Chrysalis

Corun, Torrina and Granin all stare at me with glittering eyes after they reveal that it's the Ancients who've stuck this hook in me rather than the Dungeon itself. At times like this I have to remind myself that despite their intelligence, these three are cultists who essentially worship a giant worm.

[So in your opinion, the fact that the Ancients have done this to me, rather than the Dungeon itself, should change my view of it?]

[Of course,] Torrina nods seriously, [these are the oldest and most powerful creatures in this world.]

[How could it not make a difference? Are you saying you don't care that you've been called by these god-like entities?] Corun entreats me, grinning.

I stare him in the eye.

[OF COURSE I DON'T CARE! Why the hell would it make any difference to me? Are you stupid? Is your brain a worm?! I swear on the Colony, if I ever become an Ancient I'll stick a hook in your guts and haul you around the Dungeon, we'll see if your opinion changes!]

Granin raises both his hands and tries to calm the mood.

[Alright, let's settle a bit. Obviously Anthony isn't thrilled at being in pain. That's perfectly understandable. I'm sure that you can understand why we might be excited though, right? You've essentially been touched by what we would consider to be omnipotent beings.]

[Granin,] I grate out, [even if I wasn't in pain, I wouldn't care about the Ancients. All they are to me can be summed up as 'threats to my family'. Outside of that they can take a long walk on a scenic trail.]

Corun almost winces.

talk about them like that, Anthony,] he tells

back. [Will they cause me

as the ache flares within

are they even doing this?] I complain. [I can't detect any mana that's connecting to me. It's like

feel it early, perhaps even at tier four or five, but others never do, not even at tier eight. Other than a strong core, we have no idea what

through the core somehow? It shouldn't be possible according to what I know, but these monsters have

can mitigate it? Reduce the effects? Right now I can barely operate on this stratum at all, I presume going to the second would be even worse. If the Colony needs help this is going to make

at Granin, who

constant. The only way to get rid of it that we've ever found is for the marked individual

an evolution this is just

reach their level and join their ranks, completing the circle of twenty. For that reason they've reached out and attempted to draw promising monsters to them,] Granin says directly. [It's a crude method, but they are attempting to drive you to descend further, evolve more, fight and

with his beliefs when a familiar scent wafts against my

difficult

toward the nest in shock. It can't be! But it

that as they rush forward to

"Weren't you in the second

that would end up being her retirement, in a way. She could go catch her own food, battle and lay eggs, everything she