The Primal Hunter Chapter 2 - Introduction

*Initiation of the 93rd Universe confirmed. Introduction sequence commencing*

*Welcome to the introduction. Preparing…*

Jake’s eyes snapped open to the sound of that voice once more, welcoming him to an… introduction? And what exactly was being prepared? He couldn't make sense of what was happening.

A few seconds ticked by. Though his eyes were wide, he was met with nothing but absolute void. A dull numbness spread through his body, eclipsed only by a burgeoning headache. He attempted to speak, but his jaw wouldn't move, sending a wave of internal panic through him. Had he been abducted by extraterrestrials? Just as his thoughts began to spiral into chaos, the voice spoke again.

*Preparations complete. Starting introduction*

Blinding light flooded his vision, as if a massive spotlight had been aimed directly at his face. As he squinted, his sight gradually cleared and feeling returned to his arms and legs. Glancing down, he realized he was seated in a chair. Looking up, he saw a table, and on the opposite side, another figure sat watching him.

The setting reminded Jake of a classic interrogation room—a cramped, enclosed space with a table and two chairs, though it lacked the typical two-way mirror. The striking difference was the sterile cleanliness. The floor and walls were a brilliant white, as were the furniture pieces. Even without a visible light source, the entire room was bathed in a clear glow.

“Hello?” Jake asked tentatively, addressing the figure across from him. It appeared human at first glance but lacked any defining traits. It had a bald head, entirely white eyes without pupils, and a chest that was unnaturally flat and featureless. The body was completely devoid of hair, and Jake had a nagging feeling that if he could see under the table, this creature would lack any reproductive organs as well. Just as he finished his mental scan, the "human" spoke.

“Greetings, human. I am the overseer of your introduction. During this phase, I will clarify the details of your new reality,” the entity stated. Its voice was a strange, synthesized blend of numerous male and female tones. Jake opened his mouth to reply, but the being continued without pause.

“First, welcome to this new era of your existence. Your universe has finally reached the necessary threshold to join the multiverse and has been initiated accordingly. Do you have any inquiries before we proceed to the details regarding the tutorial?” the entity concluded.

Jake’s mind was racing. Multiverses? A threshold? A new chapter? Despite the gravity of the situation, the question that tumbled out was remarkably basic:

“Who—no, what are you?” he stammered, his words tripping over each other.

“I am the entity designated to greet you and provide an orientation regarding the transition to your new world and its circumstances,” it replied flatly, offering no further explanation.

“What new reality?” Jake pressed.

“The reality referred to by the first enlightened races as ‘The System’,” it clarified.

“How am I supposed to see this sys…” Before he could finish the sentence, a holographic display manifested before his eyes:

StatusName: Jake ThayneRace: [Human (G) – lvl 0]Class: N/AProfession: N/AHealth Points (HP): 90/90Mana Points (MP): 80/80Stamina: 70/70

StatsStrength: 7Agility: 8Endurance: 7Vitality: 9Toughness: 7Wisdom: 8Intelligence: 8Perception: 10Willpower: 6Free points: 0

TitlesN/A

Well, that certainly answers that, Jake thought. He began to form a theory about his situation and decided to play along. Part of him suspected this was just a bizarre lucid dream, so he figured he might as well enjoy the experience. He started by doing what he found most interesting: dissecting the stats.

There were nine attributes in total, ranging from 6 to 10 points. His spread was fairly even, though perception and willpower stood out. Did a willpower of 6 mean he was mentally weak? Or was 6 actually a decent baseline for someone in his position?

His race was listed as human, which was obvious, but the ‘G’ remained a mystery. He was apparently a level 0 human without a class or a profession. While he considered himself part of the upper-middle class and worked as a financial consultant, he doubted the system was referring to his tax bracket or job title.

He lacked titles, and his health and mana were at 90 and 80 respectively. He hypothesized that these values were tied to his stats by a factor of ten. Since Vitality was his only stat at 9, it likely dictated his health. Mana was trickier; at 80, it was probably linked to either Wisdom or Intelligence, as both were at 8. Stamina sat at 70, making it likely tied to Strength or Endurance—his money was on Endurance.

He tried to focus on the various terms on the screen, but it didn't help much. It merely told him that strength represented strength and class meant class. However, when he concentrated on his race, a detailed description appeared:

Human (G) – The most basic tier of humans within the system. This classification is exclusive to newly initiated worlds. Humans are recognized as one of the most balanced and prolific species in the multiverse, capable of pursuing various paths to power. Stat bonuses per level: +1 to all stats. +1 free point.

