The Primal Hunter

”I already told them to go fuck themselves,” the short-haired woman said with a shrug. “Turns out that when the big boss is backing you, everyone else also just backs down. Funny how that works.”

“My interpretation is that you just like to create chaos and political uproar,” Jake grinned.

“Who gives a shit?” Carmen said, clearly not caring much.

“Well, not me in particular,” Jake shrugged as he looked at the pugilist that had come by to visit. This was not her first time coming by, either, as she had barged in – or at least tried to, only to be stopped by a system-made barrier – the day she arrived on the city floor.

Through his sphere, he also saw others slowly making their way over to their chosen meeting spot, with the next to arrive likely being the Sword Saint.

“Davian is still being a bitch complaining about people talking,” Carmen sighed, clearly annoyed as she looked at Jake casually mix some stuff into the cauldron. She herself was also fidgeting with some weird stone figurine in her hand.

“Shouldn’t the talk have died down by now? What are they even saying at this point?” Jake asked, not caring overly much about what people were saying.

“It’s quite romantic, actually,” an old man said as he appeared in the doorway. “A real Romeo and Juliet tale. Two souls from opposite sides of a conflict, their love seeking to overcome even the will of the gods. I am sure books of such a forbidden love shall be written.”

“Hey, old man, wanna test how strong those bones of yours are? The ones in your face in particular,” Carmen shot back as she turned to him.

“No, I am quite confident my feeble old bones are not fit to match the fist of a Runemaiden,” the Sword Saint chuckled. “And would it lighten your mood to know this rumor is not exclusive to you two?”

“Oh?” Jake asked, confused. He had to admit he was not up-to-date on the latest gossip, but considering the old man nearly had enough Minaga Coins for his toll, he seemed to have some more time.

“An even more unbelievable and romantic tale,” the Sword Saint said as he went over and took a seat. “Imagine the scene. Two lovers even before the initiation, but in the final moments before the universe changes, one of them sadly perishes… only for the system to arrive and allow them to return to life. Both are thrust into their own Tutorials, neither aware of how the other is doing or even that they live… but the moment they arrive back on the same planet, they find themselves part of warring factions, with one now even a Risen.”

“Wait,” Jake said, but the Sword Saint raised a hand.

“Could you imagine the pain these two poor souls must feel? To finally be reunited, only to discover their love is forbidden. Even so, it refuses to fade, no matter how they try… and when they once more encounter each other within Nevermore, free from the oppression and influence of their factions, love blossoms stronger than ever before,” the old man, spinning quite the tale.

“You can’t be serious, right?” Jake questioned, knowing who he was talking about.

Smiling, the old man pulled out a painting from his spatial storage. Jake looked at it for one moment as he nearly choked and momentarily lost control of his mana.

The painting depicted two people Jake knew quite well. One was an extremely handsome man with loose robes and deep blue eyes. He had a white rose in his hand as he held it out in a romantic gesture while staring intensely into the eyes of the other person across from him. Opposite stood a pale man with hesitation in his eyes, looking shy as he held a black robe behind his back, his clothes also halfway undressed for some reason.

Who else could the painting depict but Jacob and Casper? Highly stylized versions of them, anyway.

“You seriously painted that?” Carmen asked in disbelief.

“Naturally,” the Sword Saint nodded proudly.

“It’s pretty good,” she nodded.

“Seriously?” Jake raised an eyebrow.

I may be a brute, but I can appreciate good art when I see

pointing at the painting as he turned to look at its painter. “And why the

the old man answered, flashing a large smile. “Recently, paintings on this topic have been trendy, and the Brokers gladly buy them for high prices, especially as the demand is high while the

Jake had a damn hard time understanding. “I would ask if people also wrote fanfiction, but from your smirk,

very good question,” the Sword Saint nodded. “It would have had to be someone from Earth to know about their relationship before the system. Additionally, they must have started this rumor and helped perpetuate it for some tangible gain,

real?” Jake said, his mouth

I

that qualifies as blasphemy. Also, isn’t the Risen and Holy Church pissed? Oh, and why the hell

either of them?” the old

ago, I would say?”

ago and have been spreading like wildfire since, with the prices still spiking. They should reach a

painting can fetch that much?” Carmen

shook his head. “I have

main characters of your head-canon are nearly here,” Jake gave up as he didn’t wanna discuss the topic more. Casper and Jacob were indeed arriving within the minute. Considering the two were not walking together when they arrived at the hotel, Jake did find it suspicious that

to those rumors after

them talking in the hallway as they walked over, quite

swear if I ever find the guy who spread this bullshit…” Casper spoke loudly from outside. “And

I did, and there was some effect for a while, but not much. At this point, I fear that denial will only strengthen the delusions of those

at the old man as he lifted a finger to his lips and shushed, getting a muted giggle out of Carmen. She

them enter, he

loverboys arrive,” Jake announced them loudly as they walked

stared daggers as he also saw Carmen. “Shouldn’t throw stones when you live in a greenhouse. Aren’t there also

Jacob sighed. “And at least there is

you make me want to punch both of you in the face,” Carmen smiled as

a con,” Jacob

the Primordial Church is not a cult of fanatics,” Carmen snorted. “Let’s not beat around the bush;

political here,” the

Had Jake not known

in their little meeting, and he had even brought along Maria, who Jake hadn’t met up with before. He did know she had arrived on the floor, having gone to the

– not many of them kind – but it was certain that it functioned as a nice gathering spot of geniuses. The record set by Jake’s party had even been broken about eight months back by a group from

all greeted each other. The two of them had both only done the Demon Lord empowered with one artifact, making them get mocked a bit, while everyone else present had done it with all three on full power. Jake was kind of amazed the Holy Church had done it, considering Jacob was not a fighter, but he had shared that it was perfectly doable

that long for many of them. Jacob did feel a bit out of

was definitely going on, that was for

Minaga Coins to catch up but also because they wouldn’t fit in. Matteo had also rejected the invitation due to not fitting in, with Bertram not going as he wanted to focus

care about failing to fit in was the last person who was about to arrive.... someone Jake had not at all expected would actually bother. It was the healer that had mysteriously disappeared from Earth only to reappear at Nevermore with the

Arnold would also have been, but he had yet to reach the city floor. Jake only heard about that group from scouts placed by the Court of Shadows, and the weird void party apparently stopped on every single city floor for quite a while and engaged with the Challenge Dungeons there before moving on. An odd strategy, but the entire theme of Arnold’s party

walked towards the large hotel room they had booked. He looked the same as before and did not wear much equipment, based on what Jake could see. The moment he entered the hallway leading to the room, Jake felt something he had not felt for a while

Jake had to restrain himself as he nearly instinctively jumped the healer.

he took a deep breath and forced down the feeling. He knew where it was coming from too. As the wielder of a cursed weapon, one he had even tethered to his soul, it was natural to be influenced