The Final Desperation

There was something Genji didn't tell the others when he volunteered to stay behind. He had received an extra notification from EverRealm when they got the 7-day deadline.

[Due to your actions of killing two emperors, you have triggered the response mechanism: Sea's Grudge]

[Sea's Grudge]

Description: The sea has taken notice of you and formed a distaste for your existence. The Daughter of the Sea will prioritize destroying the Jewel of Nereid, but will not hesitate to kill you. Should the mission be completed, you will become her main target. To return safely, you must have 1 day's worth of distance between her.

It was because of this prompt that Genji was confident in delaying the hunter. Although her top priority is the pearl, Genji is betting on the fact that her hatred for him will be enough to distract her. What he didn't expect, though was the fact 7156 and River Stream was able to finish the mission with 15 hours to spare.

He could imagine how hard they pushed themselves because when he made the calculations, it was based on them running at top speed with decent rest. As for the one-day distance, Genji didn't even consider it. Although this restriction made it obvious that he shouldn't be the one to take the risk, there was no other choice.

River Stream was not an option and 7156 was clearly scared when he realized the hopeless situation. So out of the three, Genji had the best chance of delaying for time. Now that his party members have left the world, there needs to be a change in plans. With how things are currently going, Genji doubts he can pull open enough distance to return.

This isn't a matter of speed, but rather constitution. To make that kind of distance, he will need to run for a long time. Time and stamina that he doesn't have.

"EverRealm. How would the return work once I got away from the hunt?"

[A 5-minute countdown will start. As long as you are not within 1 day's worth of distance, this countdown will continue. By the end of it, you will return.]

That was all Genji needed to know for his next plan.

 

---

 

00:31

00:30

Genji opened his eyes as the countdown for the daughter's arrival started. He drew his saber and stood up. After 15 hours, he had returned to peak condition and was fully prepared for the upcoming fight. When the timer hit 5 seconds, he saw a black dot in the distant sky. With each second, the dot got closer.

Soon, Genji was able to make out a petite, scantily dressed woman with black wings coming from her back. She would flap her wings to propel herself higher before stretching them out to glide. It was no wonder the timer never changed. While they were traversing the obstacles on land, the hunter was able to fly past all that.

Genji was glad he didn't try to run. With this current setup, it would only be a waste of energy and result in him getting killed.

The lady spotted him on the ground and folded her wings inward, causing her to drop down. But before she could smash into the ground, her wings disappeared and black energy came out of her to slow her fall, allowing her to land gracefully.

"You're the target mother asked me to hunt down?"

"The one and only."

 

[Elona, Black Witch of Curses]

Health: 11,300/11,300

Energy: 880/880

Con: 13

Str: 12

Dex: 14

Int: 19

Spc: 21

Skills:

Blessed: +5000 hp, +250 energy

Named: 2x health and energy

Sea blessing: Decrease in spell-casting time

No further skills can be read

 

From a glance, Genji had a hard time understanding why Elona is the deadliest unit in the world. Her stats are low. Very low compared to all the bosses he's fought. She doesn't have the speed of Drake, the scary reputation of Kidd, or the insane stats of the Kraken. Nothing about her stats stands out. 

Her stats would put her somewhere around the elite level if it weren't for her physical stats that are around Genji's. That was an obvious weakness in this world. If it wasn't for stat-boosting skills, Genji suspects these stats are from a common pirate. But this didn't make Genji lower his guard. No, it only made him more vigilant.

Since EverRealm classified Elona as a death mechanism, he will treat her as a foe worse than Paul. He's made this mistake once already and it would be stupid of him to repeat it.

Flashstep

Genji unleashed his fastest speed to decapitate Elona, but he struck a grey barrier instead. Elong turned her head to look at him before flashing a devilish smile.

Retribution: Repulsion Shield

Then Genji got sent flying back at a speed twice as fast. Genji slammed into the canyon walls and spat out a mouthful of blood. His muscles burst apart and dyed his clothes red. Pain racked his body, but he quickly pushed himself off the wall to dodge another incoming blob of energy.

