The Primal Hunter Chapter 271: Memories of (Questionable) Past Deeds

Jake returned to his lodge as if nothing had happened. Barely any time had passed in the real world during his journey through time and space. It had been another great showcase of the higher level of power, even if it all had gone past fast, and to be honest, not much had happened. Besides, it wasn’t like just seeing someone summon a huge barrier taught Jake how to. If it did, wouldn’t the easiest way to make new powerhouses be just to have them participate in movie marathons.

No, the reason why the Path of the Heretic-Chosen skill was so good was that Jake could directly experience everything from all points of view. He could feel the flow of the energy, and it was even partly adapted to his body. It was a shortcut to an upgrade and pretty much told exactly what he had to understand and do. That didn’t mean Jake always got it – he nearly hadn’t with Palate – but it was an incredibly useful experience. Shit, even if he had failed to comprehend Palate, he would still have gotten hints or just used a second attempt of the skill to “get it.”

This time around had been far easier. Perhaps it was because it was simply doing things he already did and merging those things to make something better. This new ability was just infusing his presence with will and mana. Super simple stuff that one, that probably came far too easy to Jake.

Looking at the skill upgrade, he had to admit… the description was getting stupidly long. Would all his legendary skills from the Malefic Viper end up being like this?

Jake had to admit that the two levels also came as a slight surprise, a welcome one. Upgrading skills had always earned him experience points, but this one just felt too easy.

Another thing that surprised him was that Pride had been the skill in question to be upgraded. Jake hadn’t even thought that an option. He was sure Sense or maybe even Blood or Sagacity would be the next ones to upgrade. Perhaps even Touch if he kept transmuting stuff? Pride hadn’t even been on the radar.

As for what the improved skill could now be used for? Well, it was a mental attack, pure and simple. But not only that, the part about forcing his will upon the world affected by his presence was perhaps even more valuable. All it effectively meant was that Jake could do magic faster outside of his body. At least that’s how he read it.

Something to test for sure.

In fact, he had a lot to test. How much mana would it cost? How effective was it? The skill also didn’t directly mention any stat-scaling, but considering how it basically just made Willpower more effective, that kind of made sense. Well, it did say when it came to the mental attack specifically, but not any of the other parts.

He really wanted to go test shit, but he was interrupted before he had the chance.

Jake felt Villy’s presence descend, and he could already feel the curiosity of the god he had just seen a flashback of.

” Villy asked, with an emotion Jake couldn’t quite place.

“Wow, one at a time. Yeah, it went well, yes it was interesting, and I upgraded Pride to legendary-rarity. Something about infusing my presence with mana, making it stronger, and doing mental attacks and stuff. Oh, and easier application of my will within my presence during this infusion,” Jake explained.

Villy answered.

Jake frowned, a bit surprised. No, he didn’t?

“No, I don’t?”

.”

“That’s not an attack, though; that’s just something that happens. I see others do it too. Everyone gives off a passive presence. The Sword Saint’s felt sharp and intimidating; Jacob’s felt warm and inviting. Everyone just has them,” Jake countered.

the Viper answered.

“Huh…” Jake mumbled, scratching his chin. Was it really just something he did? “So, it’s a bit of a waste besides the stats? Not that I complain about free upgrades.”

“Speaking of you as a wee little dragon,” Jake begun as he snickered. “Saw your fight with some people who called themselves council members. Early B-grade, crystal planet. I heard your speech to scare them… not gonna lie, kinda cringe.”

“Issues besides being a bit of a dick and killing anything you come across?” Jake asked. “Actually, why even do that? What purpose was there behind destroying that crystal planet?”

the Viper asked rhetorically before continuing.

“Why didn’t you just leave?” Jake asked curiously. “You were C-grade. Peak C-grade. I am sure you would be able to survive traveling through space as there was nothing left in your old world.”

Jake frowned as he heard the Viper speak, and he could hear these weren’t at all comfortable memories for him to share. It was the kind of knowledge he didn’t spread throughout the Order, and Jake doubted many knew. So he chose not to interrupt but just have the Viper speak and offload.

The Viper finished his long explanation. There was more emotion in his voice these last few minutes than nearly all the time Jake had spent with the Viper collectively. The god had chosen to be open with Jake… perhaps he felt like his Chosen would find out a lot of these things in due time. Or perhaps… because he didn’t want to be judged as harshly. Or maybe because he wanted exactly that, considering Jake was Jake.

“That sounds like an utterly moronic mindset, even for a depressed dragon throwing a tantrum,” Jake curtly said, shaking his head. “What was the end goal? To destroy everything again like the first time? To end up sitting in an empty universe of nothingness? Sounds like a zero out of ten plan. Also, was the experience even that good from destroying an entire planet? Seems like absolute overkill and just causing unnecessary destruction and suffering.”

There didn’t come in response for a few seconds before the Viper answered back.

Villy patiently responded, not at all vexed by Jake’s words. In fact…

“Beating around the bush never suited me well. Anyway, what put you back on the right track so-to-say? Some wondrous moment of enlightenment? Some majestic encounter with a fated person? Oh, don’t tell me you came across a natural treasure that opened your eyes to the beauty of the world?” Jake chuckled jokingly.

“Damn. Even if I don’t, I’m just gonna make you tell me someday,” Jake smiled as he leaned back and looked up towards the sky. “By the way, when can I leave the 93rd universe? And when can people come in?”

the Viper explained, seemingly more than happy to completely change the subject.

“Wait, so I could technically leave now?” Jake asked, surprised.

Villy said, half-joking, half-warning Jake to not even consider going yet.

“Relax, man; I don’t wanna miss the Treasure Hunt for the world. I’ll come by when the time is right and not earlier,” Jake reassured his divine mate.

The mood had turned a lot better with the unrelated talks, but Villy still brought it back to the main topic.

“Yep, I got one use left.”

“Nah, I can’t.”

“Doesn’t work. I poked it already; the skill doesn’t respond.”

“Super hard too. Still no response.”

“Yep.”

” Villy said as he figuratively waved goodbye.

“See ya around; I’ll get to choosing skills then. Thanks as always, and take care.”

Jake just smiled as he moved on to something equally as important.