The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1984: Reaching out to Edward

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Previously on The Invincible Full-Moon System...
High Lord Rashal is outnumbered in the upcoming duel, with only four fighters against seven. High Lord Ursa summons three powerful High Millinars, each wielding a Major Law that can restrict movement and power. Rashal surprises everyone by choosing Rex, a First-Star Awakened Demigod, over Vadyn. Rex, confident despite the odds and his allies' concerns, accepts the challenge. Rashal then agrees to Rex's risky request to summon a companion from the dangerous Chaos Realm, opening a volatile portal to do so.

Rex stared at High Lord Rashal and then at the portal.

He took a step forward, and then took the next—walking in a limbo as his heart hammered hard inside his chest, threatening to break a rib. Staring into this endless ocean of purple was surreal. It had inflicted him with many problems last time.

But now, it was safe.

He was safe.

High Lord Rashal and the Cluster Custodian were guaranteed to protect him in case anything happened.

Even then, that didn’t make the Chaos Realm less terrible.

As he approached the portal, he could feel its invisible energy drawing him, persuading him to visit the expanse. It feels like looking at the ocean’s surface from a boat in the middle of the night; the spirits of the ocean’s hand might lash out and pull him into the deep.

And as he stood before the portal, his eyes could pick up the swirling energy on the other side.

It was so incredibly united that one would need to really focus to see the movement.

Rex has never seen the Chaos Realm this clearly.

He did not pay attention last time—too focused on the creature beyond. Now, he could see Chaos in its purest form. Many troublesome problems that he had experienced recently were caused by this oceanic, purple expanse.

And it became even more surreal the more he thought about it.

Just a realm of swaying purple, yet it was capable of causing so much chaos and destruction.

High Lord Rashal caught Rex’s arm when he was about to step even closer.

"Don’t put your hand or anything through the portal," He warned, sensing the melancholy inside Rex’s mind and heart at the full view of the Chaos Realm. "Space and time work differently in there. You do not need to go overboard. Even a whisper might reach whoever you are trying to reach."

Rex saw the concern on High Lord Rashal’s face.

He blinked his eyes and focused on the moment again before giving a firm nod.

Only then did High Lord Rashal let his arm go.

"Edward..."

A whisper escaped Rex’s lips.

Calling for someone desperately wouldn’t be a good look for him, especially when he felt that all eyes were fixated on his back. But remembering that he might not get a chance like this soon, he firmed his will and cupped both hands on either side of his mouth.

"Edward!"

Rex roared out the name with a flicker of hope in his voice.

In the Mortal Realm, it had only been months since Edward was plunged into an unknown world. For Rex, it had been years since he’d watched his best friend being tortured after helping him win against the evil and despicable Fifthborn.

As for Edward, time may have stretched longer or collapsed shorter. Rex had no way of knowing.

Even High Lord Rashal and the Cluster Custodian don’t know.

It was clear to him that none of them knew much about the Chaos Realm other than it was dangerous.

But the thought of Edward forgetting his voice or being devoured by the Chaos Realm was awful.

He could feel his chest tighten from the anxiousness.

"Edward, can you hear me?!"

Emotions began to creep into his voice. He had never become emotional, even when staring death in the eye, and yet somehow, this was making his voice hoarse. Rex was really hoping for Edward to hear his voice and answer.

Rex didn’t need to be the one who saved him.

If High Lord Rashal could do it right now, then he’d take it.

As long as Edward could be rescued from this destructive realm, he would be happy.

"Edward! It’s me, Rex!"

Nothing.

Just the same calmness.

Just the same indifference as if nothing could reach the Chaos Realm’s depths.

"Damn it, Edward! I know you’re somewhere in there! I know you’re stronger than this!"

Still nothing.

Eventually, High Lord Rashal held his shoulder and squeezed, "It’s enough. I’m sure your voice reached him, but he couldn’t answer. The Chaos Realm corrupts, so I cannot retain this portal for too long. Just be content with this."

Rex stared at the Chaos Realm for a few seconds longer, and then turned away.

"He’s going to make me feel bad for killing him later."

"Still clinging to someone who’s already gone. That’s pathetic."

At the comment, Rex halted mid-step and turned toward the person who said that. His crimson eyes bore into the man in full-plated armor—the weight of that gaze coiled around him like a vise. The man involuntarily tensed, every muscle drawing tight.

Rex held the stare for a long, uncomfortable moment before he turned away and continued.

For the man, it felt like he was being marked for death, and it somehow annoyed him.

’He’s really weak.’ He thought inside. ’Why did my instincts react that strongly to his glare?’

High Lord Ursa opened another portal.

And from it, two more figures emerged, increasing their number to six.

Even though they were summoned without warning, the figures he called upon asked no questions. The two of them understood their purpose the moment they arrived. And like Alexander was to High Lord Rashal, their loyalty was absolute. Unwavering.

Laying down their lives for their High Lord is not a problem.

As long as their service would benefit their High Lord, then they are willing to do anything.

One more for High Lord Ursa’s side.

"Have you settled on who to pick?" The Cluster Custodian glanced over to High Lord Rashal. "Just two more, and then we can proceed."

"Rex?" High Lord Rashal glanced at Rex. "Do you have someone in mind?"

"Yes." Rex nodded.

