Zogarth
patreon
Chapter 1081 - Importance of Status
🕑 Added 2025-02-24 12:02:45 +0000 UTCJake needed a moment as he was pretty sure he’d heard Irin wrong. “He asked me if I wanted to be what?”
“To be his best man... I believe that’s what you call it on your planet, right? It may be a bit different, and amongst the demons, we call it a prime witness, but there certainly are some similarities,” Irin shrugged, still pretty casual about the entire thing.
“Go back a little,” Jake shook his head. “What is up with this marriage between the two hells? And why would he ask me of all people? I get that I helped him, but I won’t say we’re close or really know one another.”
Irin, clearly enjoying Jake’s confused state, gladly explained. “As you well know, we demons put a lot of stock in contracts, and one of the most tried and tested methods to forge alliances is through marriage, especially among demons who put more stock in these unions than nearly every other race. Needless to say, this engagement is political in nature, though the two parties involved do know one another, which is far from a given.”
“Yeah, I kinda assumed it was political, but again, why ask me of all people?” Jake continued to be confused. He was not good at being a best man. He already knew that after being Caleb’s when he and Maja got married. It had been damn stressful trying to plan everything, and there was no way Jake was going to agree to do that again for some dude he’d only met a couple of times. Plus, Caleb’s had been a super small ordeal, while this definitely wouldn’t be.
“Being a prime witness does vary a bit from a best man based on what I read. There will be no expectations of you outside of your presence during the day in question, and your primary role will simply be to, well, be there and bear witness,” Irin explained. “As for why he asked you... the prime witness always needs to be an outsider, and who you invite is a way to show off status. Having you, the Chosen of the Malefic Viper, show up will be quite a way to flaunt his connections. It does also make sense, considering your role in elevating his position, and you kinda were the impetus for this entire union in the first place. Also, to clarify, being asked to be a prime witness is usually viewed as a huge honor.”
Jake listened and, upon realizing this would very much be a favor to the Demon Prince, couldn’t help but ask: “What’s in it for me? Outside of cake. I assume there will be cake.”
“There will definitely be cake, and as for what’s in it for you, well, directly paying a prime witness to show up is incredibly shameful, so you won’t get anything from the Demon Prince or those affiliated with him. However, the other party – in this case, those from the Second Hell – will bring gifts to the other side’s prime witness, which is to say you, should you agree. This is another subtle competition to see who brought the prime witness that receives the best gifts. Give too bad gifts, and you risk offending the prime witness and whatever faction they may come from, but give too good ones, and you’re sure to lose this competition. In your case, I believe the Second Hell would willingly lose the competition to try and forge a better relationship with you and the Order, which is definitely also what the Demon Prince would expect,” Irin continued the explain.
“You know, the more I hear, the more exhausting that entire ordeal sounds,” Jake sighed. “This is why I prefer courthouse weddings.”
“You truly won’t need to do anything outside of showing up if you agree,” Irin said, with Jake getting a strong feeling she wanted him to agree to go. “Also, I want to clarify that while the Demon Prince wanted me to relay his request, he will likely come to officially invite you personally once an actual date has been set. As for when that will be... who knows. There’s no time limit on an engagement, and the Fourth and Second hell will definitely have a lot of things to discuss before they move forward. They also need to consider the reactions of the other Hells. Let’s just say that I doubt you are in a rush to buy a new suit.”
“If I agree to go,” Jake pointed out. “The more I’m hearing about this marriage, the more it just sounds like two factions trying to have a dick-measuring contest with the entire marriage part of it just the set dressing.”
“I can’t fault you for thinking that way, but I would still heavily recommend you do. I empathize it may be hard to understand why they go this far for a social event, but you need to understand that to us demons, status matters in a far more tangible way than you are used to. It’s not simply something chased due to vanity but how our race works. In the same vein that a king gets Records and even experience based on what his subjects believe about him, we demons also benefit when our fame grows. One example is that as a succubus, I progress not only by actually being near you but by others knowing I’m near you. The fact you gave me the opportunity to visit the Fourth Hell in your stead was massive for my Path.”
“That does explain how you got so many levels in so little time, “Jake muttered.
