The Primal Hunter's
Enemies
The room was filled with tension as the two sides sat staring at each other. As always, this is a contest of who will speak first and break the silence. Both sides seemed to see it was a weakness to be the first to express their thoughts, which was why Jacob reluctantly ended up taking on the role.
"Ahem, gentlemen," he began the moment Hayden, and Richard turned their gazes toward him. “As we discussed yesterday, Hayden, we did a thorough check on the people you suspect we have killed, and after many searches, we still can't get anyone to take credit. In fact, most of the fights had no surviving members of our camp or perhaps. ”
Hayden did not even react but still sat there quietly. The man was almost as tall as Richard and burly. There was no way anyone would think that man was a caster based solely on his body. The spear on his back did not help either.
The only thing that really gave her her original class was the red robe she was wearing. It was not an initial robe that was only upgraded but a possible item with a higher rarity. The spear is the same, also far from the simple equipment given at the beginning of the tutorial. Overall its appearance is sleek and deadly.
Richard, on the other hand, was built like a tank. Full plate armor and a large tower shield were tied around his back with a sword veiled at his side. He had even obtained a helmet, completely completing his appearance. While the two men were large, Richard still had a few centimeters in other men.
About who is the most powerful.Jacob doesn't want to know. Both of them had improved the class, of course, and he deeply doubted that it was a standard class.
“So, you mean there's a mysterious third party out there and wiping out squad after squad, and somehow none of us are aware of it? Isn't that too convenient?” Hayden said, very skeptical of the whole premise.
“If a third party intends to 'win' this tutorial, it makes sense. If the individual believes that victory means annihilating all other survivors, it is. And based on this description and the rules of this hellhole, it makes sense,” said Richard, leaning back in his chair, making him let out a loud creaking sound.
"Think about that. Humans provide more experience and especially tutorial points compared to wild animals. The system encourages us to actively kill each other in order to get a higher reward. Will the final prize not be the highest for him who has managed to kill all the other tutorial participants? ”
Hayden did not necessarily disagree, but that did not mean he trusted the soldier.
“Oh, I'm not saying it's impossible. But how could you propose a squad could dance around our detection for so long? Running everything perfectly? The only way I see that is possible is if this group has information and networks within one of our factions. And I'm sure there's no crazy killer sect in my group.”
"Except" said Jacob, hesitating a little. “Except it is not a group but one individual. An individual with strong perceptual skills allows him to avoid us. A person with fighting skills to defeat an entire squad by himself. ”
“And who do you propose this mythical creature? Me? this can?” He said, pointing at the slightly offended Richard opposite him. Continuing, he raised his voice with a mixture of anger and annoyance. "Or did you say it was another unaffiliated man?"
"Jake Thayne" said Richard. “A unlucky guy met at the beginning of the tutorial. He was an arrogant bastard and threatened me, so I sent my best people, including my right hand, to chase him. He massacred six of them and sent the last person back in disarray with a message. From the message, he seemed to enjoy the people chasing him and even mocked me for sending more. Needless to say, the man was completely insane. ”
Hayden sat in silent contemplation for a while as he digested the information. But he quickly identified the problem he wanted to explain.
“Looks like you know a lot about this enemy of yours. Also, you say this happened at the beginning of the tutorial. Do you have any evidence that this person is still alive?”
“I think Jacob should be able to answer the first part,” said Richard, waving his hand to his headquarters manager. “Whatever why do we think it's him? A member of my group met him. He was not obedient by any means, yet he barely managed to escape with his life intact due to his powerful escape skills. Description fits like charm. This member also told us that he saw Jake kill another member. A certain trapper you may have heard of.”
In that last part, Hayden's eyes hardened. That damn trapper has killed a lot of people he sent to keep an eye on the enemy base. However he had disappeared not too long ago, the magic in the trap he set was also gone.
Turning to Jacob, he continued as he asked: "So, what do you know about this man?"
Jacob could only sigh as he began to explain the same thing he had to Richard a few days earlier.
