SSS Awakening: I Can Class Change at will

Chapter 149: Choosing The Crab King

Moon had already mentally chosen the Crab King as his first target, but after hearing Selene’s words, he became even more firm in his decision. “Let’s go with the Crab King. It seems slightly less lethal based on the descriptions, and my lightning element should be particularly effective against crustacean type creatures with their shells and water-based environment. The Magma King’s complete fire immunity and lava habitat create serious complications for most of my offensive capabilities.”

He turned back to Yara with focused determination. “We’ll need detailed information about the best route to reach the eastern coastline and the shallow reef systems. Let’s head there today, no point delaying when we have clear objectives.”

After listening carefully to everything Yara explained about the terrain features, potential hazards along the route, and the geographical layout of the crab territories, Moon stood up from his seated position. His head nearly struck the low ceiling of the cave they were currently sheltering in.

“Let’s head out immediately, the direction to the Crab King’s territory is on the completely opposite side of where we just fought the Heretics. We can strike two birds with one stone, creating maximum distance from potential heretic pursuit while moving directly toward our primary destination.”

Yara sighed with visible resignation but got to her feet alongside the four Savi warriors and Selene. Everyone understood that once Moon set his mind to something, arguing further was pointless, he was going to do it no matter what, even if he was alone.

With their goals clearly established and their resolve solidified, the group marched out toward the eastern coastline to deliberately lure out one of the most dangerous apex predators that the world of Lunaris had to offer.

♢♢♢♢

The Heretic scout moved cautiously through the jungle, following the distinctive signs of recent combat within the area. The lingering scorch marks, and the metallic scent of spilled blood carried on the wind made him smirk in anticipation of finding their target.

Rustle!

He broke through the tree line into the battlefield clearing and froze completely.

Bodies of his clan members lay scattered across the ground in various states. Some were merely corpses with horrible wounds. Others were charred beyond recognition, their flesh blackened and cracked like overcooked meat. A few had been reduced to little more than ash and bone fragments, their deaths so catastrophic that almost nothing identifiable remained.

The scout’s legs buckled beneath him. He collapsed to his knees, crawling desperately toward the nearest body, recognizing the distinctive bone anklet even though the body was burned beyond recognition.

His cousin, his childhood friend, his brother in all but blood laid on the forest floor lifeless.

In an frenzied state, he gathered what remained of the body into his arms, cradling burnt flesh that crumbled at his touch like fragile paper.

Grief overwhelmed his rational thought before a hurt-burning scream forced its way out.

ROARR!

The anguished cry tore from his throat and spread across the jungle.

The haunting wail alerted every Heretic patrol within hearing distance. Warriors came rushing from multiple directions, weapons drawn and expecting ambush, only to stop dead when they witnessed the carnage left behind.

Their eyes widened with pure disbelief and horror.

The clan was small, only a few hundred members total spread across their territory. Most families were closely related through generations of intermarriage and shared bloodlines. These weren’t just fallen warriors.

These were sons, fathers, brothers, cousins. These were family.

Some Heretics immediately moved to console the grieving scout, placing hands on his shoulders and speaking soft words of comfort that did nothing to ease the soul-crushing loss.

Others searched desperately through the destruction, hoping to find remains of their own relatives to bring home for proper burial rites. But several bodies had been so thoroughly incinerated by magical fire that not even ashes remained, the wind had already scattered the last traces across the island, denying families even that small comfort.

The leader of the responding Heretic group crouched down beside the most intact corpse, the patrol leader.

His eyes scanned the body, locating the wounds. Marks of fire magic covered the torso, alongside multiple dagger thrusts had penetrated vital organs. But what drew his attention most was a specific wound on the shoulder.

An arrow wound that went deep inside the shoulder. The leader’s jaw tightened as he recognized the person behind that attack.

“…Yara,” he muttered the name with venom dripping from every syllable.

The only archer within the entire Savi Clan with sufficient skill and accuracy to land such a shot against a combatant like his colleague. The maiden who spoke the corrupted language. The traitor who’d chosen to protect the invaders rather than allow proper justice.

His eyes glinted with pure hatred as he stood up slowly.

The leader’s expression was grim and cold as he turned toward his most trusted subordinates, warriors he knew would carry out orders without question or hesitation at the fastest speed.

“Sh’avask Kraveis D’agmas!” he commanded in a tone of authority.

<Return to the village. Inform the chief of this massacre. This is the evidence of Savi involvement.>

The leader presented an arrow he found on the floor to his subordinates.

Upon hearing their explicit orders, the selected warriors immediately departed at maximum speed with the arrow, racing back toward their home settlement. They needed to inform the Heretics’ chief about the massacre they’d witnessed and present irrefutable proof of the Savi Clan’s direct involvement in the deaths of their kin.

The fragile peace that had existed between the two clans for generations, maintained through mutual deterrence, and the memory of the Grand Chiefs’ catastrophic final battle, now balanced on a thread so thin it might snap at any moment.

The consequences of that thread breaking were unknown. But they would certainly be catastrophic for both sides.

Unlike the Savi Clan, their way was that blood called for blood.

And the Heretics had more than thirteen reasons why rivers of blood would soon flow.