Spirit Taming

Chapter 50: Base Camp

"We were bossed around from the start. Ralph had all the supplies dropped on him at one point. I was thrown the map and told I had to navigate. And for some reason, they treated Maria like she wasn't even there." Clark was right out of the gate with his explanation. He had thought about it carefully. The attitude that Allen had would perfectly explain what had happened.

"By the time we got to the second grouping of goblins, they were looking at us and laughing. They didn't even let us fight the first few because they said our beasts were nothing compared to theirs. Ralph and I have tough beasts, and Maria's can heal while also poisoning. We could have helped. But then they stepped aside and let one goblin attack us without us expecting it. We weren't ready."

Professor Brune did not flinch at any of these words. He just looked Clark dead in the eyes waiting for as many details as possible.

"When that happened we ran. None of us were ready and the third years along with our other classmate thought it was hysterical. Until this weird hobgoblin showed up." Clark pulled the demented hobgoblin out of his spatial ring.

"Some of it was eaten by Crim because it hurt him and he needed to heal. The rest is as you see it. It attacked us and if we all did not fight together we wouldn't be left. Maria and I used ranged attacks while Ralph used close combat. When it threw its tantrum we retreated but not all of us were able to escape the regular goblins and this thing." Clark stored the body away again.

"By the time we had beaten it we had no idea where we were and what to do. We just followed the sounds of running water to find the river. We rested and decided to push on to the camp because we could report to you what happened. I don't know if they made it…or if…" Clark trailed off. He felt that his acting had been perfect for the situation.

"I am leaving to investigate this. Mark on the map where you last remember being. Explain this to your professor as well when you reach camp." Every single one of them felt shivers as professor Brune looked them over before leaving.

It wasn't clear if they would be able to get away with the story or not, however, they all felt that it was just close enough to the truth that they would be safe with it.

Without any discussion, the group moved ahead slowly hearing the crackle of fire getting closer. By the time the sun had fully set and the flames were clear to them, they had reached the camp.

There were many tents set up and most of the students were in groups talking. Some were being healed or patched up while others seemed to have avoided any harm at all. Just as they came in to sight, a lot of the students looked at them. It was mostly because they were the last to return, but also because they returned missing a significant number of their group.

"Explanation, now." Professor Wright asked in the same tone as Professor Brune. Without skipping a single beat, Clark repeated the exact same story he told Professor Brune. Some of the nearby students listened in and were shocked when Clark brought out the demented hobgoblin body.

Once Clark had finished, he found that professor Wright was still looking at him carefully. She knew there had to be more to the story. Small details that one of the brightest students she had was leaving out intentionally. Yet, this was not the time or place to pry in to such matters. The main focus of this outing was to learn. The potential to lose students was always present.

All those that sent students here would know this.

"Maria, you will help heal those with injuries. Ralph, start getting more firewood with the three other boys over there. Clark, you will come with me." There was an air of uncertainty around Clark and Crim since they had no idea what was going on. Devi was scouting out the campsite so he didn't immediately follow them in to the large tent that the professors used.

"Your mentor left me with specific instructions for you. You are the only student allowed to leave camp. You may train at night when you do not need to be here. Understood? You are the only one." This was excellent news. Clark needed to get Devi out and about to attack and grow.

There were so many materials that he wanted to hunt for.

"I understand. Then I will take advantage of that and go out. I will be back in a short while. I won't remain out all night. I need to rest from what has happened today." Clark didn't forget to explain that he needed rest. This seemed to relax professor Wright slightly.

She was having a hard time believing that all the events Clark had told her about had actually happened.

Not wasting any time, Clark left the professor's tent. He was sure that he could do a lot in three or four hours being left alone. He already knew what kind of materials were growing within the goblin cemetery. He could gather a large number of them to work on his taming space. From there he could hunt a few goblins to provide food for Devi and Crim. the two could benefit massively.

"Listen up, we are heading in to the wilds at night for materials and battle. Just stick close and be ready." Clark knew that both Crim and Devi were energetic for a battle. The bond he had with them made him know how they were feeling about many things, right now it was excitement for battle.

'Quest- Goblin shaman

The hosts' mentor has allowed a privilege no other student has. During this allotted training time, the host should strive to become stronger. Therefore, the host is expected to slay a goblin shaman before the sun rises.

Reward- 3 gotcha tickets'

This was exactly what Clark needed to keep himself moving. He had a new quest from the system which would reward him with more gotcha pulls. This could be anything for him right now, he needed a spear or materials to make a spear so the gotcha tickets might give him that. There was also the chance he could get any number of other things but that wasn't an issue.

He was going to take whatever he was blessed with.

"Crim, Devi, we are going to find a goblin shaman. You remember the things that the potion making goblin shaman could do. So make sure you keep an eye on Crim, he hasn't battled against the potential elemental skills it can use." Clark ensured that he would be able to focus on his own attacks without worry that Crim would be caught unaware.

With being on the same page, they all refocused. Clark knew he was going in to a dangerous world. The wild changed radically at night. The goblins would be stronger. But so would he and Devi. they would be much stronger in the darkness that wrapped around them.

Crim would be able to learn a great deal.