The Primal Hunter Chapter 1289 - Meeting & Many Machinations

Jake furrowed his brow while scanning the room, puzzled by the unfolding circumstances.

Upon his return to Earth, a prompt invitation arrived for a Haven meeting to address the system event announcement. He hurried there without delay, and since Miranda had summoned him, it was clear she had also made it back.

She might have returned earlier, for all he knew. Regardless, her presence explained his anticipation of seeing Earth's top powerhouses assembled; yet, that wasn't entirely the case.

'Thank you all for attending,' Miranda addressed the gathered individuals, who offered little response, at least from Jake's viewpoint.

Numerous key figures were absent, such as Carmen, the Sword Saint, Casper, and Caleb, plus every monster, including Sylphie and the Forest King. Jake had assumed they'd all returned alongside him, but Miranda launching the meeting without them spoke volumes.

Arnold had at least shown up. The rest included leaders from smaller galactic forces and envoys from major factions. Kindroth was present too, maintaining his typical neutral and amicable demeanor.

'I notice what many of you are pondering, so let me clear it up,' Miranda proceeded. 'This system event differs from the norm; based on all announcements thus far, the Milky Way Galaxy's outcome is already set. Lord Thayne will secure the Seat of the Exalted Prima as Chief Administrator, with others participating merely as contingencies should issues arise. Ultimately, control rests with the Malefic One’s Chosen.'

Nods rippled through the room, numerous gazes shifting to Jake, who remained impassive in his mask, exuding his usual formidable aura.

'That explains the glaring absences of those you'd anticipate,' Miranda went on. 'This gathering holds no relevance for them, and joining would prove futile since victory eludes them. Not in this galaxy, at any rate.'

Jake's interest sharpened as Miranda's implication dawned on him.

'Per the system message, each Administrator Candidate vies solely for their galaxy's Seat of the Exalted Prima and can't recruit candidates from other galaxies as allies... yet observe the precise phrasing. It specifically mentions current Administrators or Administrator Candidates,' Miranda noted, prompting Jake's nod along with others finally grasping it.

'It swiftly emerged that Administrator Candidates may voluntarily withdraw their status, enabling them to ally with other candidates in the event ten days hence, regardless of original galaxy. Many are pursuing this now, including most of today's no-shows. That's the word from those who've contacted me; the rest is informed speculation,' the Verdant Witch explained, her eyes sweeping the assembly.

'Do we believe allies of Administrator Candidates can ascend to Administrator roles?' Kindroth inquired.

'Unknown,' Miranda replied, shaking her head. 'Yet plenty are wagering on it. Otherwise, they'd install a puppet Chief Administrator from existing candidates.'

'Soul Contract transactions have surged multiverse-wide in the past hour,' Sultan interjected; Jake hadn't encountered him in ages. 'Likely, candidates seek to bind potent allies, while factions target vulnerable candidates to secure de facto power of attorney.'

'As Sultan notes, such contracts aid even if allies can't claim the Seat directly. They also shield weaker candidates. Questions linger on what occurs if an exclusive role holder perishes and whether inheritance is possible,' Miranda added with a faint smile.

Jake nodded, recognizing the scenario's added layers beyond his initial thoughts, though it all clicked now. He grasped why expected attendees skipped out, even if their silence irked him slightly; their motives were understandable.

With the Milky Way Galaxy firmly Jake's domain, attention turned outward, as most had their own factions to leverage or align with.

Earthlings' early advantages positioned them as prized allies in forthcoming conflicts, naturally drawing faction interest. Miranda's next words underscored this.

'Certain theories suggest, drawing from past universe integrations and trends, only ninety-third universe natives qualify as Administrators,' Miranda stated. 'Thus, deploying strong natives boosts chances for Chief Administrator contention.'

The room murmured agreement as Jake pondered if Earth's elite were betting on this strategy. He also mulled over their destinations and partners.

For Casper and Caleb, it was straightforward—they belonged to vast multiversal factions, undoubtedly with optimized rosters directing personnel. Carmen and Holy Church Earth members followed suit.

Vesperia served the Endless Empire, but others proved murkier. The Sword Saint, though unaffiliated formally, had devotees. Stormild and Sylphie likely too.

Eron and the Dao Sect baffled Jake entirely. He knew next to nothing about them and saw no point speculating now. Still, he suspected deeper involvement loomed soon.

Beyond them, some absences mystified Jake completely, like the Forest King. The Unique Lifeform lacked off-world ties as far as he knew. Solo venture? Queries for another time.

'Any dominant ideas on post-Chief Administrator selection events?' Kindroth probed ahead.

'Beyond the near-universal view of a contest or battle among Chief Administrators, galaxies clashing, nothing firm,' Miranda denied. 'Upcoming tests' nature remains obscure, rendering solo entry by Lord Thayne illogical. As a Candidate, I'll join the event in ten days with pre-agreed group members. Our galaxy hosts several Candidates; from Earth, I figure Arnold and I will—'

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'I won't participate,' Arnold interjected, hand raised. 'Even in dire straits, I'd decline the Seat of the Exalted Prima.'

