Chrysalis

The System is responsive to changes in environment and circumstances, that much is known. What is less understood, is why.

Many have tried to predict how the System will adapt to new circumstances, but to my knowledge, they have been confounded every time. Kingdoms rise and fall without ever seeing a unique Class develop within their territory, whereas some people are given access to one for seemingly innocuous reasons.

Famously, Dillip Crant, a sheep herder from a small village on Mount Grattagan, was the first to unlock the rare ‘Cloud Stepping Shepherd’ Class. When scholars tried to discern what had led to the unlock, they were baffled and eventually concluded that an earlier incident in which Dillip fell from a great height and survived while herding sheep had done the trick.

- Excerpt from ‘Intricacies of the System’ by Xinci

Yet another problem the priest has caused me.

Well, I’d like to say that, but ultimately the blame rests with me, and I can’t get away from that. As much as I’d like to.

Whatever these… Templars? Whatever they are, and whatever they do, it’s outside of my control at this point. I’ll just have to rattle along and hope it doesn’t blow up in my mandibles. In the meantime, there’s stuff to be about in the fortress!

“Hihi Senior! How are you doing? Did you sleep? Did you force me to sleep? That wasn’t very nice!”

“Hello there, Vibrant, it’s nice to see you looking so rested and refreshed! You even remembered to talk slower.”

“I don’t like sleep-sleep,” she shivered. “Standing still for that long is unnatural!”

“You need to go into torpor regularly, you moron,” I give her a stern glare. “These rules exist for a reason.”

“You don’t have to follow rules if you can outrun them! Bye-bye!”

And paff, she’s gone in a cloud of dust. Or at least, she tried to leave.

“Senior! Put me down!” Vibrant cried.

“Gweheheheheh. Think you can run away from the rules, do you? Maybe I should send you back for another snooze in the shadows. What do you say?”

The big soldier’s legs blaze so fast they kick up a storm of wind, but it’s no use since I’ve lifted her off the ground using a gravity well.

“Gaaaaaah!”

Vibrant,” I cackle. “So be good and get regular rest, or

“Fine! LetmedownIdon’tlikeitwhenIcan’trun!”

release the spell and she drops to the ground with a thud. She flicks her antennae at me angrily and then vanishes into

next stop is to drop in on Crinis, Tiny and Invidia. Each of them is battling down in the tunnels, grinding their Skills and Levels, preparing for their next evolution, and I’m keen to see

HOW DARE YOU ASSAULT THE HOME

into her. The tunnel has been turned into a mass of writhing tentacles that snatch up everything that draws near and brutally cut them apart before shoving the pieces

all going, Crinis?] I

you were here. Everything’s

seem to

to be doing

is trying

[What? YOU FILTH! DEAAAAATH!]

it up, Crinis, I’m

[Heheheh.]

giggles to herself as I turn and leave. Deep down inside, she really loves being a terrorising murder ball. Good for her. Tiny is, quite naturally, rather enjoying himself. His current assignment is to sit in a tunnel and punch the heck out of every monster

[How’s it going, Tiny?]

a weird golden

looked like

get too worn out or injured,

confidence, knocking on his armour with

take care of yourself. I worry about you, you

[Okay.]

exquisite grace, balanced perfectly on the balls of

well behind where Tiny is operating. [He’ll keep fighting until he’s on the brink of death and not

been, Eldest. We heal him every

think for

of healing. Good