Chrysalis

[Yeah, these Cultists are crazy. I shouldn't have to say that should I? They're Cultists. Just because they worship the biggest and baddest worm in this world doesn't mean they get to skate on that.]

[You make a solid point. Sarah didn't seem to share your point of view though. She seemed a little more forgiving of them.]

The massive worm gives a little wriggle that I can only interpret as dismissal.

[Sarah's just too nice. They took her in when she was desperate, gave her rest and someone to talk to and she was won over inside a year. They basically let her get out of the monster life, go back to being civilised. I can't blame her too much.]

[What about you? You've been here for a few years, so I hear. Gone native? Out of the monster game?]

[Me? Hell no! This incredible specimen of a Megadrile is still in the game! I'm just taking a rest and grinding my Skills. I had it rough out there, man. You think you had it tough as an ant? Try being a worm! How am I supposed to fight?]

The man has a point. Actually, the former-man-now-worm has a point. How exactly was he meant to fight?

[So how did you fight?]

[I didn't! I hid underground and snuck up to steal scraps of Biomass like the gorgeous detritovore that I am.]

[Not too dissimilar from my own early strategy to be honest. How long did you have to keep that up?]

[About a year.]

[A YEAR?!]

[Took a long time! Food was hard to come by, I spent most of my time starving, buried under the ground in the dark. The only way I could tell when monsters were near was through the tremors they sent through the ground.]

sounds rough. How the hell did you even get

think that I'd ever run into someone that had a harder start than I did. It seems impossible that someone would be able to go

started to gain confidence. Defence was a little better, sneaking skills levelled up a bit and I was able to inject a

[You have a mouth?]

course I have a mouth! You think worms

right. Stupid question.

creatures here and there. Took another year before I was able

broke in, [you didn't form your core

in front

to know that core first is better!? I spent two years getting to level five! You think I had

a good point, again. I apologise, Elemental Worm of Earth

it difficult, but somehow Jim manages to convey the general sense of

Worm Cult. They like having me around, being a worm helps with that I suppose. Wouldn't mind meeting the big fella one day. Yarrum? Would

have. I need to stick

you plan to just keep grinding here before leaving? Do you think they'll let

usually on the level. Well, except lately. This whole death tournament thing? What the hell is this? Madness! They've lost what little they

still think they'll let you

he were explaining something

worm. I literally eat rocks and dirt. At this point of my evolution, I think I can melt down metals and eat

and drag him back up. Heck, maybe Jim knows that and he’s working on his mental defence Skills. It's not really my business I suppose. Just like with Sarah, other than being formerly human, what do we have in common? James is living his best worm life and I have

that stung me in the

of my escort

Call

drag me back to my cell where I'll resume grinding away

Jim sounds a bit depressed as he confirms my suspicion. [Look, just try to cover your bases, alright? From what I know, the members of this Cult have been trying just about everything to create a new ancient. Which means that there's all types of crazy monsters in this place. Just be aware that they can come at you from weird angles. You're still young on Pangera, you