The Primal Hunter Chapter 1303 - Welcome to the...

As Jake relished the thrill of pursuing additional grotesque undead spiders together with his frog buddies, the Administrator Test was finally upon them. A full hundred days of trials awaited everyone who stepped in, either as Administrator Candidates or as their supporting assistants.

Miranda found herself in Haven with the four individuals she had picked to accompany her. Holstred, William, Lillian, and the Wyvern were all there, though Lillian and the Wyvern had not yet reached B-grade evolution. Miranda hoped this wouldn’t pose a problem, still convinced that the Administrator Test wouldn’t revolve purely around battles.

“Does everyone have everything ready?” Miranda asked. “Potions, other consumables, upgraded equipment, and anything else that might come in handy.”

“Everything should be prepared, Ma’am,” Holstred confirmed, ever the picture of politeness.

Miranda gave a nod, a touch of anxiety bubbling up for the test ahead. Tests had never been her strong suit; she always grew excessively jittery before one, no matter how thoroughly prepared she felt. This irrational anxiety struck again, even with her boosted intelligence and unanimous advice from those she’d consulted that the event would be straightforward.

Up to now, after the system’s arrival, she’d dodged real tests. She’d joined events and faced Patron challenges, sure, but a system-issued test felt distinct—especially with just one chance. The system rarely offered retries in such events, ramping up the stakes considerably.

Normally, Jake shouldered that burden. He alone needed to conquer whatever trial the system threw at him, while Miranda stayed in the shadows, set to handle rewards from his triumphs or fallout from any defeats. Passing tests had never fallen on her shoulders.

She tried reassuring herself while her whole group sat in silence, a realization dawning on Miranda that her chosen companions weren’t the chattiest bunch.

Lillian favored lurking quietly in the background; Holstred only chimed in when addressed by those he viewed as higher-ups; William and the Wyvern remained true to form. The Wyvern, confined to a mountain for most of its life until lately, seemed uneasy amid a group of humans, and William had molded his demeanor to favor quiet observation over engagement.

Lost in her musings, Miranda awaited the signal when it arrived at last.

Transmission to the Milky Way Seat of the Exalted Prima shall commence in fifteen (15) minutes. Ensure all potential allies are selected and in your physical proximity beforehand.

Once entered, the Administrator Test cannot be exited unless successfully completed or forfeited. Further rules will be outlined upon entrance and when the test commences.

Countdown till transmission: 14:59

The message rang brief and clear, prompting Miranda’s nod. “I just received a system message regarding entry.”

“Me too,” Lillian replied. “One inviting me as your assistant, asking if I accept.”

The remaining three confirmed they’d gotten identical notices, once again astonishing Miranda with the system’s knack for discerning intentions. It probably functioned like party detection for dungeons or specific skills. Jake dubbed it system-fuckery, she recalled, though a formal term surely existed.

“Fifteen minutes left, then,” Miranda said with a smile. “Let me state this upfront: if the test lets you become Administrators too, seize the chance if you wish. Provided it doesn’t block or delay my own advancement, of course.”

“I would prefer not to,” William murmured softly. No shock there—if he gained Administrator status and had to manage the World Wonder, he’d hate it, given his love for staying offstage.

“I will go for it, but I’m not sure what it will mean if I do become one. I’m not exactly loyal to the Order of the Malefic Viper,” the Wyvern shrugged. Predictable, considering his blessing from a Dragonflight member.

Holstred and Lillian both nodded their assent, clearly content to back Miranda up, who herself joined only as a prospective support for Jake.

The final minutes before the system event ticked away amid some light-hearted talk, which Miranda insisted on starting each time. She aimed to brainstorm strategies or devise plans, but no one had any idea what the Administrator Test would involve. A few essential points could be addressed for possible scenarios, yet preparations were extremely constrained.

At last, the timer struck zero, marking the start of the system event's opening phase. From their spot in Haven, the five were whisked away by teleportation, reappearing the instant after in a room they knew well.

This matched the location from the initial Seat of the Exalted Prima event, where they'd viewed simulated Paths possible from alternate past decisions. The place evoked a sense of nostalgia now, unlike before—no little Watcher or similar figure greeted them, and no passage led elsewhere.

