XVII

Dylan wasn't sure how to respond.

The system made it seem like he could form some kind of bond with the egg.

Deciding to trust in the system, he made his selection.

-SYSTEM DATA-

(Host has started the SoulBond ritual)

(The SoulFlame of the host will now be eternally bonded to the soul of the egg)

(Egg hatch progression 0/100)

(Would host like to supplement the egg with its own mana)

Yes/No?

'Yes,' Dylan thought.

(Host will now provide mana to the egg)

(Egg hatch progression 1/100)

(Progression will increase 1 value every minute host supplies the mana)

Dylan decided to cancel the flow of mana.

He didn't want the Basilisk hatching until he arrived back at HQ.

There, he could request accommodations for the beast if needed.

After all, he wasn't sure how obedient it would be to its new master.

After making sure the egg would be fine during the journey back, the party made their way out of the mine, and back towards the Dawn Guard HQ.

-

Upon returning, the group collected their reward and split it evenly. Netting Dylan five thousand mana stones!

This was an insane amount of money back before he became an officer.

Now, it was just a good amount in exchange for a life threatening mission.

Dylan didn't bother with pleasantries an simply went back to his apartment. He wanted to look over the egg some more.

When he arrived in his abode he noticed a large box in the center of his living space.

A letter on the top signified it came from the king.

'Must be my award,' he thought.

He had received his reward from the Dawn Guard for his entrance mission, but he was also meant to receive an award for services to the kingdom. This meant he received a medal and an item deemed worthy of his accomplishment.

Examining the contents of the box, revealed a gold medal of honor for strengthening the kingdoms borders, and a small stone.

The stone was amber in color, and mana could be felt radiating from it.

"Inspect."

-SYSTEM DATA-

Name: HeartStone

Category: major-weapon augment

Skill: Cheer

Passive: sixth sense

Description: The HeartStone is a weapon augment. An augment will add skills to a weapon it's fused with. If fused with Harbinger, the host will gain the ability to buff the overall stats of them and their party by 5% for one hour. The host will also receive the passive skill sixth sense. This skill will warn the host of an oncoming attack, that the system deems hazardous to the host's life.

'Well, the passive is decent,' Dylan thought. 'But the Cheer skill is mainly for group battles, and well, I'm more of a solo player.'

'I guess it is just a free 5% boost. Worst case, I use it to enhance my regular attacks.'

After he was done examining the stone, he willed the system to fuse it with Harbinger. Doing so was a trivial task and was accomplished in a matter of seconds.

(Host combined the HeartStone with Harbinger. Boosting it's overall attack power, and adding a new skill and passive.)

'Alright,' Dylan thought to himself. 'With that out of the way, I can get some rest while i supply the egg with mana'

He figured he had about an hour and a half, before it would hatch.

Meaning he could at least take a small nap. If he halved the mana output, he could actually manage to get a few hours of sleep. This wouldn't fully re-energize him, but he could use the small amount of rest regardless. This would let him relax his mind after the intense mission

Which he decided to do.

-

Dylan awoke to a cracking sound.

CRRRRRRK!

TCHT!

He jumped out of bed and leaped towards where the egg lied.

It was shaking back and forth, while pieces of it broke of and flew across the floor.

A lime-green light peaked out from the cracks, as what appeared to be a dark emerald-colored snout began to make it's way out.

Dylan just watched expectantly as his new companion was born.

'Maybe a beast companion will make Cheer actually useful,' he thought to himself.

Before long, pitch black eyes peaked from inside the egg, only to make direct contact with fierce purple iris'.

Something inside it's soul, told the Basilisk that this was it's master.

After it fully emerged from the egg, the Basilisk slithered it's way across the floor towards it's master.

Dylan was at first confused by the sudden approach of the newborn beast. He however, calmed down, once the system informed him that the Basilisk recognized him as it's parent.

The beast made it's way up the side of Dylan's body, until it coiled itself around his neck, rubbing it's head against his affectionately. 

