Hopefully the +1 Legs will be able to sustain my bulk a little better and allow a safe journey.
When I'm almost halfway down a muffled boom echoes down the shaft above, followed by dirt cascading down over me.
It takes me a moment to realise what has just occurred.
They've detonated my dirt wall! This means they're coming past my nest and will find the shaft shortly!
I redouble my efforts, accelerating down the wall at a dangerous pace, my claws begin to slip and slide as I risk unsafe footholds on the wall to expedite my passage.
Eventually I'm able to reach the bottom of the shaft without anything drastic happening, but I don't feel safe yet.
I'm worried they want to explore this place and make climb down, which means I can't remain here for too long. I leave the bottom of the shaft and make my way into the narrow tunnel that connects to the vast underground tunnel.
Before I exit this place I have one important task, I can only hope that I have enough time.
[Would you like to use the Evolution menu?]
Yes I would!
[Congratulations on reaching the maximum level for your current species. Evolution will allow you change your form and increase your stats as a monster.
Warning: evolving will make securing XP and Biomass more difficult as fewer rewards are given for preying on creatures less evolved than yourself.
Your evolution options are as follows:
- Mature Worker Ant (formica)
- Condense Monster Core]
Oh ho! Two different options? I don't have a lot of time here Gandalf, hit me with the details!
[Mature Worker Ant - advance from a Hatchling of your kind into an adult. Base stats will significantly increase, new skills will be unlocked.
[Condense mana absorbed by the individual into a monster core. The core allows monsters to store and utilise MP, can also be utilised to empower custom evolution. 100% of mana required has been obtained]
Ooooookay. So the option that will provide a significant increase in stats for me right now is to advance into a mature worker of this wood ant species.
I'll put that aside for now. The second option is very intriguing. So monster cores are a real thing in this world after all! What's more it allows me to store MP! Presumably storing MP will put my tiny feet on the path to being able to use magic! This is exciting!
Mind you, according Gandalf I've stored 100% of the mana required? When the heck did I do that? Perhaps I've been absorbing some just by walking around, or maybe the water in the rock pool? Was that shocking taste my body drawing in mana?
Advancing to a mature worker ant will give me the greatest boost to my survival chances immediately, gaining stats and perhaps some useful skills. Condensing the core and opening the door to being able to use magic is incredibly tempting however! It won't boost my survival chances in the short term but in the long term it may pay off huge dividends!
This could be a time to take a risk to seize the late game!
[Would you like to spend this evolution to Condense your Monster Core?]
… Yes!
My vision immediately goes black.