The Final Desperation

Genji stood still in the training area, taking long, drawn-out breaths. His eyes were closed as he tuned out his surroundings. All his attention was focused on his rhythmic breathing, going in and out. His hand waved along the still air, feeling the light breeze formed by his passing.

Suddenly, a ring of wind formed around his feet. The wind followed this path for some time before gradually gaining speed. Soon, the flow quickened to a point where it became visible, creating an airy boundary.

This wind continued accelerating until it transformed into a fierce tornado. Then it rose, enveloping Genji, before converging inward to create an elliptical shell.

Bruce observed this barrier closely, noticing occasional flashes of cutting intent concealed within the wind. Following that, he discerned that the wind and cutting intent were not much different from each other.

In some places, he couldn't even distinguish where the wind began and the cutting intent ended. The longer he stared, the more he felt this way until he realized there was no wind at all—only cutting intent.

Then the barrier vanished, dissipating with the passing current. Genji opened his eyes, admiring the creation of a new technique.

"To use daggers without daggers. To enshroud oneself like a caterpillar undergoing metamorphosis. Let's call this move Daggerless Arts: Cocoon."

Bruce perked up from his practice and approached Genji, his mouth drooling. 'Master, what's a cocoon? Is it tasty?'

"It's always food with you. Are you sure you're training properly?"

'Master, I train so I can assist you. That way, I can return to eat more. There's no conflict.' Bruce blinked innocently at Genji.

"Whatever you say."

Genji practiced his new technique for a couple more hours before heading back to his room.

"Your technique has improved," Genji commented as Cake massaged his back.

"I conducted my talent molding," Cake replied.

"You waited until now to do that?" He asked, recalling that Cake had returned from a mission last month.

"I was debating between accumulating more stats or advancing."

"I personally recommend more stats, but I suppose it doesn't matter with your rank. Your missions are less combat-oriented, so you don't have to optimize as much. What about the battlefield? Is it true that servants don't have to enter it?"

"Yes. Instead, I have to handle some logistics work for EverRealm."

"Sounds better than my experiences, but it's for the best. Not even enforcers can do much in that place, so sending servants will only add to the body count."

"Is it that bad?"

"Ask any of your friends. I bet all of them have some PTSD about that place."

"Then why are you so relaxed? Aren't you entering it next month?"

"You know my attitude toward death."

"You don't care."

"No, I don't." Genji stood up from the bed and stretched his body. He had never felt so comfortable before. All the muscle tears from training had mended themselves under Cake's miraculous touch, refreshing him to his peak state.

"Not bad. Your talent is starting to show its true value."

Then Genji immersed himself in his lab, converting his profit into more goods for Cake to restock the shelves. After the brewing session, Genji disregarded his gloves and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

'Okay, this is getting out of hand. I can't be wasting time like this. Let's see if I can outsource this work.'

Genji cleaned himself up and headed for the production district, where all the sweatshops of EverRealm resided, churning out enough items to meet the public's demand.

The first thing that drew Genji's attention upon arrival was the monotonous buildings in the area. All of them looked the same, sporting a lackluster design and identical color. The walls were plain, devoid of any fancy decorations common amongst normal shops.

This was not a place built to entertain the public. It was a factory. The only people who frequented this district were the workers, mostly consisting of servants seeking income.

A hubbub of clanging metal sounded in his ears, persisting without signs of stopping. Smoke and heat blasted his sides as he walked past. Genji peeked inside one such building and saw a flurry of sparks fly off a grindstone as a worker held a sword against its coarse surface.

On the other side of the room, a sizzling sound and a cloud of smoke arose as someone plunged a hot weapon into oil. This was the blacksmith area, responsible for most of the beginner equipment.

Genji's destination wasn't this area, so he continued inward. He walked past the medical supplies area and the leather workers until he arrived at the pharmacist's section.

Due to requiring more specialized skills, this area had fewer people, allowing for better conditions in the neighborhood. However, no matter how good the scenery was, it couldn't hide the overworked brewers who manned this job.

Genji stepped into one shop and approached the manager.

"Sorry, we're not hiring right now," the person said, paying no attention to Genji.

"I'm not here for that. Are you interested in a business deal with me?"

"No. Stop bothering me. Can't you see how busy we are right now? Hey! Be careful with that. That's an expensive ingredient."

Seeing the hectic workflow in this building, Genji knew he wouldn't be getting any attention any time soon. It was hard to spare a moment when they didn't even have time to eat.

With a light shrug, Genji walked out and tried his luck in the next workshop. However, he was met with a similar indifference, too occupied by their orders to care. In fact, this was the prevailing attitude among the workshops toward his so-called deal.

