An enormous, scaled hand reaches forward and grips the hard ground. Each scale is a polished, dark green colour that practically glows with the reflected light of the forest.
Vicious claws tip each digit, curved blades that taper into a fearsome point. What sets my poor heart beating the most is that each of these claws is probably the size of my head.
Thick, powerful ropes of muscle on the hand drag the rest of the monster forward.
The long pointed jaw, studded with teeth precede the recessed, chilling eyes of the beast. Many teeth can be seen even with that massive mouth being shut, giving the impression of a menacing grin. There is a cruel intelligence gleaming within its gaze, striking fear into the heart of every creature unfortunate enough to cross its path.
Across the back of the monster the overlapped scales are broken up by bony protrusions that end in spikes easily a foot long.
With its body kept curiously close to the ground, its movement is sinuous and swift. As it passes by I can see a second set of shorter, but powerful arms halfway down its body are supporting its low profile.
The creature growls and huffs explosively as it passes, releasing a sudden flare of red flame, causing me to almost squeak.
Finally the powerful rear legs come into view. It's clear from their positioning that this creature could easily stand on its hind legs should it choose to but has evolved in such a way that it can move swiftly and low to the ground like a crocodile on earth.
The monster is roughly twelve meters long from snout to tail.
Twelve. Meters.
That's almost forty feet. That's like four basketball hoops stacked on top of each other. That's almost the length of a bowling lane.
Sure that length includes the creatures long, muscular tail but....
ISN'T THAT TOO STUPIDLY BIG GANDALF!?
That monstrosity is so huge I could never hope to challenge it! What the heck is a giant like that doing crawling around up here?!
I mean, judging by the appearance this is clearly an evolved form of the Croca-beast (I just can't bring myself to call those huge monsters an infant). The crocadilic features are clear to see, but what I didn't expect was the extra set of arms, the breathing fire and the stupidly huge increase in size.
These things are so much larger than the Croca it almost beggars belief. Is it entirely possible that this titan is actually two evolutions away from the Croca?
Judging by the size of those scales I don't think my acid would even be able to chew through it. This creature is like a tank. Its weight alone must be several tons!
If there is anything here larger and more deadly looking than this thing I'll head back up and take my chances with the humans!
Vibrations shake my tiny legs as the tremendous weight of the monster continues to impact heavily on the ground with each departing step.
It's at this moment a renegade thought pops into my mind and I immediately move quietly out of my hiding place and begin to shadow the colossal croc.
For some reason I thought of pilot fish on Earth.
These fish would attach themselves to a larger creature, like a whale or a shark, and follow it around, keeping it clean and eating the leftovers. The larger animal gets a free cleaning service to keep it healthy and the smaller creatures get protection and food.
I'm not about to waltz up to this behemoth and offer to brush its teeth, but I may just have found an amazingly safe way to move about for the time being.
Safe Anthony?! You must be outside of your mind!
Well wait a moment.
Its highly likely that almost every creature around here is going to want to avoid this thing like seven plagues stacked on top of each other. Everything that doesn't get out of the way quick enough with have to get past the big boy before they could have a chance at me.
As long I'm not noticed by the croc, then I'll be extremely safe! Thankfully Advanced Stealth has shown its prowess in keeping me hidden, and if I continue to trail along and hide I may get another level in that skill while I scout around.
There are risks to this plan but they are manageable ones.
I skitter along in the wake of the titanic monster. Due to its sheer size it moves fairly quickly, causing me to have to move a lot faster than I can realistically keep up with whilst minimising noise, however the bulky creature makes so much noise on its own my pattering little legs barely register in my own ears.
For the next hour I continue to scuttle about whilst remaining hidden from my unsuspecting body guard. The bizarre scenery of this forest continues to astound me as we travel. At one point we passed by an enormous flower, vibrant petals wide open to reveal a gleaming jewel in the center the size of my own head.
I was completely stunned at the sight but the croc continued to stomp past, unmoved. I didn't get much time to inspect the flower, but I got some strange vibes from it. The petals spread in a dense overlapping fashion across the ground as the center of the flower faced directly upwards. Something about the way those thick, fleshy petals unnerved me, they almost appeared like a welcome mat, rolled out to invite a guest towards the center of the flower where the incredible diamond like jewel grew.
I also received an unexpected benefit when a large centipede suddenly scuttled out of some bushes in front of the Titan-Croc, as I'd begun to think of it. One of those large, evolved centipedes would be a tough fight for me, one I possibly couldn't win. To my new friend the Titan-Croc? Not even worth mentioning. Barely slowing down, the Croc brought one of its claws crashing down on the centipede, squashing it into paste instantly.
What surprised me most was that the Titan-Croc didn't even stop to consume the precious Biomass, not even pausing before it continued to advance. I remembered at that moment what Gandalf had told me in the evolution menu, that more evolved creatures received less Biomass from those less advanced than them.
Possibly this centipede was useless to the Croc.
But that didn't mean it was useless to me!
Its possibly a sad reflection on my present life, that I would gleefully run over to the smashed remains of a gigantic centipede to eat. The tremendous force of the claw had crushed the poor victim like a human stepping on a bug, causing the guts to burst out everywhere.
Errrrghhh...
Even I'm losing my appetite...
I won't give up the chance for Biomass!
Remember always, if you would ALMOST rather be dead, then you need to eat and live!
[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Adultus Unguibus Scolopendra, you are awarded one Biomass]
[Basic profile of the Adultus Ungiubus Scolopendra unlocked]
[Adultus Unquibus Scolopendra: Adult Claw Centipede, this branch of evolution of the basic claw centipede vastly increases the base creatures might, without providing much boost to cunning]
Interesting, this seems to suggest that there are other branches of evolution for the claw centipede? I ponder this concept as I quickly munch a bit more.
[You have gained one Biomass]
Right! I've barely consumed even a quarter of the creature before I decide my protection is getting too far away and I need to leave and catch up.
Just before I do, I notice something glittering in the remains of the Adult Centipede.
Just behind the base of the monsters head is a small, shining gem like orb.
Is this ... what I think it is?
Moving closer I grasp the object in my mandibles.
[Compatible monster core detected. Would you like to reinforce your core or reconstitute a monster?]
It is! A monster core!
I don't have much time to think about what Gandalf had to say, my protection is getting further away every second!
Reinforce my core!
The spherical orb immediately melts into thin air and a burning energy swirls through my body before being drawn down into my core like a swirling vortex. Faster and faster the energy circulates as it spirals ever downward whilst my own core grows hotter and hotter.
Eventually all of the energy is consumed and with my core still burning inside me I hurry off after the Titan-Croc whilst checking my Status:
Name: Anthony
Level: 3 (core)
Might: 15
Toughness: 12
Cunning: 25
Will: 18
HP: 30/30
MP: 9/12
Skills: Digging level 4; Improved Acid Shot Level 1; Grip Level 4; Crushing Bite Level 1; Advanced Stealth Level 2; Chomp level 1; Tunnel sense Level 4; Mana Manipulation Level 1
Mutations: Eyes +4, Antennae +2, Acid +3, Legs +1, Mandibles +2, Carapace +1
Species: Hatchling Ant Worker (Formica)
Skill points: 0
Biomass: 2
-x-X-x-
New learnings!
So I'm able to consume the cores of my fellow monsters in order to reinforce my own, and this has the effect of increasing my max MP?
Fantastic! This means I'll be able to practice one extra time when I do my mana manipulation practice. It also means I've learned one more thing about the system that governs my growth in this place.
If I want to gain more and more MP then I need to consume monster cores to do so.
