ParticleOfSand Some people want the drama, some don't. I'll just leave this part at that and explore the aftermath after the next world.
"I'll be leaving now," Genji told Alysha that night.
"So soon? Don't we still have another day?" She asked with a disappointed look.
"After the uproar you caused today, do you really think we can walk around in peace?"
At his question, Alysha let out a sheepish laugh and bashfully tussled her hair. "That's true. I think I overdid it a little."
"A little? Then your standard must be very high," Kosa remarked, still salty about how Genji made her deal with the mess. "With your display, the newspapers will be all over you tomorrow."
"Genji, do you think I should accept the interview?" Alysha asked, thinking back to the enthusiastic journalists that jumped her today.
"Up to you. I don't care about the press, but it might help build your fame, though I doubt you will need it. The question is, do you want to do it? If not, then you have your answer."
Alysha thought carefully about the question before making up her mind. Her teacher's skills were unparalleled, but he was indifferent to fame. To Alysha, this was a pity that she wanted to change.
Since he didn't care, she would take his place and show people what it meant to truly carve, to show them the joy of it. She wanted to tell the world that this skill wasn't because of her talent, but because of her hard work; that this style could be learned by anyone with the right methods instead of relying on something as abstract as talent.
"Seems like you've made up your mind," Genji said, sensing the determination inside her. He smiled lightly, took her favorite carving knife, and gave it one last "sharpening" before leaving the hotel room.
Seeing his departing back, Alysha thought back to the training that Genji had taught her. Everything happened so quickly, but it felt like a lifetime. Alysha had improved so much during this time that it was hard to believe only three days had passed.
"I think I understand Mr. Finlosh now. The field of wood carving is too lonely, and I want to change that. What's the point of holding onto this joy if I can't share it?" Alysha smiled brightly, having found a goal in life and a way to utilize her astounding skills with a carving knife.
'Has she always been this beautiful?' Kosa asked herself, enthralled by Alysha's disposition.
The next moment, she admonished herself, fully aware of exactly what thoughts she had. 'Kosa, what are you thinking? She's only eight. You can't think of her like that. You promised to be a good person. Impure thoughts, begone! ...Though it's fine as long as I get consent, right? Right?'
...
"EverRealm. Let's start the next mission," Genji said, finding an abandoned factory to cover his disappearance.
Seconds later, he returned to his room to make his final preparations.
[You have spent 51 hours past your mission start time.]
[Mission difficulty will be increased moderately.]
[History of high achievements detected.]
[A specialized mission will be generated for you.]
Barren Wasteland
Background:
This was once a prosperous world with abundant resources that nourished a powerful civilization. Development was rapid, and this civilization quickly conquered the world, cementing its position as a dominating group. This was their golden age, but like all golden ages, there would always be a downfall.
Due to their rapid development, they consumed their resources at a frightening rate, forcing them to seek an alternative. Yet these alternatives were inefficient, leading to overharvesting that damaged the world. As a result, the world could no longer shield them from the sun and the rising temperatures it caused.
Although wise sages attempted to address the issue, their efforts came too late. In the end, the heat overwhelmed them, leading to the dissolution of the civilization and leaving behind a barren wasteland.
World Owner: EonRealm
Mission: Change the surviving civilization for the better so EverRealm has a basis to contest for ownership of the world.
Note: This is a world invasion and EonRealm has the authority to take defensive measures.
Duration: 20 Days
Restrictions: Technology beyond the Industrial Revolution is restricted.
The next moment, Genji was hit with an intense heatwave as the scorching sun beamed down on him. He had expected this when he read the introduction, but he never anticipated it would be this extreme.
Large beads of sweat soaked his newly repaired equipment, exacerbating his discomfort. Unfortunately, Genji had to acclimatize to this harsh environment, or it would severely hamper his combat abilities.
"It really feels like each world is worse than the last. First, a world without a sun, and now a world with too much sun. Will I ever catch a break?"
