The Primal Hunter Chapter 1316 - Coming Up Blank

Jake drastically reduced his pace the moment he sensed these additional life signatures lurking just at the Boundary's edge. Unsurprisingly, the Venusians and Arachnecs trailing him took notice, with the Shaman casting a perplexed glance his way.

“Why the sudden slowdown?”

His query, brimming with apparent bewilderment, fostered a sliver of reassurance in Jake; it suggested the Shaman was genuinely unaware of the situation, momentarily alleviating his fear that his amphibian companion might have betrayed him.

“The situation ahead appears to have shifted,” Jake murmured, keenly observing the Arachnec Lords for any flicker of reaction to his statement. Alas, they proved far more inscrutable than the overtly expressive Venusians, offering no clue as to whether they shared the same confusion.

“Can you elaborate?” inquired the most formidable of the Arachnec Lords, solidifying Jake's suspicion that this wasn't an orchestrated deception.

Alternatively, these B-grades might simply be ignorant of the clandestine schemes their superiors were orchestrating. This held true for both the Arachnec and Venusian factions, a reality that shouldn't have surprised Jake; revealing any secret plot to mere B-grades would undoubtedly be a flawed tactic.

Opting against concealing his findings despite the inherent risks, Jake disclosed his observation.

“Numerous new life signatures have emerged ahead, including at least one whose power seems to dwarf that of the Horned Slayer,” Jake stated, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

The Shaman's eyes widened at this revelation, and Jake perceived a similar astonishment on the faces of the Arachnec Lords. To Jake's knowledge, the Horned Slayer ranked among the most formidable entities in this realm, a figure few dared to challenge and likely none could restrain if the intent was mere evasion. The news of an even more potent entity appearing, let alone multiple such beings, was bound to be shocking. Given that only the Venusians and Arachnecs were aware of Jake's group’s presence within the Boundary, he surmised these newcomers must originate from one of those factions, a development ill-suited to their current fragile truce. While their contingent of eleven had been absent for some time, Jake found it improbable that other top-tier Venusian creatures would notice their departure and arrive during their absence.

“How does the Envoy suggest we proceed? Can he ascertain any hostility from these signatures?” the Arachnec Lord queried, the question seeming less like a genuine concern and more like an attempt to gauge Jake's capabilities.

“My perception of what lies ahead is merely vague; that's all,” Jake replied, determined not to reveal the existence of Pulse or the true extent of his sensory abilities. “However, our options are limited. We must either retreat or return through the Boundary to re-enter the multiverse.”

“That course of action…” the Shaman began, a frown creasing his brow. “Frankly, if you choose that path, I doubt we can all accompany you.”

Jake acknowledged this with a nod, having already sensed the strain on the Venusians, with only the Shaman providing protection. “I understand. While the allure of returning to the multiverse is tempting, let us press onward to investigate. Furthermore, I strongly suspect we've already been detected, and any attempt at a hasty retreat could precipitate a dire turn of events.”

Though not entirely certain, he felt confident that the A-grades positioned ahead could now sense their proximity. He couldn't pinpoint any specific individuals or observe them directly, likely due to the Boundary's obscuring effects. Nevertheless, he didn't want to gamble on the possibility that some general scanning ability might have registered their presence, mirroring how he had sensed the numerous A-grades ahead.

“Should any Arachnecs be among them, be assured we harbor no hostile intentions,” the lead Arachnec Lord declared, attempting to offer reassurance. It was partly effective.

“While I cannot speak with the same certainty for all Venusians, I can genuinely affirm our desire to maintain our alliance with you,” the Shaman added, his assurance more grounded yet paradoxically more comforting.

“Then let us hope this resolves into nothing significant,” Jake quipped with a faint smile, gesturing for them to continue their flight.

The journey back had been relatively lighthearted until this point, but a palpable tension now permeated the air as uncertainty loomed ahead. Shortly after, Jake definitively detected a powerful A-grade presence focusing on him, swiftly followed by a second, then a third. More joined their ranks, several of them unfamiliar. However, the presence of the Nestmother and the Horned Slayer was confirmed, indicating that a major conflict had not yet erupted.

Jake’s Pulse quickly detected all the newcomers to the scene, and indeed, there was a significant number of them. Over two hundred Venusians and more than a hundred Arachnecs, including ten Nestmothers, had arrived. It was evident that both forces had summoned reinforcements, though thankfully, no conflict had erupted yet.

Among the arrivals, besides the Venusians and Arachnecs, were other beings Jake couldn’t identify. He surmised that a multitude of different monsters belonged to the Nomads. Adding to the crowd were solitary monsters, one in particular drawing his attention as he sensed its gaze upon him.

This figure was large and imposing, a skeletal being whose skull was adorned with a crown-like shape at the top. Elaborate robes concealed its body, suggesting it was once a Venusian, judging by the skeletal structure. Several other clearly undead creatures surrounded it.

