The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1 A Night To Remember

The night sky was draped in a thick cloak of obsidian.

A poetic arrangement of starlight decorated the heavens, while the moon’s eternal radiance shimmered like a polished crystal, offering a sense of serenity and soul-deep peace. This moonlight filtered through the window of a modest, unassuming residence.

A young boy, appearing no older than five, lay tucked comfortably in his bed. His mother sat beside him, her hand moving with tender affection as she stroked his hair. Clutching a pillow tightly, the boy turned his innocent gaze toward her and whispered, "Mom, I don't want to go to sleep. I still want to play with dad."

"It’s late, you little troublemaker. You need your rest or you’ll fall ill," his mother answered with a warm smile, her slender fingers continuing to brush through his locks.

"Okay, Mom… But! You have to tell me a story, just like you always do," the boy requested earnestly.

With a soft sigh, the mother looked out toward the window. She took a deep breath of the cool night air as the full moon greeted her. "A naughty boy like you needs to be warned; there are monsters that prowl the night, searching for children who aren't in bed."

Upon hearing this, the boy instinctively gripped his blanket, pulling it up until only his eyes were visible. Despite his growing fear, curiosity flickered in his gaze. His mother couldn't help but chuckle at the adorable sight.

After a moment of thought, she began her tale. "Let me tell you of the beasts that wander the darkness. Long ago, there were strict laws against going out after sunset for fear of the furred monsters. They are known as the Children of the Moon."

She paused to gauge his reaction before continuing. "Their frames are massive and terrifying, draped in thick black fur that allows them to vanish into the shadows. They are armed with sharp claws and lethal fangs, and their pointed ears are just like a wolf's."

As the boy visualized the creature, terror began to take hold. He reached out and seized his mother’s hand, gripping it as if he would never let go. Amused by his reaction, she smiled gently at her son. "Some say a curse transforms children who play late into these monsters. Their eternal sadness drives them to hunt other children who refuse to sleep."

"These transformed children live in regret for wandering the night instead of resting. You can hear their howls when they search for naughty kids. Their crimson eyes watch from the gloom, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. They wait… and they wait… until suddenly—"

As she spoke, she felt the boy’s body go rigid, his grip on her hand tightening even further. Abruptly, she made a sudden clawing motion toward him.

"AAAAHHH!" the boy shrieked, startled by the sudden movement. He dove under the covers, hiding his face completely.

His mother burst into laughter, slowly pulling the blanket back. "Now, now. The monster won't get you if you sleep. Besides, if a beast ever shows up, your father will protect you. You also have that necklace he gave you for protection," she said, attempting to soothe his racing heart.

She calmed him with gentle strokes on his head. "You truly must sleep now; tomorrow is an important day for you," she whispered before standing up and walking toward the exit. At the doorway, she paused to look back one last time.

"Good night, my little Silverstar," she whispered. She extinguished the lamp and pulled the door shut behind her.

Alone now, the boy shifted on his mattress to get comfortable. As he prepared to drift off, his eyes drifted toward the window, and his mother's words echoed in his mind. "Children of the Moon..." he murmured.

He stared directly at the glowing crescent in the sky. Suddenly, a chilling howl erupted from the woods bordering their home, sending a wave of pure terror through his small frame.

Aooouuuu!

Terrified that the Children of the Moon were coming for him because he was still awake, the boy squeezed his eyes shut and buried himself under the blankets.

The following morning,

Rex was lost in a pleasant dream when he felt someone shaking him. He opened his eyes slowly, grumbling at the person who had dared to disturb his slumber.

"Wake up! You can’t be late for your very first day of school. Hurry and wash up; I’ll be waiting for you at the breakfast table," his mother reminded him. Once she was certain he was awake, she turned and left the room.

Rex blinked several times, his surroundings coming into focus. He rubbed his eyes groggily, noting that the moon had been replaced by a radiant sun. Finally, he climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

After his bath, Rex descended the stairs. He was dressed in his new school uniform, a large backpack hanging heavily from his shoulders.

"Good morning, son! Sit down and eat, or you’ll miss the bell," a middle-aged man said cheerfully, placing a full plate on the table. He was dressed in standard office attire, occupied with something on his phone.