Setting aside his discomfort, Genji surveyed his surroundings, finding nothing but a vast expanse of sand. These yellow granules, formed from crushed rocks, stretched for miles and covered everything in sight. Coupled with the soaring temperatures, Genji had no doubt he was in a vast desert, lost in the middle of nowhere.
"Well, I think I can use your help now," Genji said, summoning his horse companion.
Bruce materialized and looked around in confusion, still groggy from his slumber. Then he snorted in annoyance, equally bothered by the extreme temperatures as Genji.
"Sorry, little guy, but I don't think we have a choice in this world. Unless we can find somewhere to cool off, we'll have to endure this."
Bruce appeared dejected but allowed Genji nevertheless before galloping in a random direction. It was not like they had a specific destination so any direction was as good as the other.
A couple of minutes later, Genji felt Bruce wobble as a significant vibration emanated from underground. Something substantial was tunneling its way toward them, and from its momentum, Genji knew it wasn't friendly. Genji quickly dismounted, and Bruce dissipated before Genji drew [Jaguar] from his back.
Moments later, the ground beneath him ruptured, and a large, brown worm emerged. A cascade of sand followed the creature as it breached the surface, forcing Genji to leap back. Upon landing, the worm opened its mouth, revealing numerous triangular teeth, and lunged at him, attempting to swallow him whole.
Genji lightly tapped his feet, propelling himself over the worm and avoiding the dusty storm below. As he descended, he turned vertically and cleaved onto the earthy flesh. A gush of blood spurted out of the wound, dyeing the ground crimson, but the worm was unfazed and retreated back underground.
The ground quaked once more before the worm leaped out, aiming to repeat its hunting move, but Genji was ready. The next moment materialized behind the emerging head with flickers of fading shadow flames. A red line appeared on the worm's body before sliding off, buoyed by its upward force.
"This isn't meat, but at least it's something," Genji remarked as he activated Blood Attraction on his sheath.
A large stream of blood flowed out of the wound and rapidly congregated at the sheath held between his index finger and thumb. During this process, the worm shriveled up like a raisin in the sun, losing its luster and becoming a discolored carapace. Swirls of blood mist also arose from the sand, merging with this stream to feed the opening of the sheath.
This entire process took only a few moments, and the sheath felt no different than before, indicating that this amount of blood was insignificant to the legendary equipment. When Bruce manifested again, he licked his lips, still savoring the aftertaste.
Since Bruce's new body was constructed with vampire qualities, blood no longer tasted foul to him. Plus, vampire blood was particularly nasty in comparison to its regular counterparts.
"You don't seem to mind the taste of blood anymore."
At his comment, Bruce gave him a side-eye. How dare you say that as if it will replace meat? Meat is the best. Meat is justice!
"Okay, okay. I won't bring it up again."
With that, they resumed their journey, occasionally adding a snack to Bruce's sheath form. Despite their size, these sandworms were surprisingly common, causing Genji a fair share of annoyance.
By the nth worm, Genji started dissecting the bodies in search of any possible weaknesses, accumulating an array of sharp teeth. He wasn't certain if they would be useful, but they were sturdy, so he decided to save them.
"Annoying worms. They're like rabid dogs, attacking anyone they find."
Bruce neighed in agreement and kicked the deceased husk. As they got up, Genji sensed turbulence approaching. Looking into the distance, they noticed a sand tornado swirling directly at them, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
"Just our luck," he muttered and dug his heels into the terrain, ready to weather the storm. Countless grains of sand pelted against his body as his cloak flapped violently in the wind. Next, he activated Solid Core, anchoring his body in place and resisting the impact.
When the storm subsided, they were left in a disheveled state, covered in sand and dirt. Genji turned his hood inside out, emptying the accumulated debris, while Bruce shook his body like a wet dog to dislodge as many particles as possible.
At this moment, annoyance was forming inside them about the stupid environment, but before they could think any further, a peal of boisterous laughter interrupted their thoughts.
"Hahahaha. Boys, look what we have here. A lone traveler!"
