Gah! The extra options really make my head spin sometimes.
As usual, I need to decide exactly what I want my antennae to be for and then choose the advancement that will make them better able to do that job.
If I wanted to make myself a purely magic focused monster then the Antennae magic enhancement would be a very solid choice, letting me build advantages on advantages. However I'm not the sort of person to go for the specialist option. Perhaps it isn't the smartest path but I don't want to be bad at any particular aspect and cover that up by being especially strong in another.
Perhaps my magic would reach greater heights with an advancement like this but wouldn't my sensory options be too limited?
I just don't feel comfortable moving away from what the antennae were originally designed to do, which is to detect stuff, be it scent or motion.
So I'll narrow my options down to those that increase my detection ability.
After letting go of some of the juicy but far out there selections I settle on a few that seem to make the most sense to me.
Of those the one that purely enhances smell is probably the most pedestrian. This option is a little beige even for me.
Another choice adds more sensitive hairs to the outside of the antennae, turning them into potent motions sensors. I like this idea and I also don't. Being able to detect movement without having to see it is kind of cool but because I have compound eyes that can see in a huge range around me there is very little motion I won't see before the antennae pick it up.
An option that really piques my interest is one that allows the antennae to develop heat sensitivity. If I'm understanding the description right, the antennae will mutate to include a heat source sensitivity, kind of like having thermal vision but for your nose.
I like this idea because it provides a new option that will cover something that was lacking before. I'll be able to detect monsters around corners by the heat they give off, potentially detecting creatures underground or inside nests before they are visible to my eyes. It may even be possible that I could have counted the centipedes inside that centipede mound without ever having to stick my head in it.
Infrared Antennae. I'll choose this!
Well that's niiiIIIIIIIIIIIICCCEEEE!!!
I'M ON FIRE!
How is it possible that I continue to forget this stupid itch!
The antennae are the worst, a horrible burning itch drilling right into my head, but the regeneration and pheromone glands inside me are also terrible!
Why dammit, WHY?!
Eventually the nightmare stops and I regain control of myself.
Every. Damn. Time.
Somehow I manage to push the horrible sensation that accompanies every mutation into the back of mind almost immediately after it happens. Is it just that I don't want to remember these terrible experiences?
Quite possibly that is the answer.
With all of the mutating done I now have a single skill point to spend. I'm not too sure on this one, I'm building up more and more skills and they will need upgrading eventually. On the other hand, I was able to see so many useful skills that I could purchase and make good use of the last time I was purchasing skills but ended up investing almost all of my points into magic related skills.
No, I'm determined to spend it, there are several skills that I've been hungry for and I shall resist the urge no longer!
[Exo-skeleton defence, improves the user's ability to utilise their external skeleton to deflect blows and resist damage]
I wanted this skill before in order to assist my desire to tank up but I couldn't afford, choosing to prioritise my magical path at all costs, but now I buy it!
Confirm this purchase Gandalf! Gimme!
When it is all said and done my status now looks like this:
Name: Anthony
Level: 8 (core)
Might: 31
Toughness: 22
Cunning: 25
Will: 18
HP: 50/50
MP: 50/50
Skills: Excavation Level 1; Improved Acid Shot Level 5; Grip Level 4; Crushing Bite Level 7; Advanced Stealth Level 3; Piercing Chomp Level 3; Tunnel sense Level 4; Mana Shaping level 2; Forceful Mana Level 2; External Mana Manipulation Level 1; Mana Sensing Level 1; Core Mechanic Level 1; Exo-Skeleton Defence level 1
Mutations: Focused Eyes +5, Infrared Antennae +5, Restrictive Acid +5, Legs +1, Infused Mandibles +5, Diamond Carapace +5, Regeneration Gland +4, Pheromones +2
Species: Mature Ant Worker (Formica)
Skill points: 0
Biomass: 0
I can't help but feel that my foundation is becoming increasingly solid. My goal of upgrading all of my mutations to +5 and stacking as many mutation advancements as possible is slowly coming to fruition. Once I get my regeneration gland to +5 I'll only have two more body parts remaining and I'll have reached perfection!
Now that I'm level eight I'm anticipating that I'll probably be able to evolve at level ten, and with my beyond perfect core I'm ready to do that at any time. Everything is coming up Anthony!
Opening up my small chamber, Tiny and I step out of the darkness and once again into the bright light.
What I nice break we had! I feel refreshed and newly improved! Bursting with vigour and drive!
Tiny has also benefited from our time of sleeping and feasting. His growth continues to accelerate, he's probably double the size he was when he was first born. No longer able to ride comfortably on my back he's going to have to walk and climb as best he can.
Keep up little guy! We don't have all day!
The ape monster seems almost a little petulant as he is forced to run alongside me, using his knuckles to propel himself forward much as a gorilla would.
Up on the ant hill the usual workers are in attendance, watching the forest carefully. Several workers are moving in and out of the nest, heading into the forest to follow the trails or scout for food.
Hopefully they don't run into too much trouble out there, the forest is absolutely crazy at the moment.
Tiny and I advance down into the cool shade of the nest. I notice that the veins of light are continuing to extend themselves down into the tunnel, the thin tendrils at the end moving almost visibly at the very edges.
Deep in the nest there is a frenzy of activity and it isn't hard to see why. Whilst I was sleeping and eating the Queen and workers were busy laying the foundations of the colonies future.
Checking into the brood chamber I can see that the huge number of eggs that were laid after the Berserker invasion have hatched into little larva. The newly hatched monsters fill the brood chamber to the brim! The workers have quickly made use of all the available food we've secured and stuffed the little grubs full.
The poor little things have almost gone spherical! Are they grubs or bowling balls?
I try to resist the temptation to roll them around. I'm worried they'd roll right out of the chamber and fall down the tunnel...
I know we need them to grow quickly but seriously guys.. Show a little restraint!
The larvae can barely move so full are they. The workforce is in attendance however, carefully monitoring each and every grub to ensure they are ok. Judging by the size of their abdomens though these workers all have fairly full social stomachs. I wager that as soon a grub shows any sign of digesting its food the only fate that awaits it is to be packed full once again.
Good luck larvae! Do your best to grow quickly into strong ants!
Most of the larvae that were in here before have either spun their cocoons and become pupae or already completed this phase and graduated into hatchling workers. New brethren for the workforce are always welcome!
Exiting the brood chamber, which in all honesty is looking a little full, I head further into the nest and notice a new tunnel cut into the wall on my left. Curiously, Tiny and I wander down the tunnel in order to find out why this it has appeared.
I was right to think the brood chamber was full, the workers appear to have agreed with me and dug out another one!
After the colony absorbed another big chunk of Biomass the Queen has once again gone to work...
In the dark chamber in front of me there are ten workers tending to a massive clutch of eggs. There must be two or three hundred of them here!
Well, this is what I was hoping for when I brought the colony into that fight. These eggs and larvae in the chamber above represent an incredible opportunity for the colony. If they can mature and hatch the workforce will grow from around two hundred workers to well over eight hundred. That large workforce will be able to jumpstart the growth of the next generation and then the generation after that. It won't be long until this colony is filled with thousands of ants.
Then what could stop us?
-x-X-x-
Any records from the time of Rending are unreliable at best and complete fantasy at worst. The Magio-scholars from the tower of Rannaleth have spent decades pouring over the old documents, attempting to piece together a cohesive picture of the state of the world at that time.
Their findings are frequently controversial and often disputed but I myself tend to believe that the views they have published are reasonable conjectures based on the evidence. The first, generally agreed principle is that the ambient mana level on the surface of Pangera rose greatly, more than doubling immediately before the crises struck.
The rapid advancement and reliance on magical techniques exploded in this time, a brief period that the scholars refer to as a 'golden age'.
