Chrysalis Chapter 1736 - You Weren’t Supposed to Do That

Previously on Chrysalis...

Battle raged in the tunnels beneath Green Mountain, its vibrations rippling through the city and sparking heated debates among the citizens about joining the fray. Ultimately, the risks proved too great, and the uneasy populace retired for the night, lights dimming as shadows deepened across the streets. The Nameless struck silently, creeping through darkness to abduct delvers from their beds, vanishing them into the shadow realm one by one. Led by the Nameless One, a group secured eight targets on Elm Street before alarms shattered the quiet, prompting a swift retreat down the mountain and into the tunnels, their task fulfilled under the Eldest's mandate.

I'd crafted a straightforward strategy, since in my view, elaborate schemes prove just as pointless as skipping planning altogether. Solant might contest that, I realize, and it could work out for her. But me? I recognize my own boundaries. Crucially, I'm teaming up with Tiny, that dim-witted priest, and a bunch of folks whose wits seem rather suspect.

Why bother twisting things into knots?

Perhaps I was naive to assume 'hold off until I've exhausted them, then leap into the battle at my cue' was simple enough for anybody to grasp. How in the world could that get bungled?! I mean... I mean, there's zero space for screwing it up!

So why, for the sake of everything wonderful in this realm—like grubs, and tickling, and tickling grubs—are these humans bursting from their lines, abandoning the ants behind?!

That fool Beyn's leading the pack. You've got just one arm, you moron! No weapon in sight! No armor either! Or, evidently, a functioning mind!

Ugh.

Over here, meanwhile, I'm taking a brutal pounding from ten thousand attackers! I'll admit, I hadn't anticipated the wild tricks these people could pull off. Lances forged from light that zipped at blinding speeds were one surprise, but arrows of flame as wide as my antennae raining down caught me off guard. That golden bell of dizzying terror was another shocker. Each toll made it feel like my thoughts were about to spill from ears I don't even possess.

Lightning pillars blindsided me, along with their Force Magic attempts to shove me aside and block my strikes. When I unleashed Starcrusher again, they fired it right back at my face. Smart move, though not fully effective.

Truth be told, they've got plenty of tricks to confuse, hinder, and trap me. It clicks when I ponder it. Taking on a beast like me head-on? Fat chance! Instead, they're grinding me down, curbing my mobility, curbing my mana use, and steadily stacking injuries—that's their approach.

But it's falling flat.

First off, I'm nowhere near worn out. Second, my mana pool is insanely vast to tap into. Draining my magical energy dry? A hopeless effort. Third, my sinews can now handle a boosted Dash, so pinning me is out of the question. Whether it's chains of ethereal light, abrupt swamps, watery serpents, or their metallic restraints, the moment trouble brews, I'm gone.

If I needed to pull that off repeatedly, in quick succession, I'd fret, but up to now, I've managed to stay solid.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

To be frank, I hadn't figured they'd land as many hits on me as they have. My shell is no pushover, and landing blows is tough, much less ones that sting. Their success in racking up damage is noteworthy.

Too bad nothing breaches my healing gland. Er, system. Or whatever you call it.

Which is raging out of control, by the way. I figure I've hit the peak healing speed already—surely it won't ramp up more than this—or maybe my guts are just frozen solid, like they've been dunked in a frozen sea during the chillest season.

I'm freezing!

Stunned beyond belief, I'm barely evading as I stare at these foolish humans rushing in, flailing their arms like lunatics, obviously ditching the strategy.

Thoroughly annoyed, I can only flick an antenna at the poised ants, who've stuck to their setup but look utterly baffled. Spotting the gesture, they surge forward too, though without the madcap vibe.

[Tiny?]

[Punch?]

[Yes, Tiny. You can punch now.]

[Good!]

[And me, Master? Can I KILL AND MAIM THESE DISGUSTING—]

[No. No you cannot.]

[Well, can I use my magic and scare them a bit?]

[As we agreed, yes you can.]

Sheesh.

Sorry, you all bent on slaying me and carving up my parts for gain—I tried my hardest to spare as many lives as possible, but someone botched the whole thing. If it helps, I'll chew him out once we're back at the colony.

Resigned to the mess, I focus on weaving through attacks and upholding the Gravity Domain while Tiny bellows from afar. I can nearly sense the shockwave hitting the clustered soldiers. It's not pure terror, exactly, but they're far from thrilled by the sound. Nor by his swift leaps toward them, his frame crackling with electric veins.

And he seems thrilled to join the fun.

When tentacles burst from the earth and grab folks, that's when panic truly stirs. As Crinis unleashes her Curse Magic, things turn downright grim. I've rarely witnessed her wield it, so I wasn't sure what to brace for, but the nightmarish faces of dark violet fog that shriek across the sky and stab into chests are way more horrifying than I'd imagined.

Those struck by the curse writhe and convulse like the undead, wrestling invisible demons while struggling to battle on.

Yikes! That's eerie...

Once Tiny crashes into the fray, he hits like a tempest, smashing through the lines with reckless fury, lightning blasts erupting nearby. At first, I miss Invidia perched on his shoulder, but the initial explosion clues me in. He's hurling up a ton of barriers to shield his ride, letting Tiny handle the heavy destruction.

This... this is heading south fast.