Cool as FUCK, pobably less glowy more shiny in my opinion, especially to Ferin eyes I guess. Matches with their (tapetum lucidum(?) Glowing(?)) eyes. Now as to why and how their teeth are so inhumanly white, I’m gonna start headcannoning the more minor cave corruption alterations to the body
Maybe it’s a form of bioluminescence developed from cave dwelling. It would make sense since they have already evolved to crawl on walls and see in the dark. Or it just looks really cool (which it does).
Or perhaps more disgusting: their teeth are coated in bioluminescent bacteria, algae, or other microbes that have evolved to have a parasitic relationship with the crawlers, feeding off the gristle and scraps that get stuck. A being of eternal hunger would make a good host for dental microorganisms.
Is the crave crawler speaking trying to deceive Dainix or do they want help? I’m having trouble telling if they were reaching to attack or whether they’re just reacting to Falst’s hit. If they are after some kind of help, could they be asking Dainix to kill them?
You know, that’s once hell of predator trick, even if it’s unintentional. Even if that’s the person inside making one desperate last attempt to break out, it’s going to fail. At this point, though, I think it’s intentional to get people to drop their guard. I bet that a cave crawler had a genuine “please” moment with someone in the cave, and the person hesitated, so the other crawlers remembered it for gambits like this.
I wonder how much awareness/control they have. Like, if they yelled “If you all stop and get us out we can bring you some food”, would some respond? Would some even restrain others to facilitate?
I realized that the “please” wasn’t necessarily “please don’t shoot me”, but rather a “please let me eat you so I don’t starve.” Which is the same desperation, but…a lot more horrifying.
I interpreted it to be the far more tragic: “Please… kill me.” But that depends largely on how much humanity or sentience these creatures have retained.
These are like actual zombies, like the undead tormented soul variety, not the viral knock-offs. (I have my biases I’ll admit.) I don’t have an insightful statement to make, I just like that type of zombie more because they don’t try to make sense.
There may even be some kind of hypnotic something going on, because in that penultimate panel we can see lines indicating the rush that Falst cuts off has already started, but Dainix isn’t responding to a rush of oncoming movement.
It’s hard to tell with the speed of the action; It could be it’s just an instant’s pause and that’s all it takes.
Damn, “uncanny valley humans trying to eat you” only gets creepier when said uncanny valley humans are saying disconcerting things while trying to eat you. Especially something like “please” with all its possible meanings. If it was “blaaargh” or “I’m hungry” or “you look tasty” or something it would probably be less creepy since it would be expected. But please is so confusing and tragic, especially given the circumstances that it is genuinely creepy (and, as some people have pointed out, probably a very good distraction tactic)
If it had not just tried to disembowel him from the back in a sneak attack I could say listening to them might be an option. When you are surrounded by hundreds of them, and they are STILL trying to sneak attack you without talking FIRST? Yeah, assume it is another attempt to distract you and take em out.
Can’t help but feel sad for the cave crawlers. Not their fault they’re the way they are.
Wow that is horrifying
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: and now we see why in my notes I called this arc the “zombie dungeon funtime adventure”
Image source: please
Oh dear. These guys might not be as mindless as they look.
It was definitely a good idea for Dainix to re-string his crossbow.
A fight in the darkness is hard enough
Without enemies begging you to knock it off
Fighting through the horde
One utters a tiny “please”
Can’t afford pity!
I like the first-person perspective panel, and how it gives us an “Ed aiming a pistol at Envy’s true form” moment.
In regards to Wednesday’s question, yes. Cave corruption is DEFINITELY the worst.
Yup
Aurora Question #59: Jeez, that arm is suffering. Uhm… Anyone know why cave crawlers have glowing teeth?
Cool as FUCK, pobably less glowy more shiny in my opinion, especially to Ferin eyes I guess. Matches with their (tapetum lucidum(?) Glowing(?)) eyes. Now as to why and how their teeth are so inhumanly white, I’m gonna start headcannoning the more minor cave corruption alterations to the body
All the better to eat you my dear. Now be a good meal and let me eat you (Chesthire cat grin)
Maybe it’s a form of bioluminescence developed from cave dwelling. It would make sense since they have already evolved to crawl on walls and see in the dark. Or it just looks really cool (which it does).