They also postulate that at this time the Dungeon was already fully formed underground something that other scholars hotly dispute. The logic appears to be sound however. It is known that gargantuan, mighty monsters emerged from beneath the surface shortly after the cataclysm began and there are no known records of such monsters spawning ever since. If they hadn't been battling and evolving in the Dungeon for many years, perhaps even hundreds of years, then where did they come from?
Excerpt from "The origins of the great beasts, a historical treatise" by Oliander.
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Dreams of the upcoming ant conquest will have to wait for a while though, there is a massive amount of work to be done before then.
With Tiny by my side I pause to consider what my next move should be. I have a few options for my next course of action and I should consider carefully before I simply run off and engage in something without thinking it through.
The war turned out ok for the colony this time but even so, there are the deaths of tens of workers resting on my head and it could have been much worse. Even I didn't know that the forceful mana ball would be able to one shot the Titan-Croc and if it hadn't the entire battlefield may have become a sea of flame, barbequing dozens more workers.
I should carefully consider my options this time to avoid making such errors. I certainly don't want to get belted on the head by the Queen again!
The tunnels leading further downwards that connect to the Queen's chamber concern me. The Berserkers were able to invade through those tunnels and caused major problems, if I hadn't been able to intervene the colony would have suffered far worse than it did. I'm a bit scared to go down there though. If tough monsters like the berserkers are running away from down there, I'm not really prepared to go and scout it out by myself.
I think after I've successfully evolved I'll be a little more confident to explore those deeper areas, hopefully my stats will receive a sizeable boost that might enable me to be a bit more survivable against whatever threats lie below.
I'll just have to hope that the Queen and the rest of the workforce can fend off any threats from down there long enough for me to reach the required level.
The next option is to continue the colony growth plan and start fights, using pheromones to bring the workers into the battle. This strategy revolves around feeding large amounts of experience into the workers to increase the overall strength of the workforce.
I'm concerned though. With the area above being so dense with monsters it will be almost impossible to start an isolated fight in which I can accurately judge the odds in advance. The war was a perfect example of this. If I try to bring the colony to fight something it is almost certain that more and more monsters will show up, drawn by the noise and the promise of food.
This is too risky, I'll have to abandon this option.
So what should I do?
Do you have any answers Tiny?
The little ape looks up at me, absent-mindedly scratching at his leg. Those large eyes of his are completely vacant, appearing almost devoid of thought. There is trust in those eyes, confidence in my ability to lead him to food, but a stunning lack of original thought.
You are trusty companion Tiny, even if you are dumb as a brick.
Let's attack this problem from another viewpoint. What are the roles that workers perform in the colony? Take care of the brood? Not really my style, there are plenty of workers for that. Defend the nest? I'm the best fighter in the colony for sure but I don't want to just stand around and wait for something to happen.
Scout?
The scout has the role of ranging far from the nest and locating food, identifying threats and bringing information back to the colony.
Surely a cool, powerful and incredibly well built ant such as myself is perfect for a role like this? I'll be able to proactively protect the colony and support the workers if I find them in trouble.
Not to mention I'll have a bit of autonomy in terms of hunting. Rather than starting a massive fight I can instead pick and choose my hunting targets.
To be honest, I also really want to evolve as quickly as possible. My oversized core might not be as agonising as it was before, but it still hurts! Like a persistent tooth ache the pain is constant and is always grating on my mind.
I want it to go away!
Ok! My mind is made up! Tiny and I will form the advanced scouting team of the colony and venture forth into the open space brave great danger, explore the unknown and hunt our prey, for the good of the colony!
Before we leave I drop down into the Queen's chamber to check things out and predictably she's sleeping, probably exhausted by her participation in the battle followed by egg laying.
Not to worry.
Onwards Tiny!
With my ape companion in tow we climb up the tunnel towards the ant hill and open space above. It takes Tiny much longer to climb now that he can't ride on my back. I don't mind too much, it's nice to see the little free loader doing some work for a change.
During my time in the nest I've been trying to adjust to my new antennae advancement.
It's been more difficult than I thought to understand the information my antennae are passing to me. I mean, if you compare it to my human body, the only way a human detects heat is through their skin. As an ant I have a carapace so my capacity to sense temperature has been fairly poor.
Now my antennae are acting like little heat sensors, showing me sources of heat in my mind that my eyes can't even detect. For example, I can 'feel' the heat given off by a worker even before I see them. This is particularly disorientating when that worker is around a corner or in a separate chamber.
All I need is a bit of time. I'm confident that with a bit more experience I'll be able to react quickly to the information my new sense is telling me.
Eventually Tiny manages to make his way to the top of the ant hill, looking rather tired after the journey. Ha! No more slacking for you monkey boy!
The usual group of workers are milling around the hill on defensive duty, moving this way and that as they eyeball the surrounding terrain for threats.
There are a few trails of workers moving into the woods but I don't join them, instead heading in a different direction.
I head to the area the battle against the rabbits and centipedes occurred at and I move in the direction that the centipedes joined the fight from. The huge number of crawlies that joined in on that fight and how quickly they did it suggests to me that there is a sizeable centipede mound somewhere around here.
I don't really want to attack the nest itself but I also want to know if there is a large collection of monsters that close to the colony.
Once again the forest is completely alive with noise, monsters everywhere I turn, battling and hunting each other constantly.
My new senses are flooding my mind with information and it is difficult for me to interpret it all quickly. There are heat sources everywhere! Small monsters up in the trees, packs of them roaming together on the hunt.
Its takes all my stealth and cunning to navigate my way around with running into a fight I don't want to take. I feel that I'm strong to fight most of the monsters I find but I can't tell what else might pop out of the woodwork and bop me on the head.
Hang on...
What's this?
I'm detecting something a little odd with my heat detection.
Concentrating hard I crouch and move towards cover. This heat signature feels a little different than the monsters I'd detected before...
It seems to be coming from behind that tree.
I'm still a little confused by this heat sense so I'll play this slow.
Creeping forward one foot at a time I try to minimise any noise. Something is telling me I need to be careful right now.
I give Tiny a look and try to motion him to stay quiet. The little ape looks at me blankly with his wide eyes and I quickly give up.
Just... Stay quiet would you!
I'm trying to circle around this tree at a slight distance, working the angle so I can get a peek at what my heat detection is there.
As I slowly make my way around I manage to get a slight view of whatever it is that has caught by attention.
I think that's .... A hand?
Is this a human?!
-x-X-x-
This is definitely a human here behind this tree!
What the heck is this human doing here?
I have to admit a chill strikes my heart when I realise that a human is this close to me. It seems bizarre since I myself was a human not too long ago. In this life, however, humans have been nothing but trouble!
Inching around slightly I can see that this is one of those black clothed soldiers I'd seen before. They chased me out of the upper cavern, chased me out of the tunnels and now they show up again!
What the heck is your problem guys?!
To be honest, if I wasn't such a friendly ant I'd be starting to take it personally! I don't recall doing anything, except being a monster, that would cause them to pursue and hate on me to this extent!
My heart grows even colder, entering serious winter territory, when I realise just how close we are to the ant hill. Have they spotted it yet?
I highly doubt that the workers or the Queen would be able to stand up to the humans. Having been one myself it isn't hard for me to imagine the kind of strength that an organised human society would be able to muster in a place like this. I'm sure the system has been studied endlessly, all sorts of skill combos researched, magic systems investigated and engineering feats accomplished.
The colony is still very young! Not many workers have evolved out of the hatchling state yet, not to mention the entire colony population is under one thousand! We are still weak, far too weak to even consider fighting against trained soldiers!
For the first time I actually start to consider having to fight against people, my old kind. If this soldier located the nest and went to report back to the rest of them, what would I do? Just let them go?
Would I really be able to bring myself to kill them? Even to protect the colony?
