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.

going to answer 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 survive in this

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 had simply been

damn realm on you without leaving a scratch.

back to exactly how it was before he shattered it, leaving it as if nothing had

gods had quite a bit more free rein on designing them. I am both incredibly proud and a bit embarrassed about how I made it,

requirements were bullshit made up on the spot to make the challenger feel special, going like: “oh my god, I barely fit

a bit suspect. Though he was embarrassed to admit, he didn’t really catch onto how suspicious the requirements were. Thinking back, it was a

for gaming the system on the last part of the challenge where ya have to cure yourself. Took quite a few workarounds to make that work

to make it so, and now you’re

“Yep.”

said

to feed me stuff not to die while on a timer? Forced to study my history, only to be rewarded with a

“Very narcissistic.”

that as a compliment,” the Viper said

if you couldn’t even die from the challenge?” Jake asked. “Makes

discern if Jake was serious.

the snake-god in front of him relatively

was deep in thought, he finally turned to Jake, looking him straight in the eyes. “No idea. Well, some idea, but

the hell did

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

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

the flat, desolate surroundings in all directions, he wasn’t particularly

sure is something,” he answered, dodging to answer. “You mentioned something about being

had run into the mention of gods in some of the books he had read, but nothing concrete. It would make sense for the Malefic Viper to be considered a god, having a cult and

It’s hard work, but it’s worth it just for the immortality alone,” the Viper said, as

the hell was wrong with the so-called god in front of

ask something!” The Malefic snake said as he continued, “how come you’re

he hadn’t felt anything negative from

my willpower stat has grown a

you, but your mind remains untouched. 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 happen. It has never happened. Many beings of unimaginable power, having a willpower stat at an incredible

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

situations of great danger. However, for those to be possible, you have to possess the ability to do those things to begin

into the vast

wake. But the march of time is ruthless, the need

Jake wasn’t quite sure

word to anyone

him for a few seconds, unsure of what to say or do. If he should even do anything. As the silence continued,

shit. I am not going to stand here and pretend to understand what someone like you struggles with, but I

haven’t tried to do everything already?” he asked back, a formless

felt like he suddenly stood before an incarnation of death and destruction. Yet he didn’t back down. He pushed back, his bloodline fully awoken, refusing to be inferior.

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, moving

Jake, clearly a bit

everything, what is there to do but try to regain

but I have never met anyone who doesn’t want

something his father had once told him. When he got injured and had to give up going pro with his

Viper just stared back at Jake for what felt like an eternity. He finally

chuckle turned to a laugh. “Oh man, this shit

bit embarrassed to admit that he had kind of forgot the