The Primal Hunter 15: A LitRPG Adventure, page 36
“Just choose a room more fitting for the human form,” Artemis said with a shrug. “There are five main master bedrooms often reserved for the top officials of a faction, and I would personally recommend just using one of those. Assuming you even plan on using it in the first place. Seeing as you’re the only one living here, the entire place is private, so you could meditate wherever.”
“Good point,” Jake said, nodding, as they quickly stopped by the aforementioned master bedrooms. He just briefly looked inside before they continued on, soon enough ending up in the living room. There, they sat down on a pair of sofas with a small table in between them, keeping a professional distance.
“I think that’s about it,” Artemis said. “I do recognize it’s very silly for you to live here alone, but usually, a Chosen like you arrives with a huge entourage of servants and slaves.”
As Jake nodded, a thought struck him. He had been wondering about something ever since Artemis introduced him to the Divine Voidpiercer and decided to just outright ask her. “I studied the Pantheon of Life a bit on my way here, and I can’t help but wonder... what is your faction’s official stance on slavery?” He really hoped he wouldn’t dislike the answer.
“There isn’t really one,” Artemis answered, shaking her head. “The matter is too complicated to have rigid laws that can be enforced, so it’s taken on a case-by-case basis.”
“What do you mean?” Jake asked, a bit confused.
“Hm... you have a solid knowledge of the ectognamorphs, right? I assume you do, considering your creation of a True Royal. As eusocial creatures, there is a natural caste among them, with some innately subordinate to others. The drones of a hive are born into what many would define as slavery to their queen, and I personally have no issue with that. That’s just how their race works. The same is true for others. There are monsters that rely on controlling and enslaving others to defend themselves, as they have no combat capabilities by themself and have everything invested in mental stats. Then there are parasitic beings that cannot live without invading and influencing a host, effectively enslaving them. I do not see myself as a judge who can decide what part of nature I find acceptable, as long as it doesn’t threaten the ecosystems themselves... even if I do have an aversion to some things.”
Jake listened and could agree with some of what she said. He had a deep, innate hatred of slavery, but when it came to Vesperia, he didn’t really feel like it was the same thing. Similarly, he hadn’t had any particularly negative reaction during the tutorial when he fought the rat creatures, despite the rat swarms obviously not being creatures of free will.
He didn’t feel completely satisfied with her answer, though. “What’s your personal opinion on the matter?” he asked. “Would you personally take on a slave?”
“I believe that depends on your definition of the word,” Artemis said while shaking her head, with Jake beginning to feel a bit nervous with that answer. “I reckon Vitesse is the cause of this question? I personally wouldn’t classify her as a slave. There’s no contract and no forced compulsion. However, from an outside point of view, the distinction doesn’t seem to matter much. She pledged her life to me, swearing she would serve me eternally for sparing her life. I have clarified her debt is paid, but her oath still binds her. I personally view her more as a servant now, and most of the time, she’s free to do as she wants to, and it isn’t as if her life is bound to mine. One day, perhaps she will feel that her debt is paid, at which point she will leave, but I don’t know when that will be, so until then, she is effectively a slave of her own oath.”
Jake frowned a bit as he considered the matter. “That does sound complicated. Have you ever forced anyone to serve you?”
Artemis shrugged. “No. There was never a need. The enlightened races of the Pantheon of Life rarely have slaves of any kind; we just recognize that to some creatures and Paths, it’s natural. We also do not judge if others have them. But you asked me about my personal opinion... and it’s hard for me to really have one. I’ve been a god for a long time, and gods don’t really tend to have slaves. We never need to. Mortals have a natural instinct to serve and worship gods, meaning we can turn the majority of mortals into servants merely by commanding them to do something. With notable exceptions, of course. As for having slaves that are other gods... outside of rare cases like Vitesse, that isn’t a thing at all. You would have a hard time finding a single god willing to become a slave of someone else over death. Even Vitesse definitely wouldn’t have signed an actual slave contract... not that I have any idea how to make one that could bind a god.”
