The Primal Hunter Chapter 1306 - Arachnec Nest

“Welcome to the Nest,” the Archweaver declared, extending his arms wide to showcase the Arachnec home.

Following their passage through the Tunnel Mound, Jake and his companions were transported into a vast, circular chamber. Its entirety was constructed from white bone, interspersed with occasional fleshy elements, though the overall presentation was far less gruesome than Jake had anticipated.

A Pulse of Perception emanated from Jake, granting him an immediate mental map of the entire nest. Indeed, its scale was immense. The Nest bore a resemblance to the Tunnel Mound, perched atop one of the countless floating islands surrounding Venus. However, this structure resembled a colossal mountain, with the majority of the Nest concealed beneath the surface. Jake had only entered its upper echelons.

Numerous barriers were integrated throughout the Nest, sectioning off or overseeing scores of facilities. The lowest levels of the Nest were particularly heavily sealed. There, Jake perceived what could only be described as a massive spawning chamber, teeming with eggs. At its nexus stood an Arachnec, presumably the guardian of these numerous embryonic forms.

Jake experienced a moment of bewilderment, questioning the existence of eggs among undead creatures. However, he quickly grasped the underlying mechanism. These were less like eggs and more akin to pods, infusing Arachnecs with power as their forms were meticulously shaped and designed by the central caretaker. Observing the creature's approximately one hundred long, spindly arms, Jake surmised it possessed a remarkable aptitude for assembling undead spiders.

Shaking off his internal musings to avoid revealing his comprehensive survey, Jake responded swiftly. He nodded, gesturing towards the numerous hollows carved into the chamber's walls, spiraling upwards. Walkways lined the chamber, ascending its entirety. “Quite a sight, indeed. Are all of these leading to Tunnel Mounds?”

“Not all, but many,” the Archweaver replied. “Unlike the Venusians, we do not construct villages but rely on large nexi in the form of these Nests. Each Nest is an invaluable resource, and throughout our recorded history, very few have been allowed to fall.”

“How many Nests are there in total, if you do not mind me asking? And do they have classifications of being big or small, or some other way to differentiate the importance of each?” Jake inquired, harboring little expectation of a detailed response.

Predictably, his first question went unanswered. “The total number of Nests is not something that can be shared with a guest, no matter how honored they might be. In regard to classifications, all Nests are equal besides the very first one that served as the origin of all Arachnecs. A place you might one day see, but not yet.”

Jake nodded, content with the confirmation of a primary, overarching Nest within the Minor World. This revelation, admittedly, was somewhat unsettling, given Jake had already detected several A-grade entities within his current location. Their precise positions remained elusive due to the sheer density of inhabitants within the vast complex. He surmised they were largely concealed, engaged in their own activities, absorbing the potent death and poison energies permeating the atmosphere. On that subject…

“Do you require my assistance to remain comfortable within the Nest?” the Archweaver inquired, evidently keen to ascertain Jake's tolerance for the pervasive, potent death affinity. This concern was entirely understandable.

The Nest was a deathtrap for any non-undead entity. Jake estimated that even most peak C-grades would perish within an hour if transported there. Weaker, low-tier B-grades would face significant challenges.

Prior to his evolution, Jake might have endured, but not indefinitely. He would have been forced into constant resource consumption, and the relentless environmental pressure could have easily led to his demise.

Post-evolution, Jake possessed significantly enhanced strength and could withstand the atmosphere with considerable ease, particularly with his Scales actively deployed. Even without the Scales, the Primal Spirit of Man's innate resilience against hostile environments likely provided sufficient fortitude for him to exist in such a place.

However, the Scales did contribute to mana regeneration and acted as a barrier against any adverse energies breaching his other defenses, making their constant activation a preferred state for Jake. Furthermore, his Palate was actively processing his surroundings, analyzing the myriad toxins saturating this Minor World. Even within the Nest, aside from the dominant death affinity, toxins were abundant. Consequently, Jake had no desire for the Archweaver's assistance; in fact, any attempt to mitigate the energies affecting him would prove most unwelcome.

“No, I’m perfectly fine as I am,” Jake responded calmly. “I actually enjoy simply taking in the surroundings like this.”

“Intriguing. You possess the capability to absorb and gain benefits even from energies that wouldn’t typically foster growth?” the Archweaver inquired, posing a question that sounded remarkably like something a monster might utter.

All creatures absorb environmental energies, but the specific types they can absorb are naturally constrained. Pure mana is universally absorbable and beneficial for everyone. However, absorbing energies aligned with one's innate affinity yields the greatest advantages. This explains why the Arachnecs infuse their territories with death energy, and why the Life Pool of the Venusians brims with potent life energy.

