Chrysalis

Strong monsters are known to have an ‘aura’ of power that affects those who draw too close. This can begin to manifest quite early on, as the key element in determining the strength of such an aura is the disparity in strength between the one producing the effect and the one receiving it. Even tier three monsters have been observed being able to suppress and terrify tier one monsters through this aura alone.

However, such cases are rare, and minor in the grand scheme of things. When scaled up to apply to the more powerful monsters in the Dungeon, such as Mythic level creatures, the suppressive effects of aura become that much greater. Not to mention easier to notice.

At this stage, a monster is able to dominate its weaker competitors through sheer force of Will.

An interesting question is: What could be the source of this Aura? Despite all of my study and expertise, I do not know the answer. My main theory is that it comes down to strength of core, as so many things do when it comes to monsters, but this cannot be replicated in tests reliably. Usually, a monster with a stronger core will produce a more domineering aura than one with a weaker core, but not always.

With this aura, a monster can achieve many things, including forcing weaker creatures to submit to its will.

Though of course, such submission is impossible when a stronger will is already in place.

- Excerpt from the personal notes of Granin Lazus.

As the mana picks up, so do the demons. Their frenzied battling only grows more intense as even greater numbers begin to emerge from the caverns below. Including a few bigger beasties.

I want to go and engage these new, tastier targets, but something is holding me back. Well, it’s not hard to work out what it is, the giant, swirling currents of mana overhead are giving me the heebie jeebies.

Wait… was that an eye?

For a moment, it felt like the patterns overhead took a shape, but just for a moment, before it swirled out of control again. That’s even more terrifying than before!

are you

got even more sensitivity to mana than me, despite

[I isssssss.]

what the heck it

blazes with green light. Clearly whatever it

the Demon God.

This guy again?

get stuffed,] I snort,

get off thinking he can order my loyal allies around

[I sssshall.]

Arconidem what they think of him. Seriously

swirls more and more aggressively, an ocean of power right above my head, coalescing into a storm of energy. The currents twist in and around themselves, and for one terrifying moment, I think the Ancient is casting a

I ask Invidia. [You can’t reach out and grab hold of energy

hope you can’t. If it can be done, then I’m a hell of a lot further behind the Ancients than I

the demonsssss,] the envy demon hisses. [Extending hissss Will

or some kind of evolutionary benefit that pushes his Will into every demon-type monster?

find myself staring up into the horrifying

is. If not, there’s a demon larva

detail by the gathered mana in the air above. To my eyes, there is