SSS Awakening: I Can Class Change at will

Rowan stayed behind.

Moon had signaled him to remain with a small nod during the exchange. He knew Rowan would understand without needing an explanation.

During the past week, Moon had asked Tom about the man who had brought his unconscious body back to Earth. Rowan hadn’t hidden his name during the trip. Piecing together his involvement had been easy.

Moon wanted to talk to him privately.

The door closed behind the last of the departing inner circle members.

The two of them were alone.

"You did a great job. The base has expanded significantly since I was last here. The internal structure is tighter. The patrol coverage is more efficient. Morale is high across every group I’ve observed since I walked in. All of that happened under your leadership during my absence."

Rowan stayed silent.

Moon continued.

"You deserve a reward of your choice. Money? A powerful item? Whatever you want... I’ll try to make it happen."

Rowan didn’t answer immediately.

He stood quietly with his hands folded behind his back, considering the offer.

Finally, he spoke.

"Although I don’t deserve the praise, and everything about the base’s growth is thanks to your direction, I won’t be hypocritical and refuse the reward. If it’s possible, boss, I’d like to hunt with you for a day."

Moon’s brows rose.

Then his mouth curved into a small smile.

Rowan was smart. He had always been smart. That was why Moon had chosen him as the base’s second in command in the first place. He never failed to demonstrate the quality that separated good subordinates from great ones.

He looked beyond the surface of every situation.

"Any specific reason?"

Rowan met his eyes.

"Because I want to learn from the best. Someone I hold dear to my heart once told me that by walking among the greats, you might become a great yourself. So I want to walk beside you. Even if it’s only for an hour. Two, if you’ll allow it."

Moon walked across the room to him.

His hand rested on Rowan’s shoulder. "You are great, Rowan. Much greater than you give yourself credit for. You have what you asked for. I’ll hunt with you today. All day, if the beasts we find are worth the time."

Rowan’s face showed satisfaction.

"Thank you, boss."

Moon smiled and clapped his shoulder gently before stepping back.

"Get ready, we leave in five minutes."

Rowan nodded once and turned toward the door.

The two of them stepped outside the base.

Moon was greeted by the strong winds of the floating island, and to his surprise, he had really missed them.

’Feels like forever since I was last here.’

So many things happened during the past few weeks, that it felt like it had been years.

He rolled his shoulders once and turned to Rowan.

"Any hunting places in mind?"

Rowan nodded.

"There’s an area south of the spirit pavilion you conquered. We found it during a patrol expansion some time ago. We encountered a Three Star Evolver-tier beast there. Sluggish frame but heavy hitter. Not much for agility, which is what let us escape once we realized we were outmatched. We didn’t lose anyone, but it was close. We haven’t gone back to check the location since."

Moon nodded slowly.

He hadn’t forgotten that most of his subordinates were operating at First or Second Star Evolver output. A Three Star beast against a patrol of that composition was very dangerous. Their retreat had been the right call.

For him, the same beast would be an appropriate warmup target. What was more important was what was behind that beast.

’Might find some more powerful beasts in the area...’

"Let’s go check it out."

Rowan inclined his head.

They set off across the outer terrain.

Within the first kilometer around the base, they encountered nothing.

The terrain was quiet. Grass and low shrubs swayed in the wind with no signs of predator activity.

Moon glanced around.

"You guys swept the area?"

Rowan nodded.

"Standing orders. We run regular patrols across a one-kilometer radius from the base’s outer wall. It keeps hunts standardized for the newer members, keeps backup close for anyone caught in trouble, and keeps the base itself safe from anything that might wander too close during quiet hours."

Moon nodded.

"Good call."

They continued past the one-kilometer marker.

Around the two-kilometer range, they encountered their first beast.

It was a small one.

A First Star creature, thin and hungry, ravaging through the underbrush in search of food. Its coat was patchy.

Moon glanced at Rowan.

"Want to take it?"

Rowan nodded.

He unslung his bow in a single smooth motion. He nocked an arrow, drew, and released before the beast had fully turned its head toward them. The arrow flew clean across the thirty meters between them and struck the creature squarely in the head.

The beast dropped instantly.

Moon watched with approval.

Rowan’s archery had always been good.

Rowan walked over to the corpse and stored it in his storage ring without ceremony.

Shortly after, they arrived at the spirit pavilion.

Moon stopped at the base of the stairway.

The pavilion rose above them, stone stairs cutting a clean line up to the peak where the building sat.

The whole area had been converted into a proper base.

Moon nodded slowly.

"You guys really have been working hard."

"Thank you, boss. I assigned Talan and the brute to lead the fortification project. They handled most of the design themselves. Kellan managed the labor coordination. The whole thing took about a week from planning to completion."

Moon walked a slow circle around the base of the stairway, examining the work.

The design was thoughtful. Every guard post was placed at a position that provided overlapping sight lines with the next post up the stairs.

"This is exceptional work. Give them my compliments. And give yourself credit for the assignment. Choosing the right people for the right job is an important trait of a leader."

Rowan inclined his head, "Thank you, boss."

Moon looked at the pavilion for another moment.

"Let’s continue, we have beasts to hunt."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!