As the beautiful silver moon washed over us, I lay and stared up at the planet that hung lazily in the sky.

The atmosphere of the planet gave it a light purple appearance. It was another reminder that I wasn’t back on Earth.

My long centipede form was curled around in a tight circle, and inside, the kids lay huddled together while they slept.

Before long, I pried my eyes from the sky and opened my system panel to check how much biomass I currently have.

[Biomass: 16,758]

After taking out over a hundred worms, including the boss monster, I was left with over sixteen thousand biomass.

I could hardly believe it. After molting and gaining the skill that allowed me to change my size by using biomass, I didn’t purchase any more evolutions after killing 107 worms, to be exact.

With this much biomass, I could speed up Lily’s hatch time and create a few more monsters to go with her.

I still had the core that belonged to the hornet queen, and now I had the vampyric worm’s boss monster core.

And just as I do with myself, I can evolve them using biomass. Further, I can also use them to collect biomass and mana, and I also gain experience whenever they level up.

I should hatch Lily’s egg as quickly as possible, but first, I have to bring these kids to somewhere safe.

While I was scouting, before I found the boss monster, I found a town. They should be safe there.

It would be best if I brought them there tonight since, during the day would be more risky.

"Apex?"

Suddenly, a soft, delicate voice called out to me. The sound was barely above a whisper.

"Kali? You’re still awake?"

The young girl slowly nodded her head before answering.

"I just wanted to thank you again, really. If it wasn’t for you, then we wouldn’t have survived for so long."

"Don’t worry about it. You should get some rest."

"No." Her voice grew a bit adamant. "I’ve been thinking about it... how I could repay you, I mean. I finally came up with an idea. I want to help you with my magic, like heal your wounds when you’re in need."

"Kali..."

"The players that captured me said I was valuable for this. Since I could heal any wounds, even bring someone back from near death in the worst case. I can use it to heal you since you get into a lot of fights. While the others leave, I’ll stay with you to repay you for all you’ve done."

Kali was beaming with joy as she spoke. It sounded as if she had thought long and hard about this.

How do I make her understand? Her ability shouldn’t be one you should use carelessly.

Preferably, it shouldn’t be used at all since, when she heals someone, the wound gets transferred over to her.

"I know a better way you could repay me."

"Hmm?" She raised her head. "What is it?"

"By taking care of Alazar and the others. They don’t have any parents, so they’ll need someone to help them."

Kali didn’t respond immediately, and for a moment, only silence filled the air.

"That... would be nice," she finally whispered, bashfully. "It may be difficult, but I think we could manage."

"You don’t have to worry. I sent you off empty-handed." Even in Vesperia, monster cores could be traded for money.

Just a few would be enough for them to start a new life.

"It’s a big responsibility, but if you spend wisely, you should be fine."

Kali nodded, and even in the dark night, her eyes seemed to shimmer.

"Year ago, when I was little, before we had to flee, my parents owned an inn in the capital. It was always rowdy and loud and filled with misfits, but I always loved the atmosphere. If I can, then I would like to build something like that."

"Then go for it," I suggested. "With Alazar, Hal, Ala, Aria, and Aries helping you, you should be fine."

A warm smile appeared on her delicate face as her eyes then drifted to the night sky.

"You really think so..."

The two of us sat silently for hours until dawn was about to break. That’s when I finally stood up, ready to leave.

"Wake up. It’s time to go."

At my words, they all stirred, groggy, before finally opening their eyes and standing up.

Then they finally climbed onto my back. I molded my exoskeleton so the obsidian wouldn’t cut them as they climbed. My carapace was also coated in a thin layer of googum that made it easy for them to climb.

The twins made their way up onto my back excitedly, with a strange twinkle in their eyes, while the others, still sleepy, slowly made their way up.

When they were finally on top of my carapace, I began crawling slowly before vibrating my wings and taking off into the sky.

"Woah!"

"This is so cool!"

I could hear the twins’ words of amazement as I soared across the sky like a dragon. (Only with better wings)

They made sure to take in the scenery as I flew. Even though there wasn’t much of it.

For miles out, there was only red sand but far across the horizon, the son was beginning to rise bathing the sky in a beautiful orange glow.

Soon I arrived at the town I saw earlier.

"Up in the sky..."

"What is that?"

"It’s a monster!"

"Quick, go get the baron!"

The town first looked quiet but as I appeared lights of the different houses began turning on until the town was bright again.

As I floated in the sky just above the town, a small force of what seemed like warriors laid in wait for me, weapons in hand.

At the head of the group was a big, tall man wearing expensive armor with a lavishly long sword.

I take it he must be their leader.

The rest of the town folks had stayed inside their houses, and I could practically feel their eyes on me as they shifted their curtains to peek through the window.

Driven by panic at the sudden appearance of a monster, they didn’t even notice the demon children on my back.

Slowly, I lowered myself to the ground as they aimed their bows and staffs, ready to attack at the slightest act of aggression.

Luckily, though, I managed to land before they did anything stupid, but it felt as if they were seconds away from attacking.

"It’s best you guys go quickly now. We don’t have much time left."

"Thank you for everything. You really did keep your word," Alazar said. "It means a lot to me."

"Be safe, big guy."

"Apex, we’ll miss you."

"You’ll always be the coolest monster ever!"

"Hmph... I guess you weren’t all that terrible."

The children had mixed reactions about us parting.

"Take care of yourselves."

Wiping away the welled-up tears in their eyes, they all held hands as they slid down my carapace.

"Hold!"

The baron shouted. I guess he was talking to the archers and the mages who were ready to attack at any moment.

A look of confusion and shock crossed his face as he saw the children.

It wasn’t just him, but everyone who saw the event unfold seemed surprised. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"What’s going on?"

With my job now finished, I vibrated my wings and took to the skies once again. Looking back briefly, I saw the children surrounded by town folks and I couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

I flew for less than an hour before landing on the ground and diving into the soil.

I made my way deep underground, and when I was sure I was safe enough, I began turning the area around me into magma, just to make the space a bit more comfortable, sort of like a temporary nest.

I don’t know why, but swimming in magma had this calming effect on me.

After I was done setting up this temporary nest, I got down to business by taking out the egg that contained Lily.

[5 days until egg hatches. Do you wish to speed up the hatch time with 1000 biomass?][Y/N]