The Primal Hunter Chapter 1281 - A Ludicrous Skill For A Ludicrous Existence

The pink flamingo, which truly wasn't a flamingo, reclined and gazed at Jake with curiosity. “You realize there are only a handful of things that can genuinely surprise me, yet you've proven yourself able to achieve just that.”

With that remark, the Viper swiftly downed two beers using his fangs, remarkably avoiding any spills on the couch. Once finished, he flung the empty bottles behind him, where they vanished instantly before Villy adopted a focused expression. “Alright, lay it on me.”

“Well, as you suspected, this experience-boost effect impacting the whole Order of the Malefic Viper really originated from the Spirit of Man skill I acquired post-evolution,” Jake started, with the Viper agreeing through nods. “According to its description, it enhances experience acquisition for everyone I consider my kin, fellow warriors, allies, companions, or followers.”

Villy furrowed his brow slightly while nodding. “Fine, that's remarkable. Typically, a skill like that would be much more restricted, but it appears to encompass... hold on, it mentions affecting all deemed your kin... does that cover every human? It probably shouldn't, yet you shouldn't be influencing the entire Order either.”

Jake courteously allowed the Primordial a moment to ponder the ramifications of his statement. He couldn't verify if the skill truly influenced all humans, though he believed it did. Of course, the impact was surely minimal, and a figure like Valdemar aided all humans far more through his mere presence and the spread of his Records across the multiverse. Still, this didn't diminish the importance, since a fresh B-grade evolver affecting a whole race was enormous.

“I've already verified that your new Spirit of Man skill exerts greater influence on individuals based on your proximity to them, with me experiencing the strongest effect. Duskleaf’s Chosen feels it too, along with various other Order members you've connected with,” the Viper pondered aloud. “Thus, if it reaches the entire human race, the boost will be tiny, probably even less than what Order members obtained...”

After pondering for a few extra seconds, the Malefic Viper shook his head and eyed Jake. “Okay, I can clearly see your Spirit of Man skill exceeds anything I've encountered before. I know they differ greatly in strength, but even so, this seems excessively potent. I assume the skill also facilitates easier transmission of Records? I'm pretty sure every Spirit of Man skill includes that feature.”

“It does,” Jake verified. “And to be clear, it boosts my personal experience gain as well.”

“Got it,” the Viper nodded. “In which situations?”

“In every situation,” Jake replied with a shrug. “Though it's heightened during profession activities or hunts, and further intensified when performed with other humans.”

The Viper creased his forehead again, deep in contemplation for moments. “The skill you've obtained sounds like a combination of multiple Spirit of Man skills I've come across previously.”

“Absolutely it is,” Jake affirmed with a nod.

“Well, I can certainly understand why you introduced this talk by saying the skill exceeded expectations; the very existence's implications are-“

“I'm not finished,” Jake cut in on the snake god.

“I know it provides stats too, but-“

“That's part of it, but there's additional stuff beyond that,” Jake denied with a head shake, barely concealing his grin. “Didn't I mention this could be the most overpowered Spirit of Man skill ever in the multiverse's history? It wouldn't deserve such a label if it only offered some stats and experience boosts.”

“Fine, my curiosity has spiked immensely,” the Viper declared, shifting forward. “Go ahead.”

“The skill also bolsters resistance against all environmental influences, helping me adjust to unfamiliar surroundings more readily.”

“Every environmental factor? It lacks-“ the Viper started as Jake pressed on.

“Moreover, it heightens resistance to every form of damage that any bearer of the Spirit of Man skill endures.”

“What exactly do you mean by-“

“Furthermore, if I'm not equipped properly to access all stats my soul can handle, this skill compensates automatically, requiring only a trivial stamina drain,” Jake went on. “That's roughly 50,000 stats essentially gratis, plus relief from constantly needing superior gear for stats.”

The Viper stayed quiet as Jake cheerfully proceeded.

“Ah, and like you noted, it grants stats. You likely grasp the mechanism: it offers a 10% increase plus extra stats per level, partially applying retroactively. Naturally, I receive this too,” Jake mentioned with a sly grin. “However, unlike being confined to just six stats from two chosen Spirit of Man skills, mine covers all of them.”

