The Primal Hunter

Jake had been reluctant to reveal himself as Chosen for a long time, and with good reason too. However, the more time passed, the more he began to realize how meaningless hiding his identity truly was. One day it would get out, whether he liked it or not. Be it through something like this where he did something a god would notice, and that god then leaked it, or through one of the people already knowing making it public. Either on accident or purposefully.

As for who would leak it purposefully? He had two names in mind who would do it for their own gain: Ell’Hakan and Yip of Yore.

Their entire deal was about building some epic tale of Ell’Hakan fighting the big bad evil Chosen of the Malefic Viper, so naturally, they would have to spread who Jake was far and wide to make the legend truly noteworthy. Jake could even see the two of them planning on using the fact that he tried to hide his identity as some kind of gotcha by revealing it during a crucial moment. Better he reveal it himself than allow that orange fucker and the delusional storyteller to spin it before exposing it to the world.

Then he also had to consider the fact of just how many people already know. Which was… a lot. Pretty much everyone on Earth knew he was the Chosen of the Malefic Viper, and if they didn’t, the smear campaign by Ell’Hakan and Arthur sure had made them aware. Many of those had probably shared it with their gods if they were blessed, making even more people know. With time, all of them would also be able to enter the rest of the multiverse, and he didn’t trust an entire planet to keep quiet.

Chances are many of these gods who knew had already told their mates, and it could spread like wildfire any day. The Court of Shadows, Risen, Holy Church, Valhal, and a slew of independent gods and smaller factions all knew. Even if they were keeping it under wraps with only the upper brass being aware, it was still a bubble waiting to burst.

Also, one of the biggest reasons he had stopped bothering to hide it was because a lot of the fear he initially had didn’t actually seem to be that well-founded. Miranda had been deathly afraid of him for a bit but now just treated him like that annoying manager who didn’t have his shit together and made her do all the work. It was a pretty apt description too, and Jake knew that all the snark he got was deserved. What she sure as hell wasn’t doing was treating him like some divine being.

At the Order, he had been afraid of Irin and Draskil and how they would handle it. The initial reveal had been far from ideal, and he had, of course, shocked both, but after some time, the awkwardness had mostly disappeared. There would always be some tension due to the difference in status, but that was hard to overcome either way if he kept getting stronger. At some point, people would begin to treat him differently, not only due to his status but his power.

Even Meira had gotten better at being more casual around him. Based on how she had been during their first meeting, the fact he was a Chosen had only made matters worse, but if even she could progress to a point where she wasn’t too awkward, he believed there was hope.

Would there be annoying aspects to making his identity as the Chosen public? Yes. But it was ultimately his choice to be Villy’s Chosen, and it was part of his Path. He could not keep suppressing it forever.

Finally… hiding it was just a bother, and he knew he himself would slip up sooner or later. Shit, he had already fucked up a few times, and if he went to Nevermore, he seriously doubted he wouldn’t end up inadvertently revealing himself, so he better do it himself before even going.

Besides, if he did that, then Villy would get some nice clout from Jake’s trip.

”About bloody time you came to your senses,” Villy smiled, satisfied. ”This would significantly lessen the pressure on you, as most will assume part of the reason you carry my True Blessing is part of this ability of yours. Of course, I do predict some will assume it is linked to your Bloodline somehow, but I doubt anyone can figure out how it works, considering that not even I can. At most, I guess they will think you can do some presence manipulation and managed to leverage that during rituals to affect Truesouls. Now, how to make the big announcement…”

”Nothing big is needed; keep it casual,” Jake raised his hands in defense. ”Just send it out publicly to all the major factions that I am the Chosen, and I can reveal it to people when they appear before me… maybe you can just send out a brochure or something?”

”Are you serious?” the god asked.

”Yes?” Jake tried.

Vesperia shook her head, clearly judging his futile attempt.

”Oh no, Jake. We will do this fucking properly. You are my Chosen. Do you have any idea what usually happens when a new Chosen is blessed? I assume not, so let me give you a rundown. The last time the Holy Mother blessed a Chosen ten thousand years ago or so, it was a week-long festival on nearly every single planet controlled by the Church, along with a giant event on Primordial-1. Valhal holds a tournament where everyone who is within ten levels of the Chosen can challenge them to a fight. The Risen hold a huge coronation-like ceremony, inviting all major factions they have good relations with. It is a big deal and an excuse to show off,” Villy explained with a grin.

in. ”You don’t

way. If you do something, you need to do it properly,” Villy said, his teasing smile growing. ”A lot of things have happened, so maybe now is a good time to have a gathering of the top brass and invite several factions to display our power to the world with a bit of showmanship. Having you be part of that and publicizing your abilities during it will send a strong message. It will say that, yes, this ability is the real deal

want to turn this into such a big thing?” Jake asked

create True Royals and possibly other powerful monster variants. That is worth making a proper announcement to the entire multiverse,” Villy made clear as he turned to Vesperia. ”I assume you can wait till after this to return to the Endless Empire? It would be nice to have you around as

also assist me in having way less explaining to do about my Origin upon returning to the Endless Empire, and if it

have the big announcement in… let’s say, a month. Don’t want to potentially delay your trip to Nevermore. The old

”Shit, I totally forgot to talk to Carmen directly about if she wanted to join

Runemaiden wouldn’t go with you even if

faction?” Jake guessed, based on what Miranda had said. He still wanted to ask her himself, but if

is a bit more complicated, but you will know in due time,” the Viper said with a scheming smile. ”All I will say is that the Order and Valhal are not exactly on good terms officially, so having my

to the story. Turning his

want me to go with you?”

want

the Endless Empire, and while combat is part of my Path, it is not the primary one. As a True Royal, I have responsibilities to my race that take precedence. I may go in the

throwing Villy

the surprise,” Villy shook his head at Vesperia semi-jokingly. ”You will know when you get there, okay? But yes,

snake god before sighing. ”Leaderboards isn’t that big of a

would have

already half-expected,” Jake shut it

Back on topic. A month till

Jake said in defeat. ”What will you need

Though, as a friend, I will give you one piece of advice. Before Nevermore, you will need new equipment, and I would recommend that you try and get most of that done and upgrade some of your items before the announcement if you want to have a semi-normal shopping trip. The

agreed, already foreseeing the awkward store

you can also look for some stuff there when you go,” Villy added on. ”It is not just a big dungeon but

at that being a thing. Why would there not be a city outside of a dungeon that nearly every faction on the multiverse sent so many of their members

need to find a fifth member,”

speed up your progress. I actually already have some in mind, but with you officially being the Chosen, these other factions will happily have one of their top elites join you to advertise their strong relationship with the Order. And before you question if there are any good ones out there… a

he wasn’t super keen on taking

else,” Villy shrugged. ”Well, I guess it is time for me to head off and begin to prepare

away, leaving Vesperia and Jake alone in the