“Partly,” Irin smiled. “I didn’t leave the Fourth Hell empty-handed but was given quite a valuable natural treasure. I then spent about ten months Realtime in Nevermore, taking advantage of the time dilation to digest it fully. I will readily admit my progress has been far beyond anything I’d ever expected... I thought reaching C-grade would be a struggle, but now I’m fast approaching B-grade.”
“Your speed is definitely impressive,” Jake agreed. He knew that due to his Path, he didn’t level as fast as some others, but seeing Irin pretty much be caught up was still a little shocking. Just a little, though. He knew that her Path had some crazy synergy going in that the same actions could level up both her profession and race. This did mean that she would share the experience and effectively need twice as many Records in that particular aspect of her Path... but Jake’s presence had made that a non-issue for the most part.
Jake had casually made Irin his official liaison with the Order of the Malefic Viper, and while doing so was indeed just some casual appointment to him, to Irin, it was a momentous thing. There was a big fundamental difference between her just being the person assigned to Jake and Jake actually appointing her.
“I was in the Fourth Hell both before and after Malefic One killed Yip of Yore and your subsequent slaying of Ell’Hakan, and let’s just say I felt the entire vibe around me shift from one day to another. I also doubt they would have given me a mythical treasure if I had left before you’d killed the Usurper,” Irin said, looking Jake directly in the eyes. “I’m fully aware of who I have to thank for how things are currently going for me, and I’ll gladly do anything to allow it to continue. Absolutely anything.”
“Ree?” a hawk Jake had kind of forgotten was still around asked.
“If Lord Thayne wants me to, then of course,” Irin answered politely, though that definitely hadn’t been what was on her mind.
“Ree!” Sylphie screeched happily while throwing looks at Jake.
“Just get her some,” Jake sighed, unable to deny Sylphie her happiness. “Guess it gives me a good opportunity to check out what’s up with that tower.”
“In that case, I’ll be right back. Does Lady Sylphie have any preferences?” Irin asked Sylphie what kind of snacks she wanted.
“Ree!” Sylphie answered excitedly.
“Tasty ones it shall be,” Irin said with a bow before turning to Jake. “I hope Lord Thayne will also give me the opportunity for a tasty snack when convenient.”
“I think we can organize something at a more opportune time,” Jake gave her a smile in reply, definitely not against the idea.
Irin just returned his smile flirtatiously before going through the gateway to buy Sylphie her snacks.
“Ree?” the bird asked Jake while tilting her head the second the succubus was gone.
“... you’re still way too young in my mind to be asking those kinds of questions,” Jake coughed.
“Ree!” Sylphie protested, but Jake refused to engage in that kind of topic with her. Was she technically an around sixty-year-old hawk now? Yes. Did that make Jake comfortable answering her when she asked if Jake was “going to mate with the demon later?”
Nope, definitely not.
“Forget all that,” Jake desperately tried to change the subject. “Let’s go check out the big tower over there. You remember Meira, right? Maybe she’s in there, and who knows, Duskleaf could also be around. Duskleaf is sure to carry around a lot of tasty stuff.”
“Ree!” Sylphie screeched happily while flapping her wings before taking to the air and motioning Jake to follow.
Happy he’d successfully moved on from that topic, he followed her toward the massive white tower. Also, he didn’t speculate if Meira and Duskleaf were in there just to convince Sylphie to go check it out with him. He genuinely didn’t know, as the inside of the tower was clearly spatially expanded, messing with his Sphere of Perception.
Arriving at the barrier surrounding the tower, Jake realized it wasn’t made to block access at all. He and Sylphie flew through it effortlessly, and once on the other side, he instantly realized its effect.
The environment shifted as the mana density rose and the affinity changed. The tower radiated life and light energy, soaking into the soil all around it, making it prime ground to grow certain herbs. Upon closely inspecting the ground, Jake did find a lot of planted seeds here and there, but it was evident they’d been put there very recently and hadn’t yet had time to sprout.
Continuing toward the entrance to the tower, Jake checked for any defensive measures but found none. In fact, there wasn’t even a door but just a white glow functioning as a portal. When they landed in front of it, Sylphie took her rightful place on top of Jake’s head as he proceeded to walk inside.
His vision shifted as he did so before quickly stabilizing, revealing a large circular room. It was mostly empty, with only a few pieces of furniture here and there. The only other thing of note was a large teleportation circle in the middle, definitely serving as a magical elevator of sorts leading up to the next floor.
