The Primal Hunter 11, page 52
What he also felt from all their auras was the surprise when Valdemar said Jake had beaten his image. Nobody said anything, though. Many seemed to now also realize why Valdemar was there—including Jake himself, of course.
“Oh, and thanks for the fight, though I guess it wasn’t actually you,” Jake continued with a heartfelt smile and nod. “It was fun.”
Valdemar’s eyes opened wide for a second. Then he smiled even wider and began laughing out loud. He continued for a few seconds before he stopped and leaned down. “You do know I want a rematch, right?”
The words were clearly a joke, but Jake smiled and met Valdemar’s eyes. “Maybe later. I should at least become a god first, or it wouldn’t really be any fun, now, would it?”
“No, no, it wouldn’t,” Valdemar answered as he nodded, clearly happy with the response. He then turned his gaze toward the Malefic Viper and raised his voice. “Hey, Vilas. You found yourself quite a nice Chosen, eh?”
“I am not one to complain, though I do take issue with you being all buddy-buddy with him,” the Viper answered in a calm tone. “How about you let off a bit and show some basic decorum? As you said, that’s my Chosen, not yours.” Jake felt the slightly insidious undertone and couldn’t help but notice how he sounded a touch different than usual. More… malefic?
“You’re right; he is your Chosen,” Valdemar said as he let go of Jake and took a step back before throwing the Viper a taunting smile. “A bit odd, isn’t it? That you have a human as your Chosen?”
“I do not remember there being any rules about the races gods can have as Chosen,” the Malefic Viper responded, his tone still calm but with that odd undertone more underlined than before.
“It’s still a bit of a shame, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be better if we both stuck to the usual customs?” The Viper’s smile had disappeared by now. Valdemar turned to Jake again, adding, “I know you became that damn snake’s Chosen early on your Path, but wouldn’t it be better to stick with a faction that better represents us as humans?”
Jake was momentarily taken aback, as he assumed Valdemar was doing this invitation as part of some kind of scheme with the Viper and wasn’t seriou—
“I’m not really joking... While you are his Chosen, you would also find a home in Valhal if you so desired,” Valdemar casually sent Jake telepathically, throwing him for a loop.
Yeah, alright, Jake should probably just reject him publicly right away and—
“Don’t reject his proposal immediately; leave your answer ambiguous,” Villy sent telepathically. “Make it look like you are really considering the offer.”
Yeah, alright, things were really a mess already, and Jake was seriously reconsidering his decision to go to [Redacted] without properly considering what that could lead to. He felt the gazes of the gods upon him, many of them filled with interest over the two Primordials openly arguing with so many gods as witnesses. Again, it was a bloody mess.
What’s more, Jake hadn’t even gotten to Eversmile, who was hiding in the back, dressed up as some beastfolk god.
Chapter 58
Shameless Recruiting Tactics
Jake had lots of stuff to address for sure and started with the most urgent one. With so many eyes on him, he couldn’t delay answering Valdemar’s bold proposal, so he took a deep breath and jumped right into it.
“I am not sure this is the time or place for such an important discussion,” Jake said, trying to sound neutral.
“But it is a discussion.” Valdemar grinned as he patted Jake on the shoulder. “You heard that, Vilas? Do you think this is the time and place for such a discussion?”
At his taunting tone, the Viper scoffed. “Are you seriously blatantly trying to steal my Chosen right under my nose? Kind of pathetic for the so-called god of war to fight a battle he should know he can’t win.”
“I never take fights that I don’t have a chance of winning.” Valdemar kept grinning as he stayed close to Jake. “My promises won’t be empty, either. I think we all know your Chosen isn’t just some common C-grade, but someone valuable regardless of his own power due to his unique abilities and Bloodline, so I won’t be cheap. And honestly, do you think you can support someone like him better than Valhal can? Better than I can?”
Jake was a bit surprised at how articulate Valdemar seemed. Then again… Villy did say that Valdemar wasn’t stupid, just very simple. He was a bit like Jake himself in that regard… though the level of his own occasional stupidity was very much still up for discussion.
