The Primal Hunter Chapter 1281 - A Ludicrous Skill For A Ludicrous Existence

The pink bird, which wasn't truly a flamingo, reclined and gazed at Jake with curiosity. “You know, only a handful of things can really astonish me, but you've managed to pull off something surprising.”

Upon uttering those words, the Viper swiftly chugged two beers through his fangs, remarkably avoiding any spills onto the couch. Once completed, he hurled both empty bottles backward over his shoulders, where they vanished instantly before Villy adopted a serious demeanor. “Alright, go ahead.”

“So, just as you suspected, this experience-boosting effect that impacted the whole Order of the Malefic Viper truly originated from the Spirit of Man skill I acquired post-evolution,” Jake started, with the Viper nodding in agreement. “According to its description, it enhances experience acquisition for everyone considered my kin, fellow fighters, allies, companions, or followers.”

Villy furrowed his brow slightly while nodding. “Fine, that's quite remarkable. Typically, a skill like this would be much more restricted, yet it appears to encompass... hold on, it mentions affecting all those viewed as your kin... does that cover every human? It shouldn't, but then again, you shouldn't be influencing the entire Order either.”

Jake courteously allowed the Primordial a moment to ponder the ramifications of his statement. He couldn't verify if the skill truly influenced all humans, though he believed it did. Of course, the impact was undoubtedly minimal, and a figure like Valdemar aided all humans far more through mere existence and spreading his Records across the multiverse. Still, this didn't diminish the importance, since even a fresh B-grade evolver impacting an entire race was monumental.

“I've already verified that your new Spirit of Man skill exerts a greater influence on individuals depending on your closeness to them, with someone like me experiencing the strongest effect. The same goes for Duskleaf’s Chosen and various other Order members you've connected with,” the Viper mused aloud. “Thus, if it does touch the whole human race, the benefit would be minuscule, probably even less than what Order members obtained...”

Following a few more moments of reflection, the Malefic Viper shook his head and eyed Jake. “Okay, I can clearly see your Spirit of Man skill exceeds anything I've encountered before. I know they differ greatly in strength, but even so, this feels overly potent. I assume the skill also facilitates easier Record transmission? I'm pretty sure all Spirit of Man skills feature that.”

“Yes, it does,” Jake affirmed. “And to be clear, it boosts my personal experience gain as well.”

“Got it,” the Viper nodded. “Under what conditions?”

“In all situations,” Jake replied with a shrug. “Though it's heightened during profession tasks or hunts, and further intensified when performed with other humans.”

The Viper creased his brow again, deep in thought for several seconds. “It seems like the skill you received combines multiple Spirit of Man skills I've come across previously.”

“Absolutely, it does,” Jake confirmed with a nod.

“Well, I can understand why you introduced this discussion by noting the skill exceeded expectations; even its mere presence carries-“

“I'm not finished,” Jake cut in on the snake god.

“I know it provides stats too, but-“

“That's part of it, yet there's even more,” Jake denied, scarcely concealing his grin. “Didn't I mention this could be the most overpowered Spirit of Man skill ever in the multiverse? It wouldn't deserve that if it only offered minor stats and experience boosts.”

“Fine, my curiosity has spiked immensely,” the Viper stated, shifting forward. “Let's hear it.”

“Additionally, my skill enhances resistance to every environmental influence, enabling quicker adaptation to unfamiliar settings.”

“Every environmental effect? It lacks-“ the Viper started before Jake pressed on.

“Furthermore, it boosts resistance to all damage forms suffered by any being possessing the Spirit of Man skill.”

“What exactly do you mean by-“

“Moreover, if I'm not equipped properly to access all stats my soul can typically handle, this skill compensates automatically, using a negligible stamina cost,” Jake went on. “That's roughly 50,000 stats essentially gratis, plus assurance against constantly needing superior gear for stats.”

The Viper stayed mute as Jake cheerfully proceeded.

“Oh, and like you noted, it grants stats. You probably grasp the mechanism: the skill offers a 10% increase plus additional stats per level, partially applying retroactively. Naturally, I receive this too,” Jake explained with a sly grin. “However, instead of restricting to just six stats from two chosen Spirit of Man skills, it applies across all stats.”

A heavy silence filled the space for a few seconds until Jake released a theatrical sigh.