The room fell silent for a number of seconds before Jake released a theatrical sigh.

“Regrettably, I could only select one Spirit of Man skill instead of two, since all choices merged into this single one. I recall your past emphasis on the value of additional skills and caution against combining them unless utterly convinced it's optimal, but as mentioned, there was only this option available.”

Villy simply stared at Jake, who maintained his smile.

“At minimum, the single Spirit of Man skill I obtained turned out fairly strong,” Jake beamed. “Or does the Primordial contest that?”

The Viper held his silence for several more seconds, genuinely making Jake somewhat uneasy until the snake god finally responded. “I suppose I don't need to advise you against carelessly disclosing details on this skill or your evolution overall?”

“No,” Jake replied, shaking his head. “And I'm reasonably sure others can't detect my variant race evolution. Perhaps thanks to Shroud of the Primordial, but-“

“That's not the reason,” the Viper refuted with a head shake. “Let me correct you further. Others can sense it; still, it's similar to the inherent power suppression everyone senses normally. Powerful humans emit a distinct aura from weaker ones, so I wouldn't fret over suspicions of a variant evolution; they'll probably just attribute your presence to peaking your race. Which you genuinely are.”

“That aligns with my views,” Jake stated, unable to suppress another smile. “Any thoughts on the skill itself?”

Villy exhaled, shaking his head. “You've researched typical Spirit of Man skill variants too, haven't you? In which case, you've likely drawn the same inference as me: your skill is essentially a blend of numerous Spirit of Man skills. The exact number escapes me, but it must be substantial. Not every variant, merely select ones, maybe those suiting your Path. I could speculate endlessly, but it's pointless. I'll just stress again: conceal this skill's presence, although you might need to expose certain features.”

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Jake scowled at that. “Which features, and for what reason?”

“I'll begin by stressing never to offer info unless utterly required. The aspect of not relying on equipment stats is shareable openly, but avoid linking it to a race skill. Let others deduce it independently, never affirming or refuting. This applies to all skill components except one,” Villy explained, appearing gravely serious.

“The experience-granting part impacts others, and those able to notice it are astute enough—or have astute associates like Valdemar's—to connect it to a Spirit of Man skill. To elaborate, just as I sensed my Order influenced by your skill, I suspect Valdemar and Aeon detected it upon your acquisition and its reach to all humanity, themselves included. Incidentally, I think all human gods felt it, though they can't identify the origin without karmic expertise. Even then, they'd need to bypass Shroud of the Primordial to trace it to you, so they pose no threat.”

“Yet some can bypass Shroud,” Jake objected with a frown.

“True,” Villy confirmed with a nod. “As fellow humans, Aeon and Valdemar undoubtedly recognized the shift from your fresh Spirit of Man skill, though I can't confirm pinpointing you as the cause. Even if possible, I doubt they'd intervene or mention it. No, the real concern is Eversmile.”

Jake nearly asked if he'd truly detected it, since the skill wouldn't affect him, but upon reflection, the fiend excelled as the multiverse's karma authority. He'd probably sensed humanity's collective alteration and pinpointed Jake effortlessly.

“Regarding any response from him, I'm uncertain,” the Viper admitted, shaking his head. “Eversmile remains erratic even ideally, his curiosity nearing fixation. We know he views you as fascinating, and this won't aid that. On overt actions, I happily believe the answer is none. You've stayed intriguing independently so far, and he'll likely refrain from direct meddling to watch from distance.”

“Not certain if that's reassuring,” Jake murmured. “But I wonder... I've never sensed his watch, except when we're co-located.”

“Because he'd know you'd detect it,” the Viper dismissed with a shake. “Instead of direct observation, he monitors your aftermath. Your influence on surroundings. I also think he views your karmic ties without your knowledge.”

“Yeah, far from reassuring,” Jake sighed.

“I'd caution that abruptly becoming less intriguing risks Eversmile acting, but I doubt you'd manage dullness deliberately,” Villy remarked, adding humor to ease tension.

“Hey, I can be utterly dull if I choose,” Jake objected with a faint smile, knowing his dullness would still captivate Eversmile. “Anyway, back to the subject. Any other unhideable elements?”

