At those words, the tension between the two groups skyrocketed.

Weapons were drawn in an instant on both sides as the air grew thick with killing intent.

Scarlet smiled coldly.

"Careful, old man. Your Baron is already losing and... soon this entire island will belong to Lord Victor. And when that happens... I’ll personally make sure you regret those words."

Hearing the words, Hector’s smile widened into something feral.

"We’ll see about that."

The tension snapped like a taut wire.

""Kill them all!""

At Hector and Scarlet’s simultaneous shouts, both sides exploded into motion.

Scarlet’s cold voice rang out as she drew her twin daggers in a flash.

Her ponytail whipped through the air as she charged forward with lethal grace.

Hector laughed wildly at the boldness.

His hunched figure suddenly straightened as he raised his wooden stick.

A sharp silver energy erupted along its length, forming a deadly, glowing edge like a blade made of moonlight.

SHIIING!

He swung the staff in a wide arc.

The silver energy extended into a crescent blade, slicing through the air with terrifying sharpness.

SPURT!

SPURT!

Two of Scarlet’s men were cut clean across the chest before they could even react, blood spraying as they fell.

"You’re quick, little whore!" Hector bellowed, laughing. "But speed means nothing against a sharp edge!"

Scarlet’s eyes narrowed.

’It seems the ’Silver Edge’ title wasn’t exaggerated. Getting hit by that would be bad...’

With that thought, she leapt onto a tree branch and used it to launch herself toward Hector, daggers aimed at his throat.

CLANG!

Hector blocked her attack with his staff.

The silver energy clashed against her daggers, sending sparks flying.

The old man grinned, revealing his still-white teeth.

"Not bad. But you’re still too soft!"

He twisted his staff and thrust forward.

SHING!

The silver energy extended into a sharp point like a spear, forcing Scarlet to twist her body mid-air to avoid being impaled.

The energy blade still grazed her side, drawing a thin line of blood.

Scarlet landed gracefully a few distance away, a dangerous smile on her lips as she wiped the blood away.

"You talk too much for an old fossil."

Soon, the battle between the two groups turned into a bloody melee.

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

Steel clashed, spells flashed, and screams echoed through the forest as Victor’s and Baron Von’s forces tore into each other.

Scarlet moved like a deadly shadow, her daggers flashing.

Hector fought like a storm of silver blades, with every swing of his staff releasing sharp, crescent-shaped energy attacks that cut through armor and flesh with terrifying ease.

The forest clearing had suddenly become a battlefield of blood and silver light.

_

_

_

Meanwhile, hidden not far away...

Grace peeked out slightly through a crack in the wall, her heart pounding as she watched the brutal fight unfold.

"J-Jake... they’re really fighting..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Jake didn’t reply.

His focus remained locked on the glowing list of Rare Classes in front of him.

[Ding!]

[Class Evolution requirement met!]

[Please choose from the following Rare Classes:]

1. Aura Warrior (Rare)

2. Street Brawler (Rare)

3. Bone Crusher (Rare)

4. Iron Vanguard (Rare)

5. Sea Knight (Rare)

Jake’s eyes widened as he read through the list of Rare Classes.

He hadn’t expected to actually get to choose which direction his class would evolve into but...

"This..."

He wasn’t sure which one to pick.

It would be great if there was a bit more explanation—

At that moment, he instinctively activated [Class Appraisal].

[Ding!]

1. Aura Warrior (Rare) – A balanced, all-rounder combat class focused on aura manipulation, enhanced physical abilities, and energy projection.

2. Street Brawler (Rare) – A brutal close-quarters fighter with high durability and instinctive combat techniques.

3. Bone Crusher (Rare) – Extreme destructive power focused on breaking through defenses and overwhelming force.

4. Iron Vanguard (Rare) – A heavy defensive specialist with strong leadership skills and battlefield endurance.

5. Sea Knight (Rare) – A naval combat specialist with enhanced command ability and sea-adapted fighting style.

Jake was a bit surprised by the sudden activation of [Class Appraisal], but he stayed focused.

He pondered each option carefully while the brutal battle between Scarlet and Hector’s groups continued to escalate in the background.

[Aura Warrior] seemed versatile and balanced.

It would give him good all-around growth and aura abilities that could complement his [Bonds Captain] class.

...But it felt a bit "safe" and not particularly specialized.

Meanwhile,

[Street Brawler] seem to be a pure melee brutality type.

It would make him much stronger in close combat, which could help him survive desperate fights like the one against the Bone Crusher.

However, it might make him too reckless and lacked utility.

As for [Bone Crusher], it was the same class as the scarred leader he had just killed.

It offered extreme destructive power... something he had personally experienced.

It was tempting for raw strength, but after seeing how the leader still lost despite it, Jake wasn’t sure pure offense was the best path.

Then there [Iron Vanguard]... it seem to be a heavy defense and leadership type class.

It would make him much harder to kill and better at protecting Grace and future crew members.

It felt solid for a captain’s role.

And finally... [Sea Knight].

This one stood out the most.

It seem to had a strong synergy with his [Bonds Captain] class since he would have to sail the sea in the future.

With enhanced command ability on the sea and naval combat style... it felt like the most natural evolution for his future when he finally sailed the seas.

Jake struggled for a few seconds, his heart pounding as the battle nearby grew more intense.

He already knew he could try to run back toward the coast while they were fighting, but that was a last resort because... it was a dead end over there.

The hidden path to the coast was one-way, so his only real choice right now was to wait here and hope they didn’t get discovered... or sneak past them while they were fighting.

Either way, he needed more power and strength to increase his chances of getting out of this situation.

’Versatility or specialization...? Defense or offense...? Long-term potential or immediate power...?’

In the end, one choice felt right to him.

Jake closed his eyes, then opened them with firm resolve.

"Choose..."