The Primal Hunter Chapter 1304 - An Incredibly Messy Situation

With no need for further prompting, Jake and the four other Venusians scrambled to their feet and moved as one. Not all of them had fully recovered from their previous battle, and two of the Warriors, in particular, lagged behind the others in regaining their speed.

The Shaman intensified his mystical abilities, conjuring a protective bubble around the group that allowed them to accelerate dramatically. Jake kept pace effortlessly. Behind them, the imposing aura that had previously alerted Jake continued its relentless approach. Though he couldn't gauge its exact power from this distance, Jake estimated it to be within the B-grade spectrum.

"What is pursuing us?" Jake inquired, maintaining a composure that far surpassed the Shaman and the other Venusians.

"Something I had hoped we would avoid attracting, but I fear our efficient elimination of the Arachnecs has drawn the ire of the Hive," the Shaman responded gravely. "The Oracle provided me with a means to detect any of these creatures breaching our proximity, at which point I was instructed to withdraw from Arachnec territory. However, she could not have foreseen us venturing this deep."

"You still haven't identified our pursuer," Jake stated, sensing the presence drawing ever nearer, vastly outstripping their current flight velocity. While both the Shaman and Jake possessed superior speed, with Jake being the faster of the two, their companions were already straining themselves.

"A Weaver... no... an Archweaver," the Shaman declared, causing the four other Venusians to tremble. "True elites of the Arachnec race. These are superior variants endowed with formidable intelligence, requiring our own elite combatants from Venus to confront. As a Shaman, my standing is high, but my combat specialization pales in comparison to that of my kin."

Jake nodded, fully comprehending the gravity of their predicament. Their pursuer was closing the gap, and they would be overtaken in less than ten minutes. The Shaman, realizing this as well, urged the other Venusians to push their speed further.

"What is the plan?" Jake asked, already suspecting the answer.

"I... I attempted to contact the Oracle, but I am uncertain if my message is penetrating this deep within Arachnec territory, likely due to interference from the Nest," the Shaman muttered. "If fate is kind, she will hear and respond swiftly."

So, an absence of a concrete plan, relying solely on the hope that the A-grade entity in the Venusian village would be alerted and somehow reach them within the next ten minutes. Jake held no underestimation for B-grades, but they had ventured exceptionally far into Arachnec territory. Furthermore, would the Oracle risk entering such hostile depths, far from her primary duty of safeguarding and nurturing the Lifepool?

Numerous uncertainties converged, inevitably leading Jake to the stark realization that they were in dire straits and would have to confront the oncoming threat entirely on their own.

After a moment of contemplation, observing the renewed panic on the Shaman's face, Jake let out a resigned sigh.

"Here, take this," Jake said, producing a small pouch filled with various potions from his spatial storage. "Continue flying and make your escape."

"You..." the Shaman began, accepting the bag of potions. "If necessary, we could attempt to-"

"Look, I'll be upfront: I am faster than all of you, and I possess escape abilities that I doubt you can match. Unless an A-grade arrives, I will survive, alright?" Jake stated with a light smile. "So, leave. I will handle this, and if possible, I will return to the village. If I don't, simply inform the Oracle that reinforcements will eventually come. The outside world is aware of this place's entrance, and they will explore it."

The Shaman appeared hesitant, but Jake offered no opportunity for further discussion, halting his flight and turning to face the approaching entity. The Venusians slowed marginally, and Jake observed the Shaman's conflicted expression before they accelerated once more, sending a parting message that resonated within Jake's mind.

Jake glanced back, offering a brief nod of acknowledgment, genuinely more impressed by the range of the telepathic communication than anything else. Turning his gaze back towards the horizon, Jake descended and landed gently on the ground, assuming a cross-legged seated position. Even if it were only for a few minutes, Jake desired to be in optimal condition to face the Archweaver the Shaman had described.

He carefully considered his strategy for the impending encounter while seated. Initially, Jake contemplated employing a tactic of mimicking Villy's presence to intimidate the B-grade entity, but he ultimately dismissed the idea. These Arachnecs were not particularly concerned with self-preservation, leading him to doubt the efficacy of scare tactics. In fact, such an approach might more likely provoke the Archweaver into summoning A-grades to deal with Jake.

