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.”

way. You’d just try and find a way around

me with Will. As long as the energy is flowing, they’ll be lit up like a christmas tree, regardless of what they

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

of stealth they’ve achieved

so fun to prod at them.

Please stop it,” Guardiant

Heheheheheh.

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 near me if you

we evolve, we’ll be able to hide

her again, with

to seriously bump up your stats and combat prowess. That concealment organ has soaked up way too much evolutionary energy, don’t waste the next evolution

alright! Just stop poking

just to drive home the point, then I turn to Crinis and the others for a

we’re ready for action and we need to get some Levels into 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 in case they need us

It’s rewarding having an audience of active

I need a fair bit to get my mutations ticking along, but we should make sure to contribute to the Colony stockpile, since you three are all maxed out. Let’s go see what we

won’t abate until I wipe that species from the Dungeon! As it turns out, we don’t even make our way out of

stop to let her catch up. “Eldest. They want to see you

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

their every move with preternatural stillness. The leader,

out around me like this. Weaker enemies can’t even stand

and latch onto the mercenary, then I bring

I greet them. [Excellent, excellent. I suppose your

grimace as the force of my mind impacts onto their own, and I make a conscious effort to tone it down. I can’t be scaring

the cargo in their boat, depositing a dozen of the offensively

out at quite a rapid clip. We sailed two mountains west and

Gandalf and his love of centipedes. They’re probably being spammed everywhere on this level