The Primal Hunter Chapter 1295 - Venusian Oracle

Jake began viewing the emergence of an A-grade as feasible once he grasped the village's true power, yet deep down, he'd pegged the leaders at peak B-grade at best. Surmounting that barrier to evolve into A-grade was no easy accomplishment, but this Oracle had pulled it off.

Positioned at the Oracle’s chambers' entrance, Jake got fully led inside by the Shaman, whereupon the door behind them vanished, exposing only a hallway in its former spot. A Pulse revealed the temple's interior was immensely larger than its outer appearance suggested; it was spatially expanded to a great extent.

“I greet the Oracle,” the Shaman declared, dropping into a squat that Jake swiftly took as the frog version of kneeling. It fit, given their legs weren't built for traditional kneeling.

“No need for such theatrics just because a guest is present,” the Oracle replied in a feminine tone. “How did your trip go this time? Are the Boglords really starting to stir?”

“Yes, we met one fully awakened, but following a short clash, it retreated to the depths,” the Shaman reported. “By chance, it was right after that fight we ran into this guest.”

Jake, catching the hint, gave a nod and cupped his hands, still holding back details as he offered a courteous introduction. “Greetings, Oracle. I am Jake, a traveler from distant lands.”

“A name, is it?” the Oracle remarked, apparently intrigued by Jake having a name. “Fascinating. Still, you don’t resemble any race I recognize that employs names. Moreover, you carry the scent of a scaled creature. Snake, to be precise. Which you clearly aren’t.”

The Oracle’s stare seemed intent on peeling back Jake’s mysteries, her eyes shining with intrigue. His strategy of revealing little had clearly failed, as he still lacked grasp of Venusian norms or customs. He hadn’t even pondered why the Shaman skipped a name, chalking it up to privacy.

Additionally, the Oracle spotting Jake’s snake ties confirmed snakes existed in this Minor World. Not shocking in a poison-filled realm, especially with the Malefic Viper’s Records spreading across the multiverse, making venomous serpents plentiful.

Regaining composure, Jake answered politely. “As Identify surely reveals, I’m a human.”

“That’s evident, but it reveals little since I’ve never heard of such a race,” the Oracle stated, fixing Jake with a piercing gaze. “Our records don’t mention it. Unfamiliar beings aren’t rare, but tool-using, clothed bipeds are ones we’d record. Particularly if you hail from a broader group.”

“My home lies extremely distant from here, and just as you lack records of us, we have none of you,” Jake explained reasonably. True, Venusians appeared in media, but never as magical frogs in a vast toxic Minor World.

“Utterly captivating,” the Oracle agreed with a nod, eyeing him curiously. “You seem utterly clueless about this area—no, this whole world.”

“I’ll admit, I’m known for lacking common se-“

“You hail from beyond the Boundary, don’t you?” the Oracle interrupted, dismissing any excuse Jake might spin.

“Pardon?” Jake responded, sensing she’d already seen through him.

“No worries, this isn’t a threat, but a fact I now accept,” the Oracle said, brimming with excitement for some reason. “Let me inform you. Years back, a system message arrived about a greater world outside ours, one we’d link to eventually. Some thought it meant a huge dungeon or new island, but my Master saw it as a true outer world. Boundless, offering growth past A-grade limits.”

The Oracle had risen by then, and before Jake could react, she stood before him, bending to meet his eyes. “You’re from that boundless world, right? This... universe?”

Looking back, Jake should’ve anticipated this. Even pre-temple, he theorized this Minor World formed between the ninety-second and ninety-third eras, isolated until integration tied it to the new universe, with travel limits possibly.

If accurate, the system would’ve announced it. Though fond of secrets, it usually notified on big changes like integrations via world announcements.

Thus, no point hiding what even the Shaman likely suspected, so Jake dropped the pretense.

“From what you describe, yes,” Jake confirmed with a steady nod. “To me, this is known as a Minor World.”

“Minor World?” the Oracle echoed curiously. “Like a dungeon? No, dungeon natives can’t realize they’re...”

“It’s quite distinct,” Jake denied, improvising a clear analogy. “Think of this world as an island now next to a vastly bigger one. Previously adrift in void, now close enough to link with an endlessly larger landmass.”

The Oracle nodded thoughtfully, pondering. “Tell me, human, are many of your kind on that other island? This universe?”

“Far more than imaginable,” Jake replied truthfully. “I can’t confirm if universes are truly infinite, but they’re so immense even the mightiest can’t fully traverse them.”

