The Primal Hunter Chapter 1321 - There’s Always A Bigger Snake

A profoundly disturbing sensation washed over the Great Sea Serpent as his consciousness underwent a significant alteration. The urge to resist was present, and logically, it was the expected course of action. However, primal instincts overriding rational thought screamed that such defiance was not a viable option, as it would inflict irreparable harm upon his future prospects.

Upon regaining his senses, the peak A-grade entity found himself adrift in a desolate, gray void. Though his physical form remained unmoved, a crucial part of his spirit had undertaken this journey, signifying inherent risks. Yet, even a mere projection of his image would have been fraught with peril, as the Great Sea Serpent possessed no true understanding of the entity he was confronting.

All that was certain was that the situation far exceeded his capacity to comprehend.

As his awareness adjusted to this alien dimension, he instantly perceived its profound strangeness. Unfamiliar concepts permeated the very atmosphere, but the most astonishing revelation was that each element seemed imbued with a distinct, inherent intent. There was an utter absence of environmental Qi, at least as the Great Sea Serpent understood it. Instead, a powerful conviction formed: this realm was a deliberate creation, a manifestation orchestrated by a being of immense power.

The Great Sea Serpent felt a surge of gratitude for not being physically present. Had he been, his entire being would have been instantly disintegrated, reduced to mere dust. The pervasive toxicity surrounding him dwarved even the crushing pressures of the deepest oceanic trenches, a level of lethality that no creature from his world, past or present, could endure for even a fleeting moment.

A survey of his surroundings revealed a stark, desolate landscape: an unending expanse of stone and dust stretching towards every horizon. The colors themselves seemed subdued, as if their very essence were being eroded. Gazing upwards, the sky presented itself as an immense, dimly dark-green expanse.

At that precise juncture, while the Great Sea Serpent was still endeavoring to grasp the nature of this profound domain, three words echoed, resonating through the fabric of existence itself.

“You did well.”

These three words, though brief, reverberated through his entire soul, profoundly shaking the Great Sea Serpent to his very core. An overwhelming surge of unbidden happiness and pride, stemming from the recognition bestowed by this supreme entity, welled up from within. Instinctively, the Great Sea Serpent lowered his head in a gesture of deep reverence, an action he performed unconsciously.

The impact of those words was so potent that the serpent failed to notice the ethereal green radiance that suffused the world as they were uttered. Fortunately, the majestic presence refrained from speaking further, allowing the Great Sea Serpent a moment to steady himself. He then managed to direct his gaze upward, toward the source of the luminous glow.

Upon observing the verdant, shining sky, immediate recognition dawned. In a spectacle mirroring his own encounter at the Boundary against the Arachnecs and Venusians, the A-grade entity found himself gazing upon an eye of unimaginable scale, vastly exceeding even his own gargantuan form at its zenith.

Furthermore, these eyes emanated a power and presence that conjured a singular word within the Great Sea Serpent's consciousness. It was a word whose meaning had been utterly unknown to him mere moments prior.

It was his most profound instincts that guided the Great Sea Serpent's realization of the entity's nature. He felt reduced to the stature of a minuscule serpent, reminiscent of his earliest days. He recalled his youth spent in the relative safety of subterranean caves nestled within the islands nearing the apex of his world, where the pervasive toxins were less concentrated. These were the days when every shadow concealed a threat, and the world felt like a treacherous, hostile place.

For the preceding two hundred thousand years, the Great Sea Serpent had resided at, or near, the pinnacle of existence within his realm. While other formidable entities existed capable of engaging him in combat, none posed a genuine existential threat. Their confrontations invariably concluded in stalemates or with minor concessions, compelling a strategic withdrawal. Significantly, all three apex predators of his world wielded toxins as their primary offensive instrument, rendering their attacks largely ineffective against one another. Hence, combat often became a futile expenditure of energy. Consequently, fear had become a profoundly alien emotion, a sensation he had almost entirely forgotten.

Yet, in this very moment, he experienced a terror unlike any he had ever known. Simultaneously, he was overcome by reverence, potent anticipation, an inexplicable sense of kinship, and a cascade of other emotions that defied his comprehension. The experience was utterly overwhelming. The Great Sea Serpent lowered his head once more, too awestruck to dare raise it in the presence of the manifest creator of this world.

Concurrently, a palpable sense arose that a response to the earlier pronouncement was expected. Despite this, he remained speechless for several agonizing seconds. Finally, he managed to articulate a response, a feat he hadn't believed himself capable of after ruling his world for countless eons.

“I... I am unworthy.”

