The Final Desperation

Genji spat out the remaining teeth shards and covered the fractures with some temporary dentures made from crystallized energy, before gulping down a healing potion. He dragged his sore body to a resting spot and texted Bruce to come pick him up.

A few minutes later, a red horse with a ferret perched on its head jogged into view. Bruce came to a stop beside him and nudged Genji's cheek with his snout, while Astros jumped onto his shoulders and wrapped himself around Genji's neck. Pulling back, Bruce revealed a tentacle that held a blank doll, asking if he could discard it now.

Genji nodded and considered his next course of action. While he still had his Legacy Liberations for this world, they were, frankly, not that helpful against his foes. What he lacked wasn't raw destructive power, but a consistent way to counter their clever tricks and abundant preparations.

'I have a slight idea that might work. Time to cash in on that agreement I made.'

Genji packed up, pulled out his map, and outlined their next route. Interestingly enough, it didn't lead deeper into the frontier, but instead backtracked all the way to the west. Bruce stared at the map for a few moments before prompting Genji to get on.

Over the next two days, they rapidly traversed the terrain and arrived at another train station. Since they'd already cleared these areas, the journey went smoothly and without any troubles. However, the train had already departed for this cycle.

Genji looked around and noticed a smaller railcar undergoing maintenance at the back. He approached the staff and inquired about borrowing it for his trip.

The workers hesitated briefly before calling their supervisor. A middle-aged man with an eye patch met with him and listened to his case. He considered the situation for a few moments before asking to see Genji's map. Genji obliged, and the man's demeanor immediately brightened upon seeing the additions.

"So deep! You must be quite the hunter!" the supervisor exclaimed.

"It wasn't easy," Genji replied. "So, what's your decision?"

"The map is more than enough. If you're willing to part with it, I can agree to your terms right away."

"Sorry, but I still need the map. You can make a copy, though."

The man's respect for Genji deepened. After all, the only time a hunter would hold onto their maps was if they intended to reenter the frontier shortly after. Plus, the gap between trips had to be so short that the officials wouldn't have enough time to produce a new, updated map.

Only then would a hunter respond like this. For such hunters, their departure was more like a restock run than an actual retirement. How could the supervisor not admire such a person? When encountering such hunters, the officials' stance was to support them fully and ensure everything ran as smoothly and conveniently as possible.

"I'll make arrangements right away," the supervisor said. "The railcar should be ready in a few hours. Meanwhile, please rest in our lounge."

Genji nodded, handed over his map, and followed the supervisor into a worn-down break room. There, he sat down on an old couch and pondered the feasibility of his idea.

'Theoretically speaking, Shadow Devour can be attached to anything,' he thought, recalling his recent battle against Xyrela. 'It doesn't have to be limited to weapons or melee attacks. The problem is that it becomes highly unstable once it leaves my control. But if I make it too stable, it will lose its lethal properties. If only there is a way to delay its activation...'

No, there is a way - Genji could feel it. The question is how to implement it.

As Genji was lost in his thoughts, a staff member wheeled in a cart of food. He silently poured Genji a glass of whiskey before sliding a plate of almonds in front of Astros.

Astros picked up a piece and slowly munched on it. After finishing, he noticed a flash of light reflecting from the lowest rung of the cart. Out of curiosity, the ferret jumped down and rummaged through the cloth drapings. A few moments later, he emerged with a metal ball between his paws.

The staff member recalled that this was a toy they had lost track of a while back and nearly forgotten about. 'So that's where it was,' he mused.

Astros fumbled with the contraption for several minutes before accidentally pressing a tile. A soft click sounded, prompting Astros to tilt his head. Seconds later, the ball jumped up and unraveled, revealing multiple interior springs attached to the outer shell. The staff member smiled and approached Astros to demonstrate how the toy worked.

This scene fell into Genji's eyes, and a flash of inspiration came to him.

'Compression? That could work.' He thought. 'I don't need to mess with timing then. Just contain the energy until an external force disrupts the balance.'

To test this idea, Genji took out a rock and slowly channeled some energy into it.

A few seconds later...

*Bam*

The rock exploded into dust, pulverized by the vortex's volatile nature. The staff member playing with Astros whipped his head around, startled by the commotion. Genji dismissed the alarm with a light wave, indicating everything was all right.

As Genji dusted off his hands, he decided not to experiment any further in public, lest he frighten the workers.

Time passed like this, and soon, the railcar was ready for Genji's departure. The supervisor walked him out and courteously returned his map. Genji nodded back from behind the window before starting the machine. A low hum gradually grew into a roaring clank as the wheels accelerated. Within a minute, they had left the station far behind them.

Genji unlocked the latches on the windows and began testing his ideas. Each time he failed, he would dump the sediments outside and try again.

