The Primal Hunter

Jake had tried quite a few teleportation methods during his time in the system. The best kind was the one done by the system in that he didn’t even feel it. It was just a blink, and you suddenly found yourself somewhere new.

Teleportation circles were a bit rougher but also quite convenient. One Step Mile was a bit rougher than that, but Jake had gotten so used to it the skill that he barely noticed it. It also wasn’t really teleportation but more just shrinking space between himself and his target.

However… the teleportation when he was dragged from the ninety-third Universe was something entirely different from anything he had ever tried before. Jake felt like his entire body unraveled as he was consumed by darkness. He found himself within a vast void of nothingness for at least a few seconds, and while in there, all his senses went amok.

Jake was forced to close his eyes and try to seal off his senses, but while in that void, in the final moment, he felt like something else was there. Something else than Villy’s attention landed on him, and Jake failed to resist looking off to the side where he saw-

Jake woke up with a start as he frantically looked around him, but a headache made him lie back down as he groaned in pain.

To his side sat Villy in a squat as he flicked Jake’s forehead. “Shouldn’t stare at Void Dwellers, mate.”

Jake brought his hands to his forehead, now bleeding from that damn flick. “What the actual fuck was that?”

“I just told you, it was a Void Dweller,” Villy answered with a shrug. “You know, dwellers of the void between universes, eldritch beings of unimaginable power, many of which with power to rival even the most powerful of gods, including me.”

“Wait, for real?”

Villy just smirked. “Where else do you think gods and even Primordials get in a good bout? Ah, but don’t bother thinking about them quite yet; you can’t even survive in the void without being a god yourself first. Usually, you don’t even have to pass through the void like that, but as I said, weird workarounds were used to speed up the process of getting you here. Ah, but no worries, you were actually never in any danger. I doubt the system would have let you die within the void even without my protection, as that would mean an outside force – me – would have killed you. I reckon it would rather just shield your soul from destruction. Case-in-point, you didn’t die by looking at the Void Dweller. Mortals usually die when looking at Void Dwellers.”

Jake just groaned again as his headache was slowly subsiding. “Man, I am already beginning to regret coming here.”

“You were just personally invited and brought by, and to, your honored Patron god, and you complain?” Villy said, shaking his head in disappointment. “That is some peak heresy right there. At the very least blasphemy of the highest level.”

“Wow, imagine not licking ass being considered blasphemy,” Jake chuckled as he finally sat up properly. “In all seriousness, thanks for the lift, I guess? What was all the fuss about now that I’m here?”

“I need measurements for your school uniform.”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “I call bullshit. As a so-called preacher of freedom, I seriously doubt you would limit the fashion and self-expression of those in the Order.”

Villy protested: “We do have uniforms for members.”

“That you didn’t make, but they just began using over time, and you never bothered to do anything about it. Because honestly, that would just be a waste of time. Also, it was their own choice to adopt uniforms, to begin with, and there are conveniences to being recognized. I got that right?” Jake asked pointedly.

“See, now you are acting way more like a Chosen by actually understanding my teachings,” the Viper grinned. “But yeah, yeah, Nah, no school uniform needed… unless you want one? I could totally make that a thing in the Academy; we could even have mini-ski-“

“No,” Jake cut him off. “Just… no.”

“Killjoy,” Villy said with a fake sad expression. “Guess we’ll just have to actually do some practice and teaching and stuff. And here I hoped we could design school uniforms together… I guess you are also against holding a school festival, even if you can be in charge of the haunted house?”

“Oh no, I am totally up for that, as long as I can throw a bedsheet over your head and toss you in there,” Jake agreed sarcastically.

could just create an avatar and

will require every bit of your dedication and concentration,” Jake insisted. “We

actually beginning to get on board with this,” Villy nodded. “We can even go all-out and even kidnap

of that, and you can tell me what the rush was all

slayer of joy strikes once more,” the Viper said, dejected. “Alright, let’s move on. Follow

to end up where he had gone to after the tutorial, but this place was clearly different. Standing up, Jake ignored Villy for a

out of a

the hell is

were far up in a tower somewhere, and when he looked out, he saw everything. Far below him lay a city. Countless buildings were everywhere, much taller and larger than anything built on Earth had ever been. There were no architectural rules, as some were high-rises of glass, not unlike back on Earth, while

the Malefic Viper. Or, more accurately, you are in a tower connected to the

He couldn’t see the end of the city… and mind you, this was without Jake seeing any visible curvature to the place.

here?” Jake

the trillions,” the

all the members of the Order live?” Jake

live, and this tower only exists to lord over them while serving as a conduit of the defensive barrier and a teleportation hub. The actual

the alchemists of the Order are indeed

see the underground for yourself before judging. Oh, and by the way, the Academy is also down there, so you will go eventually. But first, follow me and stop gawking out the

asked and trailed behind the god. It had been a while since Jake actually met the Viper, and he had evolved an entire grade since, but it didn’t really

Viper’s body, and staring at them, he felt like they looked slightly different than his own scales. Even if they were based

of them kept walking for a while until they went into a new room. Jake’s Sphere of Perception was slightly thrown off as space expanded when they entered, making the room

a few measuring devices, beds, and for some reason, mirrors

summoned two comfortable chairs and some pastries, as well as two bottles of beer. Jake happily dove

poisoned?” Jake asked,

is generally considered nice as, you know, everyone who is worth anything got my Palate skill, so all you are giving them is some novel poison knowledge. These poisons don’t need to be strong, but just interesting, and often weak variants are used. Ah, but if

I remember Sultan doing something like that,” Jake nodded, suddenly retroactively understanding what

bit sad you don’t recognize it, but a merchant of your city does. Ah, but one piece of advice, I would generally avoid drinking or eating anything offered by someone of a higher grade than

I’ll take my chances,” Jake said as he raised the cup. His danger sense reacted a bit as he was about to drink it, but not to a very high level, making him aware it was far from

suspiciously but

said as

is a hobby of many, and even the specialization of some to create these kinds of drinks. I am sure you will have your fair share in the future. This batch was made by a D-grade student of the Academy just

an eyebrow. “Someone of

while ago… the Viper didn’t use names. He had never said Chris, Miranda, Hank, Sylphie, Reika, or used the names of any of the other people around him. So him

“One of Snappy’s kids.”

“… he has kids?”

he does,” Villy said. “Mate, the Holy Mother, has like a thousand currently living children, and at least a dozen or so spawns

you have kids too?” Jake asked

Viper’s casual smile disappeared. He soon regained it as he shook his head. “I… did. But anyway, yeah, a lot of would-be brewers