The sanctuary basked in the warm glow of morning light, but peace didn't reach Kazuki's heart. Leaning against a broken pillar, he wiped sweat from his brow as he tightened the wrappings on Moon-Bone Edge. The battle with the Fenrir-Scaled Behemoth was over—yet something about it felt wrong.
A monster of that level…Sent deliberately.Targeting their exact location.
Kazuki exhaled slowly.
"This wasn't random," he muttered.
Footsteps approached from behind. Lyria, still pale but walking steadily, joined him. Her silver hair shimmered gently, brushing her shoulders like strands of moonlit silk.
"You feel it too," she said softly.
Kazuki nodded. "They're testing us. Or hunting us."
Lyria's gaze fell to the distant treeline, where shadows lingered like unspoken threats. "Moonfang is a clan that doesn't act without purpose. They used to be protectors of balance, but ever since the Eclipse War… something twisted them."
Kazuki watched her carefully. "Tell me more."
Lyria hesitated, then sat beside him, drawing her knees close.
"Moonfang once served the Elven Council. They specialized in suppressing corrupted beasts and rogue magic. But during the Eclipse War, a dark star fell… corrupting their leader." She swallowed, the memory clearly painful. "Since then, they've obeyed only one command—eradicate anything connected to the prophecy of the 'Fallen Royal Star.'"
Kazuki straightened. "You. They want you."
Lyria gave a small, bitter smile. "Yes… and anyone who protects me."
THE MOONFANG GENERAL
Far from the sanctuary, atop a jagged cliff, the Moonfang General knelt before a swirling orb of dark-blue mana. His armor was forged from the hide of ancient beasts, each plate marked with glowing runes that pulsed in time with his heartbeat.
"Sir," whispered a scout behind him, trembling. "The Behemoth is dead."
The general didn't speak at first. His lupine eyes narrowed.
"Who delivered the killing blow?"
"Reports say… a human boy."
The general turned slowly. His voice was a growl. "Impossible. The Behemoth was level thirty-five. A small sanctuary force could not—"
"He carried moonlight in his strikes," the scout continued, head bowed. "Silver, fluid light… and he fought beside an elf who wielded royal-class mana."
A long pause.
Then the general rose. His aura flared with lethal intensity.
"The prophecy of the Starbound Guardian… and the Lost Moon Princess…" He clenched his gauntlet. "So it begins during my watch."
He looked toward the sanctuary, eyes burning.
"Prepare the Second Division. I shall lead them myself."
BACK TO THE SANCTUARY
Kazuki walked toward the inner courtyard, where Eryndor had gathered the elders. As Kazuki entered, hushed voices echoed:
"—a Behemoth sent directly at us!"
"—our barrier can't withstand another attack of that magnitude."
"—the girl… she attracts danger…"
Kazuki stepped forward.
"Enough."
All eyes shifted to him. His aura—now sharper, heavier from Moonlight Ascendant Lv.3—seemed to carry a silent authority.
"If anyone blames Lyria," he said coldly, "they'll answer to me."
The elders fell quiet.
Eryndor cleared his throat. "Kazuki… you are strong, but the enemy grows stronger. If Moonfang sent a Behemoth, they won't stop there. They will escalate."
Kazuki nodded. "Which is why I'll lead the next move."
A ripple of shock went through the room.
"Kazuki—no," Lyria said, stepping closer. "You're still recovering—"
"I'm fine."
"You're not." She grabbed his wrist. "Using Celestial Moonfall drained half your life force. I can feel it."
Kazuki hesitated but didn't pull away.
"Even so," he said quietly, "I won't wait for another monster to come here and hurt everyone."
Eryndor stepped forward. "Then you must understand something. If you wish to face Moonfang proactively, you must explore the Moonlight Ascendant Passive Tree. It's the only way you'll keep up with what's coming."
Kazuki's eyes widened. "There's more beyond the active skills?"
Eryndor nodded. "Yes. Moonlight Ascendant is not merely a power… it's a destiny."
He extended a glowing scroll.
"Go. Unlock it within the Moonfall Grove. You and Lyria both."
