tryingwrite

Jack Wilson wasn’t planning to doom the city. He just wanted to make rent and maybe buy a better hoodie.

Then he opened a cursed file labeled “DO NOT OPEN (Lethality Rating: 9/10)”—because what’s life without a little fun? One explosion, a glowing hand tattoo, and a ramen-scented dumpster dive later, Jack is now the host of something ancient, powerful, and probably homicidal.

Now everyone wants him dead: secret guilds, rogue mages, even a talking pigeon with a grudge. Too bad Jack’s having the time of his life.

Armed with sarcasm, unstable spirit energy, and zero impulse control, Jack is about to turn the magical underworld upside down.

MANIAC HYBRID

First light painted West Hollow's skyline gold and crimson as the Chaos Crew regrouped atop their rooftop haven. Dr. Cross, now wrapped in a scavenged coat, sat shivering but resolute. Jack watched quietly, his mind whirling with scattered memories and dread of the unknown.

Lyra joined him, a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We need rest before facing whatever Oblivion is."

Jack exhaled slowly. "Feels like every morning brings a heavier weight."

She squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "The only person you have to face in the morning is yourself. Be unbeatable you."

Jack smiled faintly, repeating softly, "Unbeatable me."

At the rooftop's edge, Zara laid out holographic maps and schematics retrieved from Cross's files. Cross leaned forward, eyes heavy but determined.

"Oblivion," she began, voice tight, "isn't just a weapon—it's a sigil-driven doomsday protocol. Marrick intends to harness an Aetherium core like ours, only corrupted, to purge spirit-users citywide."

Reina frowned deeply. "Mass extermination?"

Cross nodded gravely. "A brutal reset. Marrick sees anomalies as threats to Guild purity. He'll cleanse West Hollow to start fresh."

Jack's pulse quickened, anger simmering beneath his skin. "We can't just react this time. We need to shut him down completely."

Patch hopped forward, feathers ruffling anxiously. "Guild's defenses double-layered. No way through brute force alone."

Lyra met Jack's gaze, eyes steady. "When you focus on problems you'll have more problems, when you focus on possibilities you'll have more opportunities."

Jack straightened, resolve crystallizing in his chest. "She's right. We shift our view. Guild's strength is secrecy and fear. If we expose their plans publicly—make their own ranks question Marrick—"

Zara snapped her fingers, eyes lighting up. "Massive data leak. Broadcast Oblivion plans citywide. Turn their own people against them."

Reina smiled sharply. "Force Marrick into the open."

Cross straightened, newfound hope flickering in her eyes. "I have access codes. We'll need to reach Guild's comm relay."

Jack's halo flared briefly, memories of past struggles fueling his determination. "Then let's show West Hollow the truth."

As daylight strengthened, plans formed into concrete action. Jack watched the team move with newfound purpose, a feeling swelling in his chest.

They weren't merely fighting problems anymore; they were forging possibilities.

Jack whispered quietly, echoing Lyra's earlier encouragement, "Be unbeatable you."

Facing the dawn together, they prepared to challenge the very foundation of the Guild.

Chapter 24: "Unbeatable You"