Chapter 140: The Worst Possible Punishment

Jax’s mind was spiraling.

’I fucked up. I fucked up so bad.’

The realization hit him like a truck. Zoe. The girl he had brutally taken revenge on. The one he made scream and cry and beg. The one whose body he used until she couldn’t stand.

She was Maya’s best friend.

Her bestie from Earth.

The girl whose house Maya went to that night before getting transmigrated.

’How the hell was I supposed to know?!’

His brain was running through every possible scenario. And none of them were good.

When Maya goes back to Earth. When she meets Zoe again. When they sit down and talk about their adventures in this world. When Zoe finds out he was here.

’Hey Maya, funny story. Your brother fucked me so hard I couldn’t walk for days. Also he made me sit naked on the ice. Great guy though.’

Jax felt cold sweat forming on his back.

He needed to do something. Anything. Damage control. Preemptive strike.

His hands shot out and grabbed Maya’s shoulders.

"Maya."

His voice was intense. Serious. The kind of tone he used when something really mattered.

"Tell me you believe me. You believe your brother, right?"

She blinked at the sudden shift in mood.

"Umm. Yeah?"

Jax’s eye twitched. That didn’t sound like total faith. That sounded like ’sure whatever you say.’

But he pressed on.

"Tell me, Maya. Who do you trust more? Me? Your brother who raised you? Who protected you? Who was there when no one else gave a shit?"

He paused dramatically.

"Or that so-called bestie of yours? The one who tricks people. Manipulates them. That bitc—"

"What’s with this sudden stupid question?" Maya cut him off, looking confused.

"You didn’t answer. Me or her?"

"Depends."

His eyes went wide.

"Depends?!"

His voice cracked with betrayal. Then came the tears. Perfectly timed. Expertly crafted.

"After everything I’ve done for you. All those years I took care of you when nobody else was there. When our parents couldn’t be bothered. When the world didn’t give a damn about two kids struggling to survive."

He sniffled.

"I sacrificed so much, Maya. My childhood. My peace. My sanity. I gave up everything to make sure you had everything on your plate. Every Luxuries Every branded Clothes on your back. A future worth living."

His lower lip trembled.

"And now you tell me it depends?"

Maya stared at him.

She knew this act. She’d seen it a hundred times growing up. The fake tears. The guilt trip. The emotional manipulation that would make politicians jealous.

But goddamn it, it still worked.

"Fine! I trust you more. Happy?"

Jax wiped his tears instantly. Gone like they never existed.

"Good."

His expression shifted to something dark. Mysterious.

"Never trust her, Maya. Zoe is not who you think she is. She’s a bitc— I mean, she’s a very evil person."

He leaned closer.

"You know what she did? Before I eliminated her, she swore an oath. Said she’d have her revenge on me. That she’d do whatever it takes."

Maya raised an eyebrow.

"And now that I know she’s your friend? I’m certain she’ll try something when you get back to Earth. You’ll tell her about me. About finding your brother. The brother she now considers her nemesis. And she’ll use that."

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"She could take revenge through you. Since I won’t be there, you become the target. She could frame you. Frame me. Spread lies. Or worse..."

He paused for maximum effect.

"She could try to break our bond. Fill your head with stupid stories. Turn you against me."

Silence filled the room.

Then Maya spoke.

"Brother, did the collision with that yak mess with your head?"

She looked genuinely concerned.

"Why are you acting like this? Why would Zoe do any of that? She’s annoying sometimes but she’s not some evil mastermind."

Jax doubled down.

"Anything can happen in life, Maya. You’re naïve. Still a child in many ways. Trust this brother of yours. I’ve seen reality. I know how people work."

She sighed.

"Fine. I’ll try to hide it. Won’t tell her about you. Happy now?"

Jax wasn’t satisfied. But his stupid plan might create at least a small buffer.

There were two ways Zoe could destroy his life.

First, she tells Maya everything. Every detail. Every humiliation. Every scream. And his image as a loving brother shatters into a million pieces.

Second, she becomes a pain in his ass when he eventually visits Earth using his interdimensional teleport skill from fucking every race. Stalking him. Exposing him. Making his life hell.

Both scenarios sucked.

He needed time. And he needed Maya alive long enough to figure this out. But keeping her safe after what her army did to this world? That would be complicated.

"So what now?" Jax asked. "What should we do?"

Maya slumped against the wall.

"I don’t know. After today’s battle, there’s no way we can beat the goddess’s champions. From our world, only I remain. And my skill is useless alone."

She looked at her empty hands.

"I need comrades to tame beasts. To show power. To fight other beasts to tame them. If I had a single powerful one, I could restart. But all my beasts are dead. Every single one."

Her voice grew quieter.

