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.”

and find

ants who believe in me, they will provide me with Will.

still works on my other senses when they actively try to conceal themselves. I can’t see Protectant with my eyes, or even feel it when I poke her with my leg, or detect the scent when the guards communicate with each other, despite knowing for a fact exactly

stealth they’ve achieved

why it’s so fun to prod at them. Poke.

stop it,”

Heheheheheh.

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

we evolve, we’ll be able

her again, with both antennae

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

Just stop poking

home the point, then I turn to Crinis

you, pronto. Hunting in the fourth stratum is likely to be our best bet, but at the same time, we need to be on standby

them nod in unison. It’s rewarding having

should make sure to contribute to the Colony stockpile, since you three are all maxed out. Let’s go see what we

the Dungeon! As it turns out, we don’t even make our way out of the tunnels before someone finds

up. “Eldest. They

highest priority on this stratum, I won’t let them get a foothold. I rumble

them stand awkwardly, surrounded by a host of ants that watch their every move with preternatural stillness. The leader,

to have my strength radiate out around me like this. Weaker enemies

mind bridge and latch onto the mercenary, then

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

make a conscious effort to tone

cargo in their boat, depositing a dozen of the offensively

spitting them out at quite a rapid clip. We sailed two mountains west and tried our luck, ran into a nest

spammed everywhere on this level of the Dungeon. New spawn points will