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.”

try and find

as they’re ants who believe in me, they will provide me with Will. As long as the energy is flowing, they’ll be lit up like a christmas tree, regardless of what they

interesting, actually. 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 I poke her with my leg, or detect the scent when

they’ve achieved is absurd. They’re like

to prod at them. Poke. Poke.

Please stop it,”

Heheheheheh.

of babysitters. “If I’m going

able to

and poke her again, with both

bump up your stats and combat prowess. That

alright! Just stop

to drive home the point, then I turn to

the same time, we need to be on standby in case they need us in the third. There’s some funky business going down up there, and

of them nod in unison. It’s

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

of those diamond centipede nests. My rage won’t abate until I wipe that species from the Dungeon! As it turns out, we don’t even make our way

stop to let her catch up. “Eldest. They want to see you down on the shoreline. It’s about something

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

every move with preternatural stillness. The leader, a fairly burly-looking golgari, almost seems happy when

out around me like this.

latch onto the mercenary, then

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

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

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

considered,] the leader grunted warily. [The Dungeon seems to be spitting them out at quite

being spammed everywhere on this level of the