The Primal Hunter

The mood of the conversation shifted, and the smile on Jacob’s face was gone. Jake was also working in overdrive, analyzing the situation. Should he take them by surprise and shoot the man? Even if he tried, he had no confidence in landing the shot. And even if it did hit and somehow managed to kill him, chances are it would end badly if the other side retaliated, or more accurately, when they retaliated as he seriously doubted they would just take getting their leader killed lying down.

Caroline was also looking incredibly nervous at this point, hiding a bit behind Bertram, who had a stoic look on his face. The situation was tense, to say the least. She did not look at all like she wanted to respond positively to his… ‘invitation’.

Richard looked on as he flashed a light smile, but his eyes were still rather cold. The ones behind him also seemed to have tensed up too and had their hands close to their weapons. He finally started talking again, breaking the silence before they reached a breaking point.

“I’m just going to be honest with you all, healers are scarce in this place. We had one, but he died within an hour of entering the tutorial. Three groups, thirty people, and only one fucking healer,” he said as he spat on the ground, clearly frustrated. “So, young lady, I am serious when I say that you would be treated well. We need you far more than you need us.”

He turned back to Jacob again, continuing.

“You agreed that we humans are meant to stick together, right? We have no healer. We have only a handful of healing potions. There are no medical supplies, no hospital, no doctors, no nothing. Does she not have a responsibility to help her fellow man? I want to solve this peacefully with everyone walking away happy, but I don’t exactly have a choice here. We need a healer, one way or another. We only need the healer. The rest of you are free to choose what you want to do.

“Just know that her joining us is non-negotiable. Not having a healer is just too risky in this place, and I have already lost too many good men and women unnecessarily. If you and your colleagues join us, you will be treated like everyone else. We will make hunting parties based on optimal setups, with the healer joining my own party naturally. I can even promise that if you don’t wish to fight, we offer protection as long as you contribute in other ways. Just think it over carefully.”

Richard seemed to be done talking as he gave them space once more. He had thrown the ball in their court, and now the question was just what to do…

They could try and run, but they were clearly outnumbered, and their levels too low. Jake had a feeling that the majority of the opposing party was at level 5 or above. He said they had run out of healing potions, which indicated that they had done plenty of fighting. Fighting is off the list.

The second option was to join them. Jake did not like that option at all. He got a bad feeling from them. He did not doubt that Caroline would remain unharmed, but what about the rest of them? Would they be used as meat-shields or what? They would clearly not allow them to act autonomously in fear of them leaving with Caroline.

The third option was just to hand her over. They would likely let them go, as while humans were worth hunting, they were far more dangerous than beasts in most cases. Additionally, they would have to try and not antagonize Caroline more than necessary. Jake doubted anyone would want a healer who wanted nothing more than to kill the people she healed. Or worse, refuse to heal at all.

Needless to say, Jake was not a fan of just handing her over. One reason was that they would end up with the same issue that Richard’s group currently had. He was hesitant to voice his thoughts when Theodore started talking.

“Maybe we should just go with them. Imagine not having access to any kind of healing or medicine in this shithole. It would make even the best desperate. We don’t even know them, why are we taking an antagonistic position?” Looking around at the others, quite a few of them nodded, while others stayed silent.

Jake could easily see Richard smiling in the other group, clearly approving of the direction their conversation was currently taking. Theodore did have a good point, though; they were clearly desperate. Who were they to reject helping the other group? Without a healer or health potions, a single bite or claw wound could become infected and fester, making even small scratches and injuries fatal.

back to his own objective. He had decided that he wanted to try and help his colleagues learn how to fend for themselves. If they joined

people Jake actually cared about, would be safe for sure. He did not doubt the middle-aged man when he guaranteed that

all open to her going alone. It would leave the other eight without a healer.

reached. But there were still reservations. How would they be treated? Would they be considered outsiders? What reason would Richard have to keep them around after already getting his

in the conversation. Richard seemed not to care what they thought as long as

had decided to go his own way last night already. He needed strength, and he needed power. And he did need power. He could

to. He wanted to hunt, fight, and encounter challenges. And

accomplishment and fulfillment - the feeling of power. Basking in the feeling, he channeled his bloodline, as a faux smile of never-ending

level?” He

looked at the man's face. His eyes were practically glowing, and he had a confident smile on his

7 and above,” Richard answered truthfully, not being afraid of sharing it. The

now, only resting for a few hours. They had played it safe due to not having a healer, but he doubted a single individual could outmatch them. He also doubted the man was actually strong as his

who might you be? Your level, too, if

was not an act either. He had genuinely hoped that the man was stronger. From what he had seen, level 10 seemed to be a

I was hoping for you to be stronger,” Jake said. “As for my name and level? I am Mr. eat-shit, and I am level

the others were gobsmacked at what the hell Jake was doing openly provoking the man. Especially how Jake kept up that weird daring demeanor, despite

to reaching an agreement here?” Richard asked, more than a little annoyed at the unexpected development. Who was

smiling at the man as he walked closer to Richard and his camp. As he got closer, he felt a prickling sensation making him aware of the danger lurking behind the man. He distinctly

clear. I will leave my former colleagues to you, so do take proper care of them. Of course,

he was unsure of how to act. He had a weird feeling that the man in front of him was unusual, but he refused to back down and appear weak in

issues would that be?” He said, squinting down

Do you think those three archers will land their

Richard tense up as he dropped the smile

fight with them, and survive with them. But I will be watching. A single misstep, and

and

that stood just behind Richard had begun drawing his bow, but Richard raised a hand indicating for him to stop, only to see Jake had made the exact same motion. Making both of them stop