The Primal Hunter

Why? Why had he done it? Jake briefly remembered some stupid ideas he had shown Felix, but… why? Why had that sculpture-loving moron thought this was a good idea? Should Jake have seen this coming?

No… no, it was too late to consider any of these things. Now, all he could do was damage control as he stared at the monstrosity in front of him.

The statue was nearly three meters tall and composed of three elements. Jake barely registered the awe, claps, and confusion of all those around him as they all closely studied the statue, and he, more than anything, just wanted to rush forward and break it.

It depicted a large beer bottle with a black snake identical to the one Jake had seen in the mural depicting the Malefic Viper way back in the Challenge Dungeon coiling around it. Out of the top of the bottle sprung not beer but a large mushroom, with the Malefic Viper’s fangs open about to bite down on the thing from above.

The craftsmanship was ridiculously detailed. Every single scale was perfectly created; the pupils of the Viper almost looked alive, and the beer bottle looked to be made of brown glass, despite being some kind of marble-like rock. The mushroom even looked soft, and it had a slight depression on the top, just where the Viper was about to bite down.

Jake just kept staring at it as his eyes opened wide when he noticed one detail.

No… oh, for fuck sake…

He saw it. The beer Jake had shown back then was based on his favorite brand. On this brand, the label was slightly raised and on the glass itself, making it look nice. However, on the statue, rather than the beer brand, Jake had replaced it with something else when he made his silly mana constructs. Something far more stupid, as Jake – in his defense – had made this as a joke. With cursive letters written in an overly artistic way, it displayed three words.

Warning: Danger Noodle

Jake wanted to not only break the statue but punch Felix into submission. What made it worse was the sculptor standing there, looking prouder than he had any right to. Then, to make matters worse, the fucker spoke to him in a reverent tone.

“Oh, Chosen of the Malefic One, only one piece remains… would you honor me and place your blessed hands upon the statue and give it your approval?” Felix asked with his eyes practically glowing as he looked expectantly at Jake.

The impulse to yell “fuck no” was strong, but… everyone was looking at him. Looking at him with expectations of him to truly bless the abomination before him. He remembered the conversation he had with Miranda and Vesperia, and he knew… he had to accept it.

“Very well,” Jake spoke, trying to sound dignified despite the derpy statue. He moved forward and placed his hand on it as he infused his energy and “approved of it.”

Villy could still refuse it, but… of course, the asshole instantly gave the damn statue a thumbs-up

A moment after his hand touched the statue, the entire hall rumbled. A dark green aura spread throughout as momentarily it felt like the Malefic Viper himself had descended, and the eyes of the statue began to glow dark green. Intense energy was emitted as he saw the fangs almost look like those of an actual beast, and a single dark droplet fell onto the mushroom.

Everyone around him kneeled as Felix kowtowed. “Praise the Malefic One! Praise the glorious True Vision of the Malefic’s Chosen!”

on the statue as

mortal and shall never decay as long as the Malefic One and his Chosen persist. Enchantments: Significantly increases the mana regeneration of anyone in its presence. Increases the potency of all non-combat alchemical applications of skills carrying the name of the Malefic Viper. Inspires reverence. Toxins will slowly accumulate within the depiction of the Malefic One, dripping

statue created from a bad joke. A really, really bad joke that the fanatic sculptor had taken way too far. To make matters worse, Jake was the only one who seemed to have a problem with it. He did see Caleb try really fucking hard to hold back a grin, Miranda resisting a facepalm, and Maria outright failing as she chuckled under her breath. The Sword Saint just looked on with admiration, clearly

looks of it. When Jake spotted the fucking Viper himself also hiding in the crowd with the fakest-looking face of reverence Jake had ever seen, he nearly lost

at the statue and failed to hold back his curiosity once more. He used Identify on the droplet that fell from the Viper’s fang and landed on the

of the Malefic Viper (Legendary)] – A single droplet of pure concentrated energy and Records related to the Malefic Viper. Significantly increases the potency of any toxin it is mixed with. Using this venom during the creation of any alchemical toxin increases the chance of activating Malefic Viper’s Poison, empowering the final product with the Records of the Malefic Viper. If used by

it was actually so fucking good it was infuriating. Malefic Viper’s Poison was a

its prey and needs only to strike once as venom devours its prey. Increases the potency of all created poisons. Grants the ability to craft a poison with a rarity above that of your Concoct Poison skill if certain conditions are met. The poison may at most be upgraded to the rarity of the Malefic Viper’s Poison skill (Ancient). Allows poison not to lose efficiency for a long period of time

took two shit-tier ingredients and threw them together to make an inferior-rarity necrotic poison, the skill would activate

droplet as he heard the clamoring from all around. Discussions of what different parts of the statue could mean, praise of the workmanship, and admiration towards the craftsman. Especially the three words on

meaning in those words… truly profound,” an old-looking S-grade elf from the Altmar Empire

with the invitation to dine… truly encapsulates the Path of the Malefic Viper. Scheming, dangerous, yet approachable in

another noted. “A bottle that does not fit the regular design of potion or poison bottles but is clearly filled with poison based on the potent mushroom sprouting from it. Finally, the Malefic One’s stance, capable of striking the mushroom at any point, yet waiting to let his venom accumulate… the patience

stood there with the biggest grin imaginable on

the Chosen and the Order of the Malefic One,” Felix once more said with

him for a while. He wanted to punch him. He really did. But Jake held himself back.

throughout the hall as Viridia called some people to bring the damn thing away, and Jake hated that the consensus seemed to be that the Primordial Church were the winners so

Maybe… but… I

thing every ten

ceremony could finally continue with the statue cleaned up and Felix now in a corner, surrounded by admirers. However, it quickly became clear not many factions were interested in going up now as they feared

would apparently give gifts behind the scenes and, from

gift anything here and now… but what he got instead was

to discuss this entire matter between closed doors, and the Endless Empire wants the True Royal present if possible. I can refuse them, but I shall leave it up to your discretion. Their gifts may or may not be better based on how this private discussion

a private chat,” Jake

“Yes,” she confirmed.

ceremony then since no one else seems interested

confirmation and

on trying to match the Primordial Church? I cannot say I fault them,” Viridia said in a partly joking tone. No one

you all for your wonderful gifts, and anything not handed directly to the Chosen will naturally be presented to him afterward. I have just been informed that the United Tribes, Endless Empire, and the Automata Legion shall have private discussions with the Chosen and the Malefic One, so sadly, the Chosen will have to leave us for now. Everyone is naturally free to discuss in his absence, and the Chosen shall return. I am sure there is plenty to talk