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.

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

really appreciate it,]

of them looked out from the platform on 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.

bad mood. Sorry if I come across as dismissive, Sarah. I'm

sympathised, [I'm much the

as she glanced over the side of the platform

do

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

said, looking up at the massive rope system that

become just a normal expectation from my point of view,] Granin shrugged. [How many times do they need to pull of the impossible before I just start to expect it

were able to unpin and open the gate, allowing the heat affected bear to

I'm here, take it

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

groaned,

come down here,] Torrina

bear rolled her

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

Corun reminded her. [It didn't work out so well

little but

go terribly,] she defended herself. [I helped 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

his usual gruff tone just a hair softer than usual. [You just need to remember not to