Confusion flickered across faces at the scientist, but Miranda simply nodded without elaboration. 'Fair enough. Worst case, Kindroth's an existing Administrator, and the event surely provides fallback for Chief Administrator selection.'

'Can C-grades join the Administrator Candidate test?' Jake queried, his first utterance.

His motive was straightforward: Miranda hadn't evolved yet, teetering on the brink level-wise, and he was uncertain about others' progress. Most probably had, but confirmation lacked.

'No prohibition stated,' Miranda shrugged. 'We know only that Administrators enter the Chief event via Seals of the Exalted Prima, demanding B-grade.'

Jake nodded, voicing his insight. 'Thus, this promotion event likely emphasizes non-combat elements over brute force.'

'Quite plausible,' Miranda concurred. 'If true, Chief selection may not hinge on raw power, favoring multiple entrants over a single sure winner for safety.'

'Sounds solid,' Jake conceded, reclining to let Miranda resume. She detailed extensively, swiftly assimilating major Milky Way factions' strategies post-announcement. Their elite dispatches to other galaxies signaled no challenge to Jake.

Earth's top humans dwindled. Jake and Arnold endured, with Miranda poised post-evolution. Lillian neared B-grade soon. Among attendees, Holstred had shockingly hit B-grade, plus an under-the-radar evolver Jake seldom considered:

William.

The youthful-appearing man lingered table-side, observing silently. Jake noted his strength peripherally, despite the man's turbulent past and, to Jake, skewed Path.

William echoed Artemis's pre-return caution on karmic magic's enigmas. Unfamiliar attack vectors weren't impossible. Fear? None—Event Horizon likely nullified even that. Eventually, all would.

The session concluded after dragging longer than Jake preferred, yet covering essentials.

In sum, the event outpaced Jake's first impressions in complexity, with multiversal factions scheming for maximal gains. Meanwhile, Jake faced no mandates for the coming ~110 days, save prepping for Chief selection and beyond.

Post-meeting, Arnold directed Jake to his former lab—old Fort site. Jake consented, lingering with Miranda, Lillian, Holstred, and William.

Miranda smiled faintly at Jake. 'Congrats on your evident evolution success. Time's short for chit-chat, but know I'll enter the event with this room's folk. Aiming for timely evolution in a week, hopefully spurred by this meet. Fail, and improvise.'

Jake weighed objecting to William's inclusion—trust lingered—but nodded, deeming Miranda capable. One query arose. 'Announcement allowed four allies.'

'Fourth arrives soon; minor delays,' Miranda grinned. 'Someone vaguely familiar.'

Then, contradiction struck as Jake sensed an unknown approaching. Proximity revealed the aura; door opening chilled him with recognition.

'Greetings, Chosen of the Malefic One,' the arrival bowed to Jake foremost. Tall, horned, elf-eared, with eyes of swirling icy blue that froze sights.

Jake nodded approvingly, smiling. 'Impressive growth since last.'

[Northpeak Wyvern: lvl 349: Divine Blessing of the Everfrost Dragon God]

Recalling prior sighting post-Nevermore return at ~lvl 270 with Greater Blessing, Jake inferred Nevermore grinding, though True Dragon status eluded him.

Jake was sure the Northpeak Wyvern craved True Dragonhood. Wyverns could remain or evolve lizard-kin, but aura and Dragonflight Divine Blessing screamed True Dragon path or eternal C-grade peak.

'Gratitude for the Chosen's praise,' the wyvern bowed lower, then to Miranda. 'I owe your witch and pledge aid for the event.'

'Please, you're chasing True Dragon chances,' Miranda dismissed.

'Can't refute that,' the Northpeak Wyvern laughed; Jake nodded approval.

Dragon-hunting lore confirmed: wyvern-evolved True Dragons excelled among kin. Villy warned suicide hunting such.

Jake's trust in the wyvern wavered—poor debut—but Miranda's call held sway.

'Best of luck on evolution,' Jake grinned. 'All aim B-grade; it's stellar, trust me.'

'Intentions align,' Miranda assured. 'Success? Time decides. B-grade evolution may block many permanently.'

'Valid,' Jake agreed. 'Still, strive.'

Exiting, Jake paused to eye the Northpeak Wyvern. 'Be True Dragon next encounter.'

No reply given, Jake hastened to Arnold's, now a moon teleporter vetting zone with basics left.

The scientist awaited by the device, tablet in hand—screen pitch-black from Jake's angle.

'Arrived,' Arnold noted. 'Equipment finishes in ~100 days. Collect pre-event departure. Products near-complete; legguards and chest armor again.'

'Excellent,' Jake beamed. 'Offer help if needed.'

Arnold eyed him. 'Since offered, and you have pre-event lull, a task fits. Solar scans reveal potent beings irregularly placed; most distant, harmless. But two neighbors concern: orbits aligned closer now, short hops from Earth. Mars drones scout for outposts; Venus atmosphere repels all. Thus, I propose you—'

'Yes,' Jake cut in eagerly. Fuck yeah. Venus beckoned for pre-event warmup.