Chrysalis Chapter 1725 - Floating Along the Tunnels

Previously on Chrysalis...

Anthony prepares to leave for the surface to settle the conflict with those threatening the Colony, though his ultimate focus remains on the looming threat of the slug tribes below. His departure is complicated by Commander Chyron and her Legion officers, who insist on accompanying him to observe his actions during the global crisis. Additionally, Anthony's personal protection detail has finally returned after their long recovery from the toxin of Theorazzn. Having reached the seventh tier, the guards remain hidden, cryptically hinting at the strange and specialized new forms they have evolved to better fulfill their purpose.

I'm venturing back into the tunnels yet again. Purely for enjoyment, I'm activating my submarine maneuver, despite it being far from essential. There's a certain thrill in drifting smoothly forward, legs folded neatly beneath my shell. I nearly hear the echoing pings of sonar emanating from my antennae and rebounding against the tunnel surfaces.

Does it please me that so many creatures fail to detect my approach, only to whirl around and bolt upon spotting me?

Possibly. Would I even know for sure?

On this occasion, though, I'm not departing the colony solo. Accompanying me are two full ant legions plus their non-ant allies, featuring scores of priests. I ensure a healthy lead over those priests....

Even more crucially, Tiny and Invidia join the expedition alongside Crinis.

My plan is to hit the fifth level—or probably the sixth—where I can begin grinding levels rapidly for all three, pushing them toward tier eight. The thought of their complete mythic upgrades fills me with awe at their potential might.

I might just pioneer as the initial being—human or monster—with three tier-eight mythic companions, an appealing prospect. Such power will prove vital for our success in the depths ahead. I anticipate the fifth stratum posing greater threats than during my prior visit, yet I'm eagerly anticipating the mysteries beyond. A concealed realm scarcely glimpsed by Pangera's inhabitants. True triumph against the slugs means shattering the barrier they've upheld for ages.

After that breakthrough, everything on the world shifts irrevocably.

[So….] Tiny communicates to me. [... not… smash?]

[Go ahead and strike them,] I reply, exasperated, [but attempt to avoid actually killing anyone.]

[So…] he muses, thoughts lingering, [not hit… hard?]

I sense his disbelief at the notion. Delivering blows without his maximum force likely strikes him as outright insulting.

How can I convey this to him in terms he'll grasp? I'll undoubtedly require his aid in the upcoming clash, yet I can't risk him wiping out hordes and then hope for any peaceful outcome. Central to my approach is vexing and baffling our foes, aggravating and bewildering them, without provoking them to rage beyond reason over the steep toll of prolonging the fight against us.

If we inflict excessive harm or stir up too much chaos, Green Mountain's residents could opt for revenge no matter the price, dragging us into an endless conflict that weakens both sides terribly.

That's precisely not what I desire!

What I seek is for Green Mountain to yank back its reach, akin to a kid singed by nearing flames too closely.

[Listen, just… view it like sparring, okay?]

[... Sparring?]

[It's… instructional. You'll demonstrate your unique ape-boxing style to them. So strikes are fine, but solely to illustrate… your prowess in delivering them. If you flatten them completely, they can't retain the lesson you're imparting, correct?]

Tiny ponders this briefly.

[Ape-boxing… good,] he concludes at last, giving a self-affirming nod.

[Precisely! You want them to truly value its excellence, don't you?]

He mulls it over further… then nods once more.

[Right.]

[Thus, for this single time, I require you to hold back a bit, pull your punches some. Simply… knock them out, fine?]

Leaping alongside me, the massive ape seems not fully convinced, yet he's gradually embracing the concept.

[And me, Master?] Crinis inquires, likely seeking notice, I suspect.

[You?! You must conduct yourself properly. Can you even engage in combat without unleashing unimaginable terrors on your adversaries?]

[Perhaps… I could unleash merely a touch of… unspeakable horrors?]

[No!]

Heaven forbid. Crinis would instill sheer dread, but a field of mangled remains isn't something they'd easily overlook. The propaganda the Church of the Path could spin from that… it's beyond comprehension.

[What of your Curse Magic?] I suggest to her. [You've practiced it extensively, haven't you?]

[Indeed,] Crinis responds cheerfully. [May I employ it?]

[Of course. Definitely. Opt for that over your usual methods. It'll prove far superior.]

Crinis quiets down, content with my words, and relief washes over me. Merely considering her tentacles wreaking havoc on folks… it's too grim to dwell on. I struggle to observe when she targets monsters. No… employing Curse Magic will suit much better.

Or so I believe.

Upon reflection, I'm uncertain about Curse Magic's true extent. I dismiss the concern. No need to fret; nothing could surpass the atrocities of her standard tactics.