The Primal Hunter Chapter 1279 - Technically

Human variants were truly quite scarce overall, given how adaptable humans already were from the start. The human species managed to accommodate nearly all Paths, and standard skills often proved sufficient, sometimes even permitting certain bodily modifications.

Crucially, possessing a variant human race did not make it superior to remaining a regular human. Jake had become a variant human himself, yet his race offered identical stats to those of any ordinary human, and regardless of the specific human variant acquired, the stats stayed constant. While the distribution might vary, the overall sum remained unaltered.

Carmen possessed a variant race too; although she still registered as [Human] via Identify, her variant probably bestowed much greater physical attributes over mental ones, thanks to her Runemaiden Path. The most notable shift in variant human races usually appeared in the race skill obtained during evolution, evident in Jake's incredibly dominant Primal Spirit of Man.

Typically, that skill wasn't inherently superior, merely more tailored. The same held true for Jake. Certain Spirit of Man skills obviously outshone others, creating some differences, and Jake had undoubtedly received the most exceptional one conceivable.

Nevertheless, these variant races exerted minimal influence on a person's Path relative to classes and professions, serving more as a reflection of one's current Path rather than altering it. In cases such as hers or Jake's, they stayed fundamentally human despite the variation, sufficient that their race name remained unchanged.

Arnold's situation varied a bit. As soon as Jake spotted the scientist, he immediately sensed that his variant evolution was distinct enough to justify altering the name, which Identify soon verified.

[Void-Touched Human: lvl ???]

Nor was it shocking that Arnold employed a skill to conceal his level. A potent one, no less, since Jake's Perception typically allowed him to bypass such obscurations.

A bit surprising to Jake was Arnold's lack of visible physical alterations despite his transformation into a Void-Touched Human. At least, that's how it seemed initially, with the scientist positioned there, facing away.

Arnold remarked, “You evolved too,” while pivoting to face him, all the while fiddling with the odd pyramid clutched in his grasp. Sections of it rotated and moved, resembling an entertaining gadget, although Jake figured it held far greater significance.

Jake replied by pointing out the obvious, “Indeed. You have as well. Into a variant race, even.”

Arnold affirmed with a nod. “I calculated that the benefits surpassed any potential drawbacks.”

Jake inquired, “Makes sense, but it piques my interest. What's the variation? You appear unchanged from my vantage point.” Admittedly, Arnold donned a lab coat and peculiarly geeky shades that might have been stylish decades prior to the integration. They were notably boxy.

“From a quick glance, physiological changes seem slight, but…” Arnold started, retrieving a scalpel from his spatial storage and nonchalantly severing a finger. Jake anticipated blood or some reaction, yet the detached finger vanished into void the instant it separated from Arnold's body. Examining the remaining stump, Jake noted its solid black hue for mere seconds before a fresh finger materialized from nowhere.

Arnold clarified, “As evident, I no longer qualify as entirely biological. Still, I remain human; merely, much of my former flesh has been substituted with void-generated energy structures. I retain a heart, lungs, brain, reproductive organs, and though my digestive tract is largely absent, I can still ingest food.”

Jake hadn't anticipated such a detailed account, prompting numerous follow-up queries. “What's the benefit? Do the energy construct elements heal more readily or endure better?”

“Reconstructing them proves much easier, indeed, but regarding durability, no—my toughness has decreased markedly. Luckily, my vital biological components and Soulshape undergo void-entanglement, existing concurrently in the void and my form, simplifying their repair. Even if this body perishes entirely, I can readily reform it all.”

With an arched brow, Jake ventured, “So the downside is that your body lacks the solidity for strenuous physical activities?” He had a notion of Arnold's variant human type.

“Precisely,” Arnold verified. “Preliminary trials show that even lesser C-grades can inflict substantial harm with physical strikes, and straining my form risks its disintegration, ruling out direct combat entirely.”

