Chrysalis

Despite most of the peoples of Pangera using their own form of currency - even the bruan’chii used something they called a ‘soul chip’ to trade amongst themselves - there was one universal unit of wealth that was good for business everywhere in the Dungeon.

Cores.

Which was why Smithant and Cobalt had brought a healthy supply from the Colony’s stores with them on this trip, though they had begun to suspect that they may have brought too many. Their brathian guide couldn’t resist sending covetous glances towards their carry bags, strapped to their carapace, though she tried to hide it.

“Everything is so spread apart,” Smithant huffed. “It’s inefficient.”

“It is,” Cobalt agreed, “but it does allow room for specialities to bloom. If everyone were forced to compete in proximity to each other, every stall would be the same.”

It was taking a long time to get from market to market; each district of Freehill was a sprawling mass of houses, shops, schools, fighting arenas, seemingly without much planning having gone into the layout. It was apparent that much of the growth was organic, new things being constructed when it was found to be necessary, and placed wherever the people at the time thought it would make sense. It deeply offended the ants.

Yet, it wasn’t their place to criticise others’ way of living, they were out looking for trade, and were having greatly mixed levels of success.

[What is this store?] Cobalt asked their guide.

Irisod read the sign and sighed.

[It is ‘Big Hogs Swarthy Swords’.]

don’t seem to

the

for marketing, only for quality goods, so they decided to head inside, squeezing through the entrance with surprisingly

reason for the oversized door quickly became apparent inside, as they were confronted with the clientele. Large, pinkish-skinned and snout-nosed Folk turned to stare at the two monsters, wondering what

with permission of the Council,” Irisod assured everyone, holding up the official documents in case anyone

Nobody did.

huge, flap-eared man emerged, looking down at the two ants. He

be aware that it

buy. Having monsters in his shop is making people

her antennae twitching

brow before he stomped out the back and then returned bearing a huge, two-handed blade. He

only was the metal refined to the highest purity, not only were the weapons perfectly shaped and balanced,

have to have it,” she declared, smitten. “Look at the layering of the steel. What sort of temperature did they fire this, to get that effect? Or was it the quenching? And this metal! Is it an alloy? Of what

much it costs?” Cobalt said, injecting some logic. “We can’t even use swords, so I don’t

the humans,” Smithant pointed out, “and techniques for making good blades

tricky, since each set needed to be adjusted and fitted to the ant who used them, but

you enquire as to how much

forth,

fifteen-fifty. In my opinion, this is overpriced

Smithant grumbled, still prodding the sword