Chapter 269 - New Cooperation Model

Once becoming a druid’s animal companion, it meant that the growth of the Aircraft Bug would be linked to the professional level of the druid itself.The previously considered control issue was also easily resolved, and there was no need to use the Soul Totem.

Due to the druid’s extraordinary control and command of their animal companions.

Even an animal could execute tactics as if it were a creature of high intelligence.

The only flaw was that once it chose to become a druid’s animal companion, its growth would no longer rely solely on itself but would be tied to the druid’s professional level.

If this druid’s professional level rose to Legendary, it would naturally become a Legendary Aircraft Bug.

If this druid stayed at Transcendent for life, then this Aircraft Bug Larva would never have the chance to metamorphose into an adult bug.

But compared to a series of benefits, what was this flaw?

"Lord Atwood, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and sign a contract with it! Don’t tell me, you have an aversion to having an Aircraft Bug as an animal companion?" Gaven urged on the side.

"To have an Aircraft Bug as an animal companion would definitely be the greatest honor of my life," said Lord Atwood, expressing his dilemma, "but this Aircraft Bug, you all have spent great effort to raise. If I were to take it as my animal companion, I really do not know what I could offer in return."

Atwood was not unaware of the value of an Aircraft Bug as an animal companion.

On the contrary, it was precisely because he knew that he felt the gift was too heavy to bear.

Especially considering the current situation, as long as the Aircraft Bug Larva could hold on for a few more minutes, Gaven and his colleagues would be able to initiate its Dragonization and tame it.

"So that’s what you’re worried about." Gaven let out a long sigh of relief and smiled, "Spring Bud and Dragon Oak territories have already been tightly bound together because of the Dragon Oak Mother Tree. Our fortunes are intertwined. Any strengthening of your abilities is an indirect strengthening of ours. If we need to borrow troops from you in the future, could you refuse us, Lord Atwood?"

Gaven’s exceptionally high popularity in Nectar Village meant that he could get whatever he asked for here, as if he were half the owner of this place.

If the Aircraft Bug Larva were handed over to the druid of Nectar Village, Gaven would not only not feel distressed but would also be happy to see it happen.

That way, someone would raise the Aircraft Bug for him free of charge, and he could even directly deploy them if needed.

It was a win-win situation, so why not be happy?

"Lord, being able to be of service is the greatest honor for us, how could we refuse? But..." Lord Atwood’s face still held hesitation.

"There are no ’buts’." Gaven waved his hand firmly, speaking decisively, "Even after initiating Dragonization, it remains uncertain what these Aircraft Bugs will ultimately grow into, whether they can be tamed, whether they can be useful to us. Should they go out of control, I would have no choice but to order their execution. However, if they become druid animal companions, everything becomes known and the safety factor is higher; it’s our best choice.

Let’s make a deal: the fifteen Aircraft Bugs here, we split them half and half. The extra one goes to me as a bonus. In return, Lord Atwood, help me find eight druids from Nectar Village capable of forming contracts with them. Once a contract is signed, they will serve me for a hundred years. What do you say?"

"Good." When the giving became a clearly priced transaction, Lord Atwood nodded in agreement without hesitation, "Then let me thank you in advance, Lord,"

Atwood, having made up his mind, flapped his dragonfly wings and flew into the feeding port.

"Armor up!"

Gaven activated his combat armor immediately, the revolving hand cannon in his left hand and the keen edge long spear in his right, watching the Aircraft Bug Larva intently in case it made any suspicious moves.

He would immediately initiate Fairy Step and blast in to kill it.

The Aircraft Bug Larva was still rolling constantly, but that was due to the strong acid continuously eroding its body, and it had not made any attacking moves toward Atwood.

On the contrary, its cat-like pupils flickered with a hopeful gaze, wishing that Atwood would continue to use the healing spells he had used earlier to alleviate its pain.

But this time, Atwood did not do so.

Rather, he landed on its back, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes to respond to the calling from the beyond.

The Aircraft Bug Larva seemed to sense something and suddenly quieted down, also beginning to respond to the call.

Though vastly different in both size and appearance, these two beings.

At this moment, established a strange spiritual connection, synchronizing with each other.

The Aircraft Bug Larva, which had been emitting a fierce aura, now had a natural aura emerge.

And Lord Atwood’s face also showed unbearable pain surfacing, as the Aircraft Bug Larva’s pain reflected onto him.

The surrounding verdant life force was once again drawn forth, pouring into the two.

This time it was not for healing severe injuries, but nature’s blessing for their pact.

As abundant energy poured in, the body of the Aircraft Bug Larva grew at a speed visible to the naked eye. In the blink of an eye, it went from the size of a calf to that of a bull, growing from medium to large size. The most significant change was in its abdomen, which stretched to three times its length.

The Aircraft Bug Larva had now completely metamorphosed into an adult Aircraft Bug, and all that was left was to continue growing.

Dragonized Aircraft Carrier Insect

Size: Large

Life Force: 104 (Life Dice: 9D10+54)

Attributes: Strength 20, Dexterity 13, Constitution 18, Intelligence 4, Perception 14, Charisma 7

Special Ability: Acid Spit (Special Ability) — Spits acidic orbs to attack from a distance.

