The Final Desperation

Cupcake84, better known as Cake, was a servant recruited by EverRealm. However, life was far from easy for her. Each time she entered a new world, she was tasked with difficult missions that often seemed impossible.

Many times, she only completed them through sheer luck and made her dread world entries. All it took was one mistake, and her life could end. How could she enjoy life under such circumstances?

Despair and anxiety were her constant companions, but the faint hope of survival forced her to continue. It was a miserable existence, one she couldn't escape.

She often wondered why EverRealm had chosen her. While many saw it as a blessing, she considered it a never-ending nightmare. The only reason she hadn't broken down was that EverRealm had never assigned her an impossible mission. No matter how hard it appeared at first, there was always a way to survive.

But at this point, she didn't know if survival was worth it anymore. Every mission pushed her to her limits, but there was no hope of improving her situation. After every world, there was always the looming despair of the next, ready to repeat this cycle.

This world was no different as within days of her arrival, she attracted the attention of a local drug lord who forced her into his service. It was a harrowing experience, where one wrong move could mean her death. And all it took was one bad day.

Fortunately, her escape came when the drug lord angered the government and beckoned retaliation. Yet her happiness was short-lived as days later, she was kidnapped again and transported across the country by another underground operative.

Over the next few weeks, she lived in a wretched cage with her captors treating her as property. To them, she wasn't a human being, but a sack of coins.

In simple terms, she had become a slave, leaving her in another hopeless situation. Then they placed her on a ship with other slaves who had become numb to their circumstances.

To Cake, these people were more like domesticated animals than intelligent humans and this thought terrified her. Would she end up like them? Would she spend the rest of her life as a husk, enduring unspeakable torture under a cruel owner?

As these thoughts raced through her mind, she was returned to reality by a harsh yank to her collar. She let out a soft yelp as her bare feet scraped against the wooden floor, sending splinters into her soles.

The pain was excruciating, but her captors didn't care about her suffering. They continued to drag her and whipped those who couldn't keep up. If they still couldn't, they were thrown overboard as a warning.

Terrified by the consequences, Cake endured the pain and pressed forward. Eventually reached a rocky island, where everyone's feet became bloodied on the rough terrain. Despite this, they forced themselves to continue, having already made it this far. It was here they spent another grueling month as the cruel captors trained them harshly to become obedient slaves.

Cake couldn't help but wonder if these captors valued their own lives at all. How could they make money if they killed all the slaves? After this brutal month, the remaining slaves were packed onto a boat and shipped to an underground market. There, they were displayed and sold in dozens.

Cake, though, met a different fate as her beautiful face distinguished her from the others and ended in an auction. During the auction, she felt dozens of lecherous gazes scrutinizing her, which sent a shiver down her spine.

Then Cake had to endure the unsettling spectacle of rich individuals competing to purchase her. Many of them made explicit promises about her sexual treatment, each vying to outdo the other and see who was the most deprived.

This display of lust among the bidders fueled a bidding frenzy, driving the price up several times. Some even threatened her with worse tendencies for making them spend so much, but they were quickly outbid. In the end, the only person who left happy was the slave dealer.

With the winner determined, Cake's new owner yanked harshly on her chain and dragged her onto his ship. Then He unleashed his fury on her, beating her mercilessly to vent his frustration over the lost money.

Out of fear, she curled up and covered her head, helpless to protect herself. Bruises formed on her jade-like skin, but she had grown accustomed to the pain; it was just another part of her harsh reality.

These intense beatings continued over the next few days. Her owner vented everything about his failures on her body, but luckily, he had no interest in anything sexual. For now, that is. That was because she could hear the screams and begging of many women at night with many female servants wincing as they walked during the day.

It was obvious where the owner's tendencies were focused, making it scary to be the guy's relief toy. Cake could swear there have been fewer female servants since they started sailing, but she didn't want to think about the implications. But the splashing sounds along with moments of silence only painted a vivid scene inside her mind.

"At least the beatings have decreased," she thought as she tried to make herself as neglected as possible.

Yet tonight, things changed. In his drunken stupor, the master picked a few women to entertain him for the night. The problem? She was among these unlucky women.

Cake was tied to the bed, but her remorse wasn't directed at herself, but at the women who were being tortured with a barbed whip. Her owner had a disgusting look of satisfaction as he did his best to make the women scream.

Eventually, Cake's ears became numb from the screams, but it was eventually her turn. After venting his sadism, her owner had gotten in the mood and wanted to vent his other desires. To Cake's misfortune, she was the only one left. No, this wasn't due to luck, but planned. After all, she was the only one tied to the bed. 

With a wretched smile, the man reached for her chest and ripped her thin clothes. Cake struggled to resist, but her movements only excited her capture further and accelerated his advance.

