The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1796: Brightest Moon

Similar to the Shade Crawlers, Rex hands out missions to both Amanir and Linthia.

Since neither of them suffered injuries as severe as his own, he dispatched them promptly.

For Amanir, the task involved fetching something specific. It ought to be straightforward for him, given his ability to slip through the royal bubble undetected. True to form, he returned in less than a day, his face split into a huge smile—as if he were mocking Rex for assigning such a simple job.

Yet Rex lacked the energy to give him a swift kick.

Beyond that, his focus shifted entirely to these two individuals standing before him.

"Ethan...?" Rex gazed at Ethan.

Bandages enveloped his frame, and his complexion remained ashen due to the grave injuries he had sustained.

Deep down, Rex vowed to leave the decision to fate itself.

Should Ethan pull through his ordeal, Rex would transform him into a Silverstar. Without question, he had earned the right to become a werewolf, especially since he was the key to preventing the recent quest from total collapse.

Moreover, Ethan evoked memories of Edward in Rex's mind.

Witnessing his self-sacrifice for the sake of others stirred recollections of Edward's readiness to serve the Executor from the inside, aiming to undermine them. Reckless. Utterly foolish. Yet his loyalty burned fierce and unyielding.

Their shared torment in the Noob Box had forged a brotherly bond between them.

Still, Rex refused to deceive Ethan.

He instructed Amanir to reveal the full truth—that they were set to oppose the empire.

Ethan had dreamed his whole life of knighthood under the empire's banner, so Rex held little hope for his allegiance. To him, this was merely a courteous gesture, ensuring he could rest easy knowing he had extended an invitation to join their cause.

Yet here Ethan stood, shifting uncomfortably with his gaze averted, avoiding direct eye contact.

"I wrestled with whether to show up," he admitted, his frail hands balling into tight fists. "I don't trust a thing he told me," he nodded toward Amanir, fury lacing 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 replied, tilting his head slightly without pause. "I'm turning against the empire."

Ethan's pulse raced wildly.

Hearing those words from Rex felt utterly unreal, especially since not long before, he had defended the nobles with everything he had. But the situation had shifted dramatically. The world had changed. He was done with restraint, as time slipped away fast.

"Why...?" Ethan's question came softly, his expression clouding over.

"Empress Morgana ensnared me—and then attempted to eliminate me once I escaped," Rex explained in a even tone. The rage within him had cooled into a frozen resolve. "Now the empire has turned on me. I have no alternative."

"Will you harm the innocent?" He pressed, his voice quivering. "The common folk?"

"It depends," Rex croaked out.

He harbored no plans to target the innocent.

But events could twist unexpectedly. He might lose control and rampage, cutting down everyone in sight without distinguishing foe from bystander. Such an outcome seemed improbable, yet possible. That was just one of countless ways he might end up taking civilian lives.

Thus, his response carried the raw, unvarnished reality.

At last, Ethan lifted his eyes to meet Rex's.

Trembling in disbelief at the words he had just absorbed.

Rex always stayed composed amid chaos—and proved selfless too. That was Ethan's impression after shadowing him on the mission. This wasn't the Rex he knew. He ought to be battling to restore his reputation, not seeking to dismantle the empire.

"Don't waver," Rex urged, shaking his head. "Your very presence here already reveals your choice. Come with me, and I'll forge you into a knight. If you haven't heard the latest, back in the Mortal Realm, I rule as an emperor.

"And your visible struggle only confirms your steadfast loyalty. Join us, Ethan," he pressed on.

"I..." Ethan faltered, his shoulders quaking. "I can't."

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

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

His words faded into silence.

Voicing what followed proved excruciating.

"Before we stand as foes? Fine," Rex's mouth curved faintly. "I'll come with you. One last time. Wait outside until I'm done."

Their next encounter would mark them as adversaries. So this stroll would serve as their farewell.

Ethan stepped out, with Amanir trailing behind.

Now, Rex confronted the final visitor.

The mere sight of this woman twisted his heart in pain, recalling how she had been pierced right through the chest last time.

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

"I'm still here." She echoed quietly.

Visions of those long years locked in the Forsaken Tower surged through his thoughts, like echoes from a forgotten existence, another era. While much of it involved meditation and rigorous practice, certain evenings and nights brought shared tales between them.

They opened up about their weaknesses.

They forged a connection deeper than mere friendship in that isolated tower.

He had nearly lost her twice. Twice over.

April had fortified Rex, making him tougher, but he recognized the injustice it imposed on her.

She became a target solely for her proximity to him.

Should resentment toward him brew in her now, he would bear it without protest.

Rex fixed his gaze on her lovely, naturally drooping eyes framed by golden locks, which still held that familiar air of detachment. But at this moment, tears caused them to shimmer. One droplet escaped, dampening the heavy cream blanket draped over her delicate form.

Clearly, Amanir had found her resting in bed.

Undoubtedly still mending from her injury.

The violet-glowing mark at her chest's core peeked through the fabric, translucent and stark.

Frailty didn't suit her at all.

She deserved to face the world with her old indifference, as if nothing could faze her. Fearless.

But traces of that former April had vanished.

Rex had altered her forever, and he regretted allowing his emotional barriers to fall for her sake.

Observing her current state wrenched at him deeply.

Her lips quivered uncontrollably, words failing her as more tears cascaded down.

Without thinking, Rex advanced a step.

