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.

heard of anything below S-rank able to survive

the Malefic Viper's hand, the 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, nothing remained as far as his eyes could see. Everything

you without leaving a

place was restored back to exactly how it was before he shattered

rein on designing them. I am both incredibly proud and a bit embarrassed about how I made it, but at the time, it was super amusing,” the Viper

more or less made it as a joke. The requirements were bullshit made up on the spot to make the challenger feel special, going like: “oh my god, I barely fit these, this must be destiny!”.

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

was a bit funny, right? The only sad part is that you don’t actually die in a challenge dungeon. At least not normally. Quite proud of myself for gaming the system on the last

so,

“Yep.”

massive dick,” Jake said but couldn’t help snickering

part forcing you to feed me stuff not to die while on a

“Very narcissistic.”

compliment,” the Viper said with a huge smile. “You are surprisingly

it be a bit boring if you couldn’t even die from the challenge?” Jake asked. “Makes it all a bit

him a bit to discern if Jake was serious. He was. “That’s some fucked up logic right there. I

he found talking to the snake-god in front of

After several moments where the 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

flippant attitude of the Malefic Viper. How the hell did the revered

where exactly we are?” Jake answered, hoping to get at least something tangible out of the eccentric

we’re in my realm!” he shouted loudly as he spread out his hands in a comical way. Noticing Jake still staring at him, confused, he elaborated. “That means it is

flat, desolate surroundings in all directions,

answered, dodging to answer. “You mentioned something

concrete. It would make sense for

am. Just keep doing 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 Viper said, as

hell was

The Malefic snake said as he continued, “how come you’re so casual despite how fucked up this

But more importantly, he hadn’t felt anything negative from his instincts since he

stat has grown a lot,”

explained, as he turned uncharacteristically serious. “Stats may change some parts of you, but your mind remains untouched. You become able to think faster, process everything far

solemn at the Malefic Viper's words as he detected a faint

mind, and 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 learn to endure… and

as he stared out into the vast desolate

a long and lonesome one, but you will meet many along the way. Friends, comrades, subordinates, and superiors, an endless web of karmic threads will be left in your wake. But the march of time is ruthless, the need for constant progress endless. Those friends will

words were barely audible. Jake wasn’t quite sure what exactly

again. Haven’t spoken a word to anyone for a very, very

to say or do. If he should even do anything. As the silence continued, however, he collected his thoughts

and pretend to understand what someone like

do everything already?” he

down. He pushed back, his bloodline fully awoken, refusing to

been able to beat yet. And if it isn’t that kind of issue…” Jake said, as he continued, his voice a bit softer. “Then, sometimes,

Jake, clearly a bit surprised at

is there to do but try to regain it?”

never met anyone who doesn’t want their loved ones to be happy, even after

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

finally chuckled a bit as he smiled - his first genuine smile for a

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

had kind of forgot the scaled man in front of him was