The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1885: Shady Vault

Rex peered through the car's side mirror, a quick glance to confirm if he was being followed.

Three spies were tailing him constantly.

They had granted him some space during dinner, but as soon as it concluded, they were back on his trail. Liebert, in particular, was showing heightened diligence, reducing his distance from a previous kilometer to merely half that. This suggested the encounter with Aksa had placed Rex firmly in his sights.

However, Rex understood he had no alternative but to confront them, especially since Aksa's pursuit was relentless. Resistance was unavoidable.

Fortunately, Bellana was there to assist him in navigating this complex situation.

Before parting ways with Rex, Davina, and Lilliana, Bellana provided him with three crucial items. The first was a sleek black leather glove designed to mask his presence. The second was a perfume engineered to mimic his scent and aura. The third was a teleportation device.

These tools enabled him to reach the police headquarters undetected, allowing him to meet with Aaran.

It appeared Davina’s advice about cultivating connections had proven accurate.

So seamless was the execution that Rex found himself astonished.

Even now, the System detected no sign of the spies, indicating they were likely still lingering near the penthouse. They remained deceived.

"How were you able to prepare these items so swiftly?" Rex inquired, turning to Bellana as she drove at a steady pace. "You produced those three things on the spot. I can understand the glove, but the perfume and the teleportation device?"

"It's my father," Bellana replied with a sheepish smile. "He's rather strict, so I often have to do things like this."

Rex had harbored a suspicion, but her confirmation still surprised him.

Given her remarkable preparedness, her father must indeed maintain an exceptionally strict household.

"I hope I don't get into trouble for being associated with you."

"You won't. He won't find out."

Bellana's confident tone provided Rex with reassurance.

Yet, this prompted further contemplation.

Aaran's portal was situated on the opposite side of the city. The journey would be extensive.

Larta City's sheer size surpassed Rex's expectations, potentially dwarfing even Ratmawati City in its sprawling expanse. According to Bellana, traversing the city from one end to the other could take an entire day of driving, even under optimal traffic conditions, highlighting its immense scale.

Fortunately, they anticipated reaching the portal in approximately five hours.

During the initial leg of their journey, Bellana remained unusually quiet.

"What's on your mind?" Rex asked, leaning his head back and glancing her way. "You seem to have something to say."

"Ah—I'm sorry," she offered an apology. "I recently obtained my driver's license, so I'm still a bit nervous about conversing while driving."

"You witnessed what transpired inside the interrogation room, didn't you?"

"..."

Rex could easily discern her thoughts.

Perhaps his past encounters with ruthless and barbaric adversaries before ascending to the God Realm had made him forget that this world operated under a system of law. Unlike Davina or Lilliana, who would show no hesitation regarding his actions, this young woman beside him was evidently different.

The interrogation methods employed must have deeply unsettled her.

And at this moment, she was likely regretting her decision to assist Rex.

However, having committed to the journey, she was now obligated to see it through, effectively trapped.

"If you're finding this difficult, then voice your concerns. You might as well ask, given that we're here."

"Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Did you kill Aaran's sister? Is that genuinely her... finger?"

Rex let out a short laugh.

He had anticipated the question, yet found it amusing nonetheless.

"Why are you laughing?" Bellana glanced at him, a hint of a pout on her lips. The car swerved slightly as she momentarily lost focus, but she quickly regained control. It seemed her earlier statement about only recently acquiring her license held true. "It's not funny!"

"It's a bit amusing," Rex responded, shaking his head. "No, of course not. When would I have had the opportunity to do that?"

"You implied you did when Davina informed you about her arrangement with him."

"Yes, that was a fabrication. Merely the most plausible scenario to make Aaran believe it."

"So, it wasn't? Phew..." Bellana visibly relaxed, slumping back into her seat. Her body, tense for hours during the drive due to the fear of being in the presence of someone who could kill as easily as breathing, finally eased. "I was so terrified. You should have clarified sooner! I had assumed you were the type to eliminate someone over a minor transgression."

