The Final Desperation

(You have reached level 99. Please find your class altar in the Uncharted Lands to accept your final class advancement trial.)

Genji was barely able to kill the boss when he got the hint. It's been a couple more days and Genji's noticed some patterns about this place. For one, whenever he goes back, the time required is always one hour, no matter how far he's gone. 

After that, it's the constantly strengthening enemies. It seems like the longer he walks, the stronger the enemies get. Mind you, it's distance traveled. Genji's tried walking in other directions and it's the same result. Enemies show up no matter what after a certain distance.

Lastly, he recognizes that the enemies are getting stronger at a faster rate with each entry. At the start, the weakest Bosses he came across were around level 110 with 3 or 4-level increments. Now, the first boss he encounters is around level 150 and the increment is 10 levels until he returned to his record. It was like the area remembered his progress and is forcing him to continue pushing his limits.

Genji was hesitant to continue exploring this place. At this moment, the opponents he's facing are around level 320 and his daggers don't kill the bosses in one use anymore. Now he has to resort to running until his cooldown comes off before he can do anything.

"Let's see where this leads me," Genji muttered as an arrow appeared in his view.

 

---

 

Dragon Herbert was sleeping peacefully in his cave when he got a notice. His presence was needed again. Someone had challenged the impossible difficulty again. He doesn't understand why people are so daring this month. First, there was that guy with stupid cheat-like cards who managed to beat him again the second time.

After that, there's been a person who dances with swords, a person who likes to smack everything with an axe, and a person who uses way too many weapons. Just what is with these people?

Dragon Herbert got up and soon found himself teleported into the familiar colosseum. He laid down and prepared to give his signature getting up scene to intimidate the bothersome pest that dares to bother his slumber.

The creaking of metal sounded as the chains tightened and lifted up the challengers' door. Footsteps came from the dark hallway as a person in a priest's robe walked into view.

'Why does this guy look familiar?' Dragon Herbert asked himself but denied the most obvious answer.

'There's no way that guy reached the limit so soon. It's only been a week and a half. This must be a copycat."

As Dragon Herbert got up and prepared to rain hell on this intruder, he noticed his stats. It's high. Higher than any other time he was summoned.

'Holy shit! It's really that guy. How the hell did he reach this level so fast?'

"Hey, fat dragon. Guess who's back?"

A feeling of dread formed in Dragon Herbert's chest, but he pushed it down.

'Calm down, you fool. You have higher stats than before. There's no way he can beat-'

This thought was left unfinished as numerous daggers emerged from the ripping air.

"Holy fuck! Next time I play an RPG in the lower worlds, I swear I won't play a dragon!"

 

---

 

Genji stuck a pinkie into his ear and removed some earwax. That's weird. He could have sworn he heard the dragon say something before it got buried in his rain of daggers. 

'Nah, must be my imagination when I heard that weird roar.'

(You have passed the impossible difficulty for the third advancement trial.)

(You can select 28 options from the following rewards)

1. Unlock your class card restriction (selectable once)
2. Upgrade your class (selectable once)
3. Merge a new card using multiple cards, keeping effects from all components. Limit of 3 cards
4. Upgrade a card
5. Gain an Ultimate Card

The first option allows one to use cards from all classes, increasing one's flexibility immensely and removing the class distinguishment. As for the rest, they are self-explanatory.

First, Genji selected the class upgrade.

(Your class has upgraded to Holy Incarnation of Light)

Holy Incarnation of Light: As someone that has focused only on the priest's capabilities with the utmost devotion, undistracted by the temptations of heretic classes, the lord has blessed you with this unique class. Huge increase in all light-related abilities and a huge reduction in cooldown and costs. A large variety of support spells are unlocked.

Then he selected the merge option.

(Please select the cards to merge.)

