Chrysalis

[We need more of this. As soon as you can get it.]

…

[Uh, okay? Maybe take it out of my face a little so I can see it?]

An unusually forceful and intent Enid is waving something in my face with shaking hands. As soon as I waddled my way into the village someone had gone to fetch her and the normally dignified older lady had arrived at a dead run, her skirts hiked up with one hand and the other clutching this, object.

As she withdraws the object slightly I can see that it is, as suspected, the mana infused wood that I delivered to Beyn a day or so ago.

[Ah. Finally got your hands on that did you? So what is it?] I enquire.

[It's mana infused wood.]

[I can see that plain as day! What is it good for?!]

Enid huffed with her hands on her hips.

[Well that's a different question, isn't it?] she held the branch tenderly in her hands, like a newborn babe, [this wood has absorbed the plentiful mana of the Dungeon and taken on the attributes that surrounded it.]

[Yeah?]

materials from the Dungeon are treasured and worth just as much as cores. Nations fight over the rights to expanses and other regions that produce this kind of thing fiercely. They are rare and incredibly useful! Not

I'm losing my patience

items designed to channel certain types of mana, materials like this will amplify the effect. For example, if a staff where

[Ooo, that is handy.]

could make shields, swords, armour,

has double elements in it] I pointed out, [water

waving the stick with vigour in my face, [is the most important thing! Double affinity! Double the offensive boost, double the defensive! This kind of material is extremely rare! In Liria,

do with it? I doubt there are any master enchanters hanging around the

Yet.

capable of in a few years? In my mind scenes of the great ant forges begin to appear, the cavernous halls under

Gweheheheh.

glorious within

it cool. The inevitable ant future will

was looking at me strangely. Dammit Anthony, don't let

tradespeople, apprentices and, more importantly, we have Beyn to help guide us to unlocking the skills and classes related to shaping

how much time do you think we

She shook her head.

won't take as long as you think. By accelerating level growth in the Dungeon and with expert knowledge to crack the unlock conditions, the only thing missing is materials

why you want me to bring more up. The question I have for you is, what's in it for the colony? The expanse is ours and we are the only ones able

going to the colony of course. I was also able to extract a promise from a curious Enid to engage in a

nest and check in on my class of hatchlings. Once more painfully shifting my legs one by one as shooting beams of agony rippled through my body with each step, I made my way back to my chamber. The journey only took four times as long as normal. I feel as if I'm