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.

were talking about? Memory

was in part done so the god’s image could attempt to form a connection with someone who walked a

Jake back to her residence was aware that she is actually only an image of a

the Wyrmgod nodded. “Interesting, is it

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

me Artemis does not have any request to see anything outside of the battles she loses, so she won’t be informed of this?” the Viper continued. What she didn’t know couldn’t cause any problems,

like that. That is not standard at all, and

“Well, that’s good at-“

naturally informed her of her image’s irregular

looked at his fellow Primordial

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,

smiled. “The mere fact you gloss over my revelation that I am a god belonging to

trying my best,” Jake chuckled as Artemis

simply healing and preservation of life. It is also about the transformation of life, the natural cycle, and the glory of nature itself, and predators are as natural to the ecosystem as a tree or a herbivore. 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

intently. This was his first time meeting not just another powerful hunter but a being who had walked her Path all the way to divinity. He didn’t necessarily agree with her – in his opinion – somewhat limited definition of what a hunter

are not entirely in agreement,” the elven goddess said, clearly amused.

not enough Perception,” Jake joked, surprisingly enough getting a giggle out

brief pause, the god

outside of Nevermore, right? Based on the fact you are a G-grade human, one of the people from the newly

“Yep,” Jake confirmed.

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

already have a Blessing,” Jake said, shaking his head. “Quite a good one at that. The

Primordial? Wasn’t he sealed away in his divine realm or something?” she questioned

shrugged casually. “He reappeared

else, It’s odd 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

he shouldn’t just share every secret he had. “Let’s just say we have an arrangement quite unlike what most Patrons and Chosen have. One

retract my prior offer to not embarrass myself further. While I do believe

does have a lot of shiny stuff,” Jake said, enjoying the warm,

while before she spoke. “Are you aware how these images that we gods have left

I did until you clearly proved you are fully aware you are a god,” Jake said. “But I will assume that as an image, you are pretty much entirely

the second you leave this Challenge Dungeon, I will cease to exist as I am erased alongside it. Ah, but don’t

part