The Primal Hunter

Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise, but having the strongest people all leave their planets for Nevermore at roughly the same time could cause some… troubles, especially for those who had usually ruled with an iron fist. In the absence of a tyrant, a tyrannical rule could easily collapse, and this happened all across the ninety-third universe as uprisings took place, even if the revolutionaries would more likely than not be utterly crushed once the tyrant returned from the World Wonder.

One also had to remember that many places were also still struggling with battles against beasts and monsters. This forced the stronger ones there to make a choice… use the token provided by the Wyrmgod to leave for Nevermore, or remain and fight for your faction, family, and friends. To many, this wasn’t even a choice, as they wouldn’t abandon those they cared for, but for others, it wasn’t a choice simply because their own power was the most important.

As for who was right, it could honestly be difficult to tell because even if they fought against the beasts and monsters now, what about the future? What would the plan be to face the Prima Guardian when that descended? It was clear to many that Nevermore wasn’t simply an optional World Wonder for people to go visit if they felt like it but a borderline mandatory power boost to make the world capable of facing the Prima Guardian.

This difficult choice of sacrificing the now for the future or risking the entire planet with the hope that they would be capable of facing the Prima Guardian haunted many. Especially those who had managed to become World Leaders, who now had to figure out how to strike a balance between having the strong fighters go to Nevermore or remain and fight.

Of course, some planets didn’t face this issue. As only C-grades monsters that hadn’t consumed the special unique treasures provided during the integration could enter the areas designated for the enlightened races, the risk of hordes of C-grades invading simply wasn’t there. Only the weaker worlds with only a handful of C-grades faced this, and they were at least lucky that beasts could also go to Nevermore, making many of these potential threats leave… which kind of added another threat down the line, as how would those who didn’t go to Nevermore compete with those who did?

Honestly, in many places, it was a mess. However, one place that appeared entirely unaffected was a certain little planet called Earth. There, things were very much running as usual, even with nearly all of the most influential people gone. One would think that with the massive influx of freed slaves and other individuals sent by the many factions who wanted closer relations with Jake, things would get a bit chaotic, but things remained calm.

There had been some fear that after Miranda left, issues would prop up with no one to handle them. Especially when Lillian also went to Nevermore, along with several others who were part of the leadership. The only ones from the World Council who remained behind were the Sky Whale, who saw no rush to go to Nevermore, along with Arthur, who wouldn’t go at all.

This pretty much left Arthur as the only one in charge at the very top when it came to governing the enlightened races, and his presence was a big reason for the calmness. While he wasn’t powerful in the traditional sense, he was a man who had more than enough know-how when it came to management, and with the influence he had been given by being part of the World Council, he easily governed when everyone else was gone as the continued all the policies he, Miranda, and others had enacted.

The factions that still remained on Earth, such as the Court of Shadows and the Sword Saint’s clan, also didn’t start anything during this period. Even if they wanted to, the risk was simply too big. And not just because of what would happen when Jake and the others returned but due to the many people who had arrived vehemently supporting any establishment Jake was part of.

Especially the freed slaves had a high level of loyalty, moreso to Miranda than Jake. She had put a lot of effort into integrating the influential former slaves, giving many of them official positions of leadership, and even if many of these influential ones had now also left for Nevermore, those loyal to their former fellow slaves kept carrying out their wills.

The beasts and monsters were also very much not wanting to start anything. Some because of the Sky Whale, but many also due to the overwhelming presence of the Fallen King, whom many saw as the true leader of the monster factions on Earth. Even if the King ruled as a tyrant through power, this was one of the instances where even in the absence of the tyrant, stability remained… for they all knew he would come back one day, and none had confidence that even if they tried to take control of things, they wouldn’t lose it immediately upon his return. Along with their lives, of course.

All of this is to say that Jake had, very much unknowingly, been the impetus behind establishing one of the most stable planets when it came to internal conflict in the ninety-third universe. And he didn’t even need to use his arcane affinity.

Jake didn’t really listen to much of the buzz about people getting big Nevermore Points multipliers and all that other noise. In all honesty, even when he heard some mutters from others in the small Order base, he didn’t care either. Despite people probably being curious, he also didn’t see any reason to publish his own results.

recognition, Jake wasn’t like that. The only person Jake needed to recognize he had done well was Jake himself and no one else. His pursuit of power and rewards was as selfish as could be. Not to say that Jake wouldn’t go out and

brag on his own just seemed a bit too tacky, in Jake’s opinion. Besides, they would all know how well he had done when Nevermore ended, and they saw the Leaderboards. That was the score that truly

flexing, Jake focused on far more important stuff. Alchemy-wise, Jake had spent a good amount of time just crafting stuff. He even felt he was very close to

alchemy

really doubted himself at first when he decided to upgrade his boots, but a small sliver of uncertainty did begin to creep in the more he considered it.

related to the Wyrmgod of Nevermore, making this item especially suited to upgrading items related to the

Jake question if it would even be a good idea to use it on the boots. Not just because of this space affinity thing, but because Jake wondered if perhaps he should actually use it on one

a mythical one. The bow had been given directly by the system, and even if

you spot it on Amazon, report

as it was one of the easier items to upgrade. But maybe his creepy cloak could be good to upgrade? At least that would help him find out why that damn merchant had been so happy

no doubt lead him to get

to hold it while willing for it to affect the boots in front of

Jake felt a bit worried as he saw the torrent of fire only grow until it reached the ceiling, the boots just sitting there, seemingly

even be given away for free at a thrift shop. As for feeling an aura from them… well, Jake had never really felt much

a system notification, and as he used Identify on

the Records of the ancient alchemist have left a deep mark on this item, allowing it to transcend many ranks. With every awakening, the Records within grow in power, the item improving in tandem to reflect its growth, even if many secrets within still elude you. Enchantments: +350 Endurance, +250 Agility, +200

200+ in any humanoid

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leather. With every awakening, the Records within grow in power, the item improving in tandem as they reconnect with their Origin. Enchantments: +1500 Endurance, +1000 Agility, +500 Perception, +500 Willpower, +500 Wisdom, +500 Intelligence. Reduces energy expenditure from all movement-related skills while also increasing their effectiveness by a substantial amount. Increases sensitivity towards earthbound plants and natural treasures. While wearing the Boots of the Wandering Sage, never let difficult terrain impede you, as you shall always find

Requirements: Soulbound

bit… who

came to the effects besides the stats, the natural treasure detector seemed the same. He also quickly spotted that the energy-cost reduction on movement-related skills had changed to also increase the effectiveness of movement-related skills. Such a change was quite frankly massive, and he very much looked forward to seeing how

effect was a bit weird. It said difficult terrain would never impede Jake and that he would always find a solid foothold. This effect could both be extremely powerful but also kind of useful… honestly, there was no time to tell before he put on the boots

equipment? Fuck no, it was a pair of old worn-out leather boots… alright, effect-wise, they probably did. Jake didn’t really have a great frame of reference, but he felt like the boots did qualify; it was just that many of their effects were hard to

they belonged to Villy before and kind of written that theory off, but now he wasn’t sure. As he looked at the boots, he also remembered