The two suns gradually set, and monsters began populating the land. The ride grew bumpier as the car rolled over hazardous obstacles. However, without enough weight to absorb the impacts, the railcar quickly lost its speed. Genji wrapped the exteriors with cutting intent as an alternative before ceasing his experiments.

Then he crossed his arms and closed his eyes to get some rest for the night. The crunches grew softer along with the tar-like blood that easily slid off the windows.

Bruce manifested beside him and kept watch on the surroundings, all while feeding lumps of coal into the engine. This continued until they passed a milepost that indicated they would soon arrive at their destination.

Bruce cut the fuel and allowed the car to decelerate. When the station came into view, Bruce activated the braking mechanisms and adjusted their speed.

Meanwhile, the soldiers guarding the station entered high alert. They were not expecting any visitors today, and especially not at night. They restlessly raised their rifles as the car came to a stop.

Genji opened the door and waved his badge, easing the soldiers' tensions. They lowered their firearms, and one brave soul stepped forward to inquire about Genji's situation. "May I ask why you're here, sir, witch hunter?"

"I just got back from the frontier," Genji replied. "I'm a bit tight on time, so I borrowed this railcar from the station up ahead."

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"Got it. Welcome back, sir," the soldier replied with a hint of respect.

Genji hummed in acknowledgment. "Take care of the car for me. I'll be back in a day or two," he said as he walked past them.

"Understood! We will await your return!" The soldiers saluted and held their positions until Genji departed again.

Genji traveled for another three hours before arriving at an open workshop. The place was just as Genji remembered, full of metallic ruckus and a strong, greasy odor. A wagon was parked outside the building, indicating the presence of another visitor.

Genji approached and knocked on the wall to announce his presence. The noise subsided as a strangely dressed man stepped into view. Though not the mechanic, Genji recognized him—it was the quirky potion seller he'd met along the way during his previous visit.

"Fancy seeing you here, fellow alchemist," the vendor greeted him with a wide grin, revealing his bronze tooth. "I assume you have some business with my friend over here?"

Before Genji could answer, a muffled voice sounded behind the merchant. "Knock it off, Venir. He commissioned me to build him a firearm."

"Oh? Then he must have given you something quite valuable. Does it have anything to do with that locked trunk of yours that you refuse to show me?" The vendor asked back.

"Yes. Now shut up," the mechanic said as he stepped into view, undoing the last strap that held his protective face covering in place. He pulled off the large mask, revealing a head drenched in sweat.

"Whew," he sighed comfortably. "Been a good while since I got some fresh air."

Then he looked up to address Genji. "So you finally found time to visit me. I was starting to think you'd forgotten about it."

"Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not letting you take my stuff for free," Genji replied.

"Yeah, the only way that's happening is if you go 6 feet under. Anyway, follow me. Your sniper awaits."

They entered the back of the workshop, where the mechanic stored his creations. He pushed some boxes aside and retrieved a metallic briefcase that weighed heavily in his hands.

Genji flipped open the lid and assembled the parts with practiced familiarity. After confirming that everything was functioning as intended, he carried it outside, lay down on the ground, and aimed at a distant, protruding ledge.

KA-CHOW!

The intense recoil kicked up a cloud of dust beneath him as the point supporting the ledge shattered. A large chunk of rock slid down and crashed into the ground.

"Quite the weapon you've got there," the mechanic commented. "Anything you want me to adjust before you leave?"

"No, but I will need more ammo. Lots of it," Genji replied as he wiped down the scope.

"Sure, but it's going to cost you. These don't come cheap, you know?"

Genji took out a small chunk of soul-infused metal and gently placed it on the ground.

"What's this?" the mechanic asked, a hint of intrigue in his voice.

"Scraps from the witches. It has some interesting properties."

"Even so, isn't the value a little... disproportionate?"

"Check it out first," Genji gestured without explaining.

"Okay? What could be so—" The mechanic tried to pick up the scrap, but underestimated its weight. He exerted more force and barely managed to lift it off the ground, his face redder than a tomato.

"Gah! Why is it so heavy?" he huffed, releasing his grip.

"Now you know why I only gave you that much? It's not because I'm undercutting you, but because I don't think you can move it if it were any bigger." Genji stated.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I prefer something else."

Genji shrugged and flicked his wrist, conjuring a scarlet card into his hand. Then, with a light snap of his fingers, he threw it over like a Frisbee.

"What is it this time? Can't you just give me something normal for once?" The mechanic grumbled as he caught the card. "Also, what's this EverRealm thing about? Why should I care about an invitation?"

"No need to play dumb. I'm sure you already have your suspicions, so I'll just come out with it: I'm not from this world," Genji said indifferently. "And that is a ticket into my world. It holds infinite promise and potential for the future. Use it yourself or give it to someone capable—I don't care. Just don't waste it."

The mechanic fell silent, unsure how to respond. Sensing his friend's dilemma, the medicine peddler chose to speak up. "Wow, that's something, alright. So, what will it take for me to get one of those invitations?"