He groped her with his fatty hands, molding her breasts painfully and tracing his palms along her skin. A shiver of disgust went down her spine, but there was little she could do about it. As he pulled down his pants, luck saved her again.

*Knock knock knock.*

A series of rapid knocks came from outside the door. The guy impatiently pulled up his pants and screamed into the interrupter's face when he opened the door.

"What?! Didn't I say not to bother me when I am enjoying my night?"

Globules of spit flew through the air and arced for the sailor's face, but the person didn't dare move. He had personally witnessed the fates of those who did. From the bed, Cake saw one glob land right in the guy's eye, starting a rapid blinking filled with disgust.

"P-p-pirates. We spotted pirates, sir!"

"Pirates? Why are you telling me that? Blast them! Jesus Christ. What the hell am I paying you for?"

"But-"

"What buts? Kill those buffoons, you idiot. Seriously, why is everyone so useless? Why are you still standing there? GO!"

But before the sailor could scamper off, the boat rocked intensely as a loud booming sound was heard. Following that, the creaking of wood resounded as the enemy boat slammed into theirs. Then clangs of swords followed and sent a bloody smell to Cake's nose.

*thud-kreeeek*

The wooden door to the room was kicked open as a ferocious-looking pirate carrying a scimitar walked in.

"W-who the hell are you?" the rich guy pointed at the intruder. "Don't you know who I am? I'll have you executed for this!"

"What a fool," the pirate scoffed, brandishing his weapon threateningly as he approached the rich guy.

"W-what a-are y-you d-doing? Stay back!"

"Still so arrogant when you can't understand the situation," he sneered, pressing the blade into the man's neck and sending him stumbling to the ground. Below his legs, a yellow puddle soaked his luxurious clothes and emitted a heavy scent of ammonia. 

"Huphm. What a coward."

Then he seized up the bound women with a ferocious stare, causing their knees to tremble.

"Not bad. More blood sacrifices," he remarked, having no interest in their scantily dressed bodies.

Hearing his brutal words, they shot desperate glances at him, doing their best to make themselves more desirable to him. At least that way, they had a chance to gain his favor and survive. Life as a comfort toy wasn't desirable, but they would survive. 

Despite these temptations, the pirate remained indifferent and attached a slave collar to the rich owner. Then he cut their bondage loose and dragged them to their ship before being thrown into a dark room. 

It was from one slave chamber to another. Only this time, they had a few more guests. Realizing this, Cake giggled to herself, content with the miserable sight of her former owner.

"What the hell are you laughing at, bitch?" The guy was as rude as ever, but Cake paid no heed to him.

"Answer me!"

*Snicker*

"After all of that, aren't you no different than us now?"

"Bitch!"

The guy tried to rush toward her to beat her up but failed as the metal shackles held him back. Then the former servants/slaves surrounded him and took revenge, returning every bit of abuse they had suffered. His painful screams were like music to their ears and they sought to prolong the beating.

*Slam*

"For fuck's sake, keep it down or I will start killing."

The pirate in charge of guard duty got annoyed at the commotion and warned them. This immediate threat made everyone back up and stop their actions. Not even the master dared to make a sound despite his swollen face.

"That's better. Now keep it that way."

The pirate slammed the door on his way out, leaving the slaves to look at each other to pass the time. And that's how they passed the next few days.

On this particular day, they heard the sounds of battle from above. The clanging of swords and the shouting of pirates. A hubbub of noises came from the deck. Suddenly, drips of blood seeped into the room from the deck above, testifying to the bloody battle.

"Just great. Another pirate attack."

This battle continued for a while before things calmed down. Seconds later, a pair of heavy footsteps thudded down the hallway and approached their dark room. Opening the door, the pirate sized them up before shouting to his crewmates above.

"Cobra! We found some slaves."

A few moments later, Cake heard a response. "Bring them over! More souls for us!"

When Cake heard this, she internally groaned. Just great. From a bunch of cultist pirates to another. Just when would her bad luck end? Hearing the response, the pirate reached for their chains and dragged them up. Many people stumbled from this external force, but Cake was used to moving like this. Plus, this pirate was gentler with his yanks compared to her previous captives, making it easier to keep up.

When they reached the surface, their faces drained of blood as a scene of carnage greeted them. Severed limbs decorated the deck and blood flooded the floor, making it slippery to traverse. 

"Keep up. I would hate to use any more force on our lovely souls," their capture said, adding to the unnerving feeling inside Cake.

Once they boarded the green ship, the pirate dragged them to an open section and left them there. Although confused about his intentions, they did not dare move as the defeated crew were piled a few meters from them. As they bled out, Cake realized this ship was absorbing the blood better than a sponge, augmenting her unease.

