The primal hunter 6, p.4
The Primal Hunter 6, page 4
The real Skyggen was quite a bit smaller than the other one, but the overall power level was far different. Just sitting there, Jake had already detected more D-grades than he had seen in the other city, and the overall presence of the place was just on another level.
He also felt that the atmospheric mana was slightly different compared to the outside of the barrier. It was a bit darker everywhere, as the dark mana in the environment was prevalent. If Jake had to guess, then the barrier erected around it helped transform the mana. Maybe it even had something to do with the Pylon? Jake knew it could affect atmospheric mana, so he could see Caleb having a skill to affect it as the city leader.
A few gazes upon him threw him out of his thoughts. He turned his head and saw Caleb walking towards him. The observers seemed to be hidden in the area around his brother, and Jake decided to pay them no mind as he got up.
"Hello—I come representing the space mage guild of Haven, and on behalf of my client, I have come to serve you a lawsuit for false advertisement by having two damn cities named the same thing," Jake said as his brother got close.
"On behalf of the Court of Shadows, I vehemently deny all such accusations, as the teleportation coordinates were placed in Skyggen as per the terms of the contract. Having two cities with the same name is just a loophole and not my client’s fault," Caleb answered as he walked over and gave him a hug. "Good to see you again, Jake. You got here faster than expected."
"You did tell me to come," Jake said with a smile, not bothering to continue with the half-joke, half-jab. Okay, he could continue a little. "Smart trick with the two cities—even had me fooled for a moment. You got two Pylons for it?"
"Yeah. The proximity means we can link them up quite soon and essentially make it one city—at least, when it comes to bonuses and such. It also serves as a nice shield and allows this Skyggen to serve as the main headquarters and living space of the members of the Court and their immediate family."
"As I said, smart," Jake said as he pulled back a bit and frowned. "Now, what’s the problem?"
"Huh?" Caleb exclaimed, confused.
"Something is clearly bothering you, and you’re as shit at hiding it now as when you were a kid. So?"
Caleb sighed and motioned with his hand, and Jake felt several gazes disappear off him. "Let’s go to my office first. We can go to Mom and Dad after."
Jake raised the bags of pastries. "Can’t be too long, or these get cold."
"The bags are enchanted, so they won’t," Caleb said, shaking his head. "This is pretty standard for all shops, even in other cities… Jake, how often do you leave your house?"
"So, what way to your office?"
Jake took a seat in the armchair in Caleb’s office, finding the place overly fancy and very domineering. But then again, he was titled the Judge, so maybe it was good for him to be a bit intimidating when dealing with problems.
"So?" Jake said again after Caleb had also taken a seat.
"William came by a few days ago," Caleb said in a grave voice.
A few moments passed as Jake frowned. "Oh… him… He was still alive, huh?"
Returning his frown, Caleb asked, "Didn’t you have a conflict or a fight with him?"
"I wouldn’t call it a fight." Jake shook his head. "Honestly, I haven’t thought much about him for quite a while. Last I heard, he was with some therapist or something. Either way, did you kill him?"
"No… it isn’t as simple as that," Caleb said, sighing. "A few days ago, he managed to break in while everyone was absent going to the Treasure Hunt, and…"
Caleb explained what had happened, and the more he said, the more Jake frowned. After he finished, Jake sat in silence for a while.
"172, huh?" Jake commented. "So, he’s trying to get revenge or something?"
"That’s the thing..." Caleb began. "I don’t think this situation is that straightforward. He didn’t kill anyone when he came, and he didn’t even do any real lasting damage. He also possesses some powerful mental skills to the level where I believe he has maxed out his profession, or is at least close to it. I can also admit that he is more powerful than me… but despite it all, I never felt any killing intent."
"Then what did he want?"
"Just information, it seems. I followed him, fully expecting a battle, but instead, all I got was a questionnaire about you. Who you were growing up, what you did for work, your hobbies, your likes, dislikes… Honestly, it was just damn bizarre. But I did manage to pick up some things myself.
"First of all, he seems to have grown a lot both mentally and power-wise, based on prior information, so I estimate he has spent the full five years D-grade are allowed in Nevermore. This means he must have gone there shortly after the World Congress."
"Villy did tell me it isn’t super hard to leave the universe, but last I heard, no faction was able to yet, so how could he leave already?"
"I don’t know, but I have some theories. Anyway, the second thing I learned was just how little William knew of you. Even the current you, meaning I doubt he has many human companions who are in the upper echelons of humanity. Thirdly, and this is a weird one… he didn’t use your name even once.”
"Did he forget it?" Jake asked, half-jokingly.
"Based on his reaction when I said it? No, no, he did not. He winced when I mentioned your name directly, swiftly trying to wrest back the flow of conversation. He only referred to you as ‘your brother’ or ‘that guy’ or other generic terms during our talks. He didn’t even use other words like ‘hunter’ or ‘Chosen’ or anything like that.”
"Okay, that is weird," Jake agreed.
"Maybe… maybe not. I don’t think you are a person, in his mind—at least, not right now. William is trying to make you into a person again by discovering how ‘human’ you are. I sensed genuine fear just at the mention of your name, so to answer the question of whether he is coming for revenge? Not right now, I don’t think. But maybe soon, as he seems to be building up both strength and courage. If it is to kill you or merely face you, I don’t know."
