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?]

We prefer to focus on the things that unite us rather than the things that

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

need to clear out, there’ll be another fight soon, so we

pits get used a

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

should you find it on Amazon, report

just find a relatively empty part of the stands and climb right on over, my opponent hopping along beside

a blademaster?] I

course not! I’m of the

So…

to

yes. My

went easy on you then. I

tell he wants to rebut my statement, but after being defeated

getting awkward just to think of you as ‘that

thinking ‘that dog

Yes.

of ripples, and I realise it was an instinct, a dog raising its hackles. Although I make sure to think that thought

fine,] he mutters. [My name is

carefully don’t

out of the fighting pit and back on the road, heading towards the field the

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

mean I’m going to get new

Barker grimaces.

help people feel safe if you can kick

can. Like… I didn’t even use my middle grade stuff… let

alright! We believe in a

[I don’t.]

we get back to—what in the name

look around, wondering what brought on the sudden

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]