The Primal Hunter Chapter 1244 - Invasive Personal Questions

Jake remained puzzled by the Unique Lifeform’s excessive enthusiasm, especially when he recalled one specific detail…

“Weren’t you already aware of this?” Jake inquired. Minaga had been present during his visit to the Pantheon of Life and, as far as Jake could tell, was fully informed that something was developing between him and the goddess.

“I don’t see how that matters,” Minaga shot back. “Furthermore, even if you claim I knew, this specific version of me doesn't. Besides, can you really blame me for wanting to hear the juicy details straight from the source?”

Jake was prepared to argue that he could indeed blame him, but Casper interrupted. “Now I feel like the only person left in the dark… seriously, what happened? Who is she?”

“It’s—” Jake started to respond, but Minaga cut him off instantly.

“Don’t tell him!” the Unique Lifeform shouted, a grin spreading across his face as he looked at Casper. “You have to guess.”

Casper gave Minaga a flat look before shaking his head. “How am I supposed to figure that out? I’m terrible at these things.”

“That’s exactly why your guessing is so entertaining,” Minaga insisted. By now, Jake’s own curiosity was piqued, and he joined the Unique Lifeform in staring down the Risen.

The poor man stood silently for a moment, his eyes closed in thought, before he finally spoke.

“Alright, looking at the women in your immediate circle, let’s start ruling people out. It’s not Miranda; I definitely would have heard about that, and I don't think she’s interested anyway. I know there was something with Carmen, but she’d sooner punch you than go official. Then there’s that succubus Irin and the new Chosen of Duskleaf, but since they were both your subordinates, I don’t see it happening. That only leaves a few others, like Reika or Maria, but… no. I’m crossing off all your creations because… gross. Finally, there’s Dina from your Nevermore Party, but she seemed to have zero interest in you.”

Jake watched Casper, who was beginning to sound remarkably like Jacob with his clinical dissection of Jake’s social life. He had been entirely accurate thus far, and as the analysis continued, he remained perfectly on target.

“Then there are all the people trying to get close to you because of your Bloodline or your status as the Chosen of the Malefic Viper. I’m sure there are plenty, but I’m confident none of them caught your eye. I doubt the Malefic One would even permit an official union with them. So… my conclusion is that it’s no one I actually know. However, based on your personality, they must be significantly stronger than you. Definitely above C-grade, maybe higher. Since you said Minaga knew and you two were at the Pantheon of Life together, I’d bet it happened there. Whoever she is, she has high status within the Pantheon of Life.”

To say Jake was stunned would be an understatement; his former coworker and old friend had never shown such a talent for relationship analysis. Then again, it shouldn't be surprising that Casper had matured in the years following the system’s arrival and—

“I appreciate the insight, Lyra. Very helpful,” Minaga said with a respectful nod.

“She says it was no problem.”

Casper wore a wide grin as he turned to Jake. “So, was she right?”

“Yeah,” Jake admitted with a nod. “But this brings up a question… how does she know so much about my personal life?”

“You can’t fault a girl for keeping up with the news,” Minaga said, shrugging. “You realize people are constantly tracking you and digging into your private affairs, right? And there are plenty who are happy to make that information public.”

“Who has that much free time?” Jake sighed, though the answer was already forming in his mind.

“The Primordial Church, for starters,” Casper explained with a shrug. “They collect every scrap of info on anyone with high-level blessings from Primordials. As a Chosen, it’s only natural they’d investigate you. The Court of Shadows sells info on you too, and I hear your relationship status is one of their top-selling items.”

“Ah, such is the life of the multiverse’s most eligible bachelor,” Minaga remarked wistfully. “It’s almost unfair… despite my achievements, I’ve never experienced being pursued by so many.”

“That’s because you’re a Unique Lifeform,” Casper replied flatly.

“I know, the multiverse is full of discrimination. I truly sympathize with the struggles of the Risen, having faced similar hardships,” Minaga said, attempting to place a comforting hand on Casper’s shoulder. His hand passed straight through, as he was merely a projection capable of sound.

