Chrysalis

Chapter 24

I don’t know how much time had passed before I regain consciousness. The light slowly returns to my eyes and sensation to my limbs.

Deep inside my thorax (the middle bit) a hot, boiling feeling is slowly fading away, drawing in a dense ball of heat. Probably my new core.

Groggily I get my legs underneath me and start slowly moving through the tunnel again. No matter how weak I feel, I cannot stay here to rest, pursuers could be dropping down the shaft to investigate even now. I have to move.

Gradually my muddled thoughts begin to straighten themselves and my coordination slowly returns. As I navigate my way across the rocky tunnel I check my status.

Name: Anthony

Level: 1 (core)

Might: 15

Toughness: 12

Cunning: 25

Will: 18

HP: 30

MP: 10

Skills: Digging level 4; Improved Acid Shot Level 1; Grip Level 4; Bite Level 4; Advanced Stealth Level 1; Tunnel Sense Level 3;

Mutations: Eyes +4, Antennae +2, Acid +3, Legs +1

Species: Hatchling Ant Worker (Formica)

Skill points: 1

Biomass: 0

accumulated experience, all the ridiculous good luck I’ve had? It hasn’t

magic for me and my fellow creatures down here. This could explain why so many monsters were drawn to the

sacrificed a significant upgrade to my stats in order to condense the core which has given me, in effect, only ten MP that I can’t

is likely more dangerous territory than I have experienced already, those increased stats would have been super

I’ve made the wrong choice, the prospect of being able to use

to five and evolve again? Which also means I’ll

to amass skill points as an unevolved creature which could allow me to gain more levels and skill points at

reach level five. I won’t even look at the

I’ve regained full control of my body and shaken the dust off my mind as I reach the end of the tunnel. Beyond

a deep breath I walk out into the open air once

place is so

so high I absolutely refuse to climb on it. One slip and I would certainly plummet to my own death. To my left and right the walls curve away into the distance to a place I cannot see, my eyesight isn’t good enough, even at plus four, to be able to

I can’t since I have no eyelids. Secondly, my eyes don’t have one point of focus,

distance. It probably also explains why I’ve been able to avoid having anything sneak up on me, since

been the correct choice for me and they’ll probably be the first body part I mutate to +5. Since skills can evolve at +5 I’m very excited to see

Any clues Gandalf?

...

all his immense wisdom the

advice would

for me to

slowly I more down the slope, leaving the shelter of the small tunnel and exposing myself

isn’t even a large enough word to describe this place, it feels like a fully enclosed world,

through the rocks I strain my eyes to see as far into the distance as I can. Strange twisted trees, huge oversized mushrooms and a carpet of plant-life underneath face me everywhere I turn.

so alien, for the first time I really think to myself,

snipping at them to see if they react. When they don’t respond I move toward a giant mushroom. These things are easily

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