Spirit Taming

Chapter 616: The Small Trail

The group looked at Reese who was the only one questioning this. It wasn't that they knew what they were, but that they were sure that the answer would not be good.

"Regardless of the missing information when it comes to this map and how it could possibly exist… The titan spider is a spider that will often live in large forests. I assume that this titan spider may be a variant species that can live in larger places with more humidity." The group was carefully paying attention to Ella's knowledge. It would be very useful.

"They are hairy spiders. If they are threatened, they will lose those hairs and kick them in the air to scare away larger predators. They are large themselves, their predators are larger. That aside, they are somewhat slow, but because of their size, they are brutal. They also have large venom fangs and like to hide in burrows under the ground.

They will make webbed nests in those burrows where they store food."

While Ella spoke on this, Clark realized that this could be very risky. Passing nearby an area where these spiders live would be very dangerous because they might not notice the burrows. They could easily be ambushed.

"I think we are asking for trouble at that palace. Especially if they live along the river and capture prey heading for water." Maria understood why the spiders were there without hearing anything else. It made it very easy for them to hunt from their burrows. They could always have beasts to eat that were moving to the water for a drink.

"We have to get moving whether we like it or not. It should only take the day to move through the winding trails and get there. I am more worried about whatever beasts are making the trails that the map has them on it." Clark looked at the map again. "Whatever beast it is can avoid the predators and must be quick."

The others also knew of the added dangers to having a path on a prey trail. The beasts that traveled on this would always be using it as a trail. Therefore, the predators knew that if they hung around that trail that they would eventually have a chance to grab some food.

"We should just start moving. You have Devi and he can scout some of the area out, right? So when we get there, he can tell us where some brows are and we can avoid them." Jerold also knew that he could test his counting ability there. He could be able to see what might alert such a large spider of their appearance in their territory.

"Why are there spiders everywhere? Did we not ask that question yet?" Grace started to follow where Clark was leading, but she was sure as hell going to ask why a jungle was full of larger, if not giant, spiders.

"The jungle is the ideal place for large bug type beasts and large predatory beasts in general to grow. They have a lot to eat and a lot of competition. It is actually surprising how much the beasts avoid usher. I assume it is because of the unique dragon energy that Clark radiates at all times due to his bond with Crim.

However, Ralph also has a very weak dragon energy near him because of the dragon welp. It may not be a real dragon, but it has the blood and is not entirely anything else because of that. It may even have a chance to grow stronger due to that."

While this was something that Clark already assumed, he had not said it out loud. He had been more focused on other things. However, Ella had long ago assumed this and made notes of what energies the group raided on an individual level.

"You really focus that much on us?" Ralph wasn't mean or blunt with his reply. He was surprisingly curious. He had believed that Ella was more focused on the research she had to do than anything else.

"I have to. You are the people willing to support my research and help me to a position where I can share that with others. It is natural that I would value every single one of you as greater than an average person I meet. Especially since we have come together under a very prestigious goal to cleanse the home we have and discover new aspects of the world we live in."

This prompt reply made Ralph a little happier. He had not thought about it in the way that Ella did. But they were all pretty damn special. It also seemed to boost the mood of the entire group.

"Again, why more spiders? We have seen them in many places. It feels like the entire world has spiders. Those glacial spiders, the ones in that cave, then the jungle spiders, and now some giant spiders called titan spiders?" Grace was still at the end of her patience when it came to spiders.

"Don't forget that Shyama is a spider type beast. She is considered the one and only of her kind, but she has eight legs that she hides to look like a doll and the hair is just a bunch of shadow threads she controls. What would you say if she finished her growth and she hears you saying you don't like spiders?"

"Shy is different. She is a part of the family. I don't care what she is and what she turns in to. That's the same for any beast that joins us. We even have a ghost which is supposed to be some mythical beast that doesn't actually exist." Devi seemed to laugh in agreement.

While Devi had always been with Clark as a spirit beast, he did not even understand his own existence. He had a unique spiritual and soul energy within him that stood out above all. As Clark believed, this was due to having to lives. One he had before this life and another row when he was reborn. Therefore, it made sense that he would have a spirit beast somewhat related.

"See, Devi even agrees. We can accept anything as long as they are family. But beasts that aren't family or tamers that aren't will be judged." Grace humphed a few times before the group kept moving. They had left the odd area they had been in before.

Many of the vines around had already died off and are turning black. The drunken grapes proved to be very dangerous in that essence. Since they were disturbed, any rotten trees or parts of stone they held together would soon collapse.

Furthermore, the warm mist that was growing again was pushing away the alcoholic scents even more. It would allow beasts to come nearer to where the group had camped out. But that was nothing for them to worry about. Maybe when they came back one day to see what the dungeon that formed here was, but not right now.

"Wait, this is the trail?" Jerold halted everyone and pointed out the small path. It was a tiny brown area that was patted down by many traveling beasts so much so that not even moss seemed to grow in the center. What they also noticed was that it was barely enough for just one of them to walk down without issues.

"Well, it should be overgrown. It is an old trail and beasts might not use it the same way as it used to be used. Plus, it cuts through the territory's edges so that nothing goes near it. We need to follow it perfectly or else we might get chased by orange baboons or worse." Clark shrugged as he took the lead. He motions to Ralph to call out his molten boar.

Having a larger beast on their backside would be an ideal deterrent.

Brad took the position next to Clark. He had done so because he felt his body aching and wanted to have a motivator to keep him walking through the sore muscles he had. Plus, he also could keep an eye on this and defend where he needed to defend with his partner.

"And there is already a sign of what we might have to deal with here." Jerold pointed out some small droppings on the trail. Evidence that a smaller beast had recently run through here.

'Red jungle raccoon- rare

Known as the jungle bandit, this red jungle raccoon is known for sneaking up on predators, stealing small parts of their prey, and running away. This is how they eat when they can not find proper berries and other things to eat.

They are very agile and manage to easily blend in with red flowers or red leaves in the jungle. They are not native to this violent jungle but were lost here by a traveling research group who wanted to test whether or not this area could be used as a breeding den for them. The results are a small number of jungle bandits living here permanently…'