The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1872: Tracked by Assassins

The underground hall was chilly and hushed. Light flickered solely from lanterns atop stone spires lining both walls, while a thin fog cloaked the floor etched with myriad symbols reminiscent of ancient shadowy rites.

A woman clad in a form-fitting latex combat suit lounged against one stone spire, biding her time.

She toyed with her flowing white hair using her kunai to combat the tedium.

Beneath her neck, just above her chest, a tattoo depicted a Roman numeral three inked deeply, topped by a hooded skull—her organization's emblem. “He’s half an hour late,” she muttered, tilting her head gently against the spire. “He’s never late, so I figure it went south.”

Right as she prepared to depart, footsteps resounded from the hall's far end.

Out of the gloom stepped a black-clad figure with a heavy purple shawl draped around his neck.

He clutched his limp left arm, reeking strongly of blood. He was injured.

“Shadow,” the woman pivoted. “How’d it turn out?”

“Disastrously,” Shadow halted, propping himself against a stone spire. “The Security Bureau labeled Keith’s death unnatural, no suspects, so I fed the organization a lie—claimed we took him out. But misfortune struck; Wicked Eye was present and detected my deception.”

“Not sure if you’re foolish for attempting it or gutsy for pulling it off,” the woman shook her head. “You knew this mission was vital for the organization. Keith essentially snatched a key figure from the Steel-Dome Realm—the very realm we owe a debt to—and you chose to fib? Why not reveal the truth that someone else got to him first?!”

“I... I didn’t want demotion,” Shadow gazed downward. “It hurts.”

“Sigh...” the woman rubbed her temples, exhaling sharply. “I get your frustration, but desperation kills in our trade. You’re fortunate to still breathe.”

“...”

Shadow’s survival after that stunt was nothing short of miraculous.

The organization must’ve been merciful today.

“What’s the organization’s verdict?”

“They demand we deliver Keith’s killer, dead or alive. It’s our final shot before replacement.”

“Wonderful. See what you’ve stirred up? We’ve got zero leads now.”

“Actually, we have one, Jessie,” Shadow cut in. “Recall that newcomer in the Southern Cavity? He seemed fresh to the Primordial Meadow, and Keith’s death timed perfectly with his arrival. Plus, three other Pale Defenders vanished besides Keith.”

“Any Pale Defenders nearby to question?” Jessie inquired.

“Moltan and Zev are in range,” Shadow answered. “Zev’s closer, though.”

“Zev then.” Jessie nodded.

Moments passed.

In a vast chamber stuffed with books and scrolls, a Southern Cavity map sprawled across the central table, a man hovered above it, pinpointing spots with careful intent. His concentration was unbreakable, balancing the risks of each marked site.

Zev.

Since the incident, he’d plunged into relentless scheming to trap the surviving Godlings.

Speed was essential.

Whipless now, he struggled to command the Gardeners.

Many lounged idly, and continued like this, he’d miss his quota—with dire repercussions. He craved his whip’s return, yet fulfilling Rex’s demand was his only path.

As he aimed to note another location, he toppled a silver chalice by mistake.

Wine splashed the map, drawing his curse.

“Fuck,” He swiftly cleared the spill with his energy. “Maid! Clean this mess!”

Silence.

Zev glanced at the window, scowling, “Didn’t you hear me?!”

“Sadly, they can’t,” A voice slithered into his ear, followed by a sharp chill against his neck. Zev peeked over his shoulder without fully turning, spotting the figure who’d sneaked behind him. “No stupid moves, or your head tumbles.”

“What’s your aim?” Zev lifted his hands. “Threatening a Pale Defender is illegal, you know?”

“Indeed, yet here I stand...” the figure hissed coldly.

Sweat beaded down his temple.

Breaching his citadel undetected past all defenses signaled either immense power or prior experience with Pale Defenders. Either way, the lurker hailed from a fearsome group.

Endangering a Pale Defender invited parliamentary wrath.

That fact deterred most.

Unlike Rex, new to this realm, this intruder grasped the stakes and proceeded anyway.

Another figure strode in boldly, shoving the door ajar while hauling a bloodied yet living maid by the collar. “Pale Defender Zev, forgive the unannounced visit.” She dropped the maid in a heap. “We seek answers. Provide them, and no harm comes.”

Zev stayed composed. “What info do you need?”

“Your domain adjoins Keith’s. Curious—any idea what befell him?”