A group of people in disheveled rags emerged from the storm, seemingly celebrating the unexpected encounter after being caught in the natural disaster.
"Hand over your belongings if you know what's good for you," the leader demanded, brandishing his weapon menacingly.
However, Genji gave them an unexpected reaction, greeting them with a wide smile. After such a long day, they had finally come across society. Even if these individuals were criminals, Genji didn't care. At least they no longer had to wander aimlessly.
"What are you grinning at? Didn't you hear me?"
"Hey, Bruce. Do you want to let off some steam?"
At Genji's question, Bruce's eyes also lit up. They exchanged a knowing glance before focusing on the bandits, sending them an intimidating glare. Shivers ran down the spines of the bandits as their instincts screamed at them.
However, before they could react, Genji and Bruce sprang into action, hammering them like bullies to an easy victim.
A few minutes later, Bruce kicked a bandit with a bruised eye to the ground. This bandit was considered one of the luckier ones since many of Bruce's other victims had sustained broken skulls and shattered bones. Genji, on the other hand, showed no mercy, leaving the survivors terrified of the puddle gathering by his feet.
"So, do you want to do this the hard way or the easy way?" Genji asked, crouching down with a "gentle" smile.
"W-what d-do y-y-you want?" The bandit stuttered, unable to look away from the bloody weapon beside him.
"Where's the nearest town?"
"I-ah-"
"Yeah, that's a stupid question. Now lead the way, unless you want to join your friends." Genji finished off the other bandits and gave him a stern look.
Terrified of the consequences, the bandit hastily complied. A few minutes later, the bandit's fear subsided, and a certain thought crossed his mind.
Initially, it was a whim, but the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a stroke of inspiration. At that moment, the bandit felt immense pride like a genius inventor who created a world-changing invention. Then he subtly adjusted their direction and inwardly grinned.
'You think you're a big shot? I'll show you what it means to know despair!'
After some time, they arrived near a desolate campsite where ashes covered the ground. As they approached, a burly man stood up and ordered the others to encircle the area, recognizing the presence of an unfamiliar face.
"Is this your brilliant plan?" Genji asked, seemingly unfazed by the situation. How could he not notice the deviation in direction? No, he simply didn't care about these opponents. After all, what kind of trap could common enemies set up?
"Still acting mysterious? Do you think that can save you? Heh, you can act scholarly all you want, but you will die today." The bandit laughed triumphantly, convinced of his victory.
"I don't think you've thought things through," Genji replied.
"Ha! The barking of a loser. If I didn't think things through, then how did you end up in the situation?"
"You still don't get it, do you?"
"Get what? Why don't you enlighten me, oh wise sage?" The bandit asked mockingly, but Genji only shook his head in disappointment.
"Tell me, clever guy, how do you plan on surviving? Even if I spare your life, do you think your leader will show you mercy after all this?"
"This..." The bandit was taken aback by his words. Now that Genji had pointed it out, how was he going to survive?
"And you didn't even make this trip worthwhile."
The next moment, [Curse Bearer] manifested and blasted the bandit's head clean off.
[Scarface]
Health: 3,000/3,000
Searing Aura: 40/40
Con: 25
Str: 27
Dex: 17
Int: 4
Spc: 3
Skills:
- Elite (Passive): +2,500 health
- Searing Aura (Passive): Convert normal energy to Searing Aura
- Burning Strike (Active): Concentrate all Searing Aura into one strike, dealing 120% damage and 10% burning damage per second for 3 seconds
"Now that you've disposed of the trash, it's your turn to die!" Scarface yelled, pointing his battle axe at Genji.
"Bruce, do what you want. You should be able to handle the small fries."
Genji drew his saber and casually walked over. Since the opponents posed no real threat, he didn't want to overexert himself, especially in this sweltering weather.
Genji gracefully sidestepped a clumsy attack and swung his saber, swiftly cleaving through the bandit. He then tilted his head back, allowing another blade to brush over his nose before tripping the attacker and redirecting his swing toward another bandit. Caught off guard, the second bandit was impaled by the blade, before Genji skewered them both.
