The Primal Hunter Chapter 1319 - Reflecting On Questionable Diplomacy

The Great Sea Serpent’s “proposal” hung in the air for some time. The one-year limit, during which Jake would remain confined to the Minor World, seemed to placate the other A-grades present, causing them to back down from any potential objections.

This left only one individual with the possibility of lodging a protest.

“What is your verdict, human? Do you agree, or can you offer an alternative that meets with everyone’s approval?”

Jake remained uncertain whether the Great Sea Serpent was truly soliciting his agreement or posing a semi-rhetorical question to which refusal was not a viable option. He doubted the peak A-grade would kill him outright for refusing, but he also had no desire to provoke the serpent, especially given his ignorance of its ultimate objectives.

Yet, he was equally unwilling to appear overly meek or submissive, as this could disadvantage him later. There were certain boundaries he would never permit to be breached, and he was certainly not going to let them believe that anything resembling a Soul Contract would ever be acceptable.

Thus, after a period of contemplation, Jake offered a slow nod.

“One year… and I trust that all will have gained some wisdom in that time and cease their ignorant endeavors to destroy this world,” Jake stated, his tone carrying a hint of admonishment. He derived considerable satisfaction from observing the visible displeasure of the Lich and a few other A-grades at being addressed in such a manner. But then again, what could they practically do with the colossal Great Sea Serpent overseeing the proceedings?

Accepting the one-year duration posed no issue, as Jake genuinely only needed to endure for approximately two months before he could depart for the Seat of the Exalted Prima Chief Administrator event. His hope was to discover a method through this event to avoid returning to his point of entry.

Even without the event, Jake surmised that with some degree of freedom, he could establish a ritual circle, with Villy’s assistance, which might facilitate his escape through the void. This carried a risk that the Great Sea Serpent might detect the nature of the ritual, but calculated risks were sometimes necessary, and the probability of detection was quite low. The void teleportation ritual was too intricate for even a peak A-grade to comprehend. Jake himself had no clear understanding of its mechanics; he merely knew how to enact it, akin to tracing someone else’s drawing.

Naturally, these two potential paths assumed Jake would need to escape at all. While the Great Sea Serpent appeared to act out of self-interest and intended to leverage Jake’s capabilities, it remained a serpent, and Jake was the Chosen of the Malefic Viper. Securing the peak A-grade’s full allegiance should be entirely feasible… assuming he hadn’t already achieved it.

Jake harbored the suspicion that Villy might be involved in some capacity, or at least that the Great Sea Serpent possessed more knowledge of Jake’s identity than it outwardly revealed. There was a subtle deference in its words, perhaps too respectful even for someone seeking to exploit him. He cautioned himself against overthinking and making unfounded assumptions, yet the possibility of the peak A-grade already being an ally was certainly plausible.

“An agreement has thus been reached. Over the coming year, engage in dialogue with your leaders, explore potential paths forward, and when the time is right, let us reconvene with newfound wisdom.”

The entire world seemed to shift as the enormous body of the coiled serpent surrounding them stirred. Its dark orange, almost brown, scales continued to fill Jake’s vision in every direction, leading him to question whether he was perceiving its actual physical form or merely a barrier that perfectly mimicked scales.

“Human, in accordance with your consent, you shall now accompany me. Offer no resistance, and rest assured, you will arrive safely at our destination.”

In the subsequent moments, Jake felt a discernible pull, a force he recognized he could oppose. However, he also understood that his ability to resist stemmed solely from the Great Sea Serpent’s tacit permission.

Recognizing that resistance would yield no benefit, Jake yielded to the sensation of being whisked away, vanishing from the confinement of powerful A-grades and into… the maw of a colossal serpent?

Jake suddenly found himself within a vast, circular chamber seemingly constructed entirely of scales. Even the floor comprised a single, immense scale, while the domed ceiling was equally scaled.

Through his perceptive sphere, Jake swiftly discerned that he was not within the physical digestive tract of the Great Sea Serpent but rather in some form of internal pocket dimension. Beyond the scaled walls, Jake perceived only dense energy interwoven with spatial constructs, leading him to believe that breaching the scaled barrier would likely result in his forcible expulsion into the external world. Such pocket dimensions typically operated on this principle.