That feels like it would be a massive challenge though, in order for a monster to have a monster core it must have reached max level and spent an evolution on it. By definition that means the monster will be strong, not something I'll usually be able to mess with.
I was lucky this time. I can't expect I'll be able to gain more monster cores this easily in the future.
Enough thinking! Time to chase after the Titan-Croc.
Even if it isn't rushing, the sheer size of that monster means it moves fairly quickly and I really have to hustle to get back into my shadowing position behind the massive tail trailing behind the beast as it moves.
It isn't long before we finally reach the place this unstoppable beast has been heading toward this whole time.
The forest suddenly gives way and an open vista appears before me.
It's a lake.
A huge body of water, glowing with incredible light occupies a large clearing. After travelling for over an hour we have moved toward that center of this huge cavern, but something tells me we haven't even reached it yet.
This lake is easily a hundred metres across, I can even see small rivers and tributaries running off it. I suspect this lake is fed from an underground source, the water flowing up from beneath the rocky bed and then overflowing to create these small streams.
What really dazzles me is the twisting ropes of blue light that rotate slowly around each other in a slow dance within the water. Almost like a double helix pattern. These ropes appeared to be connected to the source of the lake and drifted around, pushed by some invisible current.
Mana!
I had seen this phenomenon before in the rock pool above but it had been far, far weaker, the twisting ropes had been almost invisible. Even so, the water had been suffused with mana, causing it to draw monsters from all over the cavern to drink and absorb the energy, trying to condense their cores.
This water must have truly dense mana in it!
Just like before, all manner of creatures had been drawn to the water source to drink and absorb the energy. Perhaps a good chunk of these monsters had already condensed their core and were just restoring MP they had used up, I would have to test that idea!
Within my range of view I could already see a huge range of monsters, some I had seen before but others I had not.
A large tangle of the basic centipedes is here, I think I glimpsed inside a slightly different one, something about its colour or shape but it was concealed within the writhing bodies of the more basic kind and I couldn't be sure. Perhaps it was nothing.
An evolved version of the Wolf Dragon cub is here, larger and more intimidating that before, it has what looks almost like a lions mane around its neck, thick proud fur that projects pride and status.
I could swear that the creatures eyes were on fire, it's hard to make out the details but the air seems to be shimmering with heat haze right around its eyes.....
Surely not?
There are other creatures I've never seen before. A gorilla looking thing with massive, thick arms and a bat-like face, smaller monkey like creatures swarming and screeching around its feet.
Over there I can see a few of those gargoyle like monsters I'd seen descend from the roof.
Past them is what I believe is an evolved Thorn Lizard, not much larger than the original but looked more densely muscled and its spikes more menacing than before.
Another creature had the appearance of an armoured bison of some kind. Built with its legs low to the ground and thick plates of a rock looking substance protecting its face and back.
More and more I spotted new types of monsters around the lake, the sheer variety of them was dizzying. Just how many different types of monsters were there down here?
It was going to be a real pain trying to remember all off this!
Unfortunately, most of them look too strong for me to deal with, I'll have to continue to choose my targets very carefully.
As the giant Titan-Croca approaches the waters' edge the nearby monsters wisely create space for it. I can see the area the Croca has settled in is a large, flattened muddy zone where the monster can stretch out its full length and lap up the mana charged water at leisure.
It sure looks good to be the king!
Even with all of these monster types here around the lake there isn't anything that looks like it could go one on one with this guy.
What the heck was a Garralosh that could produce such fearsome offspring?!
Since the peace of the water seems to hold here as well I move a little ways around from the Croc and approach the waters' edge to get a taste.
zzzzzzZZZAAAAAP!
Wow!
Pah!
That tingling, burning sensation is back in full force! The difference now is that after the feeling floods through my whole body it then recedes back, like ocean water from a beach, drawing further and further in until it settled completely inside my core.
Checking my status I can see that my MP has regained two points.
Right on!
I take another sip in order to refill myself to max and then sit for a moment until the intense sensation fades.
Since I'm here at this lake and can essentially refill my MP for free, this is a perfect opportunity to train my mana manipulation skill. I can grind non-stop until hunger forces me to go out for a hunt!
Excited, I start snooping around for a place soft enough for me to construct a basic hiding hole and get stuck into digging as soon as I can.
I manage to find a good spot close to where the Titan-Croc is currently flopping, I'm thinking that the presence of the dominant monster will help dissuade others from sneaking about here looking for prey.
With my small chamber excavated I start training my Mana Manipulation immediately, bringing it out of by core and directing it to my throat, letting it build up before releasing it in a small puff of magical energy.
Phew!
It is still punishingly difficult, requiring fierce concentration on my part. Thankfully after my third attempt Gandalf chips in some moral support.
[Mana Manipulation has reached level two]
Hooray!
I've been waiting for those words!
I eagerly begin my routine again and there is a barely noticeable change in the difficulty of drawing the energy out of my core and directing it to where I want it to go.
One level was never going to make much difference I suppose...
However, with the support of my improved skills I'm able to completely exhaust my mana (and my mind) with six complete sets of practice.
Completely drained, I drag myself back to the lake and start drinking to refill my MP. It takes a while to do this since I find the experience of absorbing mana from the water to be quite intense.
The only thing I'm really disappointed in right now is that even though I covered so much ground when following the Titan-Croca about, I wasn't able to find the pheromone trail lain down by the scouts from colony at all.
Not even a sniff.
I ponder this as I continue to drink from the lake.
...
Wait!
If monsters from all over this area of the cavern have come here to drink, then there exists a possibility that members of my colony have also come to this location! I highly doubt a scout would pass such a rich mana source as this and not mark it down for the rest of the colony to come and get a taste!
This could be it!
Once my MP has been refilled I immediately start to scurry around the lake, tippity tapping the ground with my antennae as I do so (the severed one has continued to regrow and is about halfway back now, thankfully!) seeking the welcoming scent of my tribe.
Other monsters eyes me suspiciously as I make my way past but I don't pay them much mind, even accidently walking over a Wolf Dragons' tail without realising. Thankfully the monster was too shocked to react quickly and too reluctant to break the water truce to do anything as I continued on my way.
When I get halfway around the lake my antennae start to tingle with a response to the now familiar scent. It's here!
-x-X-x-
The expedition had been proceeding smoothly so far, something Mirryn was exceedingly grateful for. The royal guards and the Legion had cooperated in the clearing of the upper levels and hundreds of lower levelled monsters had been destroyed in preparation for the wave.
It normally wouldn't take long for such high level warriors to move through this area of Dungeon. To the higher levelled Legionaries this place was simply no threat at all, they could probably walk through with six monsters hanging off them and hardly take any damage.
To be completely thorough and clear out every side tunnel, every passage and all of the branches systematically took a lot of time and effort. With two forces as sharp as the Guard, who only accepted the best, and the Deep Legion, who lived for this kind of fighting, the task was done as quickly as it realistically could be done.
"Don't they look relaxed over there" grumbled Donnelan, indicating the senior Legionaries standing by the tunnel wall chatting and laughing together.
"I wouldn't stare too much if I were you, and keep your voice down" Mirryn whispered back, keeping her hands on her crossbow and her eyes on the tunnel, "Aurillia is rumoured to have incredibly advanced hearing skills. If they hear you whining you'll be digging latrines into the rock".
"It just doesn't seem right that us lower levelled trainees with weaker jobs have to do all the heavy lifting whilst the full Legionaries stand about and watch. I've launched so many fireballs in the last ten hours my fingers have almost burnt black" Donnelan moaned.
