The Primal Hunter Chapter 2 - Introduction

*Initiation of the 93rd Universe confirmed. Introduction sequence commencing*

*Welcome to the introduction. Preparing…*

Jake’s eyes snapped open to the sound of that same voice. It was welcoming him to an... introduction? And what exactly was being prepared? He felt a surge of confusion and alarm.

A few moments passed. Though his eyes were wide, he was surrounded by absolute pitch-blackness. A dull, throbbing headache was the only sensation piercing through the numbness of his body. Internal panic began to set in as he realized he couldn't even open his mouth to speak. Had aliens abducted him? Just as his thoughts began to spiral into chaos, the voice spoke again.

*Preparations complete. Starting introduction*

A sudden, brilliant light flashed, blinding him as if a massive spotlight had been aimed directly at his face. As he squinted and his vision slowly returned, feeling began to seep back into his limbs. Looking down, Jake realized he was seated in a chair. He lifted his gaze to see a table in front of him, with another figure sitting on the opposite side.

The setting reminded him of an interrogation room—a cramped, enclosed area with two chairs and a table, though it lacked the typical one-way mirror. The striking difference was the clinical cleanliness of the place. Every surface—the floor, the walls, the furniture—was a stark, pristine white. Despite the absence of any visible lamps or windows, the room was bathed in a clear, even light.

“Hello?” Jake asked tentatively, directing his question at the figure across from him. At first glance, the being appeared human, yet it lacked any defining traits. It possessed a hairless head, featureless white eyes without pupils, and a torso so flat and smooth it looked artificial. There wasn't a single hair on its body, and Jake had a nagging feeling that beneath the table, the creature was equally devoid of any anatomy. As he finished his silent appraisal, the "human" spoke.

“Greetings, human. I am the overseer of your introduction. During this session, I will explain the parameters of your new reality,” the entity stated. Its voice was a strange, synthetic blend of numerous male and female tones layered together. Jake opened his mouth to reply, but the being continued without pause.

“First, welcome to this new phase of your existence. Your universe has finally reached the necessary threshold for integration into the multiverse and has been initiated. Do you have any inquiries before we discuss the details of the tutorial?” the creature concluded.

Jake’s mind raced. Multiverses? Thresholds? A new chapter? The implications were staggering, yet the question that tumbled out of his mouth was far more basic.

“Who—no, what are you?” he stammered, his words tripping over each other.

“I am the entity designated to greet you and provide an orientation regarding the shift in your world and the nature of your new reality,” it replied flatly, offering no further elaboration.

“What new reality?” Jake pressed.

“The reality referred to by the progenitor enlightened races as ‘The System’,” it clarified.

“And how am I supposed to see this sys…” Before he could finish the thought, a translucent window manifested in his field of vision:

Status

Name: Jake Thayne

Race: [Human (G) – lvl 0]

Class: N/A

Profession: N/A

Health Points (HP): 90/90

Mana Points (MP): 80/80

Stamina: 70/70

Stats

Strength: 7

Agility: 8

Endurance: 7

Vitality: 9

Toughness: 7

Wisdom: 8

Intelligence: 8

Perception: 10

Willpower: 6

Free points: 0

Titles

N/A

That certainly answered that, Jake mused. He began to piece together what was happening and decided to play along. Part of him suspected this was just an incredibly vivid lucid dream, so there was no harm in indulging it. He started by doing what he found most interesting: dissecting the numbers.

There were nine distinct stats, ranging from 6 to 10. His attributes seemed fairly even, with Perception and Willpower being the only outliers. Did a Willpower of 6 mean he was weak-willed? Or was 6 actually a decent baseline for someone in his position?

His race was listed as human, which made sense, but the ‘G’ remained a mystery. He was apparently a level 0 human without a class or profession. While he considered himself a professional financial consultant in the upper-middle class, he highly doubted the System was referring to his career or social standing.

He had no titles. His HP and MP were 90 and 80, respectively, which suggested they were calculated by multiplying a specific stat by ten. Since Vitality was his only stat at 9, it clearly governed health. Mana was trickier; with both Wisdom and Intelligence at 8, either could be the source of his 80 MP. His Stamina was 70, which likely tied back to either Strength or Endurance—he put his money on Endurance.

