Chrysalis

With the level milestone achieved, I take a quick break to celebrate and high five (with antennae) the team, before we begin the journey back to the nest. With the wave in full swing, we end up having to re sweep most of the tunnels that had already been cleared as the empty space was either taken up by monsters who had spawned elsewhere, or freshly spawned monsters already jumping out of the walls again. It's hard to imagine, but I think I actually was starting to forget just how tiring the wave was. Just getting through these totally normal tunnels is an exhausting slog of fight after fight. The moment we deal with one monster, another one comes screaming out of a side tunnel.

It's almost as if the heightened mana levels send the monsters nuts as well as drives the spawn rate to ridiculous levels. It could just be the fact that there's no opportunity for monsters to carve out their own space and settle into some territory which causes them to be whipped up into a mindless rage. Whatever the case, by the time we make it back to the nest the four of us, as well as my twenty unseen observers, are all thoroughly tired and done with the Dungeon for the time being. All in all it took a little over three days for us to travel and secure the levels I need to evolve. It's pretty obvious when we get back just how busy the Colony has been, the gates alone have seen a massive improvement. As we approach it's clear to see the fortifications positively bristling with ants ready to defend the entrance to the nest. If they managed to repair the acid pool, there shouldn't be too many issues holding off monsters, although if more powerful demons show up things might get hairy.

Before we enter the nest, I turn back to face the empty space above my head.

"Protectant, you need to get out here for a chat."

Silence.

"You could just talk to the air. I would rather not show myself," her scent creeps up to my antennae from nowhere.

"It's weird trying to hold a conversation with someone I can't see. Just get out here!"

With her usual sulky disposition, Protectant reveals herself and drops down from the roof to come into view.

"What can I do for you Eldest? I'd like to remind you that we are supposed to be a secret protection detail. You make our jobs harder when you constantly reveal our existence."

"Hey, I don't feel any real need to make your lives more difficult, but you need to adjust and have a little more flexibility than what the Council demanded of you. All of their nonsense went out the window the minute I worked out you exist."

of turning her head to face

two days, maybe as much as a week. I was asleep for a long time during the last one, so who knows this time? Not me,

watch over you, as

could possibly happen to me in there? I'll have my pets watching over me just in case anything happens, having more security than that is nonsensical! You

says, aghast. "You want us to abandon the

dedicated, I'll

to be tier five by the time this wave ends. If you want to make sure you're ready to protect me, then any tier five members can return to guard duty once I've finished evolving, but only up to a maximum of five. The rest of you stick together until

these twenty are only going to get themselves killed if they don't power up, and they won't take time to level up and mutate if I don't force them to. Even if they don't accept my logic, they can't refuse a direct command and Protectant positively wilts under my

as you command, Eldest,"

party waiting on the other side. Granin, Torrina and Corun are present, as well as Florence and Victor. I'm especially surprised to see the brood tender away from the young where she spends essentially all of her time

of pheromones and mind magic, ["I didn't

are already well advanced and our defences here and in

Florence nods.

she happily agrees, "and the hatchlings have been able to enter the Academy and begin their proper training. The school has already begun a large expansion project to accommodate the boosted

most soothing caste, always cheerful and upbeat. They work just as hard as everyone else,

"Well that's great."

switch back to speaking

what brings

forward and looks at Victor for a moment. The ant nods and his voice rings out in my

powerhouses to shore up your strength seriously and you are the first to get the fast road treatment. The Colony is going to provide all the Biomass and cores you need now that you've hit level eighty. I wanted to tag along with my triad so we could advise and discuss your options whilst