Gah! I don't know the answer to that! What is with this sudden existential dilemma Gandalf?!
I can't just throw away my seventeen years as a human so quickly! I may be a proud ant worker now but that's only for a month or so!
In any case, I don't know exactly what this human has seen ... it's possible they still have no idea where the nest is. Don't panic Anthony, we might still be ok!
I retreat slightly, doing my best to remain fully concealed. I really don't want to attract any attention to myself right now. Using one of my legs I grab Tiny and hold him still. Thankfully he's smart enough not to protest out loud, although he does look at me reproachfully.
Damn ape! You want to get killed?
Eventually I can make out that a female soldier is crouched behind the tree, surveying the area. She has black leather armour with a few metal plates stitched into it around the shoulders and flanks. Her blonde hair is tied back to ensure it doesn't obstruct her face or view. I can even see her ears... well enough that I can determine she's not an elf at least.
Dammit....
You idiot Anthony! Focus!
I can see that this soldier is equipped for combat, a long bow case is strapped to her back and a shortish looking sword rests in a sheath on her hip.
To be honest this is the best view of a human being I've had since being reborn here in this place. There is a lot I can learn just by checking out the equipment and uniform.
Hardly daring to breathe, Tiny and I sit and wait, concealed in the brush to the human's right side. We are so close, probably only five or six metres away.
After ten minutes or so the soldier rises from her position and begins to make her way through the forest decisively. After a few moments I lead Tiny and we follow at a distance, being careful to minimise sound.
Thankfully there is so much combat going on in the forest these days than it isn't hard to conceal our traces at all.
[Advanced Stealth has reached level four]
Oh!
Ah stealth! My first purchase and most faithful skill. I knew I could rely on you!
Even after all my gains, stealth is still such a valuable purchase. I highly doubt I'll ever be able to evolve to the point where I no longer have to fear anything in this place, is that even possible for an ant? My hope is that the colony can grow strong enough that I can depend on the collective to keep me safe and let me life out my life in this new world as best as I can.
That isn't too much to ask for, is it?
I was never very ambitious as a human and I don't really see that I should change that now that I'm a monster.
After following this soldier through the woods for a while she eventually meats up with another human dressed much the same as she is. The only real difference I can detect is the weapons. Where she has the bow and sword, this chap appears to be armed with a staff of some kind.
Have I seen these two before?
I'm getting a vague sense of deja-vu. To be honest, before I was able to advance my eyesight it was pretty damn hard to make out the fine details. I wouldn't have been able to identify a person from their features before.
Perhaps I glimpsed these two as they chased me out of the tunnels...
At any rate they are here now, talking softly to one another. As they talk the don't even look at each other, instead they constantly eye the surroundings for danger. Looks like they know how to stay alive in here at least. There are monsters absolutely everywhere right now.
In fact.. My antennae twitch as I pick up a heat signature approaching from my right. Thankfully I've managed to remain hidden and whatever is coming is headed directly at the human duo.
This could be interesting.
From the woods emerges a strange looking creature that I'd never seen before. Huge, massively muscled armed covered in bristling fur are the first things that strike my eyes. Each of those powerful limbs ends in massive hands, each the size of my head. Black, jagged nails extend from the end of each finger.
Atop the monsters broad shoulders rests a massive lions head, lips drawn back in a dreadful snarl, revealing the long curved fangs within.
The king of the jungle? Except with massive arms and hands? What the heck kind of monster is this?
The beast's eyes are yellow and they behold the humans with a dreadful glee.
You know, in some ways I agree with what you are thinking massive Lion beast. You charge in here, you see these thin, small and weak looking things in front of you, what sort of self-respecting monster would think they are any type of threat?
If you're a dumb monster who was probably born yesterday, what would you know of the power of the human mind? It's ingenuity and endless capacity to invent ways to kill things? You see these things and they look like free Biomass, so of course you try and eat them.
The Lion monster roars hungrily and pounces, ready to strike!
The female soldier frowns and then, so quickly I almost can't even see it, whips her blade from its sheath and braces it in two hands before plunging it forward like lightning. That was so fast if I was physically capable of blinking I might have missed it!
The strike plunges into the Lion's shoulder, biting deep and the monster growls viciously as it's blood begins to flow. The attack thwarted, the Lion steps back to prepare another swing, massive hands more like battering rams as it punches out directly.
Before this punch can even connect the male soldier has raised his staff. From the tip emerges a blazing spear of flame that streaks through the air and impales the Lion directly between the eyes, killing it instantly.
Yep. I thought so.
The two humans move toward the corpse in a businesslike manner, the female soldier bracing a foot against the body to pull her sword out and then carving into the monster's chest whilst the male stands guard with his staff raised.
Eventually the digging is rewarded with a core, pulled out of the monster's gory chest and the two quickly move on, not hanging around in case more monsters are attracted by the smell.
Well... Don't mind if I do!
Tiny is already salivating next to me and by the time the humans have moved ten metres away we have already crept over to take a bite.
[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Leo Ogri, you are awarded one Biomass]
[Basic profile of the Leo Ogri unlocked]
[Leo Ogri: Lion Ogre, This monster is most feared for its massive strength, two overdeveloped arms allow it to cause incredible damage with fists alone. Some Lion Ogres are known to grip crude weapons, such as rocks or branches. They are however, quite dim]
A Lion Ogre eh?... ok. Fine. I'm not even surprised.
Tiny and I spend five minutes feasting, gaining two Biomass before we dash off in the direction the humans went, following the trail.
-x-X-x-
It doesn't take long for us to catch up, since the two soldiers are moving cautiously, attempting to avoid the notice of the thronging monsters in the forest.
Every now and again I notice one of them looking up, doubtless keeping an eye out for the gargoyle monsters that nest in the roof. I haven't seen any sign of those things for a while now but I don't doubt they are still up there somewhere.
Fingers crossed that when they do show up they decide to swoop down on someone else.
The two soldiers move with practiced ease through the area, avoiding pitfalls and reading the signs of monsters being nearby.
I'm honestly impressed by their level of knowledge. They seem to know exactly where every monster nearby is without having to actually lay eyes on it. I'm desperately hoping that doesn't include me!
Or Tiny.
The way they move seems to indicate they know exactly where they are in the open space and exactly where it is they want to go. I wonder how they are doing that. Do they recognise the features of the ceiling? Are they able to track their locations based on familiar features of the rock up there?
That makes so much damn sense I'm shocked I never thought of it before. After the thought occurs to me I start to glance up at the ceiling, using my advanced eyesight to pick out obvious features to try and recall later.
After an hour of travel we arrive at what appears to have been the destination the soldiers were heading for.
A large hill rises from the forest floor and in one side a tunnel has been cut, leading down into the hill and downward. At the entrance to the tunnel two more soldiers are standing guard, attempting to appear inconspicuous, not wanting to draw too much monstrous attention.
The two I'd followed solute at the entrance, hands over hearts of some such and then enter the tunnel, their dark uniforms quickly blending into the shadows as they move out of sight.
Dammit!
If only I had mind reading or telepathy or something. How am I supposed to glean information from these people? They must know so much that I couldn't possibly find out on my own! A veritable goldmine of information is sitting right here in front of me and I cannot access it in any way! Gah! This is maddening!
I decide to stay and watch this apparent human camp for a while. I can't think of anything more threatening to the colony than an attack by these damnable soldiers, so in my capacity as a scout it is my duty to observe them until I am satisfied that they pose no threat.
Two hours later, my dedication to the cause has faded somewhat.
The two guards out the front were rotated, replaced by two almost identical guards. The new guards were not the two I'd followed to this location so at least I learned that there are at a minimum six people within this camp.
Tiny is growing completely bored and is having a nap behind me. Thankfully there is enough background noise to wash out his gentle snoring.
