The Primal Hunter, #4
The Primal Hunter 4
by Zogarth
Contents
74. Scorching the Plains
Overview
Jake reassures Sylphie’s parents after forming a Union Oath and receives an explanation from the Malefic Viper, who admits to engineering the bond for mutual gains. Setting stakes for the Treasure Hunt, Jake orders Sylphie to reach level 110 alone. She departs to train, while Jake tests the Embered Bow’s Scorching Plains enchantment, annihilating a wide area and confirming plans to transmute the weapon.
Summary
Jake calms Hawkie and Mystie, explaining that Sylphie is safely resting after the Union Oath with Stormild. While waiting for Sylphie to wake, he checks unexpected level-ups and contacts the Malefic Viper. The Viper admits he leveraged their bond to let Stormild’s skill take hold, exploiting Jake’s aversion to subservience, and claims he sought knowledge on soul magic. Jake accepts the explanation and asks for future warnings.
Sylphie awakens and chatters with her parents about Stormild. Jake inspects the new bond, sensing it is absolute yet faint, and values its utility for the Treasure Hunt. He then lays firm conditions: Sylphie has thirteen days to reach level 110 and must avoid further rescue needs, or she will not join the Hunt. Mystie protests, but Hawkie supports Jake’s logic. Sylphie, determined yet nervous, agrees and sets out to train solo; her parents leave in another direction.
Turning to preparation, Jake evaluates the Embered Bow of Scorching Plains. He identifies a mismatch: the bow’s passive fire infusion conflicts with his arcane arrows—wasting or negating the fire mana. He practices with mundane arrows to study mana flow and the bow’s gemstones, planning a future transmutation to convert the system toward arcane infusion.
For a full test, Jake relocates to empty plains, clears nearby beasts with a warning, and unleashes the Scorching Plains enchantment. A massive fire arrow transforms into a ground-hugging wave that incinerates a circular area over five kilometers wide, razing the old barn site. Satisfied with the destructive potential and data gathered, Jake concludes the bow can be effectively transmuted for his style.
Who Appears
- JakeProtagonist; accepts Viper’s explanation, sets Sylphie’s training ultimatum, and tests the Embered Bow’s Scorching Plains, planning a transmutation.
- SylphieJake’s hawk companion; agrees to reach level 110 in 13 days and departs to train solo for the Treasure Hunt.
- Malefic Viper (Villy)Patron Primordial; admits to engineering the Union Oath opportunity for knowledge gains and explains Jake’s odd level-ups.
- HawkieSylphie’s father; calms Mystie and supports Jake’s demand that Sylphie train independently.
- MystieSylphie’s mother; initially protests Sylphie going alone but yields after Sylphie’s resolve and Hawkie’s support.