Things are looking good! He’s way stronger than he was before he started spending his points properly. Just look at some of these powerful sounding upgrades! Overwhelming Explosive Enhanced Musculature? That sounds destructive!
Actually, just looking at him he seems more built than before. Not in a rippling muscle sort of way but more in a… solid, sheer size sort of way. His shoulders and arms are definitely a size larger than they were before. I’m guessing he had to upgrade his bones just to stop them snapping like twigs when he throws a punch.
Overall, I’m pleased with his choices. I’m especially impressed he followed my advice and took the same upgrade for both Lightning Mana Glands. Naturally, it may have been more optimal to take different upgrades for each to increase versatility, but I figured Tiny would just get confused. Better to find one that works well and use it for both. I think he mainly took that advice, so he didn’t have to think so much.
I like the compressing mutation as a choice as well. Tinkering around, I worked out that it applies a mild compression to the Mana inside the gland, increasing the potency of the Mana but slowing its recovery speed. Since he has the conversion gland already, he doesn’t have to worry about that so much and can enjoy more potent lightning for free.
Ok then!
Vibrant is still sleeping. I’ll head topside to alert people as to our absence, come back and check on post evolution Crinis and then we’ll be off!
98. Farewell, Surface. Hello, Crinis!
[How long will you be gone for?] Enid asked worriedly.
[As long as it takes to remove the threat.]
This is why I don’t like coming up here to the human camp. No sooner did I appear than people started gathering and pointing. Then the priest came at a run, his face flushed with excitement and began exhorting the people to pay their respects to me. In a flash, the humans were raising their hands or kneeling nearby as I nervously waited for Enid to show up.
I’m thankful the crowd maintained a respectful distance. It seems their fear of Dungeon monsters isn’t completely gone.
[Do you have any idea what is actually causing these monsters to attack the surface?] she asked.
[I’m not sure. I have a few suspicions, but I don’t exactly know what we’re up against. The colony, and by extension you humans, are not safe while the Expanse below us continues to send out these monsters. They need to be removed.]
Enid frowns as she ponders my words. Why am I even here? I could have just spoken to the queen and disappeared underground. Nobody here in the camp would have been the wiser. It isn’t as if they see me very often, I’m almost always underground already.
I guess Enid herself has been helpful and respectful. I don’t really have any reason to keep her in the dark. Since this expedition has a direct impact on their own safety, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to tell them.
Just… give me a little space!
[The people here seem remarkably well disposed toward ant monsters. Is that safe?] I’m forced to ask, as a child attempts to sneak closer and touch me, only to be snatched back by an adult.
Enid gives me an odd stare before replying.
[You and your colony have kept these people safe on several occasions. The only reason we have been able to settle here and start making a life for ourselves again is that you and your colony are here, taming the land and protecting us. Of course, we are grateful. With Beyn here, that gratitude is only getting more ingrained.]
Damn priest…
I’ll need to have words with him at some point, but for now, I’m worried he may just take it as some sort of divine visitation. The guy is just odd. I bit his arm off, how did he end up such a fervent supporter?
Enid hesitates before speaking again. [There are a lot of valuable resources that can be extracted from an Expanse. I was a merchant before, and I know the value of many things that can be found in the Dungeon. If you see something that looks special, bring it to me, and I can tell you about it.]
Hmmmm…
[I’ll think about it.]
Other than Biomass and monster cores, what else does the colony require? On the off chance that something useful can be found down there, I might keep this in mind. Still, in my mind, it’s far more likely to be helpful to the humans than it is to us.
After a few more words, I bid Enid goodbye and carefully back myself up to leave. The people reluctantly part to let me through, the priest’s voice raising to an even higher crescendo before I disappear out of sight. Somehow, not being able to hear exactly what he’s saying makes it feel worse.
Safely back in the nest, I feel far more comfortable. My people! It doesn’t take long to explain the situation to Mother. As always, she expresses concern for my safety but encourages me to do what is best for the family.
Naturally!
This ant doesn’t let his family down. No chance.
Farewells handled, Tiny gathers the still slumbering Vibrant, unexpectedly gently, in one massive paw and we drop in on a waking ball of death.
[Crinis, you look wonderful!]
[R-r-r-really, Master?]
[Absolutely. What a wonderful evolution! Such an incredible difference. You positively radiate power and strength. Surely you are my most potent servant.]
Crinis wiggles with glee.
[D-don’t praise me too much,] she says, embarrassed but also delighted.
[Nonsense. I insist you come over here so I can check on your core immediately!]
Buttered up by my words, Crinis shyly makes her way closer.
She looks pretty much completely the same.
The only difference is that she’s been promoted from tennis ball of infinite death and despair, to soft-ball of infinite terror and despair! To put that in other words, she’s slightly larger.
On the outside, nothing else has changed with her. The inside is a different story.
However, after reflecting on my attitude toward Crinis, I reasoned she would be nervous after evolving, so I thought praising her a little might put her at ease.
Practically vibrating with joy, Crinis allows me to place my antennae on her spherical main body and activate the Core Surgery skill.
When I finish piecing together her information, I get this:
Name: Crinis
Leveclass="underline" 1 (core) (II)
Might: 38
Toughness: 35
Cunning: 22
Wilclass="underline" 20
HP: 104/104
MP: 30/30
Skills: Advanced Shadow Flesh Manipulation Level 1 (II); Grappling Level 3 (I); Expert Shredding Level 4 (III); Tremor Sensing Level 3 (I); Dismembering Level 2 (I); Fear Inspiration Level 3 (I); Mana Manipulation Level 1 (I); Tentacle Walking Level 1 (I)
Mutations: Durable Shadow Flesh +5; Disintegrating Void Maw +5; Bottomless Dimensional Stomach +5; Dividing Tentacles +5; Ripping Spines +5; Macabre Teeth +5; Mana Sensory Gland; Shadow Magic Gland; Shadow Flesh Generator
Species: Special Death Ball
Skill Points: 1
Biomass: 6
Yissssss.
Look at the power of my pet!
Solid boost to all stats. Crinis isn’t a straight up hitter, but a support fighter. Tiny can smash through the walls. I want Crinis to be a bit more flexible.
The two new organs, Mana Sensory Gland and Shadow Flesh Generator, should be fantastic additions. She’s so strong for being only tier two! The advantages of her unique species perhaps? Or being a second stratum monster? It’s useful, at any rate.