Spirit Taming

Chapter 289: Second Floor Pests

The group was silent for a little while as Clark led them through the same passageways and toward a clearly marked set of stairs. The map that Clark had gotten from the system was really not much of a help since he had already assumed he could just follow the other paths of tamers before him to the stairs.

But the system allowed for him to mindlessly follow the map without having to worry about much. He could process the bonds with beasts that lasted beyond death.

Being able to rationalize the fact that some beasts would remain with their tamer even beyond death was a big deal. Also that the system had hinted that there were really gods in the world. These two things had weight of different sorts when put on the mind.

The bonds a tamer had would develop differently. Clark could feel that his bond with Devi and Crim was more powerful than with Shy. it was just the time and energies that they shared. They had been together much longer and been through longer.

However, the bond that he had with Shy was a more deeply rooted bond. That was because Shy's egg had rested in Clark's taming space until she hatched. This was as close a bond as they could get that wasn't the spirit beast that was born when a tamer was born. Just like Devi who was literally part of who Clark was always and forever. Shy was the next closest to that.

But Crim still had an insanely solid bond with Clark. He was the second beast that had gained strength beside Clark as a partner.

Bonds were always important. The stronger the bond the better energies would flow. And now, Clark could even prove that the bond could last even beyond death. The beast would stay and follow certain practices to guard their tamer even in the next life. Clark wondered what would happen to him when he passed away. Would he end up as a ghost type beast with Devi?

It was something hard to think about.

But even harder to process was that there was a real goddess of harvest. A real god that had existed and was worshiped by humans. So much so that the goddess had passed down beasts to help guard their faith and the priests.

The idea that gods existed wasn't something that Calrk denied because he had somehow been given a system and reborn in another world by a creator of some sort. It was just hard to grasp that it was all true and that some gods openly participated in this world that Clark was still fairly inexperienced with.

He had barely begun to expand his experiences in the cities let alone his goals after being reborn with a family.

"So we are heading to the next floor?" Clark snapped out of his thoughts after hearing Maria. He had been standing at the stairs for a few moments.

"Yes, there should be some beasts to deal with. The first floor is the most hunted. But since we have learned that this is the underground section of a city then we have better ideas of what we might find. I am willing to expect a few beasts that were pests."

The thought process was very right. Many cities had pests. Rat type beasts in particular would hide in any dark or damp crevice. Add in the insect type beasts and there would be a full on infestation. That was why many tamers with weaker beasts and less talent would take up the job of clearing such beasts.

Being an exterminator with a beast specialized in it was not a frowned upon position. Everyone had learned to respect them. Most common people would never want to do that job. It was dirty and disgusting. But it was necessary to health and safety. That was why many people who had been in cities when they fought had described the military tamers of either city ignoring the work of exterminators.

What was the point of taking a city that had infections and diseases running rampant?

"So we get to squash some bugs. Easy enough." Brad said this but looked a little sweaty. He had been moving slower because of the heavier black iron sword and shield. It was going to be a major adjustment for him. But with the taming space, he was already gaining new muscles while he went through the dungeon. He just didn't notice it.

"Make sure you snack a little while we move." Clark saw that Brad needed the nutrition and tossed him a piece of jerky from his spatial ring.

"I will take the lead this time." Reese wanted to ensure that he would face the beasts when he saw them. Clark had just described the weaker of the beasts he had heard of in such dungeons. Since that was the case, he knew that he would be the best chance to grow.

"Good thinking. You can try to handle the little beasts that we find. But if there are a lot of them, let Clark take over. If it happens to be a bad case where we might get swarmed, Crim can handle them." Maria didn't mention that Crim could breathe fire since he was a dragon.

Brad and Reese had not seen Crim use this attack but it was a last resort for the moment since Crim was not strong enough to use the skill over and over again.

"Sure thing." Reese didn't argue. He knew that Maria was keeping them all on the same page and being honest with her words. He had already figured out that she had learned to hold back what she said a little. It was something that Calrk seemed to do and she took from him. If only Reese knew that Clark was often silent because he was using the analysis skill on as many things as possible.

The stairs were short and opened up to a longer corridor. There were a few tamers resting by the stairs that gave slight nods. Even a few signs had been posted as information for the tamers around.

"This floor is called the storage floor. Apparently, it was part of the underground that was made for storage facilities." Maria read this off one of the signs then pointed out the warning fliers posted on the same board. "Brown rats have been breeding more after the gree roach was hunted."

"So we will have to worry about gnawing teeth and scratches. That means potential illness and poisoning. Keep your eyes open they might blend in to shadows." The group was watched by the few tamers as they left. None of them said anything. They were a little surprised to see new people entering but they had already met their quota for the day and didn't feel like helping newbies.

Brad wondered what floor the groups they had seen had been to but didn't have much time to think on it. Clark was already standing at the ready when he heard the skittering of claws on the stone floor. This place had once been part of an underground storage warehouse. It was set up as such and was well finished to protect goods.

This world in their favor since they would be able to hear whatever was nearby moving on the stone floors. But it also made the sounds bounce around. It meant that it was harder for them to discern where something was coming from. In front of them? Behind them? To the side of them?

The dim lighting didn't help either.

Eventually, the sounds died down and became distant proving that they were well ahead. But the large open space made it seem that there had been a lot of work done around here. The ideal warehouse would have shelves and other things set up for goods. But this place had been cleaned up by previous tamers. It meant that they had space to fight whatever lived in the cracks and crevices of the walls.

That was until the group got to the branching paths that lead to other warehouse sections. It was clear that whatever magic or force had created and split this dungeon had connected multiple warehouses. It was strange to think of it this way but it was just how things were.

The sections connecting the large open spaces made it hard to clean out further paths. Therefore, the new rooms were still filled with stone and rusted metal shelves. This made their sightline harder. It also made their ability to fight harder. But what also happened, was that the sounds picked up again.

The main open room had been easy to chase anything. But this was going to make it harder. It was proven even more when the squealing of rats communicating made its way to the group's ears. They understood that there was nothing to eat down here other than fellow beasts…or tamers. Why would the rats have suddenly been so energetic and loud?

Was it because four pieces of food and just walked in to their hunting grounds?