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.

while longer until Miranda finished up and moved to the next important topic. Miranda looked Jake’s way, and he nodded as he got up, moving all

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

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

of this was naturally a part of the plan Miranda had 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

and mana potions. Not to worry, this is a gift sponsored by the city and Lord Thayne himself,” Miranda declared to

thinking about how a table full of colorful potions looked quite awesome. A sentiment shared by everyone else, especially one rather skinny guy who walked up and Identified one

this gives more than 8.000

hadn’t practiced making potions much in recent times so that they weren’t top

it give that much!?” she said 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 at Jake and, seeing him not react, put it in a small

to people picking out potions, everyone 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 asshole. There always had to

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

a step forward and grasped the man by the neck before he could move again. He squeezed a bit as his fingers sank into flesh, and blood began running

potions?” Jake asked, disappointed. A level 103 human had risked his life

a second, from when the man grabbed the potions to being helplessly held by his neck. The man

is it not?” she said with a smile as she walked closer. Jake knew she was addressing the man, likely not wanting the

threw him a glance, and he let go as the man

up to them and pointed at the man as she sent out a small green beam into his shoulder. ”Now, please return what you took and stay around till we’re done to discuss your

one word seemingly having more impact than Miranda’s very unveiled threat as the man shook a bit

meeting and distribution went 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

leaving, and 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

extra potions to those who were actually from the city to make sure they had enough. Jake planned on crafting a few

Sylphie not long after as they headed back to his lodge. Now, Jake also had many elixirs of the agility-variety that he had not given out, even if they would no

what else would Sylphie

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 faction wasn’t

locket at his chest and

the strongest duo of Earth!” she answered in high

he looked into the horizon. ”That

state before the Treasure Hunt. Nadia was working on making some specialized sniper bullets in the background, and a few other elite assassins were also present in the room as they made their final preparations or discussed the Hunt in whispering

others could be present. Matteo still remembered the last time he had come

after a minute in there. It was a room meant to amplify and direct the pressure of the dark heavens above. Nobody had lasted in there for more than a minute. Nobody,