What struck Jake was that, despite both being undead, this group was distinct from the Arachnecs. The skeleton sat with an air of arrogance atop a small pile of bones, floating ominously, clearly also anticipating Jake’s reappearance.

Jake briefly considered discussing his observations with his companions but chose to remain silent, preserving the secret of Pulse. He continued to ponder what awaited him once he was fully clear of the Boundary. The reason for the convergence of these powerful beings remained a mystery, and he sincerely hoped that the fragile peace he had painstakingly established had not been shattered.

Before long, all these A-grades fell within Jake’s sensory range. Shortly thereafter, the original group of eleven who had ventured beyond the Boundary returned safely to Venus.

As Jake emerged from the Boundary, he felt the immediate focus of countless eyes upon him and his accompanying party. While he maintained his composure, feigning mild surprise, he seized the opportunity for an “instinctual” use of Identify on several of the unfamiliar faces.

[Horned Venusian Virumancer – lvl ???]

[Arachnec Scythefiend – lvl ???]

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

[Lich – lvl ???]

The first two entries represented new variations of races Jake was already familiar with, seemingly bringing more combat-oriented members. The final entry was the Venusian skeleton. Jake harbored a strong suspicion that these undead possessed a skill to obscure their true Identify results. He refused to believe that a being possibly at or near peak A-grade was merely a lich, rather than some more formidably identified variant.

Jake didn't notice anyone particularly significant among the Nomads, although their collective power was undeniable. While he stood there, a discreet telepathic message arrived from a nearby frog.

the Shaman informed Jake subtly through telepathy.

Concealing any outward reaction, Jake processed the message. Based on his knowledge, the three most formidable entities were the Bog Lord master, the Great Sea Serpent, and one other he had yet to identify. However, it seemed several beings were just a step below them, including this Lich and, apparently, the leaders of the two major factions within the Minor World.

“Welcome back,” the Oracle was the first among the A-grades to break the silence, somewhat surprising Jake, as she was no longer considered among the strongest. “Please do not be alarmed, but as you can see, some developments have occurred during your absence.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” Jake replied, maintaining his calm demeanor. He had consistently projected a cool-headed attitude when dealing with these A-grades, even reprimanding them previously. To appear intimidated now would be counterproductive.

“What a refreshing attitude from a newborn B-grade,” a distinctly feminine voice emanated from the Lich. She subtly released her aura, causing the surrounding space to tremble slightly. Jake quickly deduced that this lich might have once served as an Oracle for the Venusians before her transformation.

“Tell me, human, is that the norm in the world beyond the Boundary?” she inquired, her aura descending upon Jake in a decidedly unfriendly manner. Although she didn't overtly attempt to harm him, she clearly intended to assert her superior power to intimidate him.

Jake responded by unleashing his own Bloodline-infused aura, pushing back against her oppressive presence, and casually shook his head. “No, not really. Everyone is unique, and I just happen to be this way.”

His nonchalant response surprisingly did not offend the Lich. Instead, she regarded him with astonished eyes, having witnessed him effortlessly counter her aura, before letting out a chuckle. “Interesting... truly interesting. I believe we shall get along quite well.”

“Please,” the Oracle uttered, visibly more apprehensive than Jake at the prospect of addressing the Lich. The undead being merely gestured dismissively, allowing the Oracle to resume her address to Jake and the ten individuals accompanying him. Each of them appeared to have been actively engaged in telepathic communion with their respective races during this brief exchange with the Lich.

“Was this initial trial a success?” she inquired, while the greater portion of the A-grade individuals regarded Jake with curiosity. Jake harbored a strong suspicion that she, along with the other party leaders, already knew the answer; this was merely a formality to announce the outcome to the assembled masses. Given this, and considering the presence of a creature capable of discerning truthfulness, Jake saw no reason to equivocate or conceal anything, so he simply nodded.

“I would consider it so. All ten were successfully transported beyond the Boundary and returned. Subsequently, we verified their ability to now traverse back and forth at will,” Jake stated. Upon hearing his confirmation, he observed sheer elation spread across the faces of many A-grades present.

However, he also noticed veiled expressions of apprehension on a few individuals. Jake duly registered this observation but proceeded to elaborate on their discoveries, maintaining a cooperative stance.

He even detailed the reward bestowed upon the B-grades under his guidance and mentioned possessing a comparable skill and title. To foster an appearance of transparency, he divulged additional information regarding the multiverse, which now encompassed ninety-three universes, including certain aspects he had not shared with the ten individuals standing beside him.

It was apparent that a significant portion of Jake’s revelations remained beyond the grasp of these A-grades, a fact he found understandable. From their limited perspective, their world had always represented a vast, yet finite, expanse, traversable from one extremity to the other.

Conversely, a single universe was so immense that not even a Primordial would possess the certainty of having explored its furthest reaches, even if they had dedicated every moment since their ascension to its meticulous examination. Certain sectors within these universes necessitated extreme caution from the Primordials, often situated in desolate voids, far removed from any discernible celestial bodies.

