The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1889 1889: A Lesson from the Strong

Bellana existed, always enveloped by the protective aura of her parents.

Her days consisted of trailing behind her preoccupied father and mother, a conscious effort she made, believing it was the sole path to genuine closeness. It seemed preferable to remaining at home alone or indulging friends who merely sought to leverage her family's influence for their own gain.

However, her endeavors proved utterly fruitless.

Despite her presence, she was consistently excluded from significant discussions. Her parents' associates would engage her only in trivial conversations, inquiring about her current cultivation level or if she had a boyfriend—topics that held no interest for her.

Never did they speak of her parents.

Never did they broach subjects that might actually bridge the emotional distance between her and her family.

Occasionally, she perceived the faint fissures within their seemingly perfect world, glimpses where darkness threatened to surface, only to be swiftly shielded by her parents' overarching presence. Deep within her heart, Bellana harbored the unsettling knowledge that the world was far from a place of perpetual sunshine and joy.

The dramatic scene that unfolded at the restaurant now seemed insignificant.

It was not the hidden darkness she had sensed previously.

Now, that very darkness was laid bare before her eyes, unobstructed by any parental filter.

Rex stood, his form slightly stooped beneath the relentless rain. His eyes blazed crimson, appearing to possess an inner glow against the somber, grey panorama. He was a stark contrast to the person he appeared to be earlier, or when he confronted Aksa and his thugs at the restaurant.

He exuded an even more intimidating presence.

Toward her, he harbored no killing intent, yet his gaze felt suffocating, constricting her breath.

On the ground beside him lay the man whom she had encountered previously, but this individual was no longer a figure of menace.

Rex's formidable claws were deeply embedded in the man's left ribcage, piercing through flesh and sinew, anchored to bone as if by a butcher's sharpened steel. Blood welled from the grievous wound in weakening pulses, feeding the crimson pool that rapidly expanded beneath him. Bellana caught a partial view of his contorted face.

His eyes still flickered. His chest still hitched with shallow breaths. Barely alive, he teetered on the precipice of death.

"I…" Bellana stammered, disoriented by the horrific sight. "I don't understand. Was there truly any necessity to kill him?"

"He and his associates are wicked individuals," Rex replied, dragging the injured man closer to Bellana. He halted his advance when he noticed her instinctively step back, detecting a peculiar, acrid scent emanating from her. It was the distinct aroma of fear. "In the underground, there are individuals held captive in cages. Enslaved. Do you genuinely believe these wretches are deserving of leniency?"

"Should I simply hand them over to the authorities? What if some among them are complicit with their captors?"

Given Bellana's youthful appearance and apparent innocence, this rationale should have served as a plausible explanation.

If she possessed a strong moral compass, this justification should have been at least somewhat acceptable.

However, she was far from being that gullible.

"You're fabricating that," Bellana whispered, the words escaping her lips involuntarily. "You're lying. I observed the way you regarded Aaran, the others, and even how you look at me. We were nothing to you. I highly doubt you concern yourself with the welfare of slaves."

"I might be young and naive, but I can discern that much," she added, her voice imbued with a newfound conviction.

It was undeniably true that her parents had shielded her from the world's harsh realities.

They intended for her to believe in a world of perpetual sunshine and rainbows, yet she had absorbed more than they realized from their interactions and those of their peers. The art of reading people's expressions was one such faculty she had acquired, and from her vantage point, Rex's sole preoccupations seemed to be Davina and Lilliana.

Rex's features, which had momentarily adopted a veneer of justification, were now completely devoid of any such pretense.

He tilted his head slightly, and as if on cue, the torrential downpour subsided into a gentle drizzle.

This shift lessened the humidity in the air, allowing Bellana a clearer view of Rex.

"And so?" he inquired, his tone laced with challenge, prompting her to continue. "What if it is a fabrication? Are you suggesting that killing is inherently wrong?"

"No, I'm not implying that it is inherently wrong. Under the correct circumstances, it is acceptable to kill—"

"Under the correct circumstances…"

Rex let out a derisive snort at her words, a sound that amplified her perceived naivety even further.

"Under the correct circumstances? Such as what?" He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp. "After he attempted to end my life? Or perhaps after he took the life of someone dear to me? Enlighten me, Bellana, what constitutes the 'correct circumstances'? For once, I am genuinely curious to hear your answer."

Bellana found herself utterly speechless.

She was at a complete loss for words.

Deep down, she acknowledged that inflicting harm upon another without a justifiable cause was morally reprehensible.

However, articulating this conviction proved to be an insurmountable challenge.

"Observe your surroundings," Rex instructed, sweeping a circular gesture with his finger to encompass the entirety of the sprawling city. "Gaze upon this metropolis. Do you genuinely harbor the belief that the powerful individuals within it would refrain from slaying if it meant advancing their own strength? Do you truly imagine they would only resort to killing when personal grievances are involved? No—Bellana. The world operates on entirely different principles.

"Your uncle. Even your own parents. How do you surmise they attained their current standing?"

"Do not involve them in this," Bellana stated firmly, though her voice lacked the expected force. "They achieved their strength through access to resources that facilitated their growth. They did not indiscriminately kill others for their own selfish ends."

"Really?" Rex chuckled.

Observing Roger attempting to crawl away, Rex decisively stomped his back, pinning him down.

A pained wail erupted.

This was music to Rex's ears, yet a dreadful melody for Bellana.

"Resources are scarce. If one person obtains them, others must go without," Rex stated, noting the lingering defiance in Bellana's gaze. "Grim times are inevitable. When things are tranquil, seize the opportunity to strengthen yourself. This way, you'll be prepared when trouble arrives. You'll be able to eliminate anyone who dares to provoke you.

