The Primal Hunter Chapter 1269 - Taking Stock One Last Time

Jake remained seated in meditation, restoring his stamina to resume the massacre of Aginian B-grades inside Minaga's impressively designed dungeon. He'd taken out over a dozen already, and intuition told him the required experience was almost there for the anticipated system alert to appear, signaling his readiness for evolution.

Unfortunately, the message hadn't shown up yet, and following his previous pursuit, he'd needed to pause and catch his breath. He could have kept hunting without thought, possibly risking an overly perilous spot, but that struck him as utterly foolish. On reflection, wouldn't it be absurdly comical if the Chosen of the Malefic Viper perished right before evolving due to rushing and impatience, unwilling to wait just one more day?

Many folks likely wouldn't see the humor in it like Jake did, so to spare them that, he opted to tackle the hunt with his typical focused attitude. Even though these B-grades were feeble, they remained B-grades, presenting real danger if Jake slipped up badly.

The dungeon Jake occupied now was identical to the one he'd cleared with Casper, except for a minor tweak. Instead of starting in a house, he'd spawned directly in the central area of the Grand Labyrinth, near a spacious chamber that normally held a ziggurat. None was present, but Minaga had generously stocked it with numerous B-grade Elite Guards for Jake to target.

During his meditation, Jake decided to perform a task he deemed essential prior to evolving: review his complete status screen. He aimed to assess his progress over recent years, having earned those final levels and hit the peak of C-grade.

Accessing the status, Jake scanned through it swiftly, noting shifts since his last thorough check around the time he departed the Pantheon of Life and rejoined the Order of the Malefic Viper.

Status

Name: Jake Thayne

Race: [Human (C) – 329 --> 349]

Class: [Arcane Hunter of Horizon’s Edge – 332--> 349]

Profession: [Heretic-Chosen Alchemist of the Malefic Viper – 327--> 349]

Health Points (HP): 344,062/344,062 --> 414,087/414,087

Mana Points (MP): 584,732/584,732 --> 687,111/699,718

Stamina: 329,537/329,537 --> 302,099/387,675

Stats

Strength: 40033 --> 45477

Agility: 49928 --> 56146

Endurance: 26363 --> 31014

Vitality: 27525 --> 33127

Toughness: 22015 --> 26510

Wisdom: 37423 --> 44782

Intelligence: 30241 --> 36288

Perception: 64921 --> 80740

Willpower: 33860 --> 40790

Free points: 0

Titles: [Forerunner of the New World], [Bloodline Patriarch], [Holder of a Primordial’s True Blessing], [Dungeoneer XV], [Dungeon Pioneer XV], [Prodigious Slayer of the Mighty], [Kingslayer], [Nobility: Duke], [Progenitor of the 93rd Universe], [Prodigious Arcanist], [Perfect Evolution (D-grade)], [Premier Treasure Hunter], [Myth Originator], [Progenitor of Myriad Paths], [Perfect Evolution (C-grade)], [Nevermore Challenger All-star], [Peerless Conqueror of Nevermore], [Sacred Prodigy],[Dragonslayer]

Class Skills:[Supreme Stealth Attack (Epic)], [Splitting Arcane Arrow Rain (Epic)], [Bestial Hunter’s Tracking (Epic)], [Piercing Cursed Arcane Fang (Epic)], [Avaricious Arcane Hunter’s Arrows (Epic)], [Archery of Expanding Horizons (Ancient)] [Arcane Powershot (Ancient)], [Arcane Awakening (Ancient)], [One Step, Thousand Miles (Ancient)], [Horizon-chasing Big Game Arcane Hunter (Ancient)], [Mark of the Horizon-Chasing Arcane Hunter (Ancient)], [Penetrating Arcane Arrow of Horizon’s Edge (Ancient)], [Relentness Hunt of the Avaricious Arcane Hunter (Legendary)], [Arcane Supremacy (Legendary)], [Unseen Hunter Arcane Hunter (Legendary)], [Lone Hunter of Horizon’s Edge (Legendary)], [Protean Arrow of Eternal Horizons (Legendary)], [Timeless Focus of the Apex Hunter (Legendary)], [Fangs of Man (Legendary)], [Unblemished Arcane Arrows of the Horizon (Legendary)], [Eternal Shadow of the Primal Hunter (Mythical)], [Primal Gaze of the Apex Hunter (Mythical)], [Moment of the Primal Hunter (Mythical)], [Event Horizon (Mythical)]