Coming from the kitchen, Rex’s mother approached him. "I’ve prepared your favorite: scrambled eggs and sausages! It’s a special day, so enjoy it."

The realization of what today meant finally cleared Rex’s morning fog. Hearing his parents’ encouragement actually made him feel more anxious about the journey ahead. His eyes began to well up with tears. The fear of leaving his home for an unfamiliar environment was overwhelming.

Noticing his son's stiff posture, the father smiled kindly. "Are you feeling nervous, Rex? Come here and sit by me. I want to tell you something."

Rex walked toward him slowly, but as he drew closer, the tears began to fall. Instead of sitting, he threw his arms around his father in a tight hug. His father smiled, rubbing the boy's back comfortingly. After a moment, he pulled Rex back and held his cheeks. "Listen, you’ll be just fine. You’re my strong boy, aren’t you?"

Rex nodded, though his eyes remained watery.

"A man must be resilient. It is fine to cry, but you must always move forward. In difficult times, just focus on happy memories and trust that the hardship will pass. Troubles don't last forever—just like a school day," his father explained, ruffling his hair.

His mother, having finished in the kitchen, joined them. "When you grow up, you’ll actually miss school, just like your dad does."

This prompted a hearty laugh from the father. "So, be brave and try to have some fun, okay?" his mother added with a bright expression.

Rex nodded vigorously, wiping his face before sitting down to finish the meal his parents had made with love. Once breakfast was over, his father drove him to the school, a smile on his face.

"I’m sorry I can’t stay with you for your first day, son," he said from the driver's seat. He gave an encouraging grin. "Be courageous! Have a great time!"

Rex gave a small nod, watching as his father drove away. As soon as the car disappeared, his brave facade crumbled. Looking at the crowded entrance, he thought, 'I’m scared.' A sign reading 'Rainbow Kindergarten' stood prominently by the gate. Remembering his father’s words about being strong, he forced himself to take long, determined strides toward the building.

He found his classroom, his name clearly marked on the door. He felt the same anxiety as the other children, especially seeing many of them accompanied by their parents. Sitting silently at his desk, he felt the urge to cry again. However, his attention was caught by a young girl at the front of the room.

He felt almost mesmerized. Her long blonde hair and round, chubby cheeks seemed to soothe his nerves. To him, she was like the moonlight—comforting to behold.

His trance was broken when a teacher entered with a warm smile. She went over the classroom rules, encouraged the children to be brave enough to come alone the next day, and told everyone to be friends.

Over the course of those first eight hours, Rex began to make acquaintances, and his fear slowly evaporated. Seeing that the other children and parents were kind, he suddenly found the nerve to leave his seat and approach the blonde girl.

As he drew near, he saw she was with her parents. He hesitated for a second but pushed through. "Hello… I’m Rex… Would you like to be friends?" he asked softly, his voice full of shyness.

He gave a nervous smile, glancing between the girl and her mother and father. The parents chuckled at the sight of the bashful boy, and the father gave Rex a thumbs-up, silently praising his bravery. This gave Rex a sudden boost of confidence.

The girl looked at Rex with a cold, graceful expression. Rex froze, fearing he was about to be rejected. But then, her icy look melted into a radiant, beautiful smile. Rex stood still, waiting for her words.

"Hi! It’s nice to meet you, Rex! I’m Laura, Laura Frostbrand," she said with enthusiasm, offering her hand. Rex’s face lit up as he accepted the handshake.

While shaking her hand, he noticed a blonde boy next to her, arms crossed and looking away. He appeared to be her brother and looked quite unfriendly, so Rex decided not to engage with him.

After talking with Laura, Rex met other kids, but he felt satisfied just having her as a friend.

RING!!

The bell signaled the end of the day, and children quickly began heading home with their families. Laura waved goodbye as she climbed into a white jeep. Rex waved back as the vehicle drove off, then sat by the school field to wait for his father.

Fifteen minutes passed. Then thirty. 'It’s fine, Dad is probably just stuck in traffic,' he whispered to himself, though worry began to gnaw at him. An hour passed, and as the sun began to set, there was still no sign of his father.

Rex felt the tears coming, but he recalled his father's advice: 'A man must be resilient. It is fine to cry, but you must always move forward. Think of happy thoughts.' He calmed himself and continued to wait.