Donnelan usually wasn't the type to whinge and complain when he was on the job but fighting monsters and being on constant alert for the better part of half a day was enough to get anyone in a foul mood. To make matters worse, even the trainees were high enough of a level that they received very little experience for using their skills or killing monsters this high up in the Dungeon.
"Hold on a little longer you sook" Mirryn admonished, "we'll make it down to the first Expanse soon and set up the advanced camp. We're scheduled to rest once the fortifications are in place".
"Great, more digging".
Mirryn could only roll her eyes at Donnelans' continual complaints. She couldn't blame him too much. Mages who specialised in fire magic like Donnelan were often called "Blast Mages" because they were effective in wiping out large amounts of lower levelled creatures, Donnelan had been forced to work much harder than she had.
"How are you two travelling? Managing to stay awake?" laughed one their Centurions, Alexi, as he approached to check on them.
The two trainees immediately saluted. "Just fine Centurion!" Donnelan declared, his voice full of vigour, "I'm ready to serve another ten hours, easily".
Alexi snorted. "No you're not, in another hour you'll be snoring on your feet."
The well-built officer gave them both an encouraging slap on the back.
"Remember, for you and the other trainees this mission is a rite of passage. Expect that you'll be worked extra hard. By the time we're done you'll feel dead and reborn at the same time".
Mirryn winced and Donnel audibly groaned, causing Alexi to laugh again.
"Don't worry too much, me and the old fogeys will start to pick up the slack once we reach the first Expanse", Alexi leaned closer to whisper conspiratorially, "you may not know this but us higher ranked Legionaries are built to function a lot deeper in the Dungeon than this, it hard to show our stuff up here".
Donnelan choked back a laugh. "What? Because the monsters are too weak?" he scoffed.
"Nooo", Alexi drawled, "because the mana up here is too thin. The ambient levels in the Expanse is just baaaaarely enough. You'll see some good stuff then. Watch out for the commander especially, he's a living legend for a reason you know".
"Alexi!" came a shout from across the tunnel.
The three of them immediately snapped to attention. "Yes Tribune Aurillia!"
The older woman was glaring at Alexi with a heat he could almost feel. "IF you're done running your mouth to the trainees centurion, then I suggest you take the trainees to the supply cart and locate three shovels. We'll need latrines dug once we reach the Expanse!"
Donnelan almost wept.
As the two trainees trudged away, cursing silently at their Centurion, Titus was chuckling quietly to himself.
"You think I shouldn't be so hard on them?" Aurillia asked, one eyebrow raised.
Titus shifted his grip on the massive axe resting on his shoulder. Instead of answering the question he asked one. "Do you remember your promotion expedition?" he said.
Aurillia grunted. "How could I forget, you ground us into paste, put us back together and then ground us down again".
Her answer drew a fearsome grin from the commander. "Now you're one of the finest officers I've ever seen. We don't coddle Legionaries Aurillia, we liquefy them so we can pour them into our mould. If those kids aren't crying themselves to sleep tonight we haven't worked hard enough".
"And Alexi?"
"..." Titus frowned, "I'll have a word with our chatty Centurion myself".
Aurilla winced. After a 'chat' with commander Titus, Alexi wouldn't be speaking for some time. The healing alone might take weeks.
"Is the Royal Guard clear on their duties until the wave, Tribune?" Titus asked.
"Yes commander. We can leave protecting the Dungeon entrance and the upper tunnels to them. I'll have to thank the Queen personally when we get back, her Guards really know their stuff".
Titus grunted. It was true the Guard where highly skilled, but he wasn't sure it was necessarily the best idea for the Queen to send her most competent defenders into the Dungeon to manage the upper tunnels.
With all of the upper tunnels swept it was time to make the push into the Expanse. This is where the true strength of the Dungeon began to reveal itself, as well as its wealth. Monster cores were just one of the valuable materials that could be harvested from the depths, minerals, powerful crystals as well as the raw XP the monsters provided all commanded a price.
The deeper the expedition progressed into the Dungeon, the easier Titus began to move. After so many years of campaigning, it was difficult for him to spend such an extended amount of time on the surface. He wasn't built for up there, writing letters and managing the budget. With his axe in hand and the mana burning in his veins he felt much more comfortable.
Within the hour the expedition was prepared to advance further into the Dungeon. Titus positioned himself at the head of the caravan, leading his Legionaries towards the forest.
After ten minutes of marching with the occasional pause to crush a few monsters that came their way the tunnel opened wide suddenly to reveal the vast underground space that had been named the Forest Expanse.
The glowing forest spread before them in a wide arc, their faces illuminated by the blue light of the forest.
In orderly fashion the Legionaries moved swiftly to set up camp.
Earth mages moved quickly to raise walls using their powerful spells to create temporary barriers made of the soft earth of the cavern floor. The trainees were charged with unloading the supplies from the carts, erecting the tents and of course, digging the latrines.
Titus watched his troops go about their tasks with a critical eye. One hundred Legionaries made up this expedition, twenty of those were trainees on their promotion delve, the remaining were full Legionaries. Twenty five auxiliaries were also part of the force, responsible for medical aid, logistics and of course, the cook.
The Deep Legion would construct a forward fort here, barricading the tunnel leading towards the city of Liria and defending it during the wave.
From here they would also launch their scouting missions to locate the ant colony.
Suddenly Titus heard a monstrous roar from the edge of the forest. Bursting through the trees was a mature Lightning Fist Ape, its huge gorilla like fists thumping into the stone as it charged, full of rage towards the Legionary force.
The commander could only sigh. This high in the Dungeon it was common to see monsters with stunningly low Cunning. He was hardly surprised to see a Lightning Ape engaged in such a suicidal charge, of the evolutions possible to the spark chimp, the Lightning Fist Ape was the only one that actually lost cunning in the process.
In exchange they gained tremendous Might and a strong affinity to Electric mana shaping, which they usually discharged through their fists.
As the monster hurled closer the rest of the Legion showed no reaction as the commander stepped slowly forward. When the beast was directly in front him, its fetid breath washing over his face, Titus finally moved.
With one hand he hauled his famed axe, the enormous blade more a block of steel that a refined weapon, before he brought it down just in front of the charging monster.
When the axe impacted the rock there was a thud, then a pause, before a massive roar erupted, as if a meteor had struck the earth.
When the dust settled a thirty metre long groove had been cut into the cavern floor, the severed corpse of the Ape, cut directly in half straight between the eyes, lay either side of the cut.
-x-X-x-
The trail has been detected!
It looks the members of my colony have been to this lake after all! This is incredible news, I could possibly just wait here next to the lake for them to show up and follow them back to the nest!
Staying close to the lake I tip tap my antennae on the ground and follow the trail away from the water. It absolutely seems like a solid trail has been lain down here. The more often ants use a particular path the more they will reinforce the trail with pheromones, making the trail more and more solid.
I don't think this path this path has been in particularly heavy use but members of the colony have certainly been here a few times.
I retreat back to the safety of the lake and can't resist a small dance of happiness.
Nearby monsters are looking at me funny out of the corner of their eyes. It probably isn't very often they are treated to some amateur ant freestyle tap.
My new family is with reach!
After being on my own in this Dungeon for days on end it'll feel so nice just to see another entity that doesn't want to eat me!
I'll get to see my Mother in another world, the Queen. I wonder how big she is?
I really didn't get to see my mother much back on earth, most of the time I'd been on my own. Hopefully this time I'll be able to help out a bit more and we can work together!
Gah! I'm too excited!
Need to chill, need to calm down.
