A New Beginning After The Storm

Luna stood up and brushed the dust and dirt off her clothes. Rima suddenly hugged her tightly.

"I thought you wouldn't come back," Rima said.

"Sorry for making you worry," Luna replied.

"What matters is that you're back. Come on, let's go back to the city," said Rima.

The two of them walked toward the capital city of Nuzantra. As soon as they entered the city, Luna was greeted by Langit, Griffa, Riffon, and baby Garm, along with their mother, who had previously been with Verni and Lenti. Everyone turned to look at Luna and Rima, who arrived with several tamed creatures.

Some citizens were returning to their homes that had been destroyed. Luna and Rima wandered through the city, helping those in need. Radhimar could be seen treating the injured, while Rania and Bartasz built an emergency kitchen with the Adventurer's Guild for those who had lost their homes.

"Mom! Mommy Rima!" cried Rania.

"Lady Luna! Miss Rima!" greeted Lusserina.

"Rania, Bartasz… and Lu, are you all okay?" Luna asked.

"We're safe thanks to Lusserina," said Rania.

"That's right, mum. If it weren't for Lusserina, I don't know what would've happened to us," Bartasz added.

"Thank you, Lu, for looking after them," said Luna.

"You're too kind, ma'am. It's my duty," replied Lusserina.

"By the way, how did you two end up coming together?" asked Rania.

Luna and Rima glanced at each other.

"I was already on my way here when I received your telepathic message, so I rushed over," said Rima.

"Eh! I came in a hurry too after hearing Rania's telepathic message," Luna replied.

"Thank goodness you both arrived just in time, otherwise Lusserina might have..." said Rania, her face clouded with worry.

"Young Miss, thank you for worrying about me. But I believed Lady Luna and Miss Rima would come," Lusserina said.

"She's right. Now's not the time to feel sad. Go on, continue your work," said Rima.

"Wow, you're such a disciplined mom…" Luna teased.

"Of course! Unlike you, a strict stepmother. Hahaha," Rima teased back.

"What did you say?! Say that again!" shouted Luna.

"Stepmother…" Rima replied teasingly.

Without realizing it, their argument had become a spectacle for everyone around them. Once they noticed the attention, they blushed in embarrassment.

"Oh, right, Mum, here…" said Bartasz, handing over a black crystal orb.

"(Mythril?)" Luna thought.

"That giant monster left this behind," added Bartasz.

Luna stored the mythril orb in her inventory.

"Miss Rima!" someone called out.

Hearing this, Luna and Rima turned around. The one calling them was Zetya, the guild leader.

"Ah! Miss Rima… you've returned?" Zetya asked.

"Yes, I just got back. How's the city?" asked Rima.

"It's a long report. How about I explain it while showing you around?" Zetya offered.

"Alright."
"Lun, I'm going to have a look around," said Rima.

"Okay," replied Luna.

Rima left with Zetya. Luna, now on her own, decided to help Rania and Bartasz. After a while...

"Ma'am, someone wants to see you," said Lusserina.

"Who is it, Lu?" Luna asked.

It turned out to be Commander Deva and Ares.

"Um… Miss Luna, may we speak privately?" asked Commander Deva.

"Privately? Alright," Luna agreed.

She led them away and cast a spell that created an invisible dome of silence around them before it disappeared from view.

"What kind of spell is this?" asked Ares.

"A soundproofing spell, so no one outside can hear us. So, what's this about?" said Luna.

Before speaking, Deva and Ares exchanged glances.

"Are you… a player?" Deva asked.

Luna's eyebrows shot up, and her eyes widened in disbelief. Her heart raced, and adrenaline surged through her veins.

"Don't tell me… You two are as well?" Luna asked in shock.

"Ah, finally, we're not the only players in this world," said Deva with relief.

"Yes, I was so grateful when I met you, Dev," said Ares.

"Oh, I'm Dev, from the Pantheon Guild," said Deva.

"I'm Ares, also from the same guild," added Ares.

"I'm Luna, from the Fortune Cookies Guild," replied Luna.

"Fortune Cookie! A guild filled with players with privileges like GM and Limit Breaker?!" Deva exclaimed.

"Yup, that one," Luna confirmed.

"Don't tell me all the Fortune Cookies members are here too?" asked Deva.

"Unfortunately, I don't know. You're the first players I've met since arriving here," said Luna.

"By the way, how long have you been here?" asked Deva.

"Around two months. How about you?" replied Luna.

"I've been here four years," said Deva.

"Oh, that's nothing. I've been here twelve years, since I was eighteen. I'm practically an old man now," said Ares.

