The Final Desperation

Genji was riding along when a jovial teenager suddenly waved at him from afar. Genji identified him as a fellow realm member and stopped a dozen meters away. Only, he's not from EverRealm, but Sanguine.

"Big brother, I'm lost. Can you give me some directions?" the boy asked with a radiant smile, seemingly unaware of their realm's rivalry in this world.

Being lost was on par for the course, since this world was under EverRealm's jurisdiction, meaning the boy didn't have access to a map built up across multiple worlds. Yet even if he did, it wouldn't be much help, as they were so deep into the frontier that they were practically on uncharted lands.

"Don't you have any friends you can ask?" Genji probed.

"I do, but they all muted me," the boy replied without a change in his expression.

That was the second red flag for Genji. "Sorry, I'm not very good with directions. Maybe you should wait around for someone more reliable." Genji deflected, not wanting to get involved with this weirdo.

"I will, brother. You give such good advice."

The moment the boy finished those words, the ground collapsed beneath Genji, revealing a deep ravine. Genji immediately grabbed Bruce and tossed him to safety before catching himself with a pole. Then, with a slight push, he bounced upward and landed on the ground.

Genji glared at the boy but took no further action, as he couldn't sense any hostility from him. Quite the opposite, in fact. His eyes were as clear as ice crystals, filled with a pure innocence usually only found in newborns. It was as if he had nothing to do with the mishap that had just occurred. So Genji could only accept it for what it was—an accident—and let go of his urge to retaliate.

"Wow! That's so cool. Can you teach me how to do that?" The boy clapped for his performance.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck out of nowhere and zipped toward Genji. Before he could register what was happening, his body instinctively twisted out of the way. A thunderous boom sounded right beside his ear, deafening him, as a pitch-black patch appeared on the ground.

At the same time, a distant volcano erupted, hurling a giant boulder his way. The ground also shook violently underneath him, shattering to reveal an underground cave. The cave floor rippled like a wave before suddenly shooting upward, the attached stalagmites gleaming like sharp spears in the sunlight.

Genji immediately twisted his body midair, grabbed an incoming stalagmite, and pulled himself out of the way. He released his grip, landed on another moving stalagmite, and launched himself out.

Suddenly, another impact struck the cave floor, snapping the rocky spikes and hurling them toward Genji. Genji quickly conjured a shield and intercepted the projectiles, using the impacts to reposition himself in a more favorable location.

The next moment, the surroundings darkened as a massive object blocked the sunlight overhead. Looking up, he saw a giant boulder plunging toward him—the very same one displaced by the volcanic eruption. In his endeavor to evade the earlier natural disasters, he had inadvertently propelled himself straight into the boulder's trajectory.

A burst of cutting intent erupted from him as the massive rock crashed into him. The scene froze for a moment before a bright flash of light pulverized the makeshift meteor. Genji emerged on the other side unharmed, but caked in dust.

The boy remained just as carefree as before, unaffected by the consecutive disasters unfolding around him. However, Genji didn't buy his act one bit - not after such a series of unfortunate events.

The only thing Genji couldn't figure out was how the boy was causing these troubles without a hint of malice. His sunny disposition was too earnest to be an act, and his inaction made it difficult to label him an enemy. After all, what enemy would simply stand by as their opponent escaped from a trap? If anything, he seemed genuinely unaware of his role in these "accidents."

Or, to put it another way, there was a huge disparity between his actions and intentions. This difference was so jarring that it was hard to believe they came from the same person. It was almost as if someone had brainwashed him into believing the opposite.

In fact, Genji's hunch was quite close to the truth. Only the person who brainwashed the boy wasn't an outsider, but himself!

To explain why, we first have to discuss the boy's talent.

[Well Intentioned Jinx]

Effect: People you praise will suffer from bad luck. The more sincere the praise, the worse their luck. Conversely, the more insincere you are, the better their luck becomes.

20-point benchmark (attribute molding)

Special: The range in luck fluctuation is increased by 50%.

50-point benchmark (talent promotion)

Exponential Stacking: The effects of your praises/curses will increase exponentially in power (instead of linearly) when applied consecutively to a target.

By all means, this talent was as trashy as it could get. Any normal person would be better off without it, since it actively sabotages them. Not only did it benefit their enemies, but they also had to worry about their loved ones. Just imagine accidentally losing control and wholeheartedly praising them, only to cause their deaths.