The fact that certain energies offer greater benefits implies that others can be actively harmful. For instance, living beings not specifically adapted cannot absorb the pervasive death energy within the Nest to enhance their strength. Even if some pure mana exists in the vicinity, they would invariably absorb an excessive amount of death-affinity mana, leading to dire consequences, rather than being able to filter it effectively.

The Archweaver had clearly identified Jake as a life-affinity being and discerned his lack of death affinity. By all rights, this should prevent him from absorbing the surrounding energy for sustenance. Yet, Jake had just indirectly confirmed he could. This implied the possession of a skill akin to Palate, which doesn't grant direct environmental experience but offers alternative boons.

Upon learning of such abilities, Jake simply nodded, seeing no reason to conceal the truth. He also doubted he could maintain such a secret indefinitely.

“Indeed, I can. I can absorb the ambient energies and gradually become more attuned to the concepts they embody,” Jake confirmed, divulging a piece of information freely.

“Oh? Do you humans perhaps have a connection to the Scaled Miresnakes?” the Archweaver asked, imparting a piece of intriguing information to Jake.

“No, but I am very interested in learning more,” Jake replied with a smile.

“Rather than a lengthy discussion, allow me to demonstrate. We should find some at the marketplace. Several of them are affiliated with the Nomads, and as they share your particular ability, they are exceptionally compatible with my kind,” the Archweaver stated, gesturing for Jake to follow as they completely exited the tunnel junction area.

They proceeded directly into a vast cavern housing what was essentially a bustling city. This was undeniably the most open area within the entire Hive, not merely in a physical sense. Much of the Hive remained concealed behind barriers, accessible only to the Arachnecs. However, this city was different.

Considering they were an undead spider race dedicated to propagating the dominance of death, the presence of numerous other species was rather surprising. Admittedly, the majority did appear to be undead, with skeletal figures frequently observed. Many belonged to races Jake did not recognize, though all were naturally occurring undead forms of monsters. This fact alone caused Jake to frown in confusion.

“There are a significant number of intelligent undead. Based on my understanding, most undead lack sapience, and often even sentience,” Jake voiced his observation, uncertain about the reason behind the presence of so many seemingly random, intelligent undead entities.

“Is that so?” the Archweaver responded, regarding Jake with curiosity. “That is the norm beyond the Boundary, I presume? While I do not dispute that many naturally spawning undead are unintelligent, the majority do exhibit sapience. Granted, they are not identical to their former selves in life, but rather transform into something new in death.”

This… was entirely contrary to Jake’s existing knowledge. Undead beings, much like elementals, were generally considered unintelligent monsters that could manifest in suitable environments.

Areas saturated with death affinity energy would spontaneously generate random undead creatures, utilizing the remnants of whatever perished there. According to Jake’s understanding, during the initial era, there were no intelligent undead whatsoever. They were purely mindless entities driven solely to perpetuate more death, often perceived as a natural catastrophe.

That was until the arrival of the Blightfather. He was instrumental in creating the Risen and fundamentally altered the Records pertaining to undead throughout the multiverse. His unique affinity forged a specific Path for all undead creatures, earning him numerous titles such as the Primordial of Death, the First Lich, and many others.

Jake, while continuing to follow the Archweaver toward the location of these Scaled Miresnakes, closed his eyes momentarily. He reached out to sense something, even taking a deep inhale of the noxious atmosphere. Carefully, he attempted to analyze the energy processed through Palate. Though faint, Jake soon detected it. It was unmistakable.

The very affinity that had bestowed its name upon the Blightfather.

An explanation was provided regarding the origin of intelligent undead, such as the Arachnecs. It's known that all such beings possess a blight energy; the Risen naturally contained the most, functioning on this energy, yet these particular Arachnecs, especially those the Archweaver called "nobles," also clearly harbored it.

Jake surmised that this blight affinity simply manifested naturally in this world. Where there is death, there are undead, and where death exists, the Blightfather’s Records inevitably exert an influence. This is akin to how all snakes carry some Records of the Malefic Viper, their Forefather, or how all life forms maintain a faint connection to Yggdrasil. These are entities of immense power whose influence subtly permeates existence, leaving indelible marks they may not even be conscious of.

“I understand. Our worlds indeed have their distinctions,” Jake remarked, finding a touch of surprise that the Archweaver hadn't inquired about the outside world. The Arachnec swiftly revealed the reason for its silence.

“Save your words for our communion with the Nestmother. You shall answer her questions when the appropriate moment arrives,” the Archweaver stated, additionally informing Jake that the leader of this domain was known as the Nestmother. He speculated if this Nestmother was the entity observed deep below, tending to the developing Arachnecs, but anticipated finding out soon enough.

For the present, their agenda involved other objectives and encounters. Specifically, they were headed to see the Scaled Miresnakes, which they soon located.