Glancing about, Miranda was startled to spot only their group of five. She understood this zone was reserved for Earth's Administrator Candidates alone, yet surely a few others should have shown up? That left two options: no additional arrivals, or it wasn't a communal area.

Seconds after materializing, with everyone oriented and given a moment to reflect, a fresh system notification popped up.

Welcome to the Administrator Test for the Milky Way Seat of the Exalted Prima.

During this test, all Administrator Candidates will be tested and have the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of promotion to Administrator. Testing parameters and passing criteria are to be discovered by the Administrator Candidates themselves.

The Administrator Test will take place within a simulated reality. Death within this simulation has no negative effects, but will result in instant failure to promote. Any assistant that dies during this simulation will find themselves removed from the Milky Way Seat of the Exalted Prima.

In the event of the successful promotion of the Administrator Candidate, all surviving assistants to the new Administrator may also be promoted to full Administrators, provided they have proven themselves worthy of the title and have the Administrator's permission.

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To enter the simulation, all participants must step into the highlighted area. Those not in the area upon simulation initiation will be removed from the Milky Way Seat of the Exalted Prima.

Simulation initiates in: 9:59

The five stood in silence for a short while, digesting the system message. Relief mixed with frustration for Miranda—the good news was a harmless event free of death or injury risks, but the bad was the system's refusal to reveal how to conquer the Administrator Test. She hated simple pass-or-fail challenges, and ones blind to the rules from the outset? She despised them utterly.

Nor did it reassure her that her own success was required for any assistants to qualify for promotion. Still, it was positive that aides could advance too. That said, it rendered previous Administrator competitions seem somewhat redundant, with everyone now potentially eligible.

Miranda figured the real Administrators vying against Jake in the upcoming round would be top-tier powerhouses previously ineligible for Candidate status. Moreover, contenders would hail from unrelated galaxies—a development she didn't mind selfishly. It positioned Casper, the Forest King, the Sword Saint, Carmen, Vesperia, Sylphie, Caleb, Eron, Maria, and countless other Earth natives as hopefuls for controlling various galaxies' Seats of the Exalted Prima.

Though this didn't directly bolster her faction, it elevated Earth's standing, and as the planet's de facto leader, that surge in reputation advanced her own position.

Overall, the notification carried vast ramifications. Amusingly, she pictured factions botching their plans when their chosen Administrator Candidates—dragging along the real desired Administrators as assistants—proved incompetent.

Their group pinned primary hopes on Miranda becoming Administrator, and she was determined not to join those failed promotions. Only one path forward existed.

Simultaneously with the message, a light beam shot up from a massive metal platform at the room's heart. Ten minutes to board meant ample opportunity.

“So, it seems assistants cannot be promoted, so...”

She repeated parts of her earlier words and basically sustained the chat to prevent unnecessary awkwardness. Miranda wished she had devoted more time to training with the four others for better coordination, but unfortunately, they only possessed ten days, and it was indeed Miranda who lacked the time for it.

With the timer nearing its conclusion, the entire group of five stepped onto the glowing platform, uncertain about what awaited them beyond.

“Keep in mind, should we get separated within, utilize the orb I've given you, provided we keep our present gear. Should items vanish but abilities remain, William will link us via karmic magic. If abilities are lost too, head for the highest building, peak, or any prominent landmark visible. Truthfully, though, just push forward solo, and the system ought to let us regroup later,” Miranda instructed, continuing to cover all potential mishaps.

The wyvern appeared somewhat irritated, attempting to conceal it, as the remaining three simply nodded in agreement. For the second occasion that day, a countdown reached zero, and Miranda sensed another teleportation, distinctly unlike the previous one. This transport lasted longer, with her awareness dimming like falling into slumber.

Abruptly, a sharp “ding!” jolted her awake, accompanied by a deeply familiar system prompt materializing in her vision.

A burst of devastating arcane power scattered the trio of Deathstalkers while Jake barely dodged the beam fired by a Monitor from below. Nearby, the Corpsemender tried healing its undead ally, yet three Venusian Warriors swarmed it immediately, battering it relentlessly with clubs and halting the Arachnec healer from aiding further.

