Chrysalis

[So… you guard my sanctum? What the heck does that mean?]

[We don’t know,] Alis replies, [that’s just what the description says.]

She seems to be finding her equilibrium again, though she oscillates between being unwilling to look at me, and a feisty stare.

The only sanctum I can think of involves a great deal of torpor, willing and unwilling. Given the appearance of these two within the Nave, I’m guessing that qualifies as the sanctum named in their Class description, but how the heck do they defend it? Defend it from what?!

The mere fact that the Class describes them as ‘defenders’ means the Nave can be attacked in some way, right? The implication is pretty clear. It’s kind of worrying that the possibility exists and I have no idea how it’s done, but at least I have some measure of protection. Hopefully.

[From my perspective, I can see a possible ‘sanctum’, but I have no idea how you protect it. Do you two have any clues?]

Jern and Alis look at each other briefly before Jern rolls his shoulders and turns back to me.

[No clue,] he says simply.

He’s direct, this guy. I like him, even if he’s way too stubborn.

[I can say this…] he begins slowly, [I think I feel stronger while I’m around you.]

[You what? You feel stronger?]

He nods, and Alis hesitantly agrees.

[Being close to you is empowering us in some way.]

Dammit. I know what’s coming next.

“We should keep these two around, Eldest,” Protectant whispers to me from the Shadows. “They could help defend you.”

“I’m not increasing the number of babysitters! I already have you twenty and that’s pushing the limits.”

almost impossible to tell we’re even here,” she

“I can tell. Easily.”

the others have figured it out by now, or at least have gotten close, but there’s nothing they can do about

going to have to level you up, and any other

out there. Two more showed up a

she hears my plans to power level them, but Jern doesn’t match

don’t want to level

story has been stolen from Royal Road. If

at the back of his

that much,] he admits. [I’ll do it

guy literally go on a crusade? Maybe he feels like he

to, but if there’s one thing we aren’t short of here in the Dungeon, it's monsters that need whacking. It shouldn’t be that hard to pump the two of you up at

it, they need levels and training in order to fully realise the capabilities of their Classes and the affiliated Skills. Not like a monster, who evolves and that’s pretty much it. I mean, it takes time to learn how to use new organs and such, but we don’t get major unlocks with levels like non-monsters

System gobbledygook. Someone with knowledge of religious

Hmmm…

anyone else? I need to think for a

Hmmm…

there be somebody

matter, all roads lead back to

sigh. [And Enid as well. Heck,

some of his insanity if I surround him with more sane humans. Wait… if I want sane humans… should I leave Isaac out? Too late, Alis has

be feeling perfectly at ease, as if he were standing in a field watching the crops grow rather than

do you think of the Silver City?]

He looks around vaguely.

[It’s nice,] he replies.

quickly at that point. Luckily, we don’t have to wait long for Alis to return with our most wanted. Before I even

Yes, I did shout that instruction at you, but I feel like

[I’M HONOURED, GREAT ONE!]