The Primal Hunter

Chapter 873: Nevermore: The Final Stretch

To a C-grade, while fifty years wasn’t considered a very long time, it was definitely still a significant part of their lives, especially for those from the new universe, who were all very young by multiversal standards. For many, it was even a majority of their lives, truly highlighting the pure momentum of the natives in a new universe.

For another group who had also been heavily involved in Nevermore, fifty years was but the blink of an eye. The gods who kept an eye on everything that was happening – both from inside of Nevermore and those outside using messengers they sent in – a fifty-year period was barely ever of any consequence. At least not usually… but when a new universe was integrated, things always got exciting.

The Records were flowing freely, as the system was more active than ever, throwing events and special happenings around everywhere, not just for those in the new universe, even if the majority were for the newly integrated.

To the gods, this was a prime opportunity to grasp power for themselves and to expand their factions… Nevermore being a huge aspect in this. The Leaderboards were perhaps the best advertisement, not just for the groups with powerful people on it, but for the geniuses of the new era who had yet to fully integrate themselves with a faction.

Few would dare aim to recruit those who were in the top spots, and most of them were already in big factions anyway… but the ones who would have ranked in the top thousands were still more than worth it to recruit. For these geniuses who were close to the pinnacle, the best thing they could do personally was to get closer to the peak while also aligning themselves with the factions capable of nurturing these other peak C-grades who did top the Leaderboards.

Perhaps the luckiest of all wasn’t the newly integrated mortals or the gods who could now finally progress once more but the young talents who had been born in other universes before the new integration and could now partake in the festivities. They had the advantage of growth before the integration and tended to be older with far more stable foundations than the newly integrated Nevermore Attendees… yet no one expected any of them to actually take the top spot, at least not right away.

History had proven that it was always newly integrated people who disproportionally dominated the Era Leaderboards, at least in the beginning. Each era was a few billion years at least, so many records would be broken during that time, but it did happen on occasion that a record set in the initial stages held strong for an entire era. Yip of Yore was one such happening.

When he had done Nevermore back in the day, he had taken the top spot, with his rival at the time, Altius, taking the second spot. Over time, Altius was pushed down to number four – still showing he had been an absolute pinnacle talent – but Yip had managed to maintain his rank, even as all the geniuses of an entire era competed with him, truly proving himself the pinnacle talent of the ninety-second era. He had been alive during the integration and set an unbeatable record… and now the question was if that feat would repeat itself as the next generation began to appear on the Leaderboards.

“Any spoilers?” Minaga asked the Wyrmgod, who was sitting silently and watching a myriad of lifestreams and timers with the other gods.

“No,” the Primordial shook his head. “But I do believe most can infer some things.”

“Alright, alright… thoughts from the room how their factions did?” Minaga asked loudly, even calling out to the large gathering of gods observing from the back.

Yet it was the Blightfather who spoke up first. “Can’t say I’m particularly disappointed or overjoyed. There were some pleasant surprises and some who underperformed, but that is all to be expected. Overall, while Nevermore is certainly an important step in the Paths of C-grades and an excellent recruitment tool to find worthwhile talents, it isn’t that important in the grand scheme of things.”

“While I will not disagree with your main point, we shouldn’t downplay the most well-known World Wonder of the multiverse either, now should we? Also, let us not pretend this iteration hasn’t been a bit out of the ordinary… our very presences in this room here is proof of that,” the Holy Mother countered.

Vilastromoz just sat back, once more seeing no reason to get involved when the two of them got into it. He also knew that the reason the Holy Mother wanted to put more emphasis on Nevermore was due to how well the Holy Church always did. They were a faction focused on working together and the single-largest faction in the multiverse, after all, so for them to be displayed prominently on the Leaderboards was only to be expected.

Overall, they were definitely the ones doing the best simply due to their sheer numbers, but if one looked at the factions with the highest average placement, they were far behind. This space was instead dominated by the most elite factions, such as the Order of the Malefic Viper and Court of Shadows. Ones that didn’t solely care about making a big organization, but that every member part of it had to be worthy.

Of course, there was one faction that dominated here more than any other when one still looked at major factions… one that was focused nearly solely on combat: Valhal.

Valdemar also did seem pretty happy with how things had gone. Even if their average placements were high, they tended to not have anyone at the top either. It did happen from time to time, but their members tended not to really focus enough on their professions or crafting in general to place that high.

