Chrysalis

By the time her master returned, her perfect, wonderful master, Crinis was practically vibrating in excitement. What a wonderful day! What a precious opportunity! To have her dearest master devote his care and attention to her evolution on a personal level, it was far more than she, a mere servant, deserved! But she would happily accept, in fact, she wouldn't dream of saying no! Such a chance wasn't to be squandered.

Her master walked toward her, his carapace shining so beautifully as the darkness mana washed across that perfect form that she nearly didn't realise when he spoke to her.

[ -ready to go Crinis.]

[Ah! Yes, Master!] She squeaked.

[Great. I'm a lot less worried about your evolution than I am about Tiny's. I trust you to not make any dumb decisions.]

I trust you. I trust you. I trust you.

The words rattled around in Crinis' head, drowning out anything else that was said until she finally snapped back to reality a minute later and they were already inside the room. Crinis shook herself and tried to drive away any distractions. She had to focus and not let the master down in her evolution! She slapped herself on the side of her little ball form with two tentacles, the little impacts sending waves through her jelly-like shadow flesh. Her master looked at her curiously for a moment before turning back to the conversation and she herself began to listen more attentively.

[Shadow creatures can be a little tricky, particularly at this level of evolution,] the golgari shaper, Granin, was saying.

[You mentioned something like that with Tiny as well,] the master noted with perfect intuition, [what is it about shadow monsters?]

Granin frowned and Crinis huffed. How dare he show such a displeased expression when faced with perfection?! Did he need educating!? Her blades extended ever so slightly before she retracted them. Now wasn't the time.

[The trick is that shadow monsters are such different beasts compared to first or third strata monsters. Shadow Flesh is in a category of its own in terms of core body components. It can be hardened into an almost chitinous material, or be as spongy as your pet Crinis here has made it. When it comes time to reset, it's hard to get something that will perform remotely the same function.]

[Hmmm,] her master didn't sound pleased, so she released her claws again, [so… Crinis could reset her shadow flesh into … I don't know… demon flesh or some other third strata equivalent, but it wouldn't be able to serve the same function?]

[Right,] Granin nodded, [there's no reset available from the third strata that would allow Crinis to remain as malleable as she currently is. If she were to reset, she wouldn't be able to compact herself down to her current size,] the shaper gestured toward her current, cute ball sized shape, [or glomp onto your carapace the way she does.]

Crinis declared

that

my current shape, is all I meant… master,]

said, [the issue is that the flesh is both the strength and the weakness of the shadow monsters. It's malleable and flexible, compressible and easily regenerated, but it is not very tough, no matter how

solution?] master asked and Crinis felt a warm glow at the clear concern in

fourth, which are rare for tier six. Which is why I bring this up. If Crinis gets a choice to reforge her shadow flesh into something from that low in the Dungeon, she absolutely has

will she

that getting such an option would be exceptionally lucky. The system

a few questions herself when she needed clarification. She was determined to do her

be happy with,] the master said, [you don't need to worry about being useful, or looking after me or anything

master gave and pat him on the back

[Yes, Master] she said.

they arrived in the evolution chamber, the ape was already there, fast asleep. She assumed his evolution had begun and he hadn't just gotten bored reading through the menus. Eager to begin, she parted from her master and made a comfortable home for herself

Crinis!] the master

She engaged the menu, her attention riveted on

like to use

on reaching the maximum level for your current species. Evolution will allow you

evolving will make securing XP and Biomass more difficult as fewer rewards

options are

• Jelly of the Inbetween

• Floating Orb of Madness

• Shadeshifter (special)