"These are the lessons I've learned through harsh experiences. This is why I act as I do." He clenched his fist tightly.

Painful memories flashed through his mind.

He understood that anyone treading the path of power would invariably encounter adversity.

No exceptions.

Even with this understanding, Rex's adversaries had still proven overwhelmingly powerful for him.

"Do you wish to witness your friends perish?"

"No…"

"Do you wish to witness your parents perish?"

"I don't."

"Then strive to comprehend my words," Rex declared, gripping Roger's hair and dragging him back. "Some life lessons require direct experience, while others do not. Let this be one of the latter."

He shoved Roger towards Bellana's feet. "Kill him."

Although Rex hadn't paid close attention during dinner, he had overheard snippets of Bellana's conversation. She had seemed hesitant to discuss her parents when Davina inquired, mentioning that they kept secrets from her.

A submerged anger was evident in her tone.

Rex surmised that Bellana desired a closer relationship with her parents, but they still underestimated her.

This became clear when she appeared so eager to befriend him. Aligning with someone like him would undoubtedly capture her parents' attention.

Consequently, having inadvertently witnessed his actions, Rex resolved to expose her to the harsher realities of the world.

"K-Kill him…?" Bellana looked at Rex, her eyes questioning his seriousness.

"Yes, kill him," Rex affirmed with a nod. "I require allies capable of carrying out necessary actions. I have no need for someone hesitant to assist me fully. If you aspire to be my friend, then kill him. Let's ascertain if you possess the resolve."

Roger had been an unwilling listener to their entire exchange.

After a formidable effort, he managed to push himself up from the ground, rising to his knees.

He clasped his hands together in a plea, begging for his life.

"I have a wife," he gasped, pressing a hand futilely against the wound in his abdomen—a gash that defied healing. "Two young sons. They depend on me." All his trump cards, even those he'd guarded closely, had been neutralized by Rex. It was as if those eyes penetrated his very being. "Spare me. I shall disappear. I shall retire. You will never lay eyes on me again."

"Kill him," Rex commanded, his expression devoid of remorse.

"I… I won't reveal anything about this incident. Please."

"Kill him."

"I'll set the slaves free. I promise!"

Bellana's body trembled, caught in indecision.

On one hand, this was precisely what she sought: to witness the dark facet her parents had shielded her from, thus enabling her growth and deeper understanding of them. Yet, on the other hand, she lacked the fortitude to take Roger's life.

Especially after he mentioned his family.

She simply could not do it.

"I… I cannot," she declared, clenching her fists and turning her face away. "I cannot kill him."

"A pity," Rex drawled, tilting his head back before nodding. "Then you shall learn through firsthand experience." He strode past Roger and then Bellana. "Do not follow me. Return home. I will deliver your belongings once I am finished."

Moments later.

Rex continued his journey towards the Southern Cavity to rendezvous with Zev once more.

He emerged into a setting that resembled a luxurious establishment—perhaps a hotel or an opulent apartment complex. Fortunately, no inquiries were made as he exited Aaran's room, a minor but appreciated convenience.

Within the status displays, the personnel there adopted a submissive posture upon seeing him.

Some even exhibited nervousness or apprehension.

It appeared the Godlings from Larta City held a position of esteem among the inhabitants of the Cavity.

Frankly, this was unsurprising. It mirrored the reverence shown by smaller cities in the human territories of the Mortal Realm towards Ratmawati City, regarded as the holy capital and humanity's bulwark against the Supernatural races.

Much like a central seat of power.

Furthermore, following the minor disruption, he could no longer afford to squander any precious time.

Letting that ruffian live leaves a sour feeling in my gut. It seems I'm on the verge of killing anyone who inconveniences me right now. I truly believed she would have ended him. But, it is what it is. I can quench this thirst later. After all, a few Pale Defenders are awaiting me.

Rex emerged from the building and promptly began inquiring about directions to the Southern Cavity.

The trek to the clearing felt longer without Bellana accompanying him, though the difference was merely in minutes, not hours. Dawn's light found him standing amidst the familiar scenery—the same trees, the same angle of the early morning sun. He made no effort to continue onward.

Instead, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to immerse in the tranquility.

His consciousness turned inward, gently probing the lingering essence still dormant within him.

This was a remnant left behind by the Nigh-Divine Adaptation skill.

And the perfect time had arrived to utilize it.

"System, I select the Cavity Skipper skill."

The moment he issued the command, a soothing aura enveloped his body. Something within him was undergoing a transformation. It was an imperceptible shift, and its effects were not immediately visible—but the information that soon flowed into his mind made its nature perfectly clear.

These were the necessary adaptations for him to wield the Cavity Skipper.

For the span of the next seven days, he and the Cavity became as one.

Much like the Pale Defenders or the Gardeners—he now possessed a connection to the Cavity. This enabled him to perceive beyond the ordinary sight. One thing he detected almost immediately was a distant smell of decay.

"Right, I still need to investigate that region."

Rex brought to mind the blighted area he had caught a fleeting glimpse of during his earlier explorations.

Curiosity had taken hold, and since he was already in the vicinity, he intended to investigate.

At the very least, after he had dealt with the Pale Defenders and Zev.

I haven't truly wronged anyone in Larta City. Thus, those assassins… is it you, Zev?

Rex's entire form flickered with a dark green luminescence—then he disappeared completely. Appearing a few miles ahead, he seemed to warp through the fabric of space, an act that should have been impossible. However, the Cavity Skipper skill facilitated this very feat.

With this ability, traversing hundreds of miles would consume no more than a few minutes.