The Final Desperation

"You finally revealed yourself."

Genji jumped back and caught his falling dagger.

"Please, sir. I don't want to fight you."

"A normal bodyguard, though your abilities are far from normal."

Genji sensed a threat from this silver-haired man. He might be thin, but if they go all out, the damage to the surroundings won't be small. Since that's the case, Genji sheathed his weapons.

"So are you going to give me an explanation for my troubles?"

The bodyguard also sheathed his sword and bowed to him.

"Thank you. If you follow me back to the mansion, the Cruger family will give you an adequate explanation."

The guard lifted his forefingers and thumb before rubbing them together. Genji understood the meaning. They will pay for not pursuing this matter any further.

"Then what are we waiting for?"

The silver-haired man pointed to the sweating Marks that was holding a fainted Hunter.

"Oh well. Sucks to be you."

"And whose fault do you think it was?"

"Your friend's. And you for joining the fight."

Half an hour later, Genji found himself in front of a large mansion on the outskirts of nowhere. Not even a cement road in sight. As for how they got there, they ran. Simple as that.

"That's a nice place you got."

"That's the perk of being from a family of psychics. Everyone is filthy rich from the treasures we find," Marks replied.

"True, but can you tell your friend to stop glaring at me? The last time someone looked at me like that ended up dead. If possible, I would rather not repeat that incident."

Marks was taken aback at how casually he mentioned killing someone. Kite, the silver-haired man, on the other hand, was not surprised. From what he had observed of Genji, he was an experienced killer. To him, killing was like eating breakfast. It takes no effort on his part. 

"Young master, Hunter, Kite. You're back," A guard at the gate welcomed them, "If I may ask, who is this?"

"He's an honored guest. Treat him well," Kite answered simply.

"Ah yes. A guest. May I have the honor of knowing your name?"

The guard bowed to Genji and opened the gate.

"I have many names, but people mostly know me as Enigma nowadays."

"Well met, sir Enigma."

"Let's end the conversation here. I need to report to the master."

Kit led Genji into the living room and ordered the maids to serve some snacks. Then he retreated, leaving Genji alone with the two teenagers.

"Well, it is just the three of us again."

"Yes. Strange how this is the third time."

Marks made some small conversation as the maids brought in some cakes and tea.

"Yes. If I didn't know better, I would have assumed you followed me."

Genji spoke as if he had no idea that was the case. 

"That aside, that was an interesting application of your energy. A constant boost, huh?"

"What do you mean? That's the basic techniques of enhancers."

"So you call it enhancing. Makes sense."

Genji picked up a slice of cake and treated himself.

"Why are you talking as if you don't know about psychics and their abilities?"

"How sharp. It's because I don't. Unlike your way of using energy, my methods are based on instant bursts of power. Like your friend's methods."

Hearing him being mentioned, Hunter looked up from his plate and looked at Genji, trying his best to not glare at him.

"What about my technique?"

"Concentrating a large amount of energy into a small area for maximum power. It's powerful but doesn't last. Maybe I should develop a technique similar to yours."

Develop? Are you messing with them? Do you know how hard it is to create your own technique? Marks decided to ignore Genji's last part while Hunter looked lost in the flow of the conversation. After Genji finished his snack, the door opened, and a man in his twenties walked into the room.

"Dad," Hunter called out to the person.

'Dad? He doesn't look that old. Does this power system affect preserving one's youth or did he marry at a young age? Maybe good genetics?'

As Genji's mind was wandering, the person reached out his hand for a shake. Genji took it, but he felt a strong grip acting on his hand. Genji looked into the man's eyes and smiled. Then he applied his force. The man felt this and increased his grip, to which Genji responded with matching strength.

This competition of seeing how hard they can squeeze continued for a whole minute before the man retracted his strength.

"I'm Jack."

"Enigma."

"Well, Enigma. I'll get straight to the point. What do you want?"

Genji understood what he was talking about.

"A weapon. Maybe a dagger."

"Very well."

Jack waved at a servant and took a seat across from Genji. 

"So what are you in the city area for? No offense, but from what I gathered, you aren't from around here."

"A certain museum event in 3 days."

"Ah yes. you must be talking about the Oasis rundown."

"Oasis?"

"Yes. That's the name of the game everyone was crazed about."

"I see. I never got the name before, only rumors."

"That being said, how about I entertain you for these few days? If you don't mind staying in this humble place, that is."

"Dad!"

Marks whined about the hospitality.

"Sure. I could use a room."

Genji wasn't worried about staying in this place. Although these people are strong, he's confident he can escape if they try anything. Minutes later, the servant returned with a closed box decorated with fancy jewels. Jack took the box and handed it to Genji. When Genji opened it, a small paring knife glistened in the light.

[You have received Small Swiftness]

[Small Swiftness]

Rating: Rare

Damage: 12

Durability: 50/50

Effect:

Nimble (passive): You can move this small knife faster than normal. +2 wielding speed.

Conductor (passive): Energy can flow through this blade easier than normal.

