The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 5 Blood Moon

Upon waking the next morning, Rex was greeted by a holographic alert hovering in his vision, referencing the daily task he had encountered the previous day.

<Daily Quest Failure, Sanity Decreases by 20%>

Rex merely shrugged at the sight of the notification. Feeling no physical change, he thought, 'Just as I suspected, it’s nothing more than a game. But this ridiculous system actually claims I’m a half-blood? What a load of nonsense.'

With those thoughts, Rex looked down, testing his physical condition.

He lifted his arm and squeezed his fists several times. Remarkably, every trace of his previous pain and injury had vanished, a recovery that could only be described as miraculous.

Realizing his body had fully mended, he resolved to discharge himself from the military hospital immediately.

His bag sat ready by the bedside. Rex climbed out of bed, fastened his favorite necklace, and began gathering his belongings.

Once finished, he exhaled deeply and stepped out of the ward.

He encountered the same nurse from the day before, and after a final mandatory check-up from the physician, he was finally cleared to leave the facility.

“Again, we thank you for your service!” the nurse called out, waving enthusiastically as he departed.

Rex offered a reciprocal wave before turning his back on the building.

The intense heat of the sun hit him the moment he stepped outside. Nearby, rows of new recruits were jogging in formation, oddly enough singing barbie songs as they moved.

The scene triggered a wave of nostalgia.

Rex let out a soft chuckle as he remembered his own first day in the service; it remained a core, unforgettable memory.

This particular military installation was nicknamed the "Noob Box." It served as the primary training ground where teenagers like Rex were drilled for at least a year before being deployed against the Supernatural. It was the very place where Rex’s own journey had started.

While the fresh recruits appeared fine on the surface,

The thick tension in the air was unmistakable. One only had to observe the intensity of their drills to understand their anxiety; these youths were destined for the front lines against the Supernatural, a terrifying prospect for any beginner.

Even now, despite his resentment, a deep-seated fear of the Supernatural remained etched into Rex’s psyche.

The sheer brutality that the Supernatural brought into the world could inflict a lifelong psychological trauma. It was the reason so many veterans returned with shattered minds.

Watching the recruits, Rex sighed to himself, 'I hope they can handle it; the battlefield is a merciless place.'

After a final look around the Noob Box, Rex adjusted the straps of his bag and made his way toward the exit, eager to move on.

Having successfully completed his first major mission, he had been discharged to seek more advanced training.

His mother had informed him yesterday that he would be attending a university for further instruction—the military’s way of rewarding its war heroes.

Rex’s previous mission had been a classified operation.

While the military possessed more seasoned soldiers, Rex and his companions were selected specifically because of their ties to the USR.

Membership in the USR was restricted to a select few.

Typically, the USR only recruited the most elite talents, but Rex, Kyle, and Edward had been groomed within the unit since they first joined the military.

This specialized training was the reason the trio was part of the USR and why they were chosen for that specific mission.

As Rex walked toward the gates of the Noob Box, he was treated like a celebrity. Passersby greeted him with reverence, a result of the recent public ceremony held to honor him and his team.

Some recruits even looked at him as their ultimate role model.

The conflict in Dwight City was just one theater in the ongoing global war between Humanity and the Supernatural, a siege that had lasted three years.

The human cost in Dwight City had been catastrophic, with the deaths of tens of thousands of regular soldiers.

This was largely due to the relentless waves of Ghouls serving as the Supernatural's expendable infantry, which allowed higher-ranking Supernatural entities to conserve their power for devastating strikes.

Consequently, the operation led by Rex and his team had required a full year of meticulous planning.

It was only through their efforts that Humanity finally gained the upper hand, prompting the UWO to organize a grand ceremonial display of gratitude.

Rex’s current residence was in Ratmawati City.

Since the Supernatural first appeared, Humanity had been forced to retreat, surrendering half the globe. In response, nations formed a desperate coalition known as the Elpida Alliance—humanity's final bastion.

Ratmawati City was one of the eight major metropolises within the Elpida Alliance, housing seventy million citizens.

Upon leaving the Noob Box, Rex gave a brief nod to the sentries at the gate before hailing a taxi to take him home.

As he settled into the backseat, his phone began to vibrate.

The rock anthem he used as a ringtone filled the car. He checked the screen and saw it was his mother calling.

“Hello, Mom?” Rex said after swiping to answer.

Mrs. Greene’s worried voice immediately filled the line. “Where are you? Are you really feeling alright? You shouldn't have just checked yourself out like that.”

“I’m fine, Mom. I’m actually in a taxi heading home right now,” Rex answered with a quiet laugh.

It felt like an eternity since he’d heard his mother fret over him. His years in the military had robbed him of the normal life they might have shared.

However, a quiet life wasn't his goal; he still carried the burden of avenging his biological parents.