His mind was still clouded from the Chaos Realm, thoughts drifting like smoke. Even though he didn’t get any answer from Edward, he was already glad enough that he had the chance to call his name. If what High Lord Rashal said was true, if Edward could hear his voice but couldn’t respond—then even that silence held something precious.

It was worth it.

At least now, Edward knew that Rex was still searching for a way to rescue him.

That Rex hadn’t forgotten him and left him for good in that terrible realm.

Hope could get anyone far.

And for someone strong like Edward, it would no doubt keep him from being corrupted by chaos.

But regardless of that, Rex also already had someone in mind.

Knowing that the chances of Edward being rescued from the Chaos Realm were low, he had already prepared another candidate. Not that there are many he could choose from. Rex didn’t have that many allies, and this duel made that vividly clear.

It’s a good thing that he could work it out with High Lord Rashal.

"Vadyn!" High Lord Rashal turned towards the seats. "And, Davina, come down here."

Vadyn stood up, expecting to be called one way or another.

But Davina, on the other hand, was completely blindsided.

She leaned back against her seat, exchanged a look with Lilliana, and then stared straight ahead again.

"Me?" She looked at High Lord Rashal and pointed her index finger at her face.

Just the realization that she was really being summoned to fight in the Purgation Duel struck her like a physical blow. A battle between Demigods. She turned to Lilliana; her voice was light in confusion and disbelief. "I haven’t even attained my werewolf form yet. And even if I had, I doubt I’d be as strong as they. What use could I possibly be?"

"Just go." Lilliana crossed her arms and shrugged. "I’m sure many things were taken into consideration."

Despite the shock, she still stood up, leaped down, and landed right beside Rex.

Seeing her made the Demigods from High Lord Ursa’s side snicker, as her divinity was feeble.

Some would even say that she’s not qualified to be a Demigod.

And she wasn’t surprised to see their reaction.

If she were on the other side and saw someone like her being picked, she would also laugh, thinking that High Lord Rashal was playing around. Or maybe she’d be angry, thinking he was underestimating them for picking someone of her caliber.

She knew that this was probably Rex’s idea.

No doubt that it was his suggestion.

But even so, Davina was even more surprised that High Lord Rashal would even allow Rex to pick her.

"Any reason that you’re picking me?" Davina leaned toward Rex and whispered.

"Why do you ask?" Rex chuckled at her worry. "Are you afraid?"

"It’s not a matter of being afraid or not. Bringing a burden like me would only be your downfall."

"Davina, your bloodline’s potential is almost as high as mine. You command the moon and stars."

"Considering that those are my powers, I think I know them better than you. Still, I’m not a Demigod."

Of course, theoretically, Davina was absolutely correct. A Demigod was someone bound to a God and gained divinity through pleasing said God. It was not the case for Davina as she wasn’t tied to a God in a normal sense, and the sliver of divinity she had wasn’t granted by a God—but through her bond to the Silverstar Pack.

And a member of the Silverstar Pack inherently gained divinity straight from Rex.

Rex was no God.

Not yet.

So, she wasn’t a Demigod in a normal sense. Just an imitation.

"Come on, princess. Aren’t you normally sharp?" Rex teased with a playful smile.

Seeing her think only made his smile wider.

On the other hand, Davina looked at Rex with her forehead creased into a frown, at High Lord Rashal, and then at the enemies. She was contemplating what Rex could possibly be thinking to bring her into the fold.

Unable to see her suffer any longer, Rex chuckled inwardly.

"Focus on their auras, and then on my aura." He said, deciding to give a hint.

Davina did exactly that.

She focused on the auras of the enemies, sensing the heat and dangerous air that was coming from each one of them. Just as expected, they were all monsters who had shed an insurmountable amount of blood. And then she turned to focus on Rex.

Rex surpassed them when it came to bloodlust.

Just looking at his crimson eyes alone felt like staring into a blood sea.

His predatory instincts are superior; that much was clear.

However, in terms of divinity, he was severely lacking even compared to the weakest Demigod on the other side.

And it was only then that it clicked in Davina’s mind.

"I see..." Davina nodded her head and then crossed her arms. She felt like a small pebble among giant boulders seconds ago, but now, that air of inferiority was no longer clinging to her skin. She became a lot more confident after knowing what Rex’s plan was. "I hope you’d treat it seriously—since I doubt I could go back once the bond was made."

"Of course," Rex grinned. "It’s going to make a bond with me, too, so it’s going to be a good one."

"How are you going to make it do what we wanted?"

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Meanwhile, the Cluster Custodian glanced over to High Lord Ursa.

Now that High Lord Rashal had called all of his warriors, High Lord Ursa was the only one remaining.

He only needed one more to complete his row.

A few seconds later—his eyes flickered as a figure came to mind. His last warrior. Some of the figures he summoned would not like his choice, but he was certain this last warrior would help him immensely, as he already had.

"Diamantona!" High Lord Ursa called. "Come down here and be my last warrior!"

Almost instantly, Rex’s grin stretched even wider.

Slowly, he turned towards the seats and locked eyes with Diamantona, who was surprised that he was the one who got picked as High Lord Ursa’s last warrior. "You see...?" Rex mumbled inwardly. "The time for us to clash might come sooner than expected."