The Primal Hunter

Two weeks wasn’t a long time in the grand scheme of things, and before Jake knew it, the fated day had arrived. He was honestly surprised at how little he had to do during this time, with no one really bothering him besides Miranda giving him the occasional reminder.

He wasn’t dragged out for a shopping trip for new clothes or even informed how things would proceed. Jake also actively tried not to ask as he instead tried to focus all his attention on just doing alchemy while not thinking about the ceremony. Because Jake really wanted to not think about it.

Jake couldn’t lie… he was nervous. With every passing day, his nervousness grew, but the lack of knowledge of how the ceremony would work was honestly calming. It gave him the feeling that there weren’t that many expectations of him, and the only thing he had asked Villy was if he was expected to do a speech or something. For this, the Viper had luckily said no, that there would be no need for him to talk publicly during the big announcement part of the ceremony.

As for the exclusive after-party that would follow the ceremony… Villy said Jake would probably have to say something there. What this exclusive after-party was all about, he didn’t know, but he assumed this was where they would discuss the details of what to do with his ability to create True Royals and whatnot.

Ah, but one big thing did happen during these two weeks.

Meira returned three days after she left with Izil, her very own gold token in hand as she successfully passed the test and became an official member of the Order of the Malefic Viper. Izil had joined her when they returned, and the three of them had a small celebration where nothing of note really happened.

In retrospect, Meira joining really had just been a formality. There was no way she couldn’t pass, and the only reason she got a gold token was her limited scope of knowledge when it came to alchemy, as she ultimately hadn’t been taught for that long. Jake estimated she would get a black token within a few years max, though she still had a bit to go. She had got a pretty low-level version of the gold token, after all.

Jake did consider how close he was to a dark green token until he remembered it didn’t matter for shit. His current token was already a custom-made one by the Viper, and he didn’t doubt the snake god wanted to do some more special stuff with it after the ceremony. Maybe even give him some special Chosen token.

With a gold token, Meira had also earned her own residence but hadn’t even visited it once. Jake also hadn’t brought it up, as his promise of allowing her to stay was naturally in effect. This meant that nothing had really changed despite her joining. Their day-to-day was the same as before, and any discussions of what Meira planned on doing in the long term were shelved till after the ceremony.

Jake also made nice progress over these two weeks and managed to create his Sleeping Night Toxin and, in general, just stocked up on poisons and potions both. The plan he had agreed on with the Sword Saint, Sylphie, and the King was that they would head off to Nevermore pretty much right after the ceremony without returning to Earth.

While it wasn’t entirely unexpected, this did end up netting Jake one final level before it was Nevermore time.

*’DING!’ Profession: [Heretic-Chosen Alchemist of the Malefic Viper] has reached level 206 - Stat points allocated, +35 Free Points*

This was under the assumption the ceremony would not randomly give him levels, but he really hoped it wouldn’t. He already felt like level 204 in his race level was higher than he wanted it to be.

Packing up potions and poisons in his lab, he took a final count of how much he had before he prepared to head back to Earth. There were still twenty or so hours before the ceremony would begin, but he wanted to be back there with time to spare. It would also be nice to catch up with everyone before they were thrown into political turmoil while also discussing their approach to recruiting a fifth party member.

Jake needed to be the one to fetch them as teleporting to another universe was still considered incredibly difficult, and as far as Jake knew, no one Jake knew on Earth was capable of doing it anywhere close to as easily as him. At least not if they wanted it to be a two-way kind of thing. Hence why he would just bring them along.

Before he returned to Earth, Jake went to the lawn outside of the mansion to check up on one of the main characters of today’s event.

“How are things?” he asked as he walked over to Vesperia.

Vesperia was currently cradling a small hairy bee-like creature as she rocked it back and forth. She smiled and looked up at Jake as he arrived. “It is going well; I am making fast progress toward spawning a proper Bee Hive Queen.”

