The Primal Hunter

Chapter 488

There was potential. Jake nodded at the system’s answer as he asked to clarify: “What kind of limitations may apply? And what do we need to do to make it happen?”

The system entity answered as monotone as ever: “Limitations include absolute separation from the material realm and interacting with other entities, limiting the transferred simulacrum to the Truesoul. All expression must be made through an inanimate Soulbound object. Requirements to facilitate this process include a vessel able to house the transferred simulacrum as well as expenditure of all other material Path of Myriad Choices event rewards.”

“That is the name of the event?” sim-Jake asked. “A bit on the nose.”

“Oh, it totally is,” Jake agreed as he regarded the system entity again. “Do I have a vessel able to house the simulacrum?”

“Negative.”

“Not even this?” Jake asked as he pulled out Eternal Hunger. That had to be good enough, right?

“Negative.”

“Okay, then this!” Jake tried as he spat out the Root of Eternal Resentment from his internal storage using Palate of the Malefic Viper, getting a weird look. He had confidence this item could be used, it had housed a curse and was meant to house energy, so surely-

“Negative. An incompatible vessel will result in destruction, alteration, or complete erasure of the simulacrum as well as the vessel. A unique vessel created to facilitate the process is required,” the system answered.

“Do I possess enough Tutorial Points to create such a vessel?” sim-Jake asked. “Also, is it possible to elaborate on these limitations? What does it mean that I will be limited to the Truesoul?”

“All rewards given by Tutorial Points within the simulation are limited to the simulation, and no reward given can be transferred or persist within the true world. Limitations result in absolute non-interactability with the world, with the simulacrum permanently confined to the Soulspace. The simulacrum’s existence shall remain permanently tied to the simulation to ensure continued autonomous existence. As such, the simulacrum will continue to exist as a simulacrum only viewable and detectable by Origin.”

Sim-Jake looked in thought a bit. “Okay, I am just confused now.”

“Wait,” the real Jake said. “Will it mean he more or less is just what I am now, but in the real world? As in, he will be a silent and undetectable observer to everyone that isn’t me? Like, we turn the situation one-eighty?”

“Interpretation acceptable. Limited manifestation outside of Soulspace potentially possible but will remain detectable only to the Origin and remain non-interactive with the world,” the system answered.

“Huh,” sim-Jake said with a frown. “So I will just be… what? Unable to do anything?”

“Simulacrum will have free movement and interactability within the Soulspace,” the system answered.

“Guess it is about time I ask… what is this Soulspace?” sim-Jake asked, clearly not happy to admit he didn’t know.

“Like, a world inside the soul? I am not entirely sure how it works, but I can meditate and enter there and have trapped energies within, including an ancient curse that could probably destroy the planet. Definitely could destroy the planet,” Jake explained nonchalantly.

“Sounds like you have had quite the fun so far, huh?” sim-Jake smiled. “But I guess any option is better than just dying. Because the alternative is dying. I can’t see myself living within a virtual world I know only exists because I do… it would make it all feel so utterly pointless knowing nothing I do is real. No, rather have a small impact on reality than dominate a fantasy.”

Jake just nodded in understanding. While experiencing a simulation temporarily would be fine, knowing that nothing you ever did would carry over had to be hell. It was a perfect case of “ignorance is bliss,” and once the veil had been lifted, there was no going back.

“Besides,” sim-Jake added. “We are the same person. So me helping you is helping myself in every sense of the word, isn’t it? Also... if I do get transferred into an item of some sort, it won’t be permanent, will it?”

The last part was addressed to the system, which confirmed his question. “Resonance and equilibrium may eventually be reached, making the simulacrum and Origin one.”

“Hear that?” sim-Jake smiled. “Who knows, I may even be able to take over your mind and become the real version?”

“Isn’t it more like we will eventually just be so similar in every way a natural fusion kind of just happens?” Jake asked, looking at the system.

“Correct.”

in sync. Neither truly understood but were still guessing. All Jake knew was that sim-Jake was looking for some sort of Path to survive, and Jake wanted to help himself

of vessel is required to store

vessel must meet parameters, including,

transform any of my items into a

“Negative.”

groaned. “So we just had this entire

bit

two purchases left,

“Yeah?”

of Myriad Choices end for

the final

to go back so-to-say? As in,

“Improbably.”

not impossible,” Jake murmured. “If my simulacrum does leave with me to the original universe, what will happen

as

“Huh,” Jake considered again.

you fishing for?” sim-Jake

getting here,” Jake said dismissively. “I happen to be buddies with a god who loves semi-breaking or at least bending the rules of the system a bit, and I guess it rubbed off. Guide, the rewards of

The system confirmed.

Do these

“Potentially,” it just answered.

final scene, are the rewards already calculated, and how will they

will be given and calculated only at the conclusion of the event,” the system confirmed once

Jake just smiled.

your performance will award me

he shook his head and

“Partial consumption of Path of Myriad Choices

a moment as

purchase then be for the Records of the simulacrum to temporarily be safely stored within my

of Path of Myriad Choices event reward required. Requires total temporal suspension to facilitate

for these two?” sim-Jake

adjusted to minimum requirements,

stared for a moment. “I truly have no idea what the hell we are doing here or why this is even allowed. It feels like we are somehow cheating the system

outcome. If you hadn’t dominated the tutorial and hadn’t become aware of me and done as you did now, it wouldn’t have happened. Remember, we are still in the simulation right now, and even this conversation is part of the event. So… in some ways, isn’t it pretty normal to reward a simulacrum, becoming aware it is in a simulation, with a way to

a look. “I guess that makes sense… would also explain why the hell nothing has

of the situation that sim-Jake pointed out, but he also vehemently believed in what he had said. The system clearly facilitated these sorts of things to happen. It allowed sim-Jake to be an autonomous person, and thus Jake also believed it would allow him a Path as a reward for his performance. A

to be transplanted into an item and deposited into your – our – Truesoul, suspended in time to not disperse and forcefully remerge with the Truesoul and stay me. Then this event will end, you will be rewarded

that about sums it up,”

never done anything like this before, right? Has anyone?” Jake asked. The

divergent simulacriums have appeared and through contact with their Origin

only semi-uncharted territory. You confident?”

I am. I have

get this show on the road. If I don’t make it…

Jake smiled. “Let’s go.”

“For my fourth purchase…

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