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.]

hell did you even get to this

didn't think that I'd ever run into someone that had a harder start than I did. It seems impossible

was a little better, sneaking skills

[You have a mouth?]

a mouth!

Stupid

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

I broke in, [you didn't

in front of me twists

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

make a good point, again. I apologise,

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

being a worm helps with that I suppose. Wouldn't mind meeting the big fella one day. Yarrum? Would love to know

as I have. I need to stick to my guns, not that there was much chance of me doing

grinding here before leaving?

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

think

as if he were explaining

I think I can melt down metals and eat that as well. How would they keep me

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 on his mental defence Skills. It's not really my business I suppose.

me in the thorax. Something

feet of my escort over here James -

Anthony. Call me

I'll resume grinding away at my Skills in the hope that I won't die. Any advice before I

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