MOONFALL GROVE
The grove lay deep within the sanctuary — a circle of ancient stones wrapped in vines and silver moss. Blue petals floated through the air, weightless, as if the grove breathed magic.
Kazuki and Lyria stepped inside.
Immediately, the system triggered.
[MOONLIGHT ASCENDANT — PASSIVE TREE UNLOCKED]
Paths appeared before him, branches of shimmering light:
• Moonheart Fortitude — boosts HP and resistance• Lunar Instinct — enhances evasion, prediction, reflex• Astral Memory — speeds skill growth and evolution• Crescent Warden — improves guarding, shielding, and partner synergy• Starbound Link — fuses abilities with compatible allies
Kazuki stared in awe.
"This is… huge."
Lyria smiled faintly. "It is the same for me. Our paths mirror each other."
Kazuki studied the branches. His body still ached from the Behemoth's last blow. His instincts flickered toward survival.
"I'll choose… Moonheart Fortitude first."
System flare:
[Passive Acquired — Moonheart Fortitude Lv.1][HP +120, Physical Resistance +10%]
Immediately his body felt sturdier, grounded.
Lyria placed her hand on his shoulder. "Good choice."
"What about you?"
She hesitated. "Crescent Warden. It strengthens protection magic… especially when linked with someone."
Kazuki felt warmth bloom in his chest.
"Linked… with me?"
Lyria's cheeks pinkened. "W-Well… we are partners."
Their auras resonated for a brief moment—silver and emerald intertwining before fading gently.
LEAVING THE SANCTUARY
That evening, Kazuki strapped his equipment tight. Lyria approached him at the gate.
"You're really going," she whispered.
He nodded. "If Moonfang is preparing something bigger… I want to know what. And I want to cut it off before it reaches us."
Her fingers trembled at her sides. "Kazuki… If you leave the sanctuary, the protection barrier won't shield you. You'll be exposed."
Kazuki smiled gently. "Then stay close to me so I don't get lost."
She punched his arm lightly, flustered. "Th-That's not what I meant."
Kazuki softened. "I know."
Lyria bit her lip, then stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I'll come with you. Always."
Kazuki's heart thumped once—hard.
"Good," he breathed. "I'd hate to fight without you."
THEIR JOURNEY BEGINS
The forest outside the sanctuary felt colder. The trees loomed tall, the wind whispering warnings. Kazuki's senses sharpened, instincts humming.
Lyria, walking beside him, kept scanning the surroundings.
"Something's off," she murmured. "The mana in the forest feels… disturbed."
Kazuki halted. "Ambush?"
"No. More like… something huge passed through here recently."
Kazuki's grip tightened around Moon-Bone Edge.
They moved slowly until the forest floor changed — claw marks in the dirt, crushed roots, deep footprints.
Kazuki knelt. "This isn't the Behemoth."
Lyria's expression paled.
"No. This belongs to a Moonfang war unit."
Kazuki rose, expression darkening.
"How many?"
Lyria swallowed. "Judging by depth… and spacing… six elites." She stepped back, trembling. "And… one general."
Kazuki's blood chilled—but then something ignited within him. A fierce, burning determination.
He whispered,
"Good. Then we're not too late."
MOONFANG GENERAL
The general paused on a ridge overlooking the valley, seven elites kneeling behind him.
He sensed movement in the forest—a silver spark.
"So," he murmured, baring sharp teeth, "the boy walks willingly into the jaws of the wolf."
His aura rippled, cracking the stones beneath him.
"Begin the hunt."
Kazuki felt the enemy's killing intent sweep across the forest like a tidal wave. Lyria beside him stiffened.
"They're close," she whispered.
Kazuki raised Moon-Bone Edge, silver energy flowing along the blade like living moonlight.
"Then we'll meet them head-on."
Lyria stepped beside him, gripping his arm.
"Kazuki… whatever happens… don't let go of my mana. If we separate—"
"We won't."
His voice was firm.
"Together. Always."
Lyria's pulse steadied. "Together."
As the forest darkened and the first wolf-like silhouette emerged from the shadows—
Kazuki crouched low, moonlight building beneath his feet.
"Come, Moonfang," he growled. "Let's see what you've got."
Chapter 17 — END