The Primal Hunter

The Nevermore Arenas. To Jake and the others in his party, these did not have much pull, but to others, they were a cornerstone of Nevermore City. They pulled in huge audiences and were somewhere geniuses from all over the multiverse gathered from C-grade to S-grade. It was a chance to show off their skills to others for a myriad of reasons, most of which revolved around recruitment.

Faction-less Individuals could show off their power and potentially find party members to join them in their pursuit to rank high in Nevermore. Others hoped to be recruited into powerful parties that needed someone with their skills. Some of these even hoped to join a faction.

This was especially prevalent due to the new universe recently getting integrated, and it would only increase as the Wyrmgod sent out these tokens for C-grades all over the new universe to teleport to Nevermore directly. All who had arrived now had to have some backing to even be able to make the trip.

Needless to say, many of these factions did not need to be in the arenas to recruit members but already had full parties, which led to another reason why some went to the arenas: to show off. Jake was pretty damn fucking sure Ell’Hakan was in the camp of people wanting to show off, and if he could also attract Jake, that was probably just a win-win for the guy.

Jake did find it regrettable that killing was not allowed in Nevermore City, not even in the arenas. Accidental deaths weren’t a thing either, as referees always watched the fight, and some odd formation had been placed that made it so not even instantly fatal attacks would kill someone. Instead, it just threw them out of the arena. Jake suspected system-fuckery was behind this.

Either way, if this anti-killing rule was not in place, Jake would have gladly faced Ell’Hakan within an arena.

However, with the rule in place… Jake just wouldn’t face him at all if he could avoid it. Yet he still wanted to at least lay an eye on the guy and get a feel for how much stronger he had gotten and if his Bloodline had grown more potent. Ell’Hakan had proven himself very good at suddenly popping up and attacking, and Jake wanted to avoid being taken by surprise if the fucker ambushed Jake with a Bloodline that was more powerful than Jake expected.

He also knew that curiosity would gnaw at him if he didn’t at least see a few of the asshole’s party members. Villy said they were powerful, and Jake knew that wanting to see them personally wasn’t logical and potentially even Jake walking into a trap, but the alternative was him wondering for decades to come. Besides, If Ell’Hakan was fighting in one of the arenas, Jake should be able to scout out his party mates without even being noticed, but even if Ell’Hakan had set a trap… well, he did kind of have a plan for that.

“Would you happen to have an extra robe and a sword?” Jake asked the Sword Saint.

“Oh?” he asked with interest. “I do, but what for?”

“Something that will hopefully work,” Jake answered. “Follow me.”

He led the Sword Saint into a small alley and after he was sure no one was looking, he had the old man give him a robe and a sword and put them on.

Then, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he entered meditation. He focused on his heartbeat and soon heard it thumping strongly within his mind. Focusing even more on it, he made it slow down significantly as he felt slightly strained. His Sphere of Perception momentarily seemed to flicker before it stabilized, yet the sound of his own heartbeat had ceased to be within his mind. It was as if he had grasped it with a hand and squeezed tightly to keep it under control

“Your aura… I felt a slight shift,” the Sword Saint frowned as Jake opened his eyes. “You feel, hm, weaker, perhaps?”

“I made it a bit easier for me to hide from his detection,” Jake said. “To allow me to not attract attention but just be a follower of yours.”

“Oh?” the Sword Saint exclaimed skeptically. “I have done some research into Bloodlines, and from my comprehension, he will be able to feel yours if he gets close. Even if you change your looks and aura, suspicion would still arise if I am seen walking with an individual with a Bloodline.”

“Unless he is touching me, not even Ell’Hakan should be able to feel it.”

The Sword Saint frowned before simply nodding. “Do as you may.”

Jake nodded in return and made sure the robe was properly put on and the sword attached to his waist. He then lifted his hand and conjured a stable arcane barrier over his mask before infusing it with a bit of dark mana, hiding his face. He finished the look by putting on his old cloak and changing its colors to dark blue, like the Sword Saint’s robe.

Finally, he used Shroud of the Primordial to display himself as only level 200 while also entirely removing any trace of him having a Blessing.

“How do I look?” Jake asked.

answered. “Enough so that

Jake nodded.

time should be possible. During his childhood, Jake had managed to completely suppress his Bloodline to the level of effectively deactivating it. This was not a usual function of Bloodlines or something anyone could just

suppressed to the level of being undetectable lest he wanted to somehow try and suppress it entirely. Something he had no desire to do. For now, his Bloodline remained fully active while also being suppressed enough so that no one around him could feel it. It had been effectively pressed into his body and could only be

he could do this before coming

No, no, he hadn’t.

was no fucking

likely than not make him entirely disregard Jake and instead focus solely on the Sword Saint. At least, that

up the pace, can’t keep this up forever,” Jake said, as he did know he was on borrowed time. It wasn’t effortless to

well,” the Sword Saint

of them hurried, and soon enough, they made it to the northern arenas. It was a huge complex of different arenas, and even for C-grade, there were dozens, making

non-issue as one arena had far more fanfare than any other. More than that, Jake felt something. A familiar Bloodline lurked just through the entrance to the large double doors leading into the colosseum-like structure. Hidden, just

here,” Jake warned

old man answered. “I shall naturally take the lead, my fellow member

they walked forward, and as they entered the arena, Jake heard the

see you here, Sword Saint,” Ell’Hakan spoke as he spotted the Sword Saint and the disguised Jake. He

same,” the Sword Saint said, turning to look at

eyes gathered on them as the crowd paid attention. It was clear Ell’Hakan had gathered all of them to witness

was only for

was unfortunate; I will take that upon myself,” Ell’Hakan said with a smile as he turned to the crowd of onlookers. “Everyone, allow me to introduce the man known as the Sword Saint. A man I have faced once, and from that alone can firmly say I cannot

the mention of

Saint is not a member of the Order of the Malefic Viper, but a man

didn’t deny. “I choose my own Path because do we not all seek to walk one that is only ours? Or perhaps that is just the ramblings of an old man. At least, his willingness to pave his own way is something I find admirable when we discuss Lord Thayne. His willingness to

a fruitful discussion. While it is pleasant to meet you once more, it does make me wonder… who is this man you brought along? I do not

felt oddly nervous that he would be discovered. Too nervous. He still managed to

wouldn’t complain if that is what he became,” the Sword Saint said as he let

wide eyes at that sudden declaration. What the hell was the guy

redirected his attention to the Sword Saint. “Say, would it be possible to have you

could finally focus more on scanning the Chosen in front of

not exactly been

why would he not dare say this to my face? Is it perhaps accurate for me to assume that he sent you here because he does not wish to face me directly?” Ell’Hakan asked with

deem that assessment highly inaccurate. In fact, I believe he would gladly stand in front of you at this very moment if he wanted

eyebrow again before sighing. “Very well. I merely wanted to have a frank talk with him under the gaze of the Wyrmgod, with our safety ensured by the rules of Nevermore. Seeing as he is

be arranged,” the

of either of us. I know he has… doubts about his Patron, so let him know he can find a home in so many other places than that forsaken Order with his unique talents. While we may had a bad first impression of one

nahoom for a few seconds

to have a proper rematch, but sadly I will have to take my leave now as my comrades are done enjoying themselves in the arena. Nevermore awaits. Oh, and do know that even if I desire friendlier

felt relief. He didn’t recognize a single of the four figures that walked out of the

him the same vibes as Dina but without the air of naivety. Among them was a beastfolk warrior that looked to be descended from a wolf. Another was a mage of an unknown race Jake didn’t recognize, and he didn’t dare use Identify.