He yearned to embrace her, to whisper apologies, to promise that all would mend from here on.

But he pulled back, resuming his rigid stance.

Rex couldn't gauge April's feelings toward him anymore. She might recoil from his nearness. Fearful. Besides, she could try to sway him from his chosen path, placing them on opposing fronts.

As foes.

An image of a certain woman flickered in Rex's thoughts—someone he wished he had never pulled into his shadowed existence.

Rosie.

The name alone pierced his heart sharply.

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

He couldn't allow such a tragedy.

Rex opened his mouth just a bit, "You need to go."

The statement emerged softer than he meant.

April appeared not to catch it, so he drew in a steady breath and restated firmly.

"You need to go," His tone rang out stronger and more distinct.

"What...?" April's features contorted in anguish. "Go?"

"I've reconsidered. Return to your kin," Rex continued, locking eyes with her. "I'll provide means to restore your Spiritual Veins to their original state. Plus, something to elevate your Soul Artifact's rank. That should convince Great Elder Rosa to name you Heiress. And rest assured, your family remains protected. I vow—"

Pah—!

A sharp slap echoed against Rex's cheek.

His head stayed put; the blow lacked force due to her weakened state, or perhaps his own power had grown too vast. But shock widened his eyes as he searched April's for explanation.

"Wha—?"

"You've reconsidered?"

Clutching the blanket in one hand, April thrust her other palm at him forcefully.

It failed to budge Rex an inch. Instead, the recoil sent her stumbling back.

Tears streamed unchecked now, yet her expression toughened from before.

"You summoned me to join your side, and I answered the call. Now you've reconsidered?!" She pushed again, her glare fierce like a wild feline. "After all we've endured together. After all I've sacrificed for you. You've reconsidered?!"

She kept shoving repeatedly.

She paid no mind as the blanket fell from her shoulders, baring her bare form beneath.

"What shifted, Rex? What shifted?!" She yelled, straining to force his gaze to hers while he averted it desperately. "Guilt? Now that you've seen me like this. Seen how shattered I am. So you choose to cast me aside? Why?! Does my pain torment you? Seeing what you've wrought upon me? Is that why?!

"I gave you everything! I even reshaped my Spiritual Veins for your sake!"

Crack!

April lunged once more, with greater force. But now, a sharp snap emanated from her shoulder, like a twig splintering.

She doubled over, wincing and swearing under her breath as she gripped the injured spot.

Yet the agony failed to quench the blaze within her.

Rex reached to inspect the damage, but she batted his hand aside.

Moments of quiet hung in the cave while April steadied herself against the hurt.

"So now what?" She lifted her eyes, her tone much softer than before. "Am I just supposed to head back? Resume my old life and erase you from my thoughts? How could I possibly? I even pursued you..." She nibbled her lip, despising the vulnerability in admitting it. "Damn, I'm such a fool."

"You're no fool, but this remains the wiser path," Rex responded at last. "Lingering by my side invites only more suffering. Twice already, April. Twice. You've teetered on death's edge because of me. I'd be cursed before allowing a third brush with peril.

"You ought to hold a grudge against me for that—I certainly would in your shoes."

Uttering those lines stung deeply.

She would despise him henceforth.

The mere idea of April's hatred felt like a blade twisting in his chest.

But if it helped her move forward, then he would endure it.

"Your family still awaits you. You're remarkably young for a Spirit," Rex turned his face aside and bowed his head. He blew out a heavy sigh, releasing the tension choking his throat. "Hold onto them, and let me fade from memory. It's far healthier this way."

April should grasp the reasoning.

She had witnessed the chaos, slaughter, and brutality marking every stride he made.

That was the route he embraced from the instant the System rescued him from oblivion.

This existence marked his second shot at life. And he poured it all into gaining the strength to achieve what eluded him previously—to shield those he cared for. But failure loomed possible.

Only recently, he had barely saved Nivellen.

April lingered beyond the core of his world. She could still depart unscathed. And she must.

The stains of blood on his hands defied simple cleansing.

Each kill, each consumption, seemed to draw that blood deeper into him, threatening to submerge him entirely. It lapped at his neck already, and soon it would claim his thoughts.

Then, the crimson tide would spill over to those around him.

April would sink too, and Rex dreaded envisioning her transformed by it.

To him, she shone as the most radiant moon in his sky.

During those endless years in the Forsaken Tower, confined to endless drills with no end in sight, moments arose when endurance frayed. He shed no tears. He voiced no gripes. He concealed it all. Yet somehow, April always sensed it and offered solace.

Maybe the isolation amplified his inner turmoil, or perhaps distance from his pack wrought this toll. Whatever the cause, she stood by him unfailingly. Even pausing her own regimen to ease his burdens.

Her glow anchored him against madness.

She embodied the moon, while he personified the void.

All she required were the gentle lights of stars for company, not the abyss that would consume her whole.

"Rex... I harbor no bitterness for what transpired," She murmured, her head lowered. Her voice cracked, but she fought to steady it. Grasping his hand, she raised her gaze to his. "But own up to it. Tell me to remain."

Rex longed to agree.

Welcoming one additional soul changed little. He possessed ample capacity for it.

But in an instant, her visage swapped with Rosie's gore-streaked one.

And it snuffed out every trace of warmth in him.

"This realm holds your rightful spot," Rex stated, his voice turning icy. "Mine lies elsewhere."

He brushed past her, stepping out of the cave.