It's important I don't forget where I am, this environment is incredibly dangerous. If I run about whilst this distracted I'll just get myself killed.
I scout around for a few minutes until I find a nice nest site and dig myself my now patented L chamber and close over the top.
Ensconced in total darkness I once again begin the exhausting process of training my Mana Manipulation.
*puff*
The chamber is briefly illuminated every time the small cloud of mana is released from my mouth.
*puff*
Eventually I exhaust my mana, once again failing at my last attempt, unsuccessfully directing the energy due to my exhausted mental state.
The road ahead is still long.
Once this is done I decide to rest, entering the state of torpor, the sleep equivalent of the insect. I'm getting more and more accustomed to this rest. Without closing my eyes, just going still and sort of zoning out for an extended period of time.
Eventually I wake up feeling much more rested and calm.
Phew.
Too many exciting development have happened here. I need to continue to take it slow for a little while and take stock of things.
My original plan of staying here to level up Mana Manipulation isn't a bad one, the added benefit now is that if I keep track of the lake there is a chance I'll be able to join up with a group of my colony mates and follow them back home to the nest!
The other option available is to try and follow the trail back to the nest on my own but I'm reluctant to take that risk when it may not even be necessary.
I'll stay here and continue to train up a few skills!
The other skill I want to increase is Dig. It may not be the flashiest skill, the best use in combat or indeed, particularly useful for anything really.
But I like it!
If you had to ask me what the fundamental skill of the ant is, it would be their incredible capacity to construct their nests and at the center of this is the ability to dig like a boss!
Besides, it is super easy to level up, all I have to do is dig about. With this in mind I start to make extensions to my small chamber, digging small, narrow tunnels in a few directions just a meter under the surface, diverting around, under or stopping a tunnel completely when I run into rock. For some reason the work is soothing, I'm almost humming to myself as I ship loads of dirt back and forth in my mandibles.
The ground here is particularly wet as well, I have to extend away from the lake and it isn't long before I encounter tree roots the buried stems of the giant mushrooms in my tunnels.
Every now and again I dig up to the surface to create a little ventilation and also just to scope out what is happening around the place. This mini exits also provide a nice place to ditch my soil as I go.
I get so engrossed in digging that I didn't even notice when the notification for the skill reaching level came through. When I stop working and try to think about how much time has passed I realise I must have been digging for almost six hours.
Level five Dig!
If only I had a skill point, I'd be super curious to see what this skill will upgrade into!
Come to think of it, I am getting a little hungry, it may be time to think about trying to hunt for some food.
I should also check to see if my colony has shown up for a drink!
Excited I rush back to the lake hoping to see my own kind there getting some refreshments but unfortunately it isn't to be.
There is still a wide variety of creatures drinking here but I can't see any ants amongst them.
Ah well.
Hopefully next time!
I guess the only things left for me to do is to either try and go hunting or wait and continue to train my mana.
Wait a sec...
What the hell is that?!
In the distance I can make out some shapes making their way over the crest of a small hill overlooking the lake. At that distance I can't see perfectly but I can see enough to think that I know what are.
And they aren't monsters!
Without a second thought I dive into my tunnel and start scurrying away from the lake and I don't stop until I make it under the roots of a tree.
What the heck are these humans doing here?!
Those were definitely some human shapes over that hill. Have they followed me here already?
That's way too quick! I came directly down a shaft, the most direct possible route, who knows how many winding tunnels they had to go through to make it to here?
Also, although I didn't get a perfect look at them, something about these humans didn't seem quite the same as the ones I'd seen in the tunnels above.
Perhaps their demeanour? Something about the way they'd looked? I'm not sure...
I'm torn, part of me wants to investigate but another part just wants to get the heck out of here.
Dammit! I can't just keep running every time I see a human! Even if they are super dangerous, I can rely on my stealth to protect me at least a little. There is only so much I can learn by following the monsters around, by shadowing these humans for a while I might be able to learn a lot!
Its decided then.
Deep breath Anthony!
Making my way down my tunnel I find an opening and carefully poke my head through. My antennae has almost fully regrown now, I'll probably need to get more food into me before it will begin to regenerate the final part. At least my senses aren't affected too badly.
Ok, the coast is clear.
Slowly I emerge above ground and enter full stealth mode, keeping my body to the ground and sticking to as much cover as possible.
Moving in a wide arc I aim to circle around the back of the hill where I saw those figures, keeping myself out of their line of sight as much as possible.
There they are!
I snoop a little closer until I can make out some more details, hiding myself in some thick vegetation with my antennae poking out.
There are five humans, all with their back to me as they gaze down onto the lake, or more specifically, the monsters grouped around it. With their attention focused away from my I take the chance to advance a little closer.
[Advanced Stealth has reached level 3]
I love you Gandalf.
I can almost make out the words they saying, although it doesn't seem to be in any language I can understand. They are talking to each other and gesturing down towards the lake. Oh wait, they seem to have agreed on something.
I freeze as the five figures separate and ready their weapons before one of them raises their staff and begins to focus.
Blazing runes form around the head of the staff start to rotate at an ever increasing speed until finally a massive fireball appears, burning brilliantly at the top of the staff.
I can hear the cry and roar of monsters on the other side of the hill as they notice this disturbance. It's almost as if the monsters are shocked that there would be any sign of attack here at lake!
Before they can react, the staff is swept down and the fireball rockets out of my sight.
-x-X-x-
The fireball streaks out of my sight like a meteor, but I don't have to wonder what happened. Immediately a tremendous shake rocks the ground accompanied by a massive explosion, lighting up the area with a brilliant flash of light.
The roars and screams of monsters below immediately fills the air. That blast must have wounded quite a number and aggravated a heck of a lot more. I can see the other four humans are chuckling to each other as they brandish their weapons and begin to advance down the hill towards the lake, out of my sight.
The spell caster remains on the hill. I think its female? I'm finding it hard to tell, perhaps my eyes are still too poor to discern those details. She begins to prepare more spells, not quite of the same size as before, conjuring flaming lances out of thin air and sending them streaking into the monsters below.
It feels strange to see the peace of the lake broken in this way.
I mean, I shouldn't be surprised right?
Imaging that humans had come across a valuable resource, would they share it? If they had the strength to take and monopolise it, would they leave it be and allow others to use it? I don't think they would. They would lie in ambush and kill those who came. They would build fences and walls to keep others out. They would keep everything they could to themselves and grow their strength so that they could take and keep even more.
The monsters here in this place are very stupid. If we look at the stats in the system, I can imagine most monsters I've seen have a cunning less than ten. They can be tricked, baited and trapped easily.
For some reason they don't even think of taking and controlling the resource that is the mana lake. They don't even fight there, ensuring that they themselves and others can benefit. From a human standpoint, it's stupid.
Not to mention, what are monsters to humans anyway? Just resources, just experience. If I'd been born a human I'd be doing just what they are doing, right? I'd be attacking monsters and gaining XP, taking their cores to sell and celebrating.
But I wasn't born a human in this world.
I was born something else.
A monster.
And for some reason, seeing these humans here, breaking the peace of the lake.
It just really pisses me off.
I don't think too much, I just turn, take aim, and fire.
POW.
Sizzling acid streaks through the air directly towards the female mage. I've aimed directly toward the back of her head.
Splash!
The acid impacts a barrier of some kind, spreading over the surface to reveal a spherical, invisible barrier covering the mage and protecting her from harm.
Startled, the mage turns around, trying to locate this source of this surprise attack, but I've buried myself back into the vegetation, completely hidden from view.
