The Primal Hunter

”You really gotta be like that?” Minaga complained. “We were just about to get to the good stuff!”

“I question why we had to cut the feed too,” the Wyrmgod chimed in, as he had nevertheless done as Vilastromoz asked. “Not that I see any value in observing it either, but there is no purpose in not simply continuing like normal.”

”Because if you kept recording, I would be the one who would get shit for it from Jake later on,” the Viper grumbled. “Plus, wouldn’t that hunter god also complain if you choose to make an unauthorized recording of her?”

“Hm, perhaps. I had not considered that to be an option,” the Wyrmgod said, deep in thought. “This is the first time it has happened, at least when I was actively monitoring the situation. Despite the images being created to mimic a level 0, they are still gods, making this rather unprecedented. Usually, the Nevermore attendees only get with the dungeon-created characters if they desire an outlet.”

Vilastromoz nodded slowly with the explanation. While one could make a level 0 clone, they were still at least partly linked to the Records of their true selves, which was one of the reasons gods were willing to put their images in Nevermore to begin with. It would intrinsically form a connection with powerful rising stars of the multiverse through karma.

Umbra was a prime example of this. A faint karmic connection would be formed with all she faced in the arena, and through her powers, she would, at the very least, become aware of them. Anyone who could beat her image was someone she would thus investigate or even purchase recordings of the Wyrmgod to see more of.

While Vilastromoz did not know much of Artemis as she had risen as a god after the seventh era, he at least knew she was a pretty powerful hunter goddess from the Pantheon of Life and worked directly with Yggdrasil and Nature’s Attendant. However, this told him nothing of her personality.

“Say, would this Artemis happen to be the more “open” sort of person when it comes to this kind of thing?” Vilastromoz asked. If that was the case, it would make sense. Some gods would get in bed with anyone they found even remotely attractive, with some going through several partners on a daily basis, sometimes even with multiple avatars. Of course, in the vast majority of cases, they didn’t reveal they were gods at all but disguised themselves and went to random taverns and whatnot.

Minaga grinned. “Oh, quite the opposite, which is why I find this oh-so-interesting. There have been many who have shown interest in Artemis, even amongst the gods, but she doesn’t even bat an eye at them. It even got to the point where some swear she is sworn to celibacy or maidenhood or something to make themselves feel better about being rejected. Needless to say, I don’t believe she is that closed off to having partners… her standards are just rather abnormal and through the roof.”

The Viper already felt a headache coming on.

“See, I have a theory… I think Artemis is the kind of gal who only likes those who are stronger than herself. She wants someone who is even more of a predator incarnate than herself, someone who can dominate her, and Jake, that little monster, definitely fits that bill,” Minaga shared his thoughts proudly.

“And what do you base this theory on?” Vilastromoz asked the Unique Lifeform, who possessed no reproductive organs and was ostensively asexual by nature.

“Well, I met her a few times,” Minaga scratched his chin. “Though I can admit the majority of my theory was formed based on recent happenings.”

“Right, so pure guesswork, more or less,” the Viper sighed. There probably was some credence to Minaga’s theory. Vilastromoz just hoped this wouldn’t turn into an annoying situation.

“I do remain curious. The images have the same personalities as their true selves, and besides their level, they are the same person… especially after they lose,” the Wyrmgod muttered.

“Wait… you actually implemented that?” Vilastromoz asked, recalling a conversation from many eras ago.

“He sure did, and I helped make it happen with my awesome magic!” Minaga grinned.

what they were talking about? Memory

of its identity as a god and regain its full memories. This was in part done so the god’s image could attempt to form a connection with someone who walked a similar Path to them

image that dragged Jake back to her residence was aware that she is actually only

the Wyrmgod nodded. “Interesting,

going with the “not”…” Vilastromoz sighed. Yep, this could definitely turn into an entire

informed of this?” the Viper continued. What she didn’t know couldn’t cause any problems, and

doesn’t have anything like that. That is not standard at all, and I am sure she never expected her

“Well, that’s good at-“

her of her image’s irregular behavior as

Primordial as the dragon smiled, clearly

the Pantheon of Life?” Jake muttered as he leaned back in the pool, which was pretty much just a hot tub of healing. “How exactly does that fit with your Path as a hunter, which is about taking

revelation that I am a god belonging to one of the most powerful Pantheons in the multiverse to question my Path… you

trying my best,” Jake chuckled as Artemis

We hunters are also part of the natural cycle, but not as mere cogs. We are the ones who can control it. Bend it. We are the regulators who decide its direction, as we can hunt down anything we deem unnecessary or unwanted,” Artemis said with conviction. “Of course, we cannot overdo it. If we hunt down every living being in the ecosystem, there is no ecosystem anymore. No new life… nothing to hunt. And is a hunter with no prey truly a hunter

another powerful hunter but a being who had walked her Path all the way to divinity. He didn’t necessarily agree with her –

elven goddess said, clearly amused. “Good. What

not enough Perception,” Jake joked, surprisingly enough getting

pause, the

Based on the fact you are a G-grade human,

“Yep,” Jake confirmed.

say to becoming my Chosen out there? To join the Pantheon of Life? I fully expect you to be with some other god already, but I doubt there are many as qualified to have a hunter as their Chosen as I, and I will handle any compensation required to the one who has currently blessed you,” Artemis offered as she looked at him seductively. “I will be sure to give you plenty of private tutoring, and if you happen to become a

but I already have a Blessing,” Jake said, shaking his head. “Quite a good one at that. The True Blessing of the Malefic

he sealed away in

shrugged casually. “He reappeared just

for a snake to have a hunter as his Chosen… but perhaps even more odd for you to submit to one, even if it is a god. How does that conform to

secret he had. “Let’s just say we have an arrangement quite unlike what most Patrons and Chosen

prior offer to not embarrass myself further. While I do believe I have quite a lot to

a lot of shiny stuff,” Jake said, enjoying the

spoke. “Are you aware how these images

proved you are fully aware you are a god,” Jake said. “But I will assume that as an image, you are

said. “In fact, the second you leave this Challenge Dungeon, I will cease to exist as I am erased alongside it. Ah, but don’t feel bad; that’s

knowing that part well.