Chapter 1380 – Hidden Slugs, Crouching Snails

The nature and origin of the Krath has been a matter of debate for many years within academic circles, yet it isn’t one that invites a scholar to delve too deeply.

Secretive to the point of obsession and more elusive than word of the Ancients themselves, the slug tribes of the fifth are difficult to study. Not that there is no enthusiasm amongst academic circles to learn more about them, nor indeed a dearth of driving force among the various authorities of the fourth. With every wave, the Krath torment the lower tunnels and send their servants upward to spread poison and filth. Knowledge of their methods and techniques would greatly benefit all of us, yet no one is willing to attempt it.

Not anymore.

The Krath, living in the fifth, are almost impossible to reach as it is, yet expeditions have been made to try and secure this intelligence before. All of them failed. Not just failed, but were made an example of. As barbaric and cruel as they are, the Krath seem to hold a special place in their twisted hearts for those who try to learn their secrets.

Expeditions were returned to the fourth, twisted and maimed beyond recognition. Sometimes, only pieces were recovered, left in the open for others to collect. Famously, a group from the Empire of Stone were recovered, minds almost completely gone from the horrors they had endured. The members clutched journals in their quivering hands, records that the Krath had forced them to keep detailing their own torture.

As a result, we do not seek to learn the secrets of the Krath.

Not anymore.

– Excerpt from ‘The Fifth and Beyond’ by Scholar Ralis

“Oh nooooo, they got meeeeee.”

The tentacles latched onto me writhe with glee as they forcefully attempt to yank me into the mucus river.

Emphasis on “attempt”.

Am I the strongest creature around, physically? No, of course not. I’m not the physically strongest in my own group of pets. Am I going to let myself get yoinked into a river by some fifth stratum slug? Absolutely not!

I dig my claws into the ground, grit my mandibles and hold tight. Think you can get me to dunk my head into a river of snot?! You’re crazy! It ain’t happening!

Oh, they sure are hitting me with a heck of a lot of toxic mana, though. Yikes. Everywhere the slimy limbs touch me is flooding my body with the horrible stuff, so much so my mind constructs are struggling to break it all apart before it can begin to replicate.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Still, I’m not in real danger. Any second now, this situation is going to change.

Anyyyyyy second.

[GET YOUR FILTHY CLAWS OFF OF MY MASTER!] Crinis screeches.

In an instant, the tunnel around me is plunged into perfect darkness. I can’t see a thing, but I can certainly sense my loyal friend’s mana. As the light is chased away, she emerges from all around me, latching onto the monster who’s taken hold of me and devouring all of it she can reach.

[Hey, Crinis! Don’t eat that stuff, the poison will get inside you!]