The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 401: Competition: Druid Mode (5)

Chapter 401: Competition: Druid Mode (5)

Yes.

’Did–did you just speak to me?’ Out of shock, Hex entered the inner space and stood before the Dragon Bear Soul. The Frost Dragon had returned to sleep on top of the monolith. Hex was too shocked, however, to pay much attention to her.

I always speak to you.

The Dragon Bear tilted its head and watched Hex with large crystal-like eyes. It hadn’t moved its maws at all, though.

’Is that so?’ Hex chuckled dryly. The growls and roars didn’t escape him. He just ignored them, believing it to be a habit of the beast’s soul. He was so good at ignoring it that he could just faze it all out and not even hear it sometimes.

Now, however, it was hard to do so. Not only could he hear it speak, it felt like the words were spoken into his mind. His soul experienced each sentiment going through the beast before him.

’It, no, he – Hex took Erina’s example. A creature you shared a soul with, couldn’t be just an it – is happy, confused, and...relieved.’ Hex differentiated between each feeling. He used his thoughts to observe whether the connection was two-sided. Could the Bear Soul read his thoughts, or emotions too? It didn’t seem to be the case. He would have to observe more to be sure.

Are you not pleased that we can understand each other?

Wait, was he that obvious? Hex refocused his attention. And was he truly unhappy? No, he wasn’t. Strange as it may sound, he was happy. The Dragon Bear Soul was part of him and they were always together. A partner he could trust without fear. He never had anyone like, come to think of it.

’I am a little shocked. And a little unsure about all this,’ Hex replied, opting to be honest. It seemed like the bond between them didn’t allow the other to guess the thoughts going on within each mind but it allowed emotions to be read. He was just better at it than the Bear. Maybe, over time, he would learn to read Hex’s emotions.

Should I stop talking?

Hex watched him lower his gaze as he inquired. A wave of sadness passed through their bond. ’Damn, I am killing the joy of my own soul. Way to kill the spirit, moron.’ Hex wanted to hit his head against something. The Bear jerked his head and looked at Hex.

Hex had thought up loudly without realizing it. It would require some getting used to it.

’What I mean is that this is unexpected for me. Give me some time to get better at talking and listening to you. We can talk when I come inside but please don’t talk when I am with others, unless absolutely necessary. Okay?’

I can do that. I think I can.

’Good. Now, should we see what else our bond does?’

...

"This. I can get used to this."

Hex laughed as he felt the wind blow against his face. The disappearing rays of the sun colored the ground with vibrant colors. The birds and bees returning to their nests chirped and buzzed around. The smell of the land. Hex enjoyed every prickle of his senses through his bond with his Dragon Bear Soul.

They experimented quite a bit through the past hour. Partial Transformation went smoother and with more variability. His choices weren’t limited to white hair only, for example. Brown, black, and crimson.

Another perk of the bond was the channeling of strength without the need to transform. Hex felt his physical powers increase over time. He didn’t understand the exact workings of it but he wasn’t complaining. He could already defy the Stages above to some extent. A little bit more was always welcome.

But the most prominent perk of the bond was the ability to summon the Dragon Bear Soul in materialized form. When he summoned him, the bear appeared in his full glory, standing ten meters high on his hind legs. The trees and high grass were crushed under its body.

It took some tries before the bear could control his size and weight. Once it had ’decreased’ to four meters, Hex had mounted it and asked to run through the fields. They were far enough from the farms to ignore the risk of being spotted. Not that it would matter, actually. Hex was a Druid. It was normal for a Druid to have a companion. The only difficulty he would face was the question of where he got a bear from. They weren’t as common in Wrixia as in the Endless Mountains.

Growl.

Suddenly the Dragon Bear Soul skidded to a halt while growling. It really did growl. Hex, however, didn’t need words to understand him. He could sense the vile stench in the air. The smell of rot and blood wafted over. The source was still some distance away but Hex already identified them.

’Wolves.’

A pack of cowardly dogs.

Not something he expected to hear from his Bear Soul but Hex hummed in agreement.

’It seems they are headed this way.’

I think they are targeting these farms. Like the old man said.

’You heard that, huh.’

Hex didn’t worry about the wolves, irrespective of their number. He sensed none stronger than Fiends. He could handle a pack like that even at the Knight Stage, without his Dragon Bear partner. Okay, he did need the enhancement. He needed his partner as support. Yes, that was a better way of putting it.

’Want to team up?’

Yes. Let’s tear these howling morons up.

’That’s the spirit,’ Hex laughed. It was not exactly what he had in mind but his partner wished to let loose. He could feel the pride and sense of superiority the bear felt of being above the wolves.

’Druids need to use their companions to battle in later stages of the competition. According to the reports Sterling received, at least. Let’s try it out now. You will be the vanguard, I will be the support.’

Roar!

His partner didn’t reply. Or his roar was the reply. They saw the wolves through the bushes. The bear didn’t wait. It rushed out. Hex felt his soul fill up with battle lust.

’It’s so primal. So savage,’ he thought, following behind it. He didn’t mind. In fact, he looked forward to letting loose after such a long time.