The Primal Hunter's
Provocations

The atmosphere of the conversation changed, and the smile on Jacob's face was gone. Jake also works hard, analyzing the situation. Should he surprise them and shoot the man? Even if he tried, he was not confident in landing a shot. And even if it hit and somehow managed to kill him, it was likely that it would end badly if the other party retaliated, or rather, when they retaliated because he deeply doubted they would let their leader be killed by lying down.

Caroline also looked very nervous at the moment, hiding slightly behind Bertram, who had a calm expression on her face. The situation is tense, to say the least. He simply did not look like he wanted to respond positively.

Richard looked while smiling faintly, but his eyes were still a bit cold. The people behind him also looked tense and their hands were close to their weapons. He finally started talking again, breaking the silence before they reached the breaking point.

“I will only be honest with you all, healers are rare in this place. We had one, but he died within an hour of entering the tutorial. Three groups, thirty people, and only one damn healer, ” he said as he spat on the ground, obviously frustrated. “So, young lady, I am serious when I say that you will be treated well. We need you much more than you need us.”

He returned to Jacob, continuing.

“You agree that we humans are destined to unite, right? We have no healers. We only have a few healing herbs. No medical supplies, no hospitals, no doctors, nothing. Does he not have the responsibility to help his fellow men? I want to settle this peacefully with everyone walking away happily, but I have no choice here. We need healing, one way or another. We just need a healer. The rest are free to choose what you want to do.

“Be aware that he joined us is non-negotiable. Not having a healer is too risky in this place, and I have lost too many good men and women unnecessarily. If you and your colleagues join us, you will be treated like everyone else. We would create a hunting party based on the optimal setting, with healers joining my own party naturally. I can even promise that if you don't want to fight, we offer protection as long as you contribute in other ways. Just think carefully. ”

Richard seemed to have finished speaking as he gave them some space once more. He has thrown the ball into their pitch, and now the question is what to do…

They could try and run, but they were clearly outnumbered, and their levels were too low. Jake feels that the majority of the opposing side is at level 5 or above. He said they had run out of healing potions, which showed that they had done a lot of fighting. The fight is not on the list .

The second option is to join them. Jake didn't like that choice at all. He got a bad feeling from them. She had no doubt that Caroline would remain unharmed, but what about the others? Will they be used as a meat shield or what? They were obviously not going to let them act independently for fear of them leaving with Caroline.

The third option is to give it up. They will likely let them go, because while humans are worth hunting, they are far more dangerous than wild beasts in most cases. In addition, they must try and not antagonize Caroline more than necessary. Jake doubts there are people who want a healer who wants nothing more than to kill the people he healed. Or worse, refusing to heal at all.

Needless to say, Jake's not a fan of just handing him over. One reason was that they would end up with the same problem that Richard's current group had. He hesitated to voice his thoughts when Theodore began to speak.

“Maybe we should just go with them. Imagine not having access to any healing or medicine in this shit hole. It would make even the best desperate. We don't even know them, why do we take the position of antagonist?” Looking around at the others, some of them nodded, while others remained silent.

Jake could easily see Richard smiling at the other group, clearly agreeing on the direction of their current conversation. Theodore did have a good point; they were obviously desperate. Who are they to refuse to help other groups? Without a healer or health herb, a single bite or claw wound can become infected and fester, even making small scratches and fatal wounds.

Jake also rethinks his own goals. He has decided that he wants to try and help his colleagues learn how to fight on their own. If they joined a larger group, they would be much safer than ferocious beasts.

According to Richard, Caroline, one of the few people Jake really cares about, will definitely be safe. He did not doubt the middle-aged man when he guaranteed that he would do anything to protect him. Who would be foolish enough to anger or kill a walking hospital in a forest filled with danger?

Jake, however, is not at all open to him going alone. That would leave the other eight without a healer. She also has serious doubts that Caroline will agree to leave them. Especially not Jacob.

As the discussion continued, Richard and his crew waited patiently, as the decision to join was slowly reached. But there are reservations. How will they be treated? Will they be considered outsiders? What reason should Richard have to hold them back after obtaining Caroline? The main fear is that they will be treated more like hostages than members.

Jake hasn't said anything so far. He remained silent, listened, and followed the conversation. Richard didn't seem to care about what they thought as long as they joined. No, Jake needs insurance. He needs something that will keep them safe and well treated.

He had no intention of joining in any way. He had decided to go his own way last night. He needs strength, and he needs strength. And he does need strength. He could feel himself becoming agitated from not developing.

It would be foolish not to seize the opportunity to rise above what he currently has. More importantly, he wanted to. He wanted to hunt, fight, and face challenges. And he wouldn't be able to do that if he stayed with any group.

Jake thought of his desire to hunt. He thought back to it right after he had killed three assailants the day before, and a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction - a feeling of power. Soaking in that feeling, she channeled her bloodline, as a fake smile of never-ending confidence appeared on her lips.

“Richard, right? What's your level?” He asked in a calm voice.

Richard looked towards them, really paying attention to Jake for the first time. An inconspicuous young man was completely covered in a robe given to all the archers. He did not find anything out of the ordinary until he saw the man's face. His eyes were practically glowing, and he had a confident smile on his face, with a hint of excitement hidden deep beneath. There was not a single sign of fear or worry in sight, almost as if he wanted to fight.