The settlement featured several structures constructed from stone, and even a few made of an unusual black wood. However, these snakes were situated in a camp to the side, comprising several large tents, some of which bore a striking resemblance to Venusian architecture.

Within this camp, Jake observed several beast-type monsters, which struck him as odd given the hostile surroundings. He soon noticed, however, that a central object resembling a lantern emitted a peculiar white light, generating a barrier around the entire camp that offered some protection against the death energy. While this barrier didn't allow the monsters to harness the environment, it at least prevented them from being harmed by it.

As they approached the camp, some of its inhabitants took notice, and Jake witnessed their sheer astonishment. Several of them hurried over, including a number of snakes who didn't exactly run but rather slithered towards them.

One peculiar aspect Jake immediately noted within this Nest was the distinct manner in which Polymorph was utilized, differing from its application in most other parts of the multiverse. Typically, monsters adopted humanoid forms for various reasons, primarily to facilitate interaction with the enlightened races across the multiverse.

Given the absence of enlightened beings in this Minor World, the monsters had not cultivated this particular cultural practice. This is why creatures in this region developed physical characteristics such as snakes possessing arms. Indeed, they appeared as perfectly ordinary, large snakes, each exceeding eight meters in length, yet they now sported two slender arms on each side. The sight was decidedly peculiar, but considering the forms of some of the other monsters, it wasn't entirely out of place.

Jake had correctly assumed these were the Scaled Miresnakes the Archweaver had previously mentioned, and a swift Identify spell confirmed his suspicion.

[Deathscale Miresnake: lvl 401]

He quickly deduced that the designation Scaled Miresnakes likely encompassed several variations of Miresnakes, with these particular ones having developed a death affinity. Snakes are renowned for their remarkable adaptability to their environments, making an evolution like this unsurprising. Their scales were jet black, and their eyes appeared entirely vacant, possessing black irises with only a thin white slit serving as the pupil. While undeniably unsettling, Jake also inferred they possessed some form of ocular skill, based on the intensity of their gazes.

These snakes, along with several other inhabitants of the camp, had hastened to greet them, practically prostrating themselves as the leader of the group, a peculiar, goat-like creature with six legs, addressed the Archweaver.

“We greet you, my lord,” the beast proclaimed, infusing his voice with a measure of Willpower, likely intending to convey his sincerity and ensure comprehension. “How may we be of service?”

“Be at ease, Nomads,” the Archweaver responded, raising a hand in a dismissive gesture. This seemingly simple action caused all the B-grade individuals to tremble slightly, powerfully underscoring the formidable reputation Archweavers held among the Arachnecs.

“I have brought the Miresnakes to meet this guest,” the Archweaver declared, indicating Jake with a motion.

Only then did the goat-like creature appear to register Jake's presence, unlike the five Miresnakes who had been subtly observing Jake throughout the encounter, striving to avoid drawing the Archweaver's displeasure.

The goat-like individual observed Jake for a few moments, clearly puzzled as to why the Archweaver had presented him as a guest. Nevertheless, he simply nodded. “May I inquire about the subject the honored guest wishes to discuss?”

“Nothing of immediate importance. I was merely curious upon learning of your capability to absorb and metabolize energy, thereby adapting to your surroundings,” Jake replied nonchalantly, causing all of them to fix their gaze upon him.

“Has the guest never encountered our kind before?” the Miresnake leader, as Jake presumed, inquired.

“No, this is my inaugural encounter with one of your species,” Jake stated, shaking his head and maintaining a casual demeanor. His intention was partly to help them relax, despite the looming Archweaver. However, it was at this point that Jake remembered a rather significant oversight. Something that, outside of his Minor World, would go unnoticed, but in this context, drew considerable attention.

“But… your ability to converse in our language…” the Deathscale Miresnake murmured, drawing the attention of the goat-like figure. “It spoke our tongue?”

“Mine as well,” another beast added, perplexed, with several others echoing his confusion with nods.

The Archweaver peered down at Jake with an incredulous expression. Jake had inadvertently showcased what was arguably the most potent function of Myriad Tongues in the entire multiverse. The sheer magnitude of system-level 'fuckery' involved in Jake speaking, with his words being live-translated into each listener’s most familiar language, was far beyond the scope of any typical skill or ability.

“Merely a minor skill I possess,” Jake attempted to downplay, striving to remain casual. Yet, he could already sense the Archweaver’s intensified curiosity regarding his existence. Jake remained uncertain whether this heightened scrutiny was a favorable or unfavorable development.

The situation certainly didn’t improve when the Miresnake continued its intense scrutiny of Jake before asking in a bewildered tone: “Despite all this, are you certain you bear no relation to my kin? Because looking at you evokes the same sensation I experienced when I beheld the Great Sea Serpent… no… it feels even more overwhelming…”