Chapter 305: Betrayal
It had never been a challenge for Luke to fight these men beneath the moonlight.
With his enhanced attributes, countless skills, carefully prepared tools, and the overwhelming power of the Lunar Warden’s domain, he had absolute confidence that no enemy who approached him would survive.
That was why he had listened to the system in the first place.
The battle had always been decided by patience.
Had either side acted recklessly, the outcome would have changed completely.
If Manbaru had chosen to execute his family instead of trying to break Luke’s spirit first, Luke would have revealed himself without waiting for the moon. He would have fought regardless of the odds.
But Manbaru’s arrogance had become his greatest mistake.
His obsession with humiliating Luke had bought him time.
Time that sealed his defeat.
Now the forest had fallen silent.
Every man who had stood against Luke, whether they had fought or fled, lay dead.
Only one remained alive.
Luke calmly walked from tree to tree, cutting through the ropes binding his family. There wasn’t the slightest trace of urgency left in his movements.
There was no need for it.
The danger was gone.
The nightmare had ended.
The moment Monica’s restraints fell away, she threw herself into his arms, wrapping him in a desperate embrace.
"Luke!"
Her voice trembled with relief, warmth, and emotions she could no longer hold back.
Luke gently returned the embrace.
"I’m safe," he whispered.
Even while standing on the brink of death herself...
She had still been worried about him.
She clung to his shirt, her fingers refusing to let go.
"I was so worried... like never before... thank you... for..."
A quiet sniffle stole the rest of her words.
Luke gently rubbed her back.
"Don’t cry anymore," he said softly. "You’ve already shed enough tears."
He guided her to the chair and helped her sit before turning to free the others.
Laila was next.
The moment her restraints came loose, she rushed into his arms, holding him tightly.
"I... I’m sorry," she whispered. "I couldn’t stop them."
Luke shook his head.
"It’s okay. None of this was your fault."
He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before leading her over to Monica.
Thea remained unconscious.
Luke cut through her bindings, carefully lifted her into his arms, and entrusted her to Laila.
Then he walked over to Mila.
As soon as he lowered her to the ground, the first words out of her mouth caught him completely off guard.
"Kill me."
Luke froze.
"What?"
She lowered her head and slowly shook it.
"It’s all my fault... so kill me."
Her fists tightened until her nails dug into her palms.
"I don’t deserve to live."
She lifted her tear-filled eyes toward the man she had once called her mate. Hatred burned within them.
"I trusted a snake."
Her voice cracked.
"He used my sister... your family... all of them as bait."
Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
"And... my mother..."
Every word seemed to tear another piece from her heart.
Luke remained silent.
There were wounds no reassurance could heal.
Some pains could only be eased by the people who shared them.
Without another word, he walked over to Roxanne.
His dagger sliced through the ropes, and he caught her gently by the waist before lowering her to the ground.
He removed the gag from her mouth.
"Are you alright?" he asked. "Did they hurt you?"
She immediately shook her head.
Instead, her trembling voice asked, "What about you? He broke your arm... you looked like you were in so much pain."
Luke gave a small shrug.
"I’m fine now." A faint smile appeared on his face. "Remember? Magic fixes everything."
It was a poor joke.
Yet it served its purpose.
A small smile found its way onto Roxanne’s face.
She shook her head before stepping forward and wrapping him in a gentle embrace.
"I’m glad..." she whispered. "I’m so glad everything turned out alright."
Luke smiled softly and rubbed her back.
"Go to your sister," he whispered. "She needs you."
Roxanne nodded before she approached her sister.
The two of them embraced each other, before Mila cried in her sister’s arms, clear regret in that voice.
Luke exhaled a sigh and finally turned towards the man who remained lying on the ground still clutching his stomach.
He approached at an unhurried pace, his gaze cold and mind occupied with some...thoughts. Thoughts on how he would disassemble his body.
"Your pride became the cause of your downfall."
He lowered himself into a crouch, grabbed Manbaru by the hair, and forced his head up.
"Look around you. This is what happens when you lay your hands on people you should never have even dared to look at."
Despite the agony twisting his face, Manbaru let out a low, rasping chuckle.
"You... really think you’ve won." He coughed, blood spilling from the corner of his lips. "You think you’re the smartest one here... always ten steps ahead."
SQUELCH
The sickening sound of steel sinking into flesh echoed from behind.
Luke’s eyes widened.
He spun around.
Mila stood there with a dagger clenched in her hand.
Its blade was buried deep inside Roxanne’s stomach.
"No!"
His roar shook the clearing as he exploded forward.
DHAK
"AAH!"
His fist crashed into Mila’s face with overwhelming force, launching her through the air. She slammed against the trunk of a tree and crumpled to the ground, unconscious before she hit the earth.
"Gh... Luke..."
Roxanne’s knees gave out.
Luke caught her before she could collapse, pulling her into his arms.
Dark crimson spread rapidly across her dress, soaking the fabric until it clung tightly to her trembling body. Warm blood streamed between his fingers and dripped onto the ground, each drop striking the earth with a dreadful finality.
"Luke!" Monica cried, panic flooding her voice, both at Roxanne’s condition and at the sight of Manbaru disappearing into the darkness.
Luke remained composed.
With a flick of his hand, a vial materialised from his inventory. He uncorked it and carefully poured the translucent green potion between Roxanne’s lips.
A soft emerald glow spread across her body.
The deep stab wound began knitting itself together before their eyes, torn flesh reconnecting as though time itself had reversed. The blood she had lost was replenished by the potion’s potent restorative effects. Because the injury was still fresh, the high grade healing potion erased it with remarkable ease.
Only the terror of the experience remained.
"Monica," Luke said, his voice calm despite the situation. "Take care of her."
Monica nodded at once and gently supported Roxanne as she guided her towards a nearby chair.
Luke then shifted his attention to Mila.
A knife appeared in his hand.
Just as he took a step forward, someone caught his wrist.
He turned to find Laila looking back at him.
"Let me do this, Luke," she said quietly. "Go after the other one."
Luke frowned.
"Are you sure, Laila? After what she did, death is the only punishment she deserves."
"I know."
There wasn’t the slightest tremor in her voice.
"And trust me, I won’t hesitate."
Luke searched her eyes.
There was no fear.
No uncertainty.
Only unwavering resolve.
After a brief silence, he loosened his grip on the knife and placed it in her hand.
"Take care of everyone. I’ll be back soon."
Laila gave a single nod.
The next instant, Luke disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
Silence settled over the clearing.
Laila lowered her gaze to the unconscious Mila and tightened her grip around the knife’s handle.
This was the moment.
If she couldn’t overcome her weakness today, she would remain nothing more than a burden to the man who had always stood in front of her.