"So?" Jake asked, Caleb instantly getting what he was asking.
"I can’t tell… but if I had to guess, I honestly still don’t think he has a chance. He is powerful for sure, stronger than me… and maybe even stronger than you before the Treasure Hunt. Now, though? It is hard to determine without a true fight, and he didn’t really display much, so this is primarily guesswork.”
"Any idea where he is right now?" Jake asked, the implications clear. If the little fucker wanted to fight, he would gladly come to him, also just to tie up a loose end. If he had just stayed out of Jake’s way for good, he wouldn’t care, but now he dared show up in front of his parents? Yeah, that wasn’t gonna fly.
"No, but I have an idea who he is with," Caleb began. "As I said, he teleported off-world months ago, which I would think to be impossible… at least for humans."
"You mean…?" Jake asked, getting it.
"William isn’t working with another human faction—he is working with monsters."
Chapter 4
Family Reunion
It was a possibility Jake hadn’t really considered before. The human factions were often at the forefront of the mind when thinking or talking about the most powerful on Earth, but one had to remember that humanity only existed on a small part of the entire planet.
Long ago, Jake had felt the presence of what he believed to be C-grades deep within the forest housing Haven, and even during his trip to Skyggen, he’d felt powerful presences. The large mountain he’d dodged, as an example, gave off a powerful aura of what could potentially be a C-grade.
The implication? Monsters on Earth were far more powerful than humanity many times over. Yet they were also inherently very territorial, and while Jake had heard of human cities being attacked and monsters wanting Pylons, the more powerful ones had yet to leave their areas. He didn’t know what kept them there, but he was happy they stayed.
Because Jake was pretty damn sure that if a single C-grade decided to go on a rampage, no one could stop it. Not him or the Sword Saint or anyone else. Maybe the Holy Church would have some massive ritual where they sacrificed a million people or some shit, but Jake doubted it.
There was just one question…
"Why would monsters work with that little twerp?"
"That, I don’t know," Caleb answered. "May have to do with his karmic powers, or it may have to do with some deal they made. Perhaps it is as simple as Eversmile Blessing some of them and ordering them to work together. Either way, they must get something out of it."
"It can’t be a coincidence he finds a beast or other type of monster with powerful space magic allowing him to leave our universe. To make those formations, you need specific training and guidance from outside forces.”
"Indeed," Caleb agreed.
They both sat in silence for a while before Caleb added, "When we go and see the others, please don’t mention William at all, and if they ask about him, do keep it neutral, please. I think I have shrugged off the effects, but the mental magic may still influence them a bit, making them have an unnaturally favorable view of him. So if you speak about killing him or anything like that, you may get a very negative reaction. Just know they have a skewed view, and it isn’t their fault."
Jake frowned. "I fucking hate mental magic like that…"
"The worst part is that it isn’t really the normal kind of mental magic, so healers can’t do much about it. At least it is wearing off, and the more they think about what happened, the odder and more ‘wrong’ it will begin to feel in their minds. That is the good thing about karmic magic, at least… Without constant exposure, the effect lessens or disappears entirely far faster than other kinds of mental fuckery."
"Noted," Jake said. "I won’t bring up curb-stomping the little fucker into the ground repeatedly until he is dead for good. Again."
He let out a bit of his anger as his aura flared, and Caleb shook his head and muttered, "Well, at least I can get why the guy is scared."
Jake just shrugged. "His fault for being a damn psycho."
"Pretty sure that ain’t how that works…"
"Who are you to say? Neither of us are doctors, so who can truly tell?"
The two of them kept bantering a while longer before they left for Caleb’s home.
On the way, a feeling welled up Jake had not expected. He had been looking forward to seeing them, so there was much anticipation, but that anticipation was soon joined by a strong sense of nervousness. He hadn’t met his parents or Maja for half a year or so, and he had changed a lot during that time.
There was also the whole baby angle he had to consider. A part of him felt shitty for not visiting earlier, knowing Maja had given birth, and now he was afraid she would be angry at him. He did have excuses, but were they good enough?
Caleb seemed to pick up on his nervousness, as he smiled and patted Jake on the back. "Relax. They’ve all been looking forward to seeing you again. Things may have changed for all of us, but the fact that we’re family hasn’t."
"Is there anything I need to know?"
"His name is Adam."
Jake nodded and smiled. Caleb had already mentioned it before, but it had been hectic back then. "After Maja’s grandfather?"
"Yeah, and it also seemed oddly fitting, considering the circumstances.”
"Has everything been fine with Maja and Adam? Anything to mind with the system and all?" Jake asked, still feeling nervous.
"Babies are a damn lot easier than before, that’s for sure," Caleb laughed. "Besides that, the growth seems pretty normal, besides him being stronger than a baby has any right to be. It isn’t really a problem, as everything around him is also more durable, but it is something to watch out for when a baby can crawl across a room in seconds."
"I can imagine." Jake smiled, remembering Sylphie when she was a newborn chick. Wait—if Sylphie was his niece and Adam his nephew, did that make them cousins of sorts?
