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.]

How the hell did you even get to

had a harder start than I did. It seems impossible that someone

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

[You have a mouth?]

mouth! You think worms

Stupid question.

I was able to start doing a little hunting. Small creatures here and there. Took another year before

I broke in, [you didn't form your core

in front

the hell was I supposed to know that core first is better!? I spent two years getting to level five! You think I had the patience

I apologise, Elemental Worm

the lack of shoulders makes it difficult, but somehow Jim manages to convey the general

the Worm Cult. They like having me around, being a worm helps with that I suppose. Wouldn't mind

in, just as I have. I need to stick to my guns, not that there was much chance of me doing any different! My ant soul burns bright, too

grinding here before leaving? Do you think they'll

This whole death tournament thing? What the hell is this? Madness! They've lost what little they had left of their minds. Nuts, I'm telling

you still think they'll let you

spoke slowly, as if he were explaining something to

dirt. At this point of my evolution, I

though they don't wear shirts. The moment he tries to wriggle out of their sight, I bet they knock him senseless with mind magic 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,

in the thorax. Something

shifting feet of my escort over here James -

Call

Jim. I think they're going to drag me back to my cell where I'll resume grinding away at

just about everything to create a new ancient. Which means that there's