“Why would I? Proper homework would show my dislike for Keith and Caspian.”

“No lies. We checked their citadels; staff claimed their lords met you before vanishing.”

Shadow dug the blade deeper, “We spotted a visitor-like man. Him? Did he slay Keith?”

At Shadow’s mention, Zev’s complexion drained. Pure terror.

Jessie noted it instantly.

“Spill on the visitor. Now.” Her palms slammed the table as she inched forward menacingly, like a predator narrowing in. “We’re no Security Bureau. No mix-up, no ruse. Talk, and you live free—no shackles, no cage.”

“Refuse...” She paused the quiet tensely—then struck with the threat. “And you won’t witness your maid tidying your spills.”

Then Jessie eyed the map below.

Markers caught her notice, furrowing her brow at the strangeness.

Pale Defenders herded Gardeners. Rivalries existed, but these pins suggested Zev calculated the fallout of eliminating fellow marked Pale Defenders.

“Listen—no beef with us. Your marks skip me,” Zev met Jessie’s stare directly. “But if I talk, swear you won’t drop my name to him. Promise that, and I’ll reveal all.”

“That terrified of him?”

“Seen plenty from lower planes, none like this one. Your word?”

True to their bargain, Jessie and Shadow released Zev after extracting the details. They hastened to the closest town, combing it for the perilous visitor. Zev noted he journeyed with stunning sisterly beauties, easing the hunt.

Though unspoken, he hinted this outsider slew Keith.

The other fallen Godlings likely fell to him too.

“Call in backup from another squad?” Jessie queried amid the throng.

Robes now cloaked them for camouflage.

“Owe them favors?” Shadow scoffed, shaking his head. “Never. What, you spooked by this guy too?” He shot Jessie a mocking look. “Zev’s from solid stock but youngish. Probably overblowing it.”

“Fine,” Jessie shrugged, though unease churned in her gut.

Pinpointing the visitor took mere instants.

Locals reported Enforcer Vadyn escorting him to Larta City.

After inspections, Jessie and Shadow faced a grand portal.

“Hive city bound...” Jessie tsked irritably.

“Caution ensures success,” Shadow flashed his black ring. “This erases traces on clean kills. Even Security Bureau can’t trace us.”

They stepped through, materializing in Larta City.

The portal dumped them in the outskirts randomly.

The town’s poorest zone remained neat, orderly, strictly governed.

Jessie and Shadow taxied straight to the central office—High Lord’s hub—settling in an opposite café. Quickly, they locked onto a target: a mere Demigod central office staffer.

He strolled somewhere afoot.

No warnings. No pauses. Shadow draped an arm buddy-like over the worker’s shoulders, blade piercing his gut. Jessie leaned to his ear, voice velvet over iron. “No yells. Comply, and you’re free.”

The worker frantically hit his emergency beacon.

But it failed repeatedly.

“Ease up,” Jessie murmured. “Avoid a pointless end.”

From him, Shadow and Jessie gleaned the visitor’s identity: Rex Silverstar.

He’d piqued the High Lord’s interest, landing under watch—placing him firmly in the city. A photo aided; an ability tracked him to a penthouse in a prestigious complex.

The building’s renown meant tight security.

Luckily, Shadow wielded Stealth Oustification, slipping past effortlessly.

He infiltrated Rex’s suite while Jessie stood guard outside for the cue.

It took time to locate the key-holding cleaning lady. Shadow lurked unseen outside the door, then struck gold as she neared Rex’s. Fortune smiled on him.

As she unlocked after knocking, he felled her.

“Damn, door unlocked?” Shadow grumbled.

He’d hunted keys unaware it was ajar.

Ominous, yet manageable.

Shadow slipped into the penthouse, sweeping for threats. Vacant. Safe. He hauled the lady inside, sealed the door, then materialized, adopting a guise. “Hello?” He announced. “Cleaning service. Occupied?”

No reply.

In the main lounge, his gaze locked on a wall portal.

Intrigued yet vigilant—Rex’s sisters loomed—Shadow neared it. Peering revealed an expansive void realm, Rex at its heart with two women.

Not sisters, though gorgeous.

‘He’s handed me victory,’ Shadow smirked inwardly, thrilled at Rex’s realm isolation. Simpler kill, uninterrupted. He vanished again. ‘Jessie’s unnecessary. I’ll handle solo.’

The instant he crossed in, Rex whipped around.

“Too grasping, you scum,” He growled darkly. “I see you...”