I spend my time observing the humans and seeing what I can learn from them by picking up on the details.
Their boots are fairly distinctive, made of stiff looking leather and dyed black the boots are laced from the heel to half way to the knee. The breastplate appears to be made of some kind of stiff leather, once again dyed black and stitched with some sort of gold embroidery. I think there is an insignia on the armour but I can't quite make it out.
The arms borne by each soldier appear to be slightly different. When I'd arrived, the first two guards had both worn a long sword on their hip and had a large shield across their back. The two who replaced them however, where different. One had two short strapped across the back in an x. The second uncased a crossbow from their back when they came out, slotted a bolt and cranked back on the shaft before taking up his post.
Seems like a bit of an odd army. Almost every individual is armed with a different weapon!
After some thinking I decide that the light armour they wear makes a lot of sense. At first I'd expected that they be loaded up with massive plate armour like a medieval knight but when considering the size of some of the monsters down here, how strong some of them are and how sharp some of their limbs can be... What the heck would a suite of metal armour do? Absolutely squat!
I could probably punch straight through metal armour using a piercing bite. Other than slowing down the person wearing it, I can't imagine that armour will achieve much at all.
Eventually two more soldiers return from the forest, joining up with their fellows and entering the tunnel. Shortly after the whole crew emerges, or at least I imagine it's the whole crew, ten soldiers wearing that same identical armour. They talk to other softly but I can't understand a single word of it. I'm able to hear it well enough that I'm confident they aren't speaking any language I've ever heard before.
Fantastic. This makes the dream of communication ever more distant. Not only can I not vocalise I can't even understand the language!
Several of the soldiers appear to be carrying heavy packs. It seems they are moving out of this hill and heading to another camp sight.
It isn't long before the soldiers group up and start to move. I hesitate. The direction they are travelling is still directly away from the colony.
I'm already an hours travel away from my home nest, do I really want to travel any further than this?
Not to mention, following along after these humans is still exceptionally dangerous. There are ten of them now. I assume they could annihilate Tiny and myself in a heartbeat were we to be found.
Best to play it safe.
I've learned a fair bit of information already. I know where their forward camp is, I know that they are here and I've managed to witness some of their skills in action. That's not insignificant.
I consider trying to head into the tunnel and investigate their little base but in the end I reluctantly dismiss the idea.
There is way too much risk involved. These people look like professional soldiers, not ragtag mercenaries like the last camp I invaded. Also, I wasn't able to witness the defences being setup, like I did before. There could be any number of traps inside that cave and I would have no idea.
I'll back off.
After the humans have departed I start to journey back towards the colony with Tiny. Keeping my eyes on the roof of the cavern I try to follow a few of the landmarks that I remember from my way here and despite getting muddled a few times I manage to get back to the general area.
I need to be extra careful when I'm out scouting now that I know there are human soldiers moving through the cavern. I honestly had thought I was free of those killers. The way they moved through the tunnels, exterminating every monster they found without mercy still sends a shiver down my spine.
Only one thing can be done in order to be safer, become stronger and evolve! If I can evolve and then help grow the colony even further, hopefully we'll be able to live free of human interference.
For now my priority is to hunt and get levels! Just two more levels is all I need!
One Tiny and I have made it back in the general vicinity of the nest I climb up a tree and start trying to scout out possible prey. The forest is completely packed with monsters so any target needs to be chosen carefully. I get more experience from taking on evolved monsters but some of those are a lot stronger than others. I'd rather fight three evolved centipedes at once than have a Titan-Croc get the jump on me.
So I have to be careful and choose my prey wisely.
My core still throbs painfully inside my body. Hopefully it won't be long before I can release all the potential held inside there. I wonder what I'll become?
-x-X-x-
The Legionary camp is a hive of activity. Patrols come and go in a steady stream under the watchful eye of the officers. The monster suppression has been difficult on this expedition, preparations for the wave are not going as smoothly as the brass had expected.
Tribune Aurillia was concerned. Her experience and expectations were continually being defied, the situation at hand refused to conform to historical norms.
Every day squads left the outpost and moved into the expanse, exterminating monsters and hunting down spawn locations. Whenever a spawn point was found the Legionaries would trap it, killing the monsters the moment they were formed from the Dungeon.
This was the typical procedure employed by the Legion when preparing for a wave, the goal was to reduce the number of monsters before the wave broke as much as possible. Trapping the spawn points in normal times would drive mercenaries and Dungeon explorers insane, effectively reducing their ability to earn income, but the Legion took no chances when it came to a wave. Every monster they could reliably kill they would.
Something was different this time. For every spawn point they were able to identify and neutralise, another four would pop up the next day. Despite martialling more resources and bringing reinforcements down from the surface they were simply unable to kill monsters quickly enough to meaningfully thin them out.
Even the commander had acted, entering the Forest Expanse on his own and emerging several hours later covered in gore with a small bag full of cores on his belt.
Aurillia chuckled at the memory. Several trainees had asked who was going accompany the commander as he was preparing to leave. The senior Legionaries had just looked at them as if they were insane. If anyone could keep up with him they would be welcome to go.
Emerging from the woods came the ten person strong trainee unit, returning from their scouting assignment. Aurillia knew they'd be sent to do reconnaissance on the far side of the expanse. Locating the ant nest remained a priority of this expedition, despite the unusual circumstances propagating each day.
The weary soldiers marched single file through the gate, shoulders slumped under heavy backpacks, eyes red from little sleep. Their uniform leather were scuffed and stained in several places, indicators of battle and combat.
The tribune approached the squad. When they saw her coming they stopped and snapped out salutes, their discipline bringing a smile to the weathered features of their officer.
"What do you have to report?"Aurillia said.
Trainee Mirryn had been appointed the leader of this particular squad. She stepped forward to give her report.
The trainees were especially nervous around their superiors on this expedition. The centurions, tribune and even the commander himself found every opportunity to find fault with them. Uniform dirty? Go run laps. Poor form when saluting? Two hours in the training yard. Make a mistake in the training yard? Stay in the damn training yard and work until you pass out.
All of their nerves had been frayed right to the edge. It was almost a relief when they'd been sent out as a squad to scout the far side of the expanse. Fighting their way through hordes of monsters and watching their backs every waking moment for several days almost seemed easier than staying with their officers.
Mirryn cleared her throat and reported.
"The squad was able to reach our designated coordinates approximately thirty hours ago. We identified four spawn points in the surrounds and were able to effectively seal them all. A list of monsters identified and defeated has been compiled for your inspection Tribune."
Having said this Mirryn drew a scroll case from her waist bag and presented it to Aurillia, saluting once more as she did so.
The tribune raised an eyebrow as she accepted the case. Clearly the trainees were starting to realise just how exacting the standards would be for them on this delve.
Aurillia opened the case and unrolled the parchment within, casting her eyes quickly over the lists and numbers her experience allowing her to absorb the information in a moment.
"And what of our quarry? Were you able to locate any ants?" she asked as she stowed the parchment in its case once more. The paper would go to the administration auxiliaries, the bean counters who tallied all of this information for reporting to the Legion brass and the Lirian government.
The faces of the squad member immediately twisted upon hearing the Tribunes words. They had failed to find the ants despite all of their searching. What concerned them most was the punishment that awaited them if the tribune decided to view this as another 'failure' on their part.
Mirryn cleared her throat before speaking. "We were unable to locate any sign of ants or the nest itself Tribune. The increased monster activity has made solo scouting extremely difficult, dramatically reducing our scouting range and efficiency" she paused before continuing, "it is still possible that the ants are operating in the area we were sent to search but we failed to locate them, I recommend a team be sent to scout the area again more thoroughly".
Before she was halfway through her reply the faces of her squad members had gone pale. Their minds were spinning with the possible penalties that would be heaped on their heads for not only failing but admitting they'd found it too difficult and recommending another squad go fix their mistakes!
