NOVEL NEXT Chapter 136: Lunaris
[You have reached level 24!]
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[ Name: Moon ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Class: Classless]
[ Level: 24 ][ 3% ]
[ Lives: 6951 ]
[ Strength: 37 ] [ Agility: 37 ] [ Constitution: 42 ] [ Mana: 57 ] (+5 to all stats)
[ Attribute Points: 0 ]
[ Skills: Elemental Attack, Five Element Affinity, Tenacity, Silver Skin, ignite,]
[ Talent: Grim Reaper ]
[ Class Skill: Class Slot {0/1} ]
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"Alright, I've finally reached it," Moon announced with satisfaction. "Let's head to our shelter for the night."
Darkness had already settled across Lunaris—the name Yara had mentioned for this island realm. Moon had deliberately delayed seeking shelter because he'd been terribly close to the level twenty-four milestone. The difference between level twenty-three and twenty-four was decent, bringing him one step closer to the critical level twenty-five evolution threshold.
It didn't take the group long to reach the shelter location Yara had selected earlier during their initial scouting. The site was a surprisingly spacious cave system set into a rocky hillside, its entrance partially concealed by dense vegetation and large rocks that made it extremely difficult to spot unless you knew exactly where to look.
Moon and the others also closed off the entrance to the cave with one of the larger rocks, by moving it there. The rock fit perfectly, nothing looking out of place for people on the outside.
The interior was dry, protected from wind and rain, with enough space to comfortably accommodate all seven of them including Mirage.
Yara and the four Savi warriors immediately offered to take full watch duty, insisting that Moon and Selene should sleep without worry throughout the night.
But Moon and Selene both refused the generous offer.
Moon had already verified through hours of observation that these people were genuinely hospitable without hidden agendas or ulterior motives. Their kindness appeared completely sincere. But that didn't mean Moon wanted to take full advantage of their generosity by forcing them to stay awake all night protecting him and Selene whilst they rested.
They had already treated Moon and Selene extraordinarily well—providing food, protection, guidance, and risking conflict with the Heretics on their behalf.
After several minutes of respectful but firm insistence, Moon and Selene finally convinced the Savi to accept a rotating watch schedule where everyone took shifts and got adequate rest.
They established a small campfire within the cave's interior, using dry wood that produced minimal smoke. Moon cooked some of the crab meat they'd harvested during the day's hunt, preparing a proper meal for the entire group.
To prevent the cooking smells from drifting outside and potentially attracting dangerous monsters or leaving an obvious trail for Heretic trackers to follow, Moon carefully channeled his wind element. He created subtle air currents that directed all the aromatic smoke deeper into the cave system's interior passages rather than allowing it to escape through the entrance.
♢♢♢♢
The night passed quietly, with nothing of significance occurring. Everyone within the cave had gained sufficient rest to fuel themselves for whatever challenges the coming day might bring.
Dawn arrived gradually, and pale sunlight began filtering through the tiny crevices that natural erosion had left around the massive rock they'd positioned to block the cave entrance.
Moon and the others began slowly, carefully moving the boulder aside while simultaneously scanning the exterior environment for any hostile creatures or threats nearby.
As they shifted the heavy stone, creating a widening gap, a distinct sound of clicking and hissing suddenly entered their ears from somewhere outside.
The effect the sound had on Yara and the Savi warriors was big. They froze mid-motion, their bodies tensing into combat-ready postures, eyes wide with alarm.
"Hurry, put it back! They're here!" Yara whispered urgently, her voice cracking softly in panic.
Moon didn't hesitate or ask questions. He immediately channeled his earth element, using both magical manipulation and raw physical strength to help push the massive rock back into its blocking position. Selene and the Savi warriors added their force, and within a second the entrance was sealed again.
Every person held their breath, listening intently as complete silence dominated the cave's interior. Heartbeats thundered in their chests as tension rose with each passing second, the possibility of discovery hanging over them like an executioner's blade ready to drop.
Outside, the clicking and hissing sounds grew closer. Multiple voices engaged in what was clearly communication, though the words were incomprehensible to Moon and Selene.
Many footsteps moved past the concealed cave entrance. So close that Moon could hear individual feet crunching on grass and loose stones.
A voice spoke almost directly outside their hiding spot, separated from them by only a few meters.
Moon's expression was neutral, ready to summon his staff in an instant if combat became inevitable. Selene's breathing had become so shallow it was nearly imperceptible, her entire body coiled like a spring.
The Savi warriors gripped their weapons with intensity, prepared to sell their lives dearly if their position was compromised.
The voices outside continued for only two or three minutes. The voices seemed to be discussing something, debating which direction to search next.
Then, mercifully, the sounds began moving away. The clicking and hissing grew fainter as the search party continued in a different direction.
But no one in the cave moved, maintaining absolute silence and stillness.
After ten agonizing minutes had passed with no sounds audible from outside, Yara finally risked a whisper. "Those were definitely Heretics. The clicking and hissing you heard are common forms of communication within our people when we're hunting or conducting operations."
Moon nodded his understanding. He'd guessed as much from her panicked reaction, but he was still curious about one thing, "How can you be certain they were Heretics rather than your own people searching for us before they began speaking? Your clan could also be looking."
Yara immediately shook her head with absolute conviction. "The Heretics are much more aggressive in their sound patterns. Even when they're trying to be quiet, there's venom in their tones. As if poison is being spat from their tongues with every sound. Our people speak with warmth even during hunts. The difference is unmistakable once you've heard both. I didn't need to hear them utter words to recognize them,"
The four Savi warriors turned toward Yara and began speaking rapidly in their native language, their expressions grave and their hand gestures urgent.