“I think I should be transparent: I’m vehemently against the concept,” Jake said after listening to Artemis’ words and feeling a bit more reassured. “In my view, it shouldn’t be a thing across the board, and if I come across a monster that enslaves people as part of its Path, well, that just makes it really easy to know my next prey. No matter how natural it is. Regarding the True Royals and the eusocial insects, I do recognize there is some more nuance there, but drones aren’t born with full sapience. I also think it boils down to them being born into their place in life. Usually, those who are enslaved experience a loss of freedom, which I guess is what I really detest.”
“The instinct to be free is very natural, and so is your empathy,” Artemis said, nodding. “Albeit a bit flawed, as directly reflecting your feelings onto others is rarely accurate, but I can appreciate the sentiment. Do let me be clear that if you are concerned about me suddenly proposing that you create an army of slaves, then you have no need to worry. I would rather recommend getting powerful and loyal allies and friends—something you have already proven you’re quite good at.”
“Good thing we’re on the same page there,” Jake said with a nod, relieved. “Now, I do believe I promised you a gift?”
“You did.” Artemis nodded, though she didn’t appear full of expectation. Not that Jake could blame her. She probably assumed this gift was from Jake himself, and in that case, what could he even offer that would be of use to a god? Well, maybe he could create something using his abilities as a Harbinger of Primeval Origins, but he seriously doubted she expected that or even knew it was an option.
“Before you see it, I need to clarify something: I don’t actually know what it is or what it does,” Jake said, trying to cover himself against whatever happened next. He knew Villy well enough to know that even presenting the item to her was a massive risk.
He would definitely not put it above the snake god to have given him a gag gift. However, he also couldn’t write off the option that it was a genuinely great gift—something that would benefit Artemis greatly—and if there was even a one percent chance it was something good, Jake wouldn’t be an ass and deny her it.
“What do you mean you don’t know what it is?” Artemis frowned. “Is it something you found, or…?”
“No.” Jake shook his head and clarified, “It was created by the Malefic Viper specifically to be given to you.”
Artemis’ eyes opened wide when Jake said that. “The Malefic One created something for me?”
“Yeah,” Jake said while nodding, feeling a bit sad to see her surprise, “but I will warn you: as I said, we have a friendly relationship, so while I’m pretty positive it won’t be anything that can harm you, I cannot guarantee it’s something that will actually benefit you.”
As the hunter goddess nodded thoughtfully, Jake really hoped Villy hadn’t just given him this gift to fuck with the two of them. With a slight sense of dread, Jake took out the bottle and placed it down on the small table between them.
“Here it is. From my understanding, only you can unlock the seals on it and see what it truly is.” Jake truly wished for it to be something good. If it wasn’t, he definitely had a snake god who needed a kick to the teeth the next time he went back to the Order.
With a sense of seriousness that Jake really hoped was warranted, Artemis picked up the bottle with careful hands, studying the item closely as she did so. She gave Jake a look and, once he nodded for her to go ahead, unsealed the flask, allowing her to finally see what was within.
As she did, the room fell silent. She stared at the bottle, and at that point, Jake felt pretty damn confident they’d just been hoodwinked by the Viper. That the damn snake god had given her a gag gift, or perhaps just an empty bottle or something stupid like that, just to mess with the two of them.
“Did the Malefic One really create this for me?” Artemis asked after several seconds, looking up at Jake with confusion.
“That’s at least what he told me,” Jake said with a sigh, preparing an excuse for his immature and idiotic friend. “Look, sometimes he’s—”
“This is too much.” Artemis shook her head. “The level of debt something like this creates... Oh... I believe I see why...” As Jake grew more confused, Artemis continued, “The Malefic One truly values you. I’m in no way worthy of receiving a gift of this level from him, and I believe he has only one reason for doing so... He wants to communicate that he does not disapprove and that you have his full backing, no matter the case.”