Intimidated by this display, the remaining bandits halted their advance and retreated. Their bodies tensed up, each one fearing they might become the next victim.
"Why are you backing off? Attack! Can't you see he's just one person? Overwhelm him with numbers before he can do anything!" Scarface roared angrily, trying to motivate his wavering group.
This spurred the bandits to regroup and charge at Genji once more, letting out loud battle cries in an attempt to quell their fear.
Undeterred, Genji continued his leisurely stroll, effortlessly cutting down anyone who got too close. As he was about to be surrounded, Genji leaped into the air and kicked off the bandits' heads, rendering them unconscious instantly.
A silver saber then descended, piercing through yet another bandit below him before he landed at a safe distance. Turning around, Genji brandished his weapon again, cutting down more bandits.
With this, the remaining bandits realized their dire situation and hastily retreated. This time, no amount of Scarface's yelling or threatening could persuade them to continue the fight. They were selfish bandits, not soldiers who were ready to throw away their lives on a single command.
"Guess it's just you left," Genji remarked as he approached Scarface.
"Don't underestimate me!" Scarface yelled and unleashed his Burning Strike. As the fiery energy concentrated, his battle axe took on an orange glow, melting slightly and adding to the already scorching heat.
True to its name, the energy was fire-based, prompting Genji to change his relaxed posture. It was fine to go easy, but if he sustained a serious wound because of it, that would be stupid.
Genji's eyes narrowed, and he tightened his grip, tracking every move as Scarface's attack closed in. Suddenly, Genji leaned down, allowing the attack to cleave through the air above him, before swinging with pinpoint accuracy, severing both of Scarface's arms.
Then he rose up and kicked Scarface into the ground before stomping down on his leg. A crisp snapping sound came from below and shards of bone pierced out the side, crippling the man.
"Where is the closest town?"
In response, Scarface spat at him, unwilling to comply with him.
"That's fine as well. I'm sure you will eventually speak."
Then Genji stomped down again, paying careful attention to grinding the flesh on the shards of bone as much as possible. A sharp hiss escaped Scareface's mouth and beads of sweat trickled down his sides, but he refused to give in.
"K-kill me," he weakly pleaded.
"Not yet. You still have your uses," Genji responded, continuing his interrogation. However, he had to admit that Scarface was far more resilient than he had initially believed.
"Is it really worth enduring so much pain when you could just end it?" Genji asked, taking a break as Bruce dragged an unconscious bandit over.
"Heh, we're all in hell so what does a little more pain matter?"
"Good mentality, but you need to be able to back up those words. In your current condition, you don't seem very convincing." Genji then beckoned Bruce to release the bandit and undo the transformation to absorb the excess blood.
The more Genji used this ability, the more convenient it felt. After all, what could beat a vacuum that could clean up the blood in the area? However, before Genji could awaken the other bandit, he noticed Scarface trembling in fear. Following his gaze, Genji saw the whirlpool of blood gathering around his sheath.
"D-demon!" Scarface stammered, his teeth clattering in terror. He then broke down, which surprised Genji, given the extent of fear he displayed. "Please, anything but that! I'll tell you everything I know. Just don't feed me to that demon!"
Hearing these strange words, Genji furrowed his brows in confusion. What demon? Bruce might be odd, but wasn't it too harsh to call him a demon?
"Please! Didn't you want to know the location of the nearest town? It's in that direction. Please, just end it. I've told you what you want. I swear, it's the truth!" Scarface spoke, interpreting Genji's hesitation as reluctance to grant his request, and spilled the beans.
Although confused, Genji chose to not ask about the weird statement and gave the dying bandit his wish. Plus, he doubted the man could answer any other questions in his state of mind. But from the sense of relief on his face, Genji could speculate how terrifying this so-called demon was.
"At least now we have our directions," Genji remarked, recognizing that there was more to this world than met the eye.