There were a few places that took an interest in his items, but they found his conditions unfavorable. Genji wanted 20% of the profit they earned and an additional 10% for EverRealm, making it a 70:20:10 split. Genji included EverRealm because he wanted it to oversee the contract.

Should the workshops attempt to exploit any loopholes, they wouldn't just be undermining Genji's profits but also EverRealm's. There was no way that EverRealm would allow this, which ensured a flawless copyright system. If the workshops wanted the production method, they needed to sign this contract. It was non-negotiable. 

The contract also stated that if Genji died on a mission, his share would go to EverRealm, making it impossible to circumvent this tax. It was no surprise the workshops rejected this contract.

If they agreed, they would be providing all the workforce and materials, only to give away 1/3 of their profits to two parties that did nothing. But Genji wasn't deterred by these rejections. He knew his creations were worth at least that much.

As he was leaving the area, he spotted a man sitting on the curb with a downcast expression. This was unusual, as most people would rush back to their rooms after work. Out of curiosity, Genji sat down next to him and handed him a bottle of rum.

"Why so gloomy?" He asked the man.

*Sigh* "I don't want to think about it." The man uncorked the bottle and started chugging, hoping to drown the frustrations he'd accumulated in the past few months.

"Are you the owner?" Genji asked, noticing the empty building behind them. He had missed this building due to its inconspicuous location and run-down appearance. Many common necessities for brewing were missing, giving the impression of a misplaced workshop.

It didn't look like it belonged to the potion area, but Genji couldn't ignore the brewing stations that lined the interiors. With a little deduction, Genji knew only one person would be upset about these conditions.

"Don't get me started. Those commerce chambers are ruthless. They're not giving us small fries any way out. Damn capitalistic bastards. As if life outside of EverRealm isn't bad enough."

Genji couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or the man's desire to vent, but he ended up sharing everything about his situation. According to him, the commerce chambers initiated a price war to eliminate competition.

In the span of a few months, the smaller workshops were forced to lay off employees and shut down. Many of these workers were absorbed by these chambers, solidifying their dominance. Eventually, they acquired control over all the workshops in the area, making it impossible for new start-ups to compete.

The man, named Ivan managed one of the few remaining independent workshops but suffered significant losses. Initially, he believed he could endure until the chambers ceased the price war, but their ruthless ambition surprised him. Their goal wasn't a moderate success, but a monopoly.

He only realized this recently after selling off many machines to cover the workshop's rent. Now, he struggled to produce the primary potions in demand, trapping him in a dire cycle.

"That sounds rough. How about making a deal with me?" Genji offered.

"You? No offense, but I don't think you can help me."

"Check out what I have to offer first." Genji displayed a few samples.

"These injections and gel bombs are creative, but they aren't enough to pay my rent. The effects aren't good enough," he remarked.

"Sometimes it's not about the effects, but the convenience. You'll be surprised by how many buyers I have," Genji explained.

"I'll take your word for it, but how will this help me? If it's as popular as you say, I'm sure the chambers are working on a ripoff. By then, you won't be the only one with such convenience."

"I expected that, but do you know why I never cared about it? Because I'm not competing in the normal market, but the luxury one." Genji conjured 8 vials, holding one between each finger.

"Epic!" Ivan exclaimed, jumping to his feet, taken aback.

"Maybe to you, but these aren't anything special to me."

"Who are you?" Ivan asked, sensing the implications in Genji's words.

"That doesn't matter. Just tell me if you're interested." Genji offered him the contract.

"I want to, but I lack the expertise to produce them."

"You know your limits, that's good. Regardless, you won't be making these." Genji swapped the vials for five lower-ranked potions. "Can you manage these?"

"It's doable but I don't have the machines anymore and the profit ratio also won't cover the debt for buying them." Ivan lamented, shaking his head.

"Yes, that is a problem. But what if I add 1 million coins?"

"What's your goal?" The offer seemed too good, instantly raising Ivan's guard against Genji's intentions.

"The simplest answer? Convenience. I don't have the time to make these lower-quality goods. But I might need to alter the conditions for that," Genji thought aloud before lapsing into silence.

Though bewildered by Genji's behavior, Ivan refrained from interrupting. He recognized Genji had a higher status than him and saw no benefit in annoying such a figure.

"Yes, this could work," Genji affirmed after making additional amendments to the contract. "However, this opens another potential loophole. Let's fix that."

Once Genji finished the adjustments, he handed over the contract to Ivan, who scrutinized the recent changes.

Clause 17: The subject can offer identical contracts to other people.

Clause 18: The subject must produce at least 16 potions daily. Failure to meet this criterion will result in EverRealm seizing all profits for that month.

Clause 19: In the event of the subject's death, all such contracts offered by them will be transferred to their superior.