This spatial expanse, resembling a "stomach," evoked Jake's memories of Sandy’s, yet it significantly lacked the conceptual depth. Sandy’s core contained a multitude of Minor Worlds, whereas this was strikingly rudimentary. It lacked a sense of security, making it plausible that many high-tier A-grades could breach its confines with relative ease. However, for Jake, escape was impossible; he was utterly ensnared, entirely dependent on the mercy of the peak A-grade.

At that precise moment, the serpent’s voice resonated within the confines of the chamber.

“Regain your strength for now. We will converse once you are revitalized.”

With no other pressing matters and disinclined to endure the discomfort of a damaged soul, Jake assumed a seated, cross-legged posture, initiating meditation to accelerate his recovery. Fortunately, the sacred rarity skill proved exceedingly potent, even at the B-grade, swiftly mending any harm inflicted by the Horned Slayer. Considering the heightened difficulty A-grades faced in self-healing, the Venusian had indisputably sustained greater injury.

Nevertheless, Jake estimated that at least a full day of concentrated meditation would be required to return him to peak condition – and that was an optimistic projection. With his eyes shut, Jake fully surrendered to the meditative state, consciously isolating himself from all external stimuli. He chose this interval to meticulously examine the sequence of events that had led to his current predicament.

It was abundantly clear, judging by the unfolding circumstances, that Jake had gravely miscalculated his strategy within this Minor World. Throughout his engagement, he had perceived his progress as favorable, encountering only amiable individuals receptive to cooperation and dialogue. Yet, he now recognized this geniality stemmed solely from their perception of his utility. He was viewed not as an individual, but rather as a mobile opportunity.

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Viewed through this lens, their imperative to control this "opportunity" became understandable. Releasing it unchecked, particularly given its inherent potential for danger, represented an unacceptable risk.

He also had to acknowledge the nature of the entities he was interacting with. These A-grades were undoubtedly ancient, possessing lifespans measured in millennia, possibly even tens or hundreds of thousands of years. They inhabited a realm where they approached the zenith of power. Consequently, even if they attempted to grasp the concept of forces vastly exceeding their own, their comprehension remained fundamentally incomplete, irrespective of their efforts.

Furthermore, notwithstanding Jake's assertions, they still perceived him as a mere novice who had narrowly achieved B-grade. Evidence from the Archweaver, and to some extent the Shaman, indicated a cultural value placed on talent and potential. However, this appreciation did not extend to the broader multiverse's practices. The prevailing norms and cultural frameworks that imposed constraints on interactions with those deemed talented were absent here. Instead, both the Venusians and Arachnecs had demonstrated a clear readiness to dispatch significantly more powerful members of their species to inflict devastation, targeting even those of considerably lesser strength.

Finally, and perhaps most critically, the reason for Jake's profound misstep lay in his excessive reliance on status. Initially, he depended on his standing as an Envoy, capable of guiding them beyond the Boundary. Subsequently, he attempted to leverage his affiliation as the Chosen of the Malefic Viper, an endeavor that also proved fruitless, as they could not fully grasp its implications, regardless of Jake's explanations. Moreover, even if comprehension were possible, why would they place credence in a recently ascended B-grade claiming the patronage of a being capable of annihilating their entire world? In retrospect, it sounded akin to a child's fabrication. While the Venusian’s ability to detect deception confirmed the veracity of his claims, it only validated Jake's interpretation of the truth, not the objective reality itself.

Logic dictated that even in the event of Jake's demise, his faction would warrant some form of compensation, assuming retribution was genuinely sought. Surely, they would not instigate the annihilation of an entire Minor World merely over the fate of a single B-grade cultivator?

Naturally, the intention had never been to eliminate Jake. Such an action would undoubtedly have been considered an absolute final recourse. The terms they presented were likely viewed as extraordinarily generous from their perspective, and the price Jake was expected to pay was remarkably minimal: a commitment to appear at scheduled intervals and assist in their transcendence beyond the Boundary.

It was inconceivable to them that Jake would react with such profound offense to what was, in their estimation, a perfectly reasonable and even temporary proposition. Jake was merely expected to lend his aid for a few years, receiving substantial benefits in return, rendering the arrangement mutually advantageous.

