Chrysalis

The wave approaches its climax, and usually at this point, the Colony would be completely overwhelmed with literally thousands of monsters spawning and rushing at our territory, but for some reason, things are a little more relaxed this time around.

For one, fifth stratum monsters aren’t coming up and trying to melt our faces off and terraform the tunnels with comically toxic goop, which is nice. I mean, we still get them spawning, but that’s not as much of a problem. Then there’s the distinct lack of sixth stratum monsters. Other than the one I fought, the Colony only ran into a handful of them, none of which seemed to be operating at full strength. It’s a curious state of affairs, but one that is certainly to our benefit.

Whatever the cause, I’m not going to complain. The Colony is absolutely raking in the Biomass and cores, luring and annihilating mythic-beast monsters of the fourth as fast as the lousy things can pop out of the ground. Which is fast. I’ve been keeping to my tunnel and training for the most part, trusting that someone will come and get me if I’m needed, but when my surprise guests arrive, I hadn’t seen anyone for days.

Hanging from the roof and practising my spellwork, I’m more than a little surprised when a large, shaggy head pokes into my tunnel, followed by a large, shaggy body.

[Sarah! What the heck are you doing down here?]

[Ah! You’re on the roof.]

[Don’t tell me you didn’t see me just because I’m upside down. I’m enormous.]

[I just didn’t expect it is all.] She hesitates a moment before asking, [Do you have time to talk? I know you’ve been busy, during the wave and all.]

[I’m surprisingly free, to be honest, and I’d love a chat! I can get some tea and cake delivered if you’ll give me a second.]

[That sounds nice. You should bring some for Odin as well.]

[He’s here?]

I look around, but I don’t see him anywhere.

[I think he’s shy.]

The lithe form of the demon leaps out from behind a pillar, twisting and flipping in the air to land beside the massive bear.

the conversation. [I am being stealthy. A

true assassin enjoy cake

[... They do.]

[Great.]

rock I conjured up, sipping tea and nibbling on oversized baked treats. Sarah, the Asura Bear, neatly slices her cake with her claws, then pokes a digit carefully through a piece and brings it up

didn’t take long for the Colony to discover

last few weeks. When someone thought about sweetening it

watches us, his eyes

things in the

The giant bear huffs.

is making it too difficult

She shudders.

than they usually do… it’s been terrible. I’m glad it seems

about my Nave, and the demons who’ve popped in there. I especially don’t think

good. I thought you were putting down roots up there. What brings you to the fourth

at her tea, giving herself time to think. She

time for me to evolve,] she

Crinis, Tiny and Invidia will be evolving soon as well, you might as well do it at the same time

She nods, reluctantly.

and the others beforehand.

you didn’t want

It seems ridiculous.

clearly flustered. [Besides, I’ve never come down this far and I wanted to see what it

head up to the walls and take in the view,] I encourage her, [it’s really something. The shining waters of the lake, the towering mountains reaching up toward the ceiling above. There’s clouds, and islands. I

there. You’re

I turn to Odin.

brings you here,