The Primal Hunter Chapter 1290 - Better Best Boots = Confusing Message

Prior to departing for Venus, Jake made a brief detour to Arnold’s abode. He wasn’t there to acquire supplies, but to snag a small advantage for his trek to the distant planet.

Drawing on his insights from the Prima Guardian event and the teleporter he’d crafted earlier, Arnold had built what amounted to a spatial slingshot capable of hurling someone in a selected direction over a considerable span. Sure, its precision left much to be desired, and its reach fell short of Arnold’s ideals, yet the inventor appeared unperturbed since the invention remained in early alpha testing.

This positioned Jake as an alpha tester, naturally. Arnold had experimented with teleporting lesser beasts through it previously, but space magic demanded the target’s consent, and no reliable humans had stepped up. He’d hoped Sandy could assist, yet the space worm had vanished for quite some time.

Jake second-guessed joining when he laid eyes on the contraption Arnold had assembled.

“That resembles one of those experimental pods where the occupant either emerges as a superhero or just drops dead,” Jake grumbled, eyeing the massive metal orb with its flawless, shiny exterior.

“It lacks the power to kill you,” Arnold brushed off his worries while initiating the charge. “Full power-up will require about ten minutes. I’ll also tweak a few final adjustments and enhancements.”

“See, words like that don’t exactly fill me with assurance,” Jake sighed, convinced Arnold partly wanted him on Venus to trial this gadget.

“Also, since I’m upgrading the Voidblade Katar right now, am I correct in thinking you need a stand-in close-combat weapon?” Arnold deftly avoided addressing Jake’s qualms. “If yes, take this. A prototype that’s fully functional and tough enough by far.”

Arnold flung a container to Jake, who promptly unpacked it to reveal a katar nearly indistinguishable from his former Voidblade Katar. Identify revealed it as mere epic rarity, underwhelming next to his usual gear. Still, it appeared sturdy, so Jake accepted it with a nod, planning its use solely for this short jaunt. Perhaps he could experiment a tad without risking a premium blade.

“Appreciate it; I’ll put it to work, though no guarantees on returning it,” Jake grinned mischievously. “Might conduct some tests of my own that could wreck it.”

Arnold eyed Jake. “Then take these too.”

Casually, the scientist produced a pile of identical boxes to the katar’s. Jake gawked briefly, questioning his vision. He wasn’t hallucinating.

This lunatic had forged fourteen additional epic katars, all B-grade caliber. They differed subtly in style, materials, and fine points, but each promised solid utility for Jake.

“Can’t turn that down,” Jake beamed, stowing them all. He chose not to disturb the scientist further, letting him concentrate on ensuring the teleporter flung Jake correctly.

With time to spare before his voyage, Jake deemed it ideal to examine his current shoes.

Decision made, he slipped into a nearby chamber for seclusion and erected a secure arcane shield to block recordings. Handling these boots demanded caution; he knew oddities might unfold.

Seated comfortably, Jake produced the Upgrade Token then removed his boots. Barefoot, he felt exposed, as he rarely went without them except when fully undressed. Their perfect fit made parting with them reluctant.

Gripping the token, Jake concentrated on the boots. Familiar with such tokens, he clearly willed his intent: strip away all stats from the boots, unneeded thanks to Primal Spirit of Man, and replace with alternative boons. Specific new effects?

That proved tougher, so Jake left it vague, doubting his control anyway. Upgrade Tokens revived latent Records in items, suiting heirlooms to reclaim glory or flawed crafts to surpass limits via superior stuff or skill. Dungeon rewards upgraded reliably too.

Rarities like Boots of the Wandering Sage offered scant prior examples. Even precedents might fail here—this tied to the First Sage, foe of the ordinary, rendering past lessons moot.

Thus, Jake applied the token with his core wish, trusting the First Sage’s Records to steer the rest pleasingly.

True to form, the token activated instantly, glowing before melting into energy threads that seeped into the boots, then vanishing utterly.

The boots lay inert on the floor, aged and battered as ever. Jake detected no aura shift visually, yet his Soulbound link confirmed the process.

The absorption wrapped up fast and smoothly in roughly ten seconds, token fully consumed, boots integrating all energy and Records. Outsiders might deem it a squandered token, expecting flashy transformations absent here.

Jake stayed calm initially. But Identify showing no upfront changes sparked mild alarm—luckily, not a total rip-off.