Casper ignored Minaga again and looked at Jake. “So, who is this mystery woman who finally caught the Chosen of the Malefic Viper?”

Deciding there was no point in stalling, Jake simply said, “Artemis.”

The Risen stared at Jake for a few seconds before lifting an eyebrow. “You’re saying that like I should know who she is. There must be thousands with that name in the multiverse. Hell, isn’t there a goddess named that?”

Jake remained silent, watching as dawning realization spread across Casper’s face.

“A goddess… from the Pantheon of Life… and…” Casper finally connected the dots, staring at Jake in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

“It just kind of happened,” Jake said with a shrug.

Casper frowned, rubbing his chin. “Wait, wasn’t the Lord of the Hunt in Nevermore an avatar of Artemis? Is that where you met?”

“It was,” Jake confirmed. “Her projection contacted her true self, some things went down, and after I visited the Pantheon of Life, we talked and… well, here we are.”

“Lyra has a valid question. How are the Pantheon of Life and the Order of the Malefic Viper reacting? Wouldn't a relationship between a Primordial’s Chosen and a high-ranking, newly ascended Godqueen from a different Primordial faction cause massive ripples?” Casper asked, relaying his ghostly partner's curiosity while clearly being interested himself.

“There are definitely ramifications, but I’m not sharing the details,” Jake replied, wanting to keep the impending alliance between the Order and the Pantheon under wraps.

“That’s fine, I’m already privy to those details,” Minaga chimed back in. “What I want are the real specifics. Is there going to be a massive wedding? Are children in the plan? Public or private schooling? And what about all the other suitors who want to interfere? Are you starting a harem? Wait… is Artemis the one starting a harem?”

Casper began to laugh, shaking his head as Jake struggled to handle the flood of intrusive questions. Turning to the Risen to avoid answering the Unique Lifeform, Jake raised an eyebrow.

“What’s so funny?”

“Sorry, sorry,” Casper managed to say through his laughter. “Just the image of you with a harem… damn, it’s just too ridiculous to imagine.”

“I could absolutely manage a harem,” Jake argued stubbornly, crossing his arms.

“No, you couldn't,” Casper countered, laughing even harder. “You really couldn't.”

“Now, let’s be fair to Jake,” Minaga said, pretending to defend the Chosen. “He could certainly gather a harem. Would he then become utterly miserable and fail to maintain it as it all collapsed into a disaster? Naturally. But he could at least start one.”

Jake felt targeted, but he couldn't find a way to argue. He knew any further debate would only lead to more mockery. He barely understood how to be a partner to one person; according to the Sword Saint, balancing multiple relationships at once was a nightmare of complexity. And Jake despised complexity.

“I never wanted one anyway, for the record,” Jake muttered, sounding a bit like a pouting child.

“Right, because that thought has never entered a man's mind,” Casper chuckled. “But I agree, the whole idea sounds exhausting.”

“You still haven't answered my other questions,” Minaga pressed.

“And I’m going to continue ignoring your invasive questions,” Jake replied.

“Fine, fine… but at least tell me if there’s a wedding so I can figure out my role and start getting ready,” Minaga pleaded.

“You’ll find out if it happens when the invitations go out. But even then, how would you go? You’re a clone trapped in a dungeon on Earth,” Jake pointed out.

“Wow, and you called me insensitive? Now you’re weaponizing my disabilities? So what if I can’t leave the dungeon area? Just host the wedding here!”

“Anyway, I’m not telling you two anything else. It’s called a private life for a reason,” Jake said, deciding to ignore Minaga again. “You wouldn’t appreciate it if I started asking personal questions about you and Lyra.”

“That’s a bold claim,” Casper said with a grin. “Have you considered that I might be happy to share? Because let me tell you, even for a ghost, Lyra is—ouch! I was just kidding!”

