I led everyone into a different section of the jungle that looked like a swamp. There was also some fog not enough to blind you, but enough to keep you from seeing too far ahead. Since Wystan and Ariel were big they kept tripping on and destroying several trees and rocks. Even though I was as big as them I was able to see and dodge every obstacle through the fog with Eagle eyes.

After a while of them tripping Wystan and Ariel wanted me to carry them as well, so they both turned into their tiny forms. Which I didn't even know Ariel could do that and they both clung to various parts of my body. Wystan was holding onto my head as Ariel held onto my left shoulder. They both closed their eyes as they felt the calming wind on their faces as I jogged. Voytek didn't want to be left out so I placed him on my right shoulder.

I feel they make a great triple threat. Ariel was the size of a kitten so she was the biggest out of the three. But surprisingly Voytek is still the strongest even in his tiny form. And Wystan I feel is the smartest even though I don't think he has a brain. Their team name can be 'The Mighty Three' or 'The Tiny Three'. I can come up with a better name later.

I looked behind me to check on how Alyssa is doing. She looked about ready to fall asleep and I just noticed the sun had already gone down, probably a while ago. Suddenly, an unmistakable and familiar smell hit me. It was the pleasant scent that accompanies the rain before and after, petrichor.

I guess I should find a place for us to settle in and wait for the storm to pass.

I came to a gentle halt as to not startle Alyssa with me just stopping suddenly. I carefully searched the area and saw what looks to be a cave naturally formed by the trees.

Devan: (We're going to settle down in there, and tomorrow we'll go east to kill the final creature.)

Before I could walk us in there Voytek asked me to wait, I didn't ask why I just stopped like he asked me to. He hopped down from my shoulder and ran toward the entrance before sniffing the surrounding ground and air. While he did that I looked to my right to see a big bird staring at us. No it's looking at me specifically and it's eyes seem to be glowing. Before I could question the birds staring Voytek spoke.

Voytek: It seems there are some creatures already within. I think we can kill them for the cave.

Devan: (Let's not attack whatever they are unless they attack first. After all we're entering their home without permission.)

I made my way inside the cave with relative ease as the entrance was bigger than my body. Just in time too as I heard a boom echo as rain began to heavily fall. It was dark and slightly damp but it was better than being outside in the heavy rain.

Devan: (Let's rest here to not disturb whatever creatures live here already.)

Everyone nodded as I began to tear some of the vegetation and leaves off the walls and roof of the cave. And just like Alyssa showed me I padded the giant leaves with smaller vegetation to make it comfier before placing some giant leaves on top. I gently placed Alyssa on the giant nest as I laid down pulling her to my chest. But before I could sleep Wystan spoke out with a request.

Wystan: Master, may I sleep with you and the mistress?

Before I could answer him Ariel spoke out with the same request.

Ariel: Can I too? I promise I won't take up too much space!

Even Voytek voiced that he wanted to sleep with us.

Voytek: I'll freeze to death in this cave without some warmth *sneeze*.

I just sighed before giving them a gentle smile before raising one of my arms gesturing for them to enter our nest. They quickly scurried into the nest using my fur as a blanket as they huddled together. I had to admit they looked adorable like puppies huddling close to each other for warmth. I hugged everyone close protectively, making sure to keep them warm from the cold winds blowing in from the heavy storm outside.

I swear if something tries to attack us while we sleep I'll end them quickly or maybe slowly.

With that small thought I closed my eyes as the rain outside lulled me to sleep.

- .. -- . / ... -.- .. .--.

*Grunt*

Quiet I'm trying to sleep...

*Growl*

Shut it!

*Smack*

I unconsciously slapped whatever was making that noise still wanting to sleep.

*Splat*

And whatever it was made impact with the cave wall causing everything to shake. I slowly opened my eyes to see a red paste where the creature made impact. There were also about fifteen unknown creatures surrounding us shocked that I made their ally into a red paste with a mere backhand.

You're some ugly bastards, aren't ya? But I can't talk I'm probably not that good looking to other people either. Alright, I guess it's time to get up and deal with them.

They backed up as I gently moved everyone from my stomach to the nest as I slowly rised up. Some got over their shock as two tried to charge me at once. I just grabbed them by their heads and lifted them up to my eye level to inspect them further.

Devan: Hey System what are these things?

