The Primal Hunter

”It was far more powerful than our initial assessments. I believe it possesses a Nascent Dragon’s Heart, too, which is what ultimately led to our defeat,” the middle-aged vampire said in a serious tone as he reported to the raid organizer. “We may need to reconsider our approach or reach out for assistance.”

“I see,” the organizer said as she wrote in her report. “Did you get any indication of the beast’s inclinations for the upcoming event?”

“Nothing concrete, but what little interaction we did have made it clear the wyvern is incredibly arrogant. I have a hard time seeing it submit even to a far more powerful being, and with its aggressive nature… I believe leaving it be is far too risky.”

“Very well,” the organizer said with a nod. “I will refer it to the upper brass. Now go to your team… I reckon they need you right now.”

“Thank you,” the middle-aged vampire said as he stood up. “But... once more, I must warn you. The wyvern is far more powerful than we believed, so make sure not to just send anyone to be slaughtered.”

“It’s fine; if worst comes to worst, the Patriarch has returned from Nevermore,” the organizer said with a smile, making the vampire’s eyes open wide at hearing his grandfather had returned.

“In that case, I can go rest with a peaceful mind,” the vampire said as he left to rejoin what remained of his failed raid party. Losing so many people was a horrible experience… but it had to be done, even though he regretted the outcome.

Preparation for the Prima Guardian’s arrival was already well underway, with the World Council having made a strategy plan. Based on the knowledge provided in the original system message regarding the event, it was clear that beasts who had consumed system-provided natural treasures had to either sit out the event or join the Prima’s side.

Additionally, It was theorized that when the Prima Guardian event truly began, all protections of human lands would be lifted. Putting these together, it had been decided to address certain known powerful monsters living close to where humans lived, while actively exploring the unknown zones of the planet.

One of the most powerful examples of a known powerful beast was the Northpeak Wyvern. It lived in between Skyggen, Haven, and two other smaller cities, all so close that the wyvern could reach them in a very short time if it decided to attack. To leave it unaddressed would be the same as leaving an enemy behind your own frontlines.

Originally, the vampires hadn’t even gone to fight the wyvern but to try and reach some kind of compromise. Perhaps have the wyvern sign a system-bound contract making the wyvern agree not to fight for the Prima Guardian during the system event.

However, they hadn’t even gotten that far before the beast attacked them, forcing the vampire squad to switch to plan B: simply killing it.

It was something they wanted to avoid when possible, but the Northpeak Wyvern had left them little choice. Plus, based on reports, this wyvern was incredibly aggressive toward anyone who entered its domain. It would kill without even asking any questions, so even if it wasn’t going to ally with the Prima, getting rid of it was probably for the best, as keeping such a dangerous beast that couldn’t even be talked to was simply too risky, especially with its domain being so close to human settlements, and its high level of power.

Sadly, it seemed that even with their high assessment of the wyvern, they had underestimated it. His party had been one of the elite teams that hunted down these known high-level monsters, so they had genuinely believed it was a done deal and that there were few monsters they couldn’t handle, at least on the ground. The Sky Whale was leading the assault on the underwater creatures to ensure there wouldn’t be an invasion from the depths during the arrival of the Prima.

As with many others, the vampires all had gone to Nevermore but not stayed the full fifty years. They were all fully aware they were not competing for any kind of Leaderboard position, so they had only gone there for the leveling and stayed a couple of decades until they exhausted most of their potential after evolving to C-grade.

The middle-aged vampire had returned not even a month ago and had already disappointed himself and the family immensely. Alas, with the return of the Patriarch, they hopefully no longer had to hold any fear of these powerful creatures hidden across the planet.

Especially when one considered that his return would also mean the return of all those who had competed in the Leaderboards alongside him. With all those elite members of Earth, he had a bright view of the future and foresaw a less-than-bright future for the wyvern.

Jake walked through the icy cave but remained unbothered as he channeled arcane mana through his veins and protected himself with an outer layer of arcane energy. He saw the wyvern ahead of him within its cavern, in prime position to launch a breath at the entrance. Seeing this, Jake had already made a resolution.

If it dares attack, I kill it.

No arguments or discussions. Jake wanted to talk, sure, but he did say he wanted to remind it of how rude it was to use its breath on people without warning. If, even with this warning and the wyvern’s wounded state, it still decided to attack, Jake would rule this particular beast a lost cause.

it didn’t attack even as Jake reached the entrance to the large frosty cavern. Instead, it just raised its head and looked at him with wary eyes, seemingly considering if

wasn’t that large. Or maybe it was; Jake’s only comparison

lot of Vitality based on how it was already healing. Likely assisted by some

was clear, though, was that it had spent a lot of energy. The half-baked dragon’s heart in its chest had been entirely emptied of gas and would take a while to fully recover. Which made Jake wonder why it had

spotted all the frozen vampires, with the wyvern throwing glances toward them as if afraid Jake was going to try and rob it of its

remember me?”

no, I do not remember any

source, this story is not meant to be on

before was more or less mana-speak, if one can call it that. It was sound produced solely through magic, not any physical movement

asked, not bothering with Jake’s question or any kind

You see, this was my first time encountering a wyvern in the wild. Imagine my dismay when said wyvern proceeded to unleash a breath on

was silent for a moment before speaking. “… do you have

pointed to the answer yes. “So you just attack

wyvern huffed. “For an inferior creature

he answered with actions as he fully unleashed his aura upon the cavern, even going so far as to use

reacted as it opened its mouth, seemingly to release a breath, but at the very last moment, it stopped itself as its eyes opened wide. It had felt Jake’s killing

said as he stared down the wyvern. “And

nothing but close its mouth

you have any idea about humans or the enlightened races in general?” Jake asked, making the wyvern hesitate. “Of course, you fucking don’t. Because if you did, you wouldn’t have decided to kill a group that clearly

carried – and the fact they had shown up with a raid party in the first place – it was apparent to Jake that they had come here with the express purpose of hunting down

from the Sword Saint’s clan and failed their raid, it also wasn’t hard to see what would come next. They would send an even stronger party… or the old man himself. Even if the wyvern was pretty strong, even for its

disappointing, though it would also be kind of weird if some peak-genius wyvern appeared on a random mountain on Earth. The mere fact a wyvern with the potential to

happen now with that group of vampires who came to

have learned to not attack my domain again… or report to

second one – because it’s definitely the second one – what do you plan on doing when that happens?

“I shall defeat the-“

If you kill one member of their faction, they will keep coming back until they wipe you out, and the people who attacked you belong to a faction where I’m

their faction?” the wyvern asked with a hint of nervousness, making Jake believe he was

his head. “Not

while before Jake sighed. “Seriously, you have a Greater Blessing and yet you are

interacted with me

Jake muttered. “Could have at least told you to not stay in the same place

the wyvern said with a

it means your death?” Jake questioned

ambition,” the beast said, once more not leaving anything up for interpretation. This made Jake frown

like mountains. All the random metals