Chrysalis Chapter 1744 - Escaping Responsibility Is… Kind of My Thing

Indeed. Nothing noteworthy is occurring in this place, with no profound insights or hidden enigmas revealing themselves at all. Faith, Belief— I doubt they're significant, so there's no point in delving deeper.

Thus, I send Beyn away and hurry into a nearby chamber to examine my Skills, something I'm eager to tackle. When have I ever shied away from tracking my Skill levels and pushing every maxed-out one to a higher rank?

After all, Granin has urged me to handle this for quite some time, and I'd hate to disappoint him.

Tiny, Crinis, and Invidia follow me inside, but Victor slips in too before we can close the door. Finding spaces big enough for me has grown tricky these days, though I suspect the Colony has been expanding things since my evolution. In truth, I know they've been at it, mostly by breaking down walls and merging smaller areas into larger ones.

[Be sure to review your Skills too,] I instruct my three companions. [If I'm doing this, then you all need to join in.]

Crinis waves a tentacle toward me hesitantly.

[Master. We inspect our Skills often. That's what Mr. Granin and the triad instructed us to do...]

Dangit.

[Still, go ahead and check them. It'll ease my mind, and I'd truly value it.]

Tiny and Invidia exchange a brief look, then both shrug and comply. Crinis extends a tentacle to gently tap my carapace, providing a bit of reassurance, before she accesses her own status.

"Alright then, Victor. What do you require? Feel free to claim all my time. Every bit of it. Not that I require diversion or anything like that. I'm simply very curious about your words."

Antennae twitching slightly with uncertainty, Victor regards me.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I... was merely wondering if you'd proceed directly to the fifth stratum. With the Green Mountain issue settled, you're free to depart whenever."

Though I'd love to dash down to the fifth and begin pursuing slugs, one matter demands my attention prior to leaving.

"Didn't we seize a Grand Priest? Could you have Beyn... or another suitable person, interrogate him? We need to uncover their identity and the knowledge they possess."

"I'll arrange that, Eldest. Do you plan to question him personally?"

"Well... I'll likely do so eventually, but have Beyn handle the initial talk. Then have him brief you, and you can update me afterward."

The general pauses briefly, puzzled.

"Why not just converse with him yourself, Eldest?"

"No particular cause! None whatsoever! Now, I must focus on these Skills. They can't be left hanging, haha!"

"O-kaaaaay. Fine, I'll inform him."

"Excellent."

The general lingers for a second, partially turning, yet still observing me intently.

"Are you certain you're alright, Eldest?"

"Couldn't be better. Brimming with belief... in my own abilities! Overflowing with assurance at the moment. Just... incredibly assured. If I grew any more assured, I'd be handling investments."

"Oh, are you aware of Merchant's latest venture?"

"What? Uh, yes! But I'm too occupied for it now. Skills, you understand."

"Very well. I'll let you proceed."

A wave of near-tangible relief washes over me as she departs at last, allowing me to immerse completely in my selected diversion. Without delay, I summon the menu and begin a thorough review of every Skill, channeling the utmost concentration from all four of my brains.

A substantial amount, to be sure.

At once, it's clear I've been... rather lax with my status screen. Evidently, the triad accessed it during my evolution and made adjustments, which I failed to verify, missing the changes entirely. I've been gaining advantages from these enhanced Skills without even knowing they existed!

Far from ideal, in Granin's terms. By examining the details and actively employing them, their potency will surge dramatically. Time to discover their handiwork...

Master Grip has advanced to Grandmaster Grip (V). Stealth has surprisingly risen a rank too, uncertain of its future utility, but still, welcome addition. Diamond Mind has progressed to Unbroken Mind (VI), marking a significant achievement.

For a Skill that bolsters my willpower and resistance to external influences, this enhancement proves vital. Particularly as I prepare to re-enter the fifth.

Keen Eye and my newer fused Skill, Manifold-Thinker Focus, have attained ranks five and six, respectively, honing my perception and enhancing my capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Condensed Mana has reached rank six, matched by External Mana Manipulation and Mana Sensing. Impressive gains. My Omni-Elemental Affinity nears rank seven! I'm intensely eager to witness the milestone effects, though I require twenty more levels.

Force magic has improved, as has barrier magic, both arriving at rank five. Endure has climbed to six, Mandible Parry to four, and Precog-Enhanced Evasion to five.

Wowee, that's quite the array of Skills. Perhaps it's not so terrible after all.

Armed with these Skill advancements, I'm set to dominate the fifth stratum. Bring them on!