Spirit Taming

Chapter 617: Picking A Hunt

"What? Red jungle raccoons? You mean the stupid rat things that are basically just oversized pests!?" Isa's reaction was well out of the norm for what everyone expected when Clark Identified what beast they had started to track.

Between Jerold and Clar, everyone decided that the two had to be right. Jerold had been hard at work studying the book of beast tracks he had gained from Clark. So much so that he had memorized half of it already. This sort of accomplishment was already very telling of Jwerold's changes.

When Jerold had failed at first, he had been a very poor example of who he was and could be. Yet, as he had grown through his own challenges with his partner, he had become a much better person all around.

The high degree of focus on learning how to be a scout and how to hide in plain sight was now matched, if not exceeded, by the skills in learning beast tracks to improve his scouting potential. He had shown time and time again the small details he had noticed that helped the group identify where beasts might be or what might be around.

As Clark had not focused so much on this, he had not noticed this as much. But right now, he had a full display of how Jerold had counted the claws and toes of the tracks to ensure he had the right species of beast in mind. Then with a few more moments, Jerold even managed to take a few strands of red fur from a nearby bush.

All of this perfectly matched what Clark said after seeing the beast droppings. Now he was not the only one showing off. It also helped smooth over any questions of how Clark would just know what beast they were following.

"These stupid beasts were part of some idiot researcher's plans to breed them for their fur. The fur is resistant to water so it is great for the richer ladies to wear in the rain. And the color is a bright red that matches even the brightest red flowers. It's considered a great gift." Isa was fuming just talking about it.

"Then that stupid research had ten assistants bring these vermin to different places. They ended up losing them, every single research assistant and the head researcher forgot that these beasts are tricky. Now they are a merchant's plague. Sneaking in to camps and stealing things they like before darting away. Every merchant has a story or ten about fighting off these rats!"

"Right now! Everyone make sure everything you have is secure and nothing can be stolen. Shiny things, food, whatever, these stupid bandits will steal them just to hoard them in a den of their own waste." It took a few minutes for Isa to calm down but they all understood what the problems with this beast would be.

Clark had read the analysis and seen that these beasts were scavengers. They would steal food from predators and run away. He had not caught on that this fact also spread to people. These beasts would even steal things from tamers and merchants that were on their way. A huge problem to say the least.

Knowing that the red jungle raccoons were a bigger problem than they seemed for a beast that was somewhat easy to kill, the group prepared themselves to keep an eye out.

"Regardless of the trouble they will have, they do not attack and kill things, right?" Maria made it clear where her worries were. It also helped lower the stress of others.

"No… they won't attack anyone. They are a cowardly species of beasts." Isa replied to Maria and everyone were a lot less likely to worry about them. But knowing that they could have things stolen was always a good way to keep on their toes.

"There's one eyesing us right now." Jerold spoke calmly. It was a tone that would make anyone else feel that he was just jumping in and out of the conversation casually. As if there wasn't a worry at all.

"Oh. Maria, think you can hit it with an arrow? They are technically not a native species here. So it would be find to clean them up when we spot them." Clark pushed a little to see what would be the decision.

"Nope, Isa is already preparing a bow and arrow to shoot it herself." Maria's prompt response was enough to make everyone laugh a little. Mostly because they could tell that Isa's eyes were showing a unique kind of anger toward the red jungle raccoons.

"We could make it a competition. I helped strengthen the bows with some materials I had. They weren't something I can forge, but who says I can't work on the other aspects like wood." Ralph was bragging as Grace took out the bow as well. She was feeling that Ralph was trying to show off and was not adverse to helping him show off a little.

"Then I can pin, but you will lose." Maria felt that this would be fun. The moving of this trail was hard. Many small areas to worry about between their trail walking experience. Plus, beasts that liked to steal things? Keeping them away would strengthen their eyesight and also just be a little more fun.

Brad, Jerold, Reese, and Clark stood back as the girls prepared to hunt. They also understood that they were having their own fun. Meanwhile, Jerold was glad that he had been of some help. "You aren't going to join in the challenge?"

"No, I would rather take the chance to document what had happened when it comes to these unfortunate events. At some times researchers can be foolish. I Was the same with my focus on beasts instead of my own body. But this is where breeding beasts may come to an issue. I have not studied failures in this avenue."

Ella had considered breeding beasts. She wanted the elemental wisps that she had made her bonds with to be a more loved species of beast. But to do so, would require education and eventually breeding to be able to allow others to tame them. It would be an undertaking that required a lot more knowledge.

Failed beast breeding events would be a big learning experience. These red jungle raccoons. Were only part of the jungle because there were enough predators to prey on them. But they should not live there naturally. Therefore, hunting them would show off the effects they had on the species that naturally lived here.

"Alright, if you need help let me know." It was random for Brad to be the one that was standing out in this. He normally did not ask Ella much nor did he focus on anything but getting stronger. However, he had been a lot more focused on the group the last few days after he had realized he still could damage his body a lot when he was using certain skills.

Therefore, during the recovery aspect of his training, he thought he should branch out.

"You can focus on the survival tactics they use. Please analyze it and write it down in this journal. I want details of how they move and what they use, if anything, to survive when running. I assume that there will be more than one around here." Ella gave Brad a very specific task.

What Ella knew, was that Brad was somewhat like her. He would hyper focus on things. However, he would do so to a higher degree. This being the case, he would be able to write very good notes compared to others.

Clark heard this happening as everything on the trail seemed to be coming together. The arrows were already flying toward the red jungle raccoons. Surprisingly, they appeared to be able to dodge these arrows. Even Maria, who had an amazing shot and skill with the bow, was finding this a challenge.

Grace called her frost finch to help. A small bit of ice formed on the arrow when it was fired. Because the first finch also landed some wind energy, the arrow spun causing it to move faster. This was the first hit on the red jungle raccoon causing it to lose its red and black striped tail. But it continued to run regardless of the pain.

"Jerold, start tracking the blood trail." Maria ordered Jerold to make a move. Isa was right there with her. They were miffed that they had just lost prey. But in a few moments, they realized that it was not one, but seven red jungle raccoons that had also been hiding. The vibrant red flowers nearby had been their hiding place. Too perfect since this was just the way that the jungle grew.

"I think they ran in to the surrounding territory. We can't follow them." The response from Jerold made Isa glare at him. But she understood what lines they could and could not cross. This would be a long day. Clark could sense that things were not simple. These beasts might harass them more.

No, he was sure they would.