Chapter 139: Trapping the Heretics [1]

"Just reached level twenty-two, the experience from that A-rank beast was really good. Two or three more good fights like that and I’ll hit twenty-three." Selene confirmed, still grinning at her advancement.

Moon nodded approval. "You fought well. Your elemental transitions were seamless, I counted at least three moments where a less skilled mage would have been caught in a bad position, but you adapted instantly."

Selene’s smile softened with genuine appreciation for the compliment. "Thank you. I learned a lot from watching you fight, actually. The way you combine elements for unexpected effects rather than just using them separately."

Before their conversation could continue, one of the Savi warriors threw a small rock towards them from his high ground point—the predetermined warning signal.

Everyone immediately went silent and alert.

Yara approached quickly, her expression tense and urgent. "Heretic patrol. Not close yet, but heading this direction. We have maybe five minutes before they reach this area."

Moon glanced at the reptilian corpse, then made a quick tactical decision. "Selene, store the body in your spatial storage. Everyone else, take hiding positions. We’re not running anymore. Let’s ambush them here and now."

Yara immediately shook her head in strong disagreement. "That’s far too dangerous, Moon. Their numbers are really high—close to fifteen warriors, and we’re only seven people total. That’s more than two enemies per person. There’s absolutely no need to take such unnecessary risks when we can simply relocate."

Moon stared at Yara for a long moment, his expression hardening with resolve. "You can leave if you want, Yara. You and your warriors have already helped us more than enough. We won’t ask you to risk your lives further. But Selene and I are going to fight these Heretics. We can’t keep running forever like cornered prey."

His voice carried absolute conviction. "They’ll only become more aggressive once they realize we’re just hiding like weaklings, too afraid to confront them directly. Eventually they’ll find us anyway, but we’ll be exhausted and demoralized from constant retreat. Better to fight now on ground of our choosing."

Moon gestured firmly. "Selene and I will stay here to set the ambush. You and the others should leave while you still can."

Yara’s foot stomped down reflexively, the movement caught everyone off guard, including Yara herself who seemed surprised by her own reaction.

"Fine! We’re staying," Yara declared with sudden fierce determination. "We already told you, we won’t abandon you to fight alone. The Savi clan doesn’t leave honoured guests to face danger without us. We will fight alongside you."

Her expression became absolutely resolute as she turned and gave signals to the four warriors. Their expressions grew more wary and tense, clearly understanding the significant risk they were accepting, but all four nodded agreement without hesitation.

Everyone immediately moved to their hiding positions, becoming predators waiting in concealment for prey to wander into the kill zone.

Unknown to the approaching Heretics, they were walking directly into a trap set by the very targets they’d been hunting for more than a full day.

♢♢♢♢

Whistle!

Click!

The distinctive Heretic communication sounds entered earshot, growing steadily louder as the patrol approached.

"Vash’keth nar!" one voice hissed in their harsh language.

"Th’kal vor shen," another responded, followed by aggressive clicking sounds.

Moon remained perfectly still in his concealed position, visually tracking each Heretic warrior as they passed through the jungle vegetation. He counted carefully, ensuring there were no errors in his initial assessment. He was confident in his combat abilities and genuinely believed they would win this engagement, but that confidence didn’t translate to carelessness.

Before initiating any fight, Moon always wanted to determine as many variables as possible. He refused to let preventable mistakes compromise their chances.

There are sixteen of them total, Moon observed, analysing their formation. They’re moving mostly in groups of three, maintaining close coordination. Except for one warrior who’s positioned slightly ahead and separate—probably their patrol leader or most experienced tracker.

One group of three Heretics was rapidly approaching the exact position where Moon’s ambush was set.

Moon slowly turned his head to the right where Yara and her warriors were concealed. He made quick hand signals indicating approaching enemies and their direction, then formed the words silently with his lips: "Prepare to fight."

Yara immediately understood the communication. She returned the signal with her own hand gesture confirming readiness, mouthing back: "Ready."

The Savi warriors gripped their weapons tighter, muscles coiling like springs ready to explode into action.

Selene’s breathing had become perfectly controlled, her mana had recovered during their waiting time. She was in a good condition to fight, already channeling her mana in preparation for her opening spell.

The three Heretics walked directly into the kill zone, completely unaware of the seven sets of eyes tracking their every movement.

Just a few more steps.

A little closer.

Moon’s hand twitched, preparing to give the attack signal.

Three... two... one...

NOW!

Selene and Moon executed their pre-agreed attack sequence with perfect timing. To maximize enemy casualties with lowest mana usage, they’d decided to combine their elemental abilities in devastating synergy.

Water erupted from Selene’s position in a massive torrent, flooding across the ground and covering the three Heretics who had been completely caught off guard by the sudden ambush. They were unable to stop themselves from getting thoroughly drenched, water soaking into their clothing and covering their blue skin.

For a brief moment, smirks formed on the Heretics’ faces as they realized their target had revealed herself. One of the humans—Selene—was standing directly before them in the open after all.

They opened their mouths to send warning signals to their teammates positioned in other areas of the jungle. But before any sound could escape their throats, Moon followed up with his devastating attack.

Lightning erupted from his outstretched hand in jagged, crackling lines that covered the distance between them almost instantaneously.

Zip! Zip!

The combination of lightning and water produced a terrifying result that made even Yara and the Savi warriors gulp in involuntary fear despite being allies.