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!]

mouthy priest and turns to the people to explain what I've said. Gradually some life returns to

And good thing too!

monsters are

towards the village, I can't help but

old friends

they slither and climb all

are here as well, I think I spy

the little fluff balls! Devilish, murdering little fluff

Croca Beasts. The stupid creatures are here as

forest expanse area. Perhaps they

Dangit!

thought I was finally free of your

towards us. Only a hundred or so more metres and they'll

I'm going to

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 battling against the Croca Commander but it's enough to deal with these trash, even

work overtime, swiftly weaving together the magic, layers flowing together

Gravity Spear! Times three!

not that they could miss, slamming into the front line of the wave, snaring large clutches of monsters and binding them together, forcing

pour forth my gravity mana and

it me

of the monsters and their blows begin

just going to sit here

Shattering Bite!

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

my stamina draining away along

shave away at my health until