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

seems impossible that someone would be able to go from a blind,

little better, sneaking skills levelled up a bit and I

[You have a mouth?]

course I have a mouth! You think worms can't

right. Stupid

start doing a little hunting. Small creatures here and there. Took another year

in, [you

worm in front

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

good point, again. I apologise, Elemental Worm of Earth Jim. Do go

lack of shoulders makes it difficult, but somehow Jim

up by the 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 love to know what sort of species he is? Wonder if he'd be willing to accept a worm bro. Worm

inspiring. This is someone who has stuck fast to the path of loving the skin he's in, just as I have. I need to stick to my guns, not that there was much chance of me doing any different!

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

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

still think

were explaining something to someone very young. Or very

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

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, what do we have in common? James is living

stung me 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 my Skills in

been trying just about everything to create a new ancient. Which means that