“Clink, clink—the moonlight weeps. Countless silver threads sway slowly, weaving a song as if misaligned yet harmonious. With the moon risen, the night, the sky, even the earth shone bright. It was literally a midnight sun. It seemed as though all creation was reflecting the crescent’s journey.

A moon that swells to full, replacing the sun to illuminate the world. A new god, pushing aside the Source to ascend in its place.

If the crescent moon achieves its purpose, all creation will be overturned. The very laws born of the Source will vanish. Perhaps things might even improve—it promised that the Source swallowing you would disappear.

[If you surrender but one…]

The chime whispered. If you step back now, you could grasp the life you yearn for. As always, its tone was sweet. One step backward, and I could live in peace. Just beyond lay the fulfillment of every desire: wealth, honor, power, and so many more.

“There is nothing you can claim from this place.”

I stared at the crescent. Its silver form flowed silently—motionless, yet shifting in countless ways.

“Neither I nor Park Hayul.”

Nor Seong Hyunjae.

[You always interfere with me.]

The crescent’s voice echoed. This time it was not a whisper for me alone. From beneath the wall Yuhyun rose, regrasping his sword. Munyeonha reforged her shattered spear by dream. The Puppeteer stepped forward, flanked by Song Taewon. Yerim and Hyunjae each lifted their weapons. A low growl from Peace rumbled.

“We will continue to do so.”

[Very well.]

“It must grate on you immensely.”

I drew in a short breath. This wasn’t the crescent’s true form—no Transcendent can manifest its full power within another’s dream. Yet it would not yield.

The crescent’s twin eyes curved slightly. It smiled.

[Even you are dear to me.]

“……”

[No matter the path you tread, each step…]

My breath caught. Right and wrong, every choice shone alike under the moon. I already understood, yet I felt hollow and stifled. What meaning did love have when offered without distinction of who I was? Yet I could not even vent my frustration at an adversary unreachable.

“…Very well, then I shall struggle to the end.”

[I shall attempt to persuade you too. Step away.]

“I refuse. You, step back. Half of Park Hayul’s power belongs to me, and I have held his contract for a very long time.”

Even if the crescent’s dominion predated Park Hayul’s seed, it would still be younger than my pact with Sigma—only half a year old, at the same time the doppelgänger doll gained self and Transcendent power.

The crescent’s hand lightly stroked Park Hayul’s head.

[This child has not fully awakened. Half his power has slipped to you— waking him now would not matter. Above all, you are too enmeshed.]

…Should I be grateful that Hayul clings to me? If only he showed more ordinary affection, I might appreciate it. The crescent’s gaze passed me to the Puppeteer, who bowed lightly.

“First time we meet, I suppose. You’ve done well hiding the child from the Scouters.”

[Return the strand you freed.]

“I refuse. He’s mine too.”

[Something you cannot hold.]

The Puppeteer laughed coldly instead of answering. The moonlight clinked again. The crescent’s form dissipated, drifting into the moonlight like mist.

[But not for long.]

With the voice, the chime faded. Under the dimmed moonlight, only silence remained. A hush fell.

‘Has it truly… gone?’

I saw Park Hayul, dazed, still seated.

“Everyone, do not approach Park Hayul!”

My shout made several gasp for air. Emily, unusually somber, watched the vanished spot.

“To call it a god is bold. But before its presence, its attitude…”

A being that speaks of impartial love yet cannot change anything.

“I decline such a god.”

I climbed the wall. Director Song hurried to me.

“Dangerous!”

“I’m fine. I hold half of Park Hayul’s power now.”

I kicked the stone parapet. I dropped safely to the ground—no divine aid needed.

“You okay?”

“…Yeah. And you?”

Yuhyun met me with anxious eyes.

“No strange effects. Park Hayul likely still under the crescent’s sway, so wait here. You too, Hyuna.”

“Be careful, brother.”

“I’ve rolled plenty.”

With equal strength, I could easily subdue Hayul. Experience made the difference. Still, I kept my guard up and strode toward him.

‘If the crescent truly retreated…’

I lightly clenched one fist. With half power and most awakened from the dream, I was not that strong—still perhaps SS-rank. If I asked the others to return to slumber, Hayul’s power would rebound.

‘First, send the others home.’

And with the rest… if I could bring my sister back. My heart quickened. If that became possible, it would truly be over. Perfectly. I had fretted how to persuade Hayul, but it was already resolved. I swallowed dryly.

“Hayul.”

Park Hayul looked up at me. Light returned to his vacant eyes. Yes, yes.

“Hyuuung!”

“Don’t cling to me! The crescent may still control you!”

“I-I was really scared!”

He sniffled. He’d acted tough before me, but facing his true master he was terrified.

“But you saved me again, hyung!”

“Well, that’s how it turned out.”

“I really like you best! Wahhh!”

Park Hayul burst into tears. Good grief.

“If you’d just acted normal, I wouldn’t have pushed you away.”

“But hyung, hyung—!”

“First, respect what I care about. People, hobbies, possessions.”

“…Even if they’re dangerous?”

