The Invincible Full-Moon System

Because of the quest from the System, and the plea from Queen Shanaela, Rex gathered an army comprised of powerful individuals to tackle Shadow. He sent three Alpha Primes to aid the operation and make sure that it succeeded.

Initially, the plan was to take out Shadow and end its reign once and for all.

Killing the beast would put the Elves at peace of mind.

However, that task proved to be extremely difficult to complete, Shadow is too strong.

Not even the Demon Moon's help could allow them to overpower it completely.

So there was no other choice but to change the plan.

Instead of killing Shadow, it's better to lure it away from the core Elven territory instead.

Of course, Shadow could find a way to reach them once again but at the very least—for now, this immediate threat would be contained. Shadow is attacking the Elven villages relentlessly and also expanding its dominion, this has to stop.

Due to its movement, the Elves were forced to engage in a direct confrontation.

If Shadow was lured away, more options would open to handling it other than direct combat.

And this plan was more successful than the last, Shadow took the bait.

Other than completing the quest and helping Queen Shanaela, this also gave an overview of their current power against, the Order Beasts. Shadow is not quite a Lord yet, but it was this formidable already.

Just from this alone, going against a Lord-class Order Beast would be too much.

It would take ten times more effort than this or even more to properly take down a Lord.

Now Dravitar's power became clearer and clearer.

Rex thought that he was able to block its attack—when in actuality, that attack was nothing but a simple flick, by Dravitar. If Dravitar really wanted him dead, then he would probably be dead already by now.

A Lord wannabe was already this strong so a Ruler would be ridiculously strong.

Moreover, there were a couple of things to learn from this.

Fighting an Order Beast inside its own dominion was a bad move, it increased the difficulty.

Shadow's death mana was stronger and relentless from being in its dominion.

Additionally, a Knight would have an unfinished dominion, but it could still pose a threat, the Knight could control its elements to its advantage. Exactly like now—Shadow could harness and control the inverted trees' roots to serve its will.

Its control even expanded not only to the trees but other plants around.

Lastly, an Order Beast nearing or above the Knight class has access to a transformation.

A Tribulation and that's important information.

Crash!

Rex's clone slid on the ground to avoid bone spikes in front of him—and managed to get out of the Verdantveil Forest. He was now in a clearing—before meeting another forest ahead, it was all forests here in the Elven Kingdom's territory.

Glancing over his shoulder, he nodded as the plan was going smoothly.

Good, we can do this. Five more miles.

Flunra, Valkis, Fenrik—and also Mavok were completely immersed in stopping Shadow from reaching Rex's clone. All of them were doing great, using every single ounce of their power, and also brainpower to stumble and stop Shadow.

Despite the death mana eating away their vitality, the four of them could properly handle it.

It was mainly because Shadow was fixed on the artifact.

No matter how tirelessly the four tried to obstruct its path, it did not strike back, focusing all its effort—on reaching Rex'sc lone. It was extremely afraid, that Rex's clone would break the very artifact that allowed it to become this strong.

Since its durability was very low as Rex's clone checked, its fear was understandable.

Even a fall from waist height would probably cause it to shatter into pieces.

If the artifact wasn't in the equation, the four would have been obliterated by now.

Forcing itself to activate its imperfect Tribulation form, its death mana changed its essence.

It had already broken through the tenth-rank realm barrier, enhancing both its physical as well as magical prowess while unlocking a new gift—mastery over its own bones. Its body had also become a conduit of death, draining vitality from its surroundings.

Both trees and plants alike withered to lifeless husks as Shadow passed.

And the only reason Flunra and the Alpha Primes could endure this was because of the night.

If tonight wasn't the night of the Demon Moon, this wouldn't have been possible.

None of their regeneration could keep up with Shadow's power.

Saying they would be rendered to corpses by now wouldn't be an understatement.

Roar!!

"Get out of the way!!" Rex's clone shouted.

Formed on a horizontal line, acting as they were the border were the remaining Elven forces led by Queen Shanaela herself and her trusted aide, Hastios. Running from the other side of the forest, sensing them even before they arrived, the queen drew a sharp breath.

Queen Shanaela saw Rex's clone running away from Shadow who was being held back.

It was a terrifying but comical sight with Flunra and the Alpha Primes doing their very best to slow Shadow down. Seeing this, she frowned, 'Isn't the plan to kill Shadow? What happened? And what's that on his hand?'

"My Queen, what should we do?" An Elven captain asked in a hurry.

Hearing what Rex's clone said earlier, she commanded, "Let them through, don't engage"

Nodding his head, the Elven Captain immediately shouted her command.

Even though they were supposed to be here to provide help if Shadow was fleeing away, or when the battle reached the border somehow, the Elves heeded Rex's clone and moved out of the way as requested.

Preparing themselves in case Shadow shifted, the Elves were disappointed instantly.

Not only did Shadow keep going but it also didn't spare them a glance.

But the death aura from Shadow alone made the weaker Elves fall unconscious instantly.

And by weaker Elves, it means the eighth-rank realm or below.

Considering their race, eighth-rank realm Elves were elites of the elites.

In front of Shadow, however, they were nothing but a pebble not worth batting an eye for.

"With me!" Queen Shanaela announced and tugged her mount to chase after them.

Upon hearing this, the handful who were still conscious followed Queen Shanaela's lead.

