Chrysalis

What makes a mythic monster so powerful? There are numerous theories, some confirmed, others more nebulous, but the strength and dominance of this class of monster in the Dungeon is a long studied and generally well understood phenomenon.

At the risk of oversimplifying, we can apportion the bulk of that inordinate power to the core. After all, what classes a mythic monster as such, is its core.

At certain densities and sizes, the core of a monster undergoes a qualitative change. This is what drives the price and demand for larger and more potent cores. A basic monster core can hold less mana than a special, which holds less than a rare, which is inferior to a mythic. This is obvious, and only scratches the surface of a complex issue.

Cores also absorb mana more readily as they increase in class. The increase in intake rate is more than linear, meaning more powerful cores are ultimately more efficient and can support larger, hungrier enchantments.

But what this eventually boils down to, is the body of the monster. At the point a given monster becomes mythic, its body and mind have evolved far beyond what a normal, organic creature can sustain. Where does the energy necessary to fuel these behemoths come from? How do they sustain themselves?

Mana, mana, mana. A mythic monster is a walking mana vacuum, sucking in the energy around them at a tremendous rate in order to fuel their very existence. Crossing the threshold from rare to mythic is a qualitative leap that brings a monster's existence closer than ever to returning to their point of origin: a being of pure mana.

This is only one reason for their special existence, but a major one, as it plays into everything else that makes them so fearsome. The powerful evolutions, the special materials that form their bodies, the unique abilities that they gain, all are attributable to their capacity and affinity for the energy that underpins the Dungeon, and therefore the entire world.

- Excerpt from “Monsters and Mana” by Xinci.

Heh.

Gweheheh.

Hoo haha!

Hahahahaha!

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!

The age of Anthony has arrived! I feel so powerful, so overwhelming, so potent! Did you see that, mother? Were you able to witness my coolness as I dispatched that idiot demon with

BEHOLD ME!

THWACK!

“Ouch!”

of the battlefield, child,” the Queen scolds me. “We

with one antenna. I might have a fancy new carapace, but somehow the Queen’s thwacks still

my gravity mana construct. “I’ll hold them back for a bit, you help the family disengage and then we

new spellform I learned, the only new spell I learned, when I finally unlocked the Skill

which the demons are emerging, an invisible energy begins to pulse, growing stronger each passing moment. My antennae buzz as the new gravity source

condensed ice fly forward as if blasted from a machine gun. The front line of

easy! I barely have to draw on the Will of the Colony for these small fry, though I burned through quite a chunk to one-shot that massive demon. Not

the completed trifecta of Vestibule, Nave and Altar

is incredible, as if a bottomless well of strength

of here,” I announce to

were doing already. Feeling a little redundant, I take up my position at the back of the column and prepare to blast the demons with magic if they get too close. May as well eat while I

the combined firepower of so many ants. Acid and magic rains down in a ceaseless torrent, leaving me with

first time, I’m left to feel useless by the incredible competence of my siblings.

their stupid Call. As expected, my evolution has resulted in the terrible yanking sensation on my soul intensifying. Coming up to the third stratum was necessary, but holy moly it stings. I can’t even imagine what it

Advant asks me, scuttling along at