Between a Rock and a Carapace

18. Hospitality

It’s been nice, visiting the sophos. Despite their somewhat decrepit and ghastly appearance, they were fine hosts. Every day, they’d bring Biomass to Tiny, Crinis, and I. We’d feast together with Formo and his favourite pets. They even took time to show me how they worked with cores and put together some of their most powerful pets. I have to say, their means and methods are far beyond what I’m capable of. Even after the first session, I was happy to bow down to their superior skill and capability.

Particularly in the area of core melding. Which is a skill I’ve yet to unlock. Many of the sophos’ best monsters are formed by fusing multiple cores together. This is an advantage in a number of areas. Firstly, by making changes to multiple cores, it’s possible to effect more changes than if you focused on a single core. The resistance barrier, they call it, the wall you push up against every time you make a change to a core. More changes, more resistance. If you can only make ten changes to one core, then by forming a monster out of two cores, you could make twenty changes!

Of course, it sounds far simpler than it is. That’s just the theory. The art, as Formo took great pains to point out, is in making the changes in such a way, that not only did you push toward your desired outcome, you simultaneously shaped the cores so they would fit more snugly together. Doing that was a massive pain in the commercial zone. The sophos could spend days, even weeks, plotting a single change to ensure the final outcome is closer to what they want, whilst also enabling the fusion process. I myself have seen multiple sophos standing over a pair of cores arguing and slapping each other over the head as they discuss what changes to make.

Then there are the three-core constructions. Holy moly, that’s a whole new level. Only the best and brightest of the sophos dare to attempt it—those with the best stats and highest Skill Levels.

Apparently, the worms were such a pet. Crafted for each sophos, either by themselves if they’re capable enough, or by an expert. Each core has to be moulded with the final product in mind, which involves two fusions. The first two cores have to be shaped in such a way that they’ll fit snugly together and accept a third once that process is done.

Honestly, it sounds like completing a puzzle that then has to fit inside another puzzle. HARD! COMPLEX!

I was keen to give it a go and take my findings back to the colony. The core shapers already proved their worth, and this was just more evidence they would be able to make a powerful contribution to the family.

[I can see it in your face, you BLIGHTER, you’re thinking of trying this, aren’t you?] Formo burst into my thoughts.

[…Maybe.]

[Well don’t be a COLOSSAL, BLITHERING DUNDERHEAD. These techniques are incredibly stressful to the mind and require high-Level Skills. You’re only up to Core Surgery and don’t even have the Core Fusion Skill. That becomes available once you rank up Core Surgery. Don’t even think of trying this until that’s done.]

[What’s the harm?] I protest. [Even if it doesn’t work out, it’s not like the core is wasted. I can just give it to a pet to absorb it, right?]

[NOT RIGHT, YOU DONKEY!]

[Donkey?]

[Every core is precious! And some are vanishingly rare. Besides, more experience towards the next Skill Level is granted from utilising that Skill correctly, as opposed to stuffing around! You could fudge your way to the next rank over hundreds of failures, or you could achieve it with dozens of successes. If your colony is trying to raise many core shapers, do you truly believe you have cores to waste?]

[Ah. No. No we do not.]

[PRECISELY, OLD BOY! Do as we do and take your time to ensure each core you work on is a SMASHING success. That’ll maximise your gains.]

[Good advice… Should we go help your worm?]

[Barry? BAH! With Garralosh gone, there’s nothing around here that can hold a candle to him. Worry not!]

[I suppose so…]

Barry truly didn’t appear to need much help. The worm is gleefully smashing everything we come across, either using its tremendous bulk or simply swallowing everything in front of it.

[I do want to point out, though, we came out here to get experience for Crinis.]

[Ah! So we did!] Formo exclaims as he smacks himself in his bulbous noggin. [Barry! Heel, you lovable noodle!]

It’s a little strange to hear Formo call his pet as if it’s a dog, especially when he could have kept that conversation private. And even stranger to see the massive worm slither back, full of excitement and practically wriggling in delight.

[Okay, Crinis. Your time to shine. Go in there and smash some monsters! We’ll get you fully mutated and ready to evolve in no time!]

[Alright, Master!]

The abominable ball of death sitting on my back raises two tentacles like clenched fists in a somewhat adorable boxing pose, before she inflates in size to open her mouth and reveal the nightmare void bared behind her razor teeth.

[You too, Tiny, get in there and practise your Skills. Just don’t steal too much, these kills are worth way more XP to Crinis than they are to you.]

[HRN!] Tiny grunts in acknowledgement.

It’s amazing how much he communicates with a grunt. I can tell from that singular grunt that he’s not happy to be restricted in his fighting, but nonetheless happy to be able to cut loose.

[What about yourself?] Formo asks.

[Ah, no. Not for me, thanks. I’ve recently hit tier five. These monsters won’t do a lot for me.]

[Right you are! Won’t be long till you’ll need to descend!]

[Wassat?]

[The Mana here is too thin! It’s already too thin! You’ve only been fine in our commune because the Mana is thicker there.]

As Crinis and Tiny move forward and begin their hunt, I check my core. And he’s right—I’ve started losing MP! This is a big deal, since I’ve been using my sub-brains to draw in Mana using External Mana Manipulation in order to train the Skill and it’s still not enough! Yikes! I could work a bit harder and maybe be fine, but still, this isn’t a good sign.

[You’re a second stratum creature now, NO MISTAKE, MY LAD. I recommend you head there immediately when you’ve finished your holiday with us. The Mana here in the first stratum is weak—WEAK, I SAY! Every time you go down a stratum, there’s a qualitative change. You’ll see.]

[I guess you’re right.]

[Besides, there’s a good chance you might be able to find more people such as yourself down there. With a bit of luck, they’ll be saner than Garralosh was!]