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!]

up, Tiny gives me a toothy grin as his powerful hands grip the coral, lowering himself hand over hand. For her part, Crinis is 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 the other. Those things look particularly nasty, tentacles tipped with ringed mouths

Nasty.

the many little lobster legs scuttled away as the creature moved with the lazy grace and confidence of a creature who feels unthreatened in its current environment. Compared to the usual crabs and leeches, this monster would surely

serious trouble that way. Still spying on the

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

Master. Will you be okay

course, don't

she

relax here and take it easy until Crinis

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,

hasn't back from her scouting mission. I'm

I think I found

no. That's not what I wanted to here. Moving carefully 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 body still

the left, Master, along the

my own mana awareness and I find them, faint ghosts of

still here, all six of them, moving in

Master, toward the

the left? Don't 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 the same direction as the first lot, perhaps sixty metres apart.

no, no! Not like