Put differently, were Jake to possess Arnold's variant, combat would become impossible. His limb would evaporate upon drawing a bow, and striking with a katar would prove futile without sufficient bodily strength to deliver the impact.

Jake pondered aloud, “What of energy-based assaults?”

Arnold responded, “About the same as previously. To explain, physical strikes are simplest to handle, since mending damage is easier than countering energies that sap my reserves. Magical attacks tend to hit harder than physical, depending on each strike's strength and embedded concepts, of course.”

Jake posed deeper questions he doubted Arnold would address: “Suppose your body is utterly demolished. How does regeneration occur? Can you influence the location of a completely new body's emergence, or does it always reform precisely where it was lost?” Curiosity drove him, recalling Eron's key vulnerability and how Jake had gained advantage by confining him in their Treasure Hunt skirmish.

To Jake's surprise, Arnold replied without pause, revealing a major asset. “No, I can select any spot I adequately sense and maintain strong presence in. Given how infused my essence is in numerous constructs here, I could reform in this room post-destruction. Provided the destruction site isn't wholly sealed or I endure grave soul injury amid the body's demise.”

“Damn,” Jake uttered, impressed by the candid response and recognizing how well this variant fit Arnold. Its weakness would cripple a fighter like Jake, but Arnold preferred crafting golems to wield blades rather than swinging them himself.

Jake nodded approvingly. “Looks like a solid pick. Particularly since it avoids transforming you into an eldritch abomination. Based on other void-aligned beings I've encountered, that's their common end.”

“Regrettably, I couldn't fully avoid physical changes that might unsettle others mentally,” Arnold replied, removing his odd sunglasses. Where eyes once were, Jake beheld twin voids swirling with darkness, brimming with countless tiny eyes, perhaps thousands or more. Gazing in evoked a subdued echo of Oras, and though unaffected, Jake sensed prolonged staring could induce a severe migraine.

If this narrative appears on Amazon, note it has been pilfered. Kindly report the infringement.

Arnold swiftly replaced the glasses, concealing the void-gazing voids now occupying his former eye sockets, denying Jake a chance to test the effect.

Jake nodded, “Yeah, keeping the glasses on is wise. Except maybe in a bind. Removing them mid-fight could stun foes, buying precious moments.”

Arnold dismissed the notion from experiments. “That's not viable. B-grades remain unaffected, particularly during alert combat states. Feeble C-grades may collapse upon direct sight, but typical C-grades avert their gaze instinctively, reducing impact to negligible levels.”

“Bummer,” Jake grumbled dejectedly. “Any other perks from your new race?”

“Many, though none I deem worth disclosing now. Rest assured, my abilities have enhanced.” Arnold withheld further details, convincing Jake the scientist guarded secrets still. “You've come with a request, I presume, not just to celebrate your B-grade ascent socially?”

“Actually, yes, a request,” Jake admitted, seizing the opening. “My evolution turned out well too, granting me independence from stat-boosting gear.”

“Thus, you seek armor emphasizing defense boosts or other non-stat enhancements to amplify your fighting prowess?” Arnold grasped it immediately, unsurprised by Jake's equipment-liberating skill.

Skills prevented Carmen and the Sword Saint from gaining stats via gear; the Sword Saint fully utilized equipped items only while sword-bearing, and Carmen, with her armor-like integument, naturally shared the trait. Jake opted not to reveal his variant human origin for this boon, intending to keep his status hidden.

“Spot on,” Jake grinned, summoning his Voidblade Katar with a gesture. It had aided him since acquiring it post-Nevermore, readying for the Prima Guardian clash. “Also, could you examine this once more?”

“Of course,” Arnold agreed, gesturing to teleport the weapon from Jake's grip to his own, which Jake permitted. He examined it briefly, signaling Jake to sever the bond, which he did promptly.

“Matching its current function would be ideal,” Jake noted, content with its performance so far.

Though legendary, the Voidblade Katar offered no extravagance. Merely an absurdly keen blade excelling at breaching barriers, thanks to subtle void essence blended in, shifted from Jake's arcane nature via Arnold's handle device.

