Jake almost wanted to go and talk with Nature’s Attendant immediately but controlled himself, deciding he wasn’t in a rush. Besides, he and Yggdrasil were already working on helping the Fallen King, and Jake didn’t want to come rushing in only a week later to ask for another favor.
Instead, he decided to wait until they called him. That way, it would also seem as if Jake had considered the matter for longer. When Jake asked Dina more about this idea, it became clear he really wasn’t in a rush, as creating such an item wouldn’t be a quick process.
“Grandpa used the skill to create Bobo, and that took about a decade,” Dina explained. “Even before Bobo was fully created, he was already half-grown, with Grandpa telling me he began preparations before my birth. If he is to create a bow for you, it will take quite a few years, especially if you convince the Mother Tree to donate a branch. Then there are the Records you want the bow to have, which also affects the process...”
“Would it be possible to use Records from an existing bow?” Jake asked, curious.
“That depends on a lot of things, I would guess,” Dina said, shaking her head. “Only Grandpa knows all the details, so you’ll have to ask him if you choose to go through with this idea.”
“I see,” Jake said, nodding, hoping that his Bow of the Apex Hunter would find new life once more with the help of Nature’s Attendant. The system-given bow from way back in the Treasure Hunt still had the best damn enchant he’d ever seen on any weapon, and it just fit Jake perfectly. Definitely by design, as the system had made it specifically for him.
All of that bow stuff was for later, though. For now, Jake stayed and spent some time with his former party members from Nevermore, even though two of them were people he already spent time with regularly. Naturally, he couldn’t help but have a small spar with Dina after the Sword Saint mentioned she’d improved a lot, and while he won in the end, she definitely hadn’t slacked off.
From Dina, Jake also learned that there were many young hopefuls who would love to duel the Sword Saint and Sylphie, but for some reason, the interest in fighting him wasn’t really there. Jake didn’t really understand this until Dina explained.
“They don’t expect to survive it,” Dina said, shaking her head. “You’re the Chosen of the Malefic Viper. In order to challenge you, they need to have an equal status, or your acceptance will be a loss of face even if you win. There’s simply nothing in it for you outside of discouraging others by making examples out of the first fools who dare challenge you.”
“Ree!” Sylphie heavily protested that assumption. Not that Jake would kill anyone daring to ask him for a spar, but the sentiment that challenging her wasn’t also super dangerous as a loss of face, as her status was definitely also significant.“They’re just ignorant,” Dina said, shaking her head as she addressed both the Sword Saint and Sylphie. “Because you both “only” have Divine Blessings, your status in the eyes of strangers is leagues behind the famous C-grade Chosen of the Malefic Viper.”
“In all fairness, he did beat us in Nevermore due to individual performance,” the Sword Saint said, shrugging. “And in this case, I think he’s the one losing out by having such an intimidating reputation.”
“Definitely!” Jake said, shaking his head. “It’s kind of frustrating that I can’t even get some good sparring in just because of what others assume. It would be fun to fight some elite parties, as I honestly feel that fighting coordinated parties of elites is something I don’t have as much experience in as I should. The last party I fought was this group from the Holy Church, and while they were a bit too weak, it was still a good experience. Well, not actual experience points. You know what I mean.”
“What happened to this party?” Dina asked.
“They were enemies,” Jake replied.
“So they’re dead?” Dina asked.
“Obviously,” Jake replied.
Dina didn’t say anything more, but Jake got the point. He could see why others would find it intimidating to challenge someone they believed to be a lot stronger than themselves, especially when they didn’t know how prone that person was to simply kill whoever he dueled.
“Guess I’ll just have to stick to fighting people I know,” Jake said, sighing at the prospect of not being able to beat up strangers.
“Or those significantly stronger than yourself,” the Sword Saint suggested. “I’m confident you can find some party consisting of peak C-grades who are willing to spar. From my understanding, Artemis has quite a few blessed beneath her and good connections in the Pantheon of Life, so I’m sure she could find people for you if you only ask.”
Jake nodded. That definitely was a possibility. Also, even if he didn’t find anyone to spar with, Jake wanted to go training and just fight things to the death. Sparring was all well and good, but nothing was better than facing a foe who could take his life should he make a momentary lapse in judgment.