[Boots of the Wandering Sage (Mythical)] – Boots once offered to an alchemist before setting out on a journey to experience the world outside at the behest of his master. With time, this wanderer became recognized as a Sage, the same as his master, who once wandered in them, too. This has left a deep mark on this item, allowing it to transcend many ranks despite being made of nothing but simple leather. Its Records continue to awaken, resonating with their wearer and adapting to his Path as they remember where he has wandered. Including the journey to the Gate of Enlightenment. Enchantments: Reduces energy expenditure from all movement-related skills while also increasing their effectiveness by a substantial amount. Increases sensitivity towards earthbound plants and natural treasures. While wearing the Boots of the Wandering Sage, never let difficult terrain impede you, as you shall always find a solid foothold. Increases sensitivity towards the concept of space.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Requirements: Soulbound

The bulk of flavor text and powers stayed unchanged, suggesting subtle shifts; yet they ran deeper. The fresh line already piqued Jake’s interest.

“Its Records continue to awaken, resonating with their wearer and adapting to his Path as they remember where he has wandered. Including the journey to the Gate of Enlightenment.”

This implied the boots drew power from the Gate of Enlightenment, and scanning enchantments revealed stats excised, but a finale added:

“Increases sensitivity towards the concept of space.”

Jake hadn’t imagined items bearing such traits. Clearly, this hogged much of the upgrade’s Record allocation, devouring stats entirely.

The retained boons—heightened treasure detection and movement skill boosts—had strengthened too, aligning with his B-grade ascent.

Pondering briefly, Jake performed the key check: scrutinizing where the First Sage inscribed a prior message during last upgrade. It promised a meeting at five Path of the Heretic-Chosen charges; now, what lingered?

Inspecting revealed alteration, and narrowing his eyes, he deciphered the fresh inscription.

Jake fixated on those words for a full thirty seconds before voicing:

“The fuck does that even mean?”

He couldn’t fathom the First Sage’s riddle obsession. Face-to-face, the man shared freely if cryptically. Why the enigma here? System constraints or mere amusement?

Shaking it off to conserve mental effort, Jake noted the phrasing hinted at an inevitable reunion.

Gazing skyward, he addressed the sole listener. “May we next meet when twin worlds breathe. That’s what it says. I’m totally open to any and all suggestions.”

Jake sensed the divine link flicker as the Viper replied.

“Glad to hear I’m not just being a moron,” Jake shrugged. “Now that I have you, any comments on the upcoming system event?”

the Viper answered in a very serious tone.

“Vesperia?” Jake asked, pretty sure of the answer.

Jake lacked time to curse the deity before the link severed. Tongue clicking, he donned his boots, sensing Arnold nearing completion via the sphere. Comfort matched prior levels, perhaps amplified by the brief absence.

Gazing at the boots, inspiration hit.

It seemed likely, bolstering Jake’s conviction of a raw deal.

With a gesture, Jake dismantled the arcane barrier, mana surging back, treasures pulsing underground via his soles—newly sensed.

Yet another matter dominated: arm sweeping air, he perceived subtle shifts, like an unseen veil influencing all. Entering Arnold’s charged teleporter chamber validated it.

The device quivered amid this elusive force. Focus unveiled it; passively, he felt its constant hum.

Only Jake’s boots differed from before, pinpointing the source.

“Ready?” Arnold inquired, glancing at Jake.

“Quick question: how do you handle the concept of space?” Jake probed, curious if Arnold perceived it.

“I possess tools to gauge, dissect, and tweak space somewhat,” the scientist replied evasively.

“That sparks a thought... You favor logical breakdowns, formulas, algorithms, models, right? How does that mesh with the nomological?” Jake pressed.

Arnold paused before responding. “Nothing’s truly nomological; one’s paradigm just lacks breadth. All yields to comprehension with time. My approaches aren’t infallible, results may suit only my evolved cognition, but personal logic suffices.”

Arnold often stunned Jake with sharp insights, this instance included. Whether optimal or coherent, it fit Arnold perfectly. Jake thrived on intuition sans full grasp.

“Enough stalling; it’s primed, prolonged charge risks errors,” Arnold urged, gesturing to the gaping sphere.

“Fine, fine,” Jake complied, stepping into the dubious device. Enveloped in thick space mana, it surged, yanking him—resistible, but he yielded, space enfolding him before vanishing.

Colors cascaded as Jake stretched every way amid shredding forces. Space sought to disintegrate him, atoms irrelevant now. B-grade resilience shrugged it off; he analyzed amid turmoil.

Traversing space intimately, he embraced it for insight. Regrettably, stability returned swiftly, depositing him in void.

“Damn,” Jake grumbled, disappointed. Orienting, he spied Venus afar, Earth oppositely, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn too. His Perception pierced to any solar giant unobscured.

One world beckoned; pivoting, enhanced boots propelled him via One Step, savoring spatial folds. Next stride deepened immersion, accelerating toward Venus, sensations absorbed.

Half-meditating, pace quickened—steps varying, distance growing. Upgrade loomed inevitable; skill sharpened regardless.

No upgrade that day, as another One Step halted him above the planet... instantly grasping Arnold’s drone woes.