Casper’s locket suddenly glowed with ghostly energy, seemingly shocking the Risen. Jake smiled at his friend before continuing.

“You two are going to keep this a secret, right?” Jake asked, seeking one last reassurance from the Unique Lifeform and the Risen.

Minaga nodded, as did Casper, though the latter was clearly still curious. “I just have to know… how does it work, her being a literal goddess and you being a mortal?”

“What do you mean?” Jake asked.

“You know… logistically…” Casper muttered, scratching his head.

Jake sighed at the Risen. “I don’t even know what you’re implying. I think it’s weirder that your girlfriend is a ghost. You realize gods are just people who’ve lived a long time and got incredibly strong, right?”

“I suppose… but still,” Casper said, looking embarrassed. “Given the power difference, if she gets a bit too passionate, couldn't it be… dangerous?”

“No, that’s not really how it works,” Minaga surprisingly stepped in to answer the awkward question. “Just as you don’t accidentally obliterate an E-grade just by bumping into them, truly powerful beings instinctively avoid harming their surroundings. That level of control remains even if they lose themselves. Besides, Artemis is a Godqueen of the Pantheon of Life. I’m sure she has a Golden Leaf of Yggdrasil handy if an accident did happen.”

Jake wanted to partially take back his gratitude for Minaga’s help. Only partially, because at least Casper seemed satisfied with the explanation. However, the Unique Lifeform’s next comment didn't help matters.

“Actually, instead of logistics, I’d ask about the morals. Artemis has lived for countless eras, while Jake is a tiny mortal who hasn't even hit a thousand years. She’s millions of years older. And as mentioned, there’s the power gap. Is a relationship with such a massive age difference even ethical?” Minaga pointed out.

“Who cares?” Casper said immediately. “At this point, considering time dilation, we’re all old men by pre-system standards. The age gap is so massive it’s just silly to think about.”

Jake nodded, agreeing with the Risen—

“No, if there’s a problem, it’s the maturity gap. But if we judged by that, Jake would never find a partner, so I think we can let this one slide.”

Once again, Jake had to retract his agreement as the two continued to mock him. He had preferred it when he and Casper were teaming up against Minaga.

“Fair enough. I’m mostly just trying to cause trouble for fun anyway,” Minaga admitted without shame.

“Alright, that’s enough about my love life. Can we get to the actual dungeon now?” Jake asked, exasperated.

“Fine,” Casper agreed. “One last thing before we drop it. I finished the Colosseum of Mortals and saw the Lord of the Hunt. I remember her presence and how she looked. Let me just say, man to man…”

Casper placed a hand on Jake’s shoulder, giving him a supportive, approving smile. “Nice.”

That single word and the look on the Risen’s face said everything. Jake smiled back. “Yeah. You’re definitely getting a wedding invite.”

“So there IS going to be a wedding!?” Minaga screamed. Both Jake and Casper ignored him entirely as they turned toward the dungeon structure.

Jake hadn't looked closely at it before, but the building housing the entrance was a large, cubical structure with ornate walls and a vast interior. The actual entrance was a single gate located at the far end of the massive internal hall.

The interior wasn't just empty space; it reminded Jake of a grand mall, featuring stairs on both sides leading to multiple levels of balconies where shops could eventually be established. Jake wasn't sure what Minaga’s full plan for the building was, but that was for him and Miranda to settle.

Seeking confirmation, Jake looked at Casper.

“I assume the big gate inside is the way in?”

“Yeah,” Casper nodded. “It’s locked right now; you need special permission. Minaga reprogrammed it to go straight to the fifth-stage dungeon, so we’ll be facing B-grades as soon as we step through.”

Jake nodded along, then paused as he realized something. “Wait… we?”

“Yes, we,” Casper said, smiling slightly.

“What? This is an early-access test. You can't go in without supervision, and who better than the lead consultant on the project!” Minaga said brightly.

Jake looked at the two of them for a moment before shrugging. “You know what? Fine. Sounds like fun.”