The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1796: Brightest Moon

Similar to the Shade Crawlers, Rex hands out assignments to Amanir and Linthia too.

They weren't hurt as severely as him, which is why he dispatched them.

Amanir heads off for a recovery operation. It ought to be straightforward for him, given his ability to slip through the royal barrier undetected. True enough, he returns in under a day, sporting a huge smile—as if mocking Rex for handing him such a simple job.

Yet Rex lacks the energy to give him a boot.

Beyond that, his focus shifts to these pair of individuals.

"Ethan...?" Rex glances at Ethan.

Bandages cover his form, and his complexion remains ashen from the grave injuries.

Rex vows inwardly to leave it up to fate for his decision.

Should Ethan pull through his state, Rex plans to transform him into a Silverstar. Without question, he merits becoming a werewolf, since he prevented the ongoing quest from collapsing back then.

Moreover, Ethan evokes memories of Edward for him.

Witnessing his self-sacrifice for the sake of others stirs recollections of Edward's readiness to serve the Executor and undermine from the inside. Reckless. Utterly foolish. Yet his loyalty burned fierce without a doubt.

The trials in the Noob Box forge a brotherly bond between them.

Still, Rex refuses to deceive Ethan.

He instructs Amanir to reveal the full truth. That they're opposing the empire.

More than anything, Ethan yearns to serve as a knight of the empire his whole life, so Rex holds no hopes for him. To Rex, this serves as a mere protocol. Ensuring he's at peace knowing he extended Ethan an opportunity to align with him at least.

Yet here he stands presently, shifting uncomfortably with his gaze averted, avoiding direct eye contact.

"I was torn about showing up," he declares, gripping his frail hands tightly. "I don't trust a thing he told me," he points toward Amanir. Fury laces his tone. "I showed up because I need to hear it straight from you. No, I have to hear it from you yourself."

"Yes," Rex nods his head and replies promptly. "I'm opposing the empire."

Ethan's pulse races wildly.

Hearing Rex utter those words feels unreal, especially since not long before—he was defending the nobles with everything he had. But situations evolve. Conditions shift. He's done with playing by the rules, as time slips away fast.

"Why...?" Ethan's tone softens, his expression growing somber.

"Empress Morgana ensnared me—and then attempted to eliminate me once I endured," he responds evenly. The rage within has cooled, hardening into frost. "And now the empire turns against me. No alternatives remain."

"Will you harm the innocent?" He presses further, his voice quivering. "The civilians?"

"It depends," Rex croaks.

He harbors no plans to target the blameless.

Yet situations might shift. He could lose control and massacre all in sight, failing to distinguish foes from non-combatants. It's improbable, but possible. That's just one possibility among countless where he'd end up slaying ordinary folk.

Thus, his response carries the stark, unvarnished reality.

Ethan lifts his gaze to meet Rex's at last.

His eyes quiver, struggling to accept the words.

Rex stays composed even in dire straits—and he's selfless too. That's Ethan's view after trailing him on that assignment. This doesn't align with how Rex should behave. He ought to battle to restore his reputation, not dismantle the empire.

"Don't waver," he shakes his head. "Your very presence here reveals your choice. Side with me, and I'll forge you into a knight. If you missed the latest updates, in the Mortal Realm below, I rule as an emperor.

"And your evident struggle convinces me of your steadfastness. Come with me, Ethan," he presses on.

"I..." Ethan falters, his shoulders trembling. "I can't."

"Understood," Rex acknowledges with a nod. What a pity. "Then I'll send Amanir to escort you home once more."

"No, I want you to handle it. One... One final time, we proceed as comrades. Before—"

His words fade.

Voicing what follows proves too difficult.

"Before we turn foes? Alright," Rex's mouth curves slightly. "I'll come with you. One last time. Hold on outside till I'm done."

Their next encounter will mark them as adversaries. Hence, this stroll becomes their farewell.

Ethan steps out, with Amanir trailing behind.

Now, Rex confronts the final visitor.

The mere sight of this woman twists his heart, recalling how she was once pierced right through the torso.

"April..." He whispers her name. "You're still breathing."

"I'm still breathing." She echoes softly.

Visions of those long years confined in the Forsaken Tower flood his thoughts, like echoes from a remote era, a separate existence. While much of it involved meditation and practice, certain evenings and nights brought shared tales.

Shared weaknesses.

Shared bonds deeper than mere alliance in that isolated spire.

He'd nearly lost her twice. Twice over.

Rex emerged tougher thanks to her influence, yet he recognizes the injustice it brought her.

She faced attacks solely for her proximity to him.

Should resentment toward him brew in her now, he'd embrace it fully.

Rex gazes into her lovely, naturally drooping eyes framed by golden locks, still radiating that familiar indifference. But tears now make them shimmer. One droplet falls, dampening the heavy cream blanket draped over her delicate frame.

Evidently, she rested in bed upon Amanir's arrival.

Undoubtedly still mending from the injury.

The violet-glowing mark at her chest's core shows through the fabric.

Frailty doesn't suit her at all.

She ought to perceive the world as before. As if nothing could astonish her. Fearless.

But traces of her former self have vanished.

Rex altered her, and he regrets allowing his emotional barriers to fall for her.

Observing her current state clenches his chest.