Yet, the stark reality was that Jake refused to sign any agreement that would curtail his freedom, especially a Soul Contract. No matter how they framed it, he would sooner meet his end than surrender such a fundamental part of his existence. Even if he were inclined to compromise, Jake understood intrinsically that doing so would jeopardize his entire Path, potentially barring him from godhood in the future. This was true even if he found a way to break free from the contract later on.

Jake continued to ruminate on the sequence of misfortunes, briefly contemplating reaching out to Villy, but ultimately decided against it. The snake god hadn't contacted him either, intensifying Jake's suspicion that the Great Sea Serpent's sudden appearance was somehow connected to Villy.

Time advanced, and after approximately thirty hours, Jake had finally managed to restore his soul to a satisfactory state. Complete recuperation would still necessitate at least another week, during which he could engage in combat with relative normalcy. However, excessive use of his boosting skill or further mental assaults could swiftly precipitate complications. Unfortunately, these minor, lingering soul afflictions were simply destined to mend with time, illustrating one of the few drawbacks of advancing in power.

The soul became increasingly arduous to heal, and the knowledge that the Horned Slayer would likely endure several years of persistent issues offered a sliver of solace. Jake's recuperation rate as a B-grade was already extraordinary, but this was precisely what one would expect from a sacred skill.

With a flutter of his eyelids, Jake rose and stretched, still finding himself confined as anticipated. Predictably, his movements immediately drew the attention of the colossal serpent that had engulfed him.

“Your recovery is remarkable. Surpassing any being I have seen before.”

Jake remained silent, resisting the urge to boast about his superior meditation techniques. Such displays had never served him well in the past, so he opted to speak only when absolutely necessary.

“Wariness is healthy. Required for survival. But you have my word that you can relax. Now, would you like to return to the world outside once more?”

One observation Jake had made was that the Great Sea Serpent had never acted directly concerning Jake without first seeking consent, which puzzled him slightly. However, it also reinforced his conviction that this peak A-grade entity possessed a far deeper understanding than it revealed.

Regarding his reply, Jake simply nodded in assent. Instantly, his vision shifted as the immense serpent expelled him.

In the subsequent moment, Jake felt solid ground beneath his feet. He also keenly perceived that the surroundings had undergone a profound transformation. Jake stood within a cavern utterly devoid of the pervasive poisonous mist that typically permeated the Minor World, though this did not imply a reduction in ambient toxins. Quite the contrary.

The intensity of the toxicity within the cavern was considerably heightened, representing an improvement in quality rather than quantity. Furthermore, Jake sensed its penetration through his scales, being absorbed with remarkable ease. His Palate was in a state of perpetual euphoria during every moment Jake remained there.

With a Pulse, Jake scanned his immediate vicinity. Initially, he mistook his location to be within a towering, inverted mountain, but he soon perceived the truth. Off to the sides, beyond the stone walls, lay a dense liquid that pervaded everything. Even with his senses extended to their maximum range, he could not discern the surface.

In essence, he was likely situated deep beneath the ocean he had heard so much about—a fitting lair for a Great Sea Serpent.

He also detected something else as he expanded his awareness. Turning his head, his gaze met two orange eyes that bore a resemblance to his own, though his were decidedly more bestial, while the serpent's were, as expected, more reptilian.

“You detected my presence, even when I did not intend for you to. A feat I would believe impossible, but with the existence of the multiverse, perhaps I should broaden my horizons significantly.”

Mere dozens of meters away resided the Great Sea Serpent, now diminished in size to less than fifty meters in length. This allowed Jake to finally obtain a clear view of the peak A-grade entity. Its dark orange scales now bore a near-bronze hue, possibly due to the ambient illumination from glowing crystals embedded in the cavern's ceiling. The serpent's form was strikingly simple.

It simply appeared as a colossal snake, not significantly different from a pre-system serpent, apart from its sheer size.

Having taken a moment to fully orient himself, Jake responded with a nod. “Every native of this Minor World will have to if they wish to survive the world beyond the Boundary.”

“Yes... indeed we will,” the Great Sea Serpent affirmed, observing Jake while remaining coiled. “But I have said enough, have I not? I can see you have questions. Ask.”