Mrs. Greene sighed, yielding to his stubbornness, but her tone quickly turned upbeat. “Fine, you’re a grown man now, so I’ll trust you. Meet me at Nokas Mall—we’re going to celebrate your return!”

Rex hesitated for a moment, weighing the invitation.

After a brief thought, he decided, 'A little relaxation won't hurt, especially after finally being discharged.'

He confirmed he would meet her and hung up.

The streets were congested, and the taxi soon became stuck in a heavy traffic jam. Bored, Rex opened a news application on his phone, only to be startled by a massive headline.

‘Tribute to the Saviors of Dwight City’

The article detailed the UWO’s decision to award him and his teammates the Medal of Honor, confirming what his mother and the nurse had mentioned. It was a formal acknowledgment of their bravery.

Scrolling down, Rex saw that the comment section was exploding with activity.

The majority of users were offering heartfelt thanks and blessings to Rex and his team for ending the bloody stalemate in Dwight City, while others used the platform to vent their hatred for the Supernatural.

'I guess there are still plenty of good people out there,' Rex thought, a small smile forming.

He continued scrolling until he found a report regarding the institution he was likely to join.

‘Grand Opening of Ochyra University’

Rex stared at the photos of the campus and gasped.

'Are they serious? That’s not a school; that’s a literal Kingdom!' Rex yelled internally. The images showed Ochyra University looking more like a sprawling fortress-castle than an academic center.

Located in the heart of Ratmawati City, the university was colossal.

Its scale was so immense that it looked capable of housing tens of millions. The sheer architectural ambition of the place was staggering.

Rex glanced out the taxi window to his right and was shocked to see the distant spires of the university visible on the horizon.

Despite being on the far edges of the city's third sector, the school’s massive silhouette dominated the skyline.

'That’s certainly something new,' Rex thought, shaking his head in disbelief.

After a grueling crawl through traffic, Rex finally reached Nokas Mall.

He looked up and noticed the sky was already beginning to darken.

The journey had taken far longer than expected due to the congestion. He hurried inside to meet Mrs. Greene at an upscale restaurant located on the top floor.

When he located their table, he realized his mother wasn't alone.

Three strangers were seated with her.

The first was a middle-aged man in a sharp formal suit. His hair was greyed with age, yet his powerful physical presence suggested the vitality of a man in his thirties.

Beside him sat a middle-aged woman who was already watching Rex’s approach from a distance.

Rex immediately noticed her striking hazel eyes, which seemed to catch the light. However, his attention was quickly drawn to the stunning young woman sitting next to her.

The resemblance was clear.

Rex concluded she was their daughter. Her dark, curly hair reached her collarbones, and her flawless skin was perfectly complemented by a black gown. The dress featured a cut-out at the waist, highlighting a very graceful and attractive figure.

'Who are these people? Mom didn't mention bringing guests,' Rex wondered.

Mrs. Greene spotted him and waved, and Rex signaled back as he reached the table.

“Rex, come meet everyone. This is the Acosta family,” she said, before turning to the man. “Acostas, this is my son, Rex Silverstar.”

The middle-aged man stood up to greet him.

He offered a slight bow and extended his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Rex. I am Muji Reel Acosta, an old friend of your mother’s. You can just call me Muji.”

Rex took the hand firmly, offering a polite smile. “It’s an honor, Sir.”

“You’ve become quite the sensation overnight. The media is full of stories about the Heroes of Dwight City,” Muji remarked, maintaining a steady, piercing gaze.

Rex’s brow furrowed as he sensed something off.

The grip Muji held felt less like a greeting and more like a probe. 'He’s testing me... but for what?' Rex thought, puzzled.

As they shook hands, a holographic display suddenly flickered into existence next to Muji.

<Muji Reel Acosta> Power: Rank 4 Awakened - Wind Elementalist Mental: ?? Strength: ?? Agility: ?? Endurance: ?? Intelligence: ??

Rex was stunned. 'Is this actually happening? Is the system reading Muji's data? Or is this just some elaborate hallucination?'

He shook the thought away and tried to withdraw his hand, but he stopped. 'Wait...'

When Rex attempted to pull back, Muji’s grip tightened significantly, refusing to let go.

Muji began to apply crushing force to Rex’s hand.

Rex looked at the man in confusion. The pressure became intense, bordering on painful.

Seeing that Rex didn't fight back with any significant strength, Muji finally released him and turned back toward his family.

His wife and daughter looked at Muji with expectation, but he simply shook his head in disappointment.

Rex caught that exchange and felt a flash of realization. His expression became neutral as he understood the nature of the "test."

Muji proceeded with the introductions anyway.

“This is my wife, Cinta, and my daughter, Rosie,” Muji said, gesturing to the two women.