“What exactly did he give you?” Jake asked, incredibly curious now that he knew it definitely wasn’t a gag gift.
“A Transcendent-level Elixir,” Artemis answered. “As in, the kind of item that can only be created through the use of a Transcendent skill. The type of item one cannot even ask for.”
“What does it do?”
“As you said, this truly is an item created for me,” Artemis said as she admired the small bottle. “It’s an Elixir that will help me tremendously when I try to break through to Godqueen. Each time a god advances, they have to overcome a wall of varying difficulty, and while I did have confidence in advancing on my own, this will speed up the process significantly and make my chance of success exponentially higher.”
“That actually sounds... useful,” Jake muttered, full of surprise that Villy had really come through for him this time around.
“This is the kind of item people of my level tend to wage wars over. The kind we enter system events with the hope of obtaining, nine gods dying only for one to advance. For him to have created and given something like this to someone like me... it truly can only be a statement. I have nothing of value to offer him, and it’s evident his only reason for giving it to me is… you.” Artemis then let out a small sigh.
“You’ve been transparent with me so far, from what I can tell, so allow me to return the same energy. I cannot in good conscience say I wasn’t looking forward to meeting you without ulterior motives. Selfish motives. Progress as a god at my level is tough, and I had hit a wall I hoped this new era’s influx of Records would help me overcome, but at most I’d hoped for it to be a slow process. However, ever since we met in Nevermore, my stagnation has disappeared. I have become able to progress again... and I see no other explanation than my encounter with you and all that has led to.”
She was clearly reluctant to confess that, which she really shouldn’t have been, as Jake just shrugged. “That’s good, right? You also helped me progress and even improve my archery, so at most, that just makes us even. I already confessed I had ulterior motives, too: getting free archery lessons.”
“I don’t think those two things are comparable,” Artemis said, sighing. “As a C-grade, it’s expected for you to progress easily. At most, I can help marginally speed up your progress, while for me, a single level could take countless years. At least, that was the case. For me, as a god, trying to take advantage of our relationship to further my own progress is improper to say the least.”
“Let’s not act like it isn’t also pretty damn audacious of me to expect a god to give me personal training,” Jake said with a smile. “Everything in this world is a give and take. You telling me that my presence has had a positive effect on you is only good, from my point of view. It’s not like you’re the only god, either; the Viper seems pretty pleased with the progress I helped him with.”
“The Malefic One has seen tangible returns?” Artemis asked with a high level of skepticism before falling into deep thought. “No... that does make sense. The qualitative power in the Records born from creating a True Royal and taking the all-time spot on the Nevermore Leaderboards has to hold some value, even for a god of his level, if for nothing other than the novelty and uniqueness of those achievements.”
“So, no need to feel guilty,” Jake said, shaking his head. “As you said, for a proper bond to be forged, one needs to be equal. I view the Viper as an equal, and the same is true for you. For me to help you only makes me happy, knowing I’m not the only one benefiting. While I don’t think it’s proper to keep score between friends or people who care about one another, it does still feel bad to only be on the receiving end.”
Artemis looked at Jake for a moment before sighing. “You know, sometimes I forget you’re even a mortal.”
“Hey, no worries; it’s only a temporary condition.” Jake smiled, having said such an arrogant line with so much confidence that Artemis didn’t even feel she could question it. “Also... you are right that this entire place is definitely way too big for one person, so wouldn’t it make my visit more comfortable if at least one more person stayed here?”
The hunter goddess looked at Jake before smiling and shaking her head. “Well, I was assigned to be your escort and to make your stay pleasant, so I guess I’ll have to sacrifice myself this once.”
Chapter 40
Swords, Vines, & Birds
As the blade cut through the web of vines, the swordsman expertly avoided the thorns covering them, even as they shot out to impale his body. A green blast sought to push him back, yet a screen of water protected him and allowed him to continue his pursuit.
