The Primal Hunter

Private tutors since he could barely walk, expensive private schools, and a support system surrounding him made up of the best money could buy. Graduated top of his class, got into the best university, and once more proved himself excellent, being at the top once more.

He had been in the papers, praised by everyone. But he had always tried not to let it get to his head. His father had been the “treat the janitor like the CEO”-type of person. His old man had even refused to hire him at his own company, telling him he had to go his own way.

Connections certainly had helped to begin with, but as he made his way into the corporate world, he once more excelled. At first, perhaps he was chosen because he was his father’s son, but now Jacob was selected because he was the best man for the job. A mark of honor for him.

But this… this shitty place wasn’t one where he excelled. This god-forsaken shithole called a tutorial wasn’t anything he had ever trained for or even dreamed of.

And yet he had tried his best. He had tried to make sure they all survived, and all returned home. But he had failed time and time again. His colleagues died one by one, and he was powerless to help them. His hands shivered whenever he held a sword, and his mind went blank when a beast came at him. He felt useless.

Even where he was supposed to be skilled, he failed. He couldn’t even help Jake, accidentally leading him into a trap and nearly getting him killed. His relationship with Caroline had soured after that. She had changed, perhaps in her own desperation. Jacob believed he could have still helped her, fixed their relationship, and gotten her back on the right path. Maybe it was a naive hope, but Jacob wanted to at least try.

Could… because even that he had fucked up. Not even something as basic as not parting without regret was possible for him. He had ignored Caroline when she left with Richard to attack the remnants of Hayden’s camp. His last words had been “leave me alone,” for fuck’s sake.

Yet he tried again. Even after being broken, again and again, he got up. The tutorial counter was clear. Everyone was dead.

After they saw the number drop dramatically, the entire base had gathered. When the killing finally stopped, Jacob had done a headcount… and found every single person still living present, besides two.

Jacob had left together with Bertram to investigate what the hell had happened. What they found was pure mayhem. Corpses and shattered armor were strewn across a big area. They had called out for survivors, but silence had been their only answer.

They didn’t have any healing potions or healers left… so even if they found someone, it was unsure if they could save the person. They hadn’t stayed for long as Jacob had seen something that made him send Bertram back alone. Jacob stayed a while longer, contemplating what to do before he also returned.

Which led to the current situation. Jacob had done what he could to try and keep things running. But the situation was terrible. Everyone had lost friends or family in the battle, many even showing clear signs of having given up.

But he managed to keep them going. The two enigmatic survivors were a great boon there. No one knew who they were… which meant they could be anyone. Just that small shred of hope kept many going, and Jacob himself hoped that it was enough to ride out the rest of the tutorial. By then, hopefully, they could reunite with the rest of the world.

Jacob also hoped to return to the real world alive. He would fight, and he would survive.

But… Jacob knew who the two survivors were. He knew it was a false hope, but it was all he could offer them. On the battlefield, he had sent Bertram back because he spotted someone. It looked like a burnt corpse, but Jacob felt like he saw faint movement.

It was William. He was barely recognizable, but Jacob knew it was him. Jacob wasn’t stupid and quickly put together everything that had happened, especially when he saw Caroline’s metalized corpse.

William had killed them all.

And there he was. Unconscious and defenseless before him. With the starter-sword at his waist, he could kill him. Perhaps he should kill him.

Yet he turned and left.

Even after everything he had done… Jacob didn’t wish to see him dead. Not because Jacob necessarily believed that William could be ‘saved’ or anything stupid like that. Jacob just didn’t want to kill anyone.

Sitting down in the middle of the battlefield, he stared up into the sky. He truly hated this place, yet he refused to let it break him. Everyone was losing hope by the day, but Jacob felt responsible for keeping it alive.

Perhaps William would wake up before the tutorial was over… no, he would most certainly wake up and come to kill them all. If that is fate… then let it be so.

He had been stuck at level 24 for a long time in his class. A very long time compared to everyone else. The prompt had never appeared for him like everyone else. As the only person in the entire tutorial that he knew of, the evolution eluded him.

*Class Evolution available*

times. He hadn’t killed anything…

evolution. But compared to what he expected, he wasn’t met with a selection of classes. Many had reported having at least two, with some just being

to most, a guide to all. The Augur of Hope is a support class focused entirely on guiding and leading others. Your creed is not to fight; your fate to have

description before

Mother has invited you to

invited you to her

the Maker has invited you to their realm.

has invited you to her

you

has invited you to his realm.

invited

has invited you to

you to

Seeker has invited you to their

…

it was thousands of ‘invitations’ appeared before him. Every single invitation was not as simple as a simple message,

within. A faint hint

knew that he would pick the first one. An action, which

feet. With a startle, he looked around as his vision slowly returned to normal. He knew he had gotten many system messages before obtaining the class

understatement. This place was beyond massive. He couldn’t even see either end as he saw pillars shoot into the

marveled at the sight, he

is it

all his brain registered as he stood there dumbstruck. He couldn’t ‘see’ her per-se, yet he knew that he stared at perfection. A feeling of reverence welled

minutes, he barely managed to compose

table appeared before him. The table even had what

said as she ushered him towards

chair on the other side of the

after taking a few more

as she added. “As for why I invited

being invited here? I didn’t hear about this happening to the others?” Jacob answered,

seem. As for why you are here… far from everyone has anything special happen during a class

able to bring more light into the people’s hearts. Your class now is

a religion of some sort? Did he even have a choice? Was this entire thing happening a

is the Hunter and the

Hunter roused the Viper. I can no longer see precisely who he is, no doubt due to the Viper’s interference, but

This also confirmed that he was alive. Though Jacob had kind of expected that, to begin with. Jake had escaped after all, and based on what he had seen, the guy could

what was this about “rousing the Viper”? Did he do something? Was this the reason

you say that he roused the viper?” Jacob

a bit before she began: “The Malefic Viper is who I speak of, an ancient being that has been around since the dawn of the system itself. After a tragic

bad thing that

tell,” she answered with a smile. “I hope it will bring good with it. On a personal

as he quite honestly didn’t

ask… but is me coming here a good or a

all depends on what you do with being here. But