Chapter 497 Keep the train going (1/2)

The mutation wagon stops for no ant! With one choice locked in it's time to go for the next one, and I think I have just the thing. I thought about it when I was considering my last upgrade, namely my Vestibule. I haven't wanted to upgrade this organ since I'm out of range of the Colony and it provides no benefit to me, but I had an idea. The first upgrade I picked gave me extended range with the organ, which was great. What if I keep mutating it and extending the range each time? It's only +5 right now, and the distance it can reach is significant, beyond a kilometre. Extend the range at +10, consolidate it at +15 and then take range-extending mutations at +20 and +25, just how far will it reach? As much as ten kilometres?

If the Colony does end up coming to find me, this will make it SO much more straightforward. I can sense them when they come in range, and although I never confirmed it, I'm pretty sure that they can tell as well. Even if they can't, being able to know when they are close will help me time my escape and find my way back to them. It won't help me in combat at all, but it could be critical when the time comes.

My heart aches a little for the other upgrades that I'll be giving up. Increased regeneration being the juiciest of those. I haven't had an in-depth look through that menu, and right now, I can't bring myself to do it. It's just going to hurt me when I see options that I can' take due to my circ.u.mstances. Stupid Cultists! Just another reason to get mad at these crazy rock people.

I smash through the menus as fast as I can and lock in the range extending options through to +25, not allowing my eyes to take in anything else. I don't see you, incredible options! I don't see you at alllllll!

*Sob*.

I hate this. But what's done is done. It was the right thing to do. Just like that another THREE HUNDRED AND TEN Bioma.s.s is gone. Argh! It hurts! It hurts so bad! Dammit Gandalf, these prices are painful. You cut me to the quick! That's 420 gone so far. With only ninety left, I don't have enough to take an organ to +25, so I close down the menu and confirm my options.

[Do you wish to upgrade your Indomitable Coordination Cortex +20 to Unyielding Coordination Cortex +25 and Ranged Collective Will Vestibule +5 to Endless Collective Will Vestibule +25? This will cost 420 Bioma.s.s.]

Confirm it! Let me ascend to a higher plane!

…

FTAGN!

Gah!

I recover from the itching after thirty minutes and give myself a shake. I have to say that the Collective Will Vestibule is a particularly itchy thing to mutate. The weird flesh crystal just gives out a different sensation, it's odd, I don't know how to explain it correctly. Let's just say I hate it and move on. What's my reward for going through the uncomfortable sensation of mutation? More training! Whoo!

That's not strictly true, though, because, after several more hours of pointless grinding, Corun arrives through the main doors with a welcome surprise.

[Tiny!]

[Grah!]

When the gate swings open I'm greeted by the sight of a large, hairy gorilla with a broad grin on his bat featured face. Not the kind of creature to hold back, Tiny runs into my small chamber and tries to pick me up in a broad hug. Sadly for him, I'm no longer that much smaller than him, also he's a lot taller than me, so all that happens is he squashes one of my legs with his brawny arm.

[Ouch! What are you doing, Tiny!? That stings man!]

His enthusiasm seems undimmed however and he starts slapping me on the back with his ma.s.sive hands until I manage to shoo him off me.

[Alright, alright you big dumb ape, I'm happy to see you too!]

It's nice to see the big guy again, and since his face is beaming still with that broad grin, I'm guessing he reciprocates. Even after I push off me he doesn't want to separate too far and keeps a hand on my s.h.i.+ny back.