The thing is the size of a tiger and has a similar body shape, but the similarities end there. Its body is covered in an armored exoskeleton like a bug and it has a scorpion's tail. It is currently perched on a branch and it seems to be waiting for us to get closer.

"Enemy, ahead and above."

Even as I speak I am gathering a small amount of mana and converting it into lightning. At my warning the others spread out and a blue bubble forms around Lin. Unfortunately, when I throw the lightning bolt at the beast, it manages to dodge it.

The beast jumps down from the tree and turns into a blur as it circles past me and charges at Lin. Luckily, Lin's barrier turns solid and stops the beast's charge as well as the tail attack. As soon as the beast stops, Albion charges at it and tries to stab it with his horn.

However, the beast is too fast and jumps back to avoid Albion's attack. As it is jumping backwards there is a flash and an arrow buries itself close to its shoulder. Then as it lands Nala barrels into it from the side throwing it off balance.

There is an awful screeching sound as Nala's claws scrape across the beast's exoskeleton. Before the beast can recover its balance, I arrive at its side and slam my paws down on it. One hits its head pinning it to the ground while the other hits its tail and grabs hold.

Then, while it is pinned, I bring my head down and bite into the armor above its neck. Even my teeth have trouble getting through the armor, it is really tough. However, they penetrate enough to give me a really good grip, so I pull hard with my neck muscles.

At the same time I am pushing down with both paws and the exoskeleton starts to tear free. With a lot of effort, I manage to pull a large chunk of the exoskeleton off of its back. As soon as I do, Brightfire jumps onto its back and stabs her sword down into the exposed flesh.

Almost instantly, Brightfire jumps away leaving her sword there, as Lin casts a spell. Her spell summons a bolt of lightning from the sky which hits Brightfire's sword. The lightning flows through the sword into the beast and cooks it from the inside.

1 Rank 5 Scorpotiger defeated! 15,000 Exp gained!

Brightfire says "Nice shot! Good, my sword wasn't damaged!"

Lin says "That thing was tough. If we hadn't all worked together it would have been impossible to kill."

Brightfire says "Not really. You have never seen Ash get serious. I am pretty sure he held back just so we had a chance to fight."

Lin says "Is that true, Ash? Could you have killed it faster?"

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"If I was alone, yes."

Lin says "Why? Are we holding you back?"

"No, but if I was alone it would have come after me instead of you. Then I wouldn't have to chase it down."

Lin says "But then it probably would have hit you!"

"That doesn't matter. I am tough enough to take a lot of hits. I also have regeneration and healing spells. It would probably take dozens of beasts to threaten me."

Brightfire says "Sadly he isn't bragging. He really is that tough. His hide is almost as thick as his skull."

Lin laughs and says "I will keep that in mind."

While we have been talking Nala has started eating the exposed part of the beast. She seems to be enjoying it, so I tear off a piece and try it for myself. It is a little tough, but the taste isn't bad, though not as good as the eels are.

The exoskeleton has good defense, but it is really thick making it hard to use. However, with Brightfire's help, I go ahead and break down the corpse. The crafters might be able to find a use for parts of it, if not it isn't a loss to try.

Once we are done dealing with the body we continue deeper into the jungle. However, before we have gone far I feel something strange with my mana. So I change directions and lead the others over to what I sense, which is a spring of black water.

The spring has formed a small pool around it, but there is no stream leading away from it. The pool is also filled with black water and the air around it seems cooler. However, before we can investigate the pool or spring, the plants around it move to attack us.

Albion immediately releases his light at full power, which covers all of the plants and the water. The plants start giving off smoke as they burn, but the water also starts smoking and bubbling. The plants die fairly quickly, but my attention is on the water which is actually clearing up.

When I look back to Albion I can see that his horn has already doubled in size. It is still small compared to the size of his body, but it looks much better than before. When I think about the legends that I know concerning unicorns it makes me wonder if the black smoke is corruption.

In the legends unicorns are able to cleanse corruption, but I never heard that they get stronger from it. However, I can't really think of any other explanations that make any sense. By the time I am done thinking about it Albion has already stopped his light.

The plants are all dead and the spring and pool are now filled with crystal clear water. However, just as I am about to take a drink and see how it tastes, the spring turns black again. The spring is bubbling up from a crack in the rocks, meaning the source is underground.

That should also mean that the source of the black smoke is underground as well. If we can find the source and let Albion cleanse it then he should grow even stronger. So I start scanning the ground to see if there is a cave or something we can enter.

Albion says "Fa...ther?"

Lin says "Wait, he can talk?!"

"He probably just gained the ability. As his horn grows his core also seems to upgrade. Most higher rank sacred creatures are able to speak."

As I am explaining to Lin, I walk over to hug and pet Albion who looks a little confused. I am not a sacred creature anymore, but I still know enough to explain to Albion the changes he is going through. Luckily, Kechara has already conveyed a lot of this to him, he just has to calm down and remember it.

Albion says "I under...stand. Dad, I'm hungry."

"That's not surprising, you used a lot of energy. Alright, let's stop here for lunch. Just no one goes close to the spring."

We move a bit away from the spring and Lin starts taking out food for everyone. While we are eating I continue sending my mana into the ground looking for the source. Following the water down, I eventually find where the water becomes corrupted.