SSS Awakening: I Can Class Change at will

After they finished, Yara took a deep breath and translated their discussion for Moon and Selene's benefit.

"They are saying we didn't expect the Heretics to begin their search this quickly. And we certainly didn't anticipate them getting this close to actually finding our location." Her voice carried genuine worry now. "They must have figured out something, probably noticed that weren't present at the village. They likely started their organized search during the night while we slept, which means they've been hunting us for hours already."

One of the warriors spoke again, and Yara's expression darkened further as she translated. "The Heretics are far more determined than usual. This isn't normal behavior even for them. They genuinely want to capture or kill you both. Their religious fervor has been inflamed to dangerous levels."

"We need to completely change our plans," Selene said firmly, her mind already reassessing their situation. "Our original strategy of hiding until they gave up is no longer viable. They're conducting thorough area searches with multiple teams. Eventually they'll find us through sheer persistence and process of elimination."

Yara nodded agreement, though uncertainty showed clearly on her face. "We should wait here for at least another hour before even considering movement. The search party that just passed won't immediately return to this exact area, they'll continue their search But if we move too soon, we might run directly into another team that was lagging behind."

Moon wasn't satisfied with that plan. Waiting meant being trapped, giving the initiative entirely to their enemies.

"We can't just sit here hoping they miss us," Moon said quietly but intensely. "They're hunting, which means every hour we wait, they eliminate more hiding spots and tighten the net. Eventually our luck runs out."

"What do you suggest?" one of the Savi warriors asked through Yara's translation.

Moon's mind raced through the options, weighing risks against potential benefits.

"We need to know their numbers, their search pattern, and whether they have any way of tracking us specifically or if they're just searching blindly," Moon said. "Without that information, we're making decisions in complete darkness."

He looked at the Savi warriors. "Can any of you scout without being detected? Get close enough to observe their operations?"

The warriors exchanged glances, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

"It's possible," Yara translated for the eldest warrior. "But extremely dangerous. The Heretics know this terrain as well as we do. And if a scout is captured, they might torture them for information."

Before they could debate further, new sounds came from outside. It was another Heretic search party, approaching from a new direction.

Moon gestured for absolute silence as everyone froze again. The Heretics were tightening their search grid and time was running out.

With no viable options but to wait and avoid immediate detection, Moon reluctantly decided to follow Yara's suggestion of remaining hidden for an additional hour before attempting any movement.

During this tense waiting period, Moon engaged Yara in quiet conversation to gather more information about the island and surrounding geography.

He learned something crucial: there were no other nearby islands that the Savi people had ever discovered or knew about. They had remained on Lunaris ever since their earliest collective memories extended. Their fathers had lived here, and their forefathers before them, generation after generation confined to this single landmass, never bothering to leave, afraid that their protection that came from the Great Golden Fish would no longer stay, and they would miss the Benefactor's return.

With that information confirmed, Moon became almost certain that this island itself held the key to clearing this realm. The completion condition—whatever it was—existed somewhere on Lunaris rather than requiring travel to external locations.

Once the hour finally elapsed without further Heretic activity in their immediate vicinity, Moon signaled it was time to move. The group carefully shifted the boulder aside once more, checking thoroughly before emerging into daylight.

They picked a direction Yara deemed safest based on her knowledge of the terrain and likely Heretic search patterns, then began moving cautiously through the jungle.

The journey to their next position took approximately an hour of careful travelling. Fortunately, they encountered no Heretic patrols during the travel.

However, they did encounter several dangerous beasts. Selene took the opportunity to engage and kill a few level twenty-two and twenty-three creatures to continue her progression toward level twenty-two.

Moon didn't stop her despite the time it consumed and the potential noise it created. Strength was absolutely essential for the inevitable confrontation that was coming. Every level gained, every attribute point accumulated, improved their odds of survival.

While Moon personally wasn't afraid of the Heretics as individual combatants, his skills and experience gave him confidence in one-on-one or small group encounters. What made them truly dangerous was their large numbers combined with their high levels, especially fighting on their home terrain where they held every advantage.

When the group finally reached the location Yara had selected as their next hiding spot, she immediately suggested they should conceal themselves again and wait for the Heretic search to move past this area.

Moon immediately shook his head in firm disagreement.

During their approach, he'd observed the local beast population. Multiple level twenty-four creatures inhabited this region, and possibly contain several level twenty-five specimens. This was an excellent hunting ground for both himself and Selene.

He absolutely refused to spend the remainder of his time in this hidden realm cowering and hiding like prey.

Moon wanted to grow strong enough to slaughter any Heretic that dared appear before him without needing to worry about consequences or disadvantages. He wanted overwhelming power that made their numbers irrelevant.

The feelings of helplessness he'd experienced when confronting Oliver Snack, the representative of the Richter family back on Earth, had ignited a deep hunger for more power. That encounter had shown him the brutal reality, political connections and family backing could threaten him despite his personal strength because he lacked sufficient force to make threats meaningless.

Hiding would only make his heart weaker and his progression slower. Comfort and safety were the enemies of growth.