“Ree?” Sylphie asked after looking around a bit.
“Yeah, it’s way too empty,” Jake agreed. “I suppose this first floor is meant as some common area to welcome guests. Doesn’t look like it’s quite done yet, though.”
Wanting to explore further, the two of them went to the teleporter to head to the second floor. Or, they tried to, but nothing happened when Jake stepped on the teleportation platform, making him frown. Right as he was about to assess why the damn thing didn’t work, a figure appeared right behind him, having teleported in not with the help of the circle.
“It only works if you’ve been given permission by the tower owner or carry a particular kind of token,” the newcomer spoke as Jake turned around to greet him.
“Hey, Duskleaf, been a while,” he said politely with a smile as he greeted the god.
“Hardly,” the old alchemist responded bluntly. “Let me already inform you now that Meira isn’t in the tower. In fact, she’s not even in the universe.”
“Oh?” Jake exclaimed, surprised. “Did she decide to finally visit the Altmar Empire? Or is it Nevermore?”
Those were kind of Jake’s only two guesses, and luckily for him, one of them turned out to be correct.
“Nevermore,” Duskleaf answered. “I’m still a bit worried about her, but we’ve been training combat a lot, and I believe she was ready. We couldn’t allow her class to fall further behind than it already was, and she had the opportunity to join a good party.”
Jake nodded, genuinely happy to hear that. He knew that Meira and Duskleaf had been training in the art of combat a lot, as Meira had never really fought anyone. Healers were one of the few classes that could progress a lot without actually fighting anything, but that did mean they could easily end up with high levels but no combat sense. For Duskleaf to judge she was ready to enter Nevermore definitely meant she had improved a lot in that regard.
Even if she was a healer, she had to know how to fight appropriately, as fighting post-system wasn’t like in video games. Enemies didn’t simply ignore the healer while only hitting the brawny front liners. In fact, most of them would actively aim to take down the healer first. This is why having a good party was essential, for healers more than anyone else, and definitely also part of the reason Nature’s Attendant had asked Jake to bring Dina along. Even if Dina had been a damn good party member, in pure one-on-one combat, she had definitely been the weakest of them.
And, despite how much Meira had no doubt improved... she wasn’t even close to Dina’s level, so she’d definitely need a good party.
“Who did she end up going with?” Jake asked curiously. More out of curiosity than concern, as Duskleaf himself had said that her party was good, and given how protective the alchemist god had become of Meira, he knew his standards had to be high.
“Four individuals from the Altmar Empire,” Duskleaf answered. “Honestly, above the standard of party I would expect her to join. I believe the primary reason the Altmar Empire approached us was as a way to try and get to you through her, and I saw no reason not to take advantage. One of the best ways to improve is to be surrounded by your betters, and given how much she still has to learn, I hope her trip will be valuable.”
“Let’s hope so,” Jake smiled and nodded, glad to hear that Meira was doing well for herself and even having some Nevermore fun. As for himself... “Say, can you give me a token so I can check out the rest of the tower?”
“No,” Duskleaf responded bluntly. “This tower belongs to Meira, so you’ll have to ask her when she returns.”
“Fair enough,” Jake shrugged, not wanting to push it. If Meira didn’t want him in the tower, who was he to try and force himself in? Yeah, best to just respect her privacy.
“Ree?” Sylphie suddenly asked, having seen her opportunity to ask.
The old alchemist looked at her for a moment before nodding. “I do have an ingredient I found no need for but that may prove useful to a creature of your disposition and power level.”
Duskleaf proceeded to take out what looked like a small bundle of sticks rolled up into a ball, and before Jake even had time to use Identify, Sylphie swooped over and gulped the thing down before letting out a delighted screech.
Jake looked at Duskleaf with some concern, but the alchemist shook his head. “It’s perfectly safe.”
“Ree!” Sylphie confirmed, happy to have gotten a snack.
“You little glutton,” Jake shook his head and smiled before looking back at Duskleaf. “What are you up to recently? And has anything interesting happened recently that you think I should know?”
“I’m working on my projects as always, and no, outside of what happened with Meira, nothing new,” Duskleaf said. “Though I will say things are way less stressful now that Master finally killed Yip of Yore.”
