Chapter 350 Dignity of the Eldes (1/2)

My core still hurts and it's starting to worry me. After gaining some levels and exercising the pain has diminished to the point where I don't notice it so much on a conscious level. It just stings. Sitting in the small Dungeon chamber and feeling the mana flow in, I'm starting to worry about pus.h.i.+ng to absorb the full rare core. Will I actually be able to take it? I know I'm technically pus.h.i.+ng my core beyond what the system mandates is the 'maximum safe limit', but that's probably just a guideline right?

It'll be fine! I'm sure of it. What's the worst that could happen? My core detonates and tears me apart from the inside?

…

Well, that would suck, actually, that would be pretty d.a.m.n bad. I'll keep my claws crossed.

Since I'm here in the Dungeon, soaking up some mana and getting a rest, I may as well tick off all of the boxes that I can. I get the feeling I'm not going to get much of a chance to rest over the next two days, things are going to get intense the closer we get to the nest.

First cab off the rank is, my mutations! The final mutation is locked and loaded! This is a momentous moment for me. Due to impetuousness, impatience, and a general inability to focus, I've never reached maximum mutations before evolving. I'm excited! This means I won't have to struggle as hard to cover the Bioma.s.s gap after I've evolved!

Actually, once I've evolved I'll reach the fourth tier, which means that Bioma.s.s from tier one gets halved again. So I'll be down to one eighth Bioma.s.s from tier one creatures? Yikes! That's practically nothing! Hunting for Bioma.s.s at the top of the Dungeon is going to be completely pointless…

Alright! Pheromone gland time!

Ah, the faithful pheromone gland. Where would I be without you? Enabler of communication! Bringer of wisdom and light! Truly the greatest thing I gave to the Formica Sapiens (in my opinion) is the ability to properly speak with each other. With it, the beginning of the great ant civilisation, the unstoppable empire of the ant, has begun!

Gweheheheheh!

Wait, don't get so ahead of yourself, Anthony! You have to survive the horrific death army of zombie monsters marching towards the family as you sit here soaking your stock portfolio in mana!

Ok, let's do this.

I hastily engaged the menu and began pondering my options for mutating my pheromone gland.

Language is great, obviously, and persuasive was a bit of a tack-on to be honest. I'd hoped it would make it a little easier to get the colony on side with some of my more wild ideas, such as not getting themselves killed. The issue I have with this mutation is that it's hard to determine if it's being effective. Where the ants persuaded because of my unique persuasive pheromones? Or was it my unique charm?

…

Probably the pheromones, let's be real.

If I have no strong feelings one way or the other, I'll embrace the beige alert and Fuse!

[Do you wish to combine your Persuasive Pheromone Language Gland to form Loquacious Pheromone Gland? This will cost 65 Bioma.s.s.]

Let's go!

HAGGAK!

So quick! The itch erupted instantly inside my rear zone as my pheromone gland underwent the mutation process. This never gets better, it only gets worse!

At least I don't have to deal with multiple glands mutating at once this time. It doesn't seem to matter much, I'm still on the floor twitching like an idiot! Don't look at me like that Tiny!