After this conversation, they talked about other random topics for a few more hours, and soon enough, they decided it was time to split up once more. The Sword Saint and Dina decided to go hunting together while possibly finding someone else to join them with a more tanky disposition.
Sylphie decided she wanted to visit the Sylphs she’d noticed upon arriving at the Great Planet. Dina had already helped her get some information about these Sylphs and learned it was a small commune of elementals led by Sylphs. All of them had gathered due to a supreme natural treasure that took the form of an utterly massive tornado that stretched seemingly infinitely into the sky, connecting the ground with a wormhole connected to a World Wonder not even from the first universe.
From what Jake gathered, there was a World Wonder in the twenty-second universe known as the Vortex Pinnacle, which was essentially just an utterly massive orb-like structure of powerful winds gathered together in the emptiness of space. Of every World Wonder Jake had heard of so far, this one seemed the most useless, but it apparently did occasionally give birth to some very powerful natural treasures, and those who trained in wind-related magic and concepts naturally viewed it as a holy land.
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It was a very dangerous place, and the winds occasionally grew powerful enough to tear holes in the void between worlds, allowing tornadoes like the one striking down on the Great Planet to manifest. Due to the winds weakening significantly while passing through the void, this tornado on the Great Planet created an environment where even mortals could benefit, though there was an elemental god ruling the commune of Sylphs.
From every conceivable angle, it would be a waste for Sylphie not to visit the Sylphs. Dina also assured Jake she would be given a divine escort as the Pantheon of Life didn’t want to risk a guest running afoul, especially not one who was a party member of Dina and close to the Chosen of the Malefic Viper.
With Sylphie, Dina, and the Sword Saint all leaving to do some hunting and training of their own, Jake decided it was also time for him to approach Artemis about the same. He wasn’t sure if it was training or hunting time first, but a swift conversation should clear that up. No matter what, Jake wanted to finally get moving and his bow shooting arrows.
Before they parted, there was one thing he’d been wondering.
“Does anyone know what Minaga is up to?” Jake asked the group.
He hadn’t heard anything from or about the Unique Lifeform for the past week, and Minaga didn’t tend to be the silent sort when he was around. Jake knew Minaga had some business with the Pantheon of Life, but considering he’d brought an extra S-grade clone, Jake had halfway expected him to keep it on standby just to lurk around Jake and his friends.
“No, the All-God Legion hasn’t stopped by since we last parted,” the Sword Saint said, shaking his head.
Dina and Sylphie also shook their heads, making Jake wonder even more. Duskleaf had also been entirely missing in action, but that was a lot more expected as Jake would assume the alchemist to go into isolation even if he was technically available to hang out. No, Minaga being nowhere to be seen was definitely-
“Maybe he just had something really personal to do,” a fifth voice joined the conversation. “Or he was waiting to be missed. Really hard to tell with that guy.”
It barely had to be acknowledged, but the newcomer was naturally the Unique Lifeform in question. He’d teleported in just after Jake asked about him, almost as if he’d been waiting for an opportunity... which did strike Jake as a bit odd, considering he hadn’t felt anyone observing them during their talks. Odd enough for Jake to ask.
“How did you even know we were talking about you?” Jake asked directly.
“He used my name,” Minaga said, shrugging as he pointed at the Sword Saint. “I know when people use my name, and I have a clone nearby.”
“It isn’t very surprising,” Dina said, nodding. “Many gods know when their name or title is spoken.”
“That’s also my understanding,” the Sword Saint agreed.
“Ree?” Sylphie asked, making Jake feel a little better that she at least seemed confused about something.
“No, you need to use the exact words that refer to the god,” Minaga said. “Of course, the actual words won’t be the same due to translations and whatnot, but the meaning of the title or name used has to be exact. So, if you refer to me as that handsome devil or the Supreme Maker of Labyrinths, it has no effect, but if you use All-God Legion or Minaga, I’ll vaguely be aware of it. Especially when it’s people I’m already mentally aware of who do it.”
