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.

proof enough. Never heard of anything below S-rank able to survive in this part of my realm,” as the Viper finished

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

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

of his hand, the whole place was restored back to exactly how it was before he shattered

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 a

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

Jake nodded. He had found the design of the first part of the dungeon a bit suspect. Though he was

dungeon. At least not normally. Quite proud of myself for gaming the system on the last part of the challenge

challenge dungeons aren’t normally lethal, but you somehow found a way to make it so, and now you’re

“Yep.”

said but couldn’t help

on a timer? Forced to study my history, only to be rewarded with a mural of me

“Very narcissistic.”

compliment,” the Viper said

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

if Jake was serious. He was. “That’s some

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

deep in thought, he finally turned to Jake, looking him straight in the

the Malefic Viper. How the hell did the revered and worshipped dragon he had seen challenge

are?” Jake answered, hoping to get at

spread out his 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 it; it is a god-thing. So, what do you think? My realm is pretty

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

he answered, dodging to answer.

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 all. He just wasn’t sure exactly what it meant by

all that jazz, and you’ll get there eventually. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it just for

the hell was wrong with the so-called god in

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

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

guess my willpower stat has grown a

that isn’t how willpower works, mate. You don’t suddenly become a bastion of calmness from a stat,” the Viper 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 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 height, have fallen to the plagues

Malefic Viper's words as he detected a

your 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

as he stared out into the vast desolate wasteland that was his realm. Turning

threads will be left in your wake. But the march of time is ruthless, the need for constant progress endless. Those friends will be left behind; your comrades abandoned as

audible. Jake wasn’t quite sure what exactly

again. Haven’t spoken a word to anyone for

If he should even do anything. As the

stand here and pretend to understand what someone

what makes you think I haven’t tried to do everything already?” he asked back, a formless aura

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. The aura

haven’t 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 on can

Viper looked back at Jake, clearly a bit surprised at

is there to do but try to regain it?”

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

inner Jacob, and in others borrowing from something his father had once told him. When he got injured and had to give up going pro with his archery, he was broken… but those words had helped him find a new

stared back at Jake for what felt like an eternity. He finally chuckled a bit

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

agree. He was a bit embarrassed to admit that he had kind of forgot the scaled man in front of him was a god for