The Primal Hunter Chapter 1309 - Precarious Circumstances

Jake's thoughts on how to manage the Arachnecs' request for him to lead them through the Boundary were immediately displaced by the arrival of his amphibian acquaintances.

The chamber's atmosphere shifted in an instant, with the Archweaver and Nestmother both radiating their auras, signaling a clear animosity between them. Fortunately, their anger wasn't directed at Jake, though he suspected their appearance was connected to him.

It was rather touching, wasn't it? His Shaman friend had apparently sent them to rescue him after his valiant kidnapping. He had even managed to gather quite a formidable rescue party, judging by the Nestmother's reaction, as she likely wouldn't have paid much mind if merely some B-grades or even just the Oracle had shown up.

“Take him to the Nest's center,” the A-grade Arachnec instructed the Archweaver after regaining her composure.

“Understood,” the Archweaver agreed, firmly gesturing for Jake to teleport back to the central area of the Nest. Jake offered no resistance, recognizing that this location was probably the safest place for him, short of the egg chamber deep within the structure's core.

The central hub, which contained the marketplace and served as the accommodation for all Arachnec visitors, was the second-most secure zone within the Nest. It was protected by potent barriers isolating it from other sections, with the only exits being the Tunnel Mounds or a few designated teleporters exclusively usable by Arachnecs. Of course, the Tunnel Mounds were also exclusive to them.

Jake had already surmised that the intense security in the center was intended not only to protect guests but also to keep them confined. It served to exclude everything and everyone while simultaneously restricting movement within, making it difficult for any supposed guest to suddenly become hostile and inflict damage on critical areas of the Nest.

“So...” Jake began as they arrived at the central building, the same one from which they had initially teleported to the Nestmother’s chambers.

“Do not fret; it’s clear you had no means to contact them, and the decision to bring you here was both obvious and predictable. Moreover, the Oracles of the Venusians truly live up to their name; even if we tried to conceal your existence, they would have found you,” the Archweaver stated, attempting to reassure Jake that they held no blame for the sudden frog contingent.

This was not Jake's intended point, and he shook his head. “But what's the strategy moving forward?”

The Archweaver appeared uncertain for a moment before looking upward. “That decision rests with the Nestmother.”

--

“A direct assault is out of the question,” the Oracle stated firmly, dismissing the idea instantly. “It risks the demise of the individual from beyond the Boundary, and his value far outweighs the destruction of a single Nest.”

“Not to mention the inevitable retaliation from the Arachnecs,” another A-grade Venusian added, observing the Nest from a high vantage point. “The last time, we lost nine villages in the ensuing vengeful rampage, and we are unprepared for such a scenario.”

“Then let us hope for a swift response,” a third Venusian voiced, his tone clearly indicating his superior authority. He was massive, and unlike most Venusians, he wore complete armor fashioned from a blend of bone and scales. Additionally, a formidable black bone, carved into a cleaver exceeding four meters in length, was strapped to his back, making it even larger than his already imposing three-and-a-half-meter frame.

However, the most striking feature was the two horns protruding from his forehead, crackling with power, ready to be unleashed. Should the frog adversary make a move, there was no doubt the Nest would be obliterated by his power, which neared the peak A-grade.

[Horned Venusian Slayer – lvl 735]

Behind him stood over fifty additional Venusians, all equipped with weapons crafted from bone and emanating the auras of formidable A-grades. These were not merely early-tier A-grades; this elite squad of the Venusian faction was led by one of their ten most powerful figures.

“The Nestmother will undoubtedly respond soon, realizing we are not attacking immediately. While a diplomatic resolution is uncommon, there are precedents,” the Oracle commented, feeling reasonably confident despite a significant complication regarding their presence at this particular Nest.

“Assuming they even comprehend our purpose here,” the Horned Slayer interjected, making no effort to conceal his disdain for the Oracle. She couldn't fault him entirely, however.

Despite her utmost efforts and the use of rare treasures from the Circle, she had been unable to pinpoint the human's location. Fortunately, she at least knew he was alive, as her disciple had captured a fragment of his spiritual essence, offering some confirmation of his condition.

It was rather unsettling that pinpointing his location had proved impossible. All attempts to divine his state, whereabouts, or any related information had been completely thwarted. The most plausible explanation was that the Arachnecs possessed a method of concealment unknown to the Venusians, a revelation with significant potential implications.