The residual intent and power that typically imbued the Great Sea Serpent’s voice had vanished, completely subdued by the overwhelming entity that passively commanded the entirety of the surroundings. His sole aspiration was that his humble words would not incur the displeasure of the being that had granted him this extraordinary audience.

“You did well, though that doesn’t change the fact that you performed as I intended—for the most part, at least. I’m not one to expect perfection.”

Once more, a wave of appreciation washed over the Great Sea Serpent for his recognized contribution. Yet, confusion lingered. As the shock from the encounter subsided, the A-grade entity had the clarity to examine the situation more closely, and certain aspects simply didn’t align.

Why would a being of such stature concern itself with events within the Great Sea Serpent’s world? It was so far beneath them. It would be akin to the Great Sea Serpent fretting over the trivialities within a small island cave—utterly inconsequential and irrelevant.

Still, this entity had shown concern. A topic the serpent wished to broach but dared not, considering his position. Who was he to question such a being?

“Your world’s affairs do not concern me,” the entity replied, as if plucking the thought directly from the Great Sea Serpent’s mind. “I do not typically involve myself in the dealings of mortals. However, this particular mortal has caught my attention.”

The Great Sea Serpent had already surmised that the human was the catalyst for this being’s involvement, but the reason remained elusive. In fact, confirmation only deepened his bewilderment. The human was merely a B-grade, considered weak even within the serpent’s own domain. This entity, conversely, wielded incomprehensible power.

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“Your comprehension is not necessary. What is crucial is that you prove beneficial to my plans.”

The Great Sea Serpent’s eyes widened at the pronouncement. Prove useful. The use of the future tense resonated deeply. This immensely powerful being was extending the possibility for the serpent to continue his service, acknowledging him as a Forefather. It was a being to whom the serpent instinctively felt a debt for a portion of his very existence.

“How may I be of service?” the Great Sea Serpent inquired without a second thought, eager to seize this opportunity with all his might.

“Guard my Chosen. Execute his commands, for he speaks with my implicit authority. In return, I shall bestow my Blessing, empowering you to dominate this world and ready it for my Chosen’s ultimate designs.”

The Great Sea Serpent remained perplexed by the human’s significance. Yet, as the majestic being stated, was comprehension truly required? Could he fathom the mind of someone so unquestionably his superior in every conceivable manner? Even contemplating such a possibility felt intolerably arrogant, perhaps even… blasphemous.

It was a term the Great Sea Serpent understood only vaguely, but it now seemed remarkably apt.

“I vow to exert my utmost effort,” the Great Sea Serpent pledged; rejection had never even crossed his mind.

“Excellent. Then depart with my Blessing. Demonstrate that you are worthy of it.”

As the words reverberated through the void, a profound transformation washed over the A-grade entity. The Great Sea Serpent felt a subtle internal shift, an unseen current of power coursing through his ancient being. He sensed the Blessing not as a physical force but as an innate certainty—he was undeniably more than he had been moments prior.

Nevertheless, a swift glance at his status menu confirmed it was more than mere perception. The Blessing occupied a distinct slot on the menu, providing concrete evidence and system acknowledgment of divine existence itself. The Blessing’s description also offered significant insight to the serpent.

Accompanying the Blessing were specific knowledge and even a new skill. This granted knowledge enabled the serpent to comprehend the being who had blessed him far more deeply, along with understanding the Order, Records, Paths, and much of what a human might term common knowledge of the multiverse. All of this was imparted by the Malefic One, undoubtedly as a means to enhance the peak A-grade’s utility and to fully grasp the monumental importance of this particular day.

To understand how this precise moment marked a colossal turning point on the Great Serpent’s Path.

For a fleeting moment, the Great Sea Serpent contemplated the immense scope of his newfound purpose: to protect the Chosen, enact his will, and prepare the world for the impending events. The burden of this responsibility settled upon him, yet it was counterbalanced by the thrilling promise of what lay ahead—of the future that had now become attainable.

Collecting himself, the Great Sea Serpent lowered his head in reverence, sensing the entity’s lingering gaze. He understood that from this point forward, every action would be scrutinized, every decision weighed. Failure would likely result in punishment or the withdrawal of the Blessing, while success could lead to his new Patron elevating him to heights the serpent had not even conceived of mere days ago.

It was all rather a lot to take in, and frankly, quite overwhelming. Yet, for the very first time in recent memory, he found himself welcoming the scrutiny of another being who was judging his every move. With a surge of renewed determination, he felt a sense of revitalization, almost as if he were young again, as he looked toward the future. This future was now illuminated by a clear purpose and the exciting promise of an even greater Path to tread.