Then they watched as a person wearing a black cloak and carrying a green saber dragged another crippled pirate over and threw him onto the pile of dying pirates.

"That should be the last of them," the person said, decapitating someone.

The next moment, Cake watched with horror as a translucent figure of the recently deceased pirate manifested above the body before being devoured by the ship.

This killing spree continued for some time before a pirate with a red bandana walked over and joined the process. Grabbing her former master, the pirate ruthlessly cut him down and tossed him aside before reaching for Cake.

Seeing the incoming grip, Cake struggled with all her might, but it was futile. The pirate raised his blade but before it could come down, a hand stopped the pirate. Tracing the origin, Cake realized it was from the cloaked man with the green saber.

"Can you give me a few minutes with her?"

The bandanaed pirate shrugged and lowered his blade. Then he yanked her toward him and unlocked her collar before shoving her at the cloaked man.

"Taking a fancy to her, ay? I never realized you were attracted to Asian women." He teased, but her savior ignored it and crouched down to observe her.

"Tell me. Why do you give me a familiar feeling?" He asked her, staring deep into her eyes.

Confused by the sudden question, Cake looked back at the hooded man and could faintly make out an outline, although it was challenging with the sun directing in her eyes.

"Well? Are you going to answer me? Your life might depend on it."

Cake also felt this person was familiar, but she couldn't put a finger on where she saw him. The hood wasn't helping either when paired with the threat of death.

"You seem familiar as well, but I can't see your face." She answered in hopes of buying more time. Who knows? Maybe a miracle will happen. Hearing her response, the man nodded in understanding and pulled down his hood. When she saw his face, the sense of familiarity increased. With hope, she racked her mind on where she might have seen this face.

'It isn't from this world. Not when so many people wanted to kidnap me. So from before this world? Someone from EverRealm? If so, who? And when?'

Faces raced through her mind until it finally settled on a newbie that joined one world ago.

"Enigma?"

Cake had a hard time matching that casual newcomer to this cold-hearted killer. No, she couldn't fathom how he ended up as a pirate in this world.

"So you do know me. Now from where?"

Genji brought his hand to his chin and looked at Cake.

"I-I'm Cake. From the strengthening hall."

"Ahhhh. That makes sense. But hey, what are the chances?"

Cake smiled bitterly. Yes, what are the chances, indeed? Now her life depends on the whims of this newcomer whom she barely knows. 

"Well give me a second." Genji stood up and waved to Zepher.

"I need a favor." Zepher stopped his massacre and looked over.

"What is it?"

"I want to free her."

Genji pointed at Cake sitting by his feet. Zepher looked at her before shaking his head. 

"I'm afraid I can't."

Genji and Cake both frowned but for different reasons. 

'As expected. How can a newcomer have the influence to help me?' Cake thought to herself and prepared to meet her death.

"I'll owe you a favor?"

"You already do."

"That one doesn't count since I never agreed to it. I only said it would be a shame to kill Hendrickson, not that I would be bothered by it."

Zepher was left speechless by Genji's shameless response, but he was right. Zepher only said Genji owed him a favor, but Genji never requested anything of him. It was basically an empty debt.

"Fine, but I still can't help you."

"Why not?"

"The first time was an exception that everyone gets when they join the crew. After that, you will have to get the captain's permission. Everyone worked hard to get these sacrifices and it wouldn't be fair of you to free them at a whim. Especially when you recently spared someone."

"I see. Watch over her for me." Genji got up and started walking toward the captain's cabin.

"Hold on, you couldn't have actually taken a fancy to her, right? Not the ruthless Enigma that only thinks about killing?"

"You can say that."

"..."

Genji walked downstairs and knocked on the door at the end of the ship.

"Come in."

Genji took a seat across from Vanderdecken and stated his request. "I want to free a sacrifice."

Vanderdecken sighed and looked at him. "I don't mind, but why would I?"

Genji felt silent for a few moments before answering. "I'll help you with one hard request."

Vanderdecken sighed again before agreeing. "Very well, I'll allow it."

"Thank you."

Genji got up from his seat and walked out. As Vanderdecken watched Genji leave, he let out another sigh.

"He's too attached to worldly affairs. If he wants to improve, he needs to cut those ties. Hopefully, you don't hate me for making things difficult for you. I only want you to understand the problems of getting attached. Only when you clear your mind of distractions can you truly become strong."

Venderdecken was a sentimental person, treating everyone in his crew like a son and wanting nothing but the best for them. Genji was no exception, despite only joining recently. In fact, it was this emotion that allowed him to awaken this revival ability.

Unlike popular belief, this ability wasn't meant to be a powerful weapon, but rather a preservation method. Three hundred years was too long for someone like him and he had seen many loved ones leave him.