He explains how he and Jake had been co-workers before the system arrived. What he knows about her, but also how little he knows about her. Jake has always been a very secretive person. He went to work, did his job, and went home afterwards. She doesn't like social outings or going to bars after going out.
In other words, a loner. He then explains the events of the tutorial - his incredible ability to fight, but more importantly, about the first night they spent here. About how Jake killed three assailants that night, all men who were higher than he was. How he smiled when they found him standing surrounded by brutally slaughtered people, completely covered in blood.
He briefly mentions what Richard said about how they parted from Jake and ended up touching William, who was the only one ever to defend against him. Retells the story that William has told them about how Jake killed Casper and tried to kill the caster himself, only barely escaping.
Jacob also explains all the abilities he knows Jake has. How he was skilled with the bow and even helped train Casper a little. He explained his extraordinary perceptual ability. Jake's training with Casper to open it up is an open secret; everyone knows that Jake's got something.
The poison was another tipping point that he emphasized. It was powerful, making anyone who was not too durable an easy target. Something Hayden as a caster should watch out for. Richard added that he believed the poison was a newly acquired power because he had not used it much before. It was clearly done to try and answer the question of why no one had been found killed by the poison before.
Overall, Jacob must admit that Jake, based on his own description, does seem like a ruthless enemy.
As he spoke, he saw Hayden growing grim. Jacob must also admit that the more he explains, the more reasonable Jake is able to do this. Makes sense, it's impossible. Jacob still firmly refuses to believe that Jake has done what he is accused of.
Jake is a loner, and he does show himself capable of killing. But he's not a total maniac, and he obviously cares for his comrades, which is why he doesn't believe that Jake killed Casper.
Unfortunately, for now, he could do nothing. Richard is in charge, and obviously, even Bertram suspects Jake did it based on previous conversations. His old friend said that they had not met Jake for a month, and that the war was going on.
Inhuman cruelty was inflicted on others during that battle. Thinking that Jake just chilled himself as long as it was delusional. Unless he had been trapped inside the cave for a month, he had to be aware of what was going on.
Jacob doesn't know if Jake has changed. He doesn't think he has, but he doesn't know. If Jacob had to actually pick one crazy guy who was running around killing people, it would be William and not Jake. But Richard very firmly assures William, and somehow the teen's flaw story turns to truth.
Moreover, he had to see the bigger picture of having a malicious third party to fight against. During the last two days of negotiations, no one had been killed from either side by the other factions. At least nothing they realize. A complete ceasefire, it could be said.
They were able to gather two leaders in the same room together. Even if Jake is not the culprit, even if there is no culprit at all, the benefits of believing that someone exists make it all worth it.
In the end, all Hayden cares about is finding his son's killer, and all Richard cares about is getting through this tutorial with a powerful faction to take to a new world. Even if none of them really accepted the narrative, it would still be beneficial for them to open up communication channels to achieve their goals.
“Alright, let's say this person is the person behind this mess. What are we going to do for it?” ask Hayden.
"Without any definitive proof, I think we should" Jacob tried before he was interrupted.
"If what you said was true, wouldn't it be foolish to send more people chasing after him in a disorganized way?" hayden said, ignoring what Jacob had said.
“I agree, but people want to get in on the action. You are not the only one who has lost someone they care about. Many are burning with a thirst for revenge. After finding the impingement and the target, many began to fret. It's not that I can blame them, ” Richard said with a fake sad atmosphere.
"That's why we're here" Jacob said. Hayden, it didn't seem to ignore it as long as he said something approved by the caster. “Together, we should be able to cover more land and avoid clashes in the forest. We already have some plans to try and lure him out, but with your cooperation, we will be much more confident.
After thinking for a while, Hayden sighed as he admitted that it might be time for their conflict to be stopped for an unspecified time. As long as he could find his son's killer, nothing else mattered. Even if Jake's man isn't the culprit, a closer relationship with Richard and his group will allow him to find the killer more easily. "Okay, I'm coming. What's your plan?"