The bumblebee-like creature looked up at Jake with big cute eyes. He barely had time to regard it as Vesperia waved her hands, and the entire creature disappeared. “I can feel them, you know. The call of the other True Royals. They know I am here, and so do I know they have appeared within the territory controlled by the Order.”

“Looking forward to going home?” Jake smiled.

Vesperia looked at him for a while before sighing. “My feelings on the matter are complicated, but yes, a part of me certainly does look forward to returning to the Endless Empire. You joining me would be optimal, but I am fully aware that is not a possibility.”

Jake sat down on the grass in front of her. “You know, you could always come to visit.”

“That could prove… difficult.”

“Well, then I might just end up being the one visiting the Endless Empire,” Jake smiled at her. “If not, then don’t worry too much; I already talked to the Viper about giving you something so we can stay in contact.”

Vesperia looked surprised before giggling. “Funny, I had considered asking the other True Royals for something similar, though I assume they will want to gift you such an item either way so they can contact you, and you can contact them if you ever want to talk.”

think alike,”

bit longer, just chatting. Vesperia was very independent, so even if Jake had wanted to talk to her during these last few weeks, she had been busy working

go get the others. Vesperia wasn’t sure if she could come along, and Jake wasn’t gonna risk anything going wrong by trying to bring her. Besides, he would have everyone go to his mansions before

Jake activated the teleportation array as he was swept through the void. The next time he opened his eyes, the familiar scenery of his underground laboratory

lodge above was already filled with people. Miranda, the Fallen King, Sylphie, and the Sword Saint were all there, which had been expected. However, he had not expected to see a few other familiar faces. His little brother, Caleb, was also there drinking tea and chatting, with Maria, the archer

but Jake understood that

way up the tunnel, he briefly stopped by to check in on Rick and the small trolls. Poking his head in, he saw they were all in a big pile sleeping, making him not want to disturb their quality family time. He did see that Rick was pretty damn close to C-grade, though. Thus, Jake briefly used his privilege as World Leader to make sure Rick could stay in human lands even after evolving. Jake wasn’t sure if he would be thrown out, but

became aware of another person who had arrived. Sandy was floating in

back!” Sandy yelled at him telepathically the moment they noticed

Jake responded to the Cosmic Genesis Worm. He

Genesis Worm

the way to 219. He also noticed how he couldn’t see the Blessing despite

stuff, with nothing good to eat. Yuck!” Sandy clearly disliked the idea. “Way

It was a place focused primarily on combat and clearing trials, while Sandy was just a glutton that wanted to eat

ready for the big ceremony?”

have to prepare

“I… don’t think so?”

would I not be ready?” Sandy scoffed. “Oh,

he took out a large glowing rock and tossed it toward Sandy. It was sucked up instantly

arcane affinity,” Jake smiled. “I will head down and

Trying to understand that worm

Jake headed down. Halfway, a bird flew up and circled around him

said as Sylphie ended up flying into his chest, where he cradled her like the little

206

higher. It showed she had controlled herself and instead focused on improving her abilities

outside of his lodge, he ascended the steps

heard the Fallen King first thing upon entering as everyone turned to him. Jake threw the Unique Lifeform a

– lvl

the least bit apologetic. He did a quick Identify around the room and

– Divine Blessing

him the lowest of their group, but based on the man’s aura, Jake was certain his evolution had been quite something. Jake nearly wanted to challenge him to a duel there and then, but he held himself back and just gave

was Maria, his fellow

lvl 203 –

response. They had an entire day to talk and could get to

the final C-grade present: his

– lvl 205 – Divine

Jake said immediately once he had Identified the

for you,” Caleb gave him a genuine smile. “I wish I could say I had been working hard, but

is increasing with every passing second,” Jake said as he walked

low level, is that even a threat?” Caleb grinned

the little

that,” Jake

maybe I allowed you the honor of landing the first attack,” his brother said, returning the hug.

nodded as he pulled away. “Thank them for me next time you head back to

shook his head. “I am heading to the Order now for your little ceremony, but afterward, I am off

would go with those two assassin pals of yours… what