This movement, though was not fast enough as his arm was caught by it. To his surprise, instead of damage, a strong sense of weakness overtook that arm.

[You have been inflicted with a Curse of Weakness, -2 Str]

Swift Movement

Genji dashed at Elona at a slower speed, wary of the shield, but still faster than what her eyes can keep up with. Genji swung at her, but she waved her hand and enveloped him in black smoke.

A sense of dizziness hit him and his sense of balance became scrambled. His blade missed her neck, but he was able to correct it to leave a scratch. Seeing Elona wave her hand again, Genji disappeared from his position and appeared at a distance. This turned out to be a good decision as his previous location was covered in a black fog.

"What the hell is with her?"

Elona looked over at him and let out a disturbing laugh.

"Hahahaha. You're fun. Let's see how long you can keep this up."

She raised one arm above her head and a large black magic circle formed. Genji didn't know what this was, but he knew he can't let her finish it. As he was zooming towards her, Elona's smile widened.

"Got you."

A sense of danger overwhelmed him, but it was too late to react. Elona had raised her other hand and pointed at him.

Feeble Curse

[-3 con, - 2 str]

Feeling the weakening of his body, Genji gritted his teeth and decided to keep charging. The magic circle above Elona's head was still there so if he retreated, he would have suffered this for nothing. Genji swung down at her arm but another barrier appeared between them. Genji pivoted on his foot to spin around to transition his swing to a stab. 

*Ding*

The tip of [Jaguar] bounced off the transparent barrier, but Genji noticed something that gave him hope. When the attack landed, Elona's massive pool of energy had decreased by about 10 points. She was sustaining the barrier with her energy. Coming to this realization, Genji injected a large amount of energy into his saber and formed shadow flames.

*Booooom*

A large crater appeared underneath Elona as the barrier shattered from the impact. Yet before Genji's saber could come down on her, a repulsive force acted on Elona and sent her flying backward. Her black wings burst out from her back and slowed down her fall. At this distance, Genji was able to distinguish that these wings aren't made of flesh and blood, but energy. The same energy she's been using to attack him.

"If I can cut those, it should make a big dent in her pool."

Yet as Genji was about to chase her, he felt a sudden pain in his thighs. Genji looked down to see two rock spikes had grown up from the ground and pierced his legs, making it impossible to pursue the gliding Elona. Genji took a step back to free himself and smashed some potions on his wounds.

Elona landed on the ground and clasped the open hand above her head. The magic circle collapsed and condensed all its energy into her fist. Whatever was going to happen, Genji did not want to experience. He turned around and tried to make as much distance as possible, but this turned out to be a mistake.

A large force of gravity pushed down on him and made his knees buckle. Realizing he can't remain standing, Genji followed the forced and transitioned to a roll. This roll was awkward since he wasn't used to the increased gravity, but it was enough to get back on his feet.

"You think that's everything?"

Genji sensed a large amount of energy gather in the surrounding area as the gravity strengthened. His blood vessels started bursting from the increased force. Bruises started forming and the corners of his eyes turned red. 

Light Weight

Before his body could collapse any further, Genji used the skill for its intended purpose. The pressure on him lessened, but the increased gravity was still taking a toll on him.

"I need to end this quick."

Flashstep

But Genji miscalculated one thing. The increased gravity means that he needs to use more force to achieve the same results. But Genji wasn't able to output that kind of force. Not with his current body. Genji covered half the distance and realized his mistake. 

"I don't think my body can handle another one."

Since Genji doesn't want to die to his own technique, he can only change to normal running. Elona noticed this and waved her arm, sending a swarm of black fog at him. Genji tried his best to dodge these, but Elona positioned them so that he can't approach her unless he dashed through them.

Genji gritted his teeth and ran into the cloud with the weakest energy signature.

[Curse of slow. -3 Dex]

Understanding Genji's intentions, Elona changed her attacks. Ice shards condensed around her and propelled themselves at Genji. Genji twisted his body to dodge what he can and used Solid Core to block those that he can't. It's not the damage he's worried about but the impact. With each hit he takes, he loses some of his speed. At this current rate, he's not going to reach Elona in time.