“Don’t decide that alone! Talk—have a conversation. Even if I insisted on gorge-jumping without a rope, at least talk to me first. Not abducting me and smashing the platform.”

“…The police would probably get called for rope-free bungy, though.”

Unnecessarily sensible remark, that.

“It’s an example! And you could use an item to land safely. Hear me out. I’m an adult who can understand you. Even a child deserves dialogue.”

“But…”

“Look at me, Hayul.”

He lifted his head and met my gaze.

“I’m F-rank and weak, that’s true. But what then? I saved you from the crescent. Before that, I saved you from hunters stronger than me. Many things. And here I stand, before you.”

Park Hayul blinked, rubbed his watery eyes, and nodded.

“Hyung, you’re more amazing than me.”

“Well, uh… I suppose.”

Yes, I was indeed more capable than Hayul. Anyways.

“All right then, Hayul. I need to send my companions back to our world. Not possible just yet?”

“No. You’re too weakened.”

“I’ll ask everyone to slumber again. And I’ll return your half-power.”

“Really?”

“I must.”

Returning the others and reclaiming Yuhyun were important, but this world needed to persist—at least a month, preferably longer. With Seong Hyunjae protected, we’d need many barriers against the crescent’s schemes.

“We’ll draft a contract: Upon receiving his power, Park Hayul returns our party to their world, grants one wish to Han Yujin, then sleeps for ten years.”

“…Ten years? Asleep?”

“If he stays awake, the crescent will target him again. Ten years isn’t that long. He’s charged with attempted murder, bodily harm, kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping… The charges alone could net a decade even in a formal trial. As a High Awakener, add special circumstances and it could be longer.”

High Awakeners are usually exploited rather than imprisoned. An S-Rank’s attempted murder might just result in a heavy fine, considering merits and social standing. Park Hayul nodded dolefully.

“But really sleeping for ten years… that’s so long.”

“I’m generous. We can add a clause to wake him when needed. The crescent won’t let go easily, but there may be a way.”

We could enlist a new or elder Transcendent—once fully awakened, he couldn’t remain in our world anyway. I felt sorry for the newcomer. Yet he wasn’t a malignant soul, perhaps we’d get along.

“…I want to stay with you.”

“If you dream, I’ll come to you. Blame the crescent.”

“But right now I feel fine.”

Park Hayul waved his arms grandly.

“Since I first awoke in this world, I sensed interference. But now, nothing—really.”

“Maybe that’s the illusion, to lull you into ease.”

Would the crescent truly release Hayul? The Puppeteer likely held a high-grade contract. I waved toward the wall: they seemed fine now. Yerim and Hyunjae approached slowly; the main gate stood wide.

‘Now, truly.’

[This is the last time.]

Tension drained; body and mind loosened. Yes, one final time.

[If only I slay Seong Hyunjae.]

Yerim, aloft on her waterslide, waved at Comet-borne Kang Soyeong. Seong Hyunjae came into view. I stepped forward. His golden eyes widened slightly. Simultaneously we felt it: my hand aimed at his heart. We both realized it—but I felt no need to hesitate, and he could not avoid it. I was too close, too strong, too fast.

Thus—

Crack.

The sound of bone breaking rang clear. Blood poured along my arm. Golden eyes looked down on me. The light within them dimmed.

“Ah… sir?”

“Guildmaster!”

Yerim and Kang Soyeong’s voices. They caught his falling form. Before I could grasp the situation, I shouted:

“Stay back!”

The drawn breath was stained red.

“Everyone, withdraw!”

I held his still–warm body. Over my shoulder, Park Hayul’s stunned face flickered.

…Hayul was right. The crescent had truly let him go. Instead, it poured its entire dominion into me, whispering.

But why? I stood gripping Seong Hyunjae with a blood–soaked arm. The moon watched us descend. Then a halted breath reached my ears.

The crescent had welcomed a guest. An old bond gazed back at her.

“Because.”

The Child of Chaos asked.

“I thought you’d want to prevent his true identity from surfacing.”

Through moonlight, other Transcendents’ eyes looked upon them. Power, amassed toward the Source, revealed itself. Hidden depths were stirred, if only for a moment. Not every Transcendent noticed—but many stirred.

Whether vile or benevolent or neutral, each bears desire for the Source. A being akin to creation’s origin reaches forth.

“It’s been a while.”

The crescent smiled.

“You never visited.”

“There was no reason. Our paths diverged.”

From first /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ to last, the Child of Chaos minimized interference. The crescent, in contrast, began to intervene actively long ago, leading many Transcendents.

“You noticed, yet you let it be.”

“He too strives to be human—and declares himself so. What are you planning now? You won’t simply let go.”

“This is the final cup.”

Recalling the dream under moonlight, the crescent said:

“The last cup to be filled. I intended to plant a seed of my own.”

Though imperfect in many ways, it was still a Transcendent’s seed. It was meant to be consumed by the small moon.

“Though I failed, there are more droplets than enough.”

Transcendents desperate to cast themselves into its shape. In the falling raindrops, the cup will fill.

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