ParticleOfSand Some people want the drama, some don't. I'll just leave this part at that and explore the aftermath after the next world.
"I'll be leaving now," Genji told Alysha that night.
"So soon? Don't we still have another day?" She asked with a disappointed look.
"After the uproar you caused today, do you really think we can walk around in peace?"
At his question, Alysha let out a sheepish laugh and bashfully tussled her hair. "That's true. I think I overdid it a little."
"A little? Then your standard must be very high," Kosa remarked, still salty about how Genji made her deal with the mess. "With your display, the newspapers will be all over you tomorrow."
"Genji, do you think I should accept the interview?" Alysha asked, thinking back to the enthusiastic journalists that jumped her today.
"Up to you. I don't care about the press, but it might help build your fame, though I doubt you will need it. The question is, do you want to do it? If not, then you have your answer."
Alysha thought carefully about the question before making up her mind. Her teacher's skills were unparalleled, but he was indifferent to fame. To Alysha, this was a pity that she wanted to change.
Since he didn't care, she would take his place and show people what it meant to truly carve, to show them the joy of it. She wanted to tell the world that this skill wasn't because of her talent, but because of her hard work; that this style could be learned by anyone with the right methods instead of relying on something as abstract as talent.
"Seems like you've made up your mind," Genji said, sensing the determination inside her. He smiled lightly, took her favorite carving knife, and gave it one last "sharpening" before leaving the hotel room.
Seeing his departing back, Alysha thought back to the training that Genji had taught her. Everything happened so quickly, but it felt like a lifetime. Alysha had improved so much during this time that it was hard to believe only three days had passed.
"I think I understand Mr. Finlosh now. The field of wood carving is too lonely, and I want to change that. What's the point of holding onto this joy if I can't share it?" Alysha smiled brightly, having found a goal in life and a way to utilize her astounding skills with a carving knife.
'Has she always been this beautiful?' Kosa asked herself, enthralled by Alysha's disposition.
The next moment, she admonished herself, fully aware of exactly what thoughts she had. 'Kosa, what are you thinking? She's only eight. You can't think of her like that. You promised to be a good person. Impure thoughts, begone! ...Though it's fine as long as I get consent, right? Right?'
...
"EverRealm. Let's start the next mission," Genji said, finding an abandoned factory to cover his disappearance.
Seconds later, he returned to his room to make his final preparations.
[You have spent 51 hours past your mission start time.]
[Mission difficulty will be increased moderately.]
[History of high achievements detected.]
[A specialized mission will be generated for you.]
Barren Wasteland
Background:
This was once a prosperous world with abundant resources that nourished a powerful civilization. Development was rapid, and this civilization quickly conquered the world, cementing its position as a dominating group. This was their golden age, but like all golden ages, there would always be a downfall.
Due to their rapid development, they consumed their resources at a frightening rate, forcing them to seek an alternative. Yet these alternatives were inefficient, leading to overharvesting that damaged the world. As a result, the world could no longer shield them from the sun and the rising temperatures it caused.
Although wise sages attempted to address the issue, their efforts came too late. In the end, the heat overwhelmed them, leading to the dissolution of the civilization and leaving behind a barren wasteland.
World Owner: EonRealm
Mission: Change the surviving civilization for the better so EverRealm has a basis to contest for ownership of the world.
Note: This is a world invasion and EonRealm has the authority to take defensive measures.
Duration: 20 Days
Restrictions: Technology beyond the Industrial Revolution is restricted.
The next moment, Genji was hit with an intense heatwave as the scorching sun beamed down on him. He had expected this when he read the introduction, but he never anticipated it would be this extreme.
Large beads of sweat soaked his newly repaired equipment, exacerbating his discomfort. Unfortunately, Genji had to acclimatize to this harsh environment, or it would severely hamper his combat abilities.
"It really feels like each world is worse than the last. First, a world without a sun, and now a world with too much sun. Will I ever catch a break?"