“I am level 9 in my class, and we have a few others in our group at level 7 and above,” replied Richard honestly, not afraid to share it. The one before him was obviously an office worker or something similar before this tutorial. The only strange thing was the archer giving him a slightly different feeling.

Either way, they had flattened from the entrance until now, only resting for a few hours. They played it safe because it had no healers, but he doubted one individual could beat them. He also doubted the man was really strong because his comrades could not hide their confused gazes at how he acted. Or did he even fool his own allies?

“And who are you? Your Level too, if you don't mind? ”

Jake replies to him with *****small* disappointed. That's not an action either. He really wished that the man was stronger. From what he saw, level 10 seemed to be a surge of power for monsters, and humans might experience something similar.

Richard's smile faded significantly. Jacob, Caroline, and the others are unnerved by what Jake is doing to openly provoke the man. Especially how Jake maintained that strangely brave attitude, even though they were outnumbered. Has he gone mad?

"I think we're close to reaching an agreement here?" Richard asked, more than a little annoyed by the unexpected development. Who was this archer that he had not even realized before? What gives him confidence?

“Oh, pretty sure they joined you, but I didn't. I have bigger prey to hunt,” said Jake, still smiling at the man as he walked up to Richard and his tent. As he got closer, he felt a stabbing sensation that made him aware of the danger lurking behind the man. He clearly sensed the three archers who might point their bows at him if he tried anything.

“I just want to clarify something. I'll hand over my former comrades to you, so take good care of them. Of course, if something happens, we will get into trouble,” said Jake who was only a step away from the middle-aged soldier.

Richard was ten centimeters taller than Jake, completely looking down on the archer. But he was not sure how to act. He had a strange feeling that the man in front of him was unusual, but he refused to back down and looked weak in front of his men.

“Hah, problem? What kind of problem is that?” He said, squinting at Jake while taking half a step forward to tower over him.

Jake's smile widened. “Type of trouble where I get a prey that is comfortably served on a silver platter. Do you believe yourself to be superior? Do you think the three archers will open their fire before I cut off your head? Do you think their arrows have a chance to hit? Do you really think that you are a predator in this scenario?

Jake said as he opened his arms wide to the side, seeing Richard tensed up as he let go of his smile and turned serious as he looked at the man.

“Because you don't. You can take them, train with them, fight with them, and survive with them. But I'll watch. Just one misstep, and I'll hunt you down and all your friends one by one.have a great time for your new group."

Jake turned around and started walking away.

In his field, he saw the archer standing right behind Richard start pulling his bow, but Richard raised a hand hinting him to stop, only to see Jake had made the exact same move. Making the two stop as it became clear that the man could somehow still see them with his back turned.

Jake walked back to his comrades, who stood there and looked at him in confusion.

“You left us?” Casper managed to mutter.

“Yes, that was my plan all along. I have my own goals for this tutorial. If you join them, you should have a much higher chance of survival than alone. Don't worry, I'll check in occasionally. ” said Jake, smiling at them. It was not the menacing borderline maniac smile he gave Richard, but a friendly smile.

"Take care of everyone diligently, Jacob, and do not let them bully you or anyone else," he finally said, turning towards the forest intending to leave.

"Wait!" Jacob called and ran towards her, hugged her and secretly gave one of the bags she was carrying. One contains all the health herbs from the assailant last night as well as three herbs of Jacob's own health and stamina.

Finishing the hug and distancing himself, Jacob looked at Jake and smiled.

"Be careful out there, my friend, and please come back and check in whenever you can."

Jake nodded and walked away from their camp. There was no sincere goodbye from them, but Casper, who shouted to be careful. He had a strong premonition that he would not see them for a long time, but even without showing himself, he hoped that the strength of the threat would remain. However, he was pretty sure that dear Richard would give him the chance to actually finish it soon.

He had seen Richard whisper something to the archer as Jake walked back to his previous comrades. Looking up once again, he saw the archer he had assumed was the second commander who was now leaving along with a few light soldiers.

Jake smiled as he entered the bushes and walked with quick steps straight away from the open. He could not see them anywhere in his territory, but he knew they were coming. Richard did not think of him as a person who took the threat very well, and sending the team after him to eliminate the potential threat was the perfect character.

Adding to the speed, he started running to create distance. His heart was still pumping from his previous acting. He didn't quite know how he found the confidence to do that, but in some ways, wasn't there a sensation in such a challenge as well?

Excitement bubbled up in her stomach when she found the perfect spot .

He smiled as he thought of his pursuers. They'll be here soon, he'll feel it. He began to retrace his steps by ten meters or so by following his old steps, as he approached the tree. After all, he had purposely walked up to her on the way here for this purpose.

Moving according to his basic stealth skill, he felt it active as he quickly climbed up the tree, finding a good hiding place among the leaves. Soon they'll be on top of him, and he's ready for them. All the thoughts of how they were human, did not even cross his mind for a second. Today they are just victims.

They seemed to misunderstand something, he thought as he waited. I'm the one who hunts them, not the one who hunts me.