The Primal Hunter

Jake felt himself once more pulled through space. This time he focused on not trying to look anywhere or spread out his senses as he passed through that weird void. It went a bit faster than the first time, and Jake promptly found himself back in the middle of the grand monument.

In front of him stood Chris, who had clearly been doing some maintenance work. “Lord Thayne, you’re back!”

Waving to the guy Jake suddenly got an idea. “Can you Identify me?”

“Sure!” the young man agreed without question. “It says human, but I can’t see the level.”

Jake nodded as he confirmed it worked as he intended. It would be a bit suspicious if people too low level to detect his façade would suddenly be shown a number they otherwise shouldn’t be able to. “Thanks, man, I got some stuff to handle back in Haven. See you around, and good job on the teleporter. Worked as intended.”

“All according to the will of the Malefic One,” Chris said in a tone giving Jake the creeps.

He headed out as he began flying towards the teleporter and back to Haven.

He had been told to wait a week before heading back again and going to the academy. He would use this time to make sure nothing bad had happened in his absence as Jake discovered he had been gone for months. He already kind of knew seeing how many levels Chris had gained, and he even felt the general level of power from the Fort had increased.

Flying over, he did notice something weird, though. He was faster than before. Jake frowned as he wondered what had happened, but he hadn’t had any stat changes. One could say Jake had not progressed at all, for what he discovered was nearly fourteen years total – about ten times longer than he could even imagine it had taken.

But he quickly discovered this wasn’t true. As he moved his wings, the energy moved through them more efficiently and controlled than before. This was without him even thinking about it, but just purely passive improvements. He couldn’t hold back his curiosity as he tried to make an arcane bolt, but not much had changed there. He then tried to move some internal energy or even internal mana and found the process easier.

It appeared that spending that long comprehending his own Soulshape and the Shroud had led to unexpected benefits. Surely something to explore later.

Quite a bit had changed back at the Fort during his absence, primarily in that Arnold was done with his sphere, and from the looks of it, he had even expanded it a little. Jake would bet on the dude expanding downwards soon too.

Going to the teleportation place, Jake noticed two more had opened up. One led to a city run by an independent faction at the direction of the Noboru Clan, and the other was one that surprised Jake – it was linked directly with Sanctdomo.

He did discover that one was not active yet, though. Not that Jake had anything against them coming. In fact, he could recognize the gain in the trade connection. Ultimately, he would have Miranda decide how to handle it.

Teleporting back to Haven, Jake went straight back to his old lodge. He had already mentally informed Sylphie he was back and knew she was heading back with her parents. Jake didn’t even have to stop by Miranda’s office as she seemed to already know and had headed for his lodge.

Probably those tattling witches.

Jake flew into the valley and landed right in front of the porch. Miranda was already sitting there with Reika and Lillian, clearly waiting for him.

“Hey there,” Jake said in greeting to the three women.

“Welcome back,” Miranda said. “I hope it was a pleasant trip?”

Jake

you only

Jake said as his level instantly changed to 180, getting a funny reaction from Reika, who looked

when you go the Order of the Malefic Viper?” Miranda asked rhetorically as she nodded in understanding. “A wise decision that should avoid a lot of

is the plan at least, and the Viper proposed another thing to make it look less weird,” Jake said as he turned to Reika. “What would you say to

be a good idea. I am not a member of the Order and no believer of the Malefic One. I don’t see how it would

to spar with. The Order

brought with you from your clan. As for not being a believer and all that? It should be fine. At least the Viper said it would be as long

of the Malefic Viper. This token represents a deal made with the Nalkar vampire line to grant a set number of the Nalkar Clan vampires membership to the Order and includes a set number of benefits. This token has never been turned in, and doing so may lead to certain rewards. Gives

it for a moment before Reika brought up a poignant

got it from the system event to

Won't that be

kept a bit under wraps, the fact that a newly integrated individual was the cause of the Viper becoming more active again has

be the only one blessed by the Viper,” Miranda cut

Jake said, shaking his head. “I will just be the leader who got the token and brought some of my fellow humans. It makes sense I would be the only one who got blessed for getting the token and to act as an ambassador. This is also the narrative we will

going will be a wise choice. Just some preliminary research makes it clear it may be dangerous. I even heard about some poison-sharing ritual or something,” Reika

a similar grade and

a bit offended but also seemed to get

many should go?” she asked. “And will Miranda come

more well-known and recognizable than Jake in the Order. I have interacted with several members in the realm of the Verdant Witches, and

know more members of the Order than

much information has been shared. Not even your grade, race, or anything directly related to you. None of the other factions have shared much either. It seems like there is a huge need-to-know-basis

chose to not consider the bizarreness of the situation but just referred to Reika again. “So, thoughts?

and consult the others,” Reika answered, clearly unsure. “Will it be possible if we go to return again if it isn’t deemed

it may be possible, I would choose based it on it not being easy. Choices without

possible, but if he was being honest, he didn’t want to drag

her clan. Miranda had

she will

if she is doubtful and isn’t sure it’s a wise choice, she is starved for knowledge. This isn’t an opportunity she will pass up. The only thing holding her back is that

than others. Jake wanted to at least give the old man a helping hand by training a few alchemists for him. He was fully aware they probably wouldn’t hold any loyalty towards

Villy, who had proposed

“Now for a breakdown of what happened in your absence and future plans while

and its inhabitants. Many more D-grades had appeared, and the forest had become a common hunting ground. Entrances to the underground had also been found spread out throughout the forest. Maps were

had not activated it due to Jake not being there to approve it. Which he promptly did, not seeing a huge reason not to. He doubted they would create any unnecessary trouble, and if they did, there were

with people like Sultan and even Miranda, who he could feel was no slouch either. Witches were notorious for being difficult to fight in their own territories and coupled with her abilities as a City Lord,