Chapter 229
Since we unexpectedly crushed the Immortalis Garralosh (immortal Garralosh? Even I can work that one out), progress has been slow .
The density of monsters has been increasing . Not only the Croca beasts in their various forms are more common but also the local wildlife . One of those stupid Hippo Turtles managed to sneak up on us and almost took Tiny's arm off, but he managed to dodge away in time, and I tied the flabby beast down with Gravity bolts until we were able to kill it . Their strength is in their far, but also their weakness .
Hehe .
Other things have also been growing in strength, namely the oppressive aura that fills the expanse, it's so thick now it hangs over us like a fog . Even with a Will as high as mine it intrudes on my thoughts and fills me with a compulsion .
This close, I can sense more clearly what the aura is trying to convey — a combination of fear, and demand for obedience . I'm not sure if a gland creates this aura or if it's some side effect of a sufficiently powerful core, but this oppression is rolling out in waves and suffocating the will from the newborn monsters while also suppressing the instincts of the creatures within the expanse .
Just what kind of creature can cause such an effect? I'm getting a touch nervous since I think we're getting reasonably close to finding out!
["Everyone holding up ok? I know it isn't easy to operate under the effect of this pressure"]
[I am … all right, Master . I will not fail you!]
One the one antenna, I'm touched by her loyal spirit, on the other, I'm concerned about her lack of self-preservation instinct . Crinis is loyal in an almost fanatical way that Tiny never was . I wonder why?
[I'm not worried about you failing at all Crinis, I want to make sure you're fine . If you can't fight properly, then you won't be safe, and we will need to pull back . It's crucial that you be honest here]
[I am touched by your concern Master! I believe I will be all right . If I feel that I am becoming a liability, I will tell you]
[Good girl Crinis] I pat her by bending one antenna back and tapping her on the head a few times where she is resting on my back . Like a cat, she flops down and turns from a tennis ball into a tennis blob . I need to stop indulging her .
[How about you Tiny? Feeling all right buddy?] I ask my faithful Bat-faced gorilla .
[Hmm] he rumbles .
The poor guys face is tight with strain . His mental stats are a bit low, to say the least, the aura must be having the most potent effect on him out of all of us .
[Need fight] he says finally .
I think I get what he's trying to say . With the fear and command pressing into his mind, he wants to fight and have the adrenaline take over . Or perhaps he just feels the need to smash the face in of whatever is making him feel this way . Actually, I'll bet on the second .
"How about you Vibrant? You holding up all right?"
The soldier ant, no longer a small, cheerful hatchling, is more subdued than usual . Even her usually boundless energy and enthusiasm has been dampened by the atmosphere surrounding us .
"I'm fine" she responds, utterly devoid of her usual sparkle .
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