Chapter 2
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ1NUCNMXm
Marcus woke to the sound of clicking.
Not his own clicking—he'd grown somewhat accustomed to his new vocal limitations over the past week. No, this was different. Multiple sources of clicking, coming from various directions around his puddle.
He opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by six other mudcrabs, all staring at him with the intense focus that only hungry crustaceans could muster.
"Well, this is either really good or really bad," Marcus muttered, his words emerging as a series of cautious clicks.
[Analyzing...]
Mudcrab (Male, Adult)92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL9DfTLUDZ
Level: 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ah1iUPHiv
Health: 12/1292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c3LDyYDek
Intelligence: Basic92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQwSAc24KR
Status: Curious, Hungry, Territorial
The analysis repeated five more times with minor variations. Marcus noticed that all of them were showing "curious" rather than "aggressive" in their status, which was encouraging.
"Libra, any idea why they're just... watching me?"
[Hypothesis: Your behavior yesterday was observed. Mudcrabs are not typically known for tactical combat against wolves. You may have attracted attention from the local mudcrab population.]
"Attention good or attention bad?"
[Unknown. However, I detect no immediate hostile intent. Perhaps communication would be advisable.]
Marcus slowly raised himself up, keeping his posture non-threatening. He tried to remember what he'd learned about mudcrab behavior from his gaming days, but most of that knowledge boiled down to "they attack on sight and drop decent crafting materials."
"Uh, hello?" he said, the greeting coming out as a series of soft clicks and chirps.
The largest of the mudcrabs, a hefty specimen with a chipped left claw, responded with a complex series of clicks that Marcus somehow understood as a mixture of greeting and question.
"Did I just understand mudcrab language?" Marcus asked, amazed.
[It appears your reincarnation included an instinctive understanding of mudcrab communication. Fascinating. I was not aware this would be possible.]
"You didn't know something?" Marcus grinned internally. "How disappointing."
[I am a skill focused on analysis, not omniscience. There are still discoveries to be made about your unique situation.]
The large mudcrab clicked again, and this time Marcus caught the meaning clearly: "You-fought-wolf. How-you-do?"
Marcus considered his response carefully. These mudcrabs were clearly more intelligent than the game had suggested, but they were still operating on basic instincts. He needed to establish himself as someone worth following rather than competing with.
"I-used-water-advantage," he replied, surprised at how naturally the clicking language came to him. "Wolf-cannot-move-in-mud. We-can."
The mudcrabs exchanged glances—well, as much as creatures with stalked eyes could exchange glances. The large one clicked again: "You-teach-us?"
Marcus felt a surge of excitement. This was it—his first potential followers.
"I-teach-you," he confirmed. "But we-work-together. No-fighting-each-other."
[Congratulations,] Libra observed dryly. [You have just negotiated your first treaty. The terms are remarkably simple.]
Over the next hour, Marcus demonstrated his combat techniques to his new companions. He showed them how to use the muddy terrain to their advantage, how to coordinate attacks, and most importantly, how to retreat and regroup when facing a superior opponent.
Mudcrab (Male, Adult)92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapkab3WeUu
Level: 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrhQMQSlMl
Health: 12/1292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIErAITQvIT
Intelligence: Basic → Improving92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5uU2iRGgF
Status: Eager Student, Loyal92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z1P8bVgGc
New Ability: Pack Tactics (Novice)
"They're learning," Marcus observed with satisfaction as he watched two of the mudcrabs practice coordinated maneuvers. "And getting smarter."
[Indeed. It appears your teaching is enhancing their cognitive abilities. Most intriguing.]
"Is that normal?"
[Nothing about your situation is normal. However, this development suggests that your influence extends beyond mere tactical instruction. You may be capable of... evolutionary enhancement.]
The implications of that hit Marcus like a thunderbolt. If he could make other mudcrabs smarter, stronger, more capable, then he really could build an army. Not just of mindless drones, but of intelligent allies.
"Libra, I want to try something," he said, focusing on the largest mudcrab—the one who had first approached him. "Can you help me figure out how to... I don't know, communicate more directly?"
[You wish to attempt telepathic communication?]
"Exactly. If I'm going to lead these guys, I need better communication than just clicking."
[Theoretically possible. Focus your thoughts on establishing a mental connection. I will attempt to facilitate.]
Marcus approached the large mudcrab, who had been watching the training exercises with what seemed like tactical interest. "Hey, big guy," he said aloud, then focused intensely on projecting his thoughts toward the other mudcrab.
Can you hear me?
The mudcrab's eyes widened—well, as much as stalked eyes could widen. It clicked in surprise and took a step back.
[Success! Rudimentary telepathic link established. However, the connection appears to be one-way at present.]
Don't be afraid, Marcus projected, keeping his mental voice calm and reassuring. I'm like you, but different. I want to help make us all stronger.
