The Primal Hunter, #4
The Primal Hunter 4
by Zogarth
Contents
12. The World Congress Begins
Overview
Jake arrives at the World Congress with Miranda, Lillian, and Neil, occupying Earth’s lone Earl platform among 104 factions. He identifies major powers, including Jacob’s Sanctdomo, an ominous undead delegation, and a formidable old swordsman. The System announces voting mechanics and a World Leader election. Jake’s open reunion with Caleb defuses tension and nudges the Congress toward diplomacy.
Summary
Jake, Miranda, Lillian, and Neil enter a System-made congress hall, seated on a raised “Haven – Earl” platform among nine Viscounts. Barriers isolate platforms, but Jake’s perception notes neighboring powers: Sanctdomo with Jacob (the Augur) on one side and a faction led by a dangerous old swordsman on the other.
Across the chamber, an undead delegation draws wary attention; Casper stands with a white-haired leader who projects a death-aspected aura. The Court of Shadows’ Skyggen platform holds Caleb, Nadia, and others. Additional platforms fill until 104 factions are present, with a few D-grades among them, including a young red-haired woman, an armored man, and a calm mid-thirties man whose aura signals a unique bloodline that Jake silently acknowledges.
The System outlines the Congress: three votes with intermissions, no fighting, and privacy auras. A World Leader vote will occur first, requiring 60% support. Voting power scales with noble rank (Earl 10, Viscount 5, Baron 3, Lord 1), and tie-breaks go to the highest-ranking noble—Jake—drawing attention to Haven’s leverage.
When barriers drop, Jake teleports to Caleb and greets him openly, confirming family news and casually referencing his own D-grade evolution. Their human moment draws the hall’s focus, breaking the tense aura standoff and easing broader anxieties about the gathering.
As delegates begin approaching Miranda, Lillian, and Neil for talks, the mood shifts from posturing to negotiation. Jake’s initiative inadvertently sets a cooperative tone for the first vote and the Congress at large, even as powerful and potentially antagonistic factions quietly assess one another.
Who Appears
- JakeHaven’s Earl; strongest visible D-grade; recognizes Jacob, a deadly swordsman, undead leaders, and a bloodline peer; publicly reunites with Caleb, easing tensions.
- MirandaHaven’s chief negotiator; sets Jake’s conduct rules; becomes a focal point for initial diplomatic approaches once barriers drop.
- CalebLeader within the Court of Shadows/Skyggen; Jake’s brother; shares family news; his reunion with Jake helps set a cooperative tone.
- Jacob (the Augur)Sanctdomo’s D-grade; serene, mind-affecting presence; acknowledges Jake, signaling major political and power relevance.
- Old swordsman (Saya – Viscount)Formidable D-grade whose presence triggers Jake’s combat instincts; exchanges respectful acknowledgment with Jake.
- CasperOn the undead platform; uneasy under scrutiny; former colleague of Jake, now tied to a controversial faction.
- White-haired undead leaderComposed D-grade undead representative; projects death-aspected aura; fronts the most alien and scrutinized delegation.
- NeilHaven healer; attends as invitee; uneasy under scrutiny but becomes a contact point when discussions begin.
- LillianHaven baroness; calm under attention; joins initial diplomatic clustering after barriers drop.
- NadiaSkyggen member with enhanced Identify; fails to pierce Jake’s obscuration, highlighting his concealment power.
- MatteoSkyggen member observing Haven’s Earl platform; gauges Jake alongside Nadia and Caleb.
- Bloodline man (unidentified)Mid-thirties D-grade who arrives with two companions; shares a unique bloodline resonance with Jake; signals secrecy.