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."

head

to business then. I'm going to be spending the next few days finalising my evolution. It's going to take at least two days, maybe as much

We will watch over you, as

middle of the nest for goodness sake! What 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

aghast. "You want us to abandon the mission, completely?! You won't

I'll give them

by the time this wave ends.

don't like to boss around the other ants, I'm just not comfortable with telling them what to do, but 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,

as you command, Eldest," she mutters before she

to find a small welcoming party waiting on the other side. Granin, Torrina and Corun are present, as well as Florence and Victor. I'm especially

magic, ["I didn't expect you to welcome me back at the gates. How are things in the

advanced and our defences here and in the satellite nests have

Florence nods.

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 numbers but we

by far the most soothing caste, always cheerful and upbeat. They work just as hard as everyone else, don't get me wrong, but they all seem to share

"Well that's great."

switch back to speaking

what brings you

The ant nods and his voice rings

the first to get the fast road treatment. The Colony is going to provide all the Biomass