The mudcrab clicked thoughtfully, then approached Marcus more confidently. It tapped its claw against Marcus's shell in what seemed like an accepting gesture.
"I think I'll call you Sergeant," Marcus said aloud, grinning. "You've got leadership potential."
[Naming your subordinates? How... anthropomorphic of you.]
"They're not subordinates, they're companions," Marcus corrected. "And if I'm going to build something lasting, I need to treat them as individuals, not just resources."
Over the following days, Marcus worked with his small group, teaching them everything he could about tactics, coordination, and survival. He discovered that his telepathic ability was growing stronger—he could now maintain mental contact with all six mudcrabs simultaneously, and they were beginning to project simple thoughts back to him.
More importantly, he was learning about the local area. From his mudcrab companions, he learned about a small stream that led toward a human settlement, about dangerous predators that hunted in the region, and most intriguingly, about a group of humans who had been causing trouble near the big mountain.
"Bandits," Marcus realized as he processed the information. "They're talking about bandits."
[Based on the geographical descriptions, I believe they are referring to the area behind Dragonsreach. There is indeed a known bandit encampment in that region.]
"Perfect," Marcus said, his mental voice reaching all six of his companions. "I think it's time we expanded our territory."
You want to fight the loud-humans? Sergeant's mental voice was now clear enough for basic communication.
Not fight immediately, Marcus replied. First, we scout. We learn. We plan. Then we take their den and make it ours.
The excitement that rippled through the group was palpable. These mudcrabs had spent their entire lives hiding from threats, scavenging for scraps, and living in constant fear. The idea of actually taking territory from humans was revolutionary.
[I must advise caution,] Libra interjected. [Bandits are significantly more dangerous than wolves. They possess weapons, armor, and numbers.]
"Which is why we're going to be smart about it," Marcus replied. "We're going to scout the place thoroughly, learn their patterns, and strike when we have the advantage."
[And if your advantage proves insufficient?]
"Then we retreat, regroup, and try again. I didn't survive this long by being reckless."
[A week is hardly 'this long.']
"A week is a lifetime when you're a mudcrab," Marcus shot back. "Besides, we're not just any mudcrabs anymore. We're organized, we're intelligent, and we're motivated. That counts for a lot."
The journey toward the bandit camp took two days, moving carefully through streams and staying hidden during daylight hours. Marcus used the time to drill his companions on hand signals, formation tactics, and emergency procedures.
[Your organizational skills are impressive,] Libra admitted as they watched the mudcrabs execute a complex flanking maneuver. [I confess I did not anticipate such rapid development.]
"Thank you," Marcus said, pleased. "I may not have had a career in my old life, but I played enough strategy games to understand the basics."
[Games. You are applying video game tactics to real-world scenarios.]
"Hey, if it works, it works."
On the evening of the second day, they reached the outskirts of the bandit camp. Marcus crept to the edge of their territory, using Libra's analysis to scout the area.
Bandit Camp (Small)92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sLpGmvvIB
Occupants: 8 humans, 1 dog92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorX5RfpHqk
Defenses: Wooden palisade, watchtower, spike traps92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGCRmPM0qD
Threat Level: Moderate to High92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8nGqO1q32
Notable: Poor discipline, frequent drinking, single guard rotation92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9N56e85c1
Weaknesses: Blind spots in eastern approach, water supply outside walls
"Eight bandits and a dog," Marcus reported to his companions. "But look at this place—it's perfect for what we need."
The camp was built against a rocky outcropping, with a clear spring providing fresh water and multiple caves that could serve as expanded living spaces. It was defensible, had good sight lines, and was close enough to trade routes to be strategically valuable.
You really think we can take it? Sergeant asked, his mental voice tinged with doubt.
Not yet, Marcus admitted. But soon. First, we need to grow our numbers and our capabilities.
[A wise decision. Perhaps we should consider recruiting additional mudcrabs before attempting such an ambitious operation.]
"Already on it," Marcus replied. "I've been sensing other mudcrabs in the area. Tomorrow, we start building our army in earnest."
As they settled in for the night, Marcus looked up at the stars and felt a sense of purpose he'd never experienced in his human life. He was building something here—not just a group of followers, but a community. A family, even.
[I detect elevated satisfaction in your emotional state,] Libra observed. [This pleases you.]
"Yeah, it does," Marcus admitted. "For the first time in either of my lives, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
[Even as a mudcrab?]
"Especially as a mudcrab," Marcus laughed. "Who knows? Maybe being at the bottom of the food chain was exactly what I needed to learn how to climb."
[An interesting perspective. I look forward to observing your continued development.]
As Marcus drifted off to sleep, surrounded by his loyal companions, he dreamed of bandit camps and mudcrab armies, of magic and adventure, and of a future where being a mudcrab was just the beginning of something much, much bigger.
ns216.73.216.121da2
and then Add to home screen.