“Regrettably, I could only select one Spirit of Man skill instead of two, as all choices were supplanted by this single one. I recall your past emphasis on the value of more skills and caution against merging them unless utterly convinced it's optimal, but as mentioned, there was just one choice available.”

Villy simply stared at Jake, who maintained his smile.

“At least the single Spirit of Man skill I obtained turned out fairly strong,” Jake beamed. “Or does the Primordial object?”

The Viper held his silence for additional seconds, genuinely making Jake somewhat anxious until the snake god finally responded. “I suppose advising you against carelessly disclosing details of this skill and your evolution overall is redundant?”

“No,” Jake replied, shaking his head. “And I'm also quite sure others can't detect my variant race evolution. Perhaps thanks to Shroud of the Primordial, but-“

“That's not the reason,” the Viper refuted, shaking his head. “Let me correct you further. Others can sense it; nevertheless, it's similar to the innate power suppression everyone typically perceives. Powerful humans emit a distinct aura from weaker ones, so I wouldn't fret over suspicion of a variant evolution; they'll probably just attribute your presence to being the pinnacle of your race. Which you undeniably are.”

“That aligns with my thinking,” Jake stated, unable to suppress another smile. “Any thoughts on the skill itself?”

Villy exhaled, shaking his head. “You've researched standard Spirit of Man skill variants too, haven't you? In doing so, you've likely arrived at my same realization: your skill essentially merges numerous Spirit of Man skills. I can't specify how many, but it must be several. Not every one, but select ones, maybe those fitting for your Path. I could speculate endlessly, but it's pointless. I'll just stress again that you should conceal this skill's existence, although you might need to expose certain features.”

Jake knitted his brows at that. “Which features, and for what reason?”

“To begin, never offer details unless utterly required. Sharing the equipment stat independence is fine, but avoid linking it to a race skill. Let others infer it themselves without confirmation or denial. This applies to every skill aspect except one,” Villy explained, appearing gravely earnest.

“The experience-granting part influences others, and those able to sense it are clever enough—or have clever associates in Valdemar's case—to deduce it's from a Spirit of Man skill. To elaborate, just as I noticed my Order impacted by your skill, I suspect Valdemar and Aeon detected it upon your acquisition and its effect on all humanity, including themselves. Incidentally, I think all human gods sensed it too, though they might not trace the origin without karmic expertise. Even with that, they'd need to breach Shroud of the Primordial to link anything to you, so they pose no threat.”

“Yet some can breach the Shroud,” Jake objected, frowning.

“True,” Villy acknowledged with a nod. “As fellow humans, Aeon and Valdemar surely recognized the alteration from your new Spirit of Man skill, but I can't confirm if they identify you precisely as the origin. Even if they did, I doubt they'd act or even mention it. No, the one who concerns me more is Eversmile.”

Jake nearly asked if he'd truly noticed, since the skill wouldn't affect him, but upon reflection, the villain was the multiverse's top karma expert. He'd probably perceived the universal shift in humanity and pinpointed Jake effortlessly.

“Regarding action, I can't predict,” the Viper admitted, shaking his head. “Eversmile remains erratic even in ideal conditions, his fascination nearing fixation. We know he views you as intriguing, and this won't diminish that. As for direct interference, I happily believe he won't. You've stayed captivating independently so far, and he likely prefers indirect observation without meddling.”

“Not certain if that's reassuring,” Jake murmured. “But I do ponder... I've never sensed his watchfulness, except when we're in the same vicinity.”

“Because he'd know you'd detect it,” the Viper explained, shaking his head. “Instead of direct scrutiny, he monitors your aftermath. Your influence on surroundings. I also suspect he views your karmic ties without your knowledge.”

“Yeah, that's hardly comforting,” Jake sighed.

“I'd caution that abruptly becoming less engaging might prompt Eversmile to intervene, but I doubt you could manage dullness deliberately,” Villy remarked, adding humor to ease the tension.

“Hey, I can absolutely be unexciting if I choose,” Jake countered with a faint smile, knowing his dullness would still intrigue Eversmile. “Anyway, back to the matter. Any other elements I can't conceal?”

“No, just the experience and equipment aspects,” Villy denied, shaking his head. “All else could stem from class or profession skills, even if identified. Moreover, if analysis revealed it all from one human racial skill, and you admitted as much, they'd dismiss it as impossible; questioning their methods and rejecting the notion.”