Not that they disagreed with what Mirynn had said, they'd just hoped it could have been phrased a little more... gently?
Contrary to their imaginations the tribune simply nodded. "Trainee Mirryn, you may dismiss your squad to recuperate and then remain here, I'd like a word".
Somewhat dazed Mirryn turned to the other members and dismissed them. The squad shared relieved smiles as they made their way to the tents reserved for resting. There wasn't much recreation of comfort afforded to a Legionary in the Dungeon but at the very least a hot meal, a cold wash and a good sleep were assured.
Watching the others clap each other on the back as they walked away Mirryn couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive towards her officer. Tribune Aurillia had the reputation of a demon in normal times, in the Dungeon she had proven to be five times as strict.
The older woman didn't speak immediately, gesturing for the younger trainee to walk beside her as she turned and wandered deeper into the camp. As they walked they passed the workshop area of the camp. Here, diligent Legion craftsmen and women worked to process raw materials harvested from monsters. There was little priority given to collecting resources on this expedition, killing the monsters was far more important than harvesting but if a Legionary brought down prey close to the camp then it would be wasteful to let the Dungeon reclaim it all.
Hides were boiled and treated, bones shaved, powdered or heated depending on their properties. The Deep Legion seldom sold anything they collected in the Dungeon, preferring to give their own craftspeople the opportunity to create weapons and armour in-house. Any excess would be stockpiled or transported to a Legion branch in another city, sometimes another country.
The Tribune exchanged a few greeting with the hard working auxiliaries. These men and women would never be full Legionaries but they were deeply valued nonetheless.
As they continued to walk Aurillia eventually began to speak. "Your squad won't be going back out to scout tomorrow" she raised her hand to cut off Mirryn when she saw the other was about to speak, "no, not because of any failure on your part. The commander and I have determined that it is becoming too dangerous in the expanse to send out small squads anymore. You'll be concentrating on clearing monsters closer to the camp".
The younger woman frowned, "with respect, Tribune, we don't need to be coddled".
Aurillia barked out a laugh and turned to the trainee. "Do you feel as though you are being coddled down here?"
Whatever was the opposite of coddling was Mirryn's opinion of what they had experienced.
"No" she said.
The Tribune nodded. "Things aren't normal. We've had a report from the headquarters that conditions deeper in the Dungeon are even worse than what we are experiencing here. We've ordered every available Legionary from the Liria to report here to support the wave defence".
Mirryn was confused. "Tribune, how would the headquarters on the surface know more about conditions in the Dungeon than we would? We are in the Dungeon".
Aurillia eyed the younger woman for a brief moment, long years of experience, pain, loss and triumph moved behind those eyes.
"Do you really think that the Deep Legion has its headquarters on the surface?"
Mirryn could hardly process what that meant. The Liria headquarters was inside the Dungeon somewhere?
"Why would you tell me this now?" she eventually asked.
"It is time for you trainees to learn a few more things. After all, at the conclusion of this expedition you will either be a full Legionary, partial to all of our secrets, or you will be dead".
-x-X-x-
To hunt under these conditions one needs to be cunning. After all, what was it that allowed humanity to rise above their competitors to be the dominant species of Earth? It was their minds! Their ingenuity!
Combined with a tendency to avoid considering the consequences of any particular course of action, this trait, more than any other, propelled humanity to great heights!
So when I am faced with this environment, in which an ant must truly struggle to hunt, to provide for his family with the necessary sustenance to survive, what could I possibly do? Regular hunting is impossible! It seems that more and more monsters are appearing at any given moment, successfully battling a monster one versus one and then being able to consume or transport the Biomass without attracting attention would be rather difficult.
So then.
Time to use the 'ol noodle to solve this problem. Draw on a little bit of that divine spark of intelligence that my previous life has gifted me.
What I have I come up with?
Pitfall traps!
I shall utilise traps, thus combining my two identities in one, the cleverness of a human and the capacity to dig a hole of an ant!
...
I know all right. Sure it's not that clever but it is the best I could come up with.
At a reasonable distance away from the nest, a few hundred metres, I've begun construction of a large pitfall trap. The construction has been more difficult than I initially expected. Whilst there is plenty of dirt, as I dig further down I inevitably find bits of rock. Fortunately the mana infused mandibles prove up to the task and I'm able to break it up after expending a fair bit of effort.
The excavation skill has once again proven its worth and I've already gained a level in it due to my efforts. It's interesting to notice how the excavation skill actually functions. Rather than creating a magical shovel of light that emerges from my face to help me dig (which would be awesome!), instead I almost feel as if my instincts are being guided by a knowledgeable digging master.
When I was trying to find a location to for my pitfall traps certain areas were more appealing to me as suitable to dig and others I felt should be avoided. I honestly don't know how I knew that, I just did. When I'm digging as only an ant can, using the mandibles on my face not only as a shovel but also as a barrow, my instincts whisper to me, don't dig that spot yet, the soil will crumble, tilt your head to this angle, the result will be better.
The overall effect is that mistakes are minimised and efficiency is increased, resulting in a larger area dug in less time. I can only imagine that if the excavation skill becomes maxed out then I'll become some sort of digging god, never making an error and working so fast that vast underground tunnels will be carved out in a single day!
As it stands it takes several hours of hard work before I've been able to dig a large and deep pitfall that I think will be sufficient to hold most monsters, about two metres in diameter and five metres deep, I've been an industrious little ant!
At the bottom of the pitfall I've dug a small tunnel that runs several meters parallel the forest floor. My intention is that within this small offshoot tunnel I'll have a private space to hide and consume prey.
Several times during the construction I was forced to abandon the site and hide in a tree when I detected monsters coming. Given the crazed attitude of all the creatures in the forest lately I knew that would battle do the death the moment they laid eyes on me (I'm so irresistible!) and the resulting kerfuffle would draw in more monsters and my entire trap plan would go to waste!
The hunter must display patience for best results.
Tiny spent the entire time up in the tree. I didn't really trust him to dig and I certainly didn't trust him not to fight when anything showed up. Honestly, he slept most of the time which probably worked out for the best.
After covering the pitfall with a light layer of vegetation as a disguise there is nothing to do but await the juicy prey that will fall directly into my greedy mandibles.
Muahaha!
However, after a while I still haven't caught anything. Plenty of monsters are moving through this area but they've been lucky enough not to step on my trap! Damn monsters, why is all of this good fortune being wasted on you?
I wrack my brains. What could I do to increase the efficacy of the trap?
Bait! I could bait the trap which would help draw the monsters directly to the pitfall. What I could I use as bait?
Tiny coughs abruptly in his sleep, sharply interrupting his gentle snoring and drawing my sharp gaze to his resting form.
Bait... eh?
I won't! Too much could go wrong if were to use Tiny as bait. I refuse to let him die until he's paid me back in full for the core I lost on him!
Although it would be nice to dangle this sleeping loafer from a branch...
I can only be patient and wait for a monster to fall into the trap. Once I have one catch I can save some of the Biomass to use as bait.
This idle time cannot be waisted however! The spirit of the worker pulses within me, demanding that my time be used productively! For the colony!
I range a little distance away from my trap and survey the terrain for a space that will suit my needs. Eventually I find a an appealing patch of earth thirty metres away from my pitfall. If one trap should prove insufficient, then more must be constructed! Don't underestimate the enthusiasm for digging that runs through my ant body!
Much like the first time I dug the trap, a huge part of the effort is spreading the dirt around in a way that looks reasonably natural Creating an enormous mound of dirt directly next to your hole in the ground is not necessarily the greatest way to lure prey, I decided. One's pitfall trap does not require advertising.
After thirty minutes of digging I'm startled out of my reverie by a crashing sound followed by an indignant screech!
