secure the last hit

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