“Yeah, I can imagine,” Jake nodded.
“Speaking of projects... I see no reason to keep this clone here with Meira gone, so I shall put it to work,” Duskleaf said and, without any further warning, teleported away.
“Well, I guess that was it for our tower exploration,” Jake said nonchalantly as he walked out of the tower again. Shortly after, he and Sylphie were back at the mansion, waiting for Irin to return with Sylphie’s snacks.
Jake considered if he should maybe do a concoction or two while waiting, but just then, he had a figure teleport in from out of nowhere for the second time that day. This second newcomer was different from the first in one fundamental way, though...
Because he’d brought beer.
Comments
Eden
Ybf, even storm the primordial isnrefered to as childlike. Its just more of a disposition.
Josh Ward
I feel like calling Jake an adult is stretching things. Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
Dave
TFTC
Trumangolorian
Lolol Sylphie is no longer the little young bird. She knows what adults do. She is still adorable though. Tyftc
Chloe
Reeeeeeeeeeee! Sylphie is the best character not named Jake, and often eclipses him. Reeeeeeee! Tyftc and the Reee!
Phil Ritter
Already forgot about that
Phil Ritter
I love how Jake desperately wants Sylphie to stay the cute baby she was instead of acknowledging that she is pretty much an Adult like him.
C0bra$
Thank u for the story
Kasey Lindenmayer
Love the nice chats with a Primordial over a beer 🍻 Cheers!
Noname
Nah I’m hoping for Artemis
Rocotrap
Well, they did say there's no time constraints, maybe they'll marry at S-Grade, at that time Artemis could come over, it'd be que fun
Chris Warner
Bird powa!
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
ABTelford
Thoroughly enjoyable chapter!
Cody
Just a buddy comin in with beers for a good time.
Cody
When they speak about the first Sage it just simply wipes the sentence. Pretty sure forbidden knowledge and the redacted stuff are different somehow.
Psyck0
It be great to learn elcheetos bloodline name
Tristan
I love the slice of life chapters they make me feel happy
Alex
I’d be interested to see if Villy can see around the [Redacted] description with his Bloodline. It’s possible that the System redacts [Identify] descriptors by making the viewer forget the description, then having their mind fill in the blank with [Redacted]. If that’s the way it works then Villy wouldn’t be affected because of his Transcendent memory.
Ricky Keenum
I am the first of the last comments. Glug glug.
Daniel Hamilton
I’m excited. Jake is gonna get his present/piece of Yip of yore, you’re gonna probably discuss and explore what’s going on with that heart Jake got .
Daniel Hamilton
Irin, I would imagine it would skyrocket her levels and records
Fulminis
VILLY!!!
TwoMoreYears
Loving the mini slice of life arc and catching up with the universe. Looking forward to the rest of the week.
Timothy Spradlin
Thanks for the chapter
Gingerlochs
VILLY!!!
CJ King
Thank you for the chapter
Biggy smalls
Don’t forget a fight to the death against some unknown B grade Dragon.
Phasmatic7
Thankies
Biggy smalls
Which was after Said hunter teleported between universes and received an invitation to be the best man to a demon he genetically altered in the Hells world wonder (in a mansion he owns on a planet the size of which mortals can’t make sense of). This Fic is bonkers and I love it. To an outsider everything we said would sound bonkers but to us it all makes perfect sense.
Dalton Service
Oh yeah that's a good point. Hopefully we find out soon.
kingofshibainu
Yes! Bro time!
Biggy smalls
Maybe, will Jake need to fix palette first in order to consume this treat? Or will it be like Villys drop of blood and be consumed in his Soulspace?
Corvid
Title Earned-Godtouched side piece
Biggy smalls
Nah, imo Jake and Artemis won’t be an official thing until S grade at the earliest. Jake’s not even 1/3 of the way to Godhood. He’ll have a nice time in the pantheon of life with Artemis and Co but he’s not inviting her as a +1 to a Mortal Hell faction wedding. He’ll go with Irin and maybe Villy will show as a mortal for shits and giggles.
Adurna
Best comment today!
Kirivina
That she asked the God for a snack, and received one.
