Chapter 1557 – New Armour

As promised, I did end up taking a break. After my gravitational mana was restored, I dumped all of it, along with all the energy in the Altar, and absolutely flattened everything attacking the platform with Gravity Wells. It helped, for sure. The defending battalions were able to clean off the platform, organise the lines, get healed and enjoy a brief respite. Despite throwing out as much gravity magic as I’m personally capable of, it didn’t hold back the tide for long. Small fights were already breaking out before I’d even gotten off the platform, faster monsters racing through the muck to throw themselves at the defenders ahead of the rest.

I’m not happy about it, but there isn’t much I can do about it. Despite my incredible endurance, I still need to rest every now and again. I’ve been battling constantly for days on end, exposed to the toxicity of the fifth over and over again. I’m due for a juice cleanse, I suppose.

As usual, the healers pick over me, grumbling and irritated as they hunt down every stray speck of toxicity and corruption in my body before sending me on my way. There are massive barracks stacked on top of each other close to the platforms, helping to keep up the absurd turnover rates for the battalions fighting out there. If there are twenty thousand on the platform, then there are eighty thousand waiting to go out there at a moment’s notice. There’s enough space for me to pull into a more open rest area and plonk myself down against the wall.

Emotionally drained from the constant fighting, I’m asleep in moments, the world fading away as my thoughts grow still. Sweet, sweet torpor.

I’M UP! WHOO!

Refreshed, full of beans, empowered and enlivened. I’m ready to attack, ready to fight, ready to conquer! But first: breakfast.

Getting a decent feed down here isn’t easy, given the horrific, toxic nature of the Biomass we find. Truly vast quantities of food are being shipped down from above, but interestingly, once I report to the mess hall, I find that some of the newly spawned creatures that have begun popping up in the fortress are on the plate.

“Are we sure this stuff is safe to eat?” I ask the ants who delivered the food.

“It’s been tested and cleared,” she says with a shrug of her antennae. “It’s a good thing there’s something spawning around here we can eat.”

Well, that’s no lie. I tuck in, getting several system messages from the bushy bearded one as I do.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Musculus Vorator, you are awarded one Biomass]

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Fames Thrombocyti, you are awarded one Biomass]

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Venatio Leucocytos, you are awarded one Biomass]

Hey, I’ll take three extra points of Biomass. That’s what we call winning. As I continue to munch, I idly check the profiles. I’m interested to see if Gandalf has something informative to say about these beasties.

[Musculus Vorator: Devouring Muscle, these small monsters aren’t that threatening on their own, but when they form into a pack, they are significantly more dangerous. Able to attach to each other and merge their flesh, these creatures can pack a punch.]

[Fames Thrombycyti: Hungering Platelet, these monsters are known for their ability to contain Biomass for extended periods. They seek to suck in and consume their prey, moving the stored Biomass to a safe place where they can digest it over time.]

[Venatio Leucocytos: Hunting Leukocytes, a specialised predator who seeks out parasitic monster types, consuming and dissolving them within its gelatinous form.]