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.]

the hell did you even get to

ever run into someone that had a harder start than I did. It seems impossible that someone would be able to go from a blind, almost completely harmless worm to evolving at least

I'd gotten up a few mutations I started to gain confidence. Defence was a little better, sneaking

[You have a mouth?]

a mouth! You think worms

Stupid question. Go

a little hunting. Small creatures here and there. Took another

I broke in, [you didn't form your

giant worm in front

spent two years getting to level five! You think I had the patience to wait before finally getting

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

of shoulders makes it difficult, but somehow Jim

my core, evolved a few more times, snuck my way down here and got picked up by the Worm Cult. They like having me around, being a worm helps with that I suppose. Wouldn't mind meeting the big

to the path of loving the skin he's in, just as I have. I need to stick to my guns, not that there

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

level. Well, except lately. This whole death tournament thing? What the hell is this?

you still think they'll let

explaining something to someone very young.

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

think he's being a little naïve. These Shapers have a whole lot of tricks up their sleeves, even 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

damn that stung me in the thorax.

judging the by shifting feet of my

Call me

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

they get fidgety.] 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