Chrysalis

They seem to be the bigwigs around here, unless I miss my guess. These three radiate that sort of aura. Although I can't say I approve of the way they are looking down on me like I'm some sort of roach who they might want to squish. I'm a much more valuable sort of insect than that, thank you very much! The ant is far more noble, far more dignified than any runt that hides under your fridge! Their cold and calculating eyes don't fill me with warm feelings, something tells me that this conversation isn't going to be one of my all-time favourites.

Because I'm certain they're here to chat. They need to evaluate the merchandise after all. Otherwise how could they make a sound judgement as to its value. These nutters only care about one thing, which is making a monster as powerful as possible and launching it at the centre of the Dungeon in the hopes that it breaks through all in its way to ascend to the most powerful tier of monster that apparently exists. As much as I enjoy a good cannon, I'm not convinced that I want to be a cannonball!

I'll have to wait and see how much of a choice they give me. I don't think I can break out of this place, so only rescue or following their instructions is left to me at this point. I can't help but curse my poor decisions that led to this outcome. Maybe if I'd been more vicious and fought to kill from the beginning then I would have escaped, made it back to my colony and been safe there. But nooo, peaceful Anthony wanted to slip away without causing enmity. Well where did that get me?! Clutched in the palm of these cultists!

Patience, Anthony. No need to fly off the handle. Need to make a good impression on these fogeys so they don't immediately knock me out and feed my precious Biomass to some hyena they've had locked up here for the last hundred years.

[Your enthusiasm at the prospect of achieving the dream of our fellowship is certainly inspiring,] came the dry tones of who I presume to be the leader of these three, the woman in the centre, [but you must understand that we can't take your dedication at face value? A more solid contribution is required to demonstrate your sincerity.]

[But I'm so sincere. Off the scale even. I want to be an ancient so bad, I already defeated a candidate out of sheer jealousy!]

Anthony, you're smoother than a greased snail! This couldn't be going better.

[We've heard of your triumph over the beast known as Garralosh. I must ask, were you not perturbed to destroy another of your own kind?]

may be pressured to explain why I would step up to the plate for a colony of 'brainless' ants. The less time spent discussing the colony the better. I get the feeling that the attitude Granin displayed toward my family would be a heck of a lot less flippant if he realised what

do is

to hunt me down. I refused to hide from her forever. I don't relish the fact I had to take her down, but I also don't regret it. She forced the issue onto

don't take responsibility for

[I said I

[Interesting.]

I sweat internally. What exactly do

of ire, [what

mean… How would I know? I have my own ideas, of course, but I can't say with any kind of certainty that they'd be the best possible ways. Why are you asking me buddy? You're the one with hundreds of years of monster rearing knowledge at your beck and call! Maybe that's the point, he wants me to admit that they have the knowledge and expertise that I don't. An interesting play. The shaper in question is almost glaring down at me, so intense is his stare. What I did I do to get you so

to plus five. I didn't know how cores worked until I had one. I didn't know how reconstitution

mean you would be willing to submit to our

take advice. You guys have a lot of information to

The Shaper frowned.

mean advice. I mean that you would exclusively develop along the lines that

see. Heck no.] I