Fear (Special Ability) — A creature that witnesses the Carrier Bug tear an opponent to shreds or unleash a swarm of larvae is likely to be petrified, panicked, and trembling.

Larva Swarm (Special Ability) — Releases a swarm of larvae carried on its back; once all larvae are killed, replenishing them takes a month.

Rend (Special Ability) — Creatures bitten or clawed by the Carrier Bug are likely to be torn to shreds.

Reflex Evasion (Special Ability) — Capable of dodging damage with agility.

Strength Burst (Special Ability) — During attack and struggle, strength may be considered as one size larger.

Feats: Toughness, Run, Agile Movement, Alertness, Evasion.

You may think it’s just an increase of one life dice.

But the combat power is vastly different from before.

Leaving the Larva Swarm aside, just Acid Spit alone greatly escalates its lethality—no question, this is definitely an advantage brought by Dragonization.

Normal Carrier Bugs definitely don’t have this ability.

This Carrier Bug indeed gained the Larva Swarm ability it desired, but the larvae it spawns are certainly incomparable to those of the Legendary Carrier Worm.

This is evident from the size of the incubation chambers on its back; the Carrier Bug Larvae it breeds will not exceed ten centimeters.

"It’s really too powerful," Atwood, who always seemed quite mature and steady, could not help but exclaim excitedly, "This time, our Nectar Village is going to take a great advantage from Lord Virginia, with such powerful animal companions. Not to mention Spring Bud Forest, even in the entire Fairy Wilderness, they are unique. With them, our Nectar Village will no longer just be supporters on the battlefield but will become the main fighters."

"Ha-ha... I actually feel like I’m taking advantage of you! These Carrier Bugs, however precious, cannot compare to the value of eight Pikespirit Druids." Gaven also felt as though he had gained a great advantage, "I see that most Druids in Nectar Village have not yet found their animal companions. If Village Chief Atwood is interested, we can start a partnership. We’ll be responsible for finding suitable animal companions, and you’ll be in charge of taming them."

Thinking this, the first thing that came to Gaven’s mind was the figure of the Collapsing Beast.

He felt that today’s event was not just about taming the Carrier Bugs but rather opening a new door of cooperation for him and for Spring Bud Forest.

He lacked Druids in his own hands, but Spring Bud Forest had no shortage of Fae Race Druids.

Before, untamable magic beasts could now be considered through this method.

Village Chief Atwood showed intense interest in Gaven’s proposal, "It’s indeed a win-win cooperation mode, but one thing must be made clear to Lord Virginia, it’s not that our Druids in Nectar Village are being picky. It’s the uniqueness of our geographical location, which, I believe, Lord Virginia should understand."

"So, the selection of animal companions is quite narrow. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt

It either needs to be like the Carrier Bug, which helps in war, especially those capable of assisting in the defense of the Dragon Oak Mother Tree,

Or powerful avian creatures.

Ordinary animal companions are of no use to us."

Atwood’s statement indirectly explained why so many Druids in Nectar Village did not have animal companions.

Ordinary animals were everywhere in Spring Bud Forest.

But those meeting their criteria were rare to find.

And with more monks than porridge, even when they occasionally appeared, other Fae Race Druids might snatch them first, not necessarily leaving any for them.

Hearing Atwood’s words, Gaven couldn’t help but laugh, "About that, we’re in complete agreement. If they’re just ordinary animals, I’d be embarrassed to cooperate with you. What we’ll do is follow a principle of voluntariness, looking for interested Druids. Even if the animal companions are powerful, if the person is not interested, we can’t insist."

"Lord Virginia need not say this," Atwood replied with a laugh upon hearing this, "The Lord might not be clear about the prerequisite for signing with animal companions. If the person can’t resonate with the animal companion’s soul, even if we wanted to sign, we couldn’t. When choosing animal companions, they are choosing us too. Without genuine sincerity, how can we treat them well in the future?"

"In that case, I admit my ignorance," Gaven was not embarrassed, for ignorance of other professions’ secrets is nothing unusual.

"Then I’ll go back to Nectar Village and gather Druids who are interested in this matter. These Carrier Bugs are very powerful; only those with at least eight Professional Levels can sign a contract with them. I’m afraid we don’t have that many suitable Druids," Atwood said excitedly but with a hint of embarrassment, "When the time comes, can we only trade a part of them and leave the rest for you, Lord Virginia, to find another way with Lord Virginia?"

"Understood. This matter is prioritized for Nectar Village. If you can’t bring out that many suitable Druids, then I’ll go to Virginia. Moreover, we’re anticipating the most ideal situation. Dragonizing these Carrier Bugs still has its dangers; not all of them might succeed," Gaven replied thoughtfully.

Level-eight Druids, even among the Pikespirit in the Fairy Wilderness, were not a dime a dozen.

Village Chief Atwood himself, even though not representing the highest level in Nectar Village, was probably one of the top few with his nine Druid Profession levels.

Let alone the fact that not all Nectar Village Druids were without animal companions.

Gaven had seen at least close to ten Hawks in Nectar Village.

Being one of the natural predators of Pikespirit, these Hawks could get so close to Nectar Village for only one reason—that they were Druid animal companions.