It wasn't anything impressive, but it's better than nothing. At least he got something out of it. If he had killed Hunter and Marks, he wouldn't have received anything. They aren't even elites.

"It's a good toy."

Genji praised it and decided to keep it for everyday use. He's not going to get much from selling it so he might as well keep it for other purposes. As if proving his statement, Genji started spinning the knife around his fingers at an absurd speed. Left, right, spin. Hunter's eyes followed the blade like a cat staring at a beam of laser.

"I'm glad you liked it."

The corner of Jack's mouth twitched. To think this rare psychic knife became a toy in Genji's hands.

 

---

 

The next morning, Hunter and Marks found Genji training in the backyard. At first, they watched him from a distance, but soon, they couldn't reign in their curiosity at his movements. Why is he moving so slowly? He's made two swings in the last 15 minutes!

"Hey, Enigma. What are you doing?"

"Training."

"What are you training?"

"Intent."

"Intent?"

Question marks appeared above both of the teenager's heads. 

"Yes. Intent."

Genji didn't change his movement despite the two of them distracting him. In fact, he concentrated further on slowing down his movements.

"What is intent and what does it have to do with your training?"

Genji noticed that all signs of animosity had disappeared from these teenagers' eyes and curiosity had replaced them.

"When you reach a certain level, it's not about the actions, but the intent behind them. As long as my mind desires to kill, my blade will cut. If I don't want to cut, then no matter how much force I use, the blade will never harm a fly. That's the realm I'm trying to reach."

Since they seem sincere about the question, Genji decided to honestly explain it, despite his explanation being so vague it made more questions. Swirls appeared in their eyes as they tried to comprehend this sentence, but ended up with imaginary smoke above their heads.

"What?"

Genji chuckled at their reactions and changed the topic.

"So how do you use your energy?"

"I just follow my instincts," Hunter replied.

"I wrap my body in it and it makes me faster."

"Uhhhh."

This time, it was Genji who had no idea how to respond. That's it? They don't even know the reasoning behind their techniques. There goes the plan of cross-referencing energy systems.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm surprised how crap your understanding of everything is."

"Crap? I'll have you know, I understand a lot about my energy!"

Hunter burst out in annoyance.

"Sure. Give me an example of the logic behind one of your moves."

"That's easy. I go vrrrrr in my head and my energy goes brrr and then zzzzz. Then booom."

Genji's eyes met Marks.

"Do you have any idea what he said? Because I don't."

Marks covered his face in embarrassment for his simple-minded friend. Hunter looked at Marks in the hope that he will agree with him and prove Genji wrong. Marks looked down to avoid the gaze.

"I'm sorry, Hunter. I think I will have to agree with him on this one."

Hunter sulked for a few moments before bouncing back and questioning Genji.

"Then what about you? Can you explain things better than me?"

Hunter was unwilling to admit his shortcomings and challenged Genji.

"Me? Yeah. One of my basic techniques is sharpening my weapons. By forming an edge with my energy, I can cut with a thinner edge than normal."

"I don't believe you. Prove it."

"Sure."

Genji stopped his slow-motion movements and picked up a stick. Then he channeled some energy into it and poked at Hunter. Seeing this incoming branch, Hunter stood still. It's just a stick. How much damage can it- ouch.

Hunter looked down to see the stick had pierced his skin and snapped on his muscles.

"That's an example. A stick that can't even hurt you can pierce your strengthened body. Now imagine what a sharp weapon can do."

Hunter broke out in cold sweat at that image. He wouldn't stand a chance. 

"Now unless you want to join me in training, I will have to respectfully ask you to leave me alone."

Genji threw away the stick and started a slower movement. Hunter exchanged a glance with Marks and nodded.

"We'll join you. Please teach us how you got so strong."

 

---

 

"When your fighting, don't use your eyes. Learn to use your other senses!"

Genji bonked Marks with a pool noodle and tripped Hunter. Under their persistence, Genji eventually decided to give them advice on combat instead of any actual training. He's only here for 3 days and this is already the second day. There's only so much he can do to entertain them while he's borrowing a room.

Marks turned around to try to catch Genji's figure but failed. When Hunter got up, he saw a confused Marks constantly getting bonked on the head and frantically turning to look for Genji. Behind him was Genji holding his orange pool noodle, matching every twist Marks was making, resulting in Marks never catching sight of him.

"As for you, you need to have more situational awareness. You are an instinctual fight, meaning you have improved senses, but you need to pay attention to the things happening around you. It's not only about charging at the opponent and hoping they fight you head-on."

Genji sidestepped a grab and moved the bell on a string away from Hunter's sight. This bell was their goal for today's training. If they manage to snatch it, Genji will move on to topics they want to learn instead of this stupid training. Yet it's been 5 hours since they started and they haven't even touched the bell yet. 

"Young master. I'll leave the drinks here."

A servant placed a tray of drinks and sat down to watch the show.

"Drinks? That sounds good."

Genji rubbed his chin and slowly maneuvered the teenagers over to the table. When they got close enough, Genji tripped Hunter again, tapped Marks on the shoulder, and spun around his back to snatch a glass. Then before they noticed the change, Genji strolled back to bonk Marks again.