It would be gut-wrenching. The user would never be able to forgive himself, and it would become a one-way ticket to depression. Heck, they might even speedrun this process!

Yet the boy was anything but normal. To weaponize this ability, he had ruthlessly brainwashed himself, replacing his original personality with a warped yet naive outlook that treated everyone as an idol. This trait was especially prevalent when confronting hostile or disliked units.

The most ridiculous part was that the boy was considered one of the less extreme members of SanguineRealm. At least he could hold a regular conversation and pass for a normal person.

Half the people in SanguineRealm could be classified as psychopaths, sociopaths, madmen, or other unsavory adjectives that suggest they have more than a few screws loose. It was no wonder SanguineRealm was considered to be full of lunatics.

"Amazing! Amazing." The boy began clapping again. "You really know how-"

"You said you were lost?" Genji quickly interrupted before the boy could finish his sentence. "Then I assume you don't have any destination in mind?"

"Yeah, big brother! I was just wandering around, following wherever the-"

"Hold on. Give me a moment," Genji said, massaging his forehead as if he had a migraine. "Right now, I really can't deal with all this excitement. Just give me a simple nod or shake your head when I ask, okay?"

Genji had noticed the boy's naivety and wanted to test how far it extended. To his surprise, the boy obediently nodded without any hiccups.

"Does that mean you don't mind where you go?" Genji asked again.

The boy nodded.

"Then, how about you follow me? I might not exactly know where I'm going, but I'm fairly confident it can improve your mission score," Genji offered, figuring the boy's strange abilities might come in handy on this escapade.

The boy's eyes lit up, as if Genji would never ask, before vigorously nodding his head.

"Alright. Do you have a method of transportation?"

The boy nodded again and pulled out a one-wheeler, which he swiftly mounted and zoomed circles around Genji.

"That will work. Then I will lead the way. Try to keep up, will you?" As Genji approached Bruce, another passing thought came to him. He stopped and decided to voice his question. "By the way, I never got your name. Care to introduce yourself?"

The boy paused and made several confused hums, unsure of how to answer the question without speaking. Genji was caught between tears and laughter by this.

"You can talk now. Just try to keep your responses short."

"Oh. Thank you, brother. I'm Jonas. Jonas Von Neumann."

"Enigma. Just Enigma. No last name," Genji replied before throwing over his device. "While you're at it, add yourself to my contacts."

Jonas happily obliged and tossed the device back.

Genji caught it, mounted Bruce, and dashed off. As they pulled ahead, he leaned down and told Bruce to maintain this distance—just outside of hearing range—lest he receive another praise from Jonas. Despite the boy's well-behaved manner, Genji refused to take any chances. To be safe, he took a page from his predecessor's books and muted all notifications from the teen.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

After a bit more traveling, Celine eventually updated her directions and guided them to a barren region devoid of life. Plants withered, living animals turned to brittle bones, and the ground split into tiny fissures. All signs of vitality disappeared around them. It was as if they had entered an area still recovering from a major calamity.

And at the center of this zone was an abandoned ghost town that looked no different from any other settlement. The passing of time had left no marks on this place. Yet that was the greatest anomaly of them all.

A faded sign bearing the town's name, Salem, greeted them at the entrance. Genji scanned the buildings from a distance before suggesting they split up to explore the area. Jonas agreed and said he'd text him if he found anything noteworthy.

As he walked down the dirt roads, Genji noticed some features unique to this town. First, there was a wooden gallows at the center, with several nooses dangling from the top beam, ready for execution. A gray skeleton hung from one of these loops, its neck tightly wrapped by coarse rope.

Then there was the town hall, which resembled more of a makeshift courtroom than a general meeting place. Genji peeked behind a backroom and spotted several synthetic wigs on the wall.

The next building he visited was the town jail. The prison cells showed signs of overcrowding, including slight discoloration where inmates once huddled and numerous scratch marks scattered about. The bars separating the cells from the outside world were bent from prolonged periods of pulling, with some older rooms bearing vague handprints.

Finally, there was the mill, which housed a large horizontal grindstone. Flour residues could be seen along the crevices of the machine, along with some partially ground grain. However, the mill was no longer functional, as the handles had been snapped off.

