Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 445. Surveying the first beast

All members of the group summoned their beasts immediately.

Nine individuals made up the team, and with every beast unleashed, they seemed nearly unstoppable.

Theo had witnessed these beasts previously, yet the view of so many gathered together never failed to captivate him.

Lucien positioned himself beside his expressionless panther and ape, both appearing utterly bored with existence.

Clara summoned her boar along with the pup.

Elias called forth his ape and Chip.

Cassian possessed a black bear beast that resembled a fluffy cushion more than a fierce creature; it was irresistibly adorable. He held back his second beast for now.

Among the other team members, Kaelor the knight owned an unexpected choice for a pet.

A tiny, charming bunny that bounced playfully around his feet.

Once, when questioned about picking such a frail-looking beast over a mightier one, Kaelor had responded simply,

"A knight doesn’t need a beast’s strength to survive, but his own. This one here is only my companion."

That response only deepened Theo's admiration for knights, regardless of their origins.

Even at level 12, Kaelor lacked a second beast, leading Theo to believe the knight's true power surpassed initial impressions.

Merek, by contrast, commanded an ice-affinity wolf that constantly wandered toward Clara’s pup.

Initial tension between them had swiftly turned into full-blown clashes.

The pup resented the wolf encroaching on its domain, particularly close to Clara.

He refrained from summoning his second beast too. "You have seen it before. It isn’t something that can travel long distances. I will bring it out when needed."

Garrick, meanwhile, deployed two bird-type beasts that soared away to scout the instant they passed through the gate.

He advanced, and Theo watched one of his eyes glow green as the other flickered gold.

"I am checking the north and south right now. It will take a moment, young master," he declared, utterly concentrated.

Theo sensed the identical assurance from their prior clash, convincing him of the man's sincerity.

Elias approached Garrick to watch closely, their skills bearing strong resemblances.

Finally, Lysara’s beast promised to shine brightest against foes.

A petite, chipmunk-like being rested atop her armor.

With her armor no longer white, the creature's immaculate, royal-white fur gleamed even more prominently.

Theo chose not to release his beast, aware it would unsettle the others. They remained unaccustomed to it.

The strategy stayed straightforward: after confirming the area suited the mantis, Theo would dispatch it to hunt solo. This allowed it enjoyment while gaining levels, crucial for Theo currently.

"I found a beast ten minutes to the northwest, young master. It’s a gigantic python of level 10," Garrick announced.

"A gigantic python, you say..." Theo, untested against massive serpents, felt a thrill ignite within.

"Alright. Let’s move toward it, everyone."

Theo commanded, striding ahead with Garrick, sword drawn, dragon armor shining brilliantly, outshining all others in ruggedness.

"Shouldn’t we start collecting some samples now?" Cassian wondered, eyeing the strange trees, blooms, and surroundings.

"No, the exit gate might be too far. If we start collecting things from now, it will only slow us down," Lucien countered.

"Once we find the exit gate, we can go for collecting samples."

All nodded in agreement, the logic sound. Theo glanced at his brother with a faint smile and a nod.

Lucien nodded back and resumed scanning the terrain.

’Here I thought he would find it hard to follow my lead...’ Theo mused. Thus far, Lucien had avoided any actions challenging his command.

After some trekking, Theo detected a presence ahead. He stopped abruptly and gripped Garrick’s shoulder to halt him.

"It’s closer now. Everyone, slow down. Prepare to hide and observe..." Theo whispered, their pace turning stealthy and deliberate.

Theo sensed the presence sharpening and mentally instructed the mantis to remain in the beast space momentarily longer.

"Garrick, stop scanning ahead for more. Tell us exactly where the beast is," Theo ordered.

Garrick’s eyes flickered, but he complied with a nod.

They concealed themselves behind a thicket of towering trees, awaiting signals.

Theo marveled at the massive girth of these trunks, vastly exceeding ordinary ones, as if primordial titans anchored in eternity.

"It’s... right there," Garrick muttered, while pointing toward a spot.

Theo glanced over yet spotted nothing but thick bushes. Squinting his eyes, he concentrated intensely and discerned something faintly.

"Is it past the shrubs?" he inquired.

Garrick gave a firm nod.

Theo signaled with hand gestures to Lucien, Cassian, and Merek’s group, then to Kaelor and Lysara lurking behind another tree. He commanded them to hold position as he advanced ahead.

Approaching from the flank, he noticed Clara and Elias shadowing him, their beasts stealthy as ever.

The ape had already unsheathed its broadsword from the scabbard. Lacking proper skill, it left the scabbard in ragged strips from constant mishandled yanks.

All had observed the sword, but fixated on the gate, no one bothered to inquire about it.

Theo and his companions crept nearer to the shrubs and peered once more.

This time, Theo glimpsed it—a slender, writhing red streak.

His gaze fixed upon it, probing for the python’s head.

Before he pinpointed it, Clara shot her hand high into the air, prompting Theo to track her alert...

There, he beheld it...

The enormous python reared its head, body twisted around a tree trunk while surveying the area.

It remained oblivious to them for now.

And they intended to turn that lapse into their edge.