When Dina slammed her staff into the ground, a vast fissure appeared between her and the Sword Saint, seeking to swallow him up as a torrent of vines erupted from below. Miyamoto’s eyes opened wide. He hadn’t felt the movement of magic beneath them, barely leaving any time to teleport back.
“That wasn’t regular magic,” Miyamoto commented as he prepared to charge again.
“This is the Pantheon of Life,” Dina answered with a smile. “Easy for life to be hidden where you least expect it, and sometimes all you need to do is ask for a little bit of assistance.”
Bloodline. Right.
Stone-like thorns erupted all across the battlefield and forced the Sword Saint into the air, yet with a teleport, he closed the distance once more, his blade arcing toward the dryad. However, he had severely underestimated her, as she had learned some new tricks since their days in Nevermore.
Right before Miyamoto had a chance to land his blow, Dina’s body erupted with energy. A wooden carapace formed around her, fully encompassing her body. Vines instantly erupted from the sphere of solid wood, striking at the Sword Saint as he dodged and swung for the defensive barrier.
His blade managed to cut deep into the wooden cocoon, but to land his attack, he had to pay with some blood of his own. A thorn penetrated his shoulder, forcing him back.
Right as he retreated, the wooden cocoon instantly retracted, and he found himself staring at a staff pointed at his head. The staff began to glow and then exploded with green light, sending a beam of condensed energy toward him while he was still mid-air. Unable to stop his momentum on his current trajectory, Miyamoto had no choice but to defend and make use of some new means of his own.
Lifting a hand, a flat plane depicting the image of a pond was summoned between himself and Dina. The beam of green light struck it just as it appeared. As the pond displayed in the image rippled on impact, absorbing the green beam entirely, the Sword Saint stabbed into the pond from behind, making the ripples suddenly intensify. A large droplet of water, slighter larger than a fist, was ejected from the image.
Dina was definitely surprised, but her defensive sphere activated in time to attempt to block the attack. A loud splashing sound was heard as the large energy-infused droplet hit the barrier of bark. The impact smashed Dina into the ground, creating a large crater.
The Sword Saint didn’t waste this opportunity. He repeatedly stabbed downwards, his arms moving at several times their usual speed, raining beams of water upon the sphere and instantly piercing several holes in it.
However, before he could even follow up, the holes began to mend themselves, making the Sword Saint abandon the strategy. Dina’s barrier also retracted a moment later, leaving her breathing heavily as she stood there.
“I lost,” she said, sounding quite tired.
“It wasn’t certain,” the Sword Saint countered.
“I would definitely run out of mana first, and if I pushed you too hard, I don’t have confidence in blocking some of your best offensive skills,” Dina continued to insist. “Without Bobo, I would already have been in great trouble.”
“Speaking of Bobo, did he evolve?” the Sword Saint asked curiously. He assumed that the wooden cocoon had been created by the living armor she wore.
“He did,” Dina said, smiling happily. “The Mother Tree helped me in the endeavor, but I also trained a lot with him on my own.”
“You have definitely grown a lot,” Miyamoto said proudly.
“Not as much as you.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to make excuses, but it’s really hard to compete with those who participate in system events.”
“The Prima Guardian event wasn’t that good when it came to gaining levels. It was an event focused not on challenging individuals, but entire galaxies. The only Prima Guardian I would classify as truly challenging was the one Earth faced, and there, we had a fighting force that I doubt any C-grade could have ever defeated.”
Dina nodded and finally dispelled her staff. As the Sword Saint took her cue to leave, he looked at the battlefield, which was now entirely torn up and destroyed.
“Is it fine to leave it like this?” the Sword Saint asked.
“Why wouldn’t it be? Nature doesn’t care what the landscape looks like. It adapts. Besides, the barrier ensured no creatures lived there before we started fighting, and I’m sure that since it’s now dispelled, beasts that will be nourished by our remnant energies and Records will flock to it.”
