Chrysalis Chapter 1781 - Bad to Worse

With my current mental fortitude, fashioning a gravity bomb isn't the significant hurdle it once was, nor does it consume an excessive amount of time. Grasping a substantial quantity of mana within my control is taxing, yet undeniably achievable. However, coalescing one into existence within a mere handful of seconds starts to push the boundaries of my capabilities! Compressing it hastily enough to forge it makes my very brain feel as though it's about to boil, each mental construct straining until the edges begin to fray.

Behind me, my acid is deploying its effects, but it stands no chance against a destructive force that surpasses its own potency. My manufactured defenses put up a valiant effort, but ultimately, they will be overwhelmed, and the advancing wave of impossibly dense viscous fluid will then turn its attention to me.

With each fleeting second that passes, my legs gain a fraction more strength, and I achieve a minuscule increase in forward velocity. Nevertheless, this progress isn't sufficient to break free. I'm left with no alternative but to deploy a close-range gravity bomb, a maneuver fraught with considerable peril.

Though, I find myself with no real choice in the matter!

Carefully assessing the projected power of the bomb as precisely as I can, I unleash it while simultaneously continuing my desperate scrabbling and scraping against the ground with my inadequately sized limbs. Materializing with a deafening roar, the bomb surges away from me, colliding with the approaching mucus wave sooner than anticipated and then rapidly expanding.

The dreadful suction engulfs me, yet a wave of relief washes over me, quickly followed by concern as I perceive the effect beginning to diminish almost immediately. Despite the haste with which I conjured it, that gravity bomb possessed a considerable amount of power! To think it's already being consumed.

Glancing behind me, I observe that the bomb, even after reaching its full expansion, has already been entirely swallowed by the relentless mucus, silencing the howling vortex of wind being drawn into it. Will I be compelled to construct another one?!

Rather than jeopardize my life and well-being by deploying a more potent bomb at an even closer proximity, I opt for a slightly different approach and decide to manifest a Gravity Well. If I cannot stem the oncoming deluge, my objective should be to elevate myself above it! This strategy also offers the significant advantage of minimizing the risk of self-destruction.

There is, however, a notable disadvantage: it entails a longer casting time, as it is a considerably more intricate spell to assemble!

Despite the proficiency I’ve gained in rapidly assembling these spells under intense pressure, they remain extraordinarily, extraordinarily complex constructions, comprising thousands upon thousands of individual components. Even with three dozen distinct mental constructs meticulously weaving it into existence, the process demands time to ensure its flawless execution!

Should even a single element be misplaced, the entire construct fails to function!

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It proves to be a nail-biting finish. I race against time to complete the spell, and by the moment it fully materializes and I manage to lift myself clear, the very rear of my being is being seared by the intensely corrosive mucus.

It eats through the initial few inches of my protective carapace in mere seconds before I manage to hoist my entire being upwards and away from its reach.

Phew! That was a close call!

With swift precision, I manipulate the well to draw me upwards and forwards, propelling me over the advancing tide of slime as it sluggishly permeates the tunnel. Below my elevated position, everything that this noxious substance touches is utterly annihilated, including the parasitic entities that emerge from the tunnel's substrate, attempting to writhe and escape their imminent demise.

With a regained measure of breathing room, I test my newly formed legs and assess my current predicament. Considering the circumstances, the surprise assault orchestrated by the Krath was rather effective. They remain positioned several kilometers back down the tunnel. If they had pursued immediately, I would undoubtedly be in a precarious situation right now.

Which, upon further reflection, fails to align with my understanding of their tactics. Based on my prior encounters, the Krath are incessantly cunning and vexing adversaries. It is highly improbable that they would initiate an ambush without a contingency plan in case of my survival. Layered strategies, intricate schemes – that is their modus operandi.

Instantly, I heighten my vigilance, ascending higher and simultaneously weaving defensive enchantments while intensely focusing my senses. There must be some hidden threat I have yet to detect.

Where have you concealed yourselves, insidious slug reinforcements?

As it transpires, my suspicions prove to be entirely accurate. I dedicate such an extended period to scanning the surroundings, searching for the subtle gravitational disturbances caused by individual slugs, that I nearly overlook the colossal monstrosity rapidly approaching my location.

My awareness of its presence registers so late that I perceive it visually before I sense it. Arriving in an unconventional manner, it extrudes itself from the tunnel's wall. Initially, I mistake it for a corrupted manifestation of Crinis.

An uncountable multitude of tentacle-like appendages erupt from the tunnel wall, writhing and probing as they blindly explore their surroundings. They progressively lengthen as even more emerge, spanning a section of the tunnel hundreds of meters in extent. I cautiously retreat, contemplating whether to flee back towards the Krath stronghold rather than confront this entity, but quickly dismiss the notion. I might find myself battling both the slugs and this monstrous creature simultaneously.

No need, I’ll handle this myself and remain here, though this monster truly seems like it will present a notable struggle. Sensing its core approaching, it radiates with immense power. This creature is at least a tier eight beast, perhaps even tier nine if its core has not reached full potential during its development.

This situation might prove difficult....

When its form finally materializes from the passage, flowing out as if it were a blend of liquid and solid, and it lands upon the tunnel's ground with a tremendous thud, I still remain uncertain about its true appearance.

With an abundance of tentacles obscuring the view, discerning its actual body is proving to be a challenge.

Well then, in the interim, perhaps you’d like to sample a gravity bomb.

HOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWLLLLL!!!!!

If you intend to take so much time to reach me, do not fault me for utilizing the available preparation period!