Jake grinned at the remark. “So, you concur with my view that this could be the mightiest Spirit of Man skill in history?”

“I've never encountered anything so absurd,” the Viper refuted, shaking his head. “The system usually maintains equilibrium, but evidently not for you. You're less a standard human and more a peculiar Unique Lifeform, minus the typical drawbacks of such beings.”

“What can I say? I am quite exceptional,” Jake boasted without shame.

“And it apparently arises from your Bloodline,” Villy astutely observed. “It's nearly enticing to arrange numerous partners for you and breed an elite legion. If you belonged to almost any other group, they'd have initiated that in C-grade already.”

“Pleased you skipped such nonsense,” Jake dismissed with a shrug. “Anyway, questions about my evolution, or shall I proceed?”

“Wait, I have more clarifications needed,” the Viper raised a hand. “To start...”

Amid numerous extra beers, Villy kept probing Jake on his fresh evolutions and gains therefrom. Jake responded to most inquiries, withholding where unnecessary, but remained largely forthcoming.

Eventually, it became Jake's opportunity to pose his own queries. Mostly clarifications, and he inquired about Artemis, intending a visit to mark his evolution, but she was occupied and unavailable for months ahead.

Nearing the conclusion, Jake retained a few critical questions demanding answers. One key one, obviously, concerned the current priority...

“How long must you impersonate a pink flamingo-esque bird? And can you drop it if other gods visit, or should I arrange Primordial guests?” Jake inquired, striving for maximum solemnity.

“As a fresh B-grade evolver, don't you have superior pursuits?” Villy sighed, bypassing Jake’s query completely.

“Okay, guard your mysteries,” Jake laughed, draining his final beer bottle. More remained, but Jake worried additional ones might intoxicate him. “Regarding plans... uncertain, to be honest. The upcoming Exalted Prima system event phase should commence shortly, though without a fixed schedule, preparation is all I can manage, perhaps advancing skill upgrades or acquiring superior gear.”

“You determine your course,” Villy dismissed him. “But for advice, attempt a skill upgrade or two. Also, dedicate time to meditation; it'll smooth progression. You've surely observed your enhanced concept detection and understanding from the evolution. Capitalize on it.”

“Understood,” Jake agreed with a nod. “Transport me home?”

“Certainly,” the Viper assented. “And recall, no disclosures unless essential. Not even to Artemis.”

“I won't divulge frivolously,” Jake responded, growing more resolute. “But I'll judge necessity.”

“Your choice,” Villy shrugged. “Now enjoy yourself, and we'll meet again shortly. A strategy session awaits for the Seat of the Exalted Prima system event.”

Midway through nodding, spatial magic wrapped around Jake, and seconds later, he sat on his residence couch, clutching the empty beer bottle.

After reorienting briefly, Jake chuckled and rose. He stretched, cracked his neck, then reseated himself to ponder next steps.

Alone after Jake left, Vilas promptly dissolved the ridiculous outfit via a manifested idea the instant his Chosen departed.

Thus, one wager settled, and Duskleaf ought to stir.

Concerning his latest discussion with Jake... Vilas conceded he'd misjudged this instance. That Spirit of Man outstripped any Primordial fancy, venturing into overpowered realms. Such a race skill seemed impossible, yet it manifested.

Moreover, Jake evidently hadn't grasped its full absurdity. Though they minimized present effects and emphasized minimal impact beyond close associates... that defined the current state.

But upon Jake attaining A-grade? S-grade? Godhood? Each power ascent would elevate the skill, magnifying its influence on all recipients, divine and mortal alike.

Figures like Valdemar profoundly shaped humanity via sheer might, but lacked a skill directly benefiting their race. Their sway derived mostly from passive Record diffusion.

Should Jake achieve their potency with this skill... furthermore, what if concurrent similar skills emerged? If Jake’s descendants inherited his variant human evolution, would they gain the identical Spirit of Man? Would effects stack? Or merely bolster one another, yielding a vastly superior outcome?

Countless ramifications demanded contemplation, and truthfully?

Vilas embraced it. He anticipated the turmoil Jake’s extraordinary being might unleash across the multiverse, thrilled for prime viewing position.