Three hours later, Rex’s legs were sore, and he began to sob, convinced his father had forgotten him. 'Father, where are you?' he wondered miserably. It was his first day, and he was alone in the dark.

A teacher, Ms. Greene, noticed him crying and approached, patting his shoulder. "Hello there. Why are you still here? Where are your parents?" she asked gently.

"Ms. Greene, *sob* I don’t know *sob* where they are," Rex replied with a trembling voice.

Feeling sorry for the boy, Ms. Greene sighed. "Where do you live? I’ll give you a ride. It’s not safe for you to be here so late."

Hope flickered in Rex’s eyes. "It’s on Happiness Street, near the border of Dupok City."

"That’s close by. Let’s go," she said, taking his hand. They walked to her motorcycle, and Rex held onto her tightly as they sped off.

Night had fully fallen. Rex stared at the sky, still confused by his parents' absence. A bright full moon lit the path. Usually, he would be terrified after his mother's stories, but his mind was too preoccupied. He just wanted to see them.

"Is this the place?" Ms. Greene asked as she slowed to a stop. Rex looked at his house and beamed. "Yes! Thank you, Ms. Greene!"

He hopped off and hurried toward the house. Ms. Greene remained on her bike, looking around. The neighborhood was unsettlingly quiet, making her feel that something was very wrong.

Rex’s sadness had vanished, replaced by excitement, but it was short-lived. Reaching the front door, he reached out to knock, but the door swung open on its own with a faint creak.

Rex paused. 'It's open? Dad always tells me to lock it.'

"Mom? Dad?" he called out, stepping inside. The living room was pitch black, illuminated only by the faint moonbeams through the glass. He noticed the television was still running. His excitement turned into a cold knot of anxiety. He began to bite his nails as he ventured further into the dark house.

Thud… Thud… Thud….

Heavy footsteps echoed from the floor above. Rex crept toward the staircase, his heart hammering. He gripped the railing and began to climb, one step at a time. Suddenly—

"AAARRGHHH!"

A piercing scream shattered the silence. Rex jumped, paralyzed by the sound. It was a voice he knew perfectly. 'Mom?'

"Stay back, you monster!"

Clang!

Rex broke into a cold sweat, his skin crawling. The chaos from the second floor terrified him, but he found himself standing before his parents' bedroom door. It was slightly ajar. Rex peered through the narrow gap.

His body began to shake uncontrollably at the sight. He clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle a whimper. Inside, a massive, black-furred beast stood on two legs, radiating a terrifying dark aura.

The creature’s back was to him. It had long, lethal claws that looked capable of shredding steel. Its thick fur made it nearly invisible in the shadows. It was so tall its head almost grazed the ceiling. The moonlight revealed a glowing, T-shaped red rune on its powerful shoulder.

One thought filled his mind: 'Children of the Moon!'

It looked just like the creature from the story, but his instincts told him this was something far more dangerous.

"No! Stop! Please, don't hurt her!"

His father’s desperate pleading snapped Rex out of his shock. He remained frozen, the monster's sheer presence pinning him to the spot. A massive hole had been torn through the bedroom wall, marking the beast's entry. Fear—real, visceral fear—consumed the young boy.

"AAAAAHHHH!!"

ROAARR!!

Slash!

Before Rex's eyes, the unthinkable happened. His mother’s head was torn from her shoulders. His father had tried to intervene, but the beast had swatted him aside like a fly before claiming its victim. Blood erupted from the headless body. His mother’s face, frozen in a final expression of shock, spun through the air before hitting the floor, staining the room crimson.

Thud!

"NABILA!!" his father screamed, rushing toward her. He collapsed, cradling her head and weeping. Rex watched, stunned. It was the first time he had ever seen his father break down. 'Father...?'

After a moment, the father’s grief turned into a blinding rage. Fueled by adrenaline and loss, he stood up and faced the beast without a shred of fear. "WHY? WHY? YOU MONSTER!"

He grabbed a metal baseball bat and swung it with every ounce of his strength at the black-furred creature.

BAM!

The bat connected squarely with the monster’s head. It was a blow delivered with all his father's might. But after the impact, Rex's fa—