Chrysalis

The monsters came from the north. They swept south in a hungry pack, seeking, destroying and devouring everything in their path like a tide of beastly Vikings.

As the monsters drew closer their snarling and growls rang louder in the peoples ears and panic quickly raced across their faces. The fear spread so quickly from person to person around me, clouding their faces and twisting their expressions.

So quickly they lost the will to fight, these people.

I shouldn't be too surprised. These people had lost their homes and families to these creatures. Small and weak it may have been, but they had also lost their country. Against a foe that had taken apart something so much larger than themselves, it's only natural that they would be intimidated.

But I wouldn't sit idly by.

[Tiny bring Crinis to me. We need to fight.]

If those stupid monsters thought that they could get this close to my colony then they are outside their damn minds.

I loudly clack my mandibles several times in succession.

*CLACK* *CLACK* *CLACK*

The sharp, staccato noises ring out loudly, cutting through the rising fear. The circle of people turn back to me sharply.

[Priest. Tell the people to go hide and stay out of my way. I will defend my colony but if any monsters get through, the people will need to defend themselves.]

The priest nodded enthusiastically.

[Of course, Great One! The blessings of the System belong only to those who are prepared to earn them! Your wisdom is as deep as the Dungeon, as broad the Endless Sky expanse and as …]

[Just tell them already!]

[Oh! Right!]

Gradually some life returns to the faces of the people around me, when

And good thing too!

monsters are upon

swarm rushing towards the village, I can't help but feel a

my old friends are

So many damn centipedes! Like a carpet of pinchy death they slither and climb all over each other, snapping

as well, I think I spy an Earth Bear Tyrant stomping amongst the

are here! Awww, the

The stupid creatures are

a collection of monsters from the forest expanse area. Perhaps they are gathering the monsters over there, just as they did here, to

Dangit!

thought I was finally free of

they rush towards us. Only a hundred or so more metres and they'll be amongst the villagers. Not willing to wait, I rush out

I'm going to have to do

speed I dash forwards. My brains kick into gear, each one crafting a gravity spear as quickly as possible. I haven't had that much time to rest since

weaving together the magic, layers

Gravity Spear! Times three!

as the dark purple projectiles fly out I'm already working on another set. The spears fly home, not that they could miss, slamming into the front line of the wave, snaring large clutches of monsters and binding them together, forcing them to stumble and breaking their running

forth my gravity mana

it me who crashes into

I smash into the thick of the monsters and their blows begin to rain

if I'm just going to sit here

Shattering Bite!

I stand firm, the bulk of the damage failing to pierce through. Centipedes rise to clutch at me and I crush them with a single bite. When a fearsome bear smashes into me from the side, sending me sprawling, I channel mana into my mandibles and dive back at

my stamina draining away along with my mana

damage begins to pile up. A chip here and a chip here shave