What!
I'm so shocked I was frozen there for a moment. I swear when I get to digging it's almost as if I fall into a trance. For some reason it just feels so nice to dig as an ant. As if I'm fulfilling my life calling. Truly, my reason for being as a worker is to dig!
Scuttling over to my original pitfall I can immediately detect that some unfortunate monster has fallen prey to my rather crude and ungraceful trap.
Collecting itself from the wreckage at the bottom of the pit is a rather furious looking blade tailed mouse.
POW!
You'll be even more irritated after becoming acquainted with my restrictive acid!
After blasting the mouse with a solid dose I climb down into the trap and finish it quickly.
[You have gained experience]
Excellent.
The pitfall trap has borne fruit!
Not much fruit to be sure, a small, limp sort of fruit, perhaps a grape.
But fruit nonetheless!
After some consideration I decide not to consume this mouse. When I see Tiny going for it I have to slap him on the head before he can get his hunger under control.
If we can be patient now then by giving up this little bit of Biomass we will reap greater rewards later.
I pick up the body and carry it out of the hole before resetting the brush over the trap. Once this is done I ever so carefully place the remains of the mouse in the center of the brush, stepping as lightly as a dancer so as not to fall into my own trap.
The fact I was able to catch anything at all is something of a relief. I was seriously concerned that all of this digging would achieve nothing except to help on the path of ant zen.
Hopefully now with a proper lure in place the trap will be able to perform better and bring something a little more tangible for Tiny and I to feast on.
With the original pitfall once again running at full capacity I put Tiny back into his tree and move over to the second construction site, at all times using my heat sensitivity and eyesight to ensure I avoid having any monsters come across me as I work.
Once again to perform my true calling and dig!
-x-X-x-
The second trap is almost halfway done when I hear another crashing thud, followed by a furious roar.
Once again a visitor has decided to grace my humble hotel! Welcome dear guest! Manuel, take their bags! Gweheheh.
Chortling to myself I crawl out of my second pitfall and rush to the first. Tiny is standing up in his tree abode, excitedly staring down at the hapless monster caught in the pit. The little ape is practically drooling, he's become so hungry.
I get that you're hungry little guy but really?! Try to maintain a little dignity.
As much as I try to ignore it my stomach is also growling. After all of this work digging I've worked up quite the appetite.
Approaching the side of my trap I peer down to see exactly what monster I've managed to reel in this time.
Greeting me from the bottom of the pit is a particularly furious looking giant centipede. The centipede very quickly begins to right itself after falling into the pit, a mess of sticks and foliage tangling in its legs.
This guy again huh.
Where once upon a time I felt hugely threatened by the massive centipedes, I just can't muster the same kind of fear for them anymore. They might be much larger than the original claw centipedes but they remain fairly stupid with limited ways to attack. In fact, due to its increased size and reduced mobility, the most threatening weapon of the claw centipede, its poison spike, is rendered almost completely useless against me.
POW!
I dispense justice in the form of acid from my business zone down onto my prey before leaping directly into the pit to do battle.
There were several reasons why I thought pitfalls would be a safer way to hunt in the current forest, one of which was the ability to isolate the battle somewhere the sound and scent of the battle would be somewhat muted. Combined with the natural advantage of battling against a monster after it has fallen and become entangled this method seemed promising to my mind.
So far it has proven to be effective. I'll be very interested to see if I can finish this battle quickly enough without drawing any further monsters from the surrounds.
Just as the centipede is able to right itself my acid rains down, once again entangling legs that had only moments ago become free. Hissing furiously the centipede writhes and twists in knots as the pain and discomfort mounts. At this time I land directly onto the carapace of my prey, gripping tightly with my claws, pushing my grip skill to the limit.
Take this you lively bugger!
Piercing Chomp!
CRUNCH!
My mandibles pierce into the carapace like a hot knife into a refrigerated spread of some kind, savaging the internals of the centipede.
The monster shrieks in agony and attempts to use its body to slam me into the wall of the pitfall.
Slam!
Ouch! Damn centipede, receive my bite of truth!
CRUNCH!
My diamond carapace absorbed almost all of the impact so I received very little actual damage from that desperate manoeuvre, what I am concerned about is the noise attracting more monsters to the scene! So I quickly retaliate with another bite.
This time, having already punctured the enemies defences I utilise the Crushing Bite to inflict maximum damage, my mandibles ripping deep into muscle and organs of the centipede.
After this bite the centipede has lost most of its fight, unable to properly move the latter half of its body there is little it can do to avoid fatal damage.
[You have slain level 6 Adult Claw Centipede]
[You have gained experience]
Nice!
Quick as a flash I move to secure the Biomass, dragging it into my prepared side tunnel and out of sight. Then I crawl out of the pitfall to reset the majority of my screen, covering the hole in the ground except for one small section. I'm hoping that this will prevent the smell from escaping too much and also make my hiding place a little harder to find. Claws crossed it works out.
Having taken these measures I retreat back into the trap, bringing Tiny down with me so we can finally sate our hunger. Down in the dark tunnel the offshoots the pitfall we greedily chow down on the centipede, Tiny in particular showing his vastly increased appetite after going hungry for too long.
Yes. Eat my young ape, eat and grow strong. You'll pay me back in labour eventually, I'll work you like a slave! An adorable chimp slave!
After completing our meal I've gained two Biomass, which brings my current total to four. Just one more and I'll be able to upgrade yet another body part to +5. I'm quite excited to see what sort of upgrades I'll be able to choose from for the regeneration gland!
I think of Tiny at this moment. This little guy must have eaten something like fifteen, maybe even twenty points of Biomass since I reconstructed him. Where has all of those points gone?
The little ape notices me staring at him and stops wiping his bat face with the back of his arm, staring back at me curiously.
I can't detect any change to his fur or hands, his eyes look the same, no noticeable difference in his arms or legs. Has the Biomass been spent or is it all being saved up? Maybe he can't spend it until he matures to a certain point? He certainly couldn't be called anything like fully grown at this stage.
Well, not much I can do about it at this point. I'll just have to keep feeding him and see what happens.
We were undisturbed during our meal, something for which I am extremely grateful. I wasn't able to recover the mouse bait, I think the centipede dove on it and ripped it to shreds as it fell. So I finish resetting the first trap after making sure Tiny was securely positioned in his tree, it will probably take longer to get another sucker to slip into my pitfall so I'll get back to work on the second one.
Could we have saved some of the centipede to use as bait? Yes, yes we could. Did we do that? No.
We were pretty hungry though...
A few hours later I've managed to finish off the second trap despite a few interruptions. I had a gang of unevolved centipedes go through the area, a croca-beast and the elusive dog snake, which I'd only seen dead before. Sadly none of these monsters fell into my clutches so I simply hid myself away as they passed through, emerging once they'd passed me by and continuing my work happily.
I've also managed to achieve yet another level in excavation! It feels pleasant to gain levels without having to risk my own life for a change.
Once the second pitfall was completed, I didn't immediately cover it but instead added another off shooting tunnel. While I was at it, I decided to join the two tunnels together, I mean why not? This necessitated a lot more digging and effort, particularly when I ran into a rather stubborn block of stone which required me to use my infused mandibles to cut through.
Eventually however the two traps were joined at the bottom of the pitfalls by a somewhat winding tunnel roughly thirty metres long.
Holy heck that took ages!
Now I'm bloody starving again!
CRASH!
ROAR!
What the dickens?! Another customer?
I rush down my narrow tunnel to the original trap and I see a furious Croca-Beast thrashing and twisting its way out of the vines and branches I used to secure the cover over the pitfall. Success! Another visitor to the pitfall hotel, you can check in Mr Crocodile, but you can never leave!
