Chrysalis

Farming aside, I’ve got other things to worry about, namely trying to work out exactly how the Altar of Self actually works. I mean, I have the basic idea, it’s not that complicated; the Will of the Colony flows through the Vestibule, is amplified by the Nave, feeds into the Altar and is consumed to help fuel my Skills.

Simple in concept, but there’s a lot of variables I need to take into account. Which Skills use the most energy? How much do they use? How quickly does it replenish? What effect does it have on each Skill?

I need to put in a lot of reps just to figure out how it all works. By practising over and over again, I can develop the instinctual feel I need to make snap decisions and use the ability in battle.

The issue I have is that I don’t want to be taking experience away from my precious pets. The three of them need a ton of experience to reach the next tier, and I don’t want to slow down their progress in the slightest.

[It’s fine, Master,] Crinis says, [you need experience. We can’t take everything!]

Huh. She must have noticed me musing off to the side while the three of them hunt.

[Don’t worry about it,] I tell her. [I’ve got my own stuff to work on, you three need the levels.]

[A-are you sure? I really don’t mind!]

[Of course I’m sure! I wouldn’t feel right if I stayed stronger than you guys. You need to hurry up and reach my tier!]

[Alright! We will!]

[That’s the spirit.]

Crinis turns and rips into the demons around her with renewed rage and I’m happy to avert my gaze and continue to contemplate what I need to do.

I mean, better start with the basics, right?

pulverising the opposition, I have to pick up and follow after them, but there’s enough space to

then lunge forward, allowing them

Crunch!

impossibly hardened mandibles shear through the stone like butter, crashing together with a satisfying clack! Very

ol’ face hands are doing good work.

impressive as the result might have been, that

myself a little

I try to draw on the

the plains, and several demon cities within range, each with its own mega-nest built against the pillar, let’s just say the Vestibule is absolutely humming with energy. It’s to the point that I’m actively avoiding dipping into the stream, lest I get

together, but despite my best efforts, the energy, unlike the spice,

can’t

make this next test

my legs, locking my mandibles in

for the VOID

manifests before my face, along with the mandibles formed of pure, black light. More than that, I feel the Altar surge with power, pouring out from deep within me and

goes berserk mode, soaking up that energy and growing stronger and stronger before my mandibles smash shut with a colossal

if I

with ash, dust and flecks of magma. It looks as if a bomb went off in front of me as stone comes rumbling

Uhhhh. Whoops.

[Master?]

Sorry about that, Crinis. Just trying to work

them… outside of the