I'm nervous that she'll be able to detect me using a spell of crystal like the guards in the upper cavern, but after staring hard at the terrain she returns her focus to the battle happening below.
POW.
Once again acid arcs through the air, splattering over the barrier. I can hear the acid sizzling as it tries to chew through that layer of protection.
The mage turns fiercely and launches a jet of fire from her hand, scorching the area behind her, sweeping the flame around like a flamethrower to burn away any cover close to her.
I'm not that close.
Still, the searing flames twinge my still healing antennae. Good lord Gandalf but that is hot!
I'm not even sure what it is I want to achieve with this intervention...
I just wanted her to stop bombarding the monsters below.
Well, mission successful I guess Anthony, what the heck are you going to do now?
The mage is observing the flaming wreckage of the forest immediately behind her, trying to identify the pesky source of these acid attacks.
However, I am not about to show my adorable face!
The mage is visibly irritated and not finding what she is looking for but her attention is dragged back to battle below.
Her allies are probably relying on her support as they fight the monsters and she cannot afford to have her attention diverted.
Now that her back is to me once more I take a little time to reposition myself, darting out of my cover to move slightly further away. I dive in amongst the roots of a nearby tree and turn to observe my target again.
She has returned to conjuring the brilliant lances of flame and sending them flying into her targets below. The lances begin as a hovering ball of dense fire before they streak forward, accelerating until they resemble a long spear of pure heat.
Just as she is about to cast once again I take aim and fire.
[Advanced acid shot has reached level 2]
Nice!
From this extended range my aim is less perfect but the majority of the acid still impacts against that invisible barrier, eating away at the mages defences.
What I didn't expect is what happens next.
With an audible shattering sound the barrier vanishes and the acid which had been covering the surface immediately drops through, a small portion of it falling directly onto the mage.
She cries in rage as the acid begins eating into her robes and stops casting her spells instantly, trying to brush away the offending acid and protect herself from further damage.
I actually didn't expect I'd be able to harm this mage at all, seeing my acid doing its deadly work against a human is somewhat more shocking to me than I expected it to be.
Without the support of the magic bombardment from above, I imaging the other four fighters below will be a having a harder time of it.
My main objective has been accomplished in that the mage has stopped working so I decide to try and sneak out to see what is happening down by the lake.
Moving carefully I emerge from my hiding place and sneak about is a wide arc, making sure I'm a good distance away from the mage and the path her allies would take I skirt around the hill and make my way back towards the side of the lake.
What I see is a scene of devastation.
Dozens of monsters have already been slain on the edge of the water, some had clearly tried to charge up the hill only to be killed by the mages' four allies without achieving anything.
The monsters on this side of the lake have already been routed, those prepared to charge and fight are dead whilst the more discreet creatures made good their escape as soon as they could.
The humans are picking through the bodies now, I can see them using long knives they had strapped to their legs to open up the creatures and search for their cores, cursing when their search fails or chuckling merrily as they pocket the shining, gem like material.
The mage has made her way down the hill to her allies and they laugh as she angrily speaks and gestures towards the hill, probably explaining the sneak attacks I had performed, causing her be to burned by the acid.
One of the others, a particularly large warrior looking type, pulls what appears to be some kind of bottle or flask from a carry bag on his hip and passes it to his wounded ally who gratefully accepts and drinks it immediately.
Healing potion?
Once they have completed their harvest of cores the five of them group up together and make their way over the hill, their silhouettes blurring into obscurity as they move further away and then disappearing as they leave altogether.
The edge of the lake and the distance up the hill are strewn with the dead and I feel numb.
As a former human and a current monster, what exactly is the morality of this world?
Regardless, there is a wealth of Biomass here and no monster would approve letting it go to waste. I'll eat first, then think later.
-x-X-x-
Before the remains faded and were claimed by the Dungeon I was able to gain seven Biomass, an unprecedented harvest. This is due in part to the three new creature types I was able to get a bite of, gaining three bonus Biomass and then filling my stomachs with a further four points.
[Basic profile of the Scintillam Simiae unlocked]
[Basic profile of the Serpens Canis unlocked]
[Basic profile of the Lacertae Terram]
Combined with the two Biomass I had already saved I have a total of nine to spend. Wanting to mutate in peace and still nervous those hunters may return I move to my previously prepared nest, although I have to widen it a little to fit my now bulging backside through.
Once inside I take the extra time to cover over the opening before spending my Biomass.
My intention had been to upgrade my eyes to +5, firstly to maintain my superiority in vision over the monsters in this area but also to see what the system would do once I mutated to level five.
Skills advance at level five and my hunch is that my body parts might also.
[Do you wish to improve eyes to +5? This will cost five Biomass]
I'm nervous for this...
... yes.
[At this level you may choose a mutation advancement, select from the menu]
Instead of the painful itch I was expecting the gruff but soothing tones of Gandalf ring in my mind once more.
Aha! So level five is a significant milestone after all! As it should be! I've spent fifteen Biomass on my eyesight now! Reward me more!
Once Gandalf has finished speaking a long list of possible eyesight upgrades appears within my mind. Seriously there is so much to choose from?! Heat sensitive vision, motion sensitive vision, mana vision, see through vision?!
Holy crap some of these sound awesome!
It takes me quite a while to sort through the list, consulting Gandalf who is able to elaborate on what each of the options does before I'm able to finalise my selection.
Despite how tempting some of the options are (Being able to see through stuff sounds pretty damn useful!) I eventually take a slightly more mundane option that will nonetheless cover a weakness and enhance a strength.
Focused compound vision.
I was very pleased when Gandalf explained what this particular mutation does as it was something I'd wanted for a while now.
If you think of the compound eyes that an insect has, rather than having one, large and strong pair of eyes that you can move around, compound eyes are hundreds of individual eyes that are always watching the same area but cannot move.
As I've mentioned before, this gives me a fantastic advantage of being able to watch almost every angle at once, especially since upgrading my eyes has caused them to extend further from my head, almost allowing to see backwards without turning around.
But my compound eyes are not as strong at focusing long distances as a humans.
However this mutation will help cover that weakness. Essentially, For each of my eyes a small section of compound eyes will gain the ability to focus further away, giving me a small field of vision that can see a long distance. I still can't move my eyes so to shift this field of vision I'll have to actually move my entire head, but with this upgrade I'll be able to take the best of both worlds, long distance focus, combined with surroundings awareness.
The ultimate eye!
Joyfully I confirm my selection with Gandalf.
OH GOD!
I FORGOT THE ITCH!
Starting deep inside my head and then boiling forward is the sharpest and most painful itch I could possibly imagine. Worse than anything before by a hundredfold.
I'm being stabbed!
Needled!
MY DAMN EYES!!!!!
Fgarp!
I'm reduced to flopping about on the ground madly scrabbling with my legs but nothing helps.
And it goes on.
And on.
And on.
Before finally it stops.
[Would you like to advance your Acid to +4? This will cost four Biomass]
NOOOOOOO..... yes.
GODDAMIT.
Not nearly as bad but still horrible is the acid mutation. Since upgrading to +5 gives such incredible benefits I want to advance everything to this level as quickly as possible, since acid is already at +3 and doubles as my primary weapon at this stage, I'll prioritise it first.
[Be aware, at your current stage of evolution you can longer advance your eyes]
Hmm. So until I actually manage to evolve myself I won't be able to any of my mutations past +5 eh? Fair enough, with only two more levels I'll be able to evolve, I'd like to think it won't take that long.
Having spent all of my Biomass I decide to stay in hiding and train my Mana Manipulation once again, expending all of my mana in small puffs out of my mouth and completely draining my mental energy once again.