“I shall obey the will of the Malefic One.”

“And I shall permit you to do so. Now depart. You have received your promised reward, and should your performance meet expectations, perhaps we shall meet again. You display considerable talent for having achieved your current level of power within an isolated Minor World. Do not, therefore, disappoint me by proving yourself unworthy of my notice.”

The Great Sea Serpent felt a surge of exhilaration upon hearing the Malefic One acknowledge his humble talents. He was particularly excited by the mere possibility of having the honor of meeting his Patron once more.

With newfound resolve hardening his mind, the Great Sea Serpent felt his consciousness detach from the realm of the Malefic Viper. He was undeniably a transformed serpent after this brief, yet profoundly impactful, encounter.

--

Jake stood rather awkwardly, his hand still resting on the immense serpentine body, as he waited for something, anything, to occur. He could distinctly feel the Viper channeling himself, utilizing Jake as a conduit to communicate with the Great Sea Serpent, but he had absolutely no way of knowing the specifics of their conversation.

He imagined they were engaged in some sort of discussion. Perhaps sharing a drink? Well, probably not. The serpent lacked arms, and Villy certainly wouldn't partake in a beverage with a snake incapable of properly holding a bottle.

Understanding the nature of their exchange would have been immensely helpful, as Jake felt incredibly strange just standing there while the seconds insidiously ticked by. After a minute had passed, he felt a strong temptation to reach out to Villy or to simply withdraw his hand. However, he was hesitant to disturb their interaction, compelling him to wait patiently for their discourse to conclude.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Jake sensed Villy ceasing his channeling through him. Precisely on cue, the Great Sea Serpent slowly opened its eyes.

The peak A-grade being took a moment to fully reorient itself, undoubtedly requiring some time after an encounter with Villy. Jake had been informed that confronting a deity for the first time could be quite an overwhelming experience, especially a Primordial one. He couldn't personally relate, but he understood the concept. Oh, and he did take a brief moment to employ his Identify skill on the snake again, finding the results somewhat surprising.

[Great Sea Serpent: lvl ???: Divine Blessing of the Malefic Viper]

Jake had not anticipated witnessing a Divine Blessing, knowing full well that such gifts were not easily bestowed by Villy. It represented a tier just below a True Blessing, and although the disparity was colossal, it remained the second-highest tier of Blessing a god could confer. This indicated either Villy's profound recognition of the Great Sea Serpent's capabilities or that the serpent was an exceptionally skilled negotiator, securing a substantial reward for its assistance to Jake. Regardless of the reason, it was beneficial for the serpent, and Jake hoped it signified a closer alignment between them moving forward.

After approximately two seconds, the colossal serpent finally lowered its immense gaze towards Jake, who remained uncertain about the imminent developments. Ideally, the serpent would now exhibit a more amicable disposition, and the ensuing interaction would not devolve into a battle of wits, as Jake frankly believed he stood no chance of winning such a contest.

However, this did not negate the necessity for Jake to remain vigilant. In the most unfavorable outcome, his objective would be to simply stall for time until he could depart for the Seat of the Exalted Prima. He fervently hoped that Villy's intervention with the serpent had at least rendered that possibility achievable.

Jake braced himself, ready for whatever might come next, yet he was entirely unprepared for the serpent's initial action.

The Great Sea Serpent, a peak A-grade entity and one of the most formidable beings within the Minor World, lowered its massive head to the ground. It then spoke, its voice seemingly diminished in power compared to before.

“I offer my sincerest apologies for failing to recognize the significance of the Malefic One’s Chosen previously. I implore you to forgive my transgressions and disrespect,” the serpent articulated, its tone conveying genuine remorse, causing Jake to momentarily question if this was some elaborate deception.

“It’s alright; you genuinely didn’t know,” Jake replied, unsure of the appropriate response. However, observing the A-grade being’s demeanor, he understood that remaining silent would undoubtedly lead to an awkward situation.

“If the Chosen permits, I shall endeavor to the greatest extent of my ability to atone for my past shortcomings,” the Great Sea Serpent stated, its head raising slightly. “In accordance with the Malefic One’s decree, I shall remain under your command, for as long as this esteemed honor is bestowed upon me.”

Jake stared at the massive serpent for several seconds, inwardly pondering the nature of the experience the unfortunate A-grade being must have endured to undergo such a drastic transformation in such a brief period.

He still remained uncertain about precisely what to say or do as the Great Sea Serpent continued, its tone bordering on excitement.