The Final Desperation

The following night, Genji set off for the museum exhibit. He had gotten the details of the event from Jack today and knew where the location was. In addition to this information, Genji also got a map and a butler to drive him there.

As he approached the neighborhood, he noticed people in rags running in the same direction. After a quick inspection, Genji guessed they are EverRealm members. Some of them at least. There are way fewer people than when he entered the world. He guessed that they attempted a prison escape of some kind.

That's why they are in such bad condition. As for helping them, Genji didn't consider it. He's under no obligation to help these strangers and EverRealm doesn't care. As long as the mission is completed and EverRealm beats EonRealm, it is happy. 

"That being said, why do I not see any EonRealm members?"

By all logic, EonRealm should be in the same world and have the same mission. The event is going to start soon and not a single member is in sight. They might have had a more favorable start, but it shouldn't be to this extent, right?

Genji got out of the car and walked into the museum. A bouncer stopped him at the entrance but backed off when he felt Genji's killing intent. Genji didn't know what the bouncer was checking for, but he knows this event will be attended by psychics.

Since that's the case, he just needs to display enough power to scare the person and he can walk in. After that, as long as he acts like he owns the place, no one will question him. And that's the easy part. 

Genji strolled into the avenue and looked around. There's about half an hour left before the event so he might as well enjoy the exhibit.

"Cool marble statue. I wonder how long it took the creator to make this," Genji said aloud as he looked at the information plate at the bottom.

"Good eye. That's the Statue of Trajan. It was uncovered during an excavation in the last century, but its creator remains unknown, though many attribute it to Phidias."

Genji turned around to see a neatly dressed person behind him. Seeing Genji's gaze, the person bowed and introduced himself.

"Good evening, sir. I am Moris, a curator of this museum."

"Good to meet you. Will I see you talk tonight?"

"No. Tonight will be a talk given by the head curator, Dan. The rest of us are simply here to make everything as smooth as possible."

"I see. But aren't you worried about your safety? From what I can tell, there will be a lot of psychics tonight."

"Surely you jest. Everyone knows that attacking a bystander is against the norms of psychics."

"Is that so?"

Genji decided to inspect this person. He's giving him a weird feeling and what he is saying doesn't line up. Why would the psychics care for collateral damage if they reach the point of fighting? This is only the case if the museum has a backer. If that's the case, then this curator can't be normal. Anyone that dares to stay in this building with a crowd of psychics must be a psychic themself.

But as much as Genji speculated, he was not prepared for what he saw. No, it was more of what he didn't see.

[Member of EonRealm. Inspect does not work on members of the realms.]

'What the? But how does he have a status?'

Genji quickly looked away to not show any weirdness and walked to pretend to look at a painting. This discovery has a lot of implications. Is it simply one person that has a status? Multiple? But how? And everyone seems familiar with the person like they've been colleagues for a while. 

 But how can that be possible? We've only entered the world for 3 days? Could they be a previous person that got trapped in the world? Or were they from a previous cycle? No that doesn't make sense. The person was way too calm and awkward for that. It was like he was acting the part of a curator.

Genji can tell because he's a veteran in the act. But that means he's new. So how can he seem so familiar with the others? A talent? Or something else?

Genji decided to inspect the people around him to confirm his suspicions. The result? A bunch of EonRealm members. And they all have one thing in common. They are all staff that will help the head curator in the event.

This rules the possibility of a talent. There's no way there is a talent that can get this many people into the positions. Not at this stage of power levels.

So that leaves only one possibility for the cause behind it. EonRealm. So why the difference in treatment? They don't seem strong enough to be Champions and there's far too many of them.

"Could it be that every Realm does things slightly differently?"

Genji put these thoughts aside and walked back down to the first floor where the main event was being held. He found a corner to lean against and waited. 15 minutes later, the lights dimmed and a slightly chubby middle-aged man walked up to the microphone.

