At that point even though I take bites out of it, the beast barely even reacts. It is as good as dead, it is just moving forwards on instinct at this point. Since it is headed straight for the shore, I move back and circle as I watch it.

If it keeps going it will beach itself and since it has gills that will finish it off. It will also make taking care of the body a lot easier on me since I won't have to worry as much about other predators. As I watch the beast, it stops moving, just moving forward on momentum.

It crashes into the sand of the beach and once it comes to a stop it just lays there. I stay in the water and just watch the beast for the next fifteen minutes just to be sure it is dead. Once I am convinced I leave the water and use eagle form to return to the village.

This is the other advantage of the beast having beached itself, I can get some help. Besides, that much meat will feed the elves for months if it is dealt with properly. They can also probably find other things to do with the rest of the body since I only want the bones.

Before I arrive at the village I swing by the tree to feed it mana and water it. Then I return to the village and go looking for Stillwater, who I find in his hut with Brightfire. From the looks of things they have already eaten and are just chatting.

Stillwater says "Welcome back, Ash. How are things going?"

"Good. I am going to need some help though."

Brightfire says "You need help? With what?"

"Well, I killed the legendary beast and need some help with the body."

Stillwater says "You what?!?"

Brightfire says "What legendary beast?"

"The one your father told me about."

Brightfire turns and gives her dad a puzzled look so he explains to her what he told me. Once he is done he turns and gives me an impatient look so I start telling him about the battle. When they hear how big the beast is they both just stare at me with their mouths hanging open.

"So, I need help butchering and skinning the beast."

Stillwater says "Alright, how many people do you think you need?"

"Uh, probably everyone?"

Stillwater says "If it's that big then that makes sense. Alright, I will start gathering everyone."

Brightfire says "I will gather the scouts and set the trail!"

They both rush out to get things moving so I use eagle form to return to the body. Once I land on the beach I sit down and meditate to recover my sacred power. Then I sit and stare at the body as I try to figure out a way to bring it further on shore.

Even with my strength, moving the body just isn't possible, it is just too heavy. However, there is a way for me to cheat, magic is the ultimate cheat code. The Transport Barge spell I learned can only hold ten tons, but if I cast it multiple times it might work.

Judging by the size of the beast and the area the barge covers, I can probably fit twenty or so under the body. Meaning they will take the weight of about two hundred tons, that might be enough. Since my divine power is full I can cast it twenty times easily, so I decide to give it a try.

After I make up my mind, I dive into the water and move under the beast's body. Once I can see the underside of the body I start casting my spells. The first few don't have any obvious effect, but after the tenth I start seeing the body move.

As I continue casting spells the body slowly starts lifting out of the water. Once I have covered the body with spells it is floating above the water. Then I quickly jump up and start pushing the body up onto the beach.

Once the entire body is above the beach I let the spells end and the body drops onto the sand. Then while I am waiting for the elves to show up I start working on skinning the beast. When the elven scouts arrive I set them to work building a shack for smoking meat.

There is far too much meat on this thing for it to be eaten before it goes bad. Making jerky out of some of it will allow it to be kept a little longer. Other than that I have a few of the scouts help me with the skinning.

As the rest of the elves arrive, Stillwater sets some to setting up a camp and the rest are sent to help with the work. A huge barbeque pit is dug and a huge amount of meat is set to roasting. That will be dinner for everyone and by the time it is done they will have earned it.

The skin from the beast's back is the only part that is intact, the rest has bite marks. Even then, there are patches big enough to make a blanket between the bites. I honestly doubt the elves will be able to use everything, but whatever they do use is better than letting it rot.

This is a massive project and it is no surprise to me that we don't finish the first day. Once the sun sets we stop work and everyone stuffs themselves on the cooked meat. To me, it isn't anywhere near as good as drake meat, but it is better than normal meat.

The fact that it was slow cooked throughout the day certainly helps, it has loads of flavor. The elves are certainly enjoying it and the feast turns into a beach party. The only downside is that the body has a fairly strong smell coming off of it.

While everyone else is busy, I move over to the body and dig into it looking for the heart. I may not have been able to get any exp for killing the thing but I can still eat its heart. Although, considering the heart is bigger than I am, I will just settle for eating a chunk of it.

Devour activated! Strength +20, Endurance +50, Toughness +50!

'Well, that certainly explains why it took me so long to kill it!'

Once devour has activated I go back to eating the cooked meat and drinking mead from my pouch. Some of the elves notice what I am doing and sneakily come over to ask for some booze. Of course, they get noticed and soon everyone is coming over to get some.

Stillwater says "I still can't believe you managed to kill this thing!"

"It was not easy! It took about ten or eleven hours to wear the thing down."

Stillwater says "So, since it has bones, does that mean you have everything you need?"

"Yeah, I believe so. I won't know for sure until the tree is big enough for me to start building the ship."

Stillwater says "How long until the tree is big enough?"

"Based on its current growth, I would guess about two weeks. If the gate pieces last that long."

Stillwater says "If they don't, then it will take longer?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

Stillwater says "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Not unless you know of another good source of mana."

Stillwater says "No, I don't. But I will check the records we have, just in case."

"Thank you."