Chrysalis

Chapter 1176

I’m not a huge fan of my insides turning into my outsides, or having my carapace replaced with candy floss, or indeed, of being flattened/expanded into less/more dimensions than I’m comfortable with.

Having said that, the moment when Brilliant drops me into the fourth stratum makes it more than worthwhile. Instantly, I feel a wave of relief wash over me as both my gasping core relaxes, and the insatiable gnawing of the Call fades away.

It’s still there, obviously, but no longer is it the maddening, mind-bendingly painful yanking on my soul, merely a comfy nail through the foot.

Nothing I can’t handle!

“Thanks, Brilliant,” I sigh in relief, “I appreciate the trip.”

“Are you feeling well, Eldest?” the little maniac says, prodding me in the side. “This is unlike you.”

“Pah. Don’t you have something you should be blowing up? Shoo.”

“Why yes! I do! If you find yourself in need of my services again, don’t hesitate to call my name! BRILLIANT!”

With a pop, she vanishes from sight and I allow myself to slump to the floor in relief.

Bliss.

It doesn’t last long, though.

[MASTER!]

Glomp!

From nowhere, an enormous blob of shadow flies from the crevices in the ceiling above me and latches onto my carapace. Crinis wastes no time expanding herself to wrap around my abdomen, poking and prodding as she goes.

[I’m fine. I’m fine. Nice to see you, Crinis. Stop poking! I haven’t been gone that long. I didn’t even do anything dangerous!]

[Then why did you leave us behind? We could have come too!]

[It’s not that easy for Brilliant to haul powerful monsters around. I thought it was better if you three waited for me down here. Did Tiny and Invidia make it alright?]

fine,] she sniffs. [The Mother Tree didn’t really want to move us, but

I get a chance. In the meantime, stop

[Who is Solant?]

champion. She’s an

[She WHAT?!]

snap my antennae! Let go! Let

annihilate this FILTH that dared to harm

to poison

[... fine.]

do, then I’ll chase down the other two and

ants before me. They look a little overwhelmed at

of hers. I can practically hear the cogs

suppose some

“Congratulations?” Solant asks.

graduation from the Antcademy.

“Does that mean we can go

and exclusive postgraduate program. You get

they getting

THWACK!

the respect due to the Eldest? Now, Solant, let’s have a quick chat. The rest

general to one side where we can speak privately. Brilliant was kind enough to deposit us inside the chamber I evolved in. Spacious, and, it appears, quite abandoned for

the smashing defeat I inflicted on

She glares at me.

“No.”

like a bit of burning anger to drive you forward. I’ve got high hopes for you, Solant. I see some qualities in you that are… rare,

me a little sceptically and I have to remind myself that unlike the previous two champions, this one wasn’t raised by me. She’s been taught and reared like every other ant, with the love

understand what

I’m going to take an even

aware what a Champion monster

“No.”

with an already formed core in some instances. But it’s more than just better, also different. In a species like ours, they go from rare to ultra,

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