Although seemingly straightforward, these new clauses held significant implications. The most notable was their interaction with the profit-sharing clause, stipulating that the subject needed to pay 20% to the contract issuer and 10% to EverRealm. Since he could become an issuer, would he be entitled to the split?

"How does this contract work with multiple people?" Ivan asked for clarification, afraid that he misinterpreted something.

"Exactly how you think it will. Their payments count toward your profit, which you have to split with me and EverRealm."

"It mentions people. Does that mean I can offer it to more than one person?"

"Yes. It's 20% from each person."

Ivan was ecstatic to hear this, but he quickly called down and analyzed the situation, sensing something off about the contract. It wasn't in the conditions, but the familiar feeling it gave him. Then it hit him.

"Holy shit! This is a pyramid scheme! Are you crazy? Don't you know how damaging it is to the economy? Aren't you afraid of EverRealm's punishment?!?!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. How is this a pyramid scheme?"

Ivan was about to do an in-depth explanation when he noticed the faint smile on Genji's lips. That was not the expression of someone ignorant, but someone who was convinced his plan would work. "What am I missing?"

"Tell me, how does a pyramid scheme collapse?"

"There's a lot of reasons, but it all boils down to how unsustainable it is. Eventually, something will go wrong and people realize they've been tricked."

"Exactly, but let's focus on the unsustainable part. Which part of this contract is unsustainable?"

"This... the number of people needed to maintain profits?" Ivan hesitantly pointed out a critical flaw common in pyramid schemes.

"How so? The ratio might not be ideal, but even those at the bottom could turn a profit if they work hard enough."

"But...What about EverRealm?"

"What about EverRealm?"

"Won't you get punished for this?"

"Why would EverRealm punish me? I'm contributing to the economy and advancing the development of healing potions, essentially prolonging the lifespan of its members. If we want to be picky, shouldn't I be rewarded instead?

Not only does this move cover the higher expenses of mission rewards, but it also conditions the members to fight bravely in the face of danger. It's a win-win situation so why would EverRealm stop this?"

'You can play like this?' Ivan's mentality collapsed, and his impression of the impartial EverRealm, destroyed by Genji's explanation. 

Ivan found himself unable to argue further, recognizing that Genji had effectively resolved all his worries.

'What a brilliant system. If I can get enough people to sign it, I won't even have to do anything, and I can earn a...' In that moment, Ivan's eyes widened in shock, realizing the true intention behind the 18th clause.

"Did you include the second clause to..." Ivan's voice trailed off, hesitant to complete his sentence.

"That's right. I want everyone to contribute instead of just mooching off the contracts. That's my privilege, not theirs. So, are you signing that or should I look for someone else?"

"Is that even a question?" Ivan asked, pressing his thumb onto the contract without wasting another moment.

"Good choice. I look forward to you managing this pyramid," Genji said, handing over the production methods for his potions.

 

---

 

Halfway through the following month, 7156 returned with the promised payment.

"You're still alive," Genji greeted him, noticing his aura was more stable than before. Although there was still the threat of his energy going rampant, 7156 could at least fight for some time. 

"Hmmm," 7156 hummed in response, stacking a tower of knowledge books in front of Genji.

"That's a lot more than what we agreed on," Genji remarked, calculating the total value of the books.

"I need another one," 7156 explained, transferring the remainder of the payment in coins.

"Sure. Do you need anything else while I'm at it?"

"No."

"Okay. Same procedure as before." Genji retrieved a beaker, a knife, and some bandages. 7156 slit his palm again, filling the beaker, and then wrapped his hand with Genji's assistance. "I'll let you know when it's ready."

7156 nodded and left the room to prepare for his next world.

'What to do with these,' Genji asked himself, eyeing the tall stack of books.

After some contemplation, Genji decided to save the books. He would soon enter the battlefield, where there was a good chance he would obtain another inheritance.

The Parasite faction, the origin of his inheritances, still had an unresolved grudge against him. Even if the drop rate wasn't perfect, it should still be possible, given the high rates from previous times. When that happens, Genji will have plenty of books to integrate the inheritance.

"Yup, life is good." Genji then threw himself back into training, further perfecting all the techniques he'd created. This training spree continued for another week before Markus interrupted him with a message.

Markus: Remember my necromancer friend I mentioned last time? He's back. Meet me at the Cafe on Orange Street.

"I have something going on. I'll be leaving first," Genji called out to Bruce before teleporting back to his room.

After a quick shower to make himself presentable, he headed out. When he arrived at the gathering point, he received another message with details about the table number.

Walking around the counter, Genji spotted the table with Markus and a hooded figure. This figure had an aura of decay, giving Genji an uncomfortable feeling, as if the man had been surrounded by corpses his whole life, never having touched another warm-blooded creature.