“Well, isn’t this something?” the Malefic Viper said with a smile that wasn’t really a smile. “My Chosen is not just some mindless warrior swinging around an axe; he is also a skilled alchemist. It is through his alchemy that his Path to manipulate Origins was revealed… so let me counter. Do you think you can guide him to be a better alchemist than I can?”
“Odd—the version of your Chosen I saw defeat my image in the Challenge Dungeon didn’t look like some weak alchemist. From my point of view, you are sabotaging his Path by making him follow your Legacy. He should walk a path more aligned with his own Origin. A Path Valhal will gladly show him.” Valdemar crossed his arms. “How about this… Someone like him is capable of choosing his own Path, right? Also, what was it you said before that big ceremony you did? Oh, yeah, that he can make his own decisions with his unique powers, and that they only belong to him. Then shouldn’t we just let him choose, eh?”
Jake was far from an expert in political stuff, and he had a strong feeling Valdemar was too. With that in mind, he got the impression Valdemar had either been coached or at least given some tips. Maybe by Villy himself, but more likely by Gudrun. If she was talking to his real body while Valdemar focused on this avatar, he could easily relay everything happening within the room.
In fact, Jake was pretty damn certain everything happening in the room was being broadcast to many influential forces spread throughout the multiverse via to the representative gods. Which was part of the reason he had to be kinda careful. He couldn’t mess up Villy’s plan too much, right?
“I am not some pick-me god, and I find the very notion of having to even try and sell the honor of being my Chosen ridiculous,” the Viper said. “Being my Chosen is a privilege, not something to be coaxed into. If he is truly so foolish as to reject me as his Patron and give up on my Legacy and the Path he is currently walking with such great success, then maybe he wasn’t worthy of being my Chosen to begin with. Not with such utterly questionable judgment.”
Valdemar just shook his head while muttering something to himself before looking at Jake, who was standing there without really saying or doing anything. He was pretty sure that was what he was supposed to do.
“He must be exhausting to deal with, huh?” Valdemar questioned Jake.
Jake was pretty damn sure the question wasn’t actually rhetorical, and he had to stop himself from making some silly comment. Instead of saying anything genuine, he once again answered noncommittally, “I don’t believe I should talk about my personal relationship with my Patron in a room filled with outsiders.”
That had to also be considered neutral, right? Damn, where was Miranda when he needed her? Actually, it was probably best she wasn’t there, as he doubted she would have fared well with a few dozen gods, including a handful of Primordials, staring her down.
“That’s fair, that’s fair… But, you know, I am sure Carmen would be really happy if you joined us, too. She spoke very highly of you when she became a Runemaiden using my blood, and she even said her successful ritual was partly thanks to you!” Valdemar flashed a big smile. “Ah, doesn’t that sound nice? Two powerful fellow humans from the same planet under one banner? Could bring you two closer, too.”
Valdemar saying this once more got the attention of the room. Jake also understood why after he’d discussed Runemaidens with Carmen. Based on what he knew, Valdemar had not openly announced a Runemaiden who used his blood and Records had been born before now, much less that she was from the same planet as Jake or that they knew each other.
This was pretty much revealing to the multiverse that Valhal already had existing connections to Jake as a person—ones even predating Jake joining the Order, which gave credence to his claim that Jake could potentially end up joining them and renouncing the Malefic Viper.
Gods weren’t the type to whisper among themselves, but Jake was confident many telepathic messages were being exchanged at that moment. The Viper also looked visibly annoyed, while Valdemar looked pleased with himself, awaiting Jake’s response—a response he took quite a moment to think about. He was trying to remain as noncommittal as possible… by just straight-up ignoring the proposal.
“Right now, my sole focus is Nevermore and getting a good performance here, including the Challenge Dungeons I have yet to do. I believe it would be best for me to dedicate all my focus and attention to doing this World Wonder over anything else.”