Jake had not expected some divine exposition, but he welcomed it nevertheless. In retrospect, he probably shouldn’t be surprised at what he was told, either. The Viper has emphasized prior that words held power, and something like names and titles had to have a lot of Records associated with them. Records belonging to the beings spoken about.
Chances were that when Jake finally became a god, he would also know it when people mentioned the Primal Hunter.
“You really didn’t know?” the Sword Saint asked Jake. “You never noticed?”
“In his defense, it doesn’t work with him,” Minaga sighed. “He has a skill from his True Blessing that entirely blocks that kind of thing. Well, among other things. It’s actually quite annoying when I try to stalk him.”
“Stalking is a crime,” Jake muttered.
“So is murder, but you still killed one of me in Nevermore,” Minaga said in a serious tone. “I should have you prosecuted.”
“You have no evidence,” Jake pointed out.
“I shall call the Wyrmgod of Nevermore to the stand!” Minaga said with conviction. “The entire encounter was recorded, and I hereby submit this recording into evidence.”
“I object to the handling of evidence and question the veracity of this so-called recording,” Jake countered. “Unless any physical evidence can be submitted, I seek an immediate dismissal.”
Minaga and Jake both, for some reason, turned to the Sword Saint, who’d been appointed judge. The two of them had likely thought the gag would end there, but the old man ended up shaking his head. “I do not believe I have the jurisdiction to even make a ruling. Even if I do, the crime happened in Nevermore, and unless the Pantheon of Life has an extradition agreement, I find it questionable if any prosecution can ever take place.”
“I win,” Jake said with a smile.
“For now,” Minaga said, crossing his arms. “Just know that should you ever set foot in Nevermore again, we will throw the book at you and go for maximum sentencing. Which is to say nothing, as I’m pretty sure killing things inside of Nevermore isn’t actually illegal.”
“... I do think we have an extradition agreement with Nevermore?” Dina said, tilting her head and a bit behind on the joke.
“Either way, I declare diplomatic immunity,” Jake said, shaking his head and smiling. “Anyway, back to the question we originally asked, what have you been up to, Minaga?”
“Stuff,” the Unique Lifeform shrugged.
“More specifically?”
“God stuff.”
“Very enlightening,” Jake said sarcastically.
“Well, thank you,” Minaga smiled. “Don’t complain too much about not seeing me enough. You’ve all been busy anyway. I wouldn’t wanna crash in on you and Artemis when you’re busy getting to know one another.”
“How thoughtful of you,” Jake said, only semi-sarcastic with that one.
“I do have some actual work soon, though. I’ve been asked by Yggdrasil to assist in improving some magic formation and whatnot since I’m here anyway, and considering the stuff the Pantheon of Life will donate to me and Nevermore as payment, it should be worth my time,” Minaga explained.
“That sounds like actual work,” Jake said, impressed. He wasn’t surprised that they asked for help from Minaga, though. Due to his unique circumstances, he borderline didn’t have any skills. That is to say, everything he could do was freeform magic and abilities. His insight into magic had likely reached a level far beyond even those superior to his strongest clone. In addition, his perspective very likely also differed from others as he didn’t have any skills to help with any part of the process when doing magic. Finally, he had so many damn clones that could help with doing mental stuff. He was like a web of supercomputers that could cooperate on every task that took any brainpower.
“Gotta make a living somehow,” Minaga shrugged. “Got a big family to feed, you know.”
Jake shook his head and smiled at Minaga still being Minaga. The god – in an S-grade clone - didn’t leave immediately either but stayed around for a little as the five of them chatted. He was especially curious and asked more about his fellow Unique Lifeform, the Fallen King, and seemed pretty happy that they were working on getting him back.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, and soon enough, Jake found himself returning to his own residence. The palace felt even bigger and definitely way emptier with Artemis not around, but Jake knew she wouldn’t be that long, so he chose to take this time to do some practice on the meditation front.
After that, it was time for some hunting and archery practice, likely in combination, so he could train archery theory with Artemis before deploying it in practice while hunting. He was already looking forward to it and all the wonderful hunting grounds the Pantheon of Life possessed, but for now, it was meditation time.
And meditation time meant reading time.