The Primal Hunter

“Okay, not gonna lie, that was kind of hilarious,” Minaga chuckled after seeing Jake pass floor forty-five so easily. “Really just tossed his weight around and got all those poor suckers to get him out of there right away. They didn’t show it, but those Starcrossed Twins were pretty damn submissive compared to how they usually are.”

“I am surprised you got those two in here for such a floor,” Vilastromoz said with genuine confusion. “Any god would do, so why have two gods as old and powerful as them? That can’t have been easy.”

The Wyrmgod was silent as he just sighed. “I had my reasons.”

Minaga raised a hand. “I know the reasons.”

Vilastromoz smiled and looked at the Wyrmgod, who reluctantly explained. “The origin of the images of mortals don’t truly matter that much as before any of them are ever used, the mortal will more than likely already be dead. Things are different for gods. While nothing that happens to the image affects them, and they never become aware of any interactions these images had, there can still be consequences. For the gods, that is.”

The Viper suddenly understood as he nodded while the Wyrmgod kept explaining. A bit needlessly, but the old dragon did like to talk about his work when given the chance.

“There was an incidence a few eras ago where the image of a god thoroughly pissed off a Chosen belonging to the Altmar Empire, to the point of just airing out his grievances that had arisen due to prior conflicts that the Altmar Empire thought they were over. While the god wasn’t able to hinder the Nevermore participant – or even made any attempts to - the Chosen still left deeply offended, and it turned into quite a situation. This resulted in all the images of gods from the Nevermore of the next era being far too… meek. Any time a Chosen or even someone with a Divine Blessing from a powerful god appeared, they would capitulate and pop in to help them right away with the hope of forming a good relationship with the young influential C-grades and allowing them to effectively skip the floor. Needless to say, this went directly against the purpose of the floor.”

“So he thought up a great solution,” Minaga grinned.

“The thought process was to put gods here that wouldn’t feel the need to try to gain favor with even the Chosens of high-level gods but would treat them like any other regular Nevermore participant. The Starcrossed Twins are part of a powerful alliance already and are not people even pinnacle factions would create trouble with, meaning they didn’t have to act courteously and respect the status of any C-grades,” the Wyrmgod said in a rather annoyed tone.

“Yeah, brilliant thinking, and it worked out perfectly,” Minaga said, holding back a giggle. “Poor Jake had a horrible time in there.”

“The reappearance of the Malefic Viper and the fact he chose to have a C-grade Chosen were unexpected factors, and I cannot blame them for making an exception. Also, it wasn’t as if I viewed it as an impossible outcome, seeing as I had already created an achievement for the feat,” the Wyrmgod finished, as he didn’t seem interested in discussing the floor more.

“It’s a shame, though. Pretty sure that of everyone doing Nevermore, Jake is the one who needs to learn how to respect divine authority the most,” Minaga grumbled a bit, clearly not as happy with just dropping the topic as the Wyrmgod.

“Or, have you considered this: he is the only one showing the proper level of reverence towards other gods as my Chosen? My Chosen being all subservient in front of other gods would be a bad look, you know? I never really thought about it before, but having a Chosen that isn’t naturally suppressed is quite nice,” the Viper countered.

“You know, the way you phrased that makes it sound like he is subservient only to you as his Patron,” Minaga said. “And I somehow have a hard time believing that.”

“Oh, he is showing plenty of reverence. Jake is just the kind of guy that is all about action and not petty words or platitudes,” Vilastromoz smiled. “I just view it as every level he gains and every feat he accomplishes it partly in my name.”

“If that helps you meditate in peace,” Minaga said skeptically.

“His relatively selfish actions make me question that claim… though I reckon that if he proceeds on his Path as things are now, he will be a good return on investment simply due to the Records he obtains,” the Wyrmgod added. “Perhaps I should get a Chosen myself, though finding a good prospect is quite difficult.”

Vilastromoz nodded but didn’t elaborate. It was tempting to reveal that he had already gotten his return on investment simply through Jake’s action of consciously creating the Vespernat Hive Queen. That feat had even led to a cascade effect of Records from all his prior creations.

“Finding a good Chosen can indeed be a struggle, but if I find someone worth referring to you, I will let you know,” Vilastromoz said to his fellow Primordial. “If not, then at least someone to give a Divine Blessing.”

“Perhaps,” the Wyrmgod said with little commitment. “I wonder, will your Chosen be capable of influencing the birth of another creature like the Vespernat Hive Queen any time soon? Assuming it is indeed a replicable act. That seems like a potential avenue to secure a good prospect.”

that the ability belongs to him and

thought for a moment before simply nodding. “If that is how you wish to do things, fine. I am beginning to understand you have adopted an unconventional relationship with your Chosen and will not interfere in whatever you are

am planning anything?” the Malefic Viper

never done anything shady or had any underhanded plots or plans. Anyway, I sure hope you make it out of your conflict

knows?” Vilastromoz smiled without

wanna know,” Minaga

In fact, isn’t that what brought us all

know that. And I like to try and figure out things on my own when people aren’t telling me the whole truth,” Minaga smiled in response, making Vilastromoz have a

the curiosity of a god with a legion

soul as she knew she had reached her limit when it came to absorbing energy from the Hive Core. Absorbing the energies and Records of old was far from easy, and the strain on her was substantial. However, she had already exceeded all expectations and gotten further than any of her sisters had ever predicted she would. It had only taken

She felt the power rushing through her body, knowing she had finally stepped into mid-tier C-grade. Opening her status, she saw that

Status

Name: Vesperia

Queen

Health Points (HP): 409000/409000

Mana Points (MP): 59842/60850

Stamina: 95743/100600

Hive Energy: 24600/25200

monsters weren’t like that. There were too many passives to easily compare, and her health

came to Hive Energy, she had barely used any. It was not a resource one spent like normal and then replenished, but every point spent was a point lost unless the being you spent it on disappeared. Vesperia herself had only made some eggs so far while

there getting her bearings fully, she got a notification informing her she had a

slightly smaller than the planet her Sire had been born on, and it was a nice place to do some experiments while still in C-grade. The entire place was also enforced with the protective formations of

but had four eyes and blue skin. Based on how they stood together, Vesperia assumed he was a god, and seeing no reason to reject them, she welcomed them inside. She also knew that any being that could walk into the heartlands

been set up

visit, sister,” the Odonstrom True Royal

Nice to meet you!” the blue

bit taken aback by the god’s greeting, especially considering her fellow True Royal didn’t even react.

in godhood. Making him an enemy would be

heed your words.

to the Chosen of the Malefic Viper, but he never

know telepathy is pretty fast, it is still pretty obvious you two are talking secretly behind my back, which is honestly quite hurtful,” the Unique Lifeform

bow. “I am Vesperia, also known as the sole True Royal of the

have a True Royal reappear like that,” Minaga nodded as he studied her closely for a few seconds before scratching

“Pardon?” Vesperia asked, confused.

you maybe have kind of the same eyes? No, not really… hm…” Minaga said, stretching his neck to look at her from other angles. “Ah, never mind... I

Vesperia frowned but remained standing like normal as Minaga grinned from ear to ear. “There we have