Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 429: Tears, Starting The Moonline Quest

"Are you ready for the Quest? You require the medallion to initiate it, correct? Ensure that you do not misplace it," he remarked in a relaxed tone.

"Yes, I am fully prepared. I am keeping the medallion secure as well."

She reached into her spatial ring and produced the silver medallion once more.

Both Isaac and Alice narrowed their eyes the instant it came into view.

They exchanged a look, their gazes locking for a fleeting moment before they shared an almost invisible nod.

Isaac moved instantly.

He deployed his telekinesis. The medallion was snatched from Selene’s grasp before she could tighten her fingers around it. It remained suspended in the air for a brief heartbeat, then settled perfectly into Isaac’s open hand.

"...What are you doing?" Selene questioned.

Although caught off guard by his sudden action, she regained her composure rapidly. She straightened her posture, and her voice returned to a calm, steady state.

Isaac toyed with the medallion between his fingers like it was nothing more than a common coin.

"It seems Chairman Lucius neglected to inform you. If he had, this would not have been so effortless for me," he stated airily.

Selene scowled. "Inform me of what?"

Isaac held her gaze directly. "I am accompanying you on this Quest."

"No."

Her refusal was instantaneous. It was firm and resolute.

Isaac arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"The survival rate for this Quest is extremely low," Selene stated. Her voice faltered as she struggled to maintain her composure, her hands tightly clenched at her sides.

"The same can be said for trekking into the wilderness. Or expanding our city. Or battling beasts. These are all things we already do on a regular basis," Isaac said with a shrug.

"Isaac, this situation is entirely different—"

"It is not different at all. The shadow of death exists in everything we do. Furthermore, you will not be getting this medallion back until you consent to my presence on this mission."

He lifted the trinket slightly, allowing it to shimmer in the light.

Selene stared at him intently.

"...Fine," she finally relented.

Isaac rolled his eyes. "I am aware you are being untruthful. I possess a truth-detection skill."

Her lips compressed into a thin line. The composed mask she had been wearing flickered, and a faint look of distress crossed her features.

It was clear she had no desire for him to come.

Isaac exhaled slowly. He understood that pushing her was far from ideal, yet allowing her to face this danger alone was entirely unacceptable.

"Selene," he continued, his tone turning serious, "you are managing my affairs. Our city’s future relies on trade and commerce, and you are vital to that. You are vital to me. I simply cannot stand by while you walk into such a situation without proper protection. I hold no doubt in your ability to complete the Quest, but I would be terrified the entire time if you were to go alone. Please, let me join you."

A heavy silence descended over the room.

Selene offered no response.

Emily, who had been observing quietly, moved to Selene’s side and took her hands in hers.

"Selene, let Isaac accompany you. He assisted me during my own Quest as well. He is highly capable and understands these trials implicitly. You must trust him. He is not trying to sacrifice himself; he is simply ensuring you succeed without unnecessary complications. Do not overthink this," Emily said softly.

Selene glanced up at her.

Emily’s expression was steady and encouraging. There was no hesitation in her eyes.

From across the table, Celia chimed in with her signature bright smile.

"She is right. You are only nervous because you have not seen Isaac in action properly. Far from just surviving the Quest, he will ensure you clear it with the highest possible rating. Perhaps you will even receive bonus rewards!"

Selene turned her gaze toward her.

Celia did not appear concerned in the slightest. If anything, she seemed thrilled, as if the prospect of Isaac perishing in a Quest was completely nonsensical.

Then, Alice cleared her throat.

Selene shifted her focus to her.

"I am coming too," Alice announced.

"Alice—"

"Do not even start," Alice cut in calmly. "I said I am coming, therefore I am coming."

Alice’s eyes flicked to Isaac for a quick second, conveying a silent challenge. If he attempted to refuse her on the grounds of danger, she was prepared to fight back.

Since Alice’s life was tethered to Isaac’s, his death would spell hers as well, meaning there was no logic in excluding her.

"Very well," Isaac agreed with a nod.

Alice’s eyes softened; she was pleased that Isaac trusted her competence in the Trial and did not view her as a burden that required shielding. Had he thought otherwise, he would have likely forbidden her from coming.

She looked back at Selene. "So, we are going with you."

Selene’s lips trembled uncontrollably.

She bowed her head, attempting to conceal the tears welling in her eyes.

She had been terrified.

The threat of death in this Quest was genuine and high. She was not a warrior; she lacked physical prowess. Next to Isaac, Alice, or even Emily, she felt remarkably frail.

However, precisely because of that weakness, she could not turn back.

She was desperate to become stronger.

Vivid memories of the conflict against the Catastrophe surged within her. The sky being torn asunder. The earth trembling. The sight of people fighting with every ounce of strength they possessed.