Both women smiled at Rex, and he politely returned the gesture.

Once they were all seated, Rex shot his mother a questioning look.

Mrs. Greene explained, “Muji and I go way back.”

“He mentioned a few days ago that he was looking for a suitable partner for young Rosie here, so I thought it was the perfect time for an introduction,” she added.

Rex internally groaned, wanting to facepalm.

'Just as I thought. Muji was checking to see if I was an Awakened. He’s clearly let down that I’m not one, despite my reputation as a hero.'

After some brief small talk,

Mrs. Greene looked between Rex and Rosie and suggested, “Why don't you two take a walk around the mall? It’s better to get to know each other without us old folks hovering.”

“Um... I think talking here would be ju—” Cinta began with a tight smile.

Mrs. Greene cut her off. “Nonsense! It’ll be awkward for them with us around.”

She gave Rex a meaningful look, forcing a wry smile onto his face.

He couldn't bring himself to refuse his mother after being away so long. Helplessly, he turned to the girl. “Rosie, would you like to walk with me?”

Rosie looked at her parents for approval before accepting the invitation.

The two of them left the restaurant side-by-side.

The visual contrast between them was glaring. Rex was dressed casually in a t-shirt and shorts, while Rosie was in a high-end formal gown. It was an awkward pairing.

Rosie looked visibly annoyed as she glanced down at her attire.

Noticing her sour mood, Rex said softly, “If you want to go change, I don’t mind waiting. That dress looks uncomfortable for a casual walk.”

“I’m fine,” she snapped.

They walked through the mall corridors for a few minutes.

Rosie eventually realized they were just walking in circles and frowned. She turned to Rex and asked, “So, where exactly are we going?”

“Oh? I’m surprised you haven’t left yet,” Rex said, feigning shock.

He continued nonchalantly, “Given how annoyed you look about dressing up to meet a non-Awakened like me, I figured you would have ditched me after the first lap.”

“So you noticed?” Rosie said with a scoff.

She continued, “Good. Non-Awakened people rarely achieve anything significant. Since I am an Awakened, I have no interest in you. Honestly, what you’ve done is impressive enough for someone of your kind.”

With a toss of her hair, she turned to walk away from him.

Rex shrugged, completely indifferent to her departure. But as he went to move, he suddenly froze.

Without warning, a wave of intense heat flooded his body.

A holographic window snapped into view:

<Blood Moon will start in ten minutes> <Checking Stats...> <Adding Mental stats into user's Sanity> <The user's Sanity stats is still not sufficient to control the Blood Moon blessing>

Rex was panicked. His internal temperature spiked so high that his breathing became rapid, and his exhales turned into visible steam as if he were standing in the freezing cold.

He felt a terrifying sensation building within him, and it was becoming painful.

The sudden physical distress drew strange looks from the surrounding shoppers. Realizing he needed to hide, Rex bolted toward the mall exit, seeking a secluded spot.

As she walked away, Rosie intentionally slowed her pace.

She expected Rex to try and defend his pride after her harsh comments. Most men would have at least tried to get the last word.

But Rex never followed.

Rosie turned around, only to see Rex sprinting down the escalator with a look of pure agony on his face. She stared in disbelief.

Then, she narrowed her eyes as she noticed faint wisps of white steam rising from his skin.

'What is wrong with him?' she wondered. Curious, she decided to follow him; she suspected the Hero of Dwight City was hiding a secret.

Meanwhile, Rex was pushing through the crowds toward the exit.

He burst out of the mall into the open air and looked up, only to be met by the sight of a brilliant, crimson Blood Moon hanging in the sky.

“Look, Mom! The moon turned red!” a young boy nearby shouted, pointing upward.

Rex glanced at the child and was suddenly hit by a violent, inexplicable urge to tear him apart. The bloodlust was overwhelming. Rex clutched his head, struggling with all his might to suppress the savage impulse.

After a grueling moment, he managed to regain a shred of focus and opened his status screen.

<Rex Silverstar> Level: 1 (0/100) Race: Half-Blood Full-Moon: 01:47 minutes - Blood Moon Berserk: 20% Sanity: 27% Mental: 2 Strength: 9 Agility: 7 Endurance: 6 Intelligence: 0 <Average Human Adults have 5-7 points for each stat except for Intelligence>

The timer indicated the Blood Moon would reach its peak in less than two minutes. 'What the hell is happening to me?!' he screamed internally.

Then, he looked down at his hands.

His eyes widened in horror. He could feel—and see—the bones in his hands shifting and restructuring. Thick hair began to sprout rapidly across his arms. 'This can't be real!'

As he panicked, his entire field of vision began to bleed into a dark, visceral red.

<Unable to contain the effect of the Blood Moon, the user is overwhelmed with Bloodlust> <Transformation will begin shortly>