The Primal Hunter

Man, people can get so tense sometimes, Jake thought as all the people looked his way. Most of them even had their weapons drawn! Even Neil and his party looked on the edge, and only Sultan and Arnold were rather unaffected by the entire situation. Well, Arnold did look up from his tablet, frowned briefly, and just looked back down.

Miranda threw him a glance he couldn’t quite read, but he did get the faint feeling that he should maybe tone it down a little. He did so, and as if timed, Miranda spoke: ”Lord Thayne, thank you for finding time to be here.”

Jake didn’t answer but just nodded her way as he stopped infusing his presence with mana. That took the pressure off of them, but all of those independents were still looking at him with fright. And honestly? He was okay with that. He scanned them all and found that not a single one of them was above 115. Not a single one of them was a threat. What did this also mean?

This meant the baby bird on his shoulder likely was the second strongest person in the room – and she knew it.

Sylphie was happy if a bit annoyed. She had worked sooo hard, and even when she was done working and wanted to go and spend time with Uncle, she couldn’t as he needed to play with his smelly pot. He had made her wait behind, and only now could they have fun together. Though she did think it was a bit boring being around so many weak humans. They weren’t even proper humans as none of them had shiny eyes like humans were supposed to. Or maybe they weren’t supposed to? The lady human who looked to be in charge didn’t have shiny eyes, and Uncle seemed to know her well.

The same was true for the guy who gave Uncle his new string-shooty-stick. Though he was a bad guy who was sometimes a good guy because he had tasty treats. Sylphie still didn’t like him, and Uncle didn’t either, so that made her not liking him right.

As for all the other humans? She either didn’t care or looked down at them as they were all super weak. She felt like all of them were weaker than mom and dad and compared to Uncle? Sylphie was pretty sure they were some worse kind of human than Uncle for sure. Like she was a super bird compared to all the stupid birds, Uncle was a super human compared to all the stupid humans? That made sense to Sylphie.

This is why she stood tall on Uncle’s shoulder and threw judging glances at all the weak humans. They all looked back, scared of her and Uncle, which only made sense. They should be. Because super birds were better than stupid humans, and she would make sure they knew their place!

Well, at least Sylphie seems to be having fun, Jake thought as he sat, debating with himself if he could take a nap without being noticed. Sylphie had moved from his shoulder to the top of his head, throwing piercing gazes towards anyone who dared look their way.

Meanwhile, Miranda ignored his presence as he just sat off to the side with his arms crossed. He would say he looked menacing, but the bird on his head kinda ruined that look. Or did it? From what he saw in his sphere, people still barely dared to look his way, and those who did clearly didn’t look like they thought he was being funny.

Miranda spoke about the Treasure Hunt and did give out some good info. She informed them about general knowledge of other humans who would enter, general descriptors of those she was aware of that people should avoid, and overall the purpose of this meeting seemed to be making sure everyone knew each other at least somewhat.

Valhal, the undead, the Holy Church, the Court of Shadows, and a bunch of other smaller factions were mentioned and described as well as the powerful people associated with the factions. She also mentioned a few wildcards with little to no information on them. That included a lot of people Jake didn’t really care about… except for two names.

The first one was Eron. Jake remembered him as the one other guy with a bloodline at the World Congress and a man Jake had deemed ”not worth fighting,” as it felt meaningless. That didn’t mean he was stronger than Jake, just that an eventual battle wouldn’t lead to anything productive.

As for the second name?

William.

Jake wasn’t even going to think about that guy. He had no desire to seek out the little psycho and would rather have someone else handle him. But again, if the guy did come to make trouble for Jake and his friends, he would happily end him for good the second time around.

a little while longer until Miranda finished up and moved to the next important topic. Miranda

walked to the center of the room and waved his hand as a wooden table appeared. Another few waves and potions upon potions were stacked on top of it. Mana, stamina, and health

all the independent’s eyes go wide as they saw the display. There was something very satisfying about

made. The good old carrot and the stick. Jake would come in, make it resoundingly clear he was the one in charge and suppress them with pure power, and then afterward show that he was far more than just a big stick. The purpose of the first part was to

Hunt; please take a maximum of five health potions and a mix of four stamina and mana potions. Not to worry, this is a

a table full of colorful potions looked quite awesome. A sentiment shared by everyone else, especially one rather

than 8.000 mana!?”

was about to defend himself that he hadn’t practiced making potions much in recent times so that they weren’t top quality

as she ran over and picked one up. This led to a bit of a scramble as most of the forty D-grades hurried over to the table. None dared to actually take any potions quite yet until finally a person looked pensively over

taking five health and mainly mana potions from the looks of it. Everything seemed to be going well, but of course, there had to be an

and nearly forty potions disappeared. The man turned around before any of the other people could react, but he didn’t even have time to take a step before his entire body

under his breath as he took a step forward and grasped the man by the neck before he could move

this is what you’re willing to die for? A few batches of potions?” Jake asked, disappointed. A

everything played out in less than a second, from when the man grabbed the potions to being helplessly held by his neck. The

she said with a smile as she walked closer. Jake knew she was addressing the man, likely not wanting the moron to just die there and then. He

as the man fell to his knees, still shaking. Jake did consider giving him a little poke with Touch of the Malefic Viper but decided against it. Again, wouldn’t wanna ruin the

you took and stay around till we’re done to discuss your conduct moving forward. Ah, and don’t try to run; I have placed

than Miranda’s very unveiled threat as the man shook

through without any hiccups. Miranda made a few closing remarks and otherwise allowed people to figure stuff out themselves. They all seemed thankful, and a few even sent remarks Jake’s way in gratitude. He didn’t really see handing out a few potions as that big of a deal, but fair

only those originally from Haven stayed behind at the request of Miranda, partly at the request of Jake. The little thief was told to stay within Haven and be a nice boy until Miranda came by and dealt with

to those who were actually from the city to

Jake also had many elixirs of the agility-variety that he had not

what else would Sylphie

at the courtyard where Priscilla was riling up all the D-grade Risen and humans alike. It was filled to the brim, and he reckoned there were around a thousand. Quite good, considering the undead

the locket at his chest and spoke. ”Are you ready,

duo of Earth!” she

a rare smile as he looked into

background, and a few other elite assassins were also present in the room as they made their final preparations or discussed the

good reason too. His type of training wasn’t one where others could be present. Matteo

unconscious only after a minute in there. It was a room meant to amplify and direct the pressure of the dark