"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

Three hours had passed, and the once-disorganized crowd of humans and demi-humans had been fully processed. Everyone had their proof of residence cards in hand, and even those who couldn't read or write had been helped along with patience and care. Families were directed to larger homes, individuals to smaller ones, and every soul now carried a sense of belonging.

Seraphis stood before them all, her cloak gently swaying as she clapped her hands to get their attention.

“Alright, everyone—listen up!”

The bustling murmurs and chatter died down. All eyes were on her.

“Now it’s time for the rules. Nothing too complicated. Just the basics,” she said, then narrowed her eyes slightly. “First, and this should be obvious—no killing. Or… at least, good luck trying to.”

A few people blinked, confused, while others who could sense mana tilted their heads as they began to realize something.

Seraphis smirked. “Those of you who can sense magic or use magic probably noticed—this place isn’t normal. That’s because… I created it.”

A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd.

“Yes, technically this is another world—or rather, another dimension, as I like to call it. And in this special place… no one can die. Not from violence, accidents, or even curses. You can die from old age or natural causes, of course, but outside of that, you’re completely safe.”

Relief swept over many faces, while others remained stunned.

“Now, onto another important rule—discrimination. I won’t lie to you and say I can completely erase hatred or bias… but if you’re caught discriminating, you will be punished.”

She let the words linger, making sure everyone understood.

“Now then… for those of you who want a taste of adventure, something a bit more wild—like hunting—you’re welcome to go outside the city. There’s a healthy population of animals out there, and you’re free to hunt them and bring back what you catch. Just make sure to leave some behind for the ecosystem to thrive.”

Her tone grew firmer.

“If you choose to leave the safety of the walls, know that it’s at your own risk. There are knights patrolling the roads, and they’ll do what they can to keep you safe—but animals and monsters still roam the wilderness.”

She paused, then glanced at a group of individuals whose auras radiated faint magical energy.

“Now, for those of you seeking something more exciting—mages, swordsmen, adventurers—this town is about to become famous for something else entirely... the Games.”

She raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

FWOOM

The three holograms at the center of town flared to life once more. They showed a vast, dark forest illuminated by glowing fungi and shimmering moonlight that looked almost surreal.

“That,” Seraphis said, “is Yuria. What it looks like at night here.”

A young woman with cat ears—Yuria—gasped. “Oh, it’s so beautiful…”

“It is, isn’t it?” Seraphis replied with a soft smile. “And now, let me introduce you all to… Moonlight Marksmanship.”

She stepped to the side as the forest imagery shifted, displaying five tall towers, each surrounded by unique terrain and glowing with different colors.

“These are the five towers that will serve as the core of the game. There are three game modes: Team Match, One-on-One Duel, and Free-for-All.”

The hologram cycled through visuals of each mode.

“There will be five teams: White, Black, Red, Brown, and Green. Each team will have a tower. You can win by either defeating the opposing team’s captain or sneaking into their tower and raising your own flag.”

She held up a hand.

“Now, listen closely. If you’re a mage—your magic will be restricted at the start. Capture more towers, and you’ll slowly regain your powers. Makes things more fair... and interesting.”

Several mages in the crowd exchanged uncertain glances.

“Don’t worry,” Seraphis added, reading their expressions. “It’s temporary. And yes—you’ll get your magic back. Think of it as a challenge.”

She turned toward the sword-wielders, many of whom had furrowed brows.

“You lot too. You won’t be able to use your weapons until you capture one tower. After that, your swords and other gear will be usable again. You’ll just have to earn it.”

She walked toward the hologram as it displayed more of the forested battlefield.

“There are three levels to the game. You can choose the one that suits you best.”

• “Level 1: Easy mode. No pain. No blood. Think of it like a children's game of tag.”

• “Level 2: You’ll feel pain and bleed—but nothing fatal.”

• “Level 3: You will feel everything. Pain, exhaustion—even near-death. But don’t worry—no one will die. If a fatal strike lands, you’ll be teleported to the safe zone.”

A hand raised among the crowd. A young man stepped forward. “My name is Elric… how do we watch the games if we’re not playing?”

“Great question,” Seraphis said with a grin.

She snapped her fingers again. CHUNK

Three stone buttons emerged from the ground in front of the holograms.

“Press one of those, and you’ll see a live broadcast of the games, complete with sound. The only area not visible is the safe zone—for the sake of privacy.”

The crowd murmured in excitement.

“There will also be a small castle within the game field. The first floor will be for resting, chatting, and eating. The second floor is for women. The third floor is for men. Guards will be stationed there for your safety. You can stay there between matches or while waiting your turn.”

Another hand rose—a young woman with rabbit ears.

“What about the prizes?” she asked.

“Ah, yes… the prizes vary depending on the mode. For example, Free-For-All will give the best rewards.”

Seraphis reached into her enchanted bag. Slowly, she pulled out a jagged piece of what looked like shattered crystal. The moment it was visible, a hush fell across the crowd.

Gasps echoed. Swordsmen and mages alike stepped forward with wide eyes.

“This,” Seraphis said, holding it up, “is the Shard of the Elements.”

It pulsed with elemental energy—fire flickered along its edge, water swirled inside the core, and faint wisps of air and rock circled it like a miniature storm.

“This is the shattered remains of a primordial blade. A weapon that once wielded the power of the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water.”

She turned the fragment in the light, its crystalline surface glowing with raw magic.

“When attuned to its user, this relic allows them to channel elemental forces. You could conjure storms, summon walls of flame, or mold the very earth beneath your feet.”

She looked at the stunned audience.

“Mages, it will boost your magical output. Swordsmen, it can forge into a weapon beyond your imagination. This is just one of the prizes up for grabs in the Moonlight Games.”

Whispers of awe and ambition spread through the crowd.

Seraphis smiled.

“Welcome to Moonlight Town. Your home, your haven—and your stage.”