However I am rewarded for my efforts!
[Mana Manipulation has reached level 3]
I immediately open my status to admire my progress.
Name: Anthony
Level: 3 (core)
Might: 15
Toughness: 12
Cunning: 25
Will: 18
HP: 30
MP: 12
Skills: Digging level 5; Improved Acid Shot Level 2; Grip Level 4; Crushing Bite Level 1; Advanced Stealth Level 3; Chomp level 1; Tunnel sense Level 4; Mana Manipulation level 3
Mutations: Focused Eyes +5, Antennae +2, Acid +4, Legs +1, Mandibles +2, Carapace +1
Species: Hatchling Ant Worker (Formica)
Skill points: 0
Biomass: 0
With my mana expended and my mutations complete I'll rest here for the time being before making any further moves. With the addition of these human monster hunters this area is even more dangerous than I thought it would be, I have make sure I maintain my best condition.
When I eventually awake my mana has restored four points and I've digested a good amount of the food I'd eaten.
Poking my head out of my chamber I don't spy any humans or combat so I emerge fully and take a look around with my newly upgraded eyes.
Whoa.... This may take some getting used to...
The center of my vision contains a small space that almost feels like a zoomed in view compared to the areas of vision around it... and it isn't like the more long sighted areas blur into the lesser ones, there is a clear marked distinction between them, which makes sense since the upgrade has essentially improved a small set of my compound eyes and the compound eyes don't really overlap in what they are looking at.
As I turn my head the zoomed in area sweeps across, always remaining in the center of my vision.
Gosh, it's a little hard to keep track of, having two different tiers of eyesight. Having said that, I'm still extremely pleased with my choice, I'll just have to adapt quickly. With this enhanced section of vision I can easily scan the opposite side of the lake and inspect the creatures on the other side, I can even see the Titan-Croc is still lazing about over there, probably sleeping.
I also quickly look about to see if any ants from my colony have made their way to the lake only to be disappointed. Still no sign of them.
Sigh.
Whilst I'm here I'll drink from the lake to restore my MP faster and then decide what to do next.
I'm not as inclined to stay here now, since I now that there are human hunters about who can rain fire down on me at any moment. I'd also like to gain XP and evolve as quickly as possible. With the added stats and strength from my evolution my chances of survival as well as my ability to gain Biomass will go up, hopefully by a lot!
With that done I'll feel a lot more confident following the pheromone trail into the forest to track down my colony.
Gaining information is probably the most important thing right now, as well as hunting for prey.
It might seem like an odd decision but I think I'll go and find the humans camp before I do anything else.
Since they are the most dangerous thing around here it may seem strange to want to rush towards them, but in reality, since they are so dangerous I want to know where they are and what they are doing.
With my new upgrades I can spot them from a much greater distance than I could before, otherwise I wouldn't take this course of action.
Not sure what I'll do once I find them to be honest, but at the very least I'll be aware of the location of the threat.
Ok! It's decided! Onward, to the human camp!
-x-X-x-
Moving with extreme caution I move away from the lake. I'm fair game out here and there are many monsters who would love a slice of this delectable pie.
In the war for survival stealth is still my most powerful weapon.
I've been able to gather quite a bit of Biomass, probably more than usual for a creature of my level, by operating as a scavenger, picking up the rewards when others have done the dirty work, but unfortunately this doesn't work very well for XP.
With the exception of the completely bizarre battle between the Dragon Wolf pack and the centipedes, I've had to carefully pick and choose my prey in order to get XP and that remains the case.
It would be nice if, on this trip I can successfully carry out a hunt on my own and defeat my opponent one on one.
I need the confidence as much as the XP, I won't be able to stumble across wounded opponents forever.
Keeping myself as hidden as possible I dart from cover to cover, keeping all of my senses sharp.
After that last stomach full I've returned to full HP and my antennae is showing no signs of the extensive damage it endured during my last fight, thankfully my leg had healed long ago.
This forest really is strange, it feels like every time I turn a corner I see something weird I hadn't seen before, like this bright orange fern looking thing. The tip of every branch has a thin tendril of an almost weblike materiel hanging down to the ground.
Won't be touching those!
Out of curiosity I flip a stone using my mandibles towards that plant but nothing happens. My wariness doesn't totally dissipate though. It's possible the plant will only react when something organic touches it.
Instead of standing about eyeing off a fern I keep moving.
I come across a few different creatures as I move in the general direction I saw the hunters leave in, a large pack of small, ape like creatures were congregating around a particularly large tree. I give those guys a wide berth.
If only I had the support of more of my kind! Seeing these large groups of smaller monsters really gets me down for some reason.
I also saw a few Dragon Wolf cubs on the prowl, yet another group I couldn't take on.
Feeling a bit stifled by my inability to find something I can fight I decide to do something I wasn't able to do before.
Climb a tree to scout around!
Finding a nice looking tree I use my claws and the potency of my Grip skill to swiftly make my way up and have a look about.
Ohhhh. I can see so much further now! Behold the power of my improved eyes!
Ah!
I can see a hill in the distance and there are a few shapes on it, possibly tents? This could be the camp of the five hunters...
I shall investigate!
With my destination in mind I continue to snoop about while making my way towards that distant camp.
I don't want to start any combat whilst those hunters are about, if they come over to investigate I'm going to be really dead, really fast.
Eventually I make my way to the foot of the hill and start to take things very slowly, darting from cover to cover and avoiding any sound or sign of monsters.
About half way up I can make out the shape of the human hunters at the top of the hill. They appear to sitting in a circular shape on stones and bits of wood they've put together as chairs. Possibly they are sitting around a fire pit or cookpot?
I can see three separate tents arranged in a semicircle around their seating area, a few large back packs are strewn about the place along with some monster remains they've been able to hold onto somehow.
A line has been strung across two poles and at first I think they are hanging their clothes from it but when I stare a little harder I realise they are monster hides hung up to dry.
Clearly this group is here to hunt monsters and take cores and materials back to the surface for profit.
I settle into a good position and decide to watch them.
Now that I've identified where camp is I have a crazy idea forming in my mind.
Patience is a virtue to the monster, this is almost the first instruction in my creed.
After a few hours the humans stand and begin to gather equipment, preparing to head out once more. As I watch they strap on their armour, check the edge on their blades and banter back and forth.
Then something interesting happens, as a group they step out of the camp and once they are about ten metres away they all pause whilst the mage concentrates and prepares her staff. Once again she focuses for an extended period, runes appearing and rotating around the head of her staff before she taps the foot of the staff against the ground.
Immediately a few stones I hadn't noticed before flare around the outskirts of the camp glow brightly for just a moment before dimming again.
Once this has been completed the group moves away from the camp, heading towards the lake once more.
It seems they are just farming the lake, ambushing the unsuspecting monsters who have gathered, then returning here to wait until the lake has gathered together the monsters once again.
Fairly efficient way to slay monsters I suppose.
Just to be sure I shadow the group until I'm certain they are heading towards the lake, then I double back and head towards their camp.
You guys must have harvested a lot of monster cores eh?
Be a shame if something were to .... Happen to them.....
Gweheheheheh.
I'm very wary of the spell that was cast as they left however. I'm sure that if I walked towards their camp an alarm would go off or I'd be melted on the spot or something equally horrible.
There is no way I'm walking over that barrier.
I'm willing to try going *under* it though.
Behold! The power of Level 5 dig!
Working furiously, I start to dig with all of my might. I probably have a little over hour if we account the time to travel to the lake and back, as well the time to fight and scavenge. Plenty of time to dig myself a small tunnel.
