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.

be a brute, but I can appreciate good art when I see it,” Carmen

turned to look at its painter. “And why the hell did you even paint that to begin with? Too much free

trendy, and the Brokers gladly buy them for high prices, especially as the demand is high while the

also wrote fanfiction, but from

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

said,

admit, old man, you are far more entertaining than I first give you credit for,” she

you even painting that qualifies as blasphemy. Also, isn’t the Risen and Holy Church pissed? Oh, and why the hell did none of them mention this is

either of them?” the old man

ago, I would say?” Jake

the prices still spiking. They should reach a zenith within the month, and hopefully, I should be able to collect the final coins

can

course not,” the old man shook his head. “I have a collection that I happened to coincidentally

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

something to those rumors after all…

hallway as they walked

the guy who spread this bullshit…” Casper spoke loudly from outside. “And you

this point, I fear that denial will only strengthen the delusions of those who have chosen to believe the rumor,” Jacob said, his

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

enter, he also couldn’t

loudly as they walked in together. “Coming

saw Carmen. “Shouldn’t throw stones when you live in a greenhouse.

a glass house,” Jacob sighed. “And at least there is some partial truth to that

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

a con,” Jacob shook

of fanatics,” Carmen snorted. “Let’s not beat around the bush; the Holy Church is a fucking meatgrinder of souls

political here,”

did not like Jacob. Jake couldn’t really blame her, either. Had Jake not known Jacob before the system, he too would be far

people are coming,” Jake commented as he saw two others approach. Caleb would naturally also participate 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

nice gathering spot of geniuses. The record set by Jake’s party had even been

Church had done it, considering Jacob was not a fighter, but he had shared that it was perfectly doable with Bertram able to revive. Having a guy who could use ultra-powerful items that would blow him up after use was quite an advantage, and Jake still remembered that Holy Sword during the fight with the

of them. Jacob did feel a bit out of place at times, but he took the

definitely

was pre-integration Earthlings only. Sylphie and the Fallen King would not join them, partly because they were busy gathering more 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

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 Dao Sect. He had arrived with a party

the last person invited. 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 was being weird as fuck, so it

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

the healer. Jacob went to greet Eron,

cursed the curse as 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 by it… but this was a first. Because looking at