Chrysalis

Turns out that our rest doesn't last for long. When an opportunity comes along in dire circumstances such as these, I'm not going to say no! After thirty minutes of catching our breath and healing up, Crinis perks up a few seconds before I notice it also.

A strong reaction from my mana sense, below us. From the glow of the core I feel as if this monster has to be tier five, the same as me. This is a good chance to harvest some experience and gain a powerful core to play with then absorb. Should be go for it? Those hunters could still be around after all. It hasn't been long since we lost them and if they're still snooping around the area, I don't want to get their attention back on us so soon.

But, oh! This prey feels so juicy! Nice strong core, surely a ton of Biomass on offer as well. Since I was only just considering how scarce good hunting opportunities are going to be if these hunters stick around, can I really afford to turn away from a tempting target such as this?

[Let's go and check it out at least. Surely there's no harm from that?]

Reasoning this way, we emerge with caution from our resting place and start to descend toward the creature which feels as if it's leisurely picking its way through the coral undergrowth, confident in its own strength. Oh ho, we'll see how strong you are my little fish.

Something about stalking prey tickles the primitive parts of my human consciousness. It's dynamic and exciting. I climb down vertically, my claws gripping the surface tight as my antennae sweep through the air, soaking in every little particle the atmosphere has to give me.

Even Tiny seems sharpen up, his ears twitch furtively as he take in the sounds of the expanse, his eyes focused with an unusual gleam.

[Nice, Tiny. I like to see that look on your face. Stay frosty.]

He gives a confused grunt.

[I mean, stay sharp.]

He frowns, his ears droop a little.

[Just stay focused dammit!]

focused and intent as she concentrates her special sense on tracking the prey. It doesn't take long for us to find it. The creature resembles a mutated lobster. It's front end is raised up, two powerful, fearsome looking claws on its right side, a mass of writhing leech-like limbs on

Nasty.

feels unthreatened in its current environment. Compared to the usual crabs and leeches, this

trouble that way. Still spying on the unhurried creature from above, I cast about with all of my senses, trying to find any hint of

to go and scout around, see if you can find any sign of suspicious movement. We don't want to

be okay

course, don't

on Crinis' body as she rose from my back to extend her limbs to move

attack, let's just relax here and take it easy until Crinis has had a look.

two of us hang like giant but more attractive spiders from above the monster. We control our breathing and move as little as possible to stay hidden whilst Crinis does her scouting. Beneath us, totally oblivious to the two hungry creatures watching from above, the massive

still Crinis hasn't back from her scouting mission. I'm starting to

think I found

the two of us move toward the direction I can sense Crinis and we find her hanging from a coral branch by her tentacles, her

the left, Master, along the

mana awareness and I find them, faint ghosts of energy,

all six

Master, toward

tell me… Heart sinking toward my core I turn my senses in the other direction and after a few short moments I find them. Another six moving in

no, no! Not like