"I see many psychics have joined me on this wonderful night as I exhibit the main star of the show. I am Curator Dan, and I will be your guide for tonight. With that said, I won't waste any more time and I will get started."

Dan got down from the stage and walked to a display case in the middle of the floor. Lots of guards and lasers surrounded the column of glass. In this glass case, a small cartridge made of unknown materials rested on a red cushion.

Dan talked to a guard before the security factors lightened enough for him to fit through. As for the rest of the people, they have to settle with watching Dan from a distance.

"As you can see, this is the game cartridge for Etheria Offline, the game in of rumors. This is one of the few cartridges the Psychic Association had discovered around the world. It was with lots of luck that I was able to obtain one for display tonight. With this, one can enter the fabled full-dive immersive game.

Since this is a discovery, the details of the game are still unconfirmed. Many have played the game, but few have made any progress. It was that hard. That being said, the news about the game being able to affect the real world is very much real.

The Psychic Association has confirmed this when psychics have brought items from the game into the real world. Also, the Psychic Association is willing to purchase any cartridges you may find for a satisfactory price."

Dan continued to speak about the game for a few minutes before stepping away from the display case. He waved at the guards in the vicinity and the lasers weakened, forming a path out for him. As Dan was midway through the path, something happened.

*BOOOM*

The side of the museum exploded and sent debris everywhere. Genji covered his face as a storm of dust covered him. 

"Who dares?!?"

Dan and the head of the security guards yelled at the opening in the wall but received no response. Before the guards could tighten the security around the case, the lights in the building went out, leaving only the moonlight from the destroyed wall as the only light source.

Genji closed his eyes and focused his senses. Three. There are three people rapidly approaching the display case. One from the crowd, one from outside, and Dan?

Genji can understand why the other two were running at the case, but why was Dan running for it? 

*Smash*

Dan destroyed the glass case, grabbed the cartridge, and threw it at the person in the crowd. Then he quickly moved back to his initial position. A second later, the backup generator kicked in and the lights came back on.

"Oh no! Someone stole the cartridge!"

Dan started to panic and break down. Genji would have been fooled as well if he didn't have strengthened senses from it being nighttime and had witnessed the entire thing.

"Over there!"

The head of security pointed to the person in the crowd with a fake cartridge in his hands. As for why Genji knew it was fake, the person had thrown the cartridge to another person as soon as he caught it. 

"Get him!"

All the psychics in the room charged at the person with all their abilities. Some controlled flying daggers, some boosted their physical strengths and some tried to interfere with the person's mind.

"You want this?! You won't get it!"

The thief threw the fake cartridge in the opposite direction and ran to the side. Genji noticed that while everyone's eyes followed the imitation, the person with the real one had thrown it to the person outside. Then some people specifically walked for the exit.

"What a brilliant heist."

Genji also noticed the person that threw the fake was moving mechanically. Genji guessed that this was a puppet disguised as a guest and the person controlling it was hiding somewhere in the crowd. But this fact was overlooked by the emotional crowd. Genji estimates that when they realized this, all the culprits would have made their escape. Well, all except the head curator. 

Genji was very familiar with this way of doing things. Dan would say some amazing-sounding words about getting the cartridge back, but would actually lead the investigation in the wrong direction. Then when he gets off work, he would make his getaway before anyone can react. Genji has done this himself plenty of times to shake off any pursuers after his assassinations.

"Show's over. Will you give me the next part of the mission now, EverRealm?"

[Link one has been completed. Link two unlocked.]

[Link two]

Mission: Find a way to join this mysterious game.

"Now that changes things."

Genji got up from his corner and sneaked through the destroyed wall. Then he pulled out the Fox Badge and tracked the intruder that was holding the cartridge. Why bother trying to join the game in another way when there's one in front of him?

A red arrow appeared in his view, but he noticed the minimap was smaller this time. Half the radius to be exact.

"No way! Is obsoletion so strong that even the skills on equipment are weakened?"