"I'm not a Seer," Rex chuckled. "How could I possibly read your mind?"

He understood that while he had only implied the act of killing Aaran's sister, he would have been prepared to carry it out.

Had Aaran refused to surrender, a more extreme measure would have been necessary.

Meanwhile, Bellana's eyes widened slightly, and her body stiffened once more, a dawning realization crossing her features.

'It might not be Aaran's sister's finger, but it's still a real finger, isn't it...?' She swallowed hard. It appeared she was indeed seated next to a killer. "May I ask another question? Was it necessary to go to such lengths with Aaran?"

"State your point clearly," Rex responded with a sigh of weariness. "Which aspect do you believe I overstepped?"

The ongoing discussion was starting to wear on Rex's patience.

It felt eerily similar to conversations he'd had with Kyran back in his naive, unseasoned, and vulnerable days.

The crucial distinction, however, was that the woman beside him now was a Demigod, an entity of immense power.

Someone blessed with the inherent advantages of possessing a divine heritage.

"You know... involving his family and everything," she elaborated. "I don't think such drastic measures were necessary."

Rex had to admit, on some level, her words held a ring of truth.

He could have employed numerous other tactics to extract the information he needed from Aaran. Physical torment was a consistently effective method, yet strategic patience and subtle manipulation offered their own distinct advantages. Dragging his family into the ordeal felt like an excessive, heavy-handed approach when mere pain would likely have sufficed.

However, his past encounters with adversaries had taught him a valuable, albeit harsh, lesson.

Not a single one of them had shown the slightest consideration for his own family's safety.

Therefore, he saw no compelling reason to extend such courtesy to his own enemies.

At the very least, he maintained a semblance of restraint, choosing not to inflict harm upon their loved ones unless it became an absolute necessity.

"Just focus on driving," Rex commanded.

His tone had taken on a chilling edge, a subtle shift that Bellana recognized immediately, as he made no effort to conceal his displeasure.

This very conversation brought to the forefront the grim reality that Kaiser and the other Lunirich Gods were actively pursuing his family, intending to inflict pain and shatter his resolve. He urgently needed to reach his intended destination and augment his strength sufficiently along the journey to make the Lunirich Gods comprehend the bitter taste of being on the defensive.

Their prolonged existence as Gods had fostered an unshakeable arrogance.

Rex was determined to remind them what it felt like to be vulnerable, like mere mortals.

A few moments later.

"Is this the place?" Rex inquired, peering through the car window at a dimly lit alleyway.

"It's supposed to be," Bellana confirmed, her fingers making contact with the dashboard screen. A frown creased her brow as she examined the illuminated map. She double-checked the coordinates, half-anticipating a simple typographical error. Her inspection revealed none. "Yes. This is it." She gestured towards a narrow passage wedged between two imposing structures. "We simply need to proceed through that alley, and our destination will be on the left."

According to Bellana's information, a secure vault, specifically designed for housing portals, was located there.

Much like a financial institution, it served the purpose of safeguarding personal portals.

It operated within a similar industry to Bellana's own established business.

As Rex had previously learned, the act of breaching the dimensional fabric of the Primordial Meadow to establish a gateway to another dimension necessitated the acquisition of a specific permit. These permits existed on various tiers, and the one Rex had obtained from High Lord Rashal granted him a permanent authorization.

This meant the portal would remain accessible indefinitely, until Rex himself initiated its closure.

Given that he had secured it directly from the High Lord himself, this outcome was hardly surprising.

However, a permit alone only facilitated the creation of a portal from one originating point. To establish a connection to a predetermined destination realm, explicit authorization from the governing entity of that realm was required. A higher tier of authority existed above the one Rex currently possessed, known as the Primordial Authority–an entity with whom he was currently in negotiations with the High Lord.

This portal vault served as a central repository for the portals of numerous individuals.

Beyond being a mandatory requirement, it offered a high degree of security, preventing unauthorized access without proper identification.