He tried to focus on the various terms on the screen, but most offered no extra detail, simply stating that strength was strength. However, focusing on his race triggered a description:

Human (G) – The baseline level for humans within the system. This rank is exclusive to inhabitants of newly initiated worlds. Humans are recognized as one of the most versatile and populous races in the multiverse, capable of pursuing numerous paths to power. Stat bonuses per level: +1 to all stats. +1 free point.

So I’m the lowest tier of human? Thanks for that, Jake thought dryly. The text confirmed that other races existed and that there were other humans scattered throughout the multiverse.

After experimenting with the interface a bit longer, he looked back at the strange, humanoid entity.

“Can you explain the specific effects of the stats on the status screen? For instance, which ones determine health points, or how they interact?” he asked.

“No. The current information is sufficient for your needs,” the being replied in its unchanging drone.

“Then how do I acquire a class or a profession? How do I level up? What does the ‘G’ rank signify? And why am I here? Where are the people I was with?” Jake asked, his questions coming out in a rapid-fire burst. He couldn't help the urgency; the situation was beyond surreal.

“You will select a class upon entering the tutorial. This choice serves as the foundation of your path and will guide your development. A profession is earned by consistently performing related tasks or demonstrating high proficiency in them. Classes focus on the acquisition of power, while professions revolve around creative pursuits and rarely grant direct combat strength. Leveling is achieved through various actions. The ‘G’ denotes the current rank of your species. You are here because you have entered the introductory phase. As for the ‘others,’ I assume you refer to other humans; they are currently undergoing their own individual introductions,” the entity explained. The answers were brief, but they gave Jake a much clearer picture. It was a relief to know his colleagues were likely experiencing the same thing.

“We shall now move on to classes,” the being announced.

Before Jake could speak, a massive wall of text appeared on a new screen. He steadied himself and began reading through the options:

Warrior (Light) – A fundamental starting class. This warrior specializes in swift strikes, dodging, and precision. While they possess superior speed compared to medium or heavy variants, they suffer from lower defense and raw power. Common weapons include daggers, rapiers, light axes, and throwing tools. Stat bonuses: +2 Agi, +1 End, +1 Str, +1 Vit, +1 Free point.

This first option seemed like a rogue archetype. The mention of daggers and throwing weapons piqued his interest, but he wasn't keen on getting into messy, close-quarters brawls. He had always preferred archery over something like fencing.

Warrior (Medium) – A fundamental starting class. This class offers a balanced combat style, bridging the gap between quickness and strength. It is slower than the light variant but faster than the heavy. It provides more durability than the light warrior but less than the heavy. It allows for the use of a wide range of weaponry. Stat bonuses per level: +1 Agi, +1 End, +1 Vit, +1 Str +1 Tough, +1 Free Point

This seemed like the "Jack of all trades" choice—perfect for someone who wanted to be a fighter but didn't know which specialty to pick. It offered decent versatility, at least.

Warrior (Heavy) – A fundamental starting class. This warrior prioritizes massive power and high survivability at the cost of mobility and flexibility. They are slower than other variants but possess immense resilience. Typical equipment includes a one-handed weapon with a shield or a massive two-handed weapon. Ranged options are virtually non-existent. Stat bonuses per level: +2 Str, +1 Tough +1 Vit, +1 End, +1 Free Point.

The tank option. Jake imagined a man in full plate armor holding a tower shield, or perhaps a hulking Viking with a greataxe. Neither image felt like it fit him.

Archer – A fundamental starting class. This class focuses on long-distance engagement, primarily utilizing bows and arrows, supplemented by light melee weapons like daggers or short-swords. Archers are nimble and quick, valuing agility over raw muscle. Stat bonuses per level: +2 Per, +1 Agi, +1 End, +1 Str, +1 Free Point

There it was. Unless something better appeared, this was the clear winner. Even if he had to use a knife occasionally, he would much rather face threats from a distance with a bow.

Caster – A fundamental starting class. Casters specialize in magical warfare, prioritizing intellect and wisdom over physical strength. This base class is unaligned, meaning it isn't yet tied to a specific element. While its initial power is modest, its potential scope is vast. Casters possess high destructive potential but lack defense. They use staves, wands, or relics as catalysts for their power. Stat bonuses per level: +2 Int, +1 Wis, +1 Will, +1 Per, +1 Free Point.

This confirmed that magic was a tangible reality. While the idea of hurling fireballs and lightning was tempting, his heart was still set on the bow.

