Chrysalis Chapter 1717 - Word is Out

Information has apparently spread from Green Mountain regarding our policy of taking delvers alive whenever possible. Consequently, this group was more than willing to surrender after experiencing the devastating power of the singularity firsthand. With their traps exposed and their supplies obliterated, they lacked the resolve to continue the skirmish, resulting in the somewhat embarrassing display I just witnessed.

It is fine, I suppose, though it’s not as if I wasn't looking forward to the excitement of a grand battle. Good grief.

My main source of annoyance is that I have to linger here while this crowd of mediocre delvers is rounded up and escorted back to the Colony.

That is the sole reason I deployed my Gravity Domain on them. I am certain of it. There was definitely no sinister laughter coming from my dark side as I watched those overeager cowards squirming in the dirt where they belonged.

Once the last of them was hauled away and out of my sight, I could finally resume my journey. Fortunately, the nameless managed to slip into the forward tunnels to hunt down the remaining delvers while I was stuck sitting on my carapace acting as a glorified babysitter.

A part of me wishes I could return to the nest to oversee the situation. Housing hundreds of elite, high-Levelled delvers cannot be easy for the family, especially with our current shortage of antpower. I left Tiny and Invidia behind for a reason; hopefully, that pair provides enough raw strength to keep the prisoners disciplined.

I venture deeper through the tunnels, no longer bothering to float or mask my presence. Subtlety is pointless now that every surviving delver is sprinting back toward the mountain. Now that the news of me capturing people by the dozen has spread, the delusion that I might be easy to kill is fading. The greed that blinded them when they heard about my bounty seems to have cooled off.

I had hoped more would be brave enough to challenge me, and perhaps they will once they’ve had a chance to regroup. At the moment, however, too many have vanished, and I suspect the leaders on Green Mountain are starting to panic.

As more delvers disappear, the costs keep climbing. I know Merchant is putting immense pressure on the mountain’s representatives; I’m certain their nerves are beginning to fray.

Bankruptcy is coming for them. Gweheheheheh.

Accelerating through the tunnels, I push my massive frame to its limits, trying to close the gap between myself and the retreating delvers. I am nearing the edge of the Colony’s claimed territory and approaching the lands of Green Mountain. Does this mean I plan to slow down or halt my advance?

Absolutely not! We’re going even faster!

I’ve discovered something interesting while running at this scale: it is often far easier to go through an obstacle than to navigate around it. As I sprint, I pulverize boulders and shatter stalagmites and stalactites, frequently tucking my legs so my body can simply plow through the terrain instead of climbing it.

It doesn’t feel like a very traditional ant-like method of travel, but it is significantly less taxing than constantly adjusting my trajectory. I refuse to yield to the environment anymore! The terrain will yield to me! After all, I must weigh hundreds of tons. I have to look out for my poor joints!

I continue my sprint, straining my muscles to see exactly how much velocity this body can generate. It turns out I can move quite fast. As I devour the kilometers, I begin to detect disturbances further ahead.

If I can sense them, they can certainly sense me. They increase their pace, desperately trying to maintain their lead. Oho! They are still out of sight, but I’m tempted to attempt another empowered Dash. However, being this far from the Colony, I’d rather not risk blowing my legs apart again. Besides, I’m not even sure if my next set of vestigial legs has finished growing yet.

So I simply keep running, pushing myself harder until my legs scream and my joints throb with pain.

It isn't quite enough to overtake them since they are utilizing Skills, but I am staying close. I only need to wait for their stamina to fail, and then they will be mine.

Or… I could give myself a little boost….

Working rapidly, I construct a gravity well and manifest it ahead of my path, venting all of its stored energy in a single, violent explosion.

The ground drops away as I am launched forward and upward with momentum that would be eye-watering—if my eyes hadn't been replaced by literal gemstones.

I must admit, soaring through the air at my size is a surreal experience. Not to mention, it is incredibly fast. I can feel myself rapidly gaining on my targets, though a sudden realization hits me.

How on earth am I supposed to land?

As it happens, the answer is "heavily."

CRASH!

I slam into the floor with massive force, not even attempting to use my legs to break the fall, as I know they would simply shatter. Instead, I let my carapace grate against the stone, sliding forward as the armor absorbs the incredible impact energy.

Fortunately, the slide brings me right into range of the delver party that was so desperately trying to flee.

Gravity Domain!

A violet sphere of super-dense energy erupts outward, sweeping over the delvers and pinning them instantly to the ground. Another successful harvest.