Genji dragged his fingers along the opening and rubbed the flour between his fingers. The blend was somewhat coarse and lacked the powdery consistency that modern folks have come to know.

Genji looked around and found a bloodied diary beneath the counter. The owner had apparently taken up the habit during his lifetime. Eager to learn more about the town, he flipped open the book and began perusing its contents.

These were the snippets that stood out.

Day 46 of the Hamilton Calendar, year 971:

Today, I found a giant slug in my house. I haven't seen one this big since I was a child. I caught it and cooked it for dinner. It was delicious.

Day 129:

Jim broke his leg today. The doctor gave him a cast and told him not to walk around too much. Jim did not listen and kept working in his field. What a tough man he is.

Day 136:

Jim complained of intense pain in his leg today and grumbled about how shoddy the doctor was. Something about the doctor giving him a defective treatment and trying to ruin his life. The doctor overheard that and they got into a big argument. Jim did not back down. A fight ensued, one which Jim did not walk away from. The doctor refused to treat him afterward.

Day 340:

Jenni, the seamstress's daughter, invented a new dress today. It was shocking. No one had ever revealed their legs like that before. The older folks frowned upon her creation, but she proudly showed off her figure. I can't blame her. She is hot.

Day 80, Year 972:

Out of all the girls in town, Heather might be the only one capable of rivaling Jenni. She has this silent demeanor that just draws you in. Yet I kind of pity her. She lost her parents at a young age and has barely eked out a living doing various odd jobs around town. Today was my turn. I had her turn the millstone for a loaf of bread. She was dead tired by the end of it.

Day 258:

The harvest is looking good this year. The crops are plentiful, the fruits are juicy, and there are plenty of successful hunts. Winter will be easy this year. To celebrate, the lord announced he would be taking in a few maids. Every town was to send its most attractive girl for his choosing.

Day 261:

We've narrowed the candidates down to Jenni and Heather. It was an easy choice up till this point, but that's when it got complicated. Both girls are equally attractive and have their own merits.

Jenni was sexy and had a killer body, while Heather had the better temperament. One immediately catches the eye while the other grows more attractive the longer you get to know her. It was a hard choice. No one could come to a consensus on who to choose.

To make life easier, we have decided to hold a vote in a week to crown a winner. I personally prefer Heather. She seems more capable and is the only one who has helped me. I think most of the town agrees.

Day 263:

Jenni has been hanging around the guys a lot recently. Lots of flirtatious acts and flashing her thighs. I don't understand what she's trying to do. Does she really think she can sway their votes like that? Please, have some self-dignity. Her actions will only cheapen her worth.

Day 267:

Jenni knocked on my door last night and asked to stay. I agreed after some convincing. It was the most exciting night of my life.

Day 268:

Me and a bunch of other guys voted for Jenni. This was barely enough to beat out Heather's votes. It was a major upset. My friend was not happy with my choice and refused to talk to me. Luckily, I have Jenni to comfort my wounded soul.

Day 269:

Jenni and some friends left the town for the lord's mansion. I wanted to go with them, but couldn't afford to leave my post. Such a shame. I wish them a safe journey.

Day 307:

Jenni and her group returned in a sullen mood. It seems the lord did not choose her.

Day 42, Year 973:

Heather and Winston got married. They held a quiet wedding and had some meat. I was not invited. I only found out when they bought some flour today and casually mentioned it.

Day 55:

The news has spread across the whole town. Everyone but Jenni congratulated them. I think she's still bitter from her rejection.

Day 78:

Jenni and Heather just got into a heated argument today. I don't know what it was over, but they caused quite the commotion. I've never seen Heather lose her composure like that.

Day 179:

The lord has called for a draft. A rival lord has declared war on us. Many of the capable men were called away. The village has become much emptier. Winston was among those drafted.

Day 191:

The handle to my millstone snapped today. I'm making do with a mortar and pestle, but it's tiring. I miss when Heather used to come around to help. I hope the war ends soon so I can get a replacement from the stone mason.

Day 231:

The weather has not been kind to us this year. Rain has become scarcer, and the well is beginning to dry up. The lord has also raised taxes to support the war effort. I hope this changes soon.

Day 258:

Our food supplies are dwindling. I've run out of grain to mill. The women are looking for alternative food sources, but to no avail. I don't know how much longer we can go like this.