Setting aside his discomfort, Genji surveyed his surroundings, finding nothing but a vast expanse of sand. These yellow granules, formed from crushed rocks, stretched for miles and covered everything in sight. Coupled with the soaring temperatures, Genji had no doubt he was in a vast desert, lost in the middle of nowhere.
"Well, I think I can use your help now," Genji said, summoning his horse companion.
Bruce materialized and looked around in confusion, still groggy from his slumber. Then he snorted in annoyance, equally bothered by the extreme temperatures as Genji.
"Sorry, little guy, but I don't think we have a choice in this world. Unless we can find somewhere to cool off, we'll have to endure this."
Bruce appeared dejected but allowed Genji nevertheless before galloping in a random direction. It was not like they had a specific destination so any direction was as good as the other.
A couple of minutes later, Genji felt Bruce wobble as a significant vibration emanated from underground. Something substantial was tunneling its way toward them, and from its momentum, Genji knew it wasn't friendly. Genji quickly dismounted, and Bruce dissipated before Genji drew [Jaguar] from his back.
Moments later, the ground beneath him ruptured, and a large, brown worm emerged. A cascade of sand followed the creature as it breached the surface, forcing Genji to leap back. Upon landing, the worm opened its mouth, revealing numerous triangular teeth, and lunged at him, attempting to swallow him whole.
Genji lightly tapped his feet, propelling himself over the worm and avoiding the dusty storm below. As he descended, he turned vertically and cleaved onto the earthy flesh. A gush of blood spurted out of the wound, dyeing the ground crimson, but the worm was unfazed and retreated back underground.
The ground quaked once more before the worm leaped out, aiming to repeat its hunting move, but Genji was ready. The next moment materialized behind the emerging head with flickers of fading shadow flames. A red line appeared on the worm's body before sliding off, buoyed by its upward force.
"This isn't meat, but at least it's something," Genji remarked as he activated Blood Attraction on his sheath.
A large stream of blood flowed out of the wound and rapidly congregated at the sheath held between his index finger and thumb. During this process, the worm shriveled up like a raisin in the sun, losing its luster and becoming a discolored carapace. Swirls of blood mist also arose from the sand, merging with this stream to feed the opening of the sheath.
This entire process took only a few moments, and the sheath felt no different than before, indicating that this amount of blood was insignificant to the legendary equipment. When Bruce manifested again, he licked his lips, still savoring the aftertaste.
Since Bruce's new body was constructed with vampire qualities, blood no longer tasted foul to him. Plus, vampire blood was particularly nasty in comparison to its regular counterparts.
"You don't seem to mind the taste of blood anymore."
At his comment, Bruce gave him a side-eye. How dare you say that as if it will replace meat? Meat is the best. Meat is justice!
"Okay, okay. I won't bring it up again."
With that, they resumed their journey, occasionally adding a snack to Bruce's sheath form. Despite their size, these sandworms were surprisingly common, causing Genji a fair share of annoyance.
By the nth worm, Genji started dissecting the bodies in search of any possible weaknesses, accumulating an array of sharp teeth. He wasn't certain if they would be useful, but they were sturdy, so he decided to save them.
"Annoying worms. They're like rabid dogs, attacking anyone they find."
Bruce neighed in agreement and kicked the deceased husk. As they got up, Genji sensed turbulence approaching. Looking into the distance, they noticed a sand tornado swirling directly at them, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
"Just our luck," he muttered and dug his heels into the terrain, ready to weather the storm. Countless grains of sand pelted against his body as his cloak flapped violently in the wind. Next, he activated Solid Core, anchoring his body in place and resisting the impact.
When the storm subsided, they were left in a disheveled state, covered in sand and dirt. Genji turned his hood inside out, emptying the accumulated debris, while Bruce shook his body like a wet dog to dislodge as many particles as possible.
At this moment, annoyance was forming inside them about the stupid environment, but before they could think any further, a peal of boisterous laughter interrupted their thoughts.
"Hahahaha. Boys, look what we have here. A lone traveler!"