JJB4345_80_815
Imagine what it would mean to Irin if Jake showed up with her hanging off one arm... And Artemis hanging off the other. Not ONLY would she get a boost from the Chosen of the Malefic Viper BUT also temporarily share the same status as a near-GodQueen of the Pantheon of life!? That would HAVE to give Irin a huge record boost. The big issue would be if Artemis was okay with that arrangement.
JJB4345_80_815
Yes, thank you for the chappy Zogarth!
JJB4345_80_815
Digesting a God while still in C-grade may cause stomach issues...
brjenness
oh and Artemis is appalled at Jake's lack of hunting skills.
Clint
If Villy brings the Verdant Sisters, Jake might have to bring three dates too. Irin, Carmen, and a grade-appropriate Artemis avatar, perhaps?
KollegvomMirgan
Thanks
Clint
Book 9, Chapters 52 "Getting That Booty" and 53 "Surreal"
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Paulo Furlaneto
Tftc
Loststar7
TFTC
Milings
9 levels
Grey Grick
Is irin going to walk in on villy time
brjenness
OK final guess.. Jake brings irin, artemis( because she's his trainer), and...drumroll...villy, but the kicker is its a disguised clone and Jake introduces him to everybody as his buddy villy.
brjenness
gonna be villy as ++1
brjenness
villy as +1. bro's before administrative assistants
brjenness
raptors eat snakes
SyndaXatrix
TFTC! I'm excited to hear what Villy has to share with Jake over drinks :)
Almer Reyhan
WOOOOOOOO VILLY
Dalton Service
Villy is gonna give Jake his little Yip Yap Snack and Sylphie is gonna be super jealous 😂
Nate Slusher
I think Villy is gonna team up with Jake (guessing S grade) and use some “Jake juice” to bring his Wife back like he has been trying forever. After that is when I feel like Jake hooking up with a Wife who helps his path and together they push for God hood and galactic domination 🤣 seems to fit the story. Again only Zogarth knows the future but I feel to many hints about Villys wife coming back for it not to eventually happen.
KollegvomMirgan
Which chapter was the one where Jake proved Irin that he was no eunuch?
Grey John
Have we witnessed a sylphie and villy meeting before I don't recall it happening?
Colton Horton
I still like the idea that if he were to ever have a kid it would be with Carmen. For multiple reasons. 1. The dynamic between them is great, they're both exceedingly socially awkward and one-track minded. 2. For the general idea of a sequel series being about Jake's kid, having 2 parents high up in differing factions, wildly different combat styles, and who's personalities lend towards the idea of them both potentially being TERRIBLE parents, it seems like a great plot hook. 3. The idea of Villy and Valdemir squabbling/fighting over who gets to babysit the little menace on the weekends is a hilarious image in my head....
Corvid
I feel like there are so many parallels with Jake and Villy. Duskleaf/Dawnleaf, Sandy/Snappy, The Witches/The Witch. Oh and vampires on his side too with the Noburu. Hope he doesn't end up with his own set of sad boy obelisks.
Corvid
Yeah Irin probably is my bet but damn would it be hilarious to have Jake rock up with his surly tsundere goddess
kinglemur
VILLY MY MAN!!
Corvid
Don't forget that said god is one of his best buds who probably did a war crime or two before he decided to tend his garden instead. Oh, and he did all of that with a half elemental half bird that he kinda genetically engineered a bit sitting on his head.
TheDwiin
First of all: Yay! Snake daddy! Second: Jake should just go for it, be this witness. Even though it's not going to be as lavish as his chosen ceremony, loot is still loot.
Arieh Sochaczevski
Thanks for the chapter! I hope the moment where Irin returns with Sylphy’s snack and finds Villy hanging out with beers is as funny as I’m picturing. I’m trying to figure out where she’ll land between smashing her face into to the floor repeatedly, and the training she’d been getting in treating Jake casually.
Justin Moen
Oh man, didn’t even think of that but of course the prime witness gets a plus one!
Justin Moen
Oh how I have missed these interactions!
SinCinnamon
Villy Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Durrett
Tyftc. Nice read to wake up too.
John Durrett
It will be wet. It will be moist. And it will be pound(ed).