Genji cast him a sideways glance and immediately understood what he meant. "If you're concerned about him being alone, then you're worrying for nothing. This isn't a permanent departure. Realm members can return to their original world after each mission, which typically lasts a month or two. There might be some exceptions, but rarely beyond that. Of course, all of this depends on you staying alive and completing the missions on time. Think about it for a while and make your choice."

"Oh, that's a relief. For a moment, I thought I was going to lose him forever." The peddler smiled and patted the mechanic's shoulder. "Do whatever your heart tells you, old friend. I know how much you've wanted to improve your craft. And if life ever gets too tough, I'll always be here for you."

The mechanic nodded absentmindedly but remained just as indecisive.

Genji noticed this and excused himself from the area. He set up camp a short distance away and resumed ruminating on his experimental technique. Progress was slow but steady as he meticulously ironed out the details.

Night came and went in this manner. The whole time, the workshop's light was on, working from dusk to dawn. Some pesky monsters were attracted to the place, but they were easily repelled by Bruce and the medicine peddler. When the first rays of light broke through the darkness, the mechanic walked out with tired yet determined eyes.

"Here's the bullets. What do I need to do to accept the invitation?"

"Just agree mentally," Genji replied. "But before you go, I have some advice. You'll soon enter a trial world to carry out a test mission. Don't worry too much about it—the most important thing is to stay alive. You'll pass either way since you have my invitation. For a craftsman like you, a higher rank might not be ideal. In fact, I recommend you intentionally sandbag your fights and focus on showcasing your other skills. That'll give you the best chance to continue developing your craft."

The mechanic acknowledged his guidance and disappeared.

"He's gone, huh? I hope he can properly spread his wings out there," the peddler said as he stepped out from behind a corner.

"Yeah. He's always struck me as an enigmatic inventor held back by his environment. That's why I offered him a chance to break free," Genji agreed.

"So you would have given him an invitation either way?"

"Pretty much. It's not my fault he decided to reject my payment."

The medicine peddler chuckled softly. "I'll make sure to make fun of him for that when he returns."

"Sure, whatever." Genji bid the man farewell and returned to the train station, beginning another round of backtracking. During this time, he resolved all the problems affecting his technique and successfully modified Shadow Devour for his sniper.

The trade-off was that this version had only half as much killing power as the original. Essentially, the 30x damage coefficient was reduced to 15x of the total energy used.

Fortunately, this drawback could be offset by the ability's inherent exponential growth property — he just needed to charge the attack for at least seven seconds before firing.

To test this newly developed ability, Genji asked Celine for the location of a nearby witch settlement. By combining this with the vortex-sustaining trick for consecutive kills and his rapid-fire skills, he was able to wipe out the group of witches with ease, albeit at a high energy cost.

He meditated briefly to recover before entering the settlement to collect the loot. Unfortunately, due to the distance between him and the witches when they died, his prism was unable to absorb the remnant curse energy before it dissipated.

Regardless, the tactic offered a consistent and viable approach for besieging these accursed communities. That was the start of his massacre. What had originally begun as an incidental confrontation had now turned into a deliberate extermination—he sought out every gathering along the way and destroyed them with ruthless efficiency.

It had gotten so extreme that he ran out of bullets and had to construct replicas using his energy. Celine was taken aback by his performance and even jokingly called him the "Genocide Harbinger for Hire."

Celine: At this rate, you might as well go to Salem and see what you can do.

Enigma: Salem?

Celine: The origin land of the witches. At least, that's where they were first documented.

Enigma: Is this information credible?

Celine: Who knows? Most of these records have been destroyed over time. From what I can gather, some kind of catastrophe struck that region long ago. While it doesn't explicitly state it, many of the phenomena described align with what we know about witches today.

A lot of people died—my guess is anywhere from 90% to 99% of the total population. It was a bloody mess. The survivors fled west and settled in colonies.

While most remained content with their new homes, some were uneasy and continued west. After enduring countless hardships, they eventually encountered a civilization more prosperous than their own. This civilization was on the verge of a technological revolution and thrived on the earth's power found in the ores they mined.

It's unknown when it happened, but the witches' influence eventually spread outward and engulfed the continent. The original colonies fell under their control and became what we now know as the Frontier.

In contrast, the western civilization rose up and resisted the encroaching darkness, giving rise to the modern-day witch hunters. But even with their advanced weapons, they were no match for the witches' unusual abilities and were slowly pushed back.

That's why there are railroads leading into the Frontier. They weren't constructed to be supply lines, but are remnants of a more prosperous time.

Outside of these records, little is known about Salem. But if we want to understand the source of the witches' power and eliminate them, we need to go there at least once. That's why I brought it up.

Enigma: Alright, I'll head on over. Send me the location on the map.

Celine: This is just an approximation. Let me know when you get closer. I'll try to provide exact coordinates or, if not, some additional directions.