The Primal Hunter, #4
The Primal Hunter 4
by Zogarth
Contents
66. Memories of (Questionable) Past Deeds
Overview
Jake returns from the Path Legacy and finds Pride of the Malefic Viper upgraded to Legendary, gaining a will-infused presence that can act as a mental weapon. The Viper confirms Jake already leverages intimidation and then confesses a bleak past of world-breaking rage before reforming. They discuss leaving the 93rd Universe, but Jake stays for upcoming events. Jake’s remaining Path use is unavailable, and he turns to select profession skills.
Summary
Jake returns to his lodge moments after the Path Legacy vision, reflecting that the skill’s strength lies in experiencing techniques firsthand. He reviews Pride of the Malefic Viper’s upgrade to Legendary, now enabling mana-infused presence that can pressure minds and ease imposing will on the world. System dings confirm profession levels 121–122 and race level 125.
Considering tests and costs, Jake notes the upgrade lacks explicit stat scaling beyond Willpower synergy. The Malefic Viper arrives, asking about results. Villy points out Jake already weaponizes presence and bloodlust, citing the space mage incident, and argues the upgrade formalizes and enhances what Jake naturally does.
Jake teases Villy about a past “council” fight, prompting the Viper to reveal a grim history: at late C-grade he consumed and slew his world into lifelessness, then stagnated in isolation and anger for millennia. Upon evolving into a Calamitous Banespike Dragon, his race amplified destruction; he rampaged across worlds for power and fleeting satisfaction.
Jake bluntly criticizes the nihilistic path. The Viper agrees it was senseless and says the system later also rewarded his recovery and change, though he withholds the exact turning point. He cautions that presence-based mental attacks can be inconsistent.
They shift to logistics: Jake could technically leave the 93rd Universe now via a one-way method, but returning would be difficult and he would miss the Treasure Hunt, so he decides to stay until reliable two-way travel exists. When Jake tries to use his remaining Path charge, the skill remains unresponsive.
Accepting the delay, Jake ends the conversation and moves on to select new profession skills.
Who Appears
- JakeProtagonist; gains Legendary Pride, levels up, debates presence as a weapon, hears Viper’s past, stays in the 93rd, and prepares to pick profession skills.
- The Malefic Viper (Villy)Mentor god; confirms Jake’s use of presence, recounts his destructive dragon past and later reform, advises against leaving before events.