The Invincible Full-Moon System

Chapter 1617: Prey Instinct

”Such childish words,” Princess Davina uttered, her tone humourless.

She has no intention of entertaining the person behind her.

It was beneath her to engage further than this.

Even though the woman behind her was the first daughter of Marquess Darius of House Seawyn, she was not anywhere close to Princess Davina’s standing. More importantly, the House of Castillon has never gotten along with the House of Seawyn.

Duke Lorcan and Marquess Darius have never liked each other.

And to respect her father, she also didn’t mingle with anyone from the House of Seawyn.

Including Althea Seawyn, the woman standing behind her right now.

Althea stepped forward to approach, but Esmeravon dipped her beak low, blocking the path.

She wanted to insist, but Esmeravon’s squint made her surrender.

Despite being really annoyed, Althea retained her composure, not wanting to damage her family’s public reputation. She cleared her throat and turned to the side, ”Just tell me one thing. Are you marrying that lesser man to help the duke?”

Her question lingered in the air.

A kilometer ahead, the earth was blackening—decay seeping like ink across parchment.

It was the corruption from the Monarchy Conquest instigated by the White Mask, spreading slowly but surely—carrying along with it a cacophony of distant quiet screams that became a gathering of hushed whispers when it reached them.

But Princess Davina and Althea didn’t seem to be worried.

Even with death murmuring at their side, the two noblewomen remained calm and collected.

”It doesn’t concern you.” Princess Davina answered, cold as always.

Althea didn’t flinch at her coldness.

”But it does concern me,” She said calmly. ”You are the standard by which every woman in the empire, noble or not, is measured. They look to you, adore you, and even shape their lives around your example. I am sure you understand the weight of that... and why your actions are cause for concern.”

Princess Davina didn’t answer.

She kept facing the ocean, enjoying the moment before the mission started.

Even after a minute of silence, she remained silent.

Just as Althea was about to step away, sighing helplessly at Princess Davina’s silence, she stopped.

”It’s childish to think I’m always going to be strong alone. I’m no God.”

”You’re the Graceful Starfall. The Divine Saintess has already looked into your future, and you’re prophesied to be with a man who isn’t from our realm. Someone from the God Realm or the Chaos Realm. Some expected you to settle, but not with someone below ordinary.”

Althea waved her hand, chuckling a little in the end.

She found it laughable that Princess Davina ended up with someone unremarkable.

Princess Davina felt irritation stir within her before she even registered the condescension in her tone.

So much so that she unconsciously clenched her fists.

”You speak as if your life is something grand,” Princess Davina said, her voice rising sharper than she intended as she finally turned to face Althea. ”Your husband can scarcely call himself an Eternal Spirit and still struggling to break the first layer of his meager Echo. I wouldn’t think you fit to lecture anyone on taste in men.”

As soon as she said that, Althea’s face flushed red.

She was caught off guard by the sudden hostility.

Knowing how Princess Davina operated throughout the years of meeting her in social or even private settings, Althea was expecting her to be like always—cold and nonchalant. Not once did she expect Princess Davina to react like this.

So much so that she went an extra mile to also ridicule her husband.

Althea wanted to be angry, but then, her eyes slowly widened when she realized something.

Then, her lips curled into a knowing smile.

”You’re defending him. You’re defending your fiancé.” She mumbled in shock.

Princess Davina’s eyes also widened, but they quickly returned to neutral as she turned around again.

”Defend him? You’ve got it wrong. I’m simply making it clear that he was my choice,” She said, folding her arms with quiet finality. ”And anything I choose or get will always surpass yours by leagues. Even if I’d chosen a monkey, it would still be an improvement over your husband.”

”Hmph,” Althea snorted and walked away. ”I’ll see how competent this beloved fiancé of yours is.”

Hearing this, Princess Davina turned.

”What do you mean?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Given that the mission required constant movement for them and the other nobles, Princess Davina was confused as to how Althea would find the time to observe Rex’s performance. She would scarcely catch a glimpse of him in action since he’ll be stationed at one bubble.

Althea smirked, but she kept walking away.

”You didn’t know? Your fiancé is going to be following us.” She said. ”He’s going to be very close.”

Princess Davina was stunned.

She wasn’t told that Rex would be leading one of the volunteering legions.

Realizing that he was going to be right behind them, Princess Davina bit her lower lip and frowned.

For some reason, she seemed to be troubled by this arrangement.

”He’s going to be in the way...”

Meanwhile, a mile away from Princess Davina’s location.

A massive tube-like beam tore a hole in the sky and crashed onto the ground with relentless fervor.

Its golden radiance continued to scorch the earth until, at last, two legions emerged in a square-shaped formation—led by two knights who were none other than Rex and Haxel. The two men stood in front of the legion, blinking against the light as their eyes adjusted to the unfamiliar surroundings.

Just from the blowing cold and corruptive wind alone, all of them knew that they were outside.

None would mistake the sensation of being within the Black Rift’s embrace.

Moving instinctively, the Seekers from both legions rose into the air and summoned their Seeker Flares, protective spheres that enveloped each legion—shielding them from the Black Rift’s influence. They hovered in place, silent and focused, maintaining the barrier with unwavering concentration.