Requiring level 275, its legendary status made it remarkable that, given Jake's attributes and might, it stayed not just viable but superb up to his B-grade shift. It never hindered or risked shattering—until now, post-evolution, when Jake deemed it inadequate.

Thankfully, Eternal Hunger and the Apex Hunter’s Bow of the World Tree fared differently. Both evolved independently: the bow via Jake's advancement, Eternal Hunger via soul absorption from kills, bolstering its Sin Curse. They absorbed evolution energy too—Eternal Hunger linked to Eternal Shadow, surging both to elite status post-Jake's change.

“Alright,” Arnold concluded post-inspection. “For gear, nothing fits now, but I can craft a set upon settling fair remuneration.”

Jake nearly mentioned consulting Miranda, but Arnold interjected.

“Upon reflection, no additional payment required,” the scientist stated. “Sandy mentioned your intent to hunt this chamber's prior occupant, so let's deem this balances my taking your quarry.”

“Agreed,” Jake accepted swiftly. He'd long forgiven Arnold and Sandy's Ghostvine slaying, but Arnold seemed to worry about resentment, offering this to settle scores. No cause to decline.

Buoyed by positivity, Jake smiled, curiosity stirring once more. “So, you snagged plenty of mythical skills in C-grade, huh?”

Arnold nodded, prompting Jake's grin to widen as he pressed, “Still got that many post-evolution?”

“Just one dropped, a minor one,” Arnold replied, arms folded, recalling their post-Jake's C-grade clash.

“Excellent,” Jake said, grin intensifying. “What of skills surpassing mythical? Bet you have some. Any losses there?”

Jake figured Arnold lacked sacred skills, and even another supra-mythical tier—sans divinity, akin to sacred—seemed improbable for him to attain.

“None changed from pre-evolution,” Arnold stated flatly. “In fact, my variant race granted an additional one.”

Jake gaped at the eccentric scientist, detecting no humor. Arnold rarely jested, so absent dramatic acting prowess, it rang true.

“What the fuck?” Jake blurted in astonishment. “Sacred rarity, or another kind?”

Jake realized non-sacred meant unknowable, but a Jake-like one evaded Forbidden Knowledge. Perhaps a void-specific rarity existed unbeknownst… plausible.

Arnold shook his head, frowning. “You nearly divulged Forbidden Knowledge there. Fascinating.”

“Fine, not sacred then,” Jake grumbled. Increasingly convinced of void ties—else he'd feel impostorish. Just one sufficed, but he needed confirmation. “How many above-mythical skills do you possess?”

The scientist pondered briefly, likely reviewing his status. “No precise count, but multiple.”

“What the fuck again?” Jake's worldview wobbled. Was Arnold the First Sage's hidden heir or something?

“Your shock eludes me. Such skills abound,” Arnold said nonchalantly. “Even D-grades likely possess them, though potency differs despite uniform rarity.”

Jake sensed a misunderstanding, yet Arnold's gravity persisted, sans trickery. On the verge of clarification, enlightenment struck.

“Don't say you're referring to damn unique skills,” Jake uttered skeptically.

“Hm?” Arnold quirked a brow. “Obviously. Unique skills straddle above and below mythical in rarity, with power fluctuating vastly, and it's commonplace for a skill rich in Records to achieve unique status.”

Jake fixed Arnold with a prolonged stare, urge to berate rising, worsened by the man's stoic face and earnest tone. Moments elapsed before Jake sighed.

“Update me via Miranda on weapon and gear progress. Request supplies through her too,” Jake instructed, conceding defeat.

“Understood,” Arnold nodded, oblivious or indifferent to Jake's temperament shift. “Teleporting to Earth, or flying?”

“Neither… well, sort of flying,” Jake replied, manifesting Wings of the Malefic Viper. He aimed for the Order of the Malefic Viper next, yet desired one final trial:

Returning fully to Earth via the wings' escape feature.