While entering stealth mode to ambush the Archweaver was a viable strategy, Jake sensed an approaching aura that suggested it would be a poor choice. This was a formidable variant, distinctly different and significantly higher in level than any Arachnecs he had encountered previously. Engaging in combat was inadvisable if avoidance was possible. Despite a desire to fight, Jake opted for a smarter approach, recognizing the necessity of buying time for the Shaman and the other Venusians to escape.

His need to purchase time also prevented him from simply attempting an immediate escape. With his Wings, he could easily flee alone, but doing so would condemn the Shaman and his companions to be hunted and annihilated.

Consequently, he decided to employ a tactic that had proven effective in this Minor World thus far: negotiation. Jake considered whether this approach would succeed after a month of slaughtering Arachnecs. He recalled the Shaman mentioning the Archweaver was “highly intelligent,” leading Jake to surmise it could converse. This, he hoped, might pique its curiosity upon encountering an entirely new species unknown to the Arachnecs.

Several factors lent credence to this strategy potentially working. One significant point was Jake's ability to perceive the Archweaver's full aura from a considerable distance. The creature was willingly projecting its complete power, either as a warning to deter them or to make its presence and pursuit known. While it was plausible the Archweaver reveled in instilling dread in its prey, Jake held onto the hope that this wasn't the case.

Minutes elapsed as Jake waited patiently. The Shaman was steadily increasing the distance between them. As the Archweaver drew sufficiently near, Jake likewise projected his own aura. He held back slightly on his Bloodline, not revealing its full extent, but making it clear that he was far from weak. This was intended to be enough to make the Archweaver pause and consider before diving down for a swift, conversation-less termination.

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His pursuer soon arrived, and fortunately, his presence had been acknowledged, evident by its slight deceleration as it approached. It stopped roughly a kilometer above Jake, its gaze fixed upon him from its elevated position. Jake looked up, observing an Arachnec unlike any he had seen before. Its body was entirely white, resembling bone, and its form was strikingly humanoid, possessing two legs, arms, a torso, and what appeared to be a head. However, this was where it deviated from a purely humanoid appearance. The head was a blank, white rectangular plate adorned with eight luminous red eyes, four positioned on each side in parallel rows. In Jake's assessment, it hardly constituted a face, yet the eyes undeniably functioned, as he felt all eight intensely focused on him.

In addition to these distinct features, other characteristics confirmed its spider-like nature. Eight leg-like appendages extended from its back, each pulsating with magical energy, seemingly poised to unleash spells at any moment. Delicate, web-like filaments connected these dorsal appendages, creating the illusion of a floating spiderweb behind the Archweaver.

Finally, as they maintained eye contact, Jake initiated the 'Identify' skill, sensing the Arachnec was employing the same technique on him.

[Arachnec Archweaver: lvl 475]

Observing this level and enduring the aura of a B-grade entity confirmed Jake's decision. He would not engage this opponent; victory was not even a remote possibility. This was indeed a truly high-tier variant, as the Shaman had indicated, and its level far surpassed Jake's current capabilities, who was still barely a B-grade himself.

Jake had already risen in anticipation, unfurling his wings as his senses went into high alert. His danger sense remained dormant for the moment, indicating the Archweaver was not poised for an immediate assault, instead opting to assess him.

Then, with suddenness, it vanished, only to reappear instantaneously on the ground less than ten meters before Jake. He tensed instantly as the Archweaver tilted its head slightly.

“Unknown race. Low level. Power not corresponding to level. High-level variant? Yet it provides a simple Identify result. Peculiar,” a voice reverberated from the Archweaver, a sound devoid of distinct male or female characteristics, though leaning slightly towards masculine. It seemed unlikely that these spectral spiders required such classifications.

“Calling me peculiar? I won’t disagree, and I'll accept it as a compliment,” Jake responded, his wings poised for an immediate escape if necessary.

“And it speaks the tongue of the Arachnecs? Yet there is no knowledge of us ever having interacted with such a race before?” the Archweaver continued. From its tone, Jake could discern that he had indeed captured its curiosity.

Jake recognized that every second spent conversing was precious time gained for the Shaman and the others to make their escape. He was perfectly content to prolong the discussion indefinitely if it meant facilitating their flight. If being the most captivating individual the B-grade entity had ever encountered was the price, he was willing to pay it.

The Archweaver continued its scrutiny of Jake, its formidable aura pulsing outward. Undeterred, Jake stood his ground, his own aura subtly counteracting the Arachnec’s oppressive presence.