“No, just the experience and equipment aspects,” Villy refuted, shaking his head. “All else could stem from class or profession skills, even if identified. Moreover, if analysis revealed it all from one human racial skill and you affirmed it, disbelief would follow; they'd question their detection and dismiss it.”

Jake grinned at the remark. “So you concur with my view that this might be history's strongest Spirit of Man skill?”

“I've never encountered anything so absurd,” the Viper denied, shaking his head. “Normally, the system maintains balance, but evidently not for you. You're less human, more like a bizarre Unique Lifeform, minus the typical Unique Lifeform drawbacks.”

“What can I say, I'm truly exceptional,” Jake boasted without shame.

“It all traces back to your Bloodline,” Villy precisely observed. “It's nearly enticing to arrange numerous wives and breed an elite army. If you joined most factions, they'd have pushed that from C-grade onward.”

“Pleased you skipped such nonsense,” Jake dismissed with a shrug. “Now, questions on my evolution, or my turn?”

“Easy there, I have more to clarify,” the Viper raised a hand. “Primarily...”

Across numerous more beers, Villy kept querying Jake on specifics of his recent evolutions and gains. Jake responded to most, withholding where unnecessary, but generally candid about much.

Eventually, Jake's opportunity arrived to pose his own questions. Mostly clarifications, and he inquired about Artemis, intending a celebratory visit for his evolution, but she was occupied and unavailable for months at least.

Nearing the conclusion, Jake retained a few key questions demanding answers. One vital one, obviously, concerned the current priority...

“How long must you impersonate a pink flamingo-like bird? And can you drop it if other gods visit, or should I arrange Primordial guests?” Jake queried, striving for maximum seriousness.

“As a new B-grade evolver, haven't you better pursuits?” Villy sighed, sidestepping the query.

“Alright, guard your mysteries,” Jake laughed, draining his final beer. More remained, but Jake worried about actual intoxication. “Regarding plans... uncertain, truly. The Exalted Prima system event's next phase nears vaguely, lacking a schedule, so preparation is key, though I doubt much impact beyond skill upgrades or improved gear.”

“Determine your necessities,” Villy dismissed. “But for advice, upgrade a couple skills. Also, meditate awhile; it'll smooth progress. You've surely observed your enhanced concept detection and comprehension from evolution. Leverage it.”

“Understood,” Jake agreed with a nod. “Transport me home?”

“Certainly,” the Viper nodded. “And recall, disclose nothing unless essential. Not even to Artemis.”

“I won't divulge pointlessly,” Jake replied, growing somewhat stern. “But I'll judge necessity.”

“Your call,” Villy shrugged. “Now enjoy yourself, and we'll meet shortly. Strategy session needed for the Seat of the Exalted Prima system event.”

Midway through nodding, spatial magic wrapped Jake, and seconds later, he sat on his residence couch, empty bottle clutched.

After adjusting, Jake chuckled, rising. He stretched, cracked his neck, then resat to ponder next steps.

Alone post-Jake's exit, Vilas manifested a thought upon sending his Chosen away, dissolving the ridiculous outfit.

Thus, one wager settled, and Duskleaf ought to act.

Concerning his latest discussion with Jake... Vilas conceded underestimating him this instance. That Spirit of Man outstripped the Primordial's wildest conceptions, venturing into overpowered realm. Such a race skill defied possibility, yet it existed.

Moreover, Jake evidently failed to grasp its full absurdity. They minimized current effects heavily, emphasizing minimal notice beyond Jake's closest allies... but that was present reality.

What of A-grade? S-grade? Godhood? As Jake ascended, this skill would evolve too, magnifying effects on all recipients, divine or mortal.

Figures like Valdemar profoundly shaped humans via power, but lacked this race-wide positive skill. Their sway stemmed mostly from passive Record influence.

Should Jake attain their power with this skill... and if similar skills coexisted? If Jake's descendants inherited his variant human evolution, gaining identical Spirit of Man? Would they accumulate? Or merely enhance mutually, forging stronger overall impact?

Countless implications demanded thought, and truthfully?

Vilas anticipated it eagerly. He anticipated the turmoil Jake's outrageous being might unleash multiversally, thrilled for prime viewing position.