Valdemar nodded and shrugged. “I guess that’s fine. No need to commit to anything here and now that may distract from what’s in front of you. Just know that Valhal still has its halls open for you.”
Jake nodded, happy that one had worked. Valdemar did give up way too easily, making Jake more certain than ever this was all—at least partly—some kind of play he and Villy had planned. Jake said partly because he had strong feelings that had he agreed to the invitation, the Primordial would have gladly dragged Jake back to Valhal with him after Nevermore, even if the Viper complained.
That went about as well as it could, Vilastromoz thought, as Jake and Valdemar had done surprisingly well in playing their roles. Anything that had to do with scheming and Valdemar often didn’t go according to plan, much less when it involved both Jake and Valdemar, two people who weren’t known as the most politically apt. Yet things had turned out extremely well, with lots of doubt sown in the minds of the gods present.
It was a foregone conclusion that even if Yip of Yore himself hadn’t shown up—and he definitely wouldn’t—some of the representatives present would be feeding him information on everything that was happening there. In fact, the Viper would bet he had a live view of everything going on.
Valdemar trying to recruit Jake wasn’t overly surprising to many factions, especially after it was disclosed he had beaten Valdemar’s image in the Colosseum of Mortals, and he was ultimately a human. To Yip, this would serve as further proof of the rift between the Order of the Malefic Viper and Valdemar.
It had to be noted that not much of this had been part of any of the original plans. Things had been changed due to Jake.
Jake had proven himself both an annoyance and an asset to Yip of Yore’s plans, but also the Viper’s. Originally, Yip had wanted his Chosen to defeat Jake in a proxy battle of sorts as part of his story, but that was no longer a feasible method, as the backlash would be bigger than the gains.
Killing Jake would mean removing his unique abilities to manipulate Origins, which would not be seen kindly by many major factions. It wouldn’t necessarily create enemies, but it would weaken the narrative that Yip was fighting for what was right and that Jake was just some evil follower of the Malefic Viper. So Yip had changed his plans from trying to kill Jake to doing something that would prove even more beneficial to his story:
Turning Jake to the side of justice. Turning him to Yip’s side, or at least away from the Viper’s. Having his Chosen renounce his Blessing would be a heavy blow to the Viper, especially in the context of the narrative that was being constructed. For the Viper to be so evil that even his own Chosen turned his back on him… surely Yip of Yore was doing the multiverse a favor by putting him down?
However, Yip also knew that personally recruiting Jake directly was out of the question. Ell’Hakan was an enemy of Jake, and their encounter in Nevermore City had only cemented this. That was why Valhal had stepped up to try and snatch Jake away. While it would be better for Yip to get Jake on his side by himself, having Valhal do it was also a good outcome.
Of course, Vilastromoz knew this would never happen.
The Viper would not describe himself as the most trusting person, so he could admit that Jake being locked in when it came to being his Chosen was more of a positive than a negative in his mind. If Valdemar’s offer was truly genuine, Vilastromoz couldn’t even blame Jake for considering it seriously, especially not if Valdemar went as far as offering Jake to become his Chosen.
While he did trust Jake as much as he could, he also knew that Valhal would suit Jake nicely. Jake loved challenges and fighting, and Valhal would offer that in spades. Far more so than the Order of the Malefic Viper ever could. What’s more, Valdemar was a human, so if Jake had his True Blessing over the Viper's, there would be more synergy with their Records.
At least, he thought so… but with Jake, it was genuinely hard to tell. Because there was a genuine chance that the Records of Jake’s Bloodline would overpower any other related to his race, making it a moot point.
Feeling like one thing had been dealt with, Jake turned to another. His gaze pierced the room to the very back end, where a beastfolk man was standing inconspicuously among all the other representatives. It was naturally Eversmile, whom Jake had picked out instantly upon entering the room. Jake considered if he should do or say anything, but before he could decide, a voice entered his mind.