She had remained behind protective walls while others shed blood.

Their city was in the midst of a transformation. Its citizens grew more formidable with each passing day. Isaac had evolved into something far beyond the university student he once was. Alice had changed as well; even Emily and Celia were shedding their old selves.

Selene refused to be left behind.

She yearned to stand at their side, not hidden in their shadow.

Yet, the risks remained terrifyingly real.

She had spent hours calculating the odds, running countless simulations in her mind, most of which ended in her demise.

Still, the smallest glimmer of a chance for success was enough to force her forward.

The weight of that stress had been crushing her in silence.

Now, witnessing Isaac and Alice insist on accompanying her—even if they effectively forced their way in—something within her finally released its grip.

Her vision blurred.

Emily immediately pulled her into a comforting embrace.

"It is alright. You do not have to hold it all inside," Emily murmured.

Selene tried to find her voice, but it was lost to stifled, silent sobs. She gripped Emily’s sleeve, feeling embarrassed by her emotional outburst yet unable to cease.

Isaac watched them with a grave expression.

He fully understood this was not merely about a Quest. It was a manifestation of the immense pressure and the heavy burden of responsibility she carried.

After a short while, Selene’s breathing leveled out. She wiped her eyes hurriedly and straightened her posture.

"I apologize," she whispered.

"There is absolutely nothing to apologize for," Isaac replied.

Alice stepped forward. "You should have told us sooner how much of a toll this was taking on you."

Selene offered a small, shaky smile. "I did not want to appear weak."

"Crying does not equate to weakness. It simply proves that you are human," Celia remarked with a snort.

Isaac was technically the only human in the room, but he chose not to highlight that fact so as not to spoil the moment.

"Precisely. And since you are not going alone, you must stop anticipating the worst possible outcome," Emily added with a nod.

Selene inhaled deeply and finally locked eyes with Isaac once more.

"Are you truly not going to return the medallion unless I give you my word?" she asked.

Isaac shook his head. "Correct."

"You are infuriatingly stubborn."

"So I have been told many times."

A faint laugh escaped her lips—small, yet genuine.

"...Fine," she finally sighed. "You may come. Alice can join as well. I authorize it."

"Thank you, Princess," Isaac replied with a smile.

He tossed the medallion casually into the air, caught it, and handed it back to her.

This time, she took hold of it with intent, gripping it firmly.

Alice looked over at Isaac. Their eyes met.

There was a silent gratitude in her stare, unspoken but profound.

Isaac offered no verbal reply or nod. Instead, a playful, teasing smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Alice narrowed her eyes ever so slightly.

She understood his silent taunt perfectly.

’Did you not cry just like her a moment ago? Are you two sisters both such crybabies?’

Alice’s features hardened immediately. The gratitude in her gaze evaporated, replaced by a sharp, lethal edge.

Much like Isaac, she required no telepathy to respond.

’Say that one more time and watch me break your nose.’

Isaac’s smile only widened, as if daring her to follow through.

Alice clicked her tongue and averted her gaze.

Such threats had been highly effective during their academy days, back when their power levels were evenly matched and Isaac was still hesitant to provoke her. Now, however, he had surpassed her in numerous domains, and his demeanor reflected that newfound confidence.

He was hardly reckless, but he certainly was no longer intimidated.

’I need to find something that can put him back in his place. Something that even if he replicates, he cannot gain an advantage from,’ she pondered internally.

The atmosphere in the room shifted to a sense of calm now that Selene had relented. They were nearing the final preparations when the door opened once more.

Avery strode in first, followed by the Sword Empress.

The tension shifted subtly. Conversations died out without a single word of instruction.

The Sword Empress offered Avery a slight nod.

Avery stepped toward the group. "I shall also be participating in the Quest."

Isaac raised a brow. Since the Sword Empress seemed to sanction the decision, he did not immediately dismiss it.

"May I ask why?" he asked calmly.

Avery folded her arms loosely. "I possess great strength. Even if leaving this land with which I share a bond reduces my power somewhat, I am still a force to be reckoned with. With my aid, the probability of successfully clearing this Quest increases significantly. Furthermore, you must understand that I have traveled these lands for centuries. I have amassed numerous rare artifacts. One of them is a Quest Cancel Ticket. Should events turn disastrous, I can extract all of us immediately."

Silence filled the room once more.

Alice’s eyes lit up at the mention of the ticket, while Selene appeared visibly relieved, though she fought to maintain her composure.

Isaac gave a slow nod.

Even with the safety net of a Quest Cancel Ticket, he did not let his guard down. He had no intention of failing this mission.

