Chrysalis

[How long will you be gone for?] Enid asks worriedly.

[As long as it takes to remove the threat] I reply.

This is why I don't like coming up here to the human camp. No sooner did I appear than people started gathering and pointing. Then the priest came at a run, his face flushed with excitement and began exhorting the people to pay their respects to me. In a flash I had people raising their hands or kneeling nearby as I nervously waited for Enid to show up.

I'm thankful the crowd maintained a respectful distance from me. It seems their fear of Dungeon monsters isn't completely gone.

[Do you have any idea what is actually causing these monsters to attack the surface?] she asks.

[I'm not sure. I have a few suspicions, but I don't exactly know what we are up against. The colony, and by extensions you humans, are not safe while the Expanse below us continues to send out these monsters. They need to be removed]

Enid frowns as she ponders my words. Why am I even here? I could have just spoken to the Queen and then disappeared underground, nobody here in the camp would have been the wiser. It isn't as if they see me very often, I'm almost always underground already.

I guess Enid herself has been helpful and respectful. I don't really have any reason to keep her in the dark. Since this expedition has a direct impact on their own safety, I suppose it doesn't hurt to tell them.

Just…. Give me a little space people!

[The people here seem remarkably well disposed towards ant monsters. Is that safe?] I'm forced to ask as a child attempts to sneak forward and touch me only to be snatched back by an adult.

Enid looks at me oddly for a moment before replying.

[You and your colony have kept these people safe on several occasions. The only reason we have been able to settle here and start making a life for ourselves again is that you and your colony are here, taming the land and protecting us. Of course, we are grateful. With Beyn here that gratitude is only getting more ingrained]

Damn priest…

I'll need to have words with him at some point, but for now, I'm worried he may just take it as some sort of divine visitation. The guy is just odd. I bit his arm off, how did he end up such a fervent supporter?!

Enid hesitates before speaking again. [There are a lot of valuable resources that can be extracted from an Expanse. I was a merchant before, and I know the value of many things that can be found in the Dungeon. If you see something that looks special, bring it to me, and I can tell you about it].

Hmmmm.

[I'll think about it].

useful can be found down there, I might keep this in mind. Still, in my

and carefully back myself up and leave. The people reluctantly part to let me through, the priests' voice raising to an even higher crescendo before

to explain the situation to Mother. As always she expresses concern for my safety but encourages me to do what is best for

Naturally!

doesn't let his

still slumbering Vibrant unexpectedly gently in one massive

great unknown in order to protect the colony from harm. Something about it just makes my ant heart sing. Going to

colony who could handle this level of danger, so it has to

up even one skill by one point it might be help by more than we expect. To this end I use my

show signs of stirring from her slumber. Her body has undergone

take a look at her status and she what she

of us open up the shortcut, clear out a small section of tunnel

Vibrant is going to be fighting alongside us I want to make

doesn't take long for her to

senior! How long did I

I'd say it

are we? Did we move

you. We came

she rushes

big ape just looks down at her for a moment before reaching

You're

...

here for a moment

of beans, she bounces over to me and stops, still managing to wiggle from one foot to the other as she awaits my instructions. No matter how far she evolves I don't think her high energy level is

take a look at your core and see what your stats are like. Is that ok?" I

"Sure-sure!"

Alright then.