Not far off, the Virumancer clashed with a fresh Arachnec variant they'd encountered lately deeper in the undead spider territory—a floating beast whose abdomen resembled a grotesque face. Its eight limbs aimed at the Virumancer, unleashing dark energy bolts that corroded the air they traversed.

Luckily, the Virumancer evaded each assault and retaliated, turning the duel into a drawn-out deadlock where both gradually wore each other down over time. Jake had merely glanced at this new foe once with Identify, focused on his own battles.

[Arachnec Rotspreader: lvl 391]

Meanwhile, the Shaman battled additional Deathstalkers, gradually retreating toward Jake and the group, offering support through his vast array of buffs wherever possible.

Jake shifted focus swiftly, prioritizing the Arachnec Monitor's elimination as the gravest danger to everyone. Its abrupt, intense eye beams could inflict severe harm if they struck unexpectedly, making it the prime target after the Corpsemender he'd instantly slain at the start.

The Shaman proved vital by repelling incoming Deathstalkers with a spatial barrier, enabling Jake to fire an Arcane Powershot infused with Primal Gaze at the Monitor, inflicting massive destruction.

Irritatingly, two Deathstalkers broke through and assaulted Jake, compelling him to draw his katars and rapidly shred them. Helpfully, a Venusian Warrior that had targeted the Corpsemender earlier detached and charged the Monitor, pounding its vulnerable body repeatedly with her club until it fell as the fight's second casualty.

Freed from persistent eye beams, Jake dispatched one Deathstalker before reinforcements arrived. Nine had spawned initially—eight now—with Jake dominating them and the Shaman maintaining control.

Regrettably, despite solid coordination, the sheer number of Deathstalkers overwhelmed their efforts to handle every one. One evaded notice, employing its ghostly mobility to flank the lone warrior fresh off killing the Monitor, slashing the frog deeply across the back.

The Warrior countered fiercely, but three more Deathstalkers swooped in to exploit the vulnerability. Jake and the Shaman each blocked one, yet the third pierced through and delivered another vicious strike.

A spiritual spear struck one of the charging Deathstalkers, impaling it into the earth and letting the Warrior swat aside the other Arachnec assailing her. Seizing this brief respite, the Venusian shattered an item she'd concealed in her mouth, her face twisting as if in agony. Not from true hurt, but from the immense worth she placed on the consumed object.

The Warrior's injuries began mending swiftly, for the frog had just gulped down a health potion supplied by Jake. Determined to validate the precious item's use, the Venusian sprang ahead, delivering a powerful strike to a Deathstalker, then deftly evaded the counter from the one recently pinned by the spear.

Jake, meanwhile, finished off another Deathstalker, as the Shaman swiftly neared victory over his own foe. The Virumancer dominated his solo clash, while the two leftover Warriors steadily ground down the Corpsemender.

Though the battle teetered perilously for a brief instant, the momentum swung decisively toward Jake and his team. Each fallen Arachnec made the fight simpler, and soon enough, the last undead spider met its end.

They had lingered in Arachnec territory for almost a complete month by then, slaughtering hordes of the wretched beasts. A full month had passed, yet at last... Jake earned his inaugural B-grade class level.

“Good fight,” Jake remarked, offering a special nod to the Venusian Warrior still badly wounded. She'd absorbed several extra hits in the final push but held firm until the conclusion, permitting herself to unwind only now.

“Indeed,” the Shaman agreed with a nod, as he laid down a ring of shimmering light evoking a serene lake. Jake took a seat upon it, savoring the restorative effects. The other Venusians mirrored him, all resting mutely to recuperate for close to an hour.

Jake neared peak condition again by that moment, but his eyes suddenly snapped wide. The Shaman leaped to his feet promptly, staring at the horizon in line with Jake's line of sight, gripping an item that had obviously alerted him, the frog's gaze bulging.

Far off, Jake sensed an approaching aura, and prior to grasping its full nature, the Shaman slapped his palms together, invoking the robed frog projection to bestow a speed enhancement on all six of them while bellowing:

“Run!”