Spirit Taming

Chapter 620: Bad To Worse

'Strangling anaconda infant- ultra rare

The strangling anaconda is a beast that really shows itself but for its breeding season or when it is young. Normally, it prefers to be in swampy areas to hunt larger prey which require the vast nutrients of a swamp. However, the jungle is an ideal place since larger prey beasts live within which is ideal for the strangling anaconda to grow to young adult form sooner.

This beast has a unique water typing because of its reliance on humid temperatures. However, they have been known to gain earth or fire typing depending on the unique environments that they live in. be it a swamp or jungle respectively.

While they lack fine energy control or venom, they are extremely strong. Their powerful bodies and large sizes allow them to easily crush prey larger than them. They are notably able to latch on to prey then bind them with their body.

Their scales are tough and even rival some weaker dragon type beasts making them a good defensive beast. This is more so the case when they face energy attacks that match their affinity. They can easily resist both water and ice attacks because of their innate affinity. But when it comes to fire and earth, they are still very strong.

The younger the strangling anaconda, the more often it will be in a poor position because of lack in battle experience. Even though it still has a larger body than most serpents, it will be eaten by other beasts it would later prey on in life.

They are very tough to tame since they need to eat larger meals all at once compared to other beasts that can eat every day at smaller amounts…'

Clark saw the brown and green patterns on the large serpent's body. He was shocked that this was an infant. That meant that this was most likely a beast that was barely a year old! How could it be so large that it can easily eat all of them in just a few strikes!?

Devi's laughter stopped which brought the sounds of the serpent's scales moving along the brush and ground much louder in their ears. The group felt chills as they watched from their hidden positions along the trail.

They knew that they could not show themselves whatsoever or they would be food right then and there. But the trap that Clark had planned was already in motion the moment that Devi had hidden away and gone silent.

The sound and the movements of the infant strangling anaconda was enough to trigger three of the threads nearby. Just enough that there was already movement nearby.

The titan tarantula dashed out with force and speed. Its fangs clashing with the tough scales. Its hidden position was given away along with two more of its fellow tarantulas. They had all moved with the sense that they might have a large and easy prey. But that was a foolish belief if they had it in the first place.

The strangling anaconda's infant scales were weaker than an adults' that was just the facts of life since it had not grown yet. However, it was still very tough and easily resisted the first few attacks.

This allowed it to whip its tail around before lashing out with its fangs at one of the tarantulas. The cracking of exoskeleton and the sudden burst of hairs made the group realize that this was their chance.

With a burst of wind from Grace's frost finch, the hairs being thrown in the air were pushed away and the group dashed around the massive infantile serpent that they knew could easily catch up with them if it was not under siege by two more titan tarantulas.

The battle was drawing more attention as a few more larger titan tarantulas were making their way over. They had sensed the vibrations of food and knew they could easily take it away from the smaller of their own kind. But the same was true for the strangling anacondas.

They had noticed the dramatic sounds and smells of a fight. They were coming to see what they might be able to get. Right this second, there were three of the titan tarantulas that were not guarding a clearly open nest. Those eggs would be ideal snacks for them regardless of whether they got to eat the titan tarantulas as well.

While the group sprinted away, they noticed trees falling behind them and pushed themselves faster. Devi had also held on to Clark carefully since he knew that he could be left behind with the speed that everyone was running. They were giving it their all. This showed off their better strength than they had compared to before their hard physical training in Terra City.

The next thing that the group realized, they had managed to sprint some distance while still following the general trail. But their running was also their own downfall.

Before they realized that they were too focused on the battle behind them and not where they were going, the group had run right off the edge of the ground.

'Chain quest (first link) - the winding trail- completed

Requirement- using the map of the violent jungle, follow the winding trail which has been overgrown to the dark river.

Reward- second link, turtle breathing skill book.'

Clark cursed the system in his mind for bothering him. But he still looked at the next message.

'Chain quest (second link) - rapid river

Requirement- escape the river and manage to make it across to the best path out of the violent jungle for training.

Reward- one random gacha ticket.'

The reward was only one ticket too. But that didn't make Clark feel anything at all. It was the sudden burst of water pushing him. He couldn't keep himself prepared for it since he had expected to have a reward that would allow him to easily swim and even breathe in the water or sorting.

Before he could try and gather his bearings, Clark felt an arm link to him. Next thing he knew, the entire group had linked together. Ella had learned survival skills for such a situation and memorized it. When she had hooked her arm with Maria's, Maria had done so to Isa and so on. Their quick thinking in chaos was exactly what they needed at the moment.

The water was pushing them very fast and making them travel much further than any of them wanted. To make it worse, they all had fears of the water being home to beasts that they could not even attempt to fight in this situation.

While the water was not ice cold, it was not helping them at all. It was warmer water which made it much more dangerous. Beasts would enjoy warm waters to hint, and Clark knew that well. He wasn't some fool that didn't know of the basics when it came to what many beasts enjoyed.

As if to further mock him, he spotted a splash from well ahead of them. The group was heading toward a larger bend. Normally, that would make someone in this situation feel that they had a better chance of survival.

Most people would expect to be able to swim to shore in the space of a river bend where the water slowed down in its travels. Unfortunately, beasts loved this too. Specifically, the beast that Clark could spot right now.

'Brutal crocodile- rare

The brutal crocodile gets the name brutal because of its very basic and straightforward approach. Bite and eat anything that gets near its jaws.

They are not the wisest of beasts but they have a killer instinct. They are very hard to spook or sneak up on because of their sensitive jaws which have special energy receptors. It is theorized that they…'

Clark didn't even have the joy to read any more as he tried to use his spear with the other free hand. But the sudden cold that he felt changed everything.

Isa had fused with the winter witch and pushed her and her beast's energy too far. The single burst of powerful ice froze a section of the river around them giving the group something to scramble on to. This in turn, left Isa as a barely able to stand, and in danger, ally.

A bad situation that was made worse while trying to save it. In Isa's mind, she had made them a way to get a better footing since they were all used to fighting on the ice. But from what Clark could see, they had become a bigger target.

"Reese and Brad, work together to make us a battering ram. We might have-" Maria was cut off as the thrumbing of growling brutal crocodiles vibrated the water. It appeared that more had been resting under the water making this situation much, MUCH, worse.

"Isa, don't get angry with me for this." Grace showed an odd expression before he took a deep breath and began to channel energy all around her. No one knew what she was doing and what might happen, but anything was worth a shot.