It was only recently that Rex had realized the convenience of his own penthouse providing a direct means to open a portal.

During their journey, Rex had observed a multitude of portal vault establishments.

These were official enterprises, characterized by their substantial and well-lit structures, rendering them easily visible from virtually any vantage point. In stark contrast, the alley they were now approaching offered no indication of illumination, merely piles of refuse and walls adorned with expressive graffiti. The overall impression was unmistakably that of a disreputable location.

Bellana herself began to question the accuracy of the location Aaran had provided.

Rex scanned the alley, his eyes catching sight of individuals passing through an entrance guarded by a flimsy chain-link fence.

The coordinates had to be accurate.

Rex exited the vehicle, the car door closing with a soft, resonant click. He surveyed his surroundings, first to his left, then to his right. The street was deserted, a desolate void within Larta City. An unnerving stillness permeated the air, cloaked in the shroud of darkness.

A less experienced individual might have felt an unsettling sensation crawl up their spine.

However, Rex's prior involvement with the Black Hands unit of the SCO had desensitized him to such anxieties. This situation presented no particular threat.

"Remain here," he instructed, placing a hand on the car door. "I shall not be long."

As he took a few tentative steps forward, the sound of another car door opening and closing reached his ears.

Bellana had also exited the vehicle.

"I am accompanying you," she stated firmly. Before Rex could voice an objection, she continued, "You will be unfamiliar with the intricacies of the Cavity once you pass through the portal. I, however, possess that knowledge. My father conducts regular business there. Furthermore—" She raised an eyebrow pointedly. "Do you truly believe I would be safer remaining alone in the car?"

Rex felt a surge of protest rise within him, but he ultimately restrained himself.

He had brought her to this location, and as such, he bore the responsibility for her safety.

Keeping her in his immediate vicinity was the only logical course of action.

His initial intention was to project an aura of intimidation, to ensure that the individuals he was about to meet would not impede his objectives, especially if he were alone. However, the presence of Bellana, with her outwardly innocent and unassuming demeanor, would undoubtedly undermine this strategy.

"Maintain a composed demeanor. Refrain from glancing around. I shall handle all the discussions."

"Understood."

Before long, a derelict warehouse loomed into sight.

A number of individuals were stationed outside, each holding a weapon of origin-rank quality. They bore the appearance of common thugs, yet their formation displayed a surprising level of order. The instant Rex passed through the gate, he discerned a dozen sets of eyes fixing upon him.

Some gazes were overt, while others emanated from unseen vantage points.

Regardless, their sheer number presented a challenge.

"You are trembling," Rex stated in a hushed tone, noting Bellana’s palpable unease in response to the scrutiny. "Do not give in to fear. Apprehension will only embolden them. You are with me. If I so choose, I could eliminate them all before you even register their demise."

This reassurance seemed to alleviate Bellana’s distress somewhat.

As they reached the warehouse's main entrance, a man positioned himself directly in their path.

"State your reason for being here," he inquired plainly. "This is not a thoroughfare for casual visitors."

Perceiving Bellana’s avoidance of direct eye contact, two additional men flanking the entrance rose to their feet and advanced.

They proceeded to circle Rex and Bellana, assessing them with keen appraisal.

One of them even lightly brushed against Bellana’s hair, causing her to recoil.

"A portal pass," Rex announced, retrieving a small ornate box from his pocket and opening it. Within lay a miniature orb imbued with swirling energy, bearing Aaran’s distinctive mark. The pass itself depicted two sickles joined at their handles, intertwined with root-like tendrils. "My business is urgent."

The man accepted the orb and examined it closely.

He recognized the emblem, yet Rex himself was unfamiliar.

"This permit was issued to that youth, Aaran," he declared, returning the orb to its case. "However, I do not recognize your face. Who are you? And by what right do you possess Aaran’s permit?"

Following a subtle gesture from the man’s hand, the other two toughs drew their weapons.

"Should you fail to provide a satisfactory explanation, this warehouse shall become your final resting place."