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!

Did you see that, mother? Were you able to witness my coolness

BEHOLD ME!

THWACK!

“Ouch!”

battlefield, child,” the Queen scolds me.

I might have a fancy new carapace, but somehow the

spin up my gravity mana construct. “I’ll hold them back for a bit, you help the family disengage and then we can run back to the pillar. Things

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

hole from which the demons are emerging, an invisible energy begins to pulse, growing stronger each passing moment. My antennae buzz as the new gravity source begins to take hold, dragging demons back as they

forward as if blasted from a machine gun. The front line of demons is annihilated in an instant, and with

chunk to one-shot that massive demon. Not to worry, though, with so many ants within range of my Vestibule, the energy

core, the completed trifecta of Vestibule, Nave and Altar are burning with light, flooding me with power

is incredible, as if a bottomless well of strength

out of here,” I announce to the others. “You go first, I’ll bring up the

hardly necessary, and largely ignored, since that’s exactly what they 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

I’m not needed there either. Without the protection of the big boy, ordinary demons stand little chance against the combined firepower of so many ants. Acid and magic rains down in a

first time, I’m left to feel useless by the incredible competence of my siblings. Unfortunately, that means I have nothing to distract me from the horrific pain in

third stratum was necessary, but holy moly it stings. I

you well?” Advant asks me, scuttling