A group of people in disheveled rags emerged from the storm, seemingly celebrating the unexpected encounter after being caught in the natural disaster.
"Hand over your belongings if you know what's good for you," the leader demanded, brandishing his weapon menacingly.
However, Genji gave them an unexpected reaction, greeting them with a wide smile. After such a long day, they had finally come across society. Even if these individuals were criminals, Genji didn't care. At least they no longer had to wander aimlessly.
"What are you grinning at? Didn't you hear me?"
"Hey, Bruce. Do you want to let off some steam?"
At Genji's question, Bruce's eyes also lit up. They exchanged a knowing glance before focusing on the bandits, sending them an intimidating glare. Shivers ran down the spines of the bandits as their instincts screamed at them.
However, before they could react, Genji and Bruce sprang into action, hammering them like bullies to an easy victim.
A few minutes later, Bruce kicked a bandit with a bruised eye to the ground. This bandit was considered one of the luckier ones since many of Bruce's other victims had sustained broken skulls and shattered bones. Genji, on the other hand, showed no mercy, leaving the survivors terrified of the puddle gathering by his feet.
"So, do you want to do this the hard way or the easy way?" Genji asked, crouching down with a "gentle" smile.
"W-what d-do y-y-you want?" The bandit stuttered, unable to look away from the bloody weapon beside him.
"Where's the nearest town?"
"I-ah-"
"Yeah, that's a stupid question. Now lead the way, unless you want to join your friends." Genji finished off the other bandits and gave him a stern look.
Terrified of the consequences, the bandit hastily complied. A few minutes later, the bandit's fear subsided, and a certain thought crossed his mind.
Initially, it was a whim, but the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a stroke of inspiration. At that moment, the bandit felt immense pride like a genius inventor who created a world-changing invention. Then he subtly adjusted their direction and inwardly grinned.
'You think you're a big shot? I'll show you what it means to know despair!'
After some time, they arrived near a desolate campsite where ashes covered the ground. As they approached, a burly man stood up and ordered the others to encircle the area, recognizing the presence of an unfamiliar face.
"Is this your brilliant plan?" Genji asked, seemingly unfazed by the situation. How could he not notice the deviation in direction? No, he simply didn't care about these opponents. After all, what kind of trap could common enemies set up?
"Still acting mysterious? Do you think that can save you? Heh, you can act scholarly all you want, but you will die today." The bandit laughed triumphantly, convinced of his victory.
"I don't think you've thought things through," Genji replied.
"Ha! The barking of a loser. If I didn't think things through, then how did you end up in the situation?"
"You still don't get it, do you?"
"Get what? Why don't you enlighten me, oh wise sage?" The bandit asked mockingly, but Genji only shook his head in disappointment.
"Tell me, clever guy, how do you plan on surviving? Even if I spare your life, do you think your leader will show you mercy after all this?"
"This..." The bandit was taken aback by his words. Now that Genji had pointed it out, how was he going to survive?
"And you didn't even make this trip worthwhile."
The next moment, [Curse Bearer] manifested and blasted the bandit's head clean off.
[Scarface]
Health: 3,000/3,000
Searing Aura: 40/40
Con: 25
Str: 27
Dex: 17
Int: 4
Spc: 3
Skills:
- Elite (Passive): +2,500 health
- Searing Aura (Passive): Convert normal energy to Searing Aura
- Burning Strike (Active): Concentrate all Searing Aura into one strike, dealing 120% damage and 10% burning damage per second for 3 seconds
"Now that you've disposed of the trash, it's your turn to die!" Scarface yelled, pointing his battle axe at Genji.
"Bruce, do what you want. You should be able to handle the small fries."
Genji drew his saber and casually walked over. Since the opponents posed no real threat, he didn't want to overexert himself, especially in this sweltering weather.
Genji gracefully sidestepped a clumsy attack and swung his saber, swiftly cleaving through the bandit. He then tilted his head back, allowing another blade to brush over his nose before tripping the attacker and redirecting his swing toward another bandit. Caught off guard, the second bandit was impaled by the blade, before Genji skewered them both.