A ruthless glint appeared in his eyes and Genji changed his direction and dashed through the fog to run at an arc. Dizziness, weakness, paralysis, necrosis, pain, and nausea. Every part of him was inflicted with a different status effect, but Genji persisted with his willpower. He was betting his life on this and it's working.

Genji approached Elona and slashed down, hitting another barrier. But this time, Genji was prepared for it. He gave in to his dizziness and spun his body in a drunk way to launch another attack. Then he followed it up with his other hand that was clenching a dagger. Attack after attack came at the barrier, but Genji didn't register it. Neither did he acknowledge the many other curses that were piling on him.

At this moment, Genji was acting fully on instinct. He attacked the barrier with desperation reminiscent of a cornered beast. He didn't know how long he was in this state. It could be seconds or it could be an instant. He doesn't know. He's lost all track of time. Only when he heard the barrier crack did his unfocused eyes regain some clarity.

Then Genji concentrated all his attacks on this one crack. Little by little, this crack widened. Then his dagger burst into a small shadow flame and Genji chucked it.

*kra-shh*

The barrier shattered, but this time, Genji was prepared. A rope appeared in his hand and he swung it like a whip. Hard. The air broke as the rope hit Elona's waist and coiled around it. Then he pulled, buying him enough time to brandish his saber at her neck before the repulsion forced kicked in.

"I got her."

*Puchi*

But things didn't work out the way he intended, Instead of lopping off the head of this witch, his saber missed. And the reason? The numerous blood spikes coming out of his chest and into his arms. Although it was brief, Genji realized what had happened. After all, he had once theorized about using this skill this way.

"Why can she use Kidd's retribution?"

The rope snapped and Elona pulled away again. This time, she cast a vicious curse on him. Black chains came out of the ground and wrapped around his legs. They tightened around his muscles before fading. But with this disappearance, his strength followed. To be more specific, it was the feeling of his legs. No matter how he commanded his legs to move, they wouldn't. Instead, they succumbed to their terrible condition and gave out.

Genji's face planted into the ground as he tried to remain standing. Genji tried to push himself up from the ground, but his arms didn't have any more strength.

"Hphm. Whip again, I dare you. Watch how I deal with you."

Elona sneered and snapped her fingers. Then all the blood vessels in his arms burst and formed blades to sever his muscles, causing him to smash into the ground. Elona then walked over to him and stepped on his back, taking careful attention to grinding her boots into his flesh and causing the maximum pain.

*Sssszzz*

Genji hissed through his clenched teeth.

"You think that's painful? This is only the start!"

The blood inside him then started flowing irregularly, turning into tiny blades and leaving cuts along his insides. Then little by little, they started peeling off the muscles. It was like death by a thousand cuts, but worse. 

*AHHHHHHH*

The light was starting to dim in Genji's eyes when he felt the curses in his body dissolved and turn into lifeforce to nourish his body.

"You think things will end this easily? No! I want you to suffer. That's what you get for hitting me. What happens if I get a bruise?!? Your life is not enough to pay for it!"

Then the process repeated and Genji let out another scream. Elona burst out in maniacal laughter but had to stop her torture to catch her breath. Oops, got too excited there. Let's tone it down a little.

"K-kill m-me."

Genji was barely able to get this sentence out in between huffs of breath.

"And why would I do that? You still have plenty to pay. Your life is now in my control so you are in no position to make requests of me. And I will show you a life worse than death."

The cutting started again, but this time, Genji clenched his teeth and refused to make a sound. Eventually, she will get bored of him. But things were actually the opposite. Seeing Genji try to play the tough guy act after wailing in pain, a sadistic urge formed in her. She started controlling the blood inside him at a finer level and cause smaller cuts that healed right after.

And she applied this process to his entire body, keeping him in unbearable pain while preventing him from dying. Seeing this worm twitch in pain brought an immense sense of satisfaction to her. She did this. His life was in her complete control. The feeling was addicting. Maybe she should find someone like this afterward. It could be orgasmic. Just torturing someone because she can and slowly savor their despair as they beg for forgiveness and death.

