I lowered my body, hiding behind a tree.
The weasel also crouched down, watching ahead alertly.
The rustling sounds grew closer.
I peered through gaps between trees.
Three magic beasts emerged from the bushes.
Not large, brown-black fur, pointed snouts.
I checked their information.
[Spike-Armored Rat]
[Level: 5/15]
[HP: 70/70]
[MP: 25/25]
[Strength: 9]
[Defense: 8]
[Speed: 11]
[Luck: 6]
[Small magic beast with short spines covering its back, lives in groups, curls into a ball when threatened]
All three were level 5.
And pack animals.
This meant there might be more nearby.
I looked at the weasel, gesturing with my paw.
Meaning: go around, don't disturb them.
The weasel nodded.
We slowly backed away, preparing to detour.
But just then—
More sounds came from ahead.
Not from the Spike-Armored Rats.
But heavier footsteps.
"THUD! THUD! THUD!"
The ground was shaking.
The three rats immediately became alert, making sharp cries.
Then quickly curled into balls, back spines bristling.
I also tensed up.
What was coming?
The next second.
A massive magic beast charged from the woods.
Enormous body, at least five or six times my size.
Gray skin covered in thick armor plating.
Thick limbs, each step shaking the ground.
I immediately checked its information.
[Iron-Shelled Armadillo]
[Level: 7/20]
[HP: 120/120]
[MP: 40/40]
[Strength: 18]
[Defense: 22]
[Speed: 8]
[Luck: 7]
[Magic beast covered in heavy armor, extremely high defense but slow speed, aggressive temperament]
Defense 22!
Defense was way too high.
The Iron-Shelled Armadillo saw the three rats and let out a deep roar.
Then charged at them.
The three rats curled into balls, trying to defend with their back spines.
But the armadillo didn't care.
It swiped a claw at one rat.
"BAM!"
The rat was sent flying, crashing into a trunk.
[Spike-Armored Rat HP: 40/70]
The rat tumbled down, struggling to stand.
But the armadillo pounced again.
The other two rats counterattacked.
They uncurled, revealing sharp teeth.
Bit at the armadillo's legs.
"SLASH! SLASH!"
But couldn't penetrate at all.
The armadillo's shell was too thick.
The armadillo shook its body, flinging the two rats away.
Then continued attacking the first.
One swipe, another swipe.
"BAM! BAM!"
[Spike-Armored Rat HP: 10/70]
The first rat was already barely alive.
The other two tried to help but couldn't break through defense at all.
Their attacks were like tickling to the armadillo.
I hid behind the tree, observing the battle.
The armadillo was strong.
Strength 18, defense 22.
But speed only 8, very slow.
And very clumsy, even turning was awkward.
If the weasel and I coordinated...
Could we win?
I glanced at the weasel.
It was also watching the fight, some fear in its eyes.
Clearly, it was also intimidated by the armadillo's size and strength.
I thought carefully.
The armadillo's defense was too high—frontal attacks would be hard to work.
But it was very slow—if careful, it shouldn't be able to touch me.
And just now, the rats biting its legs didn't work.
But what about attacking the belly?
Most armored beasts had weak underbellies.
I watched the battle, waiting for opportunity.
The armadillo finally killed the first rat.
[Spike-Armored Rat HP: 0/70]
The armadillo turned toward the other two.
But just then—
One rat suddenly turned and fled.
The other paused, then also ran.
The armadillo chased a few steps but was too slow to catch up.
It stopped, letting out an unwilling roar.
Then turned back to enjoy its spoils.
I watched the armadillo.
It lowered its head, tearing at the rat's corpse.
Back toward me.
This was an opportunity.
If I ambushed now...
But I hesitated.
Even if the ambush succeeded, might not cause much damage.
And once I alerted it, might get counterattacked and killed.
I looked at the weasel.
It was also looking at me, question in its eyes.
"Boss, do we attack?" It asked quietly.
I was silent for a few seconds.
Then shook my head.
"No, too risky."
"We go around."
The weasel breathed a sigh of relief.
We slowly backed away, preparing to leave.
But just then—
More sounds came from the distance.
Sharp cries.
The two rats that just escaped!
And it sounded like more than two.
At least five or six!
The armadillo raised its head, looking toward the sounds.
Let out a warning growl.
A few seconds later.
Five Spike-Armored Rats burst from the woods.
Seeing their companion's corpse, they became even more enraged.
All charged at the armadillo together.
The armadillo didn't retreat, meeting them head-on.
Battle erupted again.
But this time, the armadillo faced five rats.
Though its defense was high, five rats attacked from different directions.
Some bit legs, some bit the tail, others tried climbing on its back.
The armadillo struggled to cope.
"BAM!"
It swatted one away.
[Spike-Armored Rat HP: 45/70]
But the other four continued their assault.
One finally found an opening.
Dove under the armadillo from the side, biting at its belly.
"SLASH!"
[Iron-Shelled Armadillo HP: 105/120]
The armadillo roared—clearly felt pain.
The belly really was a weak point!
I watched the battle, mind calculating.
Though the armadillo was strong, facing five rats' siege, it was also struggling.
If I waited until both sides were exhausted...
I recalled last time.
The Shadow Cat and Steel-Bristle Boar were both critically wounded—I swooped in and got the golden plant.
Though also scratched by the Shadow Cat, at least succeeded.
This time...
Should I gamble?
I looked at the weasel.
"We wait." I said quietly.
