Chrysalis

As we flee from the scene of the battle with all haste, I take a moment to let the System messages from the battle roll over me.

[You have slain Level 54 Legionem Shieldbearer (Human)]

[You have slain Level 44 Legionem Armoured Scout (Human)]

[You have slain Level 45 Legionem Shieldbearer (Human)]

[You have slain Level 58 Legionem Swordsman (Human)]

[You have slain Level 42 Legionem Armoured Scout (Human)]

[You have gained experience]

[You have reached level 58]

A lot of experience was gained there. Also, the next evolution is getting a lot closer. Another twenty two levels and I'll reach that mythical level 80 that seemed so far away after I'd evolved. It's a shame to leave their armour and technology behind, but I don't want any delays. I believe it's likely they'll have a way to know when their people go down. All in all, this ambush was highly successful, but still, I can't shake the feeling that my mandibles are unclean.

[They have come to kill you, Master. Don't worry over them when they wouldn't do the same for you,] Crinis' voice echoes in my mind.

I twitch, startled by her sudden words. How well is she able to read my mood? I still have meditation active! I hardly even have a mood!

[What do you mean?] I ask her, [why would I be feeling anything other than triumph right now?]

Crinis considers her

a long time now, Master. I have watched carefully and I see more than you think. I know that you do not want to hurt the humans. You didn't

[Crinis!]

I'm sorry. I just felt that defeating this enemy would make you sad, so I spoke. I hope

I sigh.

totally right, as you usually are. I felt as though… I felt like we could be a bit better than this, with monsters for everyone to fight against, why would they go out of their way to fight us? I thought if the Colony was peaceful and didn't attack anyone, then we'd be left alone. At least, that's what I'd hoped. It appears as though I was just being foolish from the

can feel Crinis bristle on

Everyone else is wrong! What reason do they have to attack your family? None! These trash

I can feel the teeth of her tentacles grinding against my perfect diamond shell. I wince. Please don't scratch

we're in and we're going to have to deal with it. I can't be half-assed anymore, it's them

[Master?]

[Yes?]

[What's an ass?]

[…]

I even explain it… monsters don't

tunnels until we come to the point I'd been looking for. That weird root had appeared in this location and I want to take

plants and shadow beasts, is a now a totally different scene. Green vegetation has exploded along the walls, thick and vibrant. The four of us pull up out of reach of the vines and strangely grasping branches

the heck is this?" I ask

asks from

---. Doesn't matter I suppose. Should we

distance from the root itself and I can't even see it, but I can't imagine anything else is responsible for this explosion of greenery. Seeing this amount of bright plant life, is just so weird for this part of the Dungeon, it's almost surreal looking at it. Why the heck would it be green anyway? I don't think

to my pets, [but I've got a bad feeling about this place. I'm not sure that I want to meet whatever it was

be a scary thing, which is fine with me, since that would mean that those stupid soldiers will have to deal with it, not me. Still, I can't say I'm not curious about it, just not enough to take any risks