"Lethal Opportunity, Jaguar, Curse Bearer"

(Combining. Created Dagger Rain of Hell)

(Dagger Rain of Hell)

Effect: Summon 99 daggers that deal 1.2 million damage each or 11% of a target's health. Each dagger inflicts a random status effect and stacks up to 5 times.

"Merge again. This time, Dagger Rain of Hell, Enigma, and Shroud of Terror."

 Genji wanted to see how far he can push this singular card. Since the merge keeps all the effects, there's no reason to not test it.

(Created Dagger Rain of Death)

(Dagger Rain of Death)

Effect: Summon 99 daggers that deal 1.3 million damage each or 12% of a target's health. Each dagger inflicts a random status effect and stacks up to 7 times. While this skill is active, you have access to your shadow energy and 2 teleportations.

"Pump the rest into card upgrades."

A total of 25 card upgrades. This was an amount that surpasses the total upgrades this card had received so far. Doing the math, the card received 19 upgrades so far, 6 from the first trial and 13 from the second. Now add the current 25, there's a total of 44 upgrades. This was an insane number for this game and the stats showed it.

(Storm of Death) 

Effect: Summon 999 daggers that deal 1 billion damage + 50% of a target's hp. Each dagger inflicts 10 high-ranked negative status effects. This effect stacks infinitely. If this skill kills a target, reset the cooldown instantly. Daggers summoned by overlapping skills remain on the field and accumulate. Each dagger lasts 10 minutes or until used.

While this skill is active, gain access to your shadow energy and infinite teleportations. Each teleportation consumes one dagger. As long as one dagger exists, this skill is in effect. You can now control the daggers with your mind.

 

*Whistle*

"Now that's what a call OP."

Genji stepped through the portal and found himself in the area between World's Edge and Uncharted Lands. The beginning of everything. Genji stepped back through the film and returned to the normal area. Then he released his dagger storm, clicking the ability as fast as he can to fill the area with daggers. So much that any normal PC would have started lagging crazily.

"Let's see how far I can go with this."

Genji walked back to the other side and started running as fast as he can. Soon, a boss appeared and was instantly devoured by the storm. Another cast. Then repeat.

"Wait, why is my level not increasing?"

After chaining a bunch of kills, Genji noticed this one crucial detail. When he opened his exp bar, he realized it was filled, but isn't increasing.

(You have reached the star level. From this point on, all exp will be used to level up your class skills.)

"Fuck. How the hell is this game fair?!?!? Who the hell designed this crappy system? How is anyone supposed to get all the progression cards like this?"

Genji might be on a killing spree, but his attributes have reached a bottleneck. No matter how much his other skills get stronger, can they beat his Storm of Death? That's a perpetual invincibility machine. Who cares about the support skills when he won't use them?

A few hours later, Genji finally ran out of daggers. A surprise, I know, but the bosses he's fighting all have a ridiculous amount of percentage health. How the hell did some think to give a boss 1 million percent health? That alone consumed most of his daggers and stopped him from going any further. Based on the pattern of the creatures getting stronger, he would be in for a bad time if he continues.

"The further I delve into this game, the dumber this seems. I swear, if it wasn't for that wish gem, no one would play this stupid game."

After that point, Genji decided to call it a day and think about this problem another day. As Genji logged off, he found the atmosphere in the house was not right. Everyone is tense and seems prepared for combat.

"What's going on?"

"Our base has been compromised."

Mage pointed to the window, through which Genji can see multiple armored vehicles. 

"Cool. I can finally get a real fight."

Genji drew his saber and grinned happily. Since the world started, he has only killed two mini-bosses that increased his energy. For his increased intelligence, this was a meager amount of energy. Now he has the chance to further pile on, he won't stand by.

*Booom*

Suddenly, explosions sounded from all around the house. Within seconds, the walls collapsed and the roof came down.

"Explosives?!? Do they have no regard for collateral damage?" Mage shouted, fury evident in his voice.

"We're terrorists for god's sake. They don't give a damm about our lives," Genji shouted back, "So act like it!"