Profession Skills: [Path of the Heretic-Chosen (Unique)], [Grimoire of the Heretic-Chosen (Unique)], [Alchemist’s Purification (Inferior)], [Brew Potion (Uncommon)], [Craft Elixir (Rare)], [Concoct Poison (Epic)], [Soul Ritualism of the Heretic-Chosen Alchemist (Ancient)], [Malefic Viper’s Poison (Ancient)], [Arcane Curse Manifestation (Ancient)], [Blood of the Malefic Viper (Legendary)], [Sense of the Malefic Viper (Legendary)], [Wings of the Malefic Viper (Legendary)], [Touch of the Malefic Viper (Legendary)], [Legacy Teachings of the Heretic-Chosen Alchemist (Legendary)],[Pride of the Malefic Viper (Legendary)], [Scales of the Malefic Viper (Legendary)], [Fangs of the Malefic Viper (Legendary)], [Core Manipulation of the Primal Hunter (Legendary)], [Divine Bargain of the Malefic Viper (Mythical)], [Sagacity of the Malefic Viper (Mythical)], [Heretic-Chosen’s Invocation of the Malefic Viper (Mythical)], [Palate of the Malefic Viper (Mythical)], [Alchemical Flame (Mythical)]

Blessing: [True Blessing of the Malefic Viper (Blessing - True)]

Race Skills:

Bloodline: [Bloodline of the Primal Hunter (Bloodline Ability - Unique)]

--

In terms of stats, Jake had achieved another massive surge, particularly with Perception skyrocketing after he began allocating all Free Points there. He'd grown uneasy with Agility nearing Perception so closely, but fortunately, he'd erased that unbalanced view from his status. He absolutely rejected any future where Perception wasn't overwhelmingly his top stat—why would he? After all, Perception reigned supreme among them.

Extra stats came from enhanced titles too, like maxing out Dungeon Pioneer, and far more crucially, upgrading Mythical Prodigy to Sacred Prodigy. That change alone delivered a hefty boost of flat stats, plus an extra 10% across all compared to the prior version. Truth be told, this title's impact nearly matched—or even exceeded—the gains from all his levels. Jake wasn't bothered to calculate precisely.

Jake had picked up the Dragonslayer title as well, though he remained uncertain if it was a boon or curse. A downside because it broadcast to any dragons spotting him that he'd slain one of their kin, likely sparking instinctive enmity, yet an upside since proclaiming himself Dragonslayer just sounded epic. Overall, it balanced out as a solid new title.

As for skills, Jake hadn't seen numerous advancements since his previous review, but each one mattered greatly. Well, except perhaps the initial one. Only a single class skill had advanced this round: Superior Stealth Attack evolving to Supreme Stealth Attack, shifting from rare to epic rarity. Not thrilling, but Jake viewed it as a substantial improvement nonetheless.

He'd pondered pushing upgrades for other frequently used skills, like Arrow Rain, Arcane Arrows, Arcane Powershot, and One Step, Thousand Miles. These formed the backbone of his combat arsenal, yet none had progressed in ages. Jake wouldn't claim neglect, but he hadn't deliberately honed them either, maybe to his regret.

Still, Jake harbored no regrets over the passive approach to upgrading them. Deep down, he half-hoped these evolutions would emerge organically with time. Constant use naturally refined his mastery, and he preferred waiting until he fully grasped each skill before evolving it, ensuring perfect alignment.

Jake also sought to sidestep any flawed upgrade routes, particularly for Arcane Powershot. As his staple move and integral to his Path, he demanded a base strong enough to carry him toward godhood. Even currently, his ancient-rarity Arcane Powershot outpowered many legendary ones purely from his deep proficiency.

If motivated, Jake figured he could evolve it in under a week. The same held for various core skills, excluding perhaps One Step, Thousand Miles. For that one, he was content with any enhancements, given its clear progression trajectory.

In the end, though, Jake favored the organic, intuitive path for his essential skills. He also sensed at least one might evolve amid his class upgrade, confident the system would tailor it to his Path seamlessly.

Shifting to profession skills, far more developments had occurred. Jake had crafted a Bane Poison successfully, elevating Concoct Poison to epic rarity and solidifying his status as a capable Heretic-Chosen and respectable alchemist.

Naturally, his latest jump for Arcane Flame—from common to mythical—marked his most dramatic single-skill leap ever.

