Spirit Taming

Chapter 545: Violent Jungle It Is!

As Clark finished reading the journal entries and pushing himself back to other pages to get a better understanding, he developed a respect. The researchers that had gone in to the violent jungle had named it this only for the fact that those that did not travel with care would perish violently.

The plants were very dangerous. Many plants or plant type beasts lived in this area. They would do whatever they could to survive, some developed poisons over time while others became more sentient and hunted for prey. Both were extremely deadly in their own ways.

What struck Clark as odd was that the researchers still called this place violent even though it was just the way nature was. Nature was both peaceful and violent. The reason that the quests he had received was a question wasn't because the jungle was truly violent in the deep wilderness. It was because Clark had to make the end decision if he would see all wilderness as violent.

The fact that he had to decide was part of life. He needed to take a stance of how he would view the world he lived in overall. This step was one that many would have to go through in real life while facing these wildernesses. Now though, Clark was making the choice sooner. Facing the realization that the very world he lived in was more unique than he had understood.

'Sudden quest: Truly Violent?

Requirement- read the ten volumes of the wandering explorer's journey in to the ""violent jungle""

Reward- permanent increase in reading speed and comprehension'

The burst of energy in his mind made Clark stumble slightly before he realized that everything was slightly clearer. Making the distinction of what the journals spoke about and what the deep wilderness was made him understand a lot about the world.

The deep wilderness was just unexplored or places that nature had full control. Humans were part of that but they had worked to make these places less wild in a way. They had somewhat restrained nature. The records were right here. The journals spoke about rules to follow. Making a place that appeared violent less so.

With this understanding, Clark began placing books back and walked to the copied books. He grabbed as many as he could afford. Leather working, metal working, metal studies, alchemy basics, herbalism studies, and so many more specific copies. He even managed to find a book of basic runes and their meaning.

This would help everyone understand the runes carved in to equipment when Ralph was able to do so at a better quality.

The woman in charge of the archives gave a soft wave as Clark left. She had been very happy to see someone with the right mind to learn more. The fact that someone had arrived and put their head to the grind to learn about the deep wilderness and also bought plenty of basic knowledge books proved that it would not be a foolish endeavor.

At first, she had seen Clark as a fool who wanted to risk his life for a large reward. Now she understood that it was not a blind desire to go to the deep wilderness. Clark studied and would prepare himself which was the key to surviving for anyone that went outside a city in general. The young had a bright future.

Getting back to the room that had been set aside for the group was pretty quick. Since so few people were out and about by the time that Clark left the Terra City archives, he managed to move through the streets with ease. The guards recognized his badges and a few gave nods of approval. That was just the respect he had earned from those who knew how the young would create a future.

Or, it could be the allies slowly growing who had grasped the reason Clark had befriended Purple and the vice headmaster. But it was hard to know right now.

"Good! You're here. Let me see what you have so i can catalog it with Ella. or well, i can do it by myself." Isa looked over at Ella who had already taken a book from Clark and opened it. Regardless of the subject, she was going to speed read all of the books bought so that she could better use whatever little pieces of knowledge they had.

"I was planning to start a growth plan update for everyone's beasts, so Ella can read whatever she wants while you catalog our items. I also wanted to think about a few things too." Clark saw that Isa was expectant when it came to updated growth plans. Clark had still not said anything when the flame sprite grew in to a blaze elemental.

She was interested in the real future and the details needed for it to be stronger.

"Everyone should let their beasts speak with mine. I learned a lot about the violent jungle, the deep wilderness we will be heading toward. Apparently, there is a powerful dungeon that we can grow in." Clark knew they might not make it to such a dungeon. However, that would be a good goal for the time being. Just to reach it or enter the first floor.

"Really? You already decided what wilderness to go to? Don't tell me we are going back up north." Ralph wanted to be somewhere he could use as a forge. If they went somewhere that they could not gather fuel for forge flames, then that was it. He would have to stay back to develop his skills better. The glare he sent toward Clark just reinforced his feelings about this.

"No, it's a jungle. Like I just said, it's a deep wilderness that I want to tell everyone about." This comment got Reese and Brad focused too. Maria cleaned up what she was working on since she was preparing some materials they had purchased for alchemy. The cracked jade worm egg had been surrounded by water, fire, and a few other elemental crystals to allow it to grow better.

Maria had been very carefully caring for it since the odds that it would hatch earlier were very high with Clark's constant attention to the growth plan.

"If we are going to a jungle, then shouldn't we learn more about walking silently in a forest? I heard that jungles are filled with sneak predators that leap out of shadows and from trees." Jerold had his own worries. He had read a book about a jungle once and it spoke of greater dangers than any random forest by comparison.

"We will be fine. There are rules to follow. The only reason people call it a violent jungle is because they don't know how to travel through it. Certain plants are dangerous but can be avoided. The same for beasts. Just knowing that one is around is enough to both save our lives and prevent a battle.

Some beasts could care less about a tamer walking nearby its territory, but through it? That causes the problems we see in books or through word of mouth. That's why I read a full ten volumes of exploration notes from the place we are going."

This smoothed the nerves of the entire group. It also left Grace with the quick motion to take notes as Clark explained some specific beasts that he had read about. The herbs were noted down by Maria who wanted to use them for alchemy as they went.

After speaking about the potential materials that could be burned in a forge to help refine metals, Ralphs understood that the different fuels for the forge would be a very good way to learn more about metals.

"So the violent jungle will be our destination. Before that I guess we just need to divide up materials. I have brought our storage of gold to the lowest possible. We only have some silver and copper coins left. Just enough for the last bit of food before we leave." Isa made the final financial report before handing everyone the specific energy crystals they needed for their beasts.

"And we will basically be fighting beasts and the literal jungle since everything sounds like it can kill us. Great." Reese was a little sour since he was certain that his partner would get covered in dirt or poisons. He didn't want his spiritual steel sword to get dirty like that.

"I know you don't want to of somewhere that is so overgrown, but would you prefer to head to the endless desert? No one has crossed it yet. We could be the first if we don't get eaten by the largest of the beasts hiding under the sands? Or would you prefer to let the sun melt you?" Clark teased Reese a little since this option was the toughest to take on.

"Yup, we are going to a jungle." The group laughed a little since Brad was the one that decided against the desert the most of all. Something about carrying his possessed armament through the sand and sun made him not want to do it. Go figure.