Genji dashed out of the collapsing house, charging at the vehicles. He weaved around any tank bullets that came his way and glided his saber through the outer plating of the vehicles. Then he such his hand into the cut and yanked hard, ripping the plate clean off.

Dust sprayed everywhere as the others in the house charged out as well. Bladedanger, Lumberjack, and Nomad used their own powers to also destroy a tank.

Genji ran at another tank, but before he could make it, he was attacked by a throwing knife. The edge of the knife brushed across his face as Genji came to a sudden stop. He turned to the origin of the attack and saw two women ready to fight him. One of them was a familiar face as Genji had almost killed her when the world started, Alvona, the restrictor. 

Standing next to her, a woman with multiple throwing knives in her hand was in motion to throw another knife at him. Genji knocked the projectiles out of the air and made a dash for an open space. He would rather not have to deal with multiple opponents when dealing with these opponents. The two psychics thought the same and followed closely.

"Finally ran enough?" The woman with throwing knives taunted him when he stopped.

"Actually, no. I just didn't want to deal with the other problems," Genji replied with confidence.

 

[Kaya, The Flying Dagger]

Health: 6,900/6,900

Mental Energy: 210/210

Con: 18

Str: 18

Dex: 21

Int: 14

Spc: 25

Skills:

Mini-Boss: +6,000 hp

Mental Energy: convert energy to mental energy at a 1.5x rate

Throwing proficiency (Grandmaster)

No further skills can be read

 

Swift Movement, Wolf Step

Genji suddenly appeared next to Kaya and brought down his saber, forcing her to drop her other knives so she can have a firm grip to block. Genji capitalized on this by kicking a falling knife into her stomach. Flinching at the sudden pain, Genji wanted to finish the knife thrower off but was interrupted by a chain that blocked the attack.

'She has a good reaction speed.'

Genji disappeared again and slashed at Alvona's neck.

Condition met: Chain barrier

A bundle of chains appeared around Alvona as her life-saving ability activated. This was a sudden effect, but Genji was not surprised. This isn't the first time he dealt with a protective mechanism. His left hand emitted black smoke as a black flintlock formed in his left hand. Shoving the muzzle between the cracks of the chain, Genji pushed it against Alvona's head and pulled the trigger.

"Alvona!"

Kaya hurried to throw a knife at Genji in hopes he would opt for dodging the attack. Yet Genji crushed her hopes by hardening the targeted area with Solid Core, completely negating the attack.

*Bang*

The flintlock changed back to smoke as Genji reached down to grab the dagger that bounced off his back. Then, in one smooth flick of his wrist, he threw the dagger back at Kaya.

"Bastard! I'll make you pay for that!" Kaya screamed hysterically at Genji, upset at the death of her friend.

Bladestorm

Kaya disregarded all repercussions and overdraft her abilities to unleash a flurry of throwing knives. In a way, this ability is reminiscent of his own ability in the game. Yet because this is the case, Genji was able to figure out the weakness of this attack. 

It's a barrage of attacks that sacrifices quantity for quality, making it strong against a group of weaker opponents, but worse against a strong defense.

Solid Core

Ever since Genji conducted a special attribute talent molding, his control and power of his energy have gotten stronger. This became more evident with his reckless practicing in the game world where he faces no repercussions in trying new ideas. 

Genji burst out the other side of the storm with numerous scrapes on his skin, but that's as deep as it goes. He might look bloody, but his muscles were completely unharmed. Slashing down at the unprepared Kaya, Genji ignited a small shadow flame on his saber and easily decapitated her. 

With her death, Kaya's storm of knives dissipated and Genji got his rewards.