"…"

"But I feel more at ease knowing there are other players here," said Deva.

"Yeah, me too," added Ares.

"…"

"Now I need a new sword," Ares sighed.

"Yeah, my sword got ruined fighting those minions," said Deva.

"Minions? Of the Behemoth?" Luna asked.

"Yes, we had to dodge and block a lot of attacks to avoid more destruction," said Ares.

"Want me to make you a new sword with this?" Luna offered, pulling out the mithril orb.

"Mythril?!" both exclaimed.

"But I only have one…" Luna added.

"I want it," said Deva.

"Let me have it. Your sword's not broken. Besides, you're a commander—surely the kingdom can give you a better one," Ares argued.

"But I want it too…" Deva muttered.

"Alright, it's settled. I'll make one for you," said Luna.

"…"

"Well then, I have to go back. Lots of reports to write," said Deva.

"Yeah, I need to check on the others. Also, your maid has been glaring at us this whole time," Ares added.

"If anything comes up, don't hesitate to come to the Moonshine shop," said Luna.

"Got it. See you later," they both said.

"Yeah, see you," Luna replied.

After they parted ways, Luna returned to Rania and Bartasz. They told her that Radhimar wanted to meet her, but couldn't because of his duties as High Priest. After treating the wounded, he went straight to the king to discuss what had happened. Rima was also there. Meanwhile, Luna continued helping Rania and Bartasz.

Far away in the mountains, a man in a black cloak stared at the capital from a distance.

"This isn't over yet," he said before vanishing into the forest.

A month passed quickly. Everyone worked together to clear the rubble and rebuild the ruined city. Langit and the others also helped by lifting heavy items. For citizens whose homes were destroyed, they stayed in various inns throughout the capital. The royal family covered all costs.

For seven days, Luna continued to help Rania and Bartasz. This time, Radhimar and Rima also joined in. King Siegfried came to check on the city with his family. Verni and the mischievous boy from before turned out to be a princess and a prince.

After a week, Luna finished forging a sword and shield for Ares—dark purple. Because they were made from mythril, the weapons had an advantage against magic. Deva was a little jealous, so Luna cheered him up by repairing his armor to look like new.

During the month, Luna spent most of her time helping Rania and the others or playing with her summons, which had now increased. With the addition of Garm's mate and two pups, Luna built a house for them as well. She named them Putih, Bamby, and Arimby—the two pups were twins, a male and a female. Langit and the others had also become close to Rima and the rest. Meanwhile, Rima was busy attending meetings with the king. Because Luna was often called Lusserina just "Lu," Rima and the others had started doing the same.

One afternoon...

"Aahhh, I'm so bored…" Luna sighed, pressing her face against the table on her back terrace.

"Want to come with me?" asked Rima beside her.

"Come where?" Luna asked.

"A month and a half from now, there'll be a martial arts tournament in the central plains. I'm always invited as a guest," Rima replied.

"(Central plains?!) That sounds interesting," said Luna.

"Then it's decided," Rima said.

"May I accompany the ladies?" Lusserina asked, arriving with snacks.

"Of course, you may," replied Luna.

"The more, the merrier…" Rima added.

[At a Tavern Somewhere]

The sun had set, replaced by the beauty of the moon in the night sky. While some places closed their doors when night fell, taverns only began to come alive after dark.
As with most taverns, many people came to eat or to drink. Barmaids bustled about, delivering food and drinks to the customers. At the bar counter sat a blonde-haired elf, drinking quietly.

"Hey, did you hear? They say the Moon Goddess descended to earth and saved the capital, Nuzantra," said one man.

"You mean that incident from a month and a half ago?" asked the second man.

"Yeah, that one," replied the first.

"Ah, don't be ridiculous. That was probably just Lady Rima who defeated it," responded the second man.

"Well, according to the rumors I heard, some folks saw the Moon Goddess flying in the sky and casting magic at the monster," said the first.

"How could they tell it was the Moon Goddess? Do they even know what she looks like?" asked the second man.

"I don't know either. But according to witnesses, there was a floating crescent moon behind the figure flying in the sky," answered the first.

The elf man who had been drinking all this time suddenly froze, his hand pausing midair. His pointed ears twitched slightly. He set down his glass and walked over to the table where the two men were talking.

"Gentlemen, may I join your conversation?" the elf man said.

The two men turned to look at him. The elf then placed his hand on the table. When he lifted it, a silver coin gleamed beneath.

"Waitress, more beer for these two gentlemen, please," the elf said.

The two men glanced at each other, then…

"Of course you're welcome to join us, friend," said the first man.

The elf sat down beside them with a smile on his face.