Spirit Taming

Chapter 571: Misty Jungle

"Were those really beasts from the deep wilderness? Are we sure that we aren't taking the wrong path?" Jerold had a proper question. The way that they had all dealt with the jungle rabbits appeared way too easy.

" just because the weaker beasts are not dangerous does not mean they won't kill you. The dangers of the jungle rabbit are in their body, not fighting ability. You can easily defeat them, but only foolish beasts will eat them and kill themselves. That's the danger. It's literally eating poison." Maria was the wiser of the group when it came to this.

They had all felt that this was a simple and easy event, but the level of danger is much higher than any of them realized. "Maria is right. We do not have an alchemist and poison resistance that can handle such a thing in the wilderness. Maria has a lot to learn to get to that level. Therefore, if you ate that, you would be dead. No question about it."

"But that's just part of it we are heading toward one of the smaller dungeons that a few people have managed to get to without as much trouble as we know. It's called the steaming plains dungeon. It's a small one floor dungeon that anyone exploring the violent jungle used to stop at." Clark showed the excerpt from the books that he read to the group.

"I wanted to stop there because it isn't used much any more. The fact that the violent jungle hasn't been part of an expedition for years will mean that whatever is in this dungeon will be ours to take." Clark's thinking was simple but everyone else showed strange expressions.

"A deep wilderness dungeon just a half day travel from the edge of the forest to the jungle? Are you sure that we should be going there?" It was Grace this time that had the questions. They all had their fear, but this would be the first trial that they faced in a dangerous place.

"Yes. we can handle it. Clark showed me the data about the dungeon. It is really a decent place to show ourselves what a real untouched dungeon is like compared to the highly used dungeons within the Nova City territory." in turn, Ella replied. She was very interested to compare the two.

"I get it. Basically, the hammers used every day are the dungeons we are used to. This is a hammer used once a month. It's not as worn, but it feels different. Then we can compare it to a hammer that is never used or is brand new." In Ralph's own way, he understood it. Surprisingly, Brad and Reese showed understanding the moment that Ralph said it.

"Yes yes yes, it's a hammer that doesn't get used all the time so we can prepare for one that's never been used. A dungeon is a hammer." Isa's sarcasm did not stop there, her added eyeroll was just enough to make Ralph glare.

"We know a lot about this dungeon since it used to be a spot where multiple expeditions stopped, it was well recorded. Clark didn't get the only information about it. The steaming plains are a small flat land of heat tolerant grasses. The steam is from the water and fire type beasts clashing.

I would say it is comparable to a marsh with fresh water and isolated from the ocean and the rivers." Ella's evaluation continued as if she hadn't seen anyone glaring or heard any sarcasm. It was times like this where Clark was glad to have a logical person with him.

"Then what else are we looking for?" Maria was worried that they would not be looking for the right place. A dungeon that had not been touched for so long might be completely overgrown or broken.

"We are looking for the steam that leaves it. It's become part of the jungle. The escaping steam allows for the plants to thrive near it. That's why the jungle has been growing in this area. If it didn't exist, the jungle would probably be smaller. Not by much, but by a small margin." Clark also understood how such a dungeon being there would allow for the jungle to grow.

The steam would come from the dungeon and condense. This would create an odd cycle of mist flowing in and out of the dungeon. But the good thing was, that beasts shouldn't be much of a worry.

"We will be on the look out for snakes, lizards, and other types of beasts like this. There are even eels that can leave the small water and go in to the high grasses. Amphibious eels. I have no idea what their real name is, but they were recorded as beasts to be wary of." Clark's eyes shifted toward Maria's shadow.

The midnight eel was a beast that had dark and spiritual affinities. Therefore, it hid in Maria's shadow all the time. It also was able to attack better because of this. But dealing with other eel type beasts might be tough. They would be good on water and potentially act like snakes on land. A troublesome idea that would make traversing the dungeon tough.

"Because this dungeon is small, it won't have the strongest beasts, right? That's why this area isn't too dangerous because of dungeon breaks?" Grace had finally caught on to the benefits of the smallest dungeons.

"Exactly! That's great. We can take the dungeon and use it as a challenge while still dealing with strong beasts. But we shouldn't have to deal with a really strong beast." Isa's understanding when she heard what Grace caught on to was through the roof. She was very energized to know that this was the case.

'Survival sub quest- shifting mists

Due to the current survival chain quest, a sub quest has been created.

Requirement: maneuver the mists and make it toward the steaming plains dungeon to explore and train.

Reward: one basic gotcha ticket, one small fire energy crystal.'

'Survival sub quest- steaming plains dungeon

Requirement: challenge the steaming plains and completely explore the small area within.

Reward: one random gotcha ticket, five random small energy crystals.'

Two sub quests appeared as Clark was still talking with the others. He was glad that they had gotten on this topic since he could tell the dense air was becoming harder to see through. The slight mist as they approached the area where the dungeon had an affect on the terrain had started to show itself. He would be able to make it a very useful adventure.

"We are going to be getting stronger now." Clark narrowed his eyes as he noticed the mist moving with a slight breeze.

Mist was something that made traveling harder. They had changed where they were beheaded because of the mists surrounding the Lunar City territories. However, unlike that time, this mist was moved by the warm breeze of the jungle. It only happened because some areas had colder air due to the cooling mist and other areas had warmer mist due to the sun rising up.

This created an awkward shifting mist that would easily confuse people. It wasn't necessarily dangerous because it contained anything dangerous. It was all about the senses. If someone were to only focus on what they saw, then they would end up walking in the direction of the breeze. Byt doing so, they would never end up at the dungeon nor would they end up anywhere recognizable.

If this happened to the group, Clark could save them with the violent jungle map. It was magically adjusting as the system had created it. But he had to explore and get through this. Iut would be a small test of his senses.

"Keep yourselves alert. Beasts might be hunting in the mists along with ahead of us near the dungeon. Tamer's might not have come this way in a long time so they are not scared off." Clark's last warning brought the group closer.

Whether it was his orders or not, they all had instincts. These instincts told everyone to remain closer to one another compared to usual. This was just for the basic safety that they knew they would have by not getting lost. Especially if they were ambushed by a predator that sued the mist.

Brad in particular raised his shield. The possessed armaments was a beast that did not need much in turn of attention. Instead, it was somewhat one with its tamer just like Purple and his purple spirit beast. They

were united in one body. For Brad, his possessed armaments were one in the same. They shared a body in essence since it took on the shape of armor and weapons.

As it grew, this would only be more evident. But for Brad, he had a deeper sense of instincts that would allow him to protect the group. They would have Brad there to protect them from things within the mist. Understanding this, Clark moved the group around so that Brad was guarding the back of everyone. He took the lead so that they were a double protective armor around the group.

It was time to push through this small trial.