Or perhaps more disgusting: their teeth are coated in bioluminescent bacteria, algae, or other microbes that have evolved to have a parasitic relationship with the crawlers, feeding off the gristle and scraps that get stuck. A being of eternal hunger would make a good host for dental microorganisms.
“A being of eternal hunger would make a good host for dental microorganisms” is not a sentence I thought I’d ever see, but that’s a good theory.
because Red said so and honestly I don’t think anyone here will disagree
aaah YIKES~!
Falst is kind of right, though. That cave crawler wasn’t trying to hug Dainix so… maybe not the right time for pity
Is the crave crawler speaking trying to deceive Dainix or do they want help? I’m having trouble telling if they were reaching to attack or whether they’re just reacting to Falst’s hit. If they are after some kind of help, could they be asking Dainix to kill them?
Either that, or it’s one of those “pleeease, can’t I eat you? Just a nibble? You have so much flesh on your bones, care to share?” things…
That was my thought too. Either asking for help, or asking for an end. Either way, heartbreaking.
Or Bolo BRL is right, in which case it’s just terrifying.
In the lore there is basically a vampire. They wouldn’t have issues with it if it weren’t intelligent.
Oooh, I just realized. This would be the perfect place to introduce the bat person in the sketches.
I may have said something similar in the last chapter
There once was a boy with a bow
Who was facing a terrible foe.
He stayed his hand
In pity unplanned
Until Falst comes in with a blow.
Honestly, I’m just surprised the cave crawlers speak a language they can understand.
You know, that’s once hell of predator trick, even if it’s unintentional. Even if that’s the person inside making one desperate last attempt to break out, it’s going to fail. At this point, though, I think it’s intentional to get people to drop their guard. I bet that a cave crawler had a genuine “please” moment with someone in the cave, and the person hesitated, so the other crawlers remembered it for gambits like this.
Oh I love that but I also hate it, that’s genuinely terrifying
Cave crawler #15 uses appeal to empathy!
Dainix is confused!
Falst uses taste these claws!
It’s super effective!
boy thats unsettling
Oh no it’s im legend all over again
I wonder how much awareness/control they have. Like, if they yelled “If you all stop and get us out we can bring you some food”, would some respond? Would some even restrain others to facilitate?
So uh… *maybe* VD Walter will try to manipulate Erin by agreeing to help him reverse cave corruption and then actually follow through? Maybe…?
Did anyone else think Dainix was holding a gun for a second?
Startin’ to get reeeaaaal ‘I Am Legend’ in here.
I realized that the “please” wasn’t necessarily “please don’t shoot me”, but rather a “please let me eat you so I don’t starve.” Which is the same desperation, but…a lot more horrifying.
I interpreted it to be the far more tragic: “Please… kill me.” But that depends largely on how much humanity or sentience these creatures have retained.
These are like actual zombies, like the undead tormented soul variety, not the viral knock-offs. (I have my biases I’ll admit.) I don’t have an insightful statement to make, I just like that type of zombie more because they don’t try to make sense.
TL;DR: Morally upstanding? Or just foolish?
There may even be some kind of hypnotic something going on, because in that penultimate panel we can see lines indicating the rush that Falst cuts off has already started, but Dainix isn’t responding to a rush of oncoming movement.
It’s hard to tell with the speed of the action; It could be it’s just an instant’s pause and that’s all it takes.
Thanks for the new nightmares, Red!
Damn, “uncanny valley humans trying to eat you” only gets creepier when said uncanny valley humans are saying disconcerting things while trying to eat you. Especially something like “please” with all its possible meanings. If it was “blaaargh” or “I’m hungry” or “you look tasty” or something it would probably be less creepy since it would be expected. But please is so confusing and tragic, especially given the circumstances that it is genuinely creepy (and, as some people have pointed out, probably a very good distraction tactic)
If it had not just tried to disembowel him from the back in a sneak attack I could say listening to them might be an option. When you are surrounded by hundreds of them, and they are STILL trying to sneak attack you without talking FIRST? Yeah, assume it is another attempt to distract you and take em out.
Every time you freeze Falst in the middle of an attack his pose is so, so Nightwing. I love them all!
Wait wasn’t that crosbowy-thingy broken a few pages ago?
Didn’t Dainx’s crossbow broken earlier? Red, are you being inconstant?
why did it look like Dainix just pulled out a literal gun for a second tho.