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.

trying sheepishly to entice him into another round. Each of them with beautiful

soul. The Malefic Viper hadn’t had a round of nightly activity for eras, and from the ladies’ reactions, he hadn’t lost his touch quite yet -

not long ago?” one of the women asked as she twirled her finger on his chest. The scales didn’t bother

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

whose is she?” one

never been with anyone but

in Elwood? You spent a few millennia in his little treehouse,

the kids I had then weren’t any good, to begin with,”

it? Besides, she is quite the fine young lass, so there is nothing to

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

of the Verdant Lagoon. The Viper had first met them when they were only C-tier, and they had joined his Order. It was another time, during the third era, back

his women, and they

a special bond. They fought together, had skills that were dependent on each other, and even their Records had been tied together. Even Eversmile found their situation interesting enough to

up to bring them closer; the three of them now

to call on all the Hidden Ones?” the first sister asked after a bit of

them in any way, and they have no obligation to the Order any longer,” the Viper

lord, I can say that us sisters were more than elated when we heard of your return. Even more so when you reached out. You forbade us from coming to you, but I believe that most,

“But it is

we are all eager to serve once more,” she reiterated, as they let silence reclaim the room

Viper was staring at the ceiling again, his gaze piercing the void into the planet known as Earth - his favorite pastime these days. However, he tried not to overdo it. Besides, there were many other characters in the multiverse

farseeing, the sisters were aware of 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 for a

makes that mortal human so special?” the second sister

is Jake,” the Viper answered.

she began laughing. “What a novel concept.

her eyes, not a hint of jest in them. “I

much of your time

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

lord.” “A supreme existence.” “The one above

one standing out a bit. Yet,

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

natural?” the first sister asked, a bit

Viper agreed. 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

not to make those of lower rank feel an innate compulsion to submit. Even if someone could resist the compulsion,

was positioned at the apex of the multiverse. The beings he didn’t naturally suppress in the multiverse were few and

suppression he should feel. Instead, the human looked upon him like he was an absolute idiot when he, a mighty god, had tried to show off. It was a novel experience. He had even dared to give advice to

a mortal - much less F-grade before