As Elona lost herself in her ideas, she failed to notice Genji smirking at the ground. 

50/880

That's Elona's energy right now. And it's depleting at a rapid rate. Soon, Elona noticed as well.

'Oh well, fun time's over. Guess I should end this.'

Elona walked over to Genji, squatted down, and pulled his head up.

"Any last words?"

"Yes. Is your body numb yet?"

Elona's heart palpated when she heard this. She tried to move it, but she couldn't. Green blood seeped out of the corner of her lips as she collapsed next to Genji.

"Poison? W-when?"

Genji slipped himself on his back and slowly shuffled into a sitting position against the wall before answering.

"5 minutes before you arrived."

"I-impossible. I-you never got the chance."

"It's a specialty that was based on everything I know. A poison that takes on the living characteristics of infection."

*Cough cough*

Genji spat out multiple mouthfuls of blood before continuing.

"It hibernates in the victim's body like a parasite and slowly grows itself, striking when they are at their weakest. A deadly poison that kills at the slightest mistake."

Elona was able to muster some strength now and got back on her feet.

"Thank you for telling me so much, but you miscalculated one thing. I'm still able to move. Now hand over the antidote or I will take it from your dead body."

"Hahaha. I miscalculated a lot of things in this fight but this was not one of them. You might be able to move, but you don't have any way to kill me. Your energy pool is drained and you can barely move."

Elona reached inside her boot and pulled out a small knife and slowly walked over.

"Think again. Now hand over the antidote and I might let you live."

Genji can tell. Elona's getting desperate. Otherwise, she wouldn't have bargained with his dying life.

"You want to hear something funny? There is no antidote."

"I-impossible. You must have one. If you refuse to give it, I will force my blood into you. If what your telling me is correct, you will also get poisoned."

"Hahahaha. I am already poisoned. Just as its creator, I know its properties and will live around 10 more minutes than you. So die. I won't entertain you."

"YOU'RE CRAZY!"

"Farewell. HAHAHAHHAHA."

Genji laughed crazily as the life faded from Elona's eyes and fell over.

[You have slain: Elona, Daughter of the Cursed Sea]

[5-minute countdown will now start.]

[You have received: 23,123 ever coins and Tome of Curses]

[Tome of Curses]

Rating: Legendary

Type: inheritance item, consumable

Effect: Upon use, gain access to curse energy and knowledge of its progression.

Effect 2: Progression costs are doubled for males

Note: A very biased inheritance item.

Description: A book that details the road to becoming a witch of curse

 

"Was all that worth keeping my promise?"

Genji wondered to himself as he slowly felt himself being eaten alive by the poison he created.

"No. I need to rethink my choices in life."

Then Genji disappeared from this world.

 

---

 

"And that's how I became a new emperor of the sea," an older Ed told his grandson.

"But grandpa, didn't the older emperor crews make trouble for you? How did you become on without any problems?"

Ed sighed as he recalled the events from many years ago.

"I have to thank my captain for that. He killed Kidd, causing his crew to disband. Then there's the massacre of the Flying Dutchman. Rumor has it that only one person survived that battle and it was Cobra, a fellow emperor that obtained his position with the help of his brilliant tactician, Hendrickson."

"You really do respect your captain, don't you?"

"Yes. I was only able to achieve my current powers under his guidance. Although it was short, the advice he gave will do wonders for anyone."

"Then what about the other two emperors? You said there were four emperors at the time."

"Ah yes. Well, Drake fell in love with Queen Anne and they established the new order with Drake keeping outlaws in check as the only emperor from the last era. As for O'Malley, she quit pirating under the persuasion of Drake. In return, Anne will let her live the remainder of her life peacefully. In fact, only Vanderdecken and Kidd would be opposed to this new change.

They were too bloodthirsty to get used to the peace. In a way, my captain ended the Cursed Sea Era and brought in a Peaceful Era by himself when he killed them. Too bad he disappeared after he did all this, never getting to see the results of his efforts."