Her lips quiver fiercely, words failing to emerge from her thoughts, as additional tears cascade.

Without thinking, Rex advances a step.

He yearns to embrace her. To apologize. To assure her that all will mend from here.

But he pulls his foot back, resuming his rigid stance.

Rex remains uncertain of April's sentiments toward him presently. She might reject his nearness. Terrified. Furthermore, she could attempt to sway him from his intended path, placing them on opposing fronts.

Adversaries.

An image of a particular woman surfaces in Rex's thoughts. One he laments involving in his shadowy realm.

Rosie.

The name alone pierces his heart sharply.

He senses that drawing April nearer would doom her to Rosie's fate.

He must prevent that.

Rex opens his mouth faintly, "You need to depart."

The phrase emerges gentler than planned.

April appears not to catch it, so he draws a deep breath and repeats.

"You need to depart," his tone rings firmer and more distinct now.

"What...?" April's features contort. Agony underlies it. "Depart?"

"I've reconsidered. Return to your kin," Rex appends, locking eyes with her. "I'll provide means to restore your Spiritual Veins to their original state. I'll also supply an item to elevate your Soul Artifact's rank. Thus, Great Elder Rosa may recognize you as Heiress. And rest assured, your family remains protected. I vow—"

Pah—!

A sharp slap strikes Rex's cheek.

His head stays put; the blow lacks force due to her state, or perhaps his newfound power renders it feeble. But shock widens his eyes as he peers into April's, seeking explanation.

"Wha—?"

"You've reconsidered?"

April clutches the blanket in one hand while thrusting him forcefully with the other.

It fails to budge Rex an inch. Rather, she recoils from the effort.

Tears stream unchecked now, yet her expression toughens from before.

"You summoned me to unite with you, and I arrived. Now you've reconsidered?!" She thrusts again, eyes blazing like a wild feline. "After all we've endured. After all I've sacrificed for you. You've reconsidered?!"

Repeatedly, she pushes.

She pays no mind as the blanket slides off her shoulders, exposing her bare form beneath.

"What shifted, Rex? What shifted?!" She yells, straining to capture Rex's evasive gaze. "Guilt? Now that you've seen me. Seen my shattered state. You choose to abandon me? Why?! Does my sight pain you? Witnessing your impact on me? Is that the reason?!

"I gave everything for you! I even modified my Spiritual Veins for you!"

Crack!

April pushes once more, with greater force. But now, her shoulder emits a snap like splintering wood.

She doubles over, moaning and swearing as she grasps her arm.

Yet the agony fails to quench the blaze within her.

Rex attempts to inspect her, to assess the damage, but she bats his hand aside.

Moments pass in quiet as April acclimates to the hurt.

"So now what?" She lifts her eyes, her tone much softer than prior. "Am I just to retreat? Resume normalcy and erase you from my mind? How could I? I even pursued you..." She nibbles her lower lip, despising the admission. "Gods, I'm utterly pathetic."

"You're not pathetic, though this remains the wiser course," Rex responds at last. "Remaining by my side invites only more harm. Twice already, April. Twice. You've teetered on death's edge because of me. I'd be cursed before allowing a third occurrence.

"You ought to harbor grudge against me for it; I'd understand if positions reversed."

Uttering those lines stings deeply.

She'd despise him henceforth.

The mere idea of April's hatred feels like a blade through his core.

But if it aids her moving forward, then let it be.

"Your family endures. You're remarkably youthful for a Spirit," Rex averts his face and bows his head. He exhales sharply, releasing the tension coiling in his throat. "Hold to your family, and banish me from thoughts. Far better this route."

April should grasp it.

She's witnessed his every stride steeped in frenzy, slaughter, and carnage.

It's the route he embraced since the System rescued him from demise.

This existence marks his second shot. He devotes it to amassing power for what eluded him previously. To safeguard those—nearby. Yet failure looms possible.

Lately, he nearly failed rescuing Nivellen.

April lingers beyond his circle still. She can exit unscathed. And she must.

The stains on his hands resist simple cleansing.

Each slaying and consumption feels like blood infiltrating his veins, submerging him internally. It laps at his neck already, and soon his thoughts will submerge too.

Then, the crimson would taint those around him.

April would sink as well, and Rex dreads envisioning her transformed.

To him, she shines as the most radiant moon encountered.

During the Forsaken Tower's endless isolation, focused solely on drills year after year, moments arose when endurance faltered. No tears. No protests. No outward signs. Yet somehow, April always sensed and soothed him.

Whether isolation amplified his mental chaos, or distance from his pack wrought this toll, she stood unwavering. Even pausing her own regimen to ease him.

Her glow preserved his sanity.

She embodied the moon, he the void.

She deserves starry fellowship, not an abyss to consume her.

"Rex... I hold no grudge for what transpired," she murmurs, chin dipped. Her voice cracks, though she strives for steadiness. She clasps his hand and meets his gaze. "But own it. Urge me to remain."

Rex longs to affirm.

One additional ally changes little. He possesses ample capacity still.

But briefly, her visage swaps for Rosie's gore-streaked one.

It erases every trace of warmth from his soul.

"This realm holds your spot," Rex states, his tone chilling. "Mine lies elsewhere."

He brushes past her, leaving the cave.