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 a

there is one. As far as I can 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

The organ that causes me to ‘forget’ 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 it when

level of stealth they’ve achieved

why it’s so fun to prod at

Please stop it,” Guardiant

Heheheheheh.

squad of babysitters. “If I’m going to be rumbling with tier eight enemies, you’ll be flattened

be able to hide from you again…”

and poke her again, with both antennae

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

Just stop poking

then I turn to Crinis

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 in

in unison. It’s rewarding having an audience

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

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

her catch up. “Eldest. They want

my highest priority on this stratum, I won’t let them get a foothold. I rumble down to the shoreline, my friends in tow, only to find the mercenaries from earlier

of them stand awkwardly, surrounded by a host of ants that watch their every move with preternatural stillness. The leader, a fairly burly-looking golgari, almost seems happy when he notices my approach, even as he winces under the effect of

radiate out around me like this. Weaker enemies can’t

together a mind bridge and latch onto the mercenary, then

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

impacts onto their own, and I make a conscious effort to tone

the cargo in their boat,

out at quite a rapid clip. We sailed

on this level of the Dungeon. New