S.Y.S.T.E.M: These are cave dwelling creatures known as a cyclops. They seem to inhabit certain parts of the underground jungle.

I smashed the two in my hands together turning them into a red paste mixed with bone dust. I then began to fight them one on one to pass the time.

Devan: What do you mean by the underground jungle?

I shoved one into another killing the one beneath while the one on top was dazed.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: There's a humungous cave system beneath this jungle that is home to several creatures. It's as large as this jungle and split into several sections that are territory to hundreds of creatures. I suggest not going too deep into this cave system as it would take up to several days to get out, by my estimate.

While he was talking I walked over to the dazed cyclops and stepped on it crushing it to death. Several cyclops tried to strangle and bite me on my way over but they couldn't penetrate my thick skin. I fell on my back getting rid of the ones that tried to strangle me while also shaking the cave once more. This time the shaking woke everyone up and when they saw me fighting they relaxed.

Wystan: Oh, it's just master crushing his enemies.

Ariel: Can these foolish creatures not sense his overwhelming power?

Voytek: Alkohol?

Alyssa: (Honey, can you finish your one-sided battle? I want to sleep and cuddle some more.)

I grabbed one by it's torso and tightened my grip crushing it's entire lower half.

Devan: (It's not even a battle since they can't even hurt me. But I'll finish this quickly so we can go back to sleeping.)

Alyssa let out a small giggle before turning on her side using one of the leaves as a blanket.

Alyssa: (Yay!)

I turned back to the cyclopes there was now only four of them left and they were radiating fear. As a last desperate attack they all charged at me and tried to topple me over, but I didn't even move when they made impact with my stomach. They however, were all dazed by the impact allowing me to finish them off. I grabbed them all in a deadly hug as I squeezed them to death making blood spray out their eye and mouth.

!Level Up!
21

Huh, usually I'll get two levels from fighting especially from a whole group. But I guess they were just weak creatures or I'm just getting stronger.

I dropped their lifeless bodies and turned back to everyone else. Turns out two managed to get passed me while I was busy slaughtering their allies. But their fates weren't any better than being killed by me. Alyssa was beating one to death while The Tiny Three were killing the other one. Alyssa finished beating the cyclops before seeing if it was dead.

Alyssa: (Are you dead yet? ...Hello?)

She then poked it's unmoving eye but it didn't react instead it stayed lifeless.

Alyssa: (Alright, bye then.)

The other cyclops was torn into pieces as it's limbs were scattered all over the place. Wystan and Ariel held down it's head as Voytek ripped out it's eye and held it high above his head proud.

Wystan: We did it!

Ariel: Victory is ours!

Voytek: Zwycięstwo!

Voytek threw the eyeball away as they scurried over to me and climbed onto my shoulders. I quickly scanned the area for any hidden enemies but there didn't seem to be any left. While I was distracted Alyssa jumped on my back and snuggled into my fur. It seems she was trying to go back to sleep, but we have a creature to kill.

Devan: (Rest for now, I'll try to get us east without any complications.)

Alyssa: (*yawn* You're the best, thanks...)

And just like that she was fast asleep but her grip on my fur didn't loosen.

Devan: (Ariel, Voytek, do either of you know of the creature in the east?)

They both had thinking faces on before looking at each other.

Ariel: Apologies Devan, we've never encountered the creature in the east.

Voytek: The most we heard is that it's not like us.

I was confused by this what does he mean "not like us"?

Devan: (What do you mean by that?)

Ariel: He means it is not from this jungle or a normal creature like us.

Devan: (What is it?)

Ariel: That's the thing nobody knows what it is. I asked some birds for information and they told me that it was a snake. I asked some squirrels as well and they told me it was a lion. And ten days later another bird said it was a wolf.

This creature is it's either highly elusive or a shapeshifter. Whatever the case is it will be hard to track.

Devan: (It sounds like it can shapeshift so it will be difficult to find. Regardless we need to head east to find it so let's go.)

As I exited the cave with everyone on my back I saw several worms. Now normally worms come out once it rains but these weren't normal worms. One of them turned in my direction and opened it's horrifying mouth.

Don't look at me. You're an abomination and I don't even know what you are.

