The Primal Hunter

Jake reached the bowyer after teleporting to the right district and quickly headed inside. Contrary to most other shops Jake visited, this one was far simpler and had a thoroughly tribal atmosphere. Pelts of powerful beasts lined the walls, and several bows used as showcases were protected behind barriers, proudly on display.

One of the four beastfolk that Jake had talked with last he and Irin visited stood in the reception area and noticed him as soon as he entered.

“Ah, there you are!” he said cheerfully. “The others are in the back with everything ready. Do you want to head back there and get this started?”

“Let’s get to it,” Jake smiled beneath his mask.

“Great! I must say, it is a wonderful item you brought us with a very interesting if admittedly not that unique, type of enchantment. However, it is rare that the system gives out such specialized equipment. Hence why it is such a great frame of reference when making our own similar enchants,” the man gladly explained as they walked to the back.

Entering the workshop of the building, Jake saw three other beastfolk gathered around a tub filled with some odd semi-golden liquid. His bow was hanging above it with some kind of oily substance covering it. The three beastfolk were talking as they turned and saw the two newcomers.

“Ah, you’re here!” the largest of the beastfolk said with a huge grin.

Jake looked at the beastman he knew was in charge, a large muscular guy with a mane for a beard and very obvious lion-like features.

“So, how are things?” Jake asked, looking at the bow and tub.

“Good, good. We have finished all we can on our end and need your assistance to get across the finish line,” the man said.

Jake nodded, motioning for him to continue.

“Two challenges,” the lion man explained. “First of all, the bow is Soulbound, which requires your direct consent for us to make any alterations or improvements. Also, let me make it clear, upgrading its rarity isn’t something we are capable of, and I dare claim you won’t find anyone in the Order of the Malefic Viper able to. System-given items like this are notoriously difficult to mess with unless you want to risk breaking them.”

Jake nodded in understanding. It was also one of the reasons no one tried to mess with things like unique natural treasures outside of just extracting the energy or in rituals. It was borderline impossible. “What is the second issue?”

“The energy the bow itself has adapted to. You said it was your arcane affinity, right? Due to the way the enchantment works, it integrates a particular type of energy and becomes adapted to that, but if the energy experience significant change, this in-built adaptation may become an obstacle. Your evolution to C-grade fundamentally changed your energy signature and thus your arcane energy, resulting in whatever the bow was attuned to now working against you, and my guess is that you then forced too much energy it was not adapted to through it, leading to its current shape.”

“I see,” Jake realized. While it was true the bow had felt different after his evolution, he had just written that up to the evolution itself and his change in energy. Now he realized it was in part due to how the bow worked. “So, what is the plan?”

“As I said, then this is one-hundred percent a repair job, but seeing as you have evolved and it is a Soulbound weapon, you may as well view it as an upgrade. The oil currently coating the bow is meant to soften it up a little, while the liquid below will drill into the bow and momentarily fill the bow with new life, allowing the wood to regrow. As the wood grows, it will also be strengthened throughout, but for this to happen, we need to eliminate the current energy adaptation and do a soft reset for you to re-adapt it afterward. We need you for this, as we quite frankly can’t get rid of your affinity without risking breaking the bow,” the lion man shook his head helplessly.

“Aight, can I remove it now?” Jake asked.

“You would have to before we can begin,” the man nodded. “If you need anything to help you extract it, we have some tools.”

“Should be fine,” Jake said as he walked over to the bow. He felt the energy trapped within and held his hand out toward it. Firstly, he changed the energy to be far more stable in order to not destroy the bow as he extracted it, and then he simply led the arcane energy out through all the small fractures. Strings of arcane energy exited the bow as Jake made it unstable once outside, allowing it to dissipate in mid-air. The entire thing only took a few minutes before the bow was cleaned out.

it after your evolution, it would not be in

but could only scratch the back of his head in

matter,” the craftsman shook his head.

men cheered as the leader looked at Jake. “We are starting now.

with his necklace already. With a Soulbound item, you had to actively consent when any crafter tried to make changes, or all

quick treatment of the oily substance again, as Jake’s extraction had destroyed some of it. Then, the bow was lowered as four runes activated on the tub, each crafter responsible for one. Jake guessed the entire tub functioned a bit like a cauldron, and the runes allowed all four of them

as the process began. The golden liquid slowly got absorbed by the bow as he watched on nervously. He hated this kind of thing where he could only be an onlooker. Nothing he could do would change the outcome, which was frustrating as hell

It wasn’t.

standing there staring, the lion men all with their eyes closed as they focused. Jake thought they were done at several points, but the process just continued as the bow absorbed more and more energy. What was a bit freaky was how

a lot had been absorbed, it began floating around the bow. Like the bow was a sponge, it all entered it, and by the end of the process, not a single drop remained within the large tub.

the crafters did one final push as the leader took out a handful

of them roared

picked up the bow. He

apex hunter who only seeks to challenge worthy foes and effortlessly strikes down those inferior that dare impede his quest. Increases damage done against foes dependent on level disparity – both lower and higher – up to a certain

now stronger than ever. However, that far from told the whole story. Jake felt the bow’s higher level of power as he held it. Infusing a bit

even all of C-grade. One thing was for sure, it was now even better than

turned to them and

Jake began as the lion

it as an early gift,” the leader grinned and shook his head. “Sadly, our Patron will not be able to attend the ceremony, so we hope

at the man’s words. He had used Identify on all of them when he had first entered the shop, but none of them had any Blessings, and even now, it

have to thank?”

Pantheon,” the lion man said with much respect

Earth, Jake thought, remembering the fire archer back on Earth who had worked as a mercenary for the Holy Church. Whatever happened to her, actually? Jake hadn’t heard

time he has helped me get a

no offense that we

the bow a bit more. “Now, if

one of

before he would call it a day was the Loot Tower of the Malefic Viper, as he had decided to refer to it. It was where

located. It took him a bit to get there as he only went to the wrong place twice. He could already imagine how many days, if

time and stopped as he stared up at the massive construction. Jake went through the usual process as last time to prove he carried a Blessing, and for a few moments, he wondered if the one in charge knew he was the

C-grades – where he met up

expected,” the attendant said as he entered the room that Jake was waiting

indeed correct,” Jake nodded at the hooded attendant. “I also remember the rule of only one piece of equipment per person… if I return the gloves I have right now, will I be able

then yes, they can be returned