Chapter Five – Knight of the Full Moon
The clear blue sky darkened abruptly. Clouds began to seize control of the atmosphere, gathering in massive heaps over the island, which looked like a grain of sand beneath those gloomy black clouds.
My heart began to tremble without warning. With a streak of lightning that passed like a flash amidst the clouds, I started waiting for a sound that had long stirred fear within me. The thunder was not late; it roared with a terrifying sound..
Shoooooooooosh
I couldn't control myself. My body lost its ability to stand, and I collapsed onto the ground, sprawled out. A great shudder took over my body, and it felt as if the lightning and thunder were racing to harm me.
The great black cloud curled above in a majestic sight for the heart and a trembling one for the soul.
"What on earth is happening!! What kind of summoning is this?"
The lightning and thunder stopped for a moment. Then they struck together with a violent sound and a light that blinded the eyes. Lightning struck the ground fiercely, and dust flew as if a sandstorm had passed through.
My vision became blurred. My body, which carpeted the ground, remained there. I tried to move my fingers. My feet. My head. But to no avail.
I muttered to myself, "It seems my body has actually gone into shock."
The lightning and thunder finally ceased. From behind the veil of dust, black flashes began to form.
I finally moved my hand with difficulty and rubbed my eyes. Vision was still hazy, but what was forming in front of me finally began to take shape.
In the middle of the dust-laden green clearing, a black magic circle emerged from the ground. Inside it was not a star, but a shape resembling a full moon, and near it were markings that weren't clear due to the dust.
The circle began to expand, and the dust cleared gradually.. Steam began to fill the magic circle, replacing the dust, and vision became impossible once again..
When the circle reached a diameter exceeding fifty square meters, from within the steam..
A step.. then another.. the contours of a body emerged from the midst of the vapor.
She stood there as if she were part of the forest, yet her presence was more magnificent than any tree or shadow.
Finally, I was able to stand. I brushed the dust off me and calmed myself, waiting for the arrival of the mysterious Knight.
The dust and steam became thinner than morning mist, and the vision in front of me became clear. The Knight stood with dignity several steps away..
The sky returned to its soothing clarity, signaling the end of the summoning at last.. a sense of relief finally settled within me..
I had always seen such rituals in various television works.. but.. to be in the middle of it.. amidst that thunder and lightning.. is truly terrifying.. I was on the verge of losing consciousness if not for some psychological strength I held onto inside.
Now.. the summoning is over.. what should I do?
Should I say or do something?? Perhaps I should just stand in silence.
Before my thoughts could reach a decision.. she began to approach me lightly. Her steps were silent as the night. Her movement was nothing but fantastical music.. five steps.. she finally stopped..
She bowed slowly, silver hair gleaming in the sunlight, interspersed with a thin braid like a thread of light. It nearly touched the ground.
"Your loyal servant is at your command."
Her voice was low, yet steady. And beautiful.. very beautiful.
My eyes moved toward her involuntarily.. I could hardly turn them away from one part of her radiant features before they moved toward another..
She had long ears, sharp at the tips, clearly revealing she was of Elven lineage—those beings that blend beauty and awe at once.
I whispered to myself with unseen excitement, "My God... this girl?! Is she really my servant? She looks like a princess from a legend, not an ordinary servant."
I took a deep breath. I must appear calm—a dark emperor, not a dazed fool.
"Welcome... Your name?"
I finally spoke in a voice I thought was raspy.. I'm not sure.. often you speak in a voice you think is one way, but others hear it differently. Well, I hope she heard it as befits me..
She raised her head slightly, eyes the color of honey mixed with autumn shadows staring at me steadily.
"Monali, My Lord."
She wore a long, dark green coat, its sleeves puffed at the elbows before narrowing at the wrists, adorned with floral decorations.
Her chest was protected by a light black leather armor, with small metal buttons securing her white tunic beneath it. A wide belt wrapped tightly around her waist, from which a short dagger hung, while another strap crossed her shoulder carrying a quiver of arrows. The bow on her back seemed like an extension of her body—a living piece of her skill, not just a weapon.
"Monali.. a truly beautiful name."
"...."
She.. she is wonderful.. no matter how hard I try to keep my composure. But.. this girl, she is.. a servant to me.. I truly can't believe it..
What should I say... hmmm, well, granting a name to a servant enhances their status. That's what I learned from Isekai works, so..
"Monali. Since you are in my service, let me give you a name. Your new name is...."
[Ding.. Ding.. Ding]
What now?