Nevertheless, it was evident that despite their incomplete comprehension, the marvels of the multiverse held a certain allure for them, and the Lich, in particular, made no effort to conceal her avarice.

“It seems you are poised to guide us all towards greater achievements,” the Lich remarked, accompanied by a faint, unsettling chuckle.

“Yes… regarding that,” Jake began, recognizing this as the pivotal aspect he needed to communicate. He surmised that the Arachnecs and Venusians were likely privy to this information, but Jake still desired to frame the narrative and inform all the independent factions present.

“There is a limitation to whom I can transport. The barrier is generated directly by the system and ascertains if an individual I intend to bring through possesses greater power than myself. Should they exceed my capabilities, the process will fail,” Jake explained, emitting a deep sigh while inwardly feeling a significant sense of relief.

“Are you suggesting you are more powerful than our Arachnec Lords and the Venusian Shaman?” the Nestmother inquired. She appeared to have been designated by all other Nestmothers to voice this question.

“I am,” Jake affirmed, seeing no necessity for further explanation.

“We cannot dispute that his power indeed appears to surpass our own,” the Arachnec Lord conceded, prompting the Nestmother to nod in understanding. This was somewhat perplexing, as she surely was already aware of his superior strength, was she not?

In truth, Jake found much about the current situation bewildering. Why had so many gathered, and why were they so remarkably composed? Even the Horned Slayer seemed less antagonistic than before, remaining silent and observing from the sidelines.

“I understand… so limitations still exist,” the Oracle responded, nodding slowly. “A pity, as everything would have been considerably simpler had you been able to lead us out of here immediately.”

“Clearly, that is not the system’s intention,” Jake countered, shaking his head and attempting to redirect any potential dissatisfaction away from himself and towards the omnipotent system.

“Evidently not,” the Oracle concurred with a sigh.

“I do believe I issued a warning,” Jake stated with a serious mien. “Based on my previous interactions with the system and my understanding of its operational protocols, this outcome was predictable. Rest assured, however, you will all be able to depart in due course. Though I cannot provide a definitive timeframe.”

“We have already discussed this and acknowledge the situation,” the Oracle replied with a nod. For a fleeting moment, Jake perceived a look of inner conflict on her face, which she swiftly concealed before continuing. “Which brings us to the subsequent course of action. What is the proposed plan?”

“Indeed,” Jake responded, cautiously attempting to gauge the prevailing sentiment, as the circumstances were growing increasingly peculiar. The situation had become so unnerving that Jake contemplated whether it would be prudent to disengage soon. “If you wish, I can escort an eligible contingent beyond the Boundary to serve as political representatives. Once brought through, they will possess the freedom to travel back and forth without restriction.”

Jake harbored no real desire to actually perform the task, but he saw it as a convenient ruse to depart from Venus.

“That indeed sounds like a favorable proposal,” the Nestmother stated, a smile gracing her lips. “However... I do find myself with a query.”

She directed her gaze toward Jake, and he immediately felt the tendrils of mental magic ensnare him, activating Pride, a power now accessible unlike before.

“And where might your companions be?” the A-grade Arachne inquired. Jake, too engrossed in fortifying his mind and resisting the magic, was unable to respond. The Nestmother observed his struggle and her brow furrowed. Just as Jake managed to hold on for a few seconds, the Horned Slayer intervened.

“Bah, you useless creature,” he retorted, unleashing his aura to repel the mental magic and instantly appearing before Jake. The formidable frog loomed over Jake as he spoke.

“You stand entirely alone, do you not?” he inquired with a grin.

Jake, sensing the direction of the conversation, answered, ensuring the truth-compelling frog was assessing his response.

“That’s not true. I am favored by the Malefic Viper, a Primordial deity who presides over a powerful faction that—”

“Yes, yes,” the Horned Slayer interjected. “But they are incapable of reaching this location, are they now?”

His lack of an immediate reply was readily interpreted as confirmation by the Horned Slayer, whose smile widened.

“You see, we pondered why any restriction whatsoever would be placed on individuals leaving the Boundary, and why such a limit would be dictated by the external realm. Following your explanation, it’s abundantly clear that this entire domain functions as a space akin to a dungeon, though I would venture to suggest this place is, in fact, persistent,” the Horned Slayer elaborated, his gaze remaining fixed on Jake.

“It was at that moment we apprehended… this limitation exists to safeguard you. To shield your universe from us. While formidable entities may inhabit this multiverse, none possess the capability to enter your particular universe, correct?”

Jake now fully grasped that his conversational initiative had completely evaporated, as the Horned Slayer showed no signs of ceasing his line of questioning.

“That’s a question requiring a yes or no answer. So, respond. Your universe is also subject to stringent limitations imposed by the system, isn’t that so?”

Beneath the scrutinizing observation of a truth-bound Venusian and a legion of A-grades, Jake’s mind raced, desperately seeking a viable answer or an escape from this predicament. At this juncture… he was drawing a complete blank.