[The target is affected by a cloaking ability. The skill also has a hard time tracking people beyond a certain level.]

"I see. It seems like I can only use this tracking ability for so long. Such a shame. It's a convenient ability."

Genji activated Lightweight and chased after the rapidly moving dot in the distance.

 

---

 

"We're being chased," Sensor suddenly said.

"But how? I clearly covered our tracks with my cloaking!" Cleaner exclaimed.

"Ignore it. We will lose them soon enough," another member replied.

"I wish, but they are closing in. And right for us," Sensor said.

"Even after the turn," The person driving the car asked half-heartedly.

"Yes. It seems like they have a tracking ability."

"Then we can only remove them. Who's up for the task?"

"Berserker and I will go. Drop us off in an open area and we will hop off," Swordsman replied.

"Very well. I'll make my way over," said the driver.

A few minutes later, Genji came across a man with a crossed scar on his cheek with a katana by his side, and a large, muscular man.

"Hello, our persistent hunter. I am Swordsman and this is Berserker. Remember them because they are who killed you."

[Swordsman]

Health: 6,900/6,900

Mental Energy: 255/255

Con: 18

Str: 16

Dex: 19

int: 17

Spc: 27

Skills:

Mini-boss: + 6,000 hp

Mental energy: Convert energy to mental energy at a 1.5x rate

Swordsmanship (Grandmaster)

No further skills can be read

 

[Berserker]

Health: 8,200/8,200

Mental Energy: 120/120

Con: 22

Str: 22

Dex: 17

Int: 8

Spc: 26

Skills:

Mini-boss: +6,000 hp

Mental energy: Convert energy to mental energy at a 1.5x rate

Berserk (passive): For every 1,000 damage the owner takes, gain 1 stat point in strength

No further skills can be read.

 

Genji was starting to notice a pattern in the people of this world. It seems that all of them have the Mental Energy skill that gives them more energy for their special skills. After that, it would be their high special stat. It appears that the power system of this world is based on these two stats.

"Is that so? I beg to differ though."

Genji drew [Jaguar] and got into a stance. He's using [Jaguar] instead of his daggers because of its longer reach and all the poison slathered on the blade. Unlike its initial green color, the blade of this saber had taken on a greyish-purple hue, making it the perfect weapon to end a difficult opponent with minimal stress on his body.

"Enough talking. Let's finish this," Berserker started glowing red and charged at Genji.

Swift Movement

Genji channeled about 100 points of energy into his blade and disappeared from their view. Despite the huge consumption, this attack wasn't the shadow flame. As powerful as that technique is, it has a huge drain on the durability of his weapon. Considering it's the start of the world, Genji wanted to conserve as much as possible. Who knows? He might be stuck for months again. 

Genji appeared next to Berserker and slashed down. Sensing this sudden attack, Berserker simply coated his arm in thicker energy and brought it up to block the blade. To Genji's surprise, his saber did not separate the arm from the body. When the edge cut into Berserker's muscles, Genji felt a strong resistance in the swing.

"No matter. Poison it is."

Genji disappeared from his position and launched a series of rapid attacks on Berserker. A few seconds in, Swordsman noticed something was wrong.

"Berserker, careful! His weapons seem to be poisoned!"

Hearing this, Berserker burst out with his aura and pushed Genji back. Then he retreated behind Swordsman and started examining his purplish wounds.

Genji steadied himself and kicked off the ground to propel himself toward them. As he got close to them, Swordsman's mouth creased upward.

Condition met: SLICE!

Genji suddenly felt a strong sense of danger coming from the katana wielder. 

Flashstep

Genji knew the danger was approaching fast and his normal methods weren't enough to avoid this. Turns out, his decision was correct. When Swordsman drew out his, everything within a 5-meter radius of him has been cut. Not even the fireflies in the area survived. It was simply a zone of emptiness.

'What a dangerous ability.'

Genji stepped on the ground and appeared next to the panting Swordsman. 