As for the factions that did the absolute best, it was the incredibly small ones that had very strict requirements. Organizations such as the Crimson Flame, led by Gwyndyr. Even that archer from Earth affiliated with him had done pretty well for herself. Not to the level of beating any of the true top contenders, but a respectable performance, a bit like Jake’s brother from the Court of Shadows. Pretty good but not outstanding.

The discussion of how each faction would do had quickly filled the hall as the gods talked openly, some even making subtle bets here and there. This was a rare chance for many of these representative gods to talk to a Primordial, something they were both open to in this forum. Didn’t hurt that it was primarily just them being rained with praise while bragging, but that was neither here nor there.

Talks continued for a while until quickly, the topic moved toward what most of them ultimately cared about. The most interesting part of this period in Nevermore. It was a time where, more likely than not, the top spots of the Leaderboards would be switched out several times a day as more and more pinnacle geniuses finished until finally, the dust would settle, and only one name would remain atop as the Era’s Pinnacle.

And while there was much discussion about who could take the top ten and even top five slots in the end, there was no doubt only two people were truly in contention for the top two:

One of the most spoken of Chosen of this generation, primarily because of the stuff one of them had pulled off recently and because these two had gods on open conflict:

Ell’hakan, Chosen of Yip, the former Era’s Pinnacle and top genius of the last era.

naturally the absolutely most spoken up, the Harbinger of Primeval Origins, and Villy’s

both were about to finish the World Wonder, and it was certain one of them would finish before the other, potentially blocking the other from holding the

case of theft: this story is not rightfully

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been talking for a while. “Also to put additional pressure on other factions who may be dallying too

will take some time, even with our respective time chambers. Does the Order of the Malefic Viper have some prepared

was naturally to Jake, who confidently

Saint shook his head. “Someone affiliated with my Patron shall be there and have everything

head. “Did Aeon contact you or

Also, let me be clear, this isn’t something specifically prepared for us. Others are also very much

I guess,”

“Ree?” Sylphie also asked.

definitely faster to stay inside of Nevermore to take advantage of the

be faster to go to Nevermore City – the entrance of Nevermore – and have someone above C-grade set up a time chamber there. One had to remember that even if they left Nevermore and the time expired out there, it would still count. But, as the Sword Saint said, it was better to stay in

in Nevermore could only do a, let’s say, ten-to-one dilation inside of Nevermore, coupled with the natural dilation of Nevermore, one easily hit a 100x multiplier in Realtime. Or, well, the opposite of a multiplier, as more time would pass inside the chamber than

and as much as it annoys me, I reckon the bird and I are first, considering our performances in the Challenge Dungeons,”

still need to decide the exact order,” the Sword Saint said. “As in… how many points do each of you

had a lot of points, but

Spoiler.

It was hilarious.

two thousand points is…” the King said, trying to

“Ree.”

design behind that ridiculous labyrinth…” the Fallen King

“Ree.”

doubt,” the Unique Lifeform said, now moved onto anger, before finally… acceptance. “Let us not waste time on what has happened. Additionally, the hawk has gained more levels, which

courtesly agreed as they moved on

forgotten the extra points one would also get from levels and wondered how that worked. It was one of the reasons it was advised to be as close to level 200

her head. “I think it’s best he finishes first. With a 70% multiplier from the Challenge Dungeons, neither of us are getting on the top 10 Leaderboards for the era, but the Sword Saint does have a very good shot at the top ten on the ninety-third universe

100 or top 250 is bound to also have certain rewards, and I want no enmity born from one of

“I wouldn’t-“

“1,952,976.”

a bit before muttering.

you got me beat,” the

me,” Dina shook her head. “While I’m not sure about

up agreeing on the old man going first after

I got?” he asked

many that it would be shameful if you failed to reach the top spot of the Era and Universe Leaderboards,” the Fallen King

be disappointed if I didn’t top at least one of them,” Jake shrugged. “And I say that knowing full well that there is a good chance a certain orange fuck is already topping one if not both of them already. Anyway,

no complaints as everyone finally got up, and Dina dispelled the recovery circle. They all at least looked representable now as they moved toward the door and the final city

it?” she asked a bit cautiously. “My grandfather said that to take the top spot isn’t easy, and even if

here in Nevermore, and as you said, the spot is often reserved for the top

“Yes,” Dina nodded.