[You have slain Kaya, The Flying Dagger]

[Your maximum energy has increased by 13 points]

[You have obtained: 19,210 coins and Throwing Dagger]

[Throwing Dagger]

Rating: Rare

Attack: 19

Requirements: 14 str, 19 dex

Durability: 130/130

Effects:

Penetration (passive): Ignores 1 defense when thrown

Throw (active): Throw this dagger with improved aim. 20 minute cooldown

Note: Just because this is made for throwing doesn't mean it's not a good weapon.

 

"Seems like the others dealt with the tanks while I was occupied."

Genji looked around for another target he can kill and eventually settled his eyes on Mage's opponent. Unlike Genji's situation, Mage was being pursued by 4 mini-bosses and a bunch of elites. One can't help but wonder if this intelligence officer has a target on his back, but everything made sense when Genji thought about how he's the explosion guy in the team.

If something required being blown up, Mage would be the guy to do it. It makes sense then, why Psychic Association had a deep hatred for The Guild.

"Need some help?"

Genji appeared next to him and slashed a bullet out of the air. Hearing his voice, Mage's eyes lit up.

"Assassin! Yes, please."

"Try to keep them distracted then."

Flashstep

As guarded as the psychics are at the reinforcement, nothing could have prepared them for this speed Genji unleashed. In one smooth motion, before anyone can react, a headless psychic appeared in their formation.

"What the-"

"Here. I'll return this back to you."

Genji tossed the severed head back to the group. From their expressions, Genji can tell his trick had worked. They had been spooked by this sudden death and experienced a severe decrease in morale.

Mage took this opportunity while he was uninterrupted to fire multiple fireballs, sending everyone scattering. This though, only made it easier for Genji to pick off another person. At this moment, he's going all out and finishing the battle as soon as possible. 

In a matter of minutes, the Psychic Association suffered massive losses and had to order a retreat. It was kind of anti-climactic for how tense things were.

"Gather up, everyone. I had some things to announce," Seer wheeled himself over.

"That attack was not a coincidence. That information was leaked. As for who leaked it, I still have no idea, but we need to change our hideout."

"What!? Who could have possibly done that?" Mage exclaimed in denial.

"Mage is right. There's no reason for anyone to betray this group! We are all hated by the Association. Turning coat now would be stupid!" Morphling followed up.

"I wish that was the case, but that's what my ability is telling me," Seer reaffirmed his statement.

This revelation made everyone go into a somber mood. This was not what they wanted to hear. To think one of their own would turn coat. Why? What could they possibly gain from doing this?

"Medic. Heal everyone. Let's scavenge what we can and get moving," Seer gave his last orders and wheeled himself to the side.

"What a mess this is," Genji thought to himself.

Since Genji didn't have anything to pack, he decided to go over to Seer to talk. As he approached the sickly man, Genji had a feeling Seer was leading him to a secluded place. Somewhere outside the hearing distance of the others.

"Why did you come all the way over here when I started walking over?"

"I wanted a private conversation."

"Makes sense. What do you want to say?"

"I want you to kill someone."

Genji raised his brow but didn't decline right away. His name is Assassin so if he declines, he would seem fake.

"What will I get out of it?"

Seer thought about it for a moment before answering.

"How about I help you divine one thing?"

"Not interested. I prefer something concrete."

"Fine. Have it your way."

Seer reached into his pocket and pulled out an amulet.

[You have obtained Stardrop necklace.]

[Stardrop necklace]

Rating: Rare

Type: Accessory

Effect: When worn, boost the wearer's affinity to fate-related attributes.

 

It was a weird effect, but accessories are supposed to be rare. Because of the weird effect, Genji would need to find the right buyer if he wants to sell it. Otherwise, it would be worthless. Yet this does not mean it's not valuable.

"Sure. Who am I taking out?"

"Mechanic."

One of their own? This doesn't make sense unless...

"He's the traitor?"

Seer fell silent for a few seconds before nodding.

"I didn't want to expose this in front of the others, but I can't let him get away with it."

"I assume you want this done subtlety?"

"You match your name too well."

"Give me a few days."