Selene’s confidence had been eroding for weeks. Despite her efforts to conceal it through diligent planning and labor, he had seen the truth. A failure here would shatter her, potentially leaving deeper wounds than any physical injury.

Conversely, a successful completion would have the opposite effect—strengthening her not just in raw power, but in resolve.

That was the true significance of this endeavor.

When he first met Selene, she was confident to the point of being haughty. That version of her had mellowed and matured over time. He appreciated this growth, but he would not stand by as she lost her spirit entirely.

This Quest was essential.

"We would be delighted to have you join us," Isaac stated with a gentle smile.

The decision was final: Isaac, Selene, Alice, and Avery would enter.

Isaac unlatched the Soulbind Pendant and expanded its storage space. The maids tethered to it materialized in his living room one by one. They immediately busied themselves, fussing over the furniture and tidying the shelves with boundless energy.

Their frantic enthusiasm was slightly unnerving.

Isaac watched them for a moment. "Do not disturb anything important."

"Certainly, Master," they responded in a single voice.

He retained a lingering concern that Priscilla might choose this time to experiment in the kitchen and poison his future meals, but he decided to trust in her judgment for now.

Meanwhile, Emily summoned her creatures and transferred them into the Purple Bridge Dimension, keeping her full strength hidden from unwanted scrutiny.

Isaac, for his part, kept his summons within the Soulbind Pendant, ready to deploy if the Quest demanded it.

Avery and Alice moved into the pendant’s internal space, and Selene draped the charm around her neck.

Isaac was preparing to enter when the Sword Empress caught his attention.

"The duration of this Quest is unpredictable. There may be temporal distortions at play. Irrespective of how much time passes inside, do not be hasty. Proceed with patience and ensure you conclude it safely," she advised.

"I will keep that in mind," he promised.

With that, he likewise surrendered himself into the Soulbind Pendant.

Selene, finally alone, took a steadying breath. She clutched the medallion tightly and activated it.

A glowing white door shimmered into existence before her.

She stepped through.

...

Isaac felt as though his consciousness were being violently rent apart.

A searing headache pounded behind his eyes, and his ears rang with a deafening shrillness. For several seconds, he was completely deaf to the world around him.

He forced his eyes to snap open.

Above him, stars glimmered coldly against a pitch-black sky.

He hauled himself up, his muscles aching.

In the distance, an enormous purple tower pierced the heavens, reaching up so high it seemed to vanish into the deep dark of space. A massive, jagged rent had been carved into its side, nearly one-quarter of the way through its structure. Thick black smoke billowed from the wound.

’Could that be... a space elevator?’

The sheer scale of the construct tightened his chest.

He rose to his full height and assessed his surroundings.

The terrain was scarred and scorched. Craters littered the landscape, and charred wreckage of vehicles lay strewn about. It looked exactly like a battlefield that had seen active fighting only moments ago.

Gradually, his hearing began to return.

Voices shouted in the distance.

He looked down at his own body.

He was clad in military attire. Standard-issue, though of noticeably higher quality than what the surrounding infantry wore. A sidearm was holstered at his waist, and a communicator pulsed faintly on his wrist.

’Where am I? How did I materialize outside the pendant? Did the Quest force us out into different locations?’

He rubbed his temples, desperate to organize his turbulent thoughts.

An alarm suddenly screamed across the entire landscape.

A distorted, booming voice echoed over loudspeakers.

"The Sword Maiden has breached the final perimeter! I repeat, the Sword Maiden has breached the final perimeter! She is advancing toward the Ladder of Heavens!"

Half the soldiers surrounding him erupted into cheers.

The other half went deathly pale.

Isaac froze.

’Sword Maiden?’

He looked up sharply.

Near the wounded space elevator—no, the Ladder of Heavens, as they termed it—a streak of bluish-white light cut across the atmosphere. It moved with terrifying velocity, like a falling star.

Simultaneously, a brilliant golden light erupted from the higher reaches of the structure.

The golden light intensified, coalescing into a radiant, stellar figure.

The two streaks collided in mid-air.

Even from this great distance, Isaac felt the kinetic shockwave ripple through the air.

Before the blue-and-white figure could strike the tower, the golden star flared with blinding brilliance. Space surged and twisted in an unnatural arc around them.

Then, both entities simply ceased to exist, teleported to parts unknown.

The battlefield below descended into absolute bedlam.

"Did they manage to intercept her?"

"Where did they go?"

"Is the Ladder safe?"

Isaac stood motionless, his mind racing.

A Sword Maiden assaulting a structure known as the Ladder of Heavens. A golden guardian defending it. A fractured army divided in purpose.

Lines of glowing text materialized before his vision.

[Quest: Defend the Ladder of Heavens]