Chrysalis

My first nap as a tier seven, a deep and satisfying torpor that I luxuriate in. Indeed, life is only complete when one gets their eight hours! I’ve been flat out for way too long, to the point I’ve started to worry that the Torpor Police might disappear me.

That would have caused quite a stir, I’ve no doubt.

They do an incredible job of hiding, those little ninjants, but ever since I picked up the Vestibule, it’s been impossible for them to conceal themselves from me.

Unlike my bodyguards. Whatever it is that they use to create the strange forgetful effect was powerful enough to give me trouble for a little while. Ever since my evolution, though….

I reach out with one leg and poke at the air.

….

I poke again.

….

Another poke, harder this time.

“... Is that really necessary, Eldest?” Protectant complains.

Gweheheheh.

“I just find it fun, how easily I can spot you now.”

The guard smells decidedly unhappy about it.

“We would like to know how you do it,” she grumbles, “out of professional courtesy.”

You’d just try and

tell, as long as they’re ants who believe in me, they will provide me with Will. As long as the energy is flowing, they’ll be

or ‘ignore’ their presence still works on my other senses when they actively try to conceal themselves. I can’t see Protectant with my eyes, or even feel

stealth they’ve achieved

is why it’s so fun to prod at

Please stop it,”

Heheheheheh.

that I’m tier seven, you all need to make the push to tier six,” I tell the invisible squad of babysitters. “If I’m going to be rumbling with tier eight enemies, you’ll be flattened just by being

be able to hide

poke her again, with both antennae

you need to hide from already. You need to seriously bump up your stats and combat prowess. That

alright! Just

home the point, then I turn to Crinis and the

likely to be our best bet, but at the same time, we need to be on standby in case they need us in the third. There’s some funky business

in unison. It’s rewarding having an audience of

we should make sure to contribute to the Colony stockpile, since you

that species from the Dungeon! As it

the scout calls to me and I stop to let her catch up. “Eldest.

centipedes! They’re my highest priority on this stratum, I won’t let them get a foothold. I rumble down to the shoreline, my friends in tow,

a host of ants that watch their every move with preternatural stillness. The leader,

to have my strength radiate out around me like

onto the mercenary, then I bring his two followers into

so soon,] I greet them. [Excellent, excellent.

mind impacts onto their own, and I make a conscious effort

the three of them begin unloading the cargo in their boat, depositing a dozen of the offensively glittering and

to be spitting them out

being spammed everywhere on this level of the Dungeon.