Exploding out of the tunnel I utilise all of my speed to harness the element of surprise. A huge part of my trap strategy is to finish every battle as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary noise!
Thankfully the monster hasn't had any time to survey its surroundings and hasn't even noticed the small tunnel dug into the base of the pit. The last thing this Croca-Beast expected to see was a worker ant rushing at it, mandibles shining with infused mana ready to bite!
Crushing Bite!
SNAP!
Closing my mandibles with ferocious force the mighty croc wails in distress as its leg is directly shorn through! Your scales may as well be Paper Mache in the face of the mana infused mandibles!
With one leg directly severed the Croca-Beast falls to the ground once again, the narrow confines of the pit making it extremely difficult for the monster to orient itself. For me however, this terrain is perfect. After my initial strike I sprint past the Croc and straight up the wall of the pit, trying to gain the high ground.
It's over now Croc!
I fire down a blast of acid at the creature, who by this time is surely wondering what it did wrong in a previous life to deserve this kind of treatment. Just an innocent Croc monster out for a walk in the forest and now this, down a leg and covered in acid at the bottom of a pit.
Not to worry monster, these circumstances won't be troubling you for long!
I fire down a second blast of acid, treating the beast to another helping of the restricting property. Unable to stand, covered in acid and completely furious the Croc has no choice but to succumb to my finishing bite!
[You have defeated level three Infant Garralosh]
[You have gained experience]
Standing over the defeated croc I really can't help but think to myself, isn't this working super well?
-x-X-x-
This time I manage to restrain Tiny and myself for long enough to save some bait for both of the traps.
Due to having to feed the stupid ape and reserve some of the food I only take a single Biomass for myself since it's enough for my needs.
With five points of Biomass now I am ready to once again select a mutation advancement! I cannot wait until I can look at my status and see every available body part has been upgraded to +5. What completeness, what symmetry, such a perfect being I shall become!
No I'm not a neat freak... I think.
After resetting my original trap and baiting my second I retreat to the underground tunnel with Tiny in order to select my mutation.
[Would you like to improve Regeneration Gland to +5? This will cost five Biomass]
Oh yeah!
[At this level you may choose a mutation advancement, select from the menu]
Once more the list in my mind unfurls like a banner. A long menu of delectable choices laid before me, ready to peruse. The thing that kills me the most every single time I do this is I can only choose one!
Ok. Calm down and let's have a look.
Ooooo I can upgrade the number of Hp that gets regenerated, upgrade the speed of the regeneration, make it refill faster so I can use it more often, excess regeneration fluid can be converted into Mp, holy moly!
Slower working regeneration fluid for a greater boost over time, rapid response regeneration fluid stored in smaller pockets around my body that automatically heal wounds when they happen....
I could pick any of them and be happy!
Once again I must use my laser-like focus to hone in on exactly what it is that I want my regeneration gland to do! Which is quite a simple thing to do really, I can clearly recall my thoughts when I chose this body part to begin with!
This is my get out of jail free card! I chose it to help me out of a jam when nothing else was working, to help me sustain in the battle after I have received significant damage!
This means I don't need it to heal more Hp over a longer time, I don't need it to heal smaller wounds instantly. I need a big burst of healing in a short time, I need it to overcome a critical hurdle and put me back in the fight quickly.
When the Berserkers attacked the colony I was out of action due to missing legs. The memory of having to scrabble about, unable to use my mighty weapons due to lost limbs is so painful. The regeneration was able to heal back some Hp and kick start the leg growth process but it was ultimately the Queen's healing prowess that put my six legged self back into the insect kingdom.
The upgrade I really want is this one:
Limb Regeneration Gland, rather than increasing the Hp that is restored, this upgrade greatly enhances the regeneration gland's capacity to restore missing or damaged limbs in a timely manner.
This is going to help out a lot!
It isn't as if the regeneration gland won't restore Hp at all but it will be able to restore missing body parts much faster than before.
Come to think of it, I've had legs chopped off, antennae cut off... Since when did I get so used to having parts of body removed and then grown back?
Spending time in this world is really starting to twist my perspective.
Well, it isn't as if I need to keep my human way of thinking, I'm not even a human anymore. It's only natural that a few aspect of my mindset would change. Here in this world for example, I have to directly kill in order to eat, whereas I, like most humans, would never have had to slaughter my own food when I was on Earth.
I'm not sure if this makes me more respectful of life or less...
On the one hand, I have to kill a lot of monsters in order to survive, on the other, at least I'm not lying to myself about the lives that are sacrificed to sustain my own.
Something to think about another time, now it is time to mutate!
Confirm my selection!
Oh right the itch...
...
HUGARKAFLUDGE!!!
When the itch fades I am gasping on the floor of my narrow tunnel whilst Tiny watches with a faint tinge of amusement in those vacant ape eyes.
Yuck it up monkey breath, you'll get your chance to mutate and then just watch as I point and laugh at you when you writhe on the floor!
With my regeneration gland mutated my status has now come to look like this:
Name: Anthony
Level: 8 (core)
Might: 31
Toughness: 22
Cunning: 25
Will: 18
HP: 50/50
MP: 50/50
Skills: Excavation Level 3; Improved Acid Shot Level 5; Grip Level 4; Crushing Bite Level 7; Advanced Stealth Level 4; Piercing Chomp Level 3; Tunnel sense Level 4; Mana Shaping level 2; Forceful Mana Level 2; External Mana Manipulation Level 1; Mana Sensing Level 1; Core Mechanic Level 1; Exo-Skeleton Defence level 1
Mutations: Focused Eyes +5, Infrared Antennae +5, Restrictive Acid +5, Legs +1, Infused Mandibles +5, Diamond Carapace +5, Limb Regeneration Gland +5, Pheromones +2
Species: Mature Ant Worker (Formica)
Skill points: 0
Biomass: 0
Yessss. Only legs and pheromones to go before I have achieved the perfect all-round status of mutations.
In total I'm going to need another twenty six Biomass in order to max out everything.
...
Come on Gandalf, twenty six! It's so many! Mutations are so damn expensive! If we assume that I get another mutation advancement at +10, which may not even be the case, it will take
forty Biomass to take a single body part from +5 to +10. If I don't get the advancement until +15 then it will take ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE BIOMASS for a single mutation advancement!
Ugh.
Hopefully when I get stronger I'll be able to hunt prey that will provide more Biomass, it'll take me a hundred years to upgrade everything if I have to keep feasting on unevolved monsters.
CRASH!
Speaking of which, another customer!
Welcome to the business district!
Turns out a Lion Ogre has tripped into the second pitfall, lured by the faint scent of Biomass that lingered in the air due to my bait. I've been trying to use only the right amount of bait in my traps, not too much to bring in monsters from far away but not too little that it's impossible for the monsters to detect it.
Thankfully the balance seems to be about right.
I treat the Lion Ogre as a pretty serious opponent since they look like they can do some serious damage with their grotesquely over muscled upper bodies. After dosing the creature with a few shots of acid and launching a surprise chomp the monster doesn't get much chance to fight back before falling to my sneaky assault.
[You have slain level 7 Lion Ogre]
[You have gained experience]
[You have reached level nine]
Oh ho! Thank you Gandalf for your blessing! So close to level ten and evolution! Argh I can hardly wait. I'm so excited I'm basically dancing on the spot!
Whoops! Better stow away this food before anything happens.
Cover over the top of the pitfall, drag the prey into the tunnel. The Lion Ogre is so large at the shoulder I actually have to break it up in order to fit it all through. Tiny has woken up once again, ready to eat. I've noticed you always sleep when the work is happening but always wake up when it's time to eat, eh Tiny?
Despite my grumbling I don't begrudge my little ape his meal. Grow up nice and strong Tiny!
