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?]

the things that unite us rather than the things

and looks around. A lot of the crowd has dispersed, but there

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

pits get

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the

a fancy exit or anything, I just find a relatively empty part of the stands and climb right on over,

a blademaster?] I

Of course not! I’m of the

So…

to

of rank, yes. My student is

wow. You’re lucky I went easy on you then. I wasn’t sure how much you could

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

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

thinking ‘that dog guy’,

Yes. Yes I

instinct, a dog raising

mutters.

don’t

heading towards the field the

to each other, she makes fun of him, at least, I think so, and

I’m going to get new guards? Stronger

Barker grimaces.

if you can kick my

Like… I didn’t even use my middle grade

in a

[I don’t.]

Once we get back to—what

around, wondering what brought on the sudden

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]