“That prompts: how mighty are your universe’s beings? Have they exceeded A-grade?” the Oracle pressed, this clearly her top concern. Makes sense.

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Jake quickly deduced no S-grade had arisen here from her questions. Good for his sanity, already rattled by Venus’s A-grades—not just their strength, but implications.

It showed the world supported A-grades, some nearing or hitting peak. No clue on exact size, but huge.

Yet he understood why it felt confining, a trap where environment, not talent or drive, capped progress. Like Villy once, unaware of beyond his planet; without venturing out, peak C-grade max. These frogs now knew of outer realms but stayed as, aptly, frogs in a well.

For her question:

“Yes, beings surpass A-grade. Far surpass,” Jake affirmed, drawing the Oracle’s frog-equivalent of a broad grin.

“The Ancestors bless this era,” the A-grade frog beamed, gazing upward briefly before refocusing on Jake. “Do humans among you also exceed A-grade?”

Absurd out of context, given humans’ numbers and god legions, but ignorance isn’t blameworthy, so Jake nodded simply.

“Yes,” he verified, skipping details. No gods talk yet—too much info at once. The boundless world reveal sufficed today.

“Did they send you?” the Oracle queried, assuming some grand mission.

“No, I meant it: just a solo hunter exploring who stumbled here. No prior knowledge of this Minor World,” Jake stated honestly, seeing no issue.

His early wariness ebbed; surrounded by superiors, yet no malice sensed. Only initial guardedness from Shaman’s group, understandable.

Plus, as their multiverse info source, aggression made no sense. Nor was he a threat to A-grade forces.

“That raises how you arrived,” the Oracle noted a key point. “From beyond the Boundary, but our checks show nothing there. I and others flew through for weeks—endless, increasingly hazardous. Yet you crossed from outside? How?”

This furrowed Jake’s brow, but truth persisted. “Flew straight through in hours from outside. Unsure if exiting’s tougher than entering.”

“Fascinating,” the Oracle murmured, nodding slowly. “Can you reach this universe or return otherwise than via Boundary?”

“Yes to both,” Jake admitted. “But my return method won’t work with others, least of all A-grades.”

Half-truth, really a fib. Via Villy bond, he could set a formation for Primordial recall to Order of the Malefic Viper. Tough sans Earth monument, but B-grade capable. Seal of the Exalted Prima for event too, but power-limited passengers.

“Pity,” the Oracle sighed.

“Not a huge worry,” Jake countered. “Entering my universe now might be tricky, but future access should open. Years maybe, but free passage to my world eventually. If desired.”

“I can’t decide alone,” the Oracle shook her head. “But confirm: you truly wandered here on whim, no intent, just chanced upon us?”

“Exactly,” Jake affirmed firmly. “Boglord fight island neared Boundary, first spot I found.”

“Fate masks as coincidence,” the Oracle mused, pausing before adding. “This talk enlightened me greatly; I may call you soon post-Circle consult. The Circle is us Oracles, Venusian People’s guiding body.”

Jake nodded as she dismissed him. “Leave now. Freely roam village, but avoid trouble.”

“Can I exit the village?” Jake probed, unsure of soft captivity.

“Prefer you don’t, for safety. Outside: only B-grades, risky for new evolver. If venturing, take my apprentice and party,” the Oracle advised.

“No issue; I trust my escape skills if needed,” Jake reassured. “Even if I perish, others know I came here; non-return prompts search, revealing your Minor World.”

Added safeguard against risk deeming him disposable. Unknown Circle views—maybe purists rejecting outer world, seeing him as threat.

“Fine, but bring apprentice anyway, to learn this world’s ways,” the Oracle conceded with final nod, waving. “May fate favor you.”

Her words and gesture teleported Jake outside temple with Shaman. The frog shuddered, reorienting, then eyed Jake.

“Never adjust to that. Space magic eludes me,” the Shaman sighed, shaking head. “But... really from beyond Boundary? Suspected, but dared not dwell.”

“You skipped mentioning Oracle apprenticeship,” Jake noted.

“As Shaman, naturally?” the frog queried, then recalled Jake’s ignorance. “Oh, right. Should’ve said. Too late now.”

“Water under bridge,” Jake dismissed smilingly.

“Your question suggests exploring beyond village?” Shaman guessed, nod confirming, so he pressed on. “Then let comrades restock supplies first. Also, must invite you home.”

“Delighted,” Jake grinned.

“Excellent!” Shaman beamed, then paused. “If I may ask, ignorant of human tastes, what foods and drinks suit you? I boast fine selection...”

Thus Jake discovered Venusians’ key trait:

They indeed had tea.