John Durrett
I generally ignore it, instead looking more at thumbs up count and tapping thumbs up on all the Tyftc comments as gratitude should be supported in my view. Cheers
John Durrett
I’m betting Irin since she will be able to continually guide Jake on their customs
Lynderyn
Threesome would probably be better…
Lynderyn
Windy Tasty Mushroom Beer?
Zuuuuuri
Anyone ever think about the sheer absurdity of what happens around here? A multiverse mythic beast hunter just walked into a glowing white teleporter then talked to a god avatar plant thing about a person going to a massive space time bending and breaking monster spawning legendary world wonder created by one of the most powerful beings in existence. All in just one day.
Kt-x
Thanks for the chapter! ☺️
Ty Cooper
Tftc. I like the discrimination on how other paths work and gains exp. It is a classy way of explaining how demons, in this case Irin, get levels. I love how it explaining how she was able to keep up. Lol and I guess she has 50 levels to b-grade. Plenty of time for Sylphie to talk Jake into improving the demon lord heart for Irin. I mean Irin did go and get Sylphie snacks and all.
Posiden 300
Time for Jake to help Irin power level. I was hoping my favorite elf would be around. But we get Villy so that's better.
dash w
Thanks for the chappy
BlackRazaras
Thanks for the chapter
Cory Sauls
TFTC! Villy Chapter next. Yes!
Shai182
TFTC! Beer is Social Lubricant in any Universe
Jack Frasier
TFTC!
Tom C
If Jake gets to be best man. Who will he take as his date? Ideally I’d like to see him take Artemis because a c/b grade rocking up with a goddess as his date would just be fucking hilarious But I imagine Irin would be sensible as she is a demon - might over impact / influence their relationship though TFTC!
Noname
Tyftc
Reno
Because he's more polite.
Lizy Flore
It’s meaningless yes, but it’s also a vain thing. They do it just for the fun of it :)
Allie May
So nice to read a chapter before work! Lovely as always!
Beemoss
Tftc
joel southard
Nice thank you for the chapter
Darshar Griffonmane
So we have some future arcs building up here, and all of them will deal with making Jake super uncomfortable at times. Artemis the Goddess hitting on him in between archery sessions. Irin dragging him to a hellish wedding with stars in her eyes and Jake having to get a Prime(al) Speech. Villy with a grin throwing him into a dungeon full of super angry mushrooms..or even worse, happy mushrooms. Yeah the journey to B Grade is gonna be lit. tyftc!
Nate Slusher
I don’t care from a moral perspective. I feel like Villy having a Wife in the story and the bloodline stuff along with his appreciation of his own parents makes me think Jake would want to be around if he decides to ever be a father and propagate the bloodline. If so hoping for the underdog in Meira!! But it will definitely be a long time!
Daniel Brian
I don't expect Jake to have a steady wife or girlfriend pretty much ever. He's too busy. Just a bunch of casuals, most likely. Seems like the greater multiverse isn't all that prude.
Christopher cashen
Second?
Daniel Brian
Always felt it was a little silly to be proud to be the first to comment. No offense to those that do/are, but isn't it kinda meaningless? As far as the first Ree! After the succubus said she'd do ANYTHING, my first thought was "in the butt?" 😂
Straat Junon
Oh hell yeah. Can't wait for villy time.
A Flashy BR
Villy chapter tomorrow hell yeah
Nate Slusher
This was excellent. I like duskleaf establishing meira as a person! Jake’s response fit with respecting her all along too. Still hoping in a few books or hundred years she and Jake end up together!! Also, the Irin, Sylphie, Jake dynamic was fun!
Alexis Cassaigne
Remember the First Sage! It was his only wish, to be remembered.
Connor
Thanks for the chapter
Matthias
Tftc
Unwillingmainer
Sounds like Irin wants to go to the wedding with Jake. Since she advances based on who knows who she is working for, all the Hells seeing her on Jake's arm would be quite the coup. It would also be funny to see how the other women in his life react to that.
Naotsugu97
The cake is a lie. TFTC
Undead PettinZoo
Villy turning up with the goods. As an Aussie. I'd back him
Tilen Praprotnik
Thanks for the chapter
BumAssBumAss
Woo, early chapter! Thank you!
Leandro Berges
Ah by just a few seconds
Levi
Haha get fucked :P
Leandro Berges
First
Levi
First
