Chrysalis Chapter 1731 - The Great Commercial Empire of Our Time

Though I'm quite taken with Merchant, she doesn't hold a candle to the massive industrial, financial, and commercial power I've got loaded in my rear section now. It's bold, efficient, boasting a fantastic price-to-earnings ratio and wildly inventive bookkeeping. My dominance in the market is spiraling wildly, nearly a total monopoly, where I let rivals linger just for the sake of keeping things deniable.

What fills my rear isn't trash, but a top-tier weapon that the military-industrial setup could only fantasize about.

I gave it a trial run soon after departing the nest, and the outcomes were... downright startling. The poor cave that bore the brunt of my tests, along with its inhabitants, well, let's hope they're resting in peace, since they're definitely not lingering on Pangera any longer.

Truth be told, I've felt a bit anxious about deploying my acid as the first strike in this fight. Should they lack preparation, my enemies are headed for a truly awful ordeal. Seeking truce after dissolving thousands into trembling blobs of sludge would be a hard pitch to make.

But no restraint this time. With Beyn safely out of the way, I double-check my target once more, then unleash it full force.

POW!

Just one blast is what I release, and frankly, I'm concerned it could be excessive.

The Industrial Complex exceeds far beyond its individual components. Merging the abilities of four distinct body parts into a single unit, while drawing in the might of Theorazzn’s mana, transforms it into a completely different monster from its previous form.

The moment the acid spray erupts, a terrifying hissing echoes through the air, like the liquid is devouring the fabric of existence. No longer mostly transparent, the acid shines with a toxic green hue, each droplet charged with the insatiable mana from an Ancient.

I didn't release a huge amount of acid in that single burst—in truth, I could launch a dozen more immediately if I chose—but I'm hesitant to experiment further. Glancing back at the assembled forces of the army, I desperately wish they'll manage whatever's barreling toward them.

Shields rise high, protective barriers materializing swiftly. Various skills and spells ignite to life, which is reassuring; I'm relieved they're not underestimating the threat. The acid has covered roughly half the gap between us, yet its size has already doubled.

Maybe detecting trouble brewing, the army ramps up their efforts. Dazzling golden wings of pure light explode from the Judgement Battalion at the heart of their lineup. Vast and glowing brilliantly, these wings envelop the troops, wrapping them protectively like a guardian shielding her young.

Wow, that's seriously amazing! Is this some kind of divine spell?

Anyway, the acid's on the verge of impact, having swollen to eight times its original size. I cringe involuntarily as it crashes into the barriers the warriors have erected. Clasping my front legs in a hopeful plea, I murmur inwardly. Hold strong, please.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Numerous traits of Theorazzn’s mana render it incredibly powerful and dreaded. The most perilous is its innate drive to devour alternative energy sources, spawning even more of itself. I've figured out that without the dividing zones keeping strata apart from each other, it probably would have gobbled every bit of mana across the whole planet already.

Naturally, the fifth stratum's mana is merely a watered-down version of the genuine article, gathered in the hearts. I got tainted by the authentic kind, and that very energy fuels my acid complex.

Upon contact, the hissing escalates from a sharp crackle to an overwhelming thunder. Faced with such thick, abundant energy to consume, the acid tears right through it, much like Tiny devours nutrient-packed Biomass. Defenses shatter, barriers wink out and disappear. Those once-pristine, sacred wings of light from just seconds prior are now riddled with holes, the acid gnawing away at multiple spots while multiplying relentlessly.

Indeed, the essence of life and death, the balance of yin and yang, birth and ruin—all these forces dwell in my upgraded product line. Enhanced, focused, and precisely unleashed, its strength is undeniable.

Keeping my aerial vantage point, I scan to check if the army can endure the voracious appetite of my acid. Additional shields keep popping up, which is positive... yet negative too. It merely supplies the acid with extra fuel to munch on, though that's preferable to it gnawing at your gear, and eventually... the body beneath.

Once underway, the growth mechanism dominates and refuses to halt. Within minutes, the whole army—yes, every last one—appears as if a slime has engulfed them. The acid hasn't directly contacted them, repelled by a flurry of quickly breaking and reforming shields, but it has fully encircled their position, trapping them completely with just their bubble-like barriers keeping it at bay.

Continuing to expand, the acid begins to trickle down to the floor and corrode that too.

Fortunately, this substance lacks the intensity of Theorazzn’s original slime, which retained nearly all its power even after a millennium. Ten minutes in, it ceases self-replication, and the corrosive nature starts to fade, after devouring a massive quantity of mana.

Sliding off the last few shields, the acid spits and foams across the tunnel base until nothing remains.

Well then.

Reading facial cues isn't as straightforward for me anymore—it's been ages since my human days—but they seem... somewhat stunned? Being encased in greedily expanding, self-replicating acid couldn't have been fun.

Yet, they made it through! What a load off my mind. My plan was to wear them down somewhat, while ensuring they pulled through in the end. The tactic executed perfectly.

Brimming with satisfaction and benevolence, I opt to project my thoughts toward them.

[You may surrender if you wish!] I proclaim.

I linger for several seconds, my arrogance practically oozing, as zero troops so much as twitch a finger.

What's happening? Didn't the acid show shake them? It seemed spectacular from my view! Fine... if they're set on stubbornness, one more go won't do any harm.

Gradually spinning mid-air, I face away from the army again.

“CHARGE!”

The tunnel echoes with bellows and shouts as the soldiers rush forward at me.

Aha! I knew the acid had you rattled!