The Primal Hunter

Jake’s theory – that barely even qualified as a theory – did have some major flaws. Primarily, he had no idea if this hypothetical transfer of Records would be the extremely negative and permanently damaging kind to the user.

It also wasn’t even certain he could do what he wanted. During the things with Sylphie and Sandy, Jake had, at least indirectly, infused a Unique natural treasure of the system that already included hefty Records aimed at allowing a monster to get a better evolution. Sure, with Sylphie’s ritual, Jake had not directly used anything on the Mystbone, but the ritual had mixed all the energies, so he had definitely influenced it.

Say Jake had truly just influenced the Records in these natural treasures through some form of transmutation, thus still at least partly abiding by the system’s rules, then his own upcoming attempt could prove quite precarious if he had to supply all the Records himself. Once more, assuming it was even possible.

Finally, Jake found himself clueless when it came to actually controlling this Record infusion. He had no idea how to direct it, even if he did have a damn good idea on how to infuse the energy portion, which should, in theory, make the Record-part quite simple. The problem was that he had no bloody idea what the outcome would be. It was just him blindly tossing a bunch of this Primal Energy at the innate Records and energy of a core, hoping for a good outcome. He didn’t even know if any evolution he helped bring forth would be a good or bad one. Sure, the two he had been involved in had both been pretty darn good, but that could once more also just go back to the fact that system-provided Unique items were involved in both prior processes. Perhaps they added some system-fuckery for protection.

This is… risky.

Jake saw too many uncertainties. Too many dangers. His primary issue was that in most situations, Jake could get a feeling of what the best approach would be, but in this case, he was dealing with Records. Something complicated as fuck.

And messing up would not just result in him taking some damage. He risked permanently hurting his own foundation without even knowing if he was doing it. What if Jake succeeded and created a Bee Queen only to find out he had screwed himself over in a hundred years?

So, Jake did something he didn’t usually do. He decided not to just jump right into it despite being able to, but instead ask someone who might have an idea: Villy. He could also ask Duskleaf, but Jake had a feeling the Viper would be better to ask, as it wasn’t really pure alchemy, and it included many of his secrets. Secrets Duskleaf did not know about.

He reached out mentally, and it did not take long before the god popped in.

“Run into an issue?” Villy asked the moment he appeared. “The ritual circle looks complete, so I assume it is with the cores?”

“Yeah,” Jake nodded. “So, here’s the deal…”

Jake explained his thoughts and the many pitfalls he saw, the Viper listening attentively as he nodded along.

create high-Records items. In fact, creating them is not necessarily difficult, and you don’t actually need to make any permanent investment,

this to a C-grade beast that was compatible, it would be able to absorb and use it all the way from now to S-grade, pretty much giving it a free ride. It would become a Malefic-something and even be relatively powerful for its level too. For me, creating this bead took nothing but pure condensed energy and intent. You must remember that any energy you put into anything, any action you take, any intent, results in Records in some form or shape. Even you could probably create items allowing a weak F-grade to

before answering. “Because then that bead will be the sole source of all the beast’s Records, right? And that sounds like a serious issue when you

The Viper nodded tentatively.

current Records. It is what appears when all Records are mixed and placed into a framework you use to progress. Improving your Records by doing more things also related to what you already have is thus following your Path, as you raise the quality of your Records as well quantity. This does also mean that if you change your Records, you can change your Path… and if your Path changes too much, you risk it no longer being

what is found within these natural treasures given by

exists. As I said, then anything crafted by a person will innately have some of their Records within. Any weapon you use that is crafted by someone does, so you rely at least partly on their Records. This does not harm you in any way but only benefits them, at least in nearly all circumstances. The issue comes when the Records of an outside source supersede your own. You have experienced this nearly

blood and when I created Eternal Hunger?”

nodded, allowing Jake to think himself for a

and his Path would have been forever tied

that forcing stronger variants, influencing Records, and creating catalysts for growth in beasts and monsters is not in any way unique. You are not trying something wholly original that no one else has figured out before. Beastmasters belonging to armies breed

a short period. One example is the drop of blood you stole. I put some “permanent” Records into that and did experience a loss for a period of time, but I

do, but I guess I see your point. If I succeed, the Records from accomplishing it will outweigh what I put in, won’t it?”

Records on something or spend an extremely long time accomplishing it, as long as it aligns with your Path, you can expect to come out better on the other side. This entire Primeval Origins thing is rooted in your Bloodline, your arcane

your Path already revolves around nurturing and making kids. This permanent loss is why the first child is nearly always more powerful than any after, but of course, there is still a huge element of randomness. Additionally,

why everyone talks about waiting with kids till you reach your full potential? Or at least get

the one you had at S-grade will still get far more Records from you, but in relative terms, the one from C-grade would have gotten more.

was the same as the one he would pull on

said earlier what I want to do with this entire ritual is not that unique or special, at least not in principle. However, I don’t get the feeling that Sylphie is lacking in potential due to her walking a Path based on my Records. Not with Sandy either. Shit, if that was the case, would Stormild and Snappy have blessed them? I would assume they could detect if something like that was the

with a smile. “You aren’t exactly an expert in it, but there is a way to see the connection of Records between individuals. It is a form of karmic magic, one any god is capable of. Do you know what your

I can see, as I don’t know shit about karmic

grinned as he shook his head. “Your connection to the two of them was… feeble. It was there, yes, but it was not the karmic connection one would expect. What I am ultimately saying is that despite their evolution so clearly being reliant on your Records, it didn’t seem to actually leave the same drawbacks. Sandy owns