Chapter 516 Closing in on closing in (1/2)

For the next ten minutes we make our way through curving tunnels, obliterating monsters whenever we come across them and leaving the Bioma.s.s on the ground. It hurts to leave food behind but what can we do? The Dungeon will feast on the remains of my hard work today. Well, I say hard work, but battling with Invidia on my side is a whole different story. The s.h.i.+elds, the illusions, the damaging spells that get thrown out at the perfect timing. It's almost rude. He's just so d.a.m.n fast with it. Having poked at this core, I know the little dude's numbers are insane, and I've been on the receiving end of that processing power as well, I have a very deep appreciation for his strengths. When I get Tiny and Crinis back, the gang will be complete and nothing in this Strata will be able to stand against us. We'll mow our way through it like a plague.

Speaking of my pets, where the h.e.l.l is Tiny? It's not as if I could set up a rendezvous point with Corun, but he should be in this general area, right? Trying to hunt down my missing bat-gorilla, I curve our escape path to bring us a little closer to the outpost in which we were imprisoned, just trying to pick up signs of his presence. It's not like I need to run into him directly, as long as I get close enough I'll be able to detect him. Stuff like this is why I need to advance my pet Skills more! If the range on my pet communication Skill was higher then I'd be able to find him so much easier.

[Tiny! Where the heck are you, you dumb gorrila?! Eating. I bet you're eating somewhere!]

That would be like him, stuffing his face whilst I'm trying to track him down. Maybe I can use that to try and find him? Considering he just evolved, he'll be wanting to fight and eat as much as possible to improve his mutations (also because he's a glutton) and test his new abilities. What I need to do is try to find sections of Dungeon that he might have cleaned out.

Jim and I come to an intersection. We've been moving through a wide arterial tunnel which is typical of those I've seen so far in the second strata. The dark, poisonous plant life, the stone coral and the ambus.h.i.+ng shadow creatures who lurk around every corner. When we come to the crossroads where the tunnel branches in three different directions, I pause and consider my options as Jim slithers up behind me.

[What's wrong?] He says, weary.

[Just thinking of the best path to travel. Not sure exactly which way I want to go.]

[You don't? I thought you could sense your 'family' or whatever.]

[I can, just trying to pick up another straggler on the way.]

[Really?! Are you sure this is the time to be running around on these side quests when we need to get our monstrous backsides to safety?! You do realise the Golgari will be hunting us by now, right?]

[Of course they are. Don't worry, we'll be fine.]

[Maybe you'll be fine, but they'll take me easily. I don't want to go back, Anthony.]

[Alright already, just chill out for a second.]

I turn back to the tunnels and make a quick a.s.sessment. The branch to the right definitely seems more quiet than the others. If a hungry, giant gorilla had recently run through one of them, it was likely to be that one. Problem is it appears as if it'll take us even closer to the outpost than we are now… I'll have to risk it.

[Alright, this way,] I say to Jim, not bothering to mention the little details like our proximity to the Golgari.

We take off again and he follows behind, but I'm definitely feeling the pressure now. This is taking time that we don't have and it's with immense relief that I start to notice damaged areas on the tunnel floor and walls. Normally this wouldn't be much to take notice of, monsters damage the walls of the tunnels all the time, but these crater-like indentations are suspiciously fist shaped.

Quick! We pick up the pace and rush through the tunnel, making great time since we don't have to fight anything, but unfortunately it's taking us in the wrong direction.

”ROOOOOOAAAAR!!'

BOOM!

A deep, primal roar echoes off the walls followed quickly by a resounding crash. This sounds promising!

[Full speed ahead!]

I dash forward as another bellow shakes the stones. Something big is fighting up ahead and judging by the sound it isn't being too subtle about it.

[Tiny!] I call through my Pet Communication Skill. [Tiny, is that you?!]

[Rrr?] Comes the confused reply.

[Nice! Stay put buddy, I'm coming to find you!]