Healer – A fundamental starting class. Healers can close wounds, cure ailments, and buff themselves or their allies. This base class is unaligned with any specific deity or magic type. They are weak in solo encounters but extremely valuable in a group. Stat bonuses per level: +2 Will, +2 Wis, +1 Int, +1 Free Point.

The final option was the healer. Every choice was a ‘basic starting class,’ which meant no one got a "cheat" class right out of the gate. He noted that every class gave five stat points plus one free point per level. Compared to his racial bonus, classes were more specialized but provided the same total growth. The healer didn't interest him, though the mention of "deific powers" was intriguing. Did that mean gods were real? Could he become a priest later?

“Can you give me any more details on these? Any tips for choosing?” Jake asked, hopeful for a lead.

“Your journey is yours to define. Select a class so we may proceed,” the creature replied dismissively.

Accepting that he wasn't going to get any more help, Jake selected Archer.

You have chosen the Archer class. Confirm?

Even the System uses confirmation prompts, Jake thought as he hit yes.

*You have obtained the Archer class*

The moment the notification appeared, a strange—not quite painful, but not pleasant—tingling sensation washed through his mind. Simultaneously, several objects materialized on the table. Before he could examine them, more messages popped up:

*Gained Skill*: [Basic Archery (Inferior)] – A bow in the hand and an arrow in the target are an Archer’s best allies. Grants basic mastery of bows and crossbows, along with a slight bonus to Agility and Strength when using ranged weapons.

*Gained Skill*: [Basic One-Handed Weapon (Inferior)] – While not a master of melee, an Archer is never defenseless. Grants basic proficiency with most one-handed weapons and a slight bonus to Agility and Strength when using them.

*Gained Skill*: [Archers Eye (Common)] – An Archer is trained to track prey and identify vulnerabilities. Improves the ability to spot targets. Passively enhances the effect of Perception on eyesight.

Reading these, Jake felt his theory that this reality functioned like a video game or RPG was being proven correct. The first two skills were labeled ‘inferior’ and seemed very basic. The third, however, was ‘common’ and seemed more specialized.

He instinctively understood how to use Archer’s Eye. He focused his intent, and his vision sharpened significantly. It was like watching a video resolution jump from 480p to 4K over five seconds. The clarity of the room was stunning. When he let the skill drop, his vision returned to normal, and he noticed his Stamina had slipped from 70 to 68. His Mana and Health remained full.

He dismissed the windows and looked at the items on the table. Turning to the motionless entity, he asked, “I assume this gear is for me?”

“Yes,” it replied. “This is the standard equipment for your class. Now, for the final stage of the introduction. Certain essentials are provided to all new participants.”

Another screen appeared.

*Gained skill*: [Identify (Inferior)] – A fundamental skill for gathering information, known by almost everyone in the multiverse. Allows the user to attempt to learn about objects or creatures by focusing on them.

Finally, a way to get some actual information. Jake felt he desperately needed it, as the introduction had provided more mysteries than answers.

“The introduction concludes in ten minutes, at which point you will be moved to the tutorial. You should take your equipment now; any items left behind will be forfeited,” the being warned. Jake hurriedly stood up to claim his gear.

The set consisted of a wooden bow and a quiver, a rough brown cloak, a simple knife, and a belt with a small pouch. It all looked distinctly medieval. The bow was a far cry from the modern aluminum compound bows he knew; it was simple wood with a string that looked like silk. He wasn't entirely sure of the materials.

The cloak was made of a coarse, burlap-like fabric that felt tough. The quiver was wood wrapped in leather, featuring a harness for his back. The knife was a basic steel blade with a wooden grip—simple but functional. Lastly, he checked the pouch and found several small vials inside.

Wondering what they were, he remembered his new skill. He focused on a bottle filled with red liquid. After a few seconds, a window appeared:

[Health Potion (Inferior)] – Consuming this restores health.

Predictable, but useful. He used Identify on the rest, finding three health potions and three stamina potions that functioned identically for his energy levels. After securing the pouch, he turned to the other gear. The bow and cloak gave him nothing more than "wooden bow" and "brown cloak." However, when he inspected the quiver, he got a result:

[Enchanted Quiver (Common)] – A magical quiver capable of generating common-rank arrows when supplied with mana.

That’s incredibly convenient, Jake thought. As he finished his check, the entity gave him a final countdown.

“Two minutes remain until the tutorial begins.”

Jake quickly threw on the cloak, buckled the belt with the pouch, and slung the quiver over his shoulder. Fortunately, it was already stocked with dozens of arrows.