After a brief interval, the B-grade creature's gaze shifted past Jake, focusing on the retreating figures behind him. “The Venusians continue their flight, it appears. Have they forsaken you? No... no, you elected to remain, intending to impede my progress and ensure their escape. A noble sacrifice.”

With astonishing alacrity, the Archweaver repositioned itself, materializing behind Jake and directly between him and the fleeing Venusians. Its speed far surpassed anything Jake could hope to match. “Their elimination should constitute my primary objective.”

“But you won’t do it, because you know that if you pursue them, I’ll vanish by the time you return,” Jake countered.

“I stated it *should* be my primary objective,” the Arachnec replied, its attention snapping back to Jake. Its glowing eyes fixed upon him. “It no longer is. The directive has been altered.”

The Arachnec began to ascend slowly, its voice resonating as it spoke. “You are not of the Venusian race, and as an unknown species, your lineage bears no recorded affiliation with them. Therefore, enlighten me: why are you aiding them in their audacious intrusion into our territory and the slaughter of our kin?”

“You have it backward,” Jake stated, shaking his head. “They were assisting me in slaying your kin.”

“Intriguing,” the Arachnec remarked, its tone devoid of any discernible emotion. “To what end?”

“Levels,” Jake responded simply. He reasoned that honesty might be the best policy in such a peculiar situation, even if his words were likely irritating the monstrous spider. For reasons unknown, however, it didn't seem to be provoking its anger.

“Honing your abilities through the demise of my kin?” the Archweaver inquired rhetorically. “I comprehend. And the Venusians chose to lend their assistance to this endeavor, even dispatching one of their Shamans to accompany you? Ah... the pieces fall into place.”

The Archweaver vanished once more, only to reappear directly before Jake. It towered over him, its imposing height exceeding four meters. Jake remained poised, ready to react at a moment’s notice, as the creature positioned itself mere meters away, leaning down, its eight eyes fixed intently on his own.

“You hail from beyond the Boundary.”

This was not a guess; it was a declaration of certainty.

Jake hesitated, unsure of how to respond. The Archweaver drifted back slightly and performed an unexpected gesture. It raised a limb, placed it over its chest, and then executed a graceful bow towards Jake. “I extend a welcome to our realm, emissary from beyond the Boundary. Your arrival was foretold, though we did not anticipate it occurring under such turbulent circumstances.”

At this juncture, Jake concluded that attempting to convince the creature he was a native of this world would be futile. He let out a sigh.

“Was it that obvious?”

“You are an unidentified species, the Venusians ascribe significant value to you, and you possess the ability to converse with both my kind and the Venusians. Furthermore, you lack the distinct aura that permeates this world,” the Arachnec elaborated kindly, explaining the ease with which it had discerned his origins.

“I see,” Jake nodded. “But doesn’t this place you in a difficult position? I have eliminated a considerable number of your kin and am clearly allied with the Venusians, who are your race’s sworn adversaries.”

“Inconsequential,” the Archweaver dismissed the concern instantly. “You have slain common soldiers, not members of the nobility. They are mere expendable assets, easily replaced, serving only to fuel our expansion. Their demise is an anticipated outcome. Your association with the Venusians, while complex, is not insurmountable. Have you pledged your fealty to them? No, no, I detect no such potent connection to your spirit. They may hold a place in your heart as allies, but so be it. We shall simply refrain from requesting actions that would bring them harm, as such a role would never align with your true purpose.”

The entire dynamic of the encounter had undergone a swift transformation. The Arachnec not only spoke at greater length with a markedly less menacing demeanor but also appeared to have shifted towards a cooperative stance.

Jake found himself uncertain about this turn of events, and his apprehension increased when the Arachnec spoke again.

“I shall permit the Venusians to escape as a gesture of goodwill. In return, I request that you accompany me back to the Nest,” the Archweaver proposed, its tone polite. Yet, Jake strongly sensed that refusing this offer was not a viable option.

“What if I had alternative arrangements?” Jake inquired, curious to gauge the extent of the Arachnecs’ intentions. He felt confident in his ability to extricate himself from the situation, despite the significant power imbalance, utilizing his Wings and Moment abilities.

“I request that you delay them,” the Archweaver stated firmly. “Do not complicate matters for either of us. Our intention is to treat you as an honored guest, not a captive. However, your refusal to accompany me would be an unacceptable outcome.”