"You're here," Markus greeted him as Genji sat down. "Let me introduce you. This is Abalone, a spirit necromancer. Abalone, this is Enigma, a rising star of the second step."

"Nice to meet you," the hooded figure said, his voice raspier than coarse sandpaper. He sounded like he hadn't drunk anything for weeks.

"Hello," Genji responded politely but made no indication of shaking hands. Something about this necromancer triggered his instincts, warning him to avoid physical contact.

"You have good instincts," Abalone remarked, taking no offense from Genji's subtle shifting away from him.

"Do I?"

"Yes. If you touch me, you will die. That is not a threat."

"Even in EverRealm?"

"I don't know. I've never tried."

"Better safe than sorry, huh?"

"Yes."

"Out of curiosity, what's the difference between a spirit necromancer and a normal one?" Genji asked, shifting the gloomy topic to something more casual.

"The way we raise the dead."

"I didn't know there was more than one way."

"Normal necromancers reanimate the dead, disturbing their rest, while I build a body for the dead."

"I don't understand."

"I think it's easier to show you." Abalone reached out, revealing a withered arm drier than tree bark. A faint trace of death resonated with his fingertips before a slit in space opened, allowing a transparent silhouette through.

Genji could only see the outline of this creature, but this didn't stop his instincts from flaring up. It was another being that could kill him instantly.

Abalone waved his hand, conjuring a stream of bones and decaying matter that gathered around this silhouette, piecing together to weave an undead body for the creature. At the end of this process, a black knight holding a large sword appeared beside Abalone.

"As you can see, a body," Abalone said.

"Was that... a soul?" Genji asked apprehensively.

"Yes, but don't misunderstand. I don't enslave the dead like those disrespectful necromancers."

"I didn't say anything though."

"Don't lie. Everyone assumes the worst when I show them that. Just because I use the power of the dead, they automatically lump me with those blasphemous necromancers. Did they ever consider that I use my powers to extend the lives of those suffering? The terminally ill or starved? Huh? They dare point fingers at me when they can't even deal with their problems? What kind of prejudice is this? Fucking hypocrites..."

Abalone started rambling, his voice getting faster until it became an incomprehensible jumble of mumbles. His aura also increased with each moment, threatening to burst out and ravish the surroundings.

"Is this normal?" Genji asked Markus.

"He gets like that sometimes. He's usually very level-headed, but everything changes when you bring up necromancers. He hates those guys."

"I picked a bad topic, didn't I?"

"Yes. Take that as a learning lesson and don't make the same mistake again. Otherwise, you might see a scarier side of him." Then Markus splashed his drink in Abalone's face, disrupting the threatening atmosphere around him. "Control yourself, we're in public."

"Oh." Abalone calmed down from his outburst and noticed the entire shop giving him frightened looks.

This wasn't the first time Abalone had received such looks. In fact, he'd been in this situation enough times to know the best response wasn't to apologize or glare at the people but to simply leave.

"Let's talk somewhere else," he said, dismissing the death knight.

The group agreed with his suggestion, paying for their drinks before finding a public table to talk. As they walked, Genji noticed the water stains on Abalone's robes disappearing, flaking off as the matter decayed. By the time they sat down again, Genji couldn't even tell Abalone had been splashed.

"What did you want to talk about?" Abalone asked.

"I want to know more about the Spirit of Resentment," Genji answered.

Suddenly, the mood changed, shifting from a relaxed state to a serious evaluation.

"You're too weak. Knowing this won't do you any good."

"I can at least prepare."

"Why do you want information on that ominous item anyway? You need to be at least in the 3rd step, ideally 4th before you can touch it."

"To upgrade a cursed item," Markus answered on Genji's behalf. "Do you think you can perform the infusion?"

"Since you're the one asking," Abalone said with an annoyed sigh, then turned to address Genji. "But only if you procure the spirit. I've had enough trouble dealing with it once, and nothing will make me do it again."

"I'm fine with that. When the time comes, I'll be relying on you," Genji replied, offering his last bottle of Epic Rum. This was the gift Genji chose after careful consideration, recalling Markus's mention of Abalone's drinking habits.

Unlike combat equipment, food items are rated solely on taste and don't degrade. The only exceptions are perishable ones, which spoil over time.

"Don't get your hopes up. Reach the 3rd step first. Only then do you have the qualifications to think about the Spirit of Resentment. I'll explain the details at that time."

Following that, an external force pulled the bottle from Genji's hand and floated it to Abalone's. "Oh, that's good," He said, taking a swig from the bottle. "You have some amazing stuff."

Like that, Genji's first interaction with the psychotic necromancer, Abalone, ended on a peaceful note, with no one succumbing to his deathly aura.