Intimidated by this display, the remaining bandits halted their advance and retreated. Their bodies tensed up, each one fearing they might become the next victim.
"Why are you backing off? Attack! Can't you see he's just one person? Overwhelm him with numbers before he can do anything!" Scarface roared angrily, trying to motivate his wavering group.
This spurred the bandits to regroup and charge at Genji once more, letting out loud battle cries in an attempt to quell their fear.
Undeterred, Genji continued his leisurely stroll, effortlessly cutting down anyone who got too close. As he was about to be surrounded, Genji leaped into the air and kicked off the bandits' heads, rendering them unconscious instantly.
A silver saber then descended, piercing through yet another bandit below him before he landed at a safe distance. Turning around, Genji brandished his weapon again, cutting down more bandits.
With this, the remaining bandits realized their dire situation and hastily retreated. This time, no amount of Scarface's yelling or threatening could persuade them to continue the fight. They were selfish bandits, not soldiers who were ready to throw away their lives on a single command.
"Guess it's just you left," Genji remarked as he approached Scarface.
"Don't underestimate me!" Scarface yelled and unleashed his Burning Strike. As the fiery energy concentrated, his battle axe took on an orange glow, melting slightly and adding to the already scorching heat.
True to its name, the energy was fire-based, prompting Genji to change his relaxed posture. It was fine to go easy, but if he sustained a serious wound because of it, that would be stupid.
Genji's eyes narrowed, and he tightened his grip, tracking every move as Scarface's attack closed in. Suddenly, Genji leaned down, allowing the attack to cleave through the air above him, before swinging with pinpoint accuracy, severing both of Scarface's arms.
Then he rose up and kicked Scarface into the ground before stomping down on his leg. A crisp snapping sound came from below and shards of bone pierced out the side, crippling the man.
"Where is the closest town?"
In response, Scarface spat at him, unwilling to comply with him.
"That's fine as well. I'm sure you will eventually speak."
Then Genji stomped down again, paying careful attention to grinding the flesh on the shards of bone as much as possible. A sharp hiss escaped Scareface's mouth and beads of sweat trickled down his sides, but he refused to give in.
"K-kill me," he weakly pleaded.
"Not yet. You still have your uses," Genji responded, continuing his interrogation. However, he had to admit that Scarface was far more resilient than he had initially believed.
"Is it really worth enduring so much pain when you could just end it?" Genji asked, taking a break as Bruce dragged an unconscious bandit over.
"Heh, we're all in hell so what does a little more pain matter?"
"Good mentality, but you need to be able to back up those words. In your current condition, you don't seem very convincing." Genji then beckoned Bruce to release the bandit and undo the transformation to absorb the excess blood.
The more Genji used this ability, the more convenient it felt. After all, what could beat a vacuum that could clean up the blood in the area? However, before Genji could awaken the other bandit, he noticed Scarface trembling in fear. Following his gaze, Genji saw the whirlpool of blood gathering around his sheath.
"D-demon!" Scarface stammered, his teeth clattering in terror. He then broke down, which surprised Genji, given the extent of fear he displayed. "Please, anything but that! I'll tell you everything I know. Just don't feed me to that demon!"
Hearing these strange words, Genji furrowed his brows in confusion. What demon? Bruce might be odd, but wasn't it too harsh to call him a demon?
"Please! Didn't you want to know the location of the nearest town? It's in that direction. Please, just end it. I've told you what you want. I swear, it's the truth!" Scarface spoke, interpreting Genji's hesitation as reluctance to grant his request, and spilled the beans.
Although confused, Genji chose to not ask about the weird statement and gave the dying bandit his wish. Plus, he doubted the man could answer any other questions in his state of mind. But from the sense of relief on his face, Genji could speculate how terrifying this so-called demon was.
"At least now we have our directions," Genji remarked, recognizing that there was more to this world than met the eye.
