The Primal Hunter

Jake stepped through the door into the bedroom that he remembered belonged to the Viper. He had barely entered the room as a loud popping noise was heard along with a… party horn?

“CONGRATULATIONS!”

… In front of him stood the legendary god known as the Malefic Viper wearing a small party hat with a horn in his mouth. Beside him, an old-looking man with a big white beard, messy clothes, and overall unkempt appearance. Except for his headwear. He, too, wore a party hat, though he seemed less than amused at the entire ordeal, and Jake would bet his entire potion stash on the Viper having forced him to wear it.

“Thanks, I guess?” Jake managed to answer, still bewildered by the beaming Viper and the bored old man.

The old man was plump, if not outright obese, and looked like he hadn’t taken a shower for months. Yet, the most noticeable thing about him was his sharp eyes and the faint aroma of soil around him. Looking at him, Jake also instantly knew that this man was a god. He didn’t know how he knew; he just did. Perhaps it was the aura…

“Man, that finale in the tutorial was great. Straight up burned your entire damn soul to punch him harder. If not for how absolutely suicidal that was, I would want to see it again,” the Viper joked, as he slapped the back of the old man.

“This right here is Duskleaf, my true-to-me disciple. Taught the kid alchemy from when he was a wee lad. When it comes to alchemy, he isn’t bad at all, I tell ya.”

“Still new to this, but anyone who can become a god can’t suck, I guess?” Jake answered. “Nice to meet you, name's Jake.”

“Hmph.” That was all the answer he got from the old man who still looked like he really didn’t want to be there. Which he likely didn’t, but Jake had the faint feeling that the Malefic Viper could be quite persuasive.

“Oh, come on, why so gloomy? Isn’t this great, just three buddies chilling?” the Viper said, still slapping the bored old man on the back. A bit harder this time.

With a grunt, the old man said in a weirdly meek voice that didn’t suit him at all. “You said you would actually teach me something…”

“I did, and I will!” the scaled god answered. “We are still gonna do alchemy, no worries, we just have another participant! The more, the merrier and all that.”

“I feel like I am intruding in the middle of something here.”

“You aren’t-”

“Yes, you are.”

Before the Viper could correct him, his disciple quickly shot him down. Jake could only inwardly chuckle at the two. Without a doubt, they had developed their own little dynamic over the eternity they had known each other.

“If it’s any consolation, then I am pretty sure I am only allowed to stay a couple of days before I am whizzed off back to Earth. Or whatever the planet has become.”

“I know, that is why we are in a hurry! Come on now, to the lab!” the Viper yelled as he began marching out the room.

Duskleaf, knowing arguing would be useless, simply followed, with Jake also trailing along. They walked at a brisk yet relaxed pace, as Jake failed to hold back his curiosity.

the circumstances of

go over all that stuff shortly before you return. Trust me; we got more time than

did you know three other gods had also given out invitations for me

I guess one was the tutorial’s main sponsor, whoever that is, but who are the other two? The Shroud should make it impossible for most even to know you exist,” the Viper asked, with a hint of surprise in his voice. Something that also got a raised eyebrow out

sponsor, I guess, was a guy named Karroch. The other two were Umbra and

Gwyndyr isn't that unexpected either, but

army of beasts. He is just a rogue god, and all in all, he isn’t very impressive,” Duskleaf interjected, answering both

an era was when a universe was the newest one integrated. In other words, if one was born during the 89th era, it means

Gwyndyr and Umbra?” Jake asked, addressing both Duskleaf

was an archer, most notable for having killed a god before achieving godhood himself. In other words, he isn’t a god to be

2nd era. She is strong, and in the concept of shadows and dark mana in general, has skills that are second-to-none. On top of that, she has an organization known as the Court of Shadows. Assassins for the most part, and one feared by mortals and gods alike. If you want someone

Jake answered, not knowing even half of what the

call some of the gods strong

than mortals. Just know that the main divide lies exactly in that word: Mortal. To

is stronger, you, Gwyndyr or Umbra?”

with gods is that a lot of our strengths are conditional.

Jake inquired further. “is Umbra a Primordial too? Actually, what even is a Primordial? A rank of god or

do with strength. The title is for becoming a god during the first era, before the integration of the second universe. In other words, to be among

out on a limb here assuming that any god who is among the first are considered strong… how

in total. Not a single one of us weak. Not to brag - actually fuck that, to full-on brag - becoming a god during the first era was fucking brutal. There weren’t any gods to guide you; no one knew what the fuck was going on. The system was still new and very different from today, far simpler. No tutorials, no stores, just killing and getting stronger. For even twelve of us to

are the strongest around? It sounds like I hit the jackpot with my profession,” Jake half-jokingly said. He was still processing what he had just heard, trying

now more gods than ever - many extremely strong ones among them. Umbra and Gwyndyr in that batch,” the Malefic Viper

many gods

the second era begins

clear, that even with it being easier to become a god, it sure as hell is never easy; any god, no matter who, is an extreme talent. This was also about the time we began really seeing gods even die. With the guidance of the prior generations, becoming a god became more manageable, but it

92nd era, the one just before your universe, had Yip of Yore. A fucking lunatic of major proportions who killed half a pantheon the second he became a god himself, and from what I heard hasn’t stopped being

to take in,” Jake said, after listening to

how blessings and all that worked, he had a solid feeling that gods were an essential part of the multiverse. And as a former financial analyst, Jake guaranteed that the more data,

you say that Eversmile guy is also a

enough of that, we

kind of dark metal. On it was countless glowing runes, and Jake felt himself getting a headache just by

here?” he asked, averting

and led him and Duskleaf into the chamber. Entering, Jake found himself in a big

and saw that most of them just had a pillow placed on the floor. However, two of them were full-on alchemy labs, with more tools and equipment than Jake had ever seen before. Before he could ask about it, the Viper spoke once

This is a time-chamber. Think of it like in that movie Interstellar. Time spent within

Pretty sure this