"Wait until they're worn down, then we move."
The weasel nodded, some tension in its eyes.
We continued hiding behind the tree observing.
The battle grew fiercer.
The armadillo swatted away two more rats.
But its own belly had been bitten several times.
[Iron-Shelled Armadillo HP: 75/120]
The five rats weren't doing well either.
Two had lost combat ability, lying on the ground.
The other three were all injured.
But they kept fighting.
After several more minutes.
The armadillo finally killed the third rat.
But its HP had also dropped to around 50.
And its movements were clearly slower.
The remaining two rats still attacked.
Though also very weak, they didn't give up.
I watched the battlefield.
The time was almost right.
Wait a bit more.
Wait until they were weaker.
After a while longer.
The armadillo finally killed the fourth rat.
But it was nearly done too.
[Iron-Shelled Armadillo HP: 35/120]
The last rat still bit at its leg.
The armadillo tried to shake it off but had no strength left.
Now!
"Go!" I told the weasel.
I charged from behind the tree at full speed toward the armadillo.
The weasel followed behind me.
The armadillo heard the noise, turning to look at me.
Alertness flashed in its eyes.
But it had no strength left to face new enemies.
I didn't attack its shell.
But dove directly underneath it.
Opened my mouth toward its belly!
"SLASH!"
[Iron-Shelled Armadillo HP: 20/120]
The armadillo roared in pain.
Tried to drop down and crush me.
I immediately rolled away, dodging.
The weasel also rushed up, tail stabbing at the armadillo's eye.
"SLASH!"
[Iron-Shelled Armadillo HP: 15/120]
The armadillo shook its head frantically.
But it was already too late.
The last rat also kept tearing.
Under the three-way assault, the armadillo finally couldn't hold on.
Its movements grew slower and slower.
I dove under it again, another bite.
"SLASH!"
[Iron-Shelled Armadillo HP: 5/120]
The armadillo collapsed.
Lay on the ground, gasping heavily.
Eyes full of unwillingness and fear.
I walked before it.
Ready to deliver the final blow.
But just as I opened my mouth—
The armadillo suddenly made a low sound.
Not threatening, but... pleading?
I froze.
Again.
Just like the weasel before.
A dying beast, begging me to spare its life.
I looked at the armadillo.
If I subdued it...
It could be a tank.
In battle, draw fire and protect other members.
However...
I looked at the armadillo.
It was stronger than all of us.
If it betrayed...
Could I control it?
I thought about it.
Had Spatial Mark.
Once it harbored betrayal, the mark would vanish—I'd know immediately.
Then while it was still weak, just kill it directly.
And even if it recovered.
I still had speed advantage.
As long as it didn't get close, no problem.
Not to mention, I still had Spatial Dodge as a life-saving skill.
Should be... no big problem.
I looked at the weasel beside me.
It was also looking at me, waiting for my decision.
I looked at that Spike-Armored Rat.
It was already barely alive, HP under 10.
I walked over, biting through its throat in one go.
[Defeated Spike-Armored Rat]
[Multiple participants detected, experience distributed evenly]
[Gained 6 Experience]
Then turned back to face the armadillo.
It was still gasping, eyes full of fear.
"You want to live?" I asked.
The armadillo trembled and nodded, making weak sounds.
"Then submit." I said.
"Follow me, I'll let you live."
"Otherwise, I'll kill you now."
The armadillo's eyes flickered.
Fear, hesitation, unwillingness.
But finally, it lowered its head.
"I... I'm willing..." It said weakly.
I walked over, pressing my paw on it.
Used "Spatial Mark."
A faint point of light appeared on the armadillo's forehead, then vanished.
A connection formed between us.
[Spatial Mark placed successfully]
[Current Marks: 2/5]
I put it in the space.
Took out a piece of meat from the space, tossed it to it.
"Eat, recover some."
The armadillo looked at the meat, then at me.
Then began eating.
My consciousness returned to reality.
The weasel watched from the side.
"Boss, you recruited another one?"
"Yes." I said. "High defense, can be a tank."
The weasel nodded, eyes complex.
I began processing the corpses on the battlefield.
Put the meat in the space.
Good haul this time.
Not only food but also subdued a defensive member.
I released the armadillo from the space.
Its injuries had recovered somewhat—at least could stand now.
HP around 40.
Though still very weak, didn't affect movement.
"Stand up." I said.
The armadillo struggled to stand, lowering its head to look at me.
"From now on, you're my subordinate."
"Follow my commands, I'll let you survive."
"Betray me, I'll kill you."
The armadillo nodded silently.
"I understand... boss." Its voice was low.
I nodded with satisfaction.
Now I had two subordinates.
Weasel for scouting, armadillo for defense.
Coordination should be much better than before.
"Let's go." I said. "Keep heading north."
Two beasts followed behind me.
Weasel scouting ahead at 15 meters distance.
Armadillo beside me, footsteps heavy.
The sky was already darkening.
Sun about to set.
I looked around—had to find a place to rest.
Traveling at night with two injured subordinates was too dangerous.
I looked at the weasel ahead, then at the armadillo beside me.
Suddenly realized a problem.
They still didn't have names.
Waspy and Brownie both had names.
Though just simple nicknames, at least they were unique.
Whatever, find a place to rest first—think about names later.
"Weasel." I called.
The weasel immediately stopped, looking back at me.
"Find a safe place to rest."
"Yes, boss."
The weasel began searching the area.
A few minutes later, it found a good spot.