The dark, emerald scales, reflected the subtle light of the room's lanterns. Making the snake appear as if it was made of green-stained, obsidian.

It was only a little under a meter long, but Dylan new it would grow.

The color and demeanor of the beast gave way to the name he had chosen for it.

Violet.

After deciding on a name, he wanted to see what the system had to say.

"Inspect."

-SYSTEM DATA-

Name: Violet

Age: 1 day

Race: Basilisk

Category: majestic-beast

Level: 1

Skills: Petrification(lv.1) Fang(lv.1) Toxic(lv.1) Cloak(lv.1)

Strength: 4

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 10

Dexterity: 7

Bond: 0/100

EXP: 0/100

Description: As the host's SoulBond, Violet will receive a portion of EXP that is acquired by the host. Boasting high intelligence, the beast can strike with a deadly bite, or poison it's target. All while remaining hidden in the shadows. If this varying arsenal fails, the Basilisk also posses the innate ability to turn its opponent to stone.

'Seems like Violet has an impressive offense, with a secret weapon incase it fails,' Dylan thought. 'Huh, just like me'

Violet seemed determined to remain on his shoulder, so Dylan decided to let her stay while he visited the marketplace.

He would need to purchase more of his usually items, plus see what all he had access to now.

He immediately went on the mission with Emily after becoming an Officer. So, he had not had the opportunity to see what else he could purchase.

-

On the way the pair received many glances, and looks of disdain.

After further evaluation, Dylan realized he didn't see any of the other members with beasts. The closest thing would be the Griffins used as mounts.

'I wonder if it's taboo,' he thought.

Upon arriving he was greeted by a familiar face.

"Grain!" A boisterous voice resounded. "Good to still see ya in one piece lad."

"Thank you Morthan," Dylan responded. "I came to purchase more bombs, and see what else i have access to now."

"That's right!,' Morthan continued. "You're an officer now. Not to mention, I was told you received special clearance for the level five items. That's unheard of!"

Dylan only nodded and smiled bashfully. He enjoyed the praise from Morthan for some reason. Maybe it was because the dwarf reminded him of his uncle from Earth.

His uncle Roger was one of the few good influences Dylan had as a child.

Sadly Roger died when Dylan was a teenager, due to getting involved with substance abuse.

'Runs in the family,' Dylan thought.

Morthan's voice awoke him from his spiraling thought process.

"I see you got yourself a beast there kiddo!"

"Not many people choose to have a beast companion, due to most being afraid of them turning on their masters."

"It is a beautiful snake though, I must say. It looks awfully young.' Morthan stated.

"She is very young," Dylan replied. "She actually just hatched today."

Morthan had a shocked look on his face.

"Today," he asked. "That thing is putting off way to much mana to be only a day old!"

Upon hearing this, Dylan noticed the waves of mana coming off Violet.

'Must be because she isn't used to her power yet,' he thought. 'This could be a problem.'

"Say Morthan," Dylan asked. "There wouldn't happen to be anything for sale that could help me keep her hidden, would there?"

Morthan pondered a moment before answering.

"I actually do have something," He responded. "It's gonna cost you though."

After rummaging through boxes and shelves for a few minutes, Morthan returned with a small wooden box.

"This here is a slave band," He stated. "However, it's been mortified to only contain the mana levels of it's target.

"Normally a slave band would make the person completely sub servant to the user. This band was changed, so it could be used to reduce the power levels of members of a certain guild."

"This guild is long gone, but they used to be known for the highest-level assassinations. They would hide their auras and mana levels with these bands, to then infiltrative and kill the target."

"This is the only one I've managed to find, but it should work to keep your beast's power level hidden. You only would need to remove the band to unleash it's full power."

"How much does it cost?" Dylan asked.

"Five thousand mana stones," Morthan replied.

'No way,' Dylan thought. 'That's like everything I have.'

'My entire reward just to make people not so weary of Violet.'

After some deliberation, Dylan decided what he would do.

"I'll take it!"