In fact, I don't take much Biomass for myself, just two points. The rest I use to rebait my trap and then let Tiny eat the rest until he's about ready to burst. Every time this little chimp eats and then sleeps he wakes up discernibly larger. I want to pack this little guy full of Biomass until it starts running out of his nose and then let him sleep to see if I can accelerate his growth. For some reason I just feel that he needs to be in fighting shape as quickly as possible.
Perhaps I'm just finally get sick of his slacking.
Predictably, after packing the food into his face until he can barely move, Tiny rolls himself away to a comfortable spot in the tunnel and then falls asleep. He didn't quite finish the entire monster himself but he came rather astonishingly close considering the relative sizes! Has he upgraded his stomach to include a pocket dimension or something?
With my own successful level up and mutation, as well as the prospective growth of my little ape friend, I'm certainly very hopeful for the possibilities tomorrow may bring!
-x-X-x-
Exploration of the Dungeon has been the task of all the civilised races who make their homes above the ground ever since the first opening was made known to us.
However a unified approach and the free sharing of information has proven impossible to facilitate. Each kingdom, church, organisation or private army or noble house than has devoted resources into plumbing the depths and secrets beneath our feet has withheld their own slice of information from the common perception. Hoarding slivers of information like family treasures.
There Is much information that has been publicly confirmed, however, enough that all citizens have a reasonable awareness of the world below, the dangers and opportunities that can be found there.
Some the key information regards the various Strata, the levels, defined by both their depth and the concentration of mana found there.
The First Strata is generally accepted to lie from the surface to five kilometres deep. It is frequently referred to as the Strata of Beasts, since most of the monsters found there are exaggerated, terrible hybrids of creatures that have long existed on the surface.
As for the lower Strata, the second and below, information is much harder to corroborate.
From the 'Knowledge of the people, a series of essays' by the Magio Scholar Tarius.
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I manage to pass a fairly profitable day in this manner.
During the quiet moments I manage to construct a third pitfall trap and add it my expanding network, excavating another tunnel to connect it all together and gaining another level of excavate as my reward.
My fairly crude traps have proven surprisingly capable, netting a consistent flow of prey that I have been able to finish off quickly and conceal within my tunnels, feeding the majority of the Biomass to Tiny and taking a little for myself.
Over the last day I managed to take four Biomass for myself, which I've stockpiled for the time being. I could take two upgrades to pheromones immediately but I don't particularly see the need. It isn't as if I'm cooperating with the colony at the moment so the pheromones won't help achieve anything.
I did start to feel a little guilty about leaving the colony to its own devices for this long. After digging out the third trap I decided to start the arduous process of connecting my small network of pitfall traps to the main nest by way of a rather long underground tunnel.
This particular project will take a long time to actually complete, particularly since I have to return to the traps to check on the situation every now and again, as well as making frequent, ever longer trips to transport the dirt and rock I've dug back to the surface.
Trying to discreetly dispose of all of this dirt is proving more and more difficult. I've had to travel ever further away from my pitfalls to find a space to dispose of it and the area around my traps is starting to look a little odd, with small piles of dirt and stone popping up everywhere.
Thankfully whenever monsters stomp through the area they tend to scatter the dirt and pound it into the ground, concealing my work to some extent.
The biggest change over the last day has been Tiny. My loafing ape friend has been living the perfect life of luxury, waking up in time to feast and then sleeping immediately. Every time he wakes up he's grown a little larger and after repeating this process four times across the day he's shown significant growth, basically equaling me in size.
Your springtime of youth is finally here Tiny! Entering the growth phase is an important time for any monster. Perhaps Tiny is now in his teenage size, all he wants to do is sleep and eat. I'm half expecting to find him in the tunnel scratching crude graffiti on the walls and listening to punk music.
Joke aside, the little guy is no longer that little. If I can continue to feed him up at this pace he'll be able to display some strength in combat fairly soon. I can already see his arms starting to thicken up!
After killing a few more monsters I've gained the experience but I haven't managed to get that crucial level ten. Every time I finish off a monster now I await the pronouncement of Gandalf with all of my soul but he hasn't given me those sweet, sweet words.
I know patience is required but it's so hard when the goal is so damned close!
I should just dig some more, let the feeling of ant-zen wash over me and take away my worldly desires.
I return to digging out my tunnel, eager to connect my small network of traps to the colony. Gradually I lose my sense of time as I work, it's just so satisfying.
There is no need, no desires, or wants. There is only the soil and rock in my mandibles.
CRASH!
PREY! GETTEM!
Dropping the hunk of rock I'd been carrying I sprint towards my traps. So eager am I that I reach my next victim in merely moments.
Furiously scrabbling at the walls of the pit and tearing apart the branches that have fallen around it is a rather large, agitated rabbit.
Rather than the smaller rabbit I came into contact with during the brawl next to the ant hill this one is larger and more brutish, it's fur is thinner and patchy, almost as if the creature were sick. The thickly muscled limbs testify to the brute power of the creature which only makes it look even more silly with the small bunny ears emerging proudly from the top of its head.
As it thrashes I manage to get a decent look at the face of my prey, a more beastly and hideous face I haven't seen yet. A fetid, diseased pallor, fluid leaking from each eye and missing teeth are the first impression I get and further glimpses don't improve my opinion at all.
This rabbit, looks absolutely disgusting. The stench of death seems to ooze from every pore of the monster's body, filling the air and washing into the tunnel. I almost feel as if my whole body is pain just by looking at the beast.
Wait a second...
Quickly checking my Hp I quickly learn that I AM in pain! I'm losing health just by being near this damn thing!
How is it damaging me just by being nearby? I've never seen anything like this Gandalf!
The longer I delay I more health I'm going to lose, stop slacking about Anthony, get in there!
POW! POW!
Reaching the opening of the tunnel into the pit I present the back-zone to my prey, eyeball it over my shoulder and unleash two blasts of the restrictive acid, catching the monster across the chest and one front paw.
I don't want to take to many chances with this beastie so I give it two shots of the acid straight away to try and restrict its movements. Looking at the monster I'm concerned I may get poisoned or diseased if I were to be bitten or scratched during the fight, best to slow it down first before I tussle in close quarters with it.
I'd happily wait and give it a few more bursts before fighting but my Hp is dropping every second and I can't wait for too long. This thing needs to be finished as fast as possible.
As the beastly rabbit roars and groans, it's patchy fur proving little protection from the burning liquid that covers it, and then I hear a surprising sound behind me.
Before I can dash forward and apply the righteous fury of mandibles to this rotting rabbit, from behind me, screeching in fury comes Tiny. His bat face is twisted in rage as he hurtles forward using his knuckles and hind legs to propel him forward.
I can't even react before my ape friend has thrown himself on the much larger rabbit, punching and biting in a frenzy.
What the hell! All of a sudden you want to fight?! Why now you slacking ape?!
Hurriedly I charge forward after him, not wanting to see any harm to come to my friend/investment after all of this time.
The rabbit reacts aggressively to Tiny's assault, yowling in a high piercing wail that seems to drill straight into my ears and attack my mind itself. Not enough though! Shaking of the distraction I charge up my infused mandibles immediately.
You're not going to last long you damned rabbit! You and your death aura are not long for this world!
I use my crushing bite at the same time, maximising my damage and ripping straight into the nearest limb, the front leg on the rabbit's left side.
As my mandibles crunch home I can tell something feels off about the response I feel. The flesh of the creature feels thin and weak, ghastly juices and blood pour out of the limb, all over my face.
Oh. My. Gandalf.
What the heck is this disgusting stuff!? Ugh kalla frazzle! It's in my eye!
As soon as the liquid hits me I can feel a burning pain start resonating through my head instantly. Is this acid!? Has this stupid monster got acid blood or something?!
My Hp is dropping even faster now! If this stuff eats through my carapace and inside my head I'll be done for! Activate the regeneration immediately!