*Ding*

Swordsman parried his attacks and launched his own counterattack. Genji parried it as well and they continued this exchange. Just a series of parries from two skilled swordsmen. Genji was able to use this fighting style because their strength stats are equal.

It was possibly the first time Genji was able to make use of his skills. In all the other fights, Genji's strength was dwarfed by his opponents. A single hit and he would be down so he could never make use of this style.

Genji hooked the katana with the jagged surface of his saber and launched a kick at Swordsman's leg. Bearing the impact, Swordsman grunted but recovered his katana from the hook. At this moment, Berserker forced out the poison in his body and joined the fight.

A huge wind from the vacuum brushed his head and Genji ducked a heavy swing from the heavy striker. Swordsman capitalized on this and followed up with a stab. 

"Guess I don't have a choice."

Genji pushed off the ground and twisted his body near Berserker's chest to leave a cut. Then a lost his balance to quickly sweep at Berseker's knee. Then he caught himself on his hand and performed a handstand to kick Berserker in the face and stab his foot. 

Genji let go of his hand and pivoted off Berserker's shoulder to launch himself up into the air. Then he sheathed [Jaguar] and pulled out his two daggers. As he was landing, he parried an attack from Swordsman and launched his own attack with his other hand.

Swordsman tried to jump back but received a bone-deep cut on his right forearm. The change was too sudden and Swordsman had no time to react to Genji's abrupt change in combat style. Berserker tried to backhand him but he leaned back and crossed his daggers with Berserker's arm in between.

*Shhhhhk*

A deep cut appeared as blood sprayed everywhere. Genji allowed himself to fall so he can ignite [Opportunity] with his shadow flames and throw it at Berserker's chest. Since his daggers have a large amount of durability, he wasn't as worried about using this technique.

The dagger buried itself to the hilt and forced Berserker to stop his next attack. This was a dangerous wound that would require him a few moments to stabilize. If he doesn't, the dagger will glide down and slice his stomach open. Berseker can tell the sharpness of this dagger by the centimeters of extra wounds he received when he moved.

Genji rolled on the ground and got back to his feet in time to block another attack from Swordsman.

"We can't continue like this or we will end up severely injured. Maybe possibly die."

Realizing the danger of this unpredictable foe, Swordsman jumped back slightly to charge his special attack. Berserker understood the cue and punched at Genji while pulling out the dagger.

"We got this," Berserker smiled as he saw Genji dodge his attack. Despite none of his attacks having landed, Berserker wasn't upset. No, he welcomed it. With this dodge, this opponent won't have the time to interrupt Swordsman. He's already sheathed his sword. For context, Swordsman's ability is triggered when someone enters 3 meters from him.

When this condition is met, he can unleash a powerful cutting zone in a 5-meter radius, all within his control. Yet as powerful as this ability was, there's a major drawback. Swordsman needs to start the attack in a quickdraw position, meaning his sword needs to be sheathed. This condition means that this is a powerful attack to open with, but hard to use in the middle of combat.

Just imagine it. You're in the middle of a fight and your opponent suddenly sheathes his sword. What are you going to do? Kill him of course. The guy's defenseless and put himself in a back situation. That's why Swordsman took a step back and had Berserker delay Genji. So he can't interrupt the attack. They've killed many people with this combo.

"DIE!"

Swordsman shouted as he leaned his body down.

'You think I'm just going to let you charge your attack? Think again!'

Suddenly, a cloud of black smoke covered his left arm and an old flintlock manifested. Genji grasped the wooden handle and adjusted his wrist before pulling the trigger.

Big Bullet

Swordsman's head exploded before he can draw his katana, his body flopping backward from the impact. Berserker's eyes widened, but before he can recover, Genji's [Lethal] burst into shadow flames as he spun near his body. Genji pulled his arm across his neck and swung with all his strength. When the flames faded, Genji stood in the midst of two headless corpses.