Between a Rock and a Carapace

20. Gratuitous Death Sphere

Of course there’s a Dodge Skill. It’s obvious there would be one. It’s a classic Skill! One of the very basics. Right up there with charge and hit, there is always going to be Dodge! I don’t remember seeing it in the menu of available Skills, so it must have unlocked at some point. Perhaps when my stats were high enough, or after I’d successfully avoided an attack from something.

Why the heck didn’t I go back and check for Dodge? I suppose I’ve adopted a strategy of allowing myself to get hit. What with my incredible, shiny carapace and ability to shift position to maximise the usefulness of said shiny carapace, I’ve not really needed to dodge. Except when I run into the big powerful stuff, then I really,really need to.

Grumbling at myself, I purchase the Dodge Skill. I need to be a little more diligent—since there’s no prompts, you never know if something super useful has popped up over the course of battling. Whilst waiting for Crinis to complete her evolution, I pass the Mind Magic shenanigans over to my sub-brains and peruse the lists for more defensive options.

Sure enough, a couple stand out and I purchase them readily.

[Endure: Provides knowledge and instincts to assist absorbing impacts when struck by heavy blows.]

[Grace: Assists the user in maintaining balance when moving or in combat.]

Combined with Dodge, these Skills are bound to help elevate my defensive game to a new level! With my future sense and massively heightened reflexes, I’ll be able to dodge, duck, and weave my way out of a lot of trouble! If I’d thought to purchase these Skills and Level them up, I’d have had a much easier time avoiding those reckless charges from Garralosh!

Ah well. No use crying over it.

What do I do while Crinis is evolving? I guess… I better just entertain myself. She’s not far away, wibbling away like little ball of jelly, and I suppose I’ll just… stand here? May as well flex my legs a little bit, get the ol’ monstrous ichor flowing. Good streeeetch… followed by some tippy tap leg movements. Sometimes I feel like I’ve only ever had six legs, and other times I can remember what it was like to walk on two feet. In my opinion, six legs is clearly the superior option. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it is the only option. With six legs, you can really get a rhythm going when you start moving.

Fred Astaire has got nothing on even the clumsiest ant! Tappity-tappity-tappa-tappa-ta!

[Master? Are you alright?]

[GAH—Crinis! I thought you were still evolving?]

[I’m finished, as you can see.]

It was true. She’s changed very slightly in shape once again. Her evolutions have a tendency to be undramatic on the outside, but a little more show stopping on the inside. This time is no different. Her size has seen another increase, approaching a beach ball now. She still has eight stubby tentacles permanently extended that act as her legs, and now she has four slender tentacles that extend equidistant from each other around the circumference of her body, almost like arms.

[Looking good there, Crinis!] I praise her, hoping she didn’t see much of my dancing. [I hope you’re happy with everything you picked.]

The ball of death shifts from side to side, suddenly shy.

[I believe so, Master. Why don’t you check and see what you think?]

[Good idea!] I gasp.

Moving slowly, I tap gracefully toward Crinis and slap an antenna down on her before she can question my staccato steps.

Name: Crinis

Level: 1 (Special Core) (IV)

Might: 100

Toughness: 90

Cunning: 56

Will: 57

HP: 180/180

MP: 150/150

Skills: Expert Shadow Flesh Manipulation Level 15 (III); Expert Grappling Level 12 (III); Expert Shredding Level 16 (III); Greater Tremor Sensing Level 5 (III); Barbaric Dismembering Level 1 (III); Greater Fear Inspiration Level 9 (II); Mana Transformation Level 11 (III); Slick Tentacle Walking Level 4 (III); Advanced Tentacle Fu Level 4 (II); Further External Mana Manipulation Level 4 (II); Advanced Shadow Magic Affinity Level 2 (II); Stealth Level 3 (I)

Mutations: Armoured Shadow Flesh +15; Obliterating Void Maw +15; Endless Dimensional Stomach +15; Legion Tentacles +15; Razor Barbs +15; Grisly Teeth +15; Omniscient Mana Sensory Gland +15, Reservoir Shadow Magic Gland +15, Abrupt Shadow Flesh Generator +15; Dark Shadow Eye +15; Masterful Tentacle Conductor +15; Tentacle Conductor; Light Sink; Shade Phase Organ

Species: Gratuitous Death Sphere

Skill Points: 30

Biomass: 140

From the looks of things, Crinis has continued her balanced stat increases. Her stats are still good even when compared to mine. Curse my lowly starting ant stats! I’m starting to overcome that handicap, but even so, it kind of stings.

Her organ choices are interesting. Another Tentacle Conductor? Clearly she’s aiming for the ability to control even more tentacles. Considering how many she can manifest, that makes sense. I wonder if she’ll stick to the same mutations with this one? Finer control of a smaller number, or go the opposite way, somewhat improved control over more limbs?

The Light Sink. That’s interesting. She seems to be fully pursuing the limits of her shadow nature. This little organ will allow her to absorb light, darkening whatever area she’s in. I wager with enough mutations, she’ll be able to strengthen the effect to the point she’s surrounded by complete darkness whenever she wants. A massive advantage for her, considering she doesn’t need light to see, and some of her abilities are stronger in the dark.

Lastly, the Shade Phase Organ. Quite the incredible piece of evolutionary gear. If I’m reading this correctly, it’ll allow her to move not just her tentacles, but her main body through patches of shadow. A limited teleport, if you will. That could get particularly nasty. Along with the development of her Skills, Crinis is ready to take on the second stratum!

[Great work, Crinis. I’m very proud of you!]

[Thank you, Master. If you’ve finished dancing, we can head upstairs.]

I can hide nothing from them.