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 the faces of the people around me, when I push my way out of the circle, they fall back respectfully to grant

And good thing too!

monsters are

I can't help but feel a wave of nostalgia roll

of my old

a carpet of pinchy death they slither and climb all over each other, snapping madly at

versions are here as well, I think I spy an Earth Bear

the little fluff balls! Devilish, murdering little

the Croca Beasts. The stupid creatures are

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

Dangit!

was finally free

Only a hundred or so

I'm going to have to do this the

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 if there are thousands of

the magic, layers flowing together

Gravity Spear! Times three!

could miss, slamming

forth my gravity mana and empower the spells, letting them fly just

it me who crashes into

monsters and their blows begin to rain down

going to sit here and

Shattering Bite!

crush them with a single bite. When a fearsome bear smashes into me from the side, sending me sprawling, I

its defences, my stamina draining away along with

and a chip here shave away