I could feel Ariel and Voytek's grip on my fur tighten significantly.The worm surprisingly jumped up and was about to chomp down on my head if I didn't grab it's, neck? Whatever part I grabbed I slammed it into the ground killing it upon impact. By now the rest of them noticed the commotion and began to move over to us. There were about fifty of them and they looked hungry. I quickly climbed a nearby tree to escape the demonic looking worms. But I didn't realise they could climb until they began to climb up the tree with their mouths wide open. I didn't even notice my heart beat faster or my breathing quicken.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: Why are you showing signs of fear, user? They can't possibly harm you.

I quickly jumped to another tree making sure nobody fell off.

Devan: Yeah they can't kill me but they can kill everyone else. How do I deal with them I can't fight them head on with them on my back. And I can't leave them somewhere high up because they can climb.

S.Y.S.T.E.M: You can use the trees to escape quickly and effectively. This will limit the contact with the worms minimizing possible casualties.

I began to jump tree to tree making sure everyone held on tight. The worms beneath us climbed all over each other and the trees to try and get us. There were so many that they toppled the trees we were previously on.

Who knew even worms can potentially kill you in this beautiful but messed up world.

We were now a great distance away from the demon worms so I jumped down from the trees. Us landing is what finally caused Alyssa to wake up from her nap.

Alyssa: (That was the best nap I've had in a while. What did I miss?)

Devan: (We were attacked by about fifty demonic worms.)

Alyssa: (Oh... So where are we?)

Devan: (That could have easily been your final nap and all you have to say is "Oh"?)

Alyssa: (Well you were there. And when I'm with you I feel safe enough to look death in the eyes and laugh.)

I'm surprisingly happy she feels safe enough around me to laugh at death.

Alyssa: (Anyway where are we going and what are we hunting?)

I began to follow my compass east to our original course.

Devan: (We're heading east to hunt something that can alter it's appearance so this will be a difficult hunt.)

Wystan: Master, how are we supposed to find it if we don't know what it looks like?

I stopped walking and slowly layed against a nearby tree as everyone got off my back. I took out the bestiary and began to flip through the various pages of things that can shapeshift. Alyssa was laying on my stomach while The Tiny Three were on my shoulders. I finally found one that I think could be the creature in the east.
_________________________________________

The Skinwalker

Skinwalkers, also referred to as Shapeshifters, are a breed of supernatural beings.

Possess the ability to shapeshift into animals.

In animal form, skinwalkers possess all the abilities possessed by the animal species.

The ability to possess one or more of the five senses to a degree beyond regular human capabilities.

Even in human form, skinwalkers may possess animal-like senses.

May have the ability to understand and communicate with animals to a certain extent.

Additional note

These creatures, despite their ability to shapeshift, are mortal like any other human and can be killed as such. Since their appearance is just like a humans they can blend in well with society. There are various ways I have discovered to kill them. One is decapitation, the second is a heart extraction, and the final way is silver.

To ensure it's death cut it's head off, there's nothing wrong with making sure it stays dead. The heart is a weakness possessed by all natural and supernatural beings, both living and undead. You can rip the heart out of their chest to kill them.

They possess a weakness to silver, which will burn their skin similar to a severe allergic reaction. Although this will not kill them, it can be used to identify them.
_________________________________________

Devan: (Well that's all there is about this creature. Let's keep moving we have to kill this thing to finally kill the apex.)

Everyone nodded as I got up and looked around and I saw something. I noticed a small fox not to far away just staring at us. It reminded me of the bird at the entrance of the cave. And like the bird it's eyes looked to be slightly glowing red as it stared into my eyes. Normally I wouldn't feel anything when smaller creatures stare into my eyes, but it made me feel uneasy therefore I felt threatened. Even it's scent was weird to me, but just like the first time before I could question it Voytek spoke.

Voytek: Are you alright, Devan? You've been staring at that tree for a while now.

I looked at him confused couldn't he see the fox?

Devan: (Don't you see that strange fo-)

I cut myself off because when I turned back to where the fox was it was gone. Not even a trace of it's strange scent remained it was instead replaced by another scent.

This is starting to get weirder and weirder.

Devan: (Nevermind let's just keep going.)

I began to walk directly east while keeping an eye out for that strange fox. But I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched from afar. Hopefully whatever is causing me this uneasy feeling goes away soon.

Those two creatures kept staring at me and both gave me an uneasy feeling. And while both stared at me their eyes glowed the same shade of red. Could they be linked together or is that the-

A familiar voice pierced my ears cutting off my thoughts.

Arlin: Devan! Devan! Help!

Devan: Arlin?!