"When did he get that?"

Hunter wondered to himself when he got up this time.

"Try it. It's refreshing."

Genji waved the empty glass.

"Oh wait. You can't. You're too busy falling from lack of situational awareness."

Genji slide the glass onto the tray and mocked the teenagers, making them grit their teeth.

"Careful. You're getting emotional."

Genji smack the two of them in the face and continued taunting them.

"Since you're not going to get the chance to drink this, how about I drink this for you two?"

Genji snatched up the other two glasses and slowly sipped on the drink.

"YOU'RE ANNOYING!"

Hunter finally had enough and punched Genji's face.

"Not bad, but you lost control of your emotions. This calls for punishment, you know?"

Genji gently let go of his drinks and kicked down Marks. Then he delivered a heavy strike on Marks's face, breaking his nose and causing a gushing stream of blood to smear his knuckles. Genji then shook off the blood on his hand and reached down to catch his drink. Seeing thing, a vein bulged up on Hunter's head. 

"Hey! Why are you beating Marks?"

Hunter was very angry at Genji's actions.

"Why? Why of course."

Genji chuckled to himself as he continued to weave between his punches and kicked at Marks again. Feeling the sudden pain, Marks curled up to reduce the area he can be hit.

"Hey! Punish me. I made the mistake so shouldn't you punish me?!"

Hunter stepped back in hopes that Genji would stop his beatings on Marks, but things didn't turn out the way he had hoped. More bruises formed on Marks's arms as he endured the unfair beating.

"What kind of teacher are you to beat someone over someone else's mistakes?!?"

Hunter finally lost it and screamed his thoughts. Hearing this Genji stopped his beatings and glared at Hunter. An intense killing intent assaulted his face, but Hunter stood firm.

"What kind of teacher am I? Let me tell you. I am a practical teacher. As long as it accomplishes the goal, I don't care for the methods. And you think that's the worst of it? No. Think again. This is what happens when you lose control of your emotions. On the battlefield, people aren't going to show you mercy.

No. Your mistake will cause more deaths than yourself. Your friends will also be impacted, dragged into your mistake, and pay for it. So if you don't want to cry over your friend's dead body in the future, carve this lesson into your mind. Because it's not you who will suffer the consequences of your mistakes, but those around you. Got it?"

Genji's killing intent faded and Hunter's knees gave out. Genji crouched down next to Marks and patted his head.

"Sorry little guy. This was the easiest way to get the lesson across. Nothing personal."

Marks weakly pushed himself up and wiped the blood from his face.

"It's okay. If it means helping Hunter improve, I don't mind enduring another beating."

Hunter was dumbfounded by his friend's reaction to everything. He's just suffered a severe beating and he's fine with it? Has the world gone mad?

Genji smiled and got up. As he walked past Hunter, Genji stopped and patted his shoulder.

"Remember this lesson. You have a good friend so it would be a shame to lose him due to your mistakes. With your personality, I'm sure you would blame yourself for the rest of your life and maybe do something rash. Let's not reach that point, shall we?"

Hunter blankly nodded but failed to register anything. Genji set the empty glasses on the tray and looked at the maid.

"Now would be a good time to patch the young master up, don't you think?"

Hearing his prompt, the maid scurried to find a medkit, horrified by Genji's sudden change from brutality to happy smiling.

"Naive fools."

Genji shook his head and started walking back to his room. As he was doing so, his eyes met Jack's gaze from the window of the second floor. From what Genji can tell, his fists clenched and his teeth grinding against themselves. Genji put on a bright smile and waved at Jack, making his expression uglier.

A few minutes later, Jack knocked on his door.

"Yo! What's up?"

"Hunter was right. You are infuriating."

"Heh heh. That's why it's fun. I get to push all your buttons and you can't do anything about it."

"You are a terrible guest, you know that?"

"Of course, but you can't deny the results. Your son's friend is now scarred by this. Now before he loses control and does something stupid, he will consider the consequences of his actions. And Marks won't be implicated by Hunter's stupid actions in the future. I would count that as a success, don't you think?"

"Yes. Yes indeed. But you know? I don't like how you used MY son to conduct the lesson."

Jack brought his fist back and swung at Genji. Seeing the incoming attack, Genji continued to smile and didn't move.

*Crack*

Genji's nose broke and a waterfall of blood gushed out. He calmly took out a handkerchief and covered his nose.

"There. Feeling better? It's always better to vent one's emotions than to bottle it up. That being said, do realize today's lesson was on controlling one's own emotions so you don't do anything stupid."

"You- you."

Seeing Genji's complete indifference to what had happened, Jack started to doubt his reality. How can he remain smiling after being punched in the face?

"You must be wondering how I can still smile, right? Well, I can't deny I was expecting such a response. And smiling always makes things better. Try it. Next time you find yourself in a bad situation, smile. It won't help, but it can trick your body, kind of. Now if you have nothing else you want to talk about, I'll kindly ask you to leave."

As the door shut behind him, Jack's ears resounded with Genji's laughter, making him question the sanity of the guest he housed.