Rex looked around and narrowed his eyes

He saw another Seeker Flare not far from theirs, which should be the rallying point.

”At ease but remain alert,” He said, turning to the legion. ”I’ll report to the nobles.”

Almost instantly, the legion saluted in unison before Rex walked toward the edge of the Seeker Flare.

Beside him, Haxel was also doing the same thing.

”After you, Sir Rex.” He said, gesturing outside of the Seeker Flare.

Rex glanced at him nonchalantly and walked out without uttering a single word.

He would save his violence for later.

But as he stepped out of the Seeker Flare—and back into the Black Rift, making his way toward the rallying point, he glanced around—only to realize there was no one else. Beyond their small presence, the Black Rift stretched endlessly around them. There was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Hmm... Maybe I should kill him right now to save myself some trouble.

Since nobody was around to witness if he attacked Haxel right now, he was considering killing him.

It was the perfect moment to make his move.

”No,” Rex shook his head and kept on walking. ”It’s too risky to do it here. Someone might sense it.”

Just then, he stopped and realized something.

Swoosh!

Rex pivoted around and slapped a cleaving life energy arc heading towards him.

His hand struck the arc with a thunderous clang, dispersing it as if it were nothing more than a breeze.

”Nice reflex. I’m impressed.” Haxel said nonchalantly.

Slowly, Rex turned to look at Haxel with a hideous expression.

Haxel also thought of the same thing as him, knowing that this was the perfect moment to strike.

But unlike Rex, who worried that there might be eyes on them right now, or that any commotion from a fight could draw the nobles’ attention—Haxel has nothing to worry about. If the nobles did show up to confront them, he could talk his way out of it.

And worse, he could even pin the blame on Rex.

After all, nobody trusted Rex in this mission other than Princess Davina or Empress Morgana.

”Even so...” Rex’s crimson eyes glowed as he looked at Haxel. ”I don’t care anymore.”

No killing intent was issued.

Haxel didn’t attack with killing intent, and that’s for certain.

But anyone who dared to harm him wouldn’t walk away unscathed, and Rex would make sure of that.

Rex stood unmoving, rooted in place with his eyes locked on Haxel like a statue carved from shadow.

The Black Rift’s wind howled around him, shrouding his figure in writhing darkness—so thick and unnatural that it seemed to devour the light itself. His form was barely discernible, swallowed by the void-like mist that clung to him like a second skin.

Only his eyes remained visible—two crimson orbs burning through the blackness.

Their glow intensified by the suffocating gloom around him.

Haxel stared at him and frowned as there was no mistaking the intent behind Rex’s eyes.

He could sense the murderous resolve—misted with bloodlust.

Rex didn’t need to move or speak.

Just the way he lingered in the shadows, watching without a sound, was enough to send a chill through the bones of even the bravest. It was almost like—there was a switch in him, turning him from passive mode to hunting mode.

’Does he even dare to attack me right now?’ Haxel’s brows furrowed. ’He’s asking for trouble.’

As he thought of that, his pupils dilated when he saw Rex’s mouth open slightly.

Perhaps it was the Black Rift distorting his vision—but Haxel could’ve sworn Rex’s teeth had sharpened into fangs, and his posture had shifted into a low, predatory hunch. A faint life energy escaped his mouth like red mist with each breath, curling into the air like smoke from something barely restrained.

It was as if Rex’s very anatomy was issuing a silent, primal warning.

One that made it unmistakably clear how dire the situation had become for Haxel.

Haxel wanted to open his mouth to speak, but his jaw was stiff.

”Hmm?!” Haxel snapped his gaze downward in surprise, thinking that Rex might’ve done something to him to make his entire body stiff like this. But reality was even more shocking than he anticipated, ”No. He didn’t do anything... anything at all.”

Expecting a Spirit Genesis or something, Haxel was greeted by nothing.

Nothing was making his body stiff.

But this made his expression even more grim, ’I can’t believe it. I don’t want to believe it...’

It wasn’t some external power Rex was using—Haxel realized that much. The stiffness in his limbs was not forced upon him by a Spirit Genesis or other abilities; it was his sown instincts screaming. His own flaring nostrils, the rapid thrum of his heart, the tightness in his chest—every part of his body was reacting to one undeniable truth: he was in danger.

In that moment, Rex was no longer a man.

He was a creature that had caught the scent of his prey.

A monster forged in silence, lurking in the depths, biding his time with a stillness that was scarier than any roar—awaiting the opportune moment to strike the prey. And at this second, that prey was none other than Haxel.

Normally, this wouldn’t concern him, but he saw a glimpse of Rex’s power earlier.

Rex shouldn’t be able to trigger this from him.

Once ready, Rex’s eyes flared open.

His muscles bulged across his body, especially his legs, that was teetering on exploding with strength.

No sign of reason in his eyes, only rage and restlessness.

He had been kind enough to be hyper careful in dealing with Haxel, but that has come to an end.

All of the consequences slipped from his mind.

Rex was thirsting for blood right now.

As he was about to strike, something wrapped around his wrist and pulled him back.

Rex growled angrily and looked over his shoulder, only to stop when he realized who it was.

His anger was drained rapidly as he looked at the person in confusion.

”Why are you here...?”