Isn't it incredible how quickly time flies when you're having fun with your friends? It seems like only yesterday that we set out from Orpule to scour these new hunting grounds for delicious, delicious prey. By the by, I don't want to give the impression that demons are tasty, they certainly aren't. Their hides are tough as steel and like everything else I've been forced to eat since I was spawned in the Dungeon they have a truly disgusting flavour. I'm starting to forget what good tasting food was even like! Perhaps there never was something such as 'tasty', perhaps that was just a lie that I've carried over from my previous life. Certainly it doesn't seem likely that I'm going to find a monster that is anything other than disgusting to consume.

No, the taste wasn't good, but the Biomass points sure were! Even if we are hunting monsters of a lower level of evolution than ourselves, with the stomach mutations that we have, the penalties are as reduced as they can be and the creatures of this stratum are so rich compared to even the shadow beasts of the layer above. It makes sense when you think about it, the spawn rate of monsters on this level is insane, and it's not even a wave right now. All those demon larvae ripping into each other, it all has to go somewhere right?

When they get up to tier four and five, these beasties have had a right ol' feast, and then, stuffed full of Biomass they retreat to these tunnels to try and hunt down others who had the exact same thought that they did in the hopes of pushing through to tier six and achieving 'true' demon-hood. That's when they run into us. Gweheheheheh.

It took over a week to power level Brilliant all the way to level forty and by the end she was able to be genuinely useful to the process. Her offensive output is still questionable, but her ability to shape magic continues to develop at breakneck speed. Once she unlocked light and shadow magic she continued to play around with them as much as she possibly could, to the point it was frequently annoying. Several times I had to dispense some THWACK justice when I was suddenly blinded by a lightshow blasting out of her antennae. It was often so bad that the little ant appeared to have a disco ball flashing atop her head, beaming rays of light out in all directions.

If there was a positive to the process it would be that it encouraged the rest of us to lift our game in terms of practicing our magic skills. I've been grinding obsessively all week, far more than I usually would, with Crinis and Invidia following along the trend. Even Tiny has gotten involved! As we've hunted and fought I've frequently seen the big ape pointing his fingers and zapping sparks of lightning all over the place. I thought it was adorable at first, the massive bat-faced gorilla wanted to join in the magic practice, but the more he did it, and the more time passed, I actually think he did get better, more accurate and quicker, when releasing his lightning. A totally unexpected event!

But now the time has come for the hatchling… although I probably shouldn't call her that considering she's about to hit tier five.

"Alright then, Brilliant, you've done it, achieved level 40."

The little ant puffs up with pride.

"Was there any doubt I would?" she boasts.

THWACK!

"With all of us helping you get experience from monsters who would rip you up and tear you apart with one hand claw tied behind their back? No, there wasn't any doubt. You might have just started to make yourself useful in this hunt, but once you've hit tier five, you'll be a far more valuable contributor."

"Ouch! I was just expressing a little confidence!"

"You aren't lacking confidence, nor have you ever lacked confidence. Humility and gratitude is the thing I'm looking for."

I give the no-longer-hatchling a hard stare with all ten thousand lenses in my compound eyes and she wilts a little under the heat, but not much. She might have no achievements under her carapace at this point, but Brilliant is certain that they will come with time. Is this some sort of inbuilt attitude that all champions get in order to push them to leadership roles? Vibrant was never this overly arrogant, but she never had a shred of doubt about her either. Now that I think about it, pretty much none of my siblings have ever expressed much in the way of doubt. Perhaps this lack of questioning can be attributed to the nature of monsters? No idea. I'm not usually the reflective type myself!

"Alright then, you know the drill. We've maxed out your core and tossed in a rare core to boot. Mutations are maxed. Make sure you go through all of the possibilities with a fine tooth comb and pick the option that you think melds best with you. There's no need to rush, so take your time."

"I'm going to have to go into the mouth aren't I?"

"Absolutely. You want to just hang out here in the open while you evolve? That's madness!"

With a tired sigh the little ant climbs into Invidia's mouth and promptly vanishes from this dimension in order to evolve.

[Make sure you spit her out if she gets too big, Invidia,] I warn the demon, [we don't want any accidents.]

[I knowssssssss. No worriessss.]

That's precious cargo right there, the second champion born to the Colony since it was created. We've only seen a glimpse of what she's capable of so far and I suspect there are great things in store for Brilliant in the not so distant future.

[Now that Brilliant is ready to evolve, what are we going to do?] Sarah asks. [Is it time to head back or are we going to keep hunting?]

[Keep hunting!] I declare. [Now that the little pest isn't going to soak up so much of the experience, it's time for us to get our rightful share! The other thing I want to do is head deeper into the tunnels and see if I can get a gander of the next level down.]

[Oh! That would be interesting. I've never heard how many layers there are to the third stratum.]

[I've no clue either,] I shrug, [but there's one way to find out.]