Chrysalis

[It's so damn hot!] Sarah complained.

[Of course it is,] Granin snorted, [it’s the third stratum. Place is nothing but ash and lava.]

[You might be fine,] the giant bear grumbled, [but I'm covered in fur. If I was a rock person like you, maybe it wouldn't bother me so much.]

The old shaper harrumphed.

[For starters, I am not a rock person, I am a goglari who has bonded with a true skin, a layer of ore that covers and melds with my natural skin. And I think you'll find that mental toughness, rather than heat resistance, is responsible for my tolerance.]

Torrina rolled her eyes and joined in the conversation.

[Actually, our true skin does provide a huge increase to our ability to endure extreme temperatures. It's one of the reasons the goglari were so successful expanding to the third stratum in the centuries after the cataclysm.]

The giant bear turned her head and fired a glare at the leader of the triad who did his best to ignore the threat of being stared at by a truly vicious tier six Asura Bear. Particularly one equipped in the way that this one was.

[The armour probably isn't helping the situation,] Corun observed helpfully. [I know I'd be hot under all that.]

It was true that the padding and weight of the armour, nearly two tons of it, were doing little to improve the situation. As if being a furred animal wasn't enough, she had layers of cloth and steel covering her to the point she felt as if she were sweating literal buckets every second.

[I need to hydrate,] she gasped.

[I think you need an enchantment to help manage the heat issue,] Torrina observed.

point, actually,] Granin observed. [Usually a first stratum monster is a little more resistant to the environmental changes as you descend through the layers, but I think this is something of a special case. Sarah is much better built to tolerate the cold than she is the heat. If Smithant is still about down here

really appreciate it,]

which they stood for a moment, taking in the absurd view of the wide open space that opened up before them and extended in all directions as far as their eyes could see. The harsh glow of lava burned into their eyes and the taste of ash lingered on

put me in a bad mood. Sorry if I

sympathised, [I'm much the

them as she glanced over the side of the platform for a

don't know how you do that,"

should be down in another five minutes or so,] she informed the group. [Pretty quick trip,

Colony managed to get this lift system in place so quickly,] Sarah said, looking up at the massive rope system that

ability to get stuff built quickly is starting to become just a normal expectation from my point

and they were able to unpin

I'm here, take it off

straps, by which time the platform had already ascended halfway back to

Sarah groaned, [that is

down here,]

rolled her

there, enjoying the benefits of the Colony's achievements without contributing anything. They work so hard whilst I sit around and what? Play with the grubs? It's not right,] Sarah repeated herself as

have to fight,] Corun reminded her. [It didn't work out so well last time did

a little but then

protect the nest … and if I hadn't, who knows what would have happened? It went bad at the end,] she shuddered, [but I think I can control myself better

tone just a