Chrysalis

[You really thought you were strong enough to beat a mythic monster on your own?]

[I figured you were just an ant! How was I supposed to know?]

[I’m a tier seven, mythic ant! Probably the first one in the history of the darn Dungeon. Pay a little respect, man.]

Thankfully, my opponent wounded nothing but his pride in our confrontation. I think, for a moment, the crowd were considering rushing down and attempting to subdue the ‘wild monster’, which would have been a rather difficult scenario to navigate, but thankfully they relaxed when I sat down and didn’t follow up on my strike. I mean… whose first instinct is to rush at the huge monster? The Folk are crazy, I’m telling you.

He rubs a hand over his furry head, disgruntled.

[If we’d known you were this strong, we would have gotten some higher ranked swordsman to guard you.]

[There’s no way the brathians lied to you about my tier, right?]

He shrugs helplessly.

[They probably assumed the same thing I did. Tier seven, but an ant, so it’s fine. As a result, you only got me and my apprentice as guards, and I hate to say it, but we aren’t up to the job.]

[Oh, the rabbit girl is your apprentice?]

[What do you mean, rabbit?]

[I don’t know… I was just getting rabbit vibes from her.]

[And what are you getting from me?]

[Dog or wolf, depending on your mood.]

I figure honesty is the best policy. If I’m being unspeakably rude, hopefully someone will tell me.

[That’s unspeakably rude,] he says, placing a hand to the bridge of his muzzle.

Dang it.

[Hey, I didn’t know! I apologise if I’ve caused offence. You guys don’t like being discussed in relation to the animal you resemble?]

to focus on the things that

looks around. A lot of the crowd has dispersed, but there are still people in their seats, looking

another fight soon, so

So these fighting pits get used a

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

you find it on

part of the stands and climb right on over, my opponent hopping

aren’t a blademaster?] I

not! I’m of the fifth

So…

halfway to

terms of rank, yes. My

went easy on you then. I wasn’t sure how much you

but after being defeated so

get your name, by the way? It’s getting awkward just to think of you

‘that dog guy’, weren’t

would never! Yes.

was an instinct, a dog

mutters. [My name

don’t say

towards the field the Colony were

makes fun of him, at least, I think so, and then we’re back to

this mean I’m going to get new

Barker grimaces.

help people feel safe if

I didn’t even use

We believe in a thing called graceful

[I don’t.]

guess that’s fair. Once we get back to—what

I look around, wondering what brought

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]