The Primal Hunter

The scaled man’s words momentarily dumbfounded Jake. No, if he was to be believed, the Malefic Viper’s words.

Unsure what to say, Jake just stared back at the man. After what felt like an eternity, the scaled man’s face turned to one of confusion as he observed Jake closely with apparent puzzlement.

“I told you to fuck off,” he said as he scratched the back of his head. “You must know who I am, right? So do as I say and leave me alone.”

“Well, yeah, I heard you. But I thought the Malefic Viper was a snake turned dragon?” Jake asked, a bit confused by the entire situation.

“Oh, that?” The man laughed as an explosion of green mist burst out of him, with Jake standing completely unaffected.

The scaled man was still there, but behind him was a giant projection nearly identical to the dragon he had seen on the mural. “See? It is me. Can you leave now?”

“Yeah, I see it,” Jake answered, still utterly lost as to what the hell was happening. Why had the system brought him to meet the namesake of his profession? “Gotta be honest, I have no clue why I am here or how to leave again. ”

Dispelling the projection, the Malefic Viper continued to look confused back at him. “Seriously, you’re a member of the order, right?”

“No, I don’t think so, at least?” Jake answered truthfully. Would he be considered a member of the order, considering that everything he knew came from what seemed like an old sanctuary? He hadn’t formally signed up for anything. Also, wasn’t it a cult?

“Then how in the hell did you acquire my legacy? And why did it bring- wait.”

As if suddenly enlightened, the Malefic Viper chuckled a bit to himself.

“You are a newly integrated human to the system, right? In one of those tutorials,” he asked, an amused smile on his face.

“Yeah, I got the profession through a challenge dungeon,” Jake answered, confused as to the apparent mood-swing the other man was showing. What was so amusing about him more or less appropriating a legacy?

Laughing even louder, he put his hand on Jakes's shoulder, though his hand didn’t actually make any physical contact. It appeared that touching one another was stopped by the system somehow.

“You have no idea, kid. This brings back some memories. Oh man, I can’t believe you actually got through all that bullshit,” he said, trying to pat Jakes's shoulder again in vain.

“I don’t get it,” Jake said, his confusion growing by the second. Had he unintentionally gotten himself involved with some unstable ancient being?

“No, I assume you wouldn’t. It would be damn weird if ya did. But it is funny, so I’m gonna tell you.”

“Okay?” He actually kind of wanted to just leave now…

“Back in my younger days, I was very much into all of these events made by the system. You know what Records are?”

“Partly.”

“Eh, just look up Akashic Records or something. Pretty much all pre-system cultures had some myth related to it. Just know that having sufficient Records is quite crucial for everyone. Mortals and gods alike. Which brings me to the next part.

“Newly integrated universes aren’t just for the newly integrated races themselves. Many beings throughout the multiverse can obtain countless benefits from it. Most notably, a huge amount of Records can be earned. One such way of earning more Records is by investing in the tutorials and getting rewards from the system. It’s essentially just glorified gambling making such investments,” The scaled man began, as Jake was finally starting to understand why he was so happy.

“Well, you being here means that I very likely already earned back that investment. Geez, you must have done well for you to come here.”

“Yeah, I…” Jake wanted to explain what had happened in the dungeon, but the Malefic Viper raised his hand to interrupt.

“Don’t bother. I quite frankly don’t give a fuck. Besides, the system tends not to like oversharing. It’s a bit overprotective when it comes to new universes after some gods accidentally ruined a lesser universe back in the 5th era,” he said as he plopped down on the ground sitting with his legs crossed. “Totally wasn’t me, by the way.”

Jake was about to ask some questions but was once more interrupted.

anything. Again, the system wouldn't like that either. Shit, you being alive should be proof enough. Never heard of anything below S-rank able to

dust dispersed, and Jake found himself standing on a small floating platform of stone, utterly untouched by even a single speck of dust. Around him,

Overprotective. Could collapse the entire damn realm on you without leaving a scratch.

another wave of his hand, the whole place was restored back to exactly how it was before he shattered it, leaving it as if nothing

story. You see, long ago, I made a certain challenge dungeon during a time where we gods had quite a bit more free rein on designing them. I am both incredibly proud and

going like: “oh my god, I barely fit these, this must be destiny!”. And then, just after entering the first room, I would have them get impaled by

design of the first part of the dungeon a bit suspect. Though he was embarrassed to admit, he didn’t really catch

system on the last

make it so, and now you’re

“Yep.”

you a massive dick,” Jake said but couldn’t help

stuff not to die while on a timer?

“Very narcissistic.”

Viper said with a huge

die from the challenge?”

looked at him a bit to discern if Jake was serious. He was.

Funnily enough, he didn’t really feel like leaving anymore. As weird as it may sound, he found talking to the snake-god in front of him relatively easy. It was… relaxing. Maybe because he hadn't spoken to anyone for a few days or because his conversation partner wasn’t

Malefic Viper looked like he was deep in thought, he finally turned to Jake, looking him straight in the eyes. “No idea. Well, some idea, but it's more fun if you figure it out

Malefic Viper. How the hell did the revered and worshipped dragon

at least tell me where exactly we are?” Jake answered, hoping to get at least something tangible out

Noticing Jake still staring at him, confused, he elaborated. “That means it is kind of my world. I made it. Don’t worry about it; it

at the flat, desolate surroundings in

dodging to answer. “You mentioned

had read, but nothing concrete. It would make sense for the Malefic Viper to be considered a god, having a cult and all.

stuff, gain levels, evolutions, all that jazz, and you’ll get there eventually. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it just for the immortality alone,” the

pondering what the hell was wrong

he continued, “how come you’re so casual despite how fucked up

taken aback, Jake did wonder how he was so calm. His willpower stat had most certainly increased a lot. But more importantly, he hadn’t felt anything negative from his instincts since he came here, not a single shred of danger at any point, not even

my willpower stat has

You become able to think faster, process everything far more efficiently, and remember every single detail, but changes to who you are fundamentally will never

Malefic Viper's words as he detected a faint trace of sadness

it can help you keep calm in situations of great danger. However, for those to be possible, you have to possess the ability to do those things to begin with. Some never

was very downtrodden at this moment as he stared out into the vast desolate wasteland that was his realm. Turning

But the march of time is ruthless, the need for constant progress endless. Those friends will

audible. Jake wasn’t quite sure what exactly to

I’m rambling again. Haven’t spoken a word to anyone for a very, very long time,”

unsure of what to say or do. If he should even do anything.

going to stand here and pretend to understand what someone like you struggles with, but I am pretty sure doing

makes you think I haven’t tried to do everything already?” he asked

destruction. Yet he didn’t back down. He pushed back, his bloodline fully awoken, refusing to be inferior. The aura failed to affect him as he

sounds like a challenge you haven’t been able to beat yet. And if it isn’t that kind of issue…” Jake said, as he

clearly a bit surprised at how he still stood

everything, what is there to do but try to regain it?” he

far hasn’t worked, then shift up your strategy or the rules of the games, but… sometimes victory is found by just walking away.” Jake began as he sighed. “I didn’t know them… but I have never met anyone who doesn’t want their loved ones to be happy, even after their own end. Maybe your victory is found not through fixing what you can’t, but by creating something new. It doesn’t have

his words came from. In some ways, he tried to channel his inner Jacob, and in others borrowing from something his father had once told him. When he got injured and had to give

at Jake for what felt like an eternity. He finally chuckled a bit as he smiled - his first genuine smile

philosopher on my ass,” he said as his chuckle turned to a laugh. “Oh man, this shit

kind of forgot the scaled man