The Primal Hunter

Jake and Carmen both lay on the grass in the valley outside of the lodge as they stared up at the sky, relaxing after their strenuous wrestling session.

“Why was it we couldn’t use the bed again?” Carmen turned to him and asked.

“That is a meditation bed,” Jake said stoically. “Also, it is super old and comes from a dungeon, and I didn’t wanna risk breaking it. Sentimental value and all that.”

“As long as you don’t feel the same about the table,” Carmen joked about the broken pieces of wood in the lodge as she sat up. “Should we get going? Also… aren’t the others going to start asking questions?”

Jake looked to the side and saw a part of the valley pretty damn banged up from their earlier spar, including quite a few craters. “Nah, I think they will just assume we only sparred. Does it matter either way?”

Carmen thought for a moment. “I guess not, but I would prefer for no stupid rumors to spread.”

“Oh, I already got those rumors related to Miranda and me,” Jake shrugged.

“Really?” Carmen asked, a bit surprised. “So have you-“

“Nah. Professional boundaries and all. Don’t wanna make things awkward with someone who effectively works for me,” Jake shrugged.

“Don’t wanna shit where you eat, huh?” Carmen nodded. “Though, as a Chosen, isn’t everyone below you in the hierarchy? And does your Patron give a fuck about professional boundaries?”

A vivid image of Villy with three witches flashed in his mind as he shook his head. “Oh, the Viper sure doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean I don’t. As for everyone being above me as Chosen, well, if I don’t think someone is below me and they don’t think I am above them, then who the fuck is to decide?”

“Truly masterfully argued,” Carmen smirked. “Now, let’s go to that office and get this entire World Congress bullshit done with.”

“Fine,” Jake agreed and stretched as he walked towards the main office. The others were already waiting there, and not long after, it was time. The invitations were sent out, and Jake agreed as his vision went black and he entered the Third World Congress.

The World Congress chamber hit Jake like a bag of bricks filled with nostalgia when he entered. His sphere spread out, and he could only sigh internally. Figures appeared all around him, but some people who had been at every other Congress were notably missing.

Sanctdomo and the Risen city that Jake didn’t remember the name of were both gone from the top ten. Jacob and Casper were nowhere to be seen as it really got hammered home; they were both gone from Earth for good.

Another notable figure that was nowhere to be seen was Eron. Jake had kind of hoped to see him there, but his absence also confirmed for good that he had left Earth with likely no desire to return. His reason for leaving was still a mystery, and Jake wondered if he knew about Ell’Hakan coming or if it was totally unrelated. Either way, he was gone.

He did at least see some familiar figures he hadn’t heard much about in the last month. Two people in particular. The first one was Maria, the fire archer who had been with Bertram and his party as a mercenary and had helped in the fight with the Monarch of Blood. She looked to be with an entirely different crew, and from what Jake could guess, she had split entirely from the Church.

someone Jake himself had told to be there but was still surprised to actually see. William stood on a platform way at the back of the room and looked unassuming as hell. His presence was oddly muted, and even if he had just appeared, Jake saw his eyes wide open as he looked deep in thought. He didn’t get the feeling William would make any trouble, as he had far too many internal issues to deal with. At least

hollow. So little mystery remained of who those unknown City Leaders were. All intrigue about hidden experts on the planet was killed. Besides a few odd rumors about standout individuals who

attended from Haven just like all the other times, but all the others who had been in Haven appeared on their respective platforms. From what Jake gathered, the Sword Saint had given up control of his Pylon when he pretended to die to better sell the ruse but had now

looking around as the

to the Third World Congress of

World Congresses have passed, and it is time for the final

an arena for discussion, voting, and international politics that can impact the planet as a whole. Note that no fighting will be allowed during the World Congress.

be held with a maximum length of five (5) hours per vote. After one vote finishes, the other will immediately begin. During this World Congress, a World Leader must be elected, and if none has managed to accumulate 60% of the total votes, the candidates shall be cut down and options limited until the World Leader

election of a World Leader. The World Leader will automatically have their noble rank advance one stage and must be

first vote will automatically begin

it over and saw only minor changes from the last time. More freedom with voting periods, an inclusion that the World Leader

double-checked that the

of the

is based on the nobility rank of the attending members. The

King: 1000

Prince: 250

Duke: 100

Marquiss: 25

Earl: 10

Viscount: 5

Baron: 3

Lord: 1

as they choose if there are multiple options. The noble may abstain from voting. Votes are final and cannot be appealed. Any agreements will come into effect until the next World Congress or if all included parties choose to revoke it. All tie-breakers will be decided by the highest-ranking

a thing considering the prince was usually the son

odd that he, as the World Leader, would still be three entire nobility ranks below the Fallen King, but there wasn’t really anything

case in more than one way. Monsters could not have nobility ranks, but

turned his attention back to all those in the chamber. He felt many gazes upon him and knew what he had to do. Miranda had told him many times, and sometimes he still had to do a bit of politics. With a mental command, Jake made his mask invisible and clapped his hands together to

different than the first two. With how things have gone in recent times, how couldn’t it be?” Jake spoke, the speech

deceit. Millions died due to the decisions of a few, and countless more now find themselves struggling from the aftermath. As I am sure you can all see, the Risen are gone. I knew many of you didn’t like them, but out of everyone, they were one of the most peaceful factions. At the same time, the Holy Church has also chosen to leave. Why, you might ask? Because they realized their goal of world domination was not feasible, and they were the kinds of people who either want everything or nothing,” Jake continued, seeing a few frowns here and there. Probably the idiots who still believed

has already dominated his home planet and is the Chosen of Yip of Yore, an incredibly powerful god that even the Pantheon of the Holy Church is wary of. His reason for coming here quite honestly had nothing to do with any

chatter was heard here and there, but Jake raised

around that I am the Chosen of the Malefic Viper, an even more feared god than Yip of Yore and one with quite the, let’s just say, reputation. I do realize it is somewhat my own fault for not really bothering with letting more be known about myself that you all think I am some evil bastard, but I hope that you have come to realize I have no desire to lead Earth down a bad Path. I just want the planet to survive and be defended,