Before long, they found themselves at a large residence, far larger than any around. It was several stories tall and was more a small compound with several buildings of varying sizes. The entire thing was walled off with enchantments and a barrier protecting it all.
"Fancy," Jake commented. "A lot bigger than my lodge."
Or at least, it had been, until his massive underground lab and facility were finished. Before he left, he had briefly seen the progress, and it was looking good.
"Gotta keep up appearances," Caleb chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "Also, it allows Mom and Dad to practically live next door, which is just convenient."
"Oh, you just like flexing on the plebians." Jake chuckled along, trying to suppress his own nervousness.
"Now who is the judgmental one?" Caleb shook his head and took out a token that made the double-sided front gate open. They both went into a small yard with the largest building in front of them and two smaller ones to the side.
The courtyard itself was filled with several plants, and Jake even saw a few plant boxes placed next to one of the houses. He instantly knew that was where his parents had to live, as Mom had always loved gardening. Well, that, and he saw them inside with his sphere.
They went up the stairs to the central one. Jake couldn’t hold himself back from smiling as he observed all of his family in his sphere. His parents were both sitting in what looked like a shared office of sorts. Once they entered, Jake heard Maja come out of a side room where Adam slept.
"You’re back early today. Did something else hap—"
She turned a corner and saw Jake standing there. He had already made his mask invisible before he had even entered the office with Caleb earlier that day.
"Hi, Maja. Long time, no see." Jake raised his arm to wave.
He barely had time to do so before she rushed over and pulled him into a hug. He didn’t resist, instead returning it as Caleb stood to the side with a big smile.
"You finally made it!" Maja exclaimed as she pulled back, looking him over. "Did you just arrive? You look worn down, and look at those boots; they look like they haven’t been fixed up for decades…"
"It’s how they came.” He shrugged as he also looked at her. "Good to see you again."
He had never been one for many words, and Maja didn’t hold it against him, as she kept smiling and turned to Caleb. "Why are you still standing there? Go get Mom and Dad!"
"Aye, aye." Caleb made a joking salute, leaving Jake shaking his head.
"Now come inside, let me make something to drink,” Maja said as she ushered Jake into another room. “Do you want coffee or tea? Juice? Or something else?"
"Juice sounds nice," Jake said as he lifted up the bags of pastries. "I brought cake."
"Oh, from Jerry’s? That’s great! Can you help set the table? Everything is in the cabinet over there.” She pointed to one on the left wall.
"Sure thing."
Jake didn’t even think much as he summoned several mana strings and manipulated them over to open the cabinet and bring out plates, cups, and glasses. He then telekinetically set the table—as one does in a post-system world.
"Show-off," Maja commented from the small tea kitchen where she was making some coffee.
"Telekinesis would have revolutionized the entire hospitality industry for sure," Jake joked back. It was funny; he didn’t really think much about how he would set the table… He just jumped straight to using magic. It was the same when he did alchemy. Why use your hands when a mana string is both faster and more versatile?
"How did you get here, by the way?" she asked. "I heard they were working on a teleportation circle, and Caleb said you would probably come when that was finished, but I don’t think it was quite done yet?"
"I ran," Jake answered. "And flew a bit too. But it was mainly running, and it was quite the trek too."
Maja just shook her head. "You don’t mean to tell me you spent the last four days since that Treasure Hunt just running?"
"And flying," Jake corrected with a smile.
They kept talking for a bit longer, pausing only when he heard his parents’ voices. Once he did, the feeling of nervousness from before returned in full. It was the longest period he’d ever gone without seeing, much less speaking to his parents. He had managed to keep himself busy, and knowing Caleb was with them had put his mind at ease… but he would be lying to himself if he said he hadn’t missed them.
"What surprise are you talking about? Did you—"
Jake heard his mom’s voice as she opened the door to the dining room. She stopped the moment she entered and saw him.
"Jake?" she said with disbelief, standing there frozen as she stared at him.
"Hi, Mom," Jake said a bit awkwardly, then pointed towards the table. "I brought cake."
His mom didn’t really react to the cake. Instead, she hurried over and gave him a big hug. Jake reciprocated without hesitation. They held each other for a while as Jake made eye contact with his dad, who stood in the doorway, smiling.
"What happened to your eyes?" his dad asked, making Jake chuckle a bit internally. Upon hearing the question, his mom pulled back from him and looked at his face discerningly, both of them waiting for an answer.
"Just a skill I got," Jake answered. "How about you two? You’re looking better than ever. Can’t even spot any of those gray hairs, Dad."
It was all true. Both his parents looked younger and healthier than ever before, no doubt due to the advent of stats and their evolutions. Maja was the same. None of them were close to D-grade, but Jake hadn’t expected them to be either.
"You’ve gotten cheekier," his dad said as he walked over and gave Jake a light hug. Neither of them had ever been the types for much physical affection, so that suited Jake just fine.
"It comes with the territory," Jake said. "Though I still can’t measure up to the leader of a massive, literally shadowy, assassin organization."
"Says you, with your—" Caleb began, attempting to throw a jab.
