The Primal Hunter

Archery had for many years been a vital part of Jake's life. It was his escape from work, stress, and intrusive thoughts before the system. After the system, it had been the tool that allowed him to fight and survive, especially in the beginning.

So not getting the skill upgraded to anything higher than common-rarity after so long had been a real thorn in his side - an annoyance every time he opened his status menu. It was only made worse by his intuition telling him he was oh-so-close to the upgrade all the damn time. He just needed that one final push - a final round of truly contemplating his bowmanship.

The thing that pushed the skill further turned out to not be a life and death battle, but instead an awkward struggle in mid-air as he tried to figure out how the hell to hit the damn birds flying all around him.

[Advanced Archery (Common)] --> [Expert Archery (Uncommon)]

It came the moment he hit his first bird. He felt an odd sense of pride that he quite honestly shouldn’t have, considering he had fired over a dozen arrows already.

Meanwhile, his bird-buddy had ripped apart more than twenty of the attacking flock while still somehow finding time to send him condescending glances. Blades of wind revolved around the hawk at all times, cutting into anything that came even close.

On the other hand, Jake spent more time being badgered by the birds that kept pecking and slapping him with their wings in fly-by’s. After the first few only managed to harm themselves as they chipped their beaks on his scales, they stopped attacking him in melee and instead fired blasts of mana at him.

Not that those blasts did any damage either. It only served to annoy Jake further as he tried to stabilize himself mid-air while at the same time trying to nock yet another arrow. Failing miserably as he could barely stop himself from falling to the ground.

But the experience had still somehow pushed his archery skill to the next level. Perhaps it was the ridiculous level of focus he was forced to apply, as he had to not only focus on his archery and hitting a flying enemy but also controlling his own wings meanwhile.

He didn’t feel much difference from the upgrade. Likely due to his lack of ability to focus on the simple act of drawing a string and firing an arrow in his current predicament. In the end, he had enough as he opened his eyes wide at the flock of birds.

Gaze of the Apex Hunter

His eyes shone an intense yellow sheen as the flock of birds all just… stopped. Stopped and fell to the ground one by one. Bloody tears ran down his cheeks as he was forced to shut them, but it had done the job.

*You have slain [Starling Flock Bird – lvl 14] – Experience earned.

*You have slain [Starling Flock Bird – lvl 18] – Experience earned.

…

*You have slain [Starling Flock Bird – lvl 34] – Experience earned.

Nearly all of them died instantly. Only a few survived due to their higher level but found themselves frozen and quickly cut apart by the hawk’s blades of wind.

The entire sky now basked in eerie silence as Jake spoke. “Villy, are you having a viewing party or what? I got used to your staring, but please don’t invite friends over, or I’ll have to charge you for it. It’s distracting as hell.”

Inside the Order of the Malefic Viper, in the most prestigious of chambers where only the Malefic Viper could enter. Just a few moments before Jake began considering charging for a media license.

at the ceiling. Three women, barely covered by the thin sheets on the bed, lay around him, trying sheepishly to entice him into another round. Each of them with beautiful long green hair, emerald eyes, and

a thin layer of scales, with long black hair and dark green eyes that pierced the soul. The Malefic Viper hadn’t had a round of nightly activity for eras, and from the ladies’ reactions,

asked as she twirled her

Master of the only Hall left, so the leader of the mortal part of

she?” one of the

never been with anyone but my lord,”

back in Elwood? You spent a few millennia in his little treehouse, if I recall?” the first woman smiled as she

so long ago! And the kids I had then weren’t any good,

does it? Besides, she is quite

third one said, making a complete 180. Earning only a sigh from her

first met them when they were only C-tier, and they had joined his Order. It was another time, during the third era, back when his Order was known and feared throughout the

three of them as his women, and they had quite the passionate time together. Thinking about it... he hadn't been with them since he met

rare for a family to all ascend like that, but the sisters had always shared a special bond. They

was individuality. Even their names were given up to bring them closer; the three of them now simply known as the First Sister of the Verdant

call on all the Hidden Ones?” the first sister

walked their own paths by now. I never bound them in any way, and they have no obligation to the Order any longer,” the Viper answered with a sigh

your return. Even more so when you reached out. You forbade us from coming to you, but I believe that most, if not all, would be more than happy

sighing. “But

all eager to serve once more,” she reiterated, as they let silence

his favorite pastime these

their lord’s actions. That he was peering at Earth. As to who he was mainly observing, it was an easy guess. They found it peculiar and unusual

mortal human so special?” the second sister asked, finally unable to

is Jake,” the Viper answered.

before she began laughing. “What a novel concept. It sounds like an

not a hint of jest in them. “I am

hold her tongue. “To invest so much of your time and

the Viper turned to all the sisters, asking. “Tell me, what am I to

“The one above all in

simultaneously, only the last one standing out a bit.

there you have it. To you three, I stand above you. I am

natural?” the first sister asked, a bit

That is how the multiverse works, after all. Power was what dictated everything. Respect was automatically earned simply by being powerful. It wasn’t just a norm born out of habits or a social structure that had been adopted. It was

suppressed those below them without even trying. One had to consciously hold back their aura, not to make those of lower rank feel an innate compulsion to submit. Even if someone could resist the compulsion, they would still be instilled

apex of the multiverse. The beings he didn’t naturally suppress in the multiverse were few and far between. For

he, a mighty god, had tried to show off. It was a novel experience. He had even dared to give advice to a god. An F-grade was talking to a god as

much less F-grade before Primordial. The Viper knew it