"Surviving here would be tough. Hiding here and there without comrades. I really don’t know what to do."

Jax thought for a moment.

"Well, I’m not part of the academy anymore either. Same situation. I don’t know what to do. Maybe we join forces. Dominate this world together."

Maya’s eyes lit up with a different kind of sparkle.

"Wait. Does that mean..."

A sly smile crept across her face.

"You’ll let me win? Help me till the end? So I can have that wish our god promised? Ask for anything I want?"

Jax shook his head.

"I never said that."

He thought about it. If he won, what would he even wish for? He hadn’t really considered it. He didn’t need anything specific.

And worse, his mind had wandered to one absurd idea. Fucking the goddess with that wish.

Which was really stupid. Really absurd.

He pushed that thought aside.

"I may consider letting you win," he said slowly. "Tell me, what would you ask for?"

Maya’s expression shifted. A devilish smile spread across her face. The kind that said she had been thinking about this for a long time.

"That’s a secret."

Jax was about to press further. Maybe even agree to help her.

But then—

[System Alert]

[System Received External Message]

[Host cannot let others win. Host must win the game and use the wish to fuck Goddess Felix.]

[DING! New Quest Issued]

Quest: Fuck Goddess Felix

Only achievable through the final wish

Reward:

Host retains ALL skills, powers, and abilities permanently. Usable in ANY world.

Failure Condition 1:

Losing the game

Consequence: Returned to Earth. All powers stripped.

Failure Condition 2:

Losing deliberately OR choosing a different wish--Consequence: Permanent transmigration into Lisa’s husband. Forever.

Jax’s blood ran cold.

’What the fuck just happened?’

Someone had just messed with his system. Forced their agenda onto him.

His system had never been like this. It always thought of his benefits. Helped him grow. The only penalty he’d ever received was that one time with Jennifer, and even that was manageable quest which he successful conquered.

But this was different. The stakes were too high.

Going back to boring-ass Earth? He didn’t want that. Aeroria was perfect for him. Thrilling. Exciting. Everything Earth wasn’t.

And what the fuck was with that second failure condition? He couldn’t even ask for his own wish? This was pure manipulation.

’I bet the goddess has beef with whoever gave me this system. Another divine rivalry. Another petty god using mortals as chess pieces.’

And the penalty for losing deliberately...

He imagined himself in that man’s body. The one with the microscopic dick. The one who couldn’t last three pumps. The one whose wife looked at him with permanent disappointment.

Forever.

He would be doomed.

’So the one who gave me this system is watching me, huh.’

His resolve hardened.

’Fine then. I need to step up. From now on, I take this seriously. I become stronger. I claim the ultimate prize.’

Not just the wish.

The reward.

Whatever he gains from this world. Any skill. Any power. Any technique. He could use them in any dimension through interdimensional travel.

He could become a god. A messiah. The strongest being in any world he visited.

"Brother? Are you okay?"

Maya’s voice snapped him back to reality.

Jax looked at her. His expression had changed.

"Maya. I’m sorry."

He straightened up.

"I changed my mind. I’m not letting you win. That wish is mine."

Maya’s face shifted into the cutest, most innocent expression she could manage. Eyes wide. Lips pouted. The look that had gotten her out of trouble since she was five.

"Meanie."

Jax didn’t give a fuck.

"Let’s go. We need to solve some matters directly."

"Where are we going?"

"Back to the battlefield. It should be over by now."

Maya’s expression shifted to fear and confusion.

"Are you sure? They’ll see me. They know what I—"

Jax cut her off.

"I can’t hide you forever from anyone."

He gently took her hand and walked outside.

They moved through the house, looking for the exit.

That’s when they found the couple.

In the main hall. On the sofa.

The man was bent over. Completely naked. His bare ass facing toward them, covered in angry red welts. His dick was so small it couldn’t even be seen hanging from that angle.

And Lisa?

She stood behind him wearing something that screamed ’your nightmares have nightmares.’

A fitted military-style officer jacket. Tight pants that hugged every curve. Epaulets and metallic badges decorating her shoulders. Long gloves. Knee-high boots that could crush skulls.

And in her hand?

A ceremonial whip.

CRACK!

Another strike landed on the man’s ass. The sound echoed through the room.

"DID I SAY YOU COULD BREATHE?!"

"N-no Mistress! I’m sorry Mistress!"

CRACK!

"LOUDER!"

Jax immediately covered Maya’s eyes with his palm.

But his own eyes stayed fixed on the scene.

Specifically on the man.

The pathetic, whimpering, red-assed man who probably couldn’t satisfy a woman if his life depended on it.

The man he would become if he failed.

Forever.

Jax swallowed hard.

’Losing is not an option now.’