Thanks for the ‘lowest level’ comment, Jake thought dryly. The text confirmed the existence of other races and indicated that other humans lived throughout what the entity called the multiverse.

He messed around with the interface a bit longer, testing every feature he could find before looking back at the strange humanoid.

“Can you explain the specific effects of these stats? For instance, which ones are tied to my health points, or is there even a direct connection?” he inquired.

“No. The interface provides all the information you require for the present,” it replied in its unwavering monotone.

“Then how do I obtain a class or a profession? It shows a level here—how do I increase it? What does the ‘G’ rank mean? And why am I here? Where is everyone else?” Jake asked, his questions coming out in a frantic rush. He couldn't help it; the situation was the most surreal thing he had ever endured.

“Your class is selected upon entering the tutorial. It serves as the foundation of your journey and helps define your path. A profession is unlocked by performing related tasks over a sufficient duration or by demonstrating high proficiency in those tasks. Classes focus on the acquisition of power, while professions revolve around creativity and rarely grant direct combat strength. Leveling occurs through various actions. The ‘G’ denotes the current rank of your species. You are here because you triggered the introduction. By ‘others,’ I assume you mean other inhabitants of Earth; they are currently undergoing their own individual introductions,” the entity explained. It was concise and lacked depth, but it gave Jake a much clearer picture. He felt a sense of relief knowing his colleagues were likely safe and facing similar circumstances.

“We shall now proceed to classes,” the being announced without prompting.

Before Jake could speak, a massive wall of text appeared in front of him. He steadied himself and began reviewing the options one by one:

Warrior (Light) – A basic starting class. This warrior focuses on speed, dodging, and precision. While more agile than the medium or heavy types, it suffers from lower defensive capabilities and raw power. Primarily utilizes rapiers, daggers, light axes, and projectiles. Stat bonuses: +2 Agi, +1 End, +1 Str, +1 Vit, +1 Free point.

The first option seemed like a rogue archetype, mentioning daggers and throwing weapons. It held some appeal, though Jake was hesitant about getting into the thick of melee combat. He had chosen archery as a hobby over fencing, after all.

Warrior (Medium) – A basic starting class. This warrior seeks a balanced combat style, bridging the gap between velocity and strength. It is faster than the heavy variant but slower than the light. Its durability and power are superior to the light warrior but inferior to the heavy. Capable of using a wide range of weaponry. Stat bonuses per level: +1 Agi, +1 End, +1 Vit, +1 Str +1 Tough, +1 Free Point.

The second choice seemed perfect for someone who wanted to be a front-liner but didn't know which specialty to pick. It offered decent versatility.

Warrior (Heavy) – A basic starting class. This warrior prioritizes raw strength and survival at the cost of mobility and flexibility. The heavy warrior is slower and less adaptable than the other variants but possesses immense power and defense. Primarily uses sword-and-shield combinations or massive two-handed weapons. Generally lacks ranged capabilities. Stat bonuses per level: +2 Str, +1 Tough +1 Vit, +1 End, +1 Free Point.

The tank option. Jake imagined a man in full plate armor with a massive tower shield, or perhaps a hulking, bearded Viking with a greataxe. He couldn't see himself fitting either description.

Archer – A basic starting class. This class specializes in long-range engagement, primarily using bows and arrows, supplemented by light melee tools like daggers or short-swords. It is a fast, flexible class that values agility over raw power. Stat bonuses per level: +2 Per, +1 Agi, +1 End, +1 Str, +1 Free Point.

There it was. Unless something even better appeared further down, this was the clear winner. Even with the melee sidearms, he much preferred the idea of fighting from a distance with a bow if combat was truly inevitable.

Caster – A basic starting class. The caster focuses on magical warfare, prioritizing wisdom and intellect over physical strength. This base class is unattuned, meaning it hasn't specialized in a specific element yet, resulting in broad but limited power. Casters possess high destructive potential but lack defense. They use catalysts like staves, wands, or relics to channel magic. Stat bonuses per level: +2 Int, +1 Wis, +1 Will, +1 Per, +1 Free Point.

This confirmed that magic was indeed a reality. While the idea of being a powerful sorcerer throwing fire and lightning was tempting, his heart was still set on the bow.

Healer – A basic starting class. The healer is capable of closing wounds, curing ailments, and buffing themselves or their allies. This base class is unattuned to any specific deity or magic type, making it versatile but low in raw power. It is weak in solo scenarios but invaluable in a group. Stat bonuses per level: +2 Will, +2 Wis, +1 Int, +1 Free Point.