At the same time elsewhere, the perpetrator of this entire plot, along with Richard, happily walks along a small cliff path. He was now fully healed, and when he saw his conspiracy grow his own legs, he refocused on becoming stronger.
It was very easy, especially since Richard seemed to know the archer who attacked him earlier. When William describes his abilities, Jacob and Bertram are brought in, and they make sure the man is someone named Jake Thayne. It's almost too perfect.
William did not care about negotiations; he was too busy focusing on himself. She needs strength to prove that she is not weak and to work with her new partner. William began to strongly favor the idea of having Richard as a supporter.
He even gave her two mana potions that the man had stored somewhere.
He would never admit it, but William. For the first time in his life, he began to doubt himself. After waking up, two shadows hung over him. The two archers who had defeated and destroyed it one after another. With that feeling of despair, William began to seek more power to go beyond his previous definition of 'perfection'.
William trains his blacksmith with a newfound strength after waking up, and in just a few hours, gains another level, also reaching 25 in his race. He implored himself into his cabin, prepared a metal cage, and began his evolution.
This is the first clue as to how Jake is so much stronger than him. Another evolution that almost doubles the stats of each race level. But more importantly, he found something else.
The invisible barrier that cut through the inner zone could now be bypassed. With some investigation, William learns that, for others, it is still inaccessible.
With sparkling eyes, he entered. His biggest illness because it had no high-level enemies had disappeared. The evolution of level 25 was the key to the inner area all along.
In this area, far more animals roam around. But not only that, the entire inner area was his own world. As inside, the inside is larger than the outside. If he had to guess, the size of the inner dome was almost the size of the entire forest outside.
The beasts are stronger here. William had met many more powerful beasts here than he had ever seen outside. Some of them can't even identify. And the creature that he was standing before him right now was one such beast.
It was a raptor with a red skin that had lines resembling lava flowing through them. It didn't take a genius to identify that this thing used fire. The ash and bushes burning around it are also a pretty good clue.
Laughing loudly, William prepared himself to attack.
It's not that he doesn't believe he can't beat them. He is growing stronger every day now. He has reached level 39 in his class and was only 10 in his profession when he fought Jake. Now he has gained 3 levels in his class and of course a new skill. His first epic rarity skill.
Placing both of his hands as if praying, he focused on the skill. Slowly stretching out his hands, a long object began to appear.
Spears made of iron with elaborate runes covered its surface.
Placing his hand to the side as he finished, the spear appeared as William panted.
"Spear of Terroras," he muttered as the spear hummed in recognition. By far, his skills were the most powerful. It was named after the iron god, carrying the same name as his staff.
Placing his hand on the spear, he felt the power it exerted entering him. His physical statistics soon increased.
Lifting the spear, he prepared to throw it. Conjured weapons can be used at close range, but it is when thrown that their true power is revealed.
Leaning back, he threw the spear towards the unsuspecting raptor. The beast was unaware of the incoming attack before it was too late.
The spear pierced through his durable skin as if it was nothing, plunging itself deeply. The beast roared but had no time to chase after its attacker before the spear exploded in the silver light surrounding it.
*You have killed [Redhide Raptor – lvl 44] – Experience bonuses gained for killing enemies above your level. 48000 TP obtained*
*'DING!' Class: [Metal Savant] has reached level 43 - Allotted stat points, +4 free points*
*'DING!' Race: [Human (E)] has reached level 27 - Allotted stat points, +5 free points*
Enjoying the warm glow of the level rise, he observed happily as the silver light subsided. In his place stood a statue of a bird of prey made entirely of iron. The actual power of the spear was not how sharp or buff it was given to its user. It was a powerful curse placed on it that attempted to turn anything it touched into iron.
Walking up to the statue, he placed his hand on it as the statue slowly melted and flowed into its body, replenishing the mana pond.
As the last part of the raptor disappeared into his hands, he started walking back to Richard's headquarters. The meeting with Hayden should have been over by now, and he was very excited to know what they had decided.
Hopefully, an all-out hunt is agreed upon, but one can only hope.