“You won’t be ready to move out for a few hours, will you, senior?” Sloan asks.
“That’s right. Crinis needs to evolve, and we all need some rest. We’ve been pretty flat out for the last few days, and I suspect it’s going to be hectic for a week or so after this.”
“Right,” Sloan agrees. “I propose we send out a large-scale hunting party immediately. We could stockpile enough Biomass that egg production doesn’t noticeably suffer over the next few days. The worker and artisan castes can devote their attention to the brood and constructing the initial defences whilst the soldier caste hunts. Once the eldest has rested sufficiently, they can join the digging teams on the frontlines and begin to harass the enemy.”
The rest of the council nods in agreement. This does seem like a reasonable proposal.
“I’ll need a favour, though…” I speak reluctantly. “Can someone get a hold of Vibrant and tell her I need some Biomass hunted for my own personal consumption? I want to finish my mutations before I evolve, and I need a ton of Biomass to do it.”
Taking resources from the colony at a time like this feels bad, but deep down, I know it’s necessary. In my mind, the hulking figure of Garralosh, her incredible mass and the overwhelming aura she emitted, are weighing on me. Even after evolving, there’s little chance I’ll have any hope of matching up against her. I need to make sure I do everything possible to increase my strength before she arrives.
Advant tips her antennae. “I’ll be able to take care of that. Vibrant has been hunting in the Dungeon actively with her squad. It’s thanks to her efforts the egg production rate has increased as quickly as it has. I’m sure she’ll be able to provide the Biomass you need in no time.”
“That’s great,” I say, relieved of a burden. I really didn’t want to have to go hunting for that Biomass. I simply don’t have the time. “I think we have the first stage of our plan in place. I’ll leave the details to you to work out. Can some soldiers stay down here so we can rest without being attacked? We can’t waste time sleeping in shifts.”
The soldiers nod and the council gives me a friendly wave as they disperse to their undoubted mountain of tasks that need to be organised. They’re better at taking care of that kind of stuff than me. I have my own responsibilities to look to.
[Ready to evolve, Crinis?]
[Yes, Master!]
77. Crinis Evolves
With the main bulk of the planning done, it’s time to get my group rested and ready to head back out into the fray. Not long after the council breaks up, Tiny stumbles into our chamber, only to flop onto the floor and return to sleep, absorbing the Mana of the Dungeon to restore his exhausted core.
Speaking of cores, it’s time to help Crinis evolve! Only her second evolution since she’s been reforged as my loyal pet, and unlike the last evolution, this one will be less of my design. I hadn’t had the Skill to affect her evolutions to such a deep extent at the time, so there’s an opportunity for Crinis to take a more direct hand in her own evolution without my guiding influence.
Naturally, this means the System will weave the general shape of her choices, and there’s a chance some of them will be hot garbage. Fortunately, if that were to happen, Crinis could ask me to dive into her core and sort out some options for her.
[Are you ready for this, Crinis?]
The little ball wiggles indecisively on the floor, small tentacles extending this way and that until eventually her form solidifies.
[I-I think so, Master.]
I pass her a freshly made special core to absorb.
[You’re doing great. Remember, if the evolution options are terrible, let me know and we can work on developing something a little more concrete that suits what you want.]
The little blob-like ball nods somehow and firms up further as Crinis gains confidence.
[I know. I feel it’ll go well,] she declares.
My loyal and ever diligent sphere of endless murder and torment has come a long way in being able to take responsibility for making her own choices. It wasn’t that long ago she’d been paralysed by fear just thinking of spending her Skill Points. Now here she is, preparing to make her own decisions in her evolution.
I’m happy she’s shown such growth. She’s been working hard to improve herself.
[Wait a second. You aren’t trying so hard because you think that’s what I want, are you?] Again, with the still as stone silence… [Oi! Don’t pretend you’re already in the evolution menu!]
[Can’t hear you, Master. Evolving,] Crinis’ voice echoes faintly in my mind.
Such a dirty trick!
At least she’s working on being independent, even if it’s for the wrong reasons. Personal growth! The journey we’re all on as we slaughter monsters together! As I leave Crinis to sort through her menu, my eyes fall onto Tiny.
A little personal growth would be nice for the big guy. He was a battle hungry nut case when I reconstituted his core, and he’s still that same battle hungry nut case. At least he knows what it is that he wants from life, I suppose.
For now, some rest is in order. After everything that’s gone on since my last snooze, I think I’ve earned it.
As I fall into the dark fuzz that is torpor, the ever-nearing threat that is Garralosh, her lizard handler and the horde that accompanies them weighs on my awareness. I have to believe that the family I’ve found in this new world will be able to weather the storm. I’ll do everything in my power to get us all through it…
HAGGAH!
I’m up!
Ahh! Feels so nice to have had a good rest in my own little chamber. It may not have been home for long, but it’s more home than anywhere else on this world.
Tiny is still asleep, and Crinis appears to be deep in her Meditation. I can already see her little spherical body beginning to change in subtle ways. I’ll be interested to see what the final result is!
First things first! Sitting in one corner of the chamber is a pile of Biomass, and when I approach it, I find a pheromone message from the most hyperactive ant of them all.
“Hi-Hi, senior. Long-time no see! Hope things have been well with you. It’s been busy here! This is the second load of food I brought in, since Tiny woke up and ate the first lot. Enjoy! ^_^”
Figures that Tiny would chow down on my food. Thank goodness Vibrant was able to rustle up a second serving. This may not be enough to give me all of the Biomass I need. In fact, I’m sure it won’t. The quality isn’t enough for me to be able to get those kinds of numbers before I fill up my two stomachs.
Without waiting any longer, I begin stuffing my face.
Om. Nom. Nom!
By the time I finish another forty points of Biomass is accredited to my name, I notice Crinis shifting in the corner. I abandon my meal and leap over to her resting position, bringing my antennae forward to poke and prod at her in concern.
[Crinis! You awake? Everything ok?]
The changes to her outer physical form are fairly minimal. She’s grown slightly larger, for starters, from a softball size to a… slightly larger softball. She’s grown ten small, permanent tentacles that curve downward from her body to the floor, lifting it up and allowing her to walk around without having to will any limbs into existence by manipulating her shadow flesh.
I gradually feel her awareness come to me.
[Master?] she queries sleepily. [I’ve done it. Check and see.]
What a cute little pet she is, so dedicated.