Day 262:

Heather appeared really out of it today. Normally, she's the first to leave town in search of food. But today, she's just sitting there, unresponsive and despondent. Her clothes were also messy, as if someone had roughed them up the night before. I tried to talk to her, but she refused to answer me. I wonder what has gotten into her?

Day 268:

Today, I noticed Jenni and several of her associates entering Heather's house. They stayed for a long time, but only Jenni left. Strange. They've never been on good terms since the argument. Why would Heather let them in?

Day 273:

It finally rained again. Everyone was in high spirits and collected as much as they could store. Everyone but Heather. If anything, the once steady woman has now gained a hint of despair.

Day 12, Year 974:

The war is over. The lord has announced that the recruits will gradually return to their villages. Hooray!

Day 30:

The people have returned, but we're missing many familiar faces. Among these are Winston and the stone mason. There goes my millstone replacement.

Day 41:

We've discovered that Heather is pregnant. The townspeople are outraged. How could she cheat on Winston like that? What a slut! Many people condemned her. And at the forefront of this charge was Jenni and her group. They pushed for a punishment. The townspeople agreed.

Day 43:

After two days in prison, we've finally decided on an adequate punishment: she is to wear the scarlet letter "A" for the rest of her life. "A" for adultery—a constant reminder of her mistake. It must be visible at all times. That'll teach her not to misbehave.

Day 170:

Heather has given birth to a baby girl. No one came to congratulate her. Who could blame them?

Day 201:

The weather is worse than last year's. At this rate, I fear we might not have enough to eat.

Day 218:

Tensions have reached an all-time high. Everyone is uneasy.

Day 234:

It's been 3 days since I last ate. People are getting desperate. I don't know what I might do soon.

Day 240:

Jenni just accused Heather of being a witch, that she's the reason for all this suffering. If they can eliminate her, they might just appease God and return to his graces. In their frantic nature, the townspeople agreed and captured her.

Day 241:

We've conducted an investigation. Heather is guilty. She's got dark patches all over her body. Clearly, the markings of the devil! How else can she explain the handprints on her breasts and neck? The same day, we tied her up and threw her into the river. She floated. A WITCH, I TELL YOU! She's got all the signs.

Day 242:

We hanged her at the gallows. May peace finally return to us all.

Day 278:

Peace did not return to us. In fact, the problems only got worse. What have we done to deserve this?

Day 280:

There have been whispers of other witches hiding amongst us. Maybe they're the cause of our misfortune?

Day 281:

We've started a witch hunt. Everyone suspicious is sent to prison to await their trial. May we finally catch the culprits.

Day 284:

We hanged all the prisoners. It was too difficult to sort through their stories. We were running out of time, so we made this hard choice. Forgive us, thou who art wronged.

Day 285:

The weather has finally blessed us. We've just received lots of rain. We knew there was a witch among us. Our hunt was successful.

Day 300:

Although we've regained our bountiful harvests, I couldn't help but sense something unclean was in the air. I hope it is just my imagination.

Day 305:

People have started falling sick. We tried to treat them with leeches but to no avail.

Day 310:

More have fallen sick. Everyone has some form of cough. Rashes are everywhere. People can barely leave their homes.

Day 315:

Unease is rampant. We never know when the next person might drop dead. A strange, decaying smell now lingered above the town. I've begun to see ghosts and hear whispers beneath my floorboard. I try to sleep, but I'm constantly awakened. What is happening to me?

Day 317:

I think I've finally gone insane. For a moment, I thought I saw Heather's figure walking in the night. It was foggy out, so it might just be the lighting, but... it resembled her so well, especially her cold demeanor. I still have shivers thinking about it.

Day 318:

We found Jenni dead in her house this morning. Her body was tortured in unbelievable ways. The townspeople were horrified. At least what was left of them. I was even more so. Because...I could have sworn the figure was heading this way last night.

Day 319:

More mutilated bodies turned up today. Their deaths were just as horrific as Jenni's. Maybe even more so. Whatever's haunting us, it's getting stronger. I don't know what to think anymore. Our life has gone to hell. I just hope--

The diary abruptly ended there. Its remaining margins were splattered with blood and bits of brain matter, as if someone had stabbed the author through the head from behind... It's fair to say they met an untimely end.