1.23.2 Players are soooo[x99] cute

"So if the predictions have to go by, today the mutant beast will start an all-out war."

In a small room, closer to the defense wall, Tarkov along with two other captains were having a small discussion before the war. The three were in a single battalion and had to work together for the upcoming battle. But there was not much to talk about their tactics, to begin with. So they just passed time while looking out to the field.

The whole city and the encampment are on lockdown, the soldiers from other barracks have also shifted to the eastern front leaving only the essential personnel.

And at the moment, they can see the predictions coming true too. The activity of the beast has increased as time went on.

From time to time mutant beast will pop out and then soon be blasted by the artillery on the defense wall. The all-out war effort hadn't begun yet. But the mood among the soldiers was pretty lighthearted due to all the prior preparation they have done.

"I am glad that we found out about them so early. Dealing with them will not be too problematic. And we also have an immortal army on our side." A man named Umbrek, who was also on the same rank as Tarkov, voiced thoughts, he felt the peace of mind in the knowledge that they were at an advantage at the moment.

"Well, I hate how indifferent my men are in the face of war. But you are right, it's great to have the undying anomans supporting us. The losses on our side will be a lot less if they do their job as intended." The other captain in the room candidly agreed with Umbrek.

"Well, we shouldn't be over-confident so early. The variables can appear any time during the war." Tarkov said, in a bluish mood.

"Just take it lightly Tarkov, General is already here and can handle any of the dangerous variables on his own. We just need to focus on securing our side of the wall."

"We will see then" Tarkov was not in the mood for the talk. Since Tara has been called from his side. He hadn't received any new message from either Girisia or Wilkis. Even the words that Vanras's aid left him was 'Just wait.'.

These words also didn't sound too good to him. He can't wait for long, if they don't take action in time Yoshikov will leave the city.

'Guess something really bad did happen.' As someone who was in the know of what was going on in the old research building. Tarkov started to have some suspicions of his own. He was sure that Girisia has fucked up in some way.

The scene of wilkis releasing countless drones in the sky was still vivid in his mind. And knowing the context, he was confused about what WIlkis was looking for.

'Just give me a sign at least.'

*****

Status effect: (Poisoned)Death Wood[27D:19H:23M]

Death Wood: Its origin is unknown, its cure impossible to create and the only thing you can be sure about is its lethality. When the timer reaches zero, you will die. The only way to extend is to periodically take the antigen that keeps the poison muted.

"You sure you don't know about it?" Vanras asked, his eyes staring at Girisia who had a blank expression on his face.

"Yes… Never seen it or ever heard its name in my 'Vision'."

Vanras was glad, he was not that sure whether Girisia was telling the truth, but from his sour mood Vanras was certain. Even if Girisai knew a way to remove the poison from his body, it will be something harder to accomplish.

"Then I guess, it's worth the money."

'Fuck your money… this is pure bullshit.' Girisia hated the smug expression on Vanras's face. His incompetency has caused him to fall so badly.

At least with the nanite bomb, he had ways to remove them in the future. But this poison was different, it seemed to be built specifically for beings like him. And even though he readily agreed to it after learning about it. He was surprised to see how his cells didn't even react to the poison.

Usually, with his passive, the body would have started to show some mutations to deal with the harmful element introduced in the body. But none of that happened.

'You deserve it Girisia… you fucking deserve it!' Girisia cursed his own prior choices for why things have progressed to this stage. There was no way to fix the past unless the entity that sent him to the past does the same again.

"Then I am free to move right?... " Girisia asked, as he picked the glass of water from the side and drank it with his tail.

"Yes, you can fulfill the promise to your friend if you like. But knowing the current state of the Mayor. I would be against it. It's not safe."

"And besides, you are still too weak when compared to Yoshikov… Tarkov may have a chance as he is an experienced fighter. But someone like you who isn't even used to his new abilities or ever experienced any superhuman battles, you will only be a liability."

"Well I don't need to fight, I just need to learn things from him before Tarkov kills him. That's it." Girisai lied, he wanted to fight Yoshikov. And not like he didn't have any chance, his current experience was enough for him to level up four more times.

As for the matter of experience, even if he is not used to fighting with mutant abilities, his years of prior experience on the battlefield have been ingrained as instincts, and fighting someone like Yoshikov won't be a big matter.

Not to mention the fact that Girisia was probably the only person on the planet with an understanding of all the kinds of weapons or fighting techniques an Externalist can use. He used to be one, and a Grade seven at that.

Even Wilkis or the monsters hiding in Federation won't be able to match the understanding Girisia had toward the externalist.

And with this experience, Yoshikov's position in the hierarchy in Utena and meeting Yoshikov personally. Girisia, even if he had never fought or ever learned about Yoshikov in detail. He was sure to predict the kind of weapons or fighting styles Yoshikov will be able to employ.

"Mister Korus, it would be better if you are not too overconfident about it after what happened last time. You said it yourself, your actions have changed how things may happen in the future. So you can't be sure how your meeting with Yoshikov will go."

After hearing Vanras's words, Girisia fell into his thoughts. He found himself falling into his previous pattern of mistakes once again.

"This… Yes, you are right, I shouldn't be careless. Thanks for pointing it out to me." Girisia was truly appreciative of Vanras's words. If he carried on like before, he may have made more mistakes and may have messed up big time.

"I am glad to help."

After a few more talks about the increased rate of attacks on the eastern defense wall and how the city was dealing with it, Vanras left the room. Letting Tara enter it once again.

"Tara, come here for a second… I have a job for you."

Hearing the word job, Tara picked up her pace and reached by Girisia's bedside.

"What kind of job uncle Korus?" She asked, her eyes shining with innocence and her signature greed.

"Do you remember that old kind uncle from the last major job I gave you? Did you like him?" Girisia asked, his mouth twisting in a smile.

"Yes, I do remember. He seemed like a great uncle too." She paused, then continued. "Of course, he can't compare to Uncle Korus."

"Oh, I am glad that you like me more." Girisia laughed as dimples appeared on his cheek and with his boldface, he looked like a laughing buddha at the moment. "Because you know, this quest is related to it."

"Oh.. so it's a chain quest? What do I need to do?" She asked, her eyes getting closer to Girisia. The greed got so heavy that even Girisia felt some disgust toward her. He was sure of one fact. The woman in front of him probably used to be an Evil player in the previous timeline.

"Well yes!... You see, your next job is to kill that other kind uncle." In his usual kind voice, Girisia explained. His kind smile changed the tone of words into something more creepy.

"Huh… What?" Tara gasped, confusion all over her face. She just couldn't understand why the Korus, who seemed to be a close friend of the other uncle, would want to kill him.

But she didn't have the choice but to accept the mission. Because its prize was too good to ignore.

<Mission: Assassinate Commander Yoshikov>

Details: Support Tarkov and Korus Fedorov during the assassination of Commander Yoshikov, the eye sent by Citadel. This is a group quest and a party of 10 is required to complete it.

Team: 1/10

Requirements for completion: At least one companion alive when Yoshikov dies.

Base Reward: 60k experience[To be divided among party members depending on contributions.]

Extra Reward: Depending on NPC satisfaction, 2x Class knowledge, 7xGrade2 Weapons, 1xMechanical armor.

"WHAT THE FUCK!!"

'Don't say fuck in front of older folks little girl.' Girisia laughed. That expression was gold. He wished that he had a camera in his hand.

'The players are too cute.'