The possibility that the human himself possessed this immunity had been raised, but it seemed hardly worth considering unless he harbored a unique natural treasure from beyond the Boundary, or commanded abilities beyond their current comprehension.

Regardless of the specifics, the situation meant that despite their confident arrival at this Hive and their threats of destruction if no response was given, they lacked definitive proof of the individual from beyond the Boundary's presence within. This assumption was based solely on their extensive historical interactions with the Arachnecs.

The Oracle grew impatient, and at last, a reply emanated from the Hive.

“Your kind’s scent reached me across the entire isle, Slayer of the Sea. What reckless endeavor brings you here?” The unmistakable voice of a Nestmother confirmed they had captured the attention of the Nest’s most formidable being.

“You already grasp the reason,” the Horned Slayer declared, directing a look of disdain towards the Hive.

“So, this is your desire? To initiate another era of bloodshed, an outcome we both know will ultimately serve the Arachnec?” her voice resounded from within, the Hive’s arcane energies already intensifying.

Through the combined might of the Oracle and the Ancestral Keeper from the Ancestral Village, who stood vigilantly nearby, the surrounding region had been sealed. This action prevented any escape via Nest Mounds from within the Nest, and crucially, barred any immediate arrival of reinforcements.

“Ah, I would relish the chance to further stain my blade with your kin’s detritus, but regrettably, annihilating you and your loathsome Nest risks eliminating the one from beyond the Boundary,” the Horned Slayer jeered, his lack of diplomacy evident, though diplomacy had never been a strong suit for either the Venusians or the Arachnecs.

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There had been instances where Venusians had negotiated for captives, and the Arachnecs, on rare occasions involving their esteemed nobles, had reciprocated. These negotiations frequently concluded with the prisoner's demise, followed by widespread slaughter, as overwhelming racial animosity overshadowed all attempts at diplomacy. Nevertheless, the Oracle harbored a hope that this encounter would deviate from that grim pattern.

While the demise of the individual from beyond the Boundary was a more desirable outcome than allowing the Arachnecs to exploit him, it was an eventuality to be avoided. The implications of provoking the human race, apparently quite powerful, into becoming enemies of the Venusians before establishing any contact, could prove exceedingly problematic.

“What connection does our guest have with you, Venusian?” the Arachnec inquired with a venomous tone, causing the Oracle to display a flicker of displeasure.

The Nestmother's outright confirmation of his presence within the Hive was unexpected, though certainly a favorable development. It indicated that they were not the ones responsible for his concealment, but rather that he possessed the means to evade all divinatory attempts through his own power. This further deepened the enigma surrounding this figure from beyond the Boundary.

“Guest? Is that how you refer to those you abduct and imprison these days? Your audacious depravity truly knows no bounds,” the Horned Slayer sneered. Concurrently, he exchanged brief telepathic dispatches with the Ancestral Keeper and the Oracle, acknowledging their shared realization that this human had been the architect of his own hidden status.

“Cease your posturing, Slayer,” the Nestmother commanded as the very fabric of space above the Nest began to shimmer, culminating in the formation of a portal. An A-grade entity emerged, unleashing an aura that pressed against the Horned Slayer’s own, ultimately proving demonstrably inferior. The Oracle promptly employed her Identify ability, confirming that this repugnant creature indeed paled in comparison to the Slayer's might.

[Arachnec Nestmother – lvl 709]

“The Envoy from beyond the Boundary is not affiliated with your Venusian lineage; therefore, what justification do you possess to demand his handover? Upon what grounds do you assert a claim to his allegiance?” the Nestmother continued, directing her gaze at the Slayer and attempting to deploy some of her vile psychic manipulations. While these efforts naturally failed, a few of the elites accompanying the Slayer would have succumbed had the Keeper not provided immediate shielding.

“Is this not sufficient?” the Horned Slayer countered, raising his cleaver and halting the exertion of power into his voice.

“Indeed, that may be your perspective,” the Nestmother conceded, extending her arms wide. “I do not dispute your capacity to vanquish me and obliterate this Nest. Naturally, such a brutal approach would inevitably spell the human’s demise, and I question whether your kind can endure the ramifications of such an act.”