Yet equally vital, if not surpassing it, was repairing Palate of the Malefic Viper after his mishap, which also reached mythical rarity. In fact, this stood as his paramount skill upgrade, since a fractured soul and faulty skill would have wrecked his evolution chances entirely.

Tied to mending Palate of the Malefic Viper, Jake acquired the race skill granting Sacred Prodigy: Sage’s Meditation of Enlightenment. It offered no instant dramatic effects beyond the title and quicker resource recovery during rest, but he foresaw its immense future value. Moreover, its link to the First Sage guaranteed significance—everything connected to the First Sage always did.

Reflecting overall, Jake felt that with relatively few upgrades, he'd still delivered a strong finale to peak C-grade. Could he have pushed harder? Evolved more skills? Hunted riskier beasts? Absolutely, but perfection ruined the good, and Jake considered himself exceptionally solid.

Once recovery wrapped up, Jake rose, eyes opening as he stretched his neck with a crack. Drawing his bow, he soared skyward, having pinpointed his next quarry via a Perception Pulse. A squad of Elite Guards patrolled the nearby open zone, and with renewed enthusiasm, Jake positioned himself.

Arcane Awakening ignited immediately, as Jake saw no need for restraint. This was pure grinding to snag that final experience sliver propelling his race to level 350.

Jake powered up a full Arcane Powershot and fired from concealment, catching the Elite Guards utterly unaware. Their routine patrol shattered as arcane forces, led by the arrow, ripped through the Labyrinth and hammered the lead guard.

The unfortunate Aginian exploded, his torso obliterated by the devastating impact. His three companions snapped to action, scanning for the assailant, only to face a storm of distant arrows as Jake loosed a volley, swiftly engaging Timeless Focus to accelerate the onslaught.

Regaining composure, the surviving trio surged at Jake with their signature velocity. Blurring into motion, they plunged through the arrow deluge, shielding as best they could, but the projectiles twisted and homed in, battering them despite robust armor.

During his prior run with Casper, the Risen's aid had eased and hastened the dungeon, but it deactivated Jake's Lone Hunter skill almost entirely. That wasn't the situation now; combined with extra levels, these Elite Guards—helpless last time—faced utter domination.

A second Elite Guard reeled away mid-charge, riddled with arrows before nearing Jake. The pair arrived simultaneously, assaulting from both flanks. Jake held steady, building an Arcane Powershot aimed at one while deploying Primal Gaze to paralyze it.

The guard halted in flight as Jake prolonged the charge slightly for maximum lethality. Meanwhile, the other struck from opposite, but mid-attack, an unseen force repelled him as a dark silhouette burst from Jake, impaling his torso.

Eternal Shadow granted the needed instant, letting Jake release the Powershot that shredded the frozen guard's core.

One Elite Guard lay gravely wounded from the arrow barrage focus, while the second dispatched Jake's shadow clone, only to fly backward from Jake's explosive arcane kick.

Another arrow fusillade swiftly ended the wounded guard, aided by a fresh Primal Gaze and budding Hunting Momentum, before Jake pivoted to the last survivor. This one, the toughest, he'd deliberately left for the finish.

Unwilling to drag things out, Jake parted his lips and uttered two words.

“Event Horizon.”

Again, he caught a fleeting vision of realms far beyond grasp as the skill locked the Elite Guard as his Event Horizon. The momentary disorientation gave Jake the opening for his initial shot.

Reeling, the Elite Guard pressed forward defensively, but Jake's barrage was unyielding—arrows swarmed from every angle, unerringly striking. The B-grade never closed the distance, tumbling earthward under the hail, lifeless before impact.

Jake acknowledged the fourth and final kill notice while stowing his bow. Rather than drop Arcane Awakening, he wheeled about and dashed back to his origin point.

Freely chaining One Step teleports, he navigated the Grand Labyrinth briefly until hitting his goal. Touching down on the magic circle, a prompt appeared, which he confirmed without hesitation, whisking him from the dungeon.

Minaga awaited outside, but unlike past encounters, the Unique Lifeform stayed silent, offering only an understanding nod as Jake bolted to the teleportation hub and engaged it, bound for Haven.

With Unseen Hunter engaged, Jake traversed undisturbed to his lodge. He alighted precisely at the porch, glancing at the pond's tiny eels and noting more missing bananas—stolen again—before entering.

Only then did he disengage Arcane Awakening, ignoring the ensuing fatigue. He proceeded to the bedroom, settling onto the bed reserved for rare moments.

This qualified as one, since that last kill alert hadn't arrived solo—it carried the prize Jake had anticipated.