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.

you could provide information on the circumstances of

shortly before you return.

By the way, did you know three other gods had also given out invitations for me to come and meet

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

guy named Karroch. The other two

that unexpected either,

beast tamer and commanded an army of beasts. He is just a rogue god, and all in all, he isn’t very impressive,” Duskleaf

89th era, it means that the 89th universe was the most recent universe to the multiverse. Currently, the multiverse had just entered the 93rd era, with Jake’s own universe's

Umbra?” Jake asked, addressing both

collection of powerful gods who have assembled, all focused on the concept of fire. As a mortal, he was an archer, most notable for

acquaintance of mine. She came to be during the 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

sounds impressive, I guess,” Jake answered, not knowing even half of what the fuck they were talking about. He

gods strong and weak? How

are weak. It’s just more… complicated than mortals. Just know that the main divide lies

Gwyndyr or

lot of our strengths are conditional. To fight any god within their own realm is pretty stupid unless you are far more powerful than them. And even if you fight on neutral ground, there is a lot of difference between beating someone and killing them.

a Primordial too? Actually, what even is a Primordial? A rank of god or

The title is for becoming a god during the first era, before the integration of

assuming that any god who is among the first are considered strong… how

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

with my profession,” Jake half-jokingly said. He was still processing what he had just heard, trying to relate to how it

time has passed since the first era, and there are now more gods than ever - many extremely strong ones among them. Umbra and Gwyndyr in that batch,” the Malefic Viper answered

gods are

course, the era with the least amount. After that, it has only escalated exponentially. Think about it, just because the second era

me be 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 also meant that the quality fell. That is pretty much how it still is today,

your universe, had Yip of Yore. A fucking lunatic of major proportions who

lot to take in,” Jake said, after listening to the Viper’s lengthy

tutorial apparently had ‘sponsors’ and 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

Eversmile guy is also a

of that, we

to be made of some kind of dark metal. On it was countless glowing runes, and Jake felt

here?” he asked, averting his

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

of them were full-on alchemy labs, with

why not just get some more time? This is a time-chamber. Think of

Pretty sure this