The final choice was the healer. Every option was a ‘basic starting class,’ meaning there were no secret, overpowered choices—at least not for him. He noted that every class gave a total of five stat points plus one free point per level. Compared to his racial bonus, classes were more specialized but gave fewer total points, though that might just be a human trait. The healer didn't interest him, but the mention of ‘deific powers’ was intriguing. Did that mean gods were real? Could one eventually become a priest?

“Can you provide any more details on these classes? Any tips on which to pick?” Jake asked hopefully.

“Your path is yours to discover. Select a class so we may proceed,” the entity answered, shutting down the conversation.

Accepting that he was going to stick with his original plan, Jake selected the Archer class.

You have chosen the Archer class. Confirm?

Even a grand system has confirmation prompts, Jake mused as he finalized his choice.

*You have obtained the Archer class*

The moment the notification appeared, a strange—not quite painful, but not exactly pleasant—tingling sensation washed through his head. Simultaneously, several items materialized on the table. Before he could examine them, more messages popped up:

*Gained Skill*: [Basic Archery (Inferior)] – A bow in the hand and an arrow in the enemy's heart are an Archer's best tools. Grants basic mastery of bows and crossbows, and provides a slight bonus to agility and strength when using ranged weapons.

*Gained Skill*: [Basic One-Handed Weapon (Inferior)] – Though not a master of melee, the Archer is not defenseless. Grants basic mastery of most one-handed weapons and provides a slight bonus to agility and strength when using appropriate melee gear.

*Gained Skill*: [Archers Eye (Common)] – An Archer’s vision is honed to track prey and identify vulnerabilities. Enables easier spotting of targets. Passively grants a minor boost to the effect of Perception on eyesight.

Reviewing the skills, Jake felt his theory that this system functioned like a video game or a tabletop RPG was confirmed. The first two skills were very basic, as evidenced by their names and 'inferior' rank. The third, however, was a 'common' rarity and seemed much more useful.

He felt an instinctive understanding of how Archer’s Eye functioned. He focused his intent, and his vision sharpened significantly. It was like watching a video resolution jump from 480p to 4K over the course of five seconds. He looked around, marvelling at the clarity of the room. When he stopped using the skill and his vision returned to normal, he checked his status. His stamina had dipped from 70 to 68, while health and mana remained full.

He dismissed the window and looked at the gear on the table. Turning to the silent entity, he asked, “I take it these are for me?”

“Yes,” it replied. “They are standard starting equipment for your class. Now, for the final portion of the orientation. Certain essentials are provided to all new initiates.”

As it spoke, another screen appeared.

*Gained skill*: [Identify (Inferior)] – A fundamental identification skill known by almost everyone in the multiverse. This skill lets you attempt to gain information on objects or creatures you focus on.

Finally, a way to actually get some information, Jake thought. He felt he desperately needed it, as this entire process had raised far more questions than it had answered.

“The time for this introduction will conclude in ten minutes, at which point you will be moved to the tutorial. It is advised that you take your equipment before then, or it will be forfeited,” the entity warned. Jake felt a surge of panic and hurried to grab the items.

The gear consisted of a bow and quiver, a brown cloak, a knife, and a small pouch on a belt. The aesthetic was purely medieval; the bow was made of wood, unlike the aluminum and composite compound bows he was accustomed to. The bowstring looked like it was made of silk, though he wasn't entirely sure.

The cloak was made of a rough, burlap-like fabric that felt very sturdy. The quiver was wooden, wrapped in leather, and featured a harness for back-wear.

The knife was a simple steel blade with a wooden grip—basic but functional. Overall, the quality seemed decent. Finally, he checked the pouch and found several small vials inside.

Wondering what they were, he realized he could finally test his new skill. He focused on a bottle filled with red liquid. After a few seconds, a screen appeared:

[Health Potion (Inferior)] – Replenishes health when drank.

Exactly what he expected. He used Identify on the rest of the contents, finding three health potions and three stamina potions that functioned identically for his energy levels. He closed the pouch and turned to the other gear. The bow, knife, and cloak gave him very little info—simply telling him a wooden bow was a wooden bow and a brown cloak was a brown cloak. With low expectations, he scanned the quiver and was pleasantly surprised:

[Enchanted Quiver (Common)] – A quiver imbued with magic to create common-rarity arrows when supplied with mana.

That is incredibly useful, Jake realized. Just as he finished his check, he received another time warning.

“Two minutes until the tutorial begins.”

In a flurry of motion, Jake threw on the cloak, buckled the belt with the pouch, and slung the quiver over his shoulder. Fortunately, it was already stocked with dozens of arrows.