Chrysalis

Forced to withdraw my Domain, the magic flickers out of existence and the drain on my Gravitational magic gland trickles to a stop. The true benefits of the bottomless gland upgrade is showing now after this extended fight. Despite casting bolts, javelins, infusing my mandibles, the bomb and the domain, my Gravitational gland is kicking along at well over half full. Not to mention my own core is still topped off and ready to go.

Freed from the immense pressure of my spell the soldiers and townspeople scramble to their feet, brandishing their weapons. The townspeople outnumber their foes comfortably but they are individually significantly weaker. If it weren’t for me having bitten the heck out of these soldiers whilst they grovelled beneath my domain they wouldn’t have any chance at all.

The priest is the first to leap back to his feet, brandishing a heavy looking mace in his one hand like a madman, roaring at the top of his lungs. A times like these I’m glad I can’t understand the words coming out of his mouth. This priest has achieved a level of obsession that cannot be considered healthy in any way. If I were to poop in a field I feel like this guy would raise a shrine and worship it for one thousand years.

This guy can only thank his lucky stars that the only things I can dispense from my back zone are acid and justice.

The battle quickly breaks down into a brawling melee, several townsfolk surrounding each enemy soldier and relentlessly stabbing them with incredible fervour and selfless courage. In the grip of their religious zealotry the poorly trained and armed farmers ignore their own wounds, ignore tiredness, pressing forward relentlessly.

Almost like ants! These people are doing the colony they worship proud.

Much like I had for the workforce in the past I run throughout the field of battle running interference wherever I can, biting and legs and arms, tearing weapons from hands or charging into soldiers to bowl them over, preventing them from grouping up.

Every now and again I fire off a Gravity Bolt, sending a soldier sky high before they come crashing back to hearth. Shockingly some of them don’t die immediately on impact, utilising some sort of skill to absorb the tremendous impact or increase their survivability, but even so most die straight away and the survivors are greatly wounded.

Of course, I try to ensure my targets on the outside of the battle so they don’t fall directly back on top of us.

Of course, I remember to exclusively use my piercing chomp skill for grinding purposes and also to ensure that no allies are caught up in my attack. The melee is too tight for me to deploy aoe skills and expect to not incur some friendly fire.

After twenty long minutes the battle is done and the townsfolk have been triumphant! Covered in sweat and wounds the people raise their weapons and cheer! Some of them have given up their lives for the cause here but they are not disheartened. In fact, the sacrifice of the martyrs has inspired them even more!

These people need help...

to harvest another level from raining my enemies down on the hard stone as well as increasing my piercing chomp skill by one level.

an advanced skill. Surface races, with their class based system, have the ability to slowly raise skills associated with their own class

sword or spear around against someone who can send out a wave of light to strike their enemies from ten

Tunnel Map, I don’t think it’s possible for a monster to raise their attack skills

example of system prejudice

monsters can experience more rapid growth than the surface races. Training is quite slow apparently, whereas a monster will only get stronger by constant combat, raising skills, gaining levels and consuming Biomass all at once. A young but strong monster can grow powerful and evolve in a matter

they actually practice, whereas I can only repetitively practice over and over again. In

learn magic is essentially the surface way, which all the advanced and sentient races use. Building the fundamental skills up from

When the broad doors were opened a warm light from the entrance hall spilled out. I was a bit confused at first, the light looked almost like

or gas or wire at all! What is up with these? Curiously I broke away from the huddled fighters

I get closer

like to reinforce your core or reconstitute a

.....

Don’t tell me...

the light source itself I can see that it is in fact, a small glowing gem.

the attitude of the wealthy, right here! Whereas mercenaries had to scramble for every core they could, the Royalty was using them to light their castle! Such a flagrant waste of resources was almost offensive to me

nobody was watching as they advanced further into the castle I quickly confirm

[Reinforce!]

refuse to let any of them off. Quickly zipping around on the walls I absorb all six of the cores before re-joining the strike force as we

Gweheheheh. The perfect crime!

nobody was able

I reach the back of the group I notice a twitch of movement behind me. What

rear view I can see the priest walking