There are 10 advanced chapters at patreon.com/dzeref887
I don't want to waste my time translating novels if I don't get anything out of it.
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Lucy woke up coughing uncontrollably, her body still weak.
Her last memory was of the sky and sea turning chaotic as Roy dove into the water with her, Natsu, and Happy.
She must have passed out from nearly drowning.
Suddenly, a familiar clear voice reached her ears.
"You're awake? If you hadn't woken up soon, I was about to perform CPR on you," the voice teased with a light chuckle.
Lucy rubbed her aching head and sat up, only to see Roy's bright, teasing smile.
"CPR, huh?"
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. With a mischievous grin, she replied, "Good thing I woke up in time. Otherwise, it'd be such a loss to be taken advantage of while unconscious!"
It wasn't clear if she was referring to Roy giving her CPR or her own lack of awareness during the event.
Their eyes met, and the atmosphere grew warm and comfortable.
Just then, Natsu, completely oblivious to the mood, jumped up and shouted, "Since Lucy's awake, let's get moving! I can't wait any longer—S-Class mission, here we come!"
He brandished a random wooden stick he'd picked up somewhere, his excitement palpable.
Lucy glared at Natsu in annoyance, standing up with a huff.
Suddenly, a warm hand rested gently on her head, ruffling her golden hair.
She looked up to see Roy's bright smile, and all her frustration melted away.
---
Following the location on the mission request, Roy, Lucy, and Natsu arrived at a small village to meet the client.
Meanwhile, Gray had boarded a boat heading to Galuna Island. The boatman? The same strange one who had vanished earlier while transporting Roy's group.
After understanding the details of the mission, Roy's group was left speechless.
According to the village chief, they were originally normal humans.
However, three years ago, the moon turned purple, and under its light, they transformed into their current forms—half-human, half-demon.
The chief, speaking on behalf of the villagers, begged Roy and his group to destroy the moon.
Hearing the absurd request, Roy and Lucy couldn't help but retort, "What did the moon ever do to you?"
Of course, Roy refused the chief's request outright.
The moon was essential to all life on Earth; destroying it for such a ridiculous reason was unthinkable.
Upon reaching the island, Roy began recalling this part of the story.
The villagers' transformation wasn't caused by the purple moonlight. They were originally demons, but the light caused memory confusion, leading them to believe they were once human.
The purple moonlight was a result of a mysterious ritual being conducted on the island, which created a membrane in the sky.
Roy had already sensed this membrane upon arriving on the island.
The solution was simple: locate the ritual site, defeat those performing the ritual, and destroy the membrane covering the island. This would resolve the mission.
Using the pretext of investigating the island, Roy led Lucy and Natsu away from the village.
---
"You're here too?!"
Natsu shouted dramatically, pointing at Gray, whom they encountered in the forest.
Gray nodded at Roy first before turning to Natsu with a mock-serious tone.
"The old man found out you stole the request form. He's furious at the guild. If you don't want to be expelled, you'd better come back with me now."
"I'm not going back! I have to complete this S-Class mission!" Natsu declared stubbornly, his fear evident but overshadowed by his determination.
Gray sighed and adopted a stern expression. "If that's the case, then I have no choice..."
Clenching his fists, Gray prepared to fight.
Natsu, sensing the tension, readied himself as well.
Then, without warning, Gray removed his shirt.
"...I'll just help you complete this mission!"
Gray's sudden shift in tone left the group dumbfounded.
Natsu, who had been about to attack, lost control of his momentum and fell flat on his face.
"Damn it, Gray! Were you trying to trick me?!"
Hearing Natsu's complaints and seeing his embarrassing fall, everyone burst into laughter.
---
Elsewhere, in a dilapidated temple on the island, a short, thin figure wearing a demonic mask examined images in a crystal ball, chuckling sinisterly.
"So, even you've come to this island, Gray? Things are getting more and more interesting!"
The figure let out a menacing laugh.
"I can't wait to see the reunion between you and your 'brother.' That will surely be entertaining!"