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!

overwhelming, so potent! Did you see that, mother? Were you able to

BEHOLD ME!

THWACK!

“Ouch!”

middle of the battlefield, child,” the Queen scolds me. “We must ensure the family is able

rub at my head with one antenna. I might have a

construct. “I’ll hold them back for a bit, you help the

spell I learned, when I finally unlocked the Skill

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

go to work, dozens of mind constructs spinning at once, and lances of condensed ice fly forward as if blasted from a machine gun. The front line of demons is annihilated in an instant, and with the reinforcements delayed, my siblings finally have the little separation they

to draw on the Will of the Colony for these small fry, though I burned through quite a chunk to one-shot that massive

close to my core, the completed trifecta of Vestibule, Nave

as if a bottomless well of strength that

to the others. “You go first, I’ll bring

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 if they get too close. May as well eat while

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

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

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 would have been like

asks me, scuttling along at