About ten minutes or so.
Hop led the group through the jungle to the peak at the island's center.
Earlier, in order to pick moonlight flowers, he had already explored almost the entire northern part of the island, and later Nazz, Lucy, and Habby searched the southern side, but they found nothing unusual.
Whether it's the alteration of the demons' villagers' memories or the purple moon that blankets the whole island, both testify to the complexity of that so-called "cursed" magic.
Such magic requires correspondingly extensive preparations; according to Hop's analysis, at least a sufficiently large area is needed to lay out the magical array.
So he set his sights on the central peak that hadn't been explored yet.
"We've arrived."
Hop pushed aside the last blocking vines and halted.
Ahead of them stood an ancient temple built from gray‑white boulders, its surface etched with moon‑shaped motifs; some of the carvings were weathered and flaking, yet the former grandeur was still evident.
"There's actually a temple here."
Grey stared at the temple, furrowing his brow. "The village is practically next door—why didn't the chief ever mention this?"
Elusa scanned the surroundings and analyzed, "Perhaps they can't get close. The moon represents the holy deity, and this temple is clearly dedicated to worshipping the moon."
"If those villagers are indeed demons, they truly can't approach a temple protected by divine power, and their muddled memories would cause them to temporarily forget the temple's existence."
The group entered the temple and looked around but found nothing of note.
Only Nazz and Habby discovered a stone slab and a withered skeleton leaning against it, but unfortunately none of them could decipher the ancient script on it.
At that point, they needed the help of a scholar.
Under the silver‑white Star Spirit key that Lucy traced, the Southern Cross Star Spirit, Krukus, slowly emerged from the Star Spirit gate.
With the aid of this most learned Star Spirit of the star realm, the ancient text on the slab was quickly deciphered, and through Grandpa Kruk's words, they finally learned its contents.
Garna Island is a land blessed by the moon; countless moonbeams converge here, making it the only place in the world capable of gathering "Moon Droplets."
Around three hundred years ago, a priest of the Moon Temple's sole lineage rescued a group of humans who had been forcibly transformed into demons by the great demon "Star‑bound Sky, Madflower."
Because of their bodily changes, the victims could no longer return to normal human society, so the gravely wounded priest brought them back to live on Garna Island.
The inscription ends here.
Upon learning the villagers' origins, everyone sighed; judging by the temple's dilapidated state, it hadn't been maintained for at least two hundred years.
That kind‑hearted priest likely died from his wounds, and the demon‑people he saved could not even approach the shrine, so their bodies could not be collected for him… Seeing the priest's withered bones behind the slab, Nazz, thinking of this tragic end, was filled with rage and slammed a heavy fist into the stone wall.
"Damn demons! Don't let me encounter them!"
But the next second, the stone wall Nazz struck suddenly cracked, and in an instant the fissure spread down to his feet.
Then… the ground gave way.
Nazz's footing vanished, and he plummeted uncontrollably; the unlucky Lucy and Habby, as always, were caught in the blast and fell with him.
Elusa and Grey, worried about their comrades, leapt down as well. Even the relatively powerless Southern Cross Star Spirit followed Lucy.
Only Hop lagged behind; with a powerhouse like Elusa, Nazz and the others' safety was not something he needed to worry about.
After reaching the slab, Hop carefully lifted the frail, time‑worn skeleton; the severely weathered temple was no longer suitable for its rest.
There's a saying back home: "May the dead rest in peace," and a good man like that priest deserves exactly that.
Outside the temple, Hop found a pleasant spot, used magic to dig a pit, fashioned a wooden coffin, and gently placed the priest's withered bones inside.
Just as Hop was about to close the coffin lid, a small orb of light burst from the skeleton's brow, leaping toward him as if trying to convey something.
But time is the most merciless killer; three centuries can erase many things. The light orb reached Hop's hand only to shatter and disperse.
The priest's final remnants vanished into the air.
What the skeleton tried to convey, Hop had already obtained by another means.
[Ding~]
[Host has come into contact with transcendent power — Lost Magic 'True Moon Annihilation God']
[Analyzing —]
[Analysis complete, estimated time to decode 'True Moon Annihilation God' is 360 days]
One of the three great annihilation spells — God‑slaying.
This is the magical inheritance the priest's bones intended to give Hop; though the process was flawed, Hop did indeed "receive" it.
Placing the newly acquired spell into the decryption slot, Hop silently closed the coffin, conjured a shovel, filled the grave with earth, and erected an unnamed tombstone for the priest.
"I've received the senior's gift, thank you."
After casting one last glance at the priest's grave, Hop turned to pursue his companions who had fallen into the temple's depths.
Activating his 'Wing Magic', Hop followed the underground passage where Nazz had fallen, arriving at a subterranean chamber directly beneath the temple.
As Hop landed steadily, a massive humanoid monster encased in ice appeared before him.
The terrifying giant, even through the thick ice, exuded a blood‑thirsty, ferocious aura and a faint, chilling curse energy.
It was a demon?!
Seeing the monster dwarfing even the Lala Bay, Hop was surprised; why was such a creature hidden beneath the Moon Temple, and why was there no record of it on the slab?
"Hey! Hop, over here!"
Nazz's voice echoed from beneath the massive demon's feet.
As expected, Nazz and the others were unharmed.
But when Hop approached, he noticed Grey's expression was off; Grey stared wide‑eyed and dazed at the frozen giant.
According to Elusa, Grey's reaction after seeing the monster indicated he clearly recognized the ice‑bound demon.
Yet no matter how they pressed him, Grey remained unmoved.
"Doesn't his silence make you think of other solutions?"
"Uh… like having Elusa beat him up?"
Nazz's half‑baked idea was cut off as Elusa knocked him down with a single punch.
The scene made Hop rub his forehead, exclaiming, "What are you all thinking…? I mean, if Grey won't talk, just ask Grandpa Kruk."
Watching the Southern Cross Star Spirit that Lucy had summoned earlier, Elusa and Nazz fell silent.
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