My mandibles work at lightning speed, empowered by my Dig skill I can shift a surprising amount of dirt with each chomp and it isn't long until I'm dug under the magic boundary and into the camp.
Muahahahaha!
Curious, but aware that I don't' have that much time I start to poke my nose into the tents to inspect the stuff. More bags and goods meet my eyes, it appears the mage and another member of the group are sharing one of these tents together.
I can see some food supplies stored in a bag but that isn't what I'm looking for. Using my mandibles I grab the bags one my one and try to shake them open, like an angry dog.
I don't' have hands! How am I supposed to open them?!
After ten minutes of shaking and tearing at their bags I manage to find what I'm looking for. Buried in the bottom of one back was a smaller leather sack sealed with a drawstring pulled tight.
Not tight enough to stop these chompers!
After I puncture a whole in the bag the precious wealth spills out in front my eyes.
[Compatible monster core detected. Would you like to reinforce your core or reconstitute a monster?]
Nice monster cores you have here guys... As they say finders keepers!
They have over twenty monster cores here in this bag and I start absorbing them one after another. After I take my fourth one Gandalf throws water on my burning joy.
[Monster core has reached capacity for your current stage of evolution].
Dammit Gandalf!
There are still seventeen monster cores left here! How could you do this to me! Despite running out of time I can't help but agonise over the incredible bounty before me.
Eventually, I push the cores together using my claws and try to scoop up as many as possible in my mandibles. Due to how cumbersome my jaws are and how small the cores are, I'm only able to grab four.
Although my heart is bleeding it will have to do.
Retreat!
Like a thief in the night I scamper away with my treasure, crawling through my tunnel and then running down the hill and back into the forest.
I don't go too far until I find a particularly large tree and dig a deep hole in an area shielded by the exposed roots. Inside I bury my pirates gold and carefully conceal my handiwork.
Hopefully I'll be able to come back for these after I've evolved...
Good thing I can't smile, otherwise my face would hurt. What a haul! Thanks, you stupid humans!
-x-X-x-
Now I have even more reason to try and level up quickly so I can evolve. Once I've been able to do that I can reclaim those monster cores and use them to reinforce my own.
The longer they stay buried the more nervous I'll be that they'll get discovered, either by the humans using some magical means I'm not aware of or perhaps another monster will sniff them out somehow.
I have to evolve, I have to do it now!
First I have to find something I can hunt. Too many creatures are still beyond my means to fight, even though I've come a long way in many areas I still haven't gained too much combat strength. My heavy Biomass investment in my eyes doesn't directly increase combat strength, nor does a lot of my skills, or even my reinforced monster core that now stores 20 MP.
I can feel the monster core within, burning away with more intensity than ever before. It's also definitely increased in size. It almost feels like having a burning stone in your gut, but in a nice way.
Kinda...
It doesn't really matter though since I can't use my MP to do anything useful at the moment. Hopefully once my Mana Manipulation skill has reached level five I might be able to purchase new skills to unleash my magic potential.
For now I'll have to make do with my acid and my mandibles.
I do have a target in mind, at the very least, I know I can probably fight them and I know they are somewhere nearby.
It will be difficult though, they never fight fair.
Centipedes...
Back at the lake I saw a large tangle of the basic Claw Centipedes. If I can find a small group of two, possibly three, I may be able to take them on my own.
I'll have to be careful that none of the larger, evolved centipedes are anywhere around, I'm certain that those could crush me easily.
Having decided on a course of action I make my way back to the lake in a wide circle, I do *not* want to run into those hunters, even though I wish I could see their faces when they get back to camp.... Heheheh.
I manage to sneak back to the lake and appear essentially on the opposite side to where the hunters had been fighting, close to where the Titan-Croca is still chilling.
What is with this guy? Doesn't he need to go out and hunt? It's possible he already has, I suppose, whilst I was away. This guy seems to spend a massive amount of time relaxing regardless.
Luckily for me there is another pile of centipedes at the lake right now. Seriously, I hate the way these creatures pile on top of each other, constantly twisting and turning and they look like they're trying to tie themselves into a knot.
Moving around the gigantic Croc I move to the water and get a few sips in, filling my mana back up to full whilst I wait for the centipedes to move.
After perhaps an hour the pile almost spontaneously disentangles itself and the centipedes streak away from the lake at full speed, all headed in the same direction.
Caught by surprise I almost lose sight of the horrible things before I start running after them.
These guys are seriously moving!
Thankfully I don't' have to stay quite as close to keep a good eye on them as I did before. I'm a bit nervous though, moving at this pace it's basically impossible to stay hidden from anything nearby. Those damn centipedes may be moving in a big pack but I'm not!
Thankfully we don't have to travel far before we come to raised mound in the forest. The mound is about two metres high and there are several holes around the outside. Almost without slowing down the bustling caravan of centipedes I've been following dive into the mound and disappear almost instantly, leaving behind an eerie silence.
Ooookay.
I guess I've found their nest?
Keeping a safe distance I circle around the nest, especially watching the holes. Thankfully I don't see any that seem particularly large, so there may not be any of the massive, evolved centipedes here. I'll have to stay careful, just in case one shows up.
I try to keep an eye on the nest and the forest at the same time, it's possible a hunting party could return to the nest from behind me at any time, so I have to be cautious.
After doing a full circle, I think the mound is probably five metres in diameter but I suspect that the nest itself extends underground. At least eight centipedes are in there already and I'm guessing there are actually much more than that.
Just imagining the vile tangle of legs and claws inside that nest gives me the heaves. I hate these things.
Which is exactly why I'm going to hunt them.
The next step is to wait. I don't plan to dive into the nest and trash the joint, getting myself immediately eaten. I'll bide my time until a smaller group leaves, either to visit the lake or to hunt. The odds will be against me but I'm hoping that in a two on one or a three on one situation I'll still be able to take them out, thanks to my human intellect and superior mutations.
I find a vantage point up a tree where I can remain perfectly still , maximising my stealth bonus and keep an eye on the nest. When my target number of centipedes leave, I'll be ready.
Yep.
Any minute now.
...
Do something you stupid bugs!
After a few hours of waiting there has been absolutely no action from this mound. What the heck are they doing in there? Actually, don't answer that.
Ten minutes later I get excited when I hear a noise but then I realise that a group of six centipedes is returning to the nest from the forest. Dammit!
After that a group of five head out towards the lake.
Then a group of seven head out to hunt.
Then nothing.
Then those two groups come back.
Then nothing.
Are you teasing me you idiot centipedes?! How scared are you?
Just when I'm about to burst with frustration a group of four clamber out of the mound, claws clacking, before they group up and move into the forest in single file.
Chance!
I'm too impatient to sit in this tree for days, waiting for the perfect opportunity. It doesn't seem like these guys are going to move in anything smaller than a group of four so I'll have to take this fight, even if it's a worse situation than I'd anticipated.
I carefully make my way down my tree and give chase. Thankfully the targets are not moving at their full speed as they move a little carefully, scanning for prey and trying not to attract too much attention.
I'll have to wait until they get further from the nest before I make a move. The last thing I want is to get swarmed by reinforcements.
The other thing I worry about as I tail along behind the convoy of disgusting legs is whether I should attack before they find their prey or wait and hope to battle a weakened enemy as they make their way back to their nest.
Normally you'd think that waiting would be best but my concern is that if I wait this group of centipedes will lose and all be finished off by a stronger monster, one that I won't be able to tangle with. If that were to happen then I would get completely nothing.
No. I have to take the more difficult path and fight the four of them before they encounter any other monster.