“I do find your ability to recognize me quite troublesome, if very intriguing. However, I would advise against revealing my presence here. Doing so shall bring you no benefits and only serve to hinder me needlessly. It may even impact the plots of your Patron, so reconsider before you make an unwise decision.”
“Oh? Why are you even hiding in the first place when there are already five other Primordials here?” Jake asked Eversmile, not really bothering with the fact he was showing zero respect to a god. “Are you doing some experiment or something?”
“None of that is of your concern,” Eversmile answered, pretty much confirming to Jake he was definitely up to something. “Nothing I am doing is detrimental to you or your Patron, so let be what should be left alone. That would be very appreciated.”
Jake was curious but also feeling petty at the same time. He still remembered how much Eversmile had messed with him during the tutorial, how he had used William to fuck things up and had even made him come after his family…
“Well, I appreciate that you wouldn’t appreciate me revealing you—in fact, it makes it quite an appealing choice,” Jake sent mentally. “But I guess if you really want to stay hidden that badly… I can do you this favor. Wait, doesn’t that mean you owe me one now?”
He was fully aware he was just messing with Eversmile now, knowing how the Primordial’s Path worked. Also, if he could somehow make Eversmile owe him a favor, that would totally be worth it. Based on what Villy said, he was very serious about owing favors.
“You should be aware that is not how karmic debt is formed,” Eversmile said calmly. “There has to be a sufficient balance between the two parties for any debt to form, and you are not powerful enough to enter any kind of agreement with me.”
“Yet. Not powerful enough yet.”
“Even if we say that is so, I would suggest not getting too far ahead of yourself. Remember you are only here due to the curiosity of others and who your Patron is, not truly by your own merit. If you wish to speak of karmic debt, then you are far from in a position to make any demand through threats, much less speak of favors. One could also say I am doing you a favor right now by even conversing with you. Or allowing you to keep living despite the disrespect. I have plenty of cause to take action already, so how about you let off your petty threats? In return, I shall do you the favor of letting you off.” Though his voice was still calm, it was also full of warning.
Jake felt an odd pressure and a slight sense of danger that was not at all unambiguous in its message: back off.
“Anyway, I hope all goes well on your end; I shall be minding my own business,” Jake responded after a brief pause.
He had fucked around and very much wanted to skip the “find out” part.
Their conversation had been relatively long but had, in reality, only taken a few seconds, as everything had been said telepathically. There had been a natural silence after Valdemar spoke, and only another full second or so after Jake finished talking with Eversmile did someone else speak up.
“Speaking of doing Nevermore, how is little Dina doing?” Nature’s Attendant asked Jake, changing the topic quite nicely while also advertising he had a close relationship with Jake. “I know my granddaughter isn’t the most experienced quite yet, but I still hope she has proven a valuable party member so far.”
“She is doing great; no complaints here,” Jake answered with a smile, happy he no longer had to consider his words super carefully. He also made sure to not even glance Eversmile’s way anymore. “I hope she is also doing well in her Challenge Dungeons.”
“I am sure she is,” Nature’s Attendant said, nodding. “Now, while I have you here… how about you come over here and tell me a bit about how she is doing? The stingy Wyrmgod refuses to share anything.”
Jake doubted Nature’s Attendant really just wanted to hear about his granddaughter, but he had no reason to reject a conversation. Especially not when this was an excuse to talk to Artemis, who was sitting with him.
“That would be my pleasure,” Jake answered as he looked at Valdemar. “Unless..?”
“You go on ahead,” Valdemar said, waving him off.
Jake nodded as he walked over to Artemis and Nature’s Attendant, the attention of the many gods still on him. When he arrived, Nature’s Attendant casually set up a sound isolation barrier for them to talk in peace, which seemed to annoy quite a few people present, including the Holy Mother, the Blightfather, and even Valdemar.
Their dissatisfaction manifested through the presences that weighed down on Jake, Nature’s Attendant, and Artemis. Jake and Nature’s Attendant were fine, but Jake saw Artemis clench her fists, and without even thinking, Jake flared his own presence to cover her.
