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 even a bit. Faith, Belief— I doubt it's 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 absolutely intend to handle. When have I ever shied away from tracking my Skill levels or pushing every maxed-out one to a higher rank?

After all, Granin has urged me to keep at it for so long, and I wouldn't dream of disappointing 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 smashing through walls and merging adjacent areas into larger ones.

[Be sure to review your Skills too,] I instruct my three companions. [If I'm doing this, then so are you.]

Crinis hesitantly waves a tentacle toward me.

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

Darn it.

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

Tiny and Invidia exchange a brief look, then both shrug and comply. Crinis extends a tentacle to gently pat my carapace in reassurance before she accesses her status.

"Very well, Victor. What do you require? Feel free to claim all my time if needed. Not that I require diversion or anything like that. I'm simply eager to hear your thoughts."

Victor's antennae twitch slightly with uncertainty as she regards me.

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

"I... merely wanted to inquire if you're planning to descend to the fifth stratum right away. With the Green Mountain issue settled, you're free to depart whenever."

Though I'd love to bolt to the fifth and begin pursuing those slugs, there's a matter I ought to address first.

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

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

"I... likely will, but have Beyn handle it initially. Then have him brief you, and you can update me afterward."

The general pauses briefly, puzzled.

"Why not just talk to him yourself, Eldest?"

"No particular reason! None whatsoever! Now, I must focus on these Skills. Can't leave them hanging, haha!"

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

"Excellent."

The general lingers a second, turning halfway while keeping a sharp eye on me.

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

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

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

"What? Oh, yes! But I lack the time for it currently. Skills, you understand."

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

A wave of intense relief washes over me as she departs at last, allowing me to immerse myself completely in my selected diversion. Without delay, I summon the menu and begin a thorough review of all my Skills, channeling the full concentration from my four brains.

Which amounts to a substantial effort.

At once, it's clear I've been... rather lax with my status screen. It seems the triad accessed it during my evolution and made adjustments I failed to notice, so I've been gaining from these enhanced Skills unknowingly!

Far from ideal, as Granin might put it. Once I examine the details and actively employ 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, unsure of its future utility, but no harm in that. Diamond Mind has progressed to Unbroken Mind (VI), marking a key achievement.

For a Skill that bolsters my willpower and shields against external manipulations, this is a vital enhancement. Particularly as I prepare to re-enter the fifth.

Keen Eye and my newer fused Skill, Manifold-Hive Focus, have climbed to rank five and six, honing my perceptions and boosting my capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

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

Force magic and barrier magic have both advanced, hitting rank five. Endure reached six, Mandible Parry four, and Precog-Enhanced Agility Defense five.

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

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