The Slayer paused, extending a telepathic inquiry to the Oracle and Keeper. Her communicated words strongly suggested the human had divulged information to the Arachnecs that the Venusians themselves were unaware of. Given the presumed existence of the Nestmother, it seemed improbable for a mere B-grade human to conceal anything should they have met face-to-face. The sounds indicated such an encounter had indeed transpired.

“You are unaware, are you not?” the Nestmother inquired, a smile now gracing her features. “The realm beyond the Boundary is truly terrifying, far exceeding our comprehension. Furthermore, we have confirmed a potent entity backs him, one he asserts far surpasses even the rank beyond A-grade. This being is fully cognizant of all events and can perceive the human’s surroundings. I have no doubt his assailants would face a grim fate. Now, I implore you, ask your Keeper if my words hold any truth.”

The Oracle finally grasped the Nestmother’s daring strategy in exposing herself. Her intention was to enable the Keeper to employ his lie-detection ability. Via their telepathic link, he soon confirmed… she had spoken the truth, or at the very least, she genuinely believed every word.

This new development significantly complicated matters. If her account was accurate, eliminating the human was no longer a viable course of action. Considering the Arachnecs had historically shown no capacity to deceive Ancestral Keepers in past confrontations, their claim held weight, leaving the Venusians genuinely uncertain about their next move.

“It appears we have reached an impasse,” the Nestmother stated again, seemingly keen on maintaining the conversation’s momentum.

“Perhaps it does seem that way,” the Oracle responded, drifting forward. “You possess the human, yes, but what purpose can he serve you? Will you extract information? From our perspective, there is no plausible method for him to aid you in reaching the world beyond the Boundary. You may attempt it, and we shall intervene. Should the Arachnecs succeed in acquiring the first being to surpass A-grade, the Venusian race faces inevitable doom; thus, preventing this will be our paramount objective, regardless of the circumstances.”

“As one would logically expect,” the Nestmother replied with a gentle smile. “So, the prevailing question remains… what now?”

Jake mentally reached out to Villy, standing beside the Archweaver, anticipating little to no response. The Arachnec clearly served as a sentinel, watchful for any hostile actions from Jake. Yet, he could observe the exchange unfolding high above the Nest, approximately a hundred kilometers away, between the Venusian contingent and the Nestmother. Assuming all the amphibians present were A-grade, they had certainly assembled an impressive force, with the Oracle being the only familiar face among them.

Surprisingly, after a few moments, Villy actually communicated.

Jake inquired telepathically.

Villy responded with a boastful tone.

However, Jake’s reaction was not what the serpentine deity had anticipated, causing a flicker of disappointment to cross his features.

Villy replied.

Jake conveyed his thoughts mentally.

The truly malevolent snake god dismissively waved his hand.

Jake muttered, his plan to instantly teleport these A-grade beings to the Order’s domain decisively thwarted. Had he succeeded, they would have materialized in an area populated by significantly more powerful entities capable of dispatching them. A being like Viridia, for instance, could effortlessly overcome every living entity in this world combined, not to mention the divine beings of the Order.

Naturally, this all assumed he would have even been granted the opportunity to establish a teleportation circle in the first place. The current situation remained precarious, to say the least. Although Jake could witness the A-grade beings conversing far above the Nest, he was unable to discern their words. Regrettably, Sphere and Myriad Tongues did not interact in a manner that would permit lip-reading.

“The Venusians will exhibit restraint in initiating hostilities, even disregarding your presence,” the Archweaver remarked, possibly aiming for a comforting effect. “While we are undeniably adversaries, a certain equilibrium persists. Were their elite forces to engage in the destruction of Nests, we would retaliate by dispatching our most formidable warriors to obliterate the Venusian Villages. This would inevitably result in devastating losses for both factions. Ultimately, the Arachnecs might prevail, but at the cost of irreplaceable damage, potentially leaving us vulnerable. Moreover, it is theorized that perpetual conflict holds value, serving to sharpen both sides.”

The Archweaver's assertions were undeniably colored by his perspective. Jake harbored doubts about the certainty of an Arachnec victory, yet he refrained from arguing. The entire discourse mirrored sentiments he'd encountered from various factions across the multiverse regarding conflict, offering him a sliver of hope that the Venusians wouldn't simply resort to a destructive ultimatum: “If we cannot have him, no one shall.”

Some time later, as Jake remained with the Archweaver, a development finally occurred. The B-grade entity looked down at him and announced, “Your presence has been requested.”