Moments later, Rex's clone was able to see the valley up ahead coming into sight.

Nodding his head, he picked up his pace as much as he could.

Just as he was about to reach the open space ahead—he sensed danger from behind—as an elongating sharp bone pierced through his back. Flunra got in the way, using his own body to take the hit for Rex's clone.

Because of that, the sharp bone although pierced Rex's clone, it also pushed him forward.

Rex's clone blasted out of the forest and reached the valley.

He tried stopping his sliding momentum with his free hand, gripping the ground hard.

Pushing his claws, deep into the ground, he was barely able to stop—stopping right when he was about to fall down to the steep valley that had its bottom shrouded in darkness. Looking down, he sighed in relief and climbed back up.

It was a very steep fall with no way of climbing back up other than going to the far side.

Once he pulled himself up, Rex's clone's eyes widened.

Shadow has already broken free and is a couple of steps away from reaching him.

Screeching on the side was Flunra, his left arm was bent in an unnatural direction, with his bone protruding out. He gritted his teeth—as the others were nowhere to be seen, thrown away from the vicious brawl.

Not wanting Rex's clone to fall, especially the artifact, Shadow channeled its power.

It created a cupping bone platform right below Rex's clone.

Gritting his teeth, he activated the combination of ancient runes around his ankle.

He borrowed the power of Isobel and exploded with speed.

Rex's clone wouldn't be able to throw the artifact away with the platform underneath him.

And if he couldn't throw it, their efforts of bringing Shadow here would be a waste.

Gritting his teeth, he pointed his hand forward at the ground right in front of Rex's clone.

Even though his new breakthrough allowed him to use pre-made ancient runes that could cut his buffer time completely—he was still not strong enough to make an ancient rune from a far distance.

He was limited to about ten meters in range so he needs to get close.

Once he got into range, he branded a rune right on the ground Shadow was about to step.

Reacting too late, the ancient rune exploded from below with a powerful force.

It wasn't meant to hurt Shadow but to push it from below on its belly.

Upon eating the explosion from below, Shadow was flipped and went past Rex's clone, falling into the deep valley. It growled furiously, trying to reach Rex's clone as it fell—but it could not quite reach its claws to him.

Seeing this, Rex's clone quickly climbed back up.

He stood at the edge and threw the artifact to the right, causing Shadow to flinch.

Pushed by the sight of this, it exploded with death mana and glided over to the artifact.

As Shadow did this, Flunra, the Alpha Primes, and the other capable Elves tailing right behind arrived, halting at the edge. Peering down, they all caught sight of Shadow—frantically trying to reach and catch the artifact.

"Can it not climb back up here?" Flunra asked, watching the falling Shadow with worry.

Rex's clone shook his head, "A lot of mutated animals down there..."

Just from a quick scan using the System, he could already see—a hundred mutated animals down there and almost all of them were in the ninth-rank realm while some were forming an Elemental Order already.

Shadow has gotten weaker as it got out of its dominion.

It would be a big problem if the mutated animals wanted to devour it due to its power.

Unlike those who already have an Elemental Order—those who don't would take every single opportunity to make one, or even steal one from another. Shadow would be occupied, by the mutated animals immediately after landing.

Managing to lure Shadow here, Rex's clone turned towards Queen Shanaela.

From his gaze alone, Queen Shanaela knew what he wanted her to do.

"Archers, ready your aim!" She raised her hand.

Expertly, the Elves immediately drew their bows—and gathered their nature energy, onto the tip, aiming at Shadow who had already reached the artifact and caught it. Despite the falling, it could probably still climb until it landed.

So to not give it a chance, they would rain it with arrows.

"Fire!"

Making a light motion with her hand, the archers unleashed a barrage of arrows.

Each one boomed, cutting the air with a violent gush of wind.

Discover exclusive content at empire

Seeing this Shadow tried to use its bones to encase its entire body but couldn't—the mana it had to keep the Tribulation form was exhausted, now that it was outside of its dominion. Due to that, Shadow could only use its body to protect the artifact and got pushed down further.

It was nearing the blanket of darkness, the deed was basically done.

No way Shadow could climb back up again.

But as a finishing touch, Rex approached Queen Shanaela.

"Hand me your bow"

"Hmm?"

Queen Shanaela was puzzled but she obeyed the command, she extended her hand as orbs of golden gathered and manifested a beautiful, and intricate golden bow. Rex grabbed it and aligned himself to take a shot.

Everyone watched him with a mixed expression as a golden arrow formed.

Once Rex's clone finds his mark, he lets loose of the arrow.

Swoosh!

As expected of the queen's bow, the arrow blasted ahead—with incredible speed, creating a high-pitched whistling sound and headed straight at its mark. Shadow lifted its head when it heard this and saw the golden arrow.

Not expecting another arrow to come, it was too late to react.

Crack!

Under everyone's eyes, the arrow grazed the artifact and caused it to crack.

Shadow roared when it saw this, shooting a glare filled with hatred at Rex's clone.

"You missed?" Flunra asked.

Rex gave the bow back to Queen Shanaela and shook his head, "No, I meant to only graze it"

"Just to give it another problem down there..."He added cheekily.

On the other hand, Queen Shanaela looked at Rex's clone in shock.

"Your Majesty... you can use a bow too?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om