[Naming is not possible. Your spiritual energy is insufficient]
What stupidity is this, you wretched System. If I didn't have energy, how did I summon her in the first place? Once again, you manipulate logic for your own benefit. Curse you.
[Ding.. Ding.. Ding]
{Reward for the First Magnificent Summoning - 100,000}
{Properties - Character - Activated}
{Character}
{Level = 1}
{Spiritual Power = 0}
{Physical Strength = 0}
{Stamina = 5}
{Special Skills = 0}
{Titles = 1}
{Luck = 80%}
What is this...
These are the statistics of a dog, not a human. Physical strength zero. What idiocy. It seems Jaʿmoos is capable of defeating me with these rotten stats..
But.. Luck 80%.
It seems to be the only good thing in all these sterile statistics. No matter, according to my knowledge of "transported to another world" works and survival games, luck means obtaining rare items and secret scenarios that could truly benefit me. The Screaming Bird mission and that title must be among the first signs of good luck..
"Monali. What do you know about the outside world?"
"...."
"Monali"
"Yes, My Lord"
"Why don't you answer my question?"
"My Lord. It is the place where you are."
Her eyes were sharp. Her gaze sent a deep calm that emanates from the abyss.
-"The place!? What about it?"
-"It blocks my memories.. there is a strange energy preventing that."
An energy preventing it!! What does this mean..
Speaking of which..
The mysterious message mentioned something about not talking about the world. I thought it was intentional to keep information from me, but..
Monali, on the other hand, is summoned as my servant. She is supposed to disclose everything to me. So there really is something preventing her from speaking.. but what is it?
-"Monali.. stand up, your beautiful feet cannot bear kneeling."
-"Thank you, My Lord."
In an instant, she stood with dignity. She was nearly 165 cm tall, her body as slender as a painter's brushstroke.
"Monali. Can you cook? Clean? Cut trees?"
-"No."
Hahaha. What a brief answer. No one is attacking the place. So Monali is literally useless right now.. What about... well, it's an "adventure" question...
"What about scrubbing my back while I swim?"
Suddenly...
A step. Then another. Then, from the corner of her eye, a look of utter contempt radiated fiercely. Then it vanished.
Far away, atop the trees, she stood. Her face turned away.
Damn it.
Damn it.
Why did I say that? I expected her to refuse such a thing.
{Ding.. Ding.. Ding}
{Unlocked - Shadow Guide}
Well.. let's see what's in it..
{Shadow Guide}
{Knight of the Full Moon - A proud princess from the Kingdom of the Forgotten Moon. She carries permanent loyalty, but she carries a pride that cannot be broken.}
So that's it... I am... an idiot.. yes.
That's the least description for my behavior. Her name. The way she appeared. Her speech. Her outfit. Everything tells me she isn't an ordinary servant. But my lowly self just had to speak like that.. damn me..
{Shadow Guide}
{Knight of the Full Moon}
{Properties - Locked}
{Abilities - Locked}
{Followers - Locked}
{Relationship - 10%}
Everything is locked..
Relationship 10%, it's very weak.. I shouldn't make the situation worse than it already is..
Fine. I must turn to something else. Perhaps I should summon another servant? No, I won't. I don't want another servant like her with no utility. My focus must be on reaching the requirements to expand the territory.
I have enough money to summon one more. The servant has been ruled out. The farmer—I don't have money for his farm.. so:
{Lumberjack}
{Purchase}
Again.. a black magic circle appears in the middle. But it is smaller in size, and without the image of the moon.. lightning and thunder did not attend this time.. steam emanates from the center of the circle. And then..
Step by step, a lumberjack with a frail body and pointed ears advances.
Then he bowed.
"My Lord. Thank you for freeing me. My name is Jo. I hope I can earn your satisfaction."
He is from the people of the Forgotten Moon as well. But his appearance is simple and quick.
So.. as I expected, Monali is a special case.
"Welcome, Jo. You can begin working now."
{Ding.. Ding.. Ding}
{Optional - Give the Lumberjack a percentage privilege}
{Yes - No}
{Time limit for selection: 10 minutes - If no selection is made, it will be automatically rejected}
Percentage privilege?? What is this?
It doesn't seem random. So the choice is clear.
{Yes - No}
{Yes}
{Ding.. Ding.. Ding}
{The lumberjack will receive 10% of what he cuts}
{Ding.. Ding.. Ding}
{Secret Quest - Save the family of the lumberjack Jo - Activated}
Again!!!