Having made my decision I don't hesitate and start to execute my strategy.
Accelerating quickly I move to a flanking position. The four centipedes are moving together in a line on my left. Remaining hidden from them I hurry forward, trying to get a little in front of them.
Ok, in position. Take careful aim....
POW.
Acid flies through the air in a powerful burst, launched directly from my business sector.
It isn't easy to hit a moving target at this range but my skills have stood me in good stead and the first shot connects nicely on the leading centipede.
The creature screeches to a halt and begins writhing on the ground whilst those following behind cluster around and fiercely clack their claws at the surrounding forest.
POW.
Second shot is launched directly from my commercial district and connects with another centipede who joins his ally rolling about on the ground, trying to minimise the damage from the sizzling liquid.
At this point I turn to face my opponents and start viciously clacking my mandibles, stepping into the clear to reveal my position.
Come at me!
-x-X-x-
It doesn't take long for the two uninjured Claw Centipedes to notice my provocation. Seeing a lone hatchling ant they are unafraid and charge towards me with all of the speed their many legs can muster!
Just as I'd hoped.
As soon as they approach I turn and run away, but not too far.
I speed directly to a tree I'd spotted earlier and upon reaching, grasp tightly with my claws and scale directly up!
The two enraged centipedes begin their ascent just behind me, clacking and snapping at my heels. In the distance their two injured allies are recovering and beginning to make their way towards us.
I turn my head slightly to eyeball the frenzied monster climbing the tree directly behind me?
Getting a good look are you centipede?
Maybe you shouldn't be quite so close to what some of my enemies have come to know as the Business Zone!
POW!
Point blank acid jets directly into the centipedes face!
The monster instantly shrieks and drops off the tree, rolling in the dirt at the base.
That leaves only healthy centipede on the tree with me. One on one. Ant to .... Gross bug thing.
The tree gives me a slight advantage in that the most deadly weapon of the centipede, the poison stinger, will be much more difficult to use here. I'm not sure they can support their bodies on this vertical surface if they were to let go with enough legs to bring the spike overhead.
Which means this will be a claws vs mandibles showdown.
The remaining foe continues to charge upwards, claws pinching and clacking as it advances towards me. The claws on this one seem a little larger than usual, must have mutated them, dang it.
Nonetheless I brace myself to meet the beast head on.
For a few seconds we nip back and forth, one advancing, the other retreating. I dart forward suddenly, but I lose my footing! A slight stumble at the critical moment!
There is triumph in the eyes of my foe, triumph and a burning rage!
The centipede lunges forward with fangs and claws, ready to deal the knockout blow.
When it strikes, it hits nothing but empty air.
Aha! The perfect feint!
My acting skill is over 9000, dumb centipede!
As the centipede attacks I wait till the last moment and then withdraw, my grip skill and strong legs giving me the perfect control on this battlefield.
Once the centipede is overcommitted I lunge forward with my mandibles wide open. Receive the bite of my raaaaaaaage.
Once again my mandibles glow and close with extreme crushing force. Empowered by the chomp skill the bite easily splinters the carapace, crushing the centipedes head completely. Lifelessly it falls from the tree.
[You have defeated level 3 Claw Centipede]
[You have gained XP]
One down, three to go.
Thankfully the remaining, injured prey are not dissuaded by my display of insect dominance and continue to attack. In their simple minds this is still a three on one and the enemy is only a single ant. They charge up the tree together, each on a separate side.
This isn't good!
Scrabbling for grip I shift myself out onto a branch, moving away from the trunk. At all costs I mustn't get surrounded!
This branch isn't thick enough to allow for a stable grip, it's almost all I can do to hang on properly. Thankfully only one enemy is able to join me on this branch, his injured allies remain circling the main trunk hissing at me.
Slowly my new dance partner creeps out on the branch, claws held at the ready. It's only then that start to worry about our weight.
CRACK.
Just ruddy perfect Gandalf...
As the branch lurches the centipede and I are both rocked on our feet. But I recover first. Have at you centipede! Once more my mandibles stretch wide and crunch shut on a centipedes head, however this time I'm unable to deal fatal damage.
SNAP.
The branch breaks clean off the tree, sending me freefalling with a monstrous centipede trapped in my mandibles.
Twisting my body I use my momentum to swing the creature down into the ground before I land with a sickening thud.
Gah!
I think I broke something... I landed heavily on my side, but thankfully I was able to protect my legs. Quickly back on your feet Anthony! No time to daze out! Shaking off the impact I scramble my legs beneath me and zero in on the centipede who fell with me. Unable to protect itself when it fell it seems to have ruined several legs upon landing. Seizing the initiative I dash forward and finish it off with another bite.
[You have slain level 2 Claw Centipede]
[You have gained XP]
Two centipedes left.
The remaining foes are feeling less certain of themselves now, but they've little choice but to fight, since they have to come down the tree to escape anyway. From the way they move I can tell they want to come at me together and I'm not sure there is much I do about it.
Fingers and mandibles crossed, this is where it gets tough.
Moving cautiously the remaining foes descend the tree, claws raised to attack at the first sign of movement. For my part I watch every movement carefully, waiting for the correct moment.
Both centipedes reach the ground at the same time. I turn and run.
Flee!
The sight of my rapid escape seems to bewilder my enemies for a moment before they are seized with the desire to hunt and begin running after me with all of their strength.
Fools.
POW!
One more acid blast is unleashed when they close in on me, scalding and eating away at the closest pursuer.
Haha! Didn't expect me to recharge a shot in that time did you? Thankfully you guys are dumb enough to fall for the same trick twice!
Whilst the unlucky centipede tries to cope with his second dose of +4 acid the other shapes up to do battle. I've been able to create another one on one situation and I need to finish it before the other enemy recovers and joins the fray.
I decide to make a risky play. I don't want to drag out this fight and give my opponents the chance to bring their dreaded stingers into play, it's the only thing that could finish me in one strike.
My foe draws near carefully, feinting and posturing with jaws and claws.
I charge directly at it with full speed.
Bring it oooooooooooon!
The startled centipede reacts swiftly, snapping forward with its claws and grabbing hold of a leg with one and gouging a scrape in my face with the other. But my momentum isn't to be denied.
With my larger and more powerful mandibles I dive forward and as I crash into my enemy I attack once more with my fearsome Crushing Bite.
[Chomp has reached level 2]
The centipede frantically tears at me with its claws, inflicting damage but it isn't enough.
Crushing Bite!
[You have defeated level 3 Claw centipede]
[You have gained XP]
The final centipede has suffered greatly from my two acid attacks and isn't able to put up much of a fight. I finish it quickly with a few more bites and the sweet tones of Gandalf ring in my ears once more.
[You have defeated level 2 Claw Centipede]
[You have gained XP]
[You have reached level 4. One skill point awarded]
I did it.
Victory!
I have triumphed over the hated foe. Four versus one and you still couldn't get it done you worthless crawlers! Haha!
I perform the best victory dance I can with my injured legs.
Checking my HP I've been reduced to 20 but I'm not too worried. After consuming this Biomass I'll be back up to full or close to it.
Speaking of which, these disgusting grubs aren't going eat themselves.
After consuming the lot of them, I had to take a break in the middle, I manage to gain four Biomass and something else unexpected.
[You have unlocked the intermediate profile: Claw Centipede]
I've finally consumed enough of these things to open up the intermediate profile eh?
Well, that is secondary. My primary concern is that I've successfully reached level four. Only one more level and I'll be able to evolve, finally! It's so close I can almost taste it!
I have to make plans.