1.17.1 Fate hates me. So F U fate!! - Part1

"Why… can't we harm Yoshikov." After coming up to date with Wilkis's offer, Tarkov calmed down.

He couldn't believe the man he dreaded and respected the most had come to offer him help. Even with his identity and the potential hate he may still carry for humanity.

It should be said that Wilkis was pretty open-minded and also held some aversion toward Utena. As for why? Tarkov was not sure and neither did he care for now.

Though still not sure about the pact they made in a rush, along with some confusion caused by the sudden nature of the event, Tarkov had come to terms with it.

"Your friend came too close to that man. If you guys keep going with your plan, he will be the prime suspect in case you succeed. That is only if you succeed."

"Oh we will… with the thing in Tarkov's hand, I am sure we will," Girisia said, looking at the small metal canister in Tarkov's hand.

Wilkis's eyes also moved to it along with Tarkov, who had a lot of questions to ask.

But Wilkis continued with his explanation. "I can protect Korus to some extent as long as he remains in my city but I cannot remain by your side all the time. Not to mention those with abilities that can help them hide from my surveillance." As for what those with these specialized skills do to Girisia, Wilkis does not need to explain.

If Yoshikov is harmed in any way, there is no chance Korus can escape from Utena's net untouched. High chance he will probably turn into a mere puppet whose sole job will be to translate the words of anomans.

"I just need to learn something from his mouth… whether he lives or dies doesn't matter to me anymore," Tarkov mentioned, if Girisia will be in danger, there will be a chance Girisia will not carry forward with his promise. It's better to take a step backward sometimes.

Besides, Tarkov knew that he shouldn't blame the soldier for the order given by their general. He had seen this first hand, a leader has to shoulder all the blames and victories of its army. And Yoshikov was just a small pawn in this game. Even if he was a vile dog that enjoyed killing the helpless tribe members. This dog would have been harmless if its master didn't release this dog in Tarkov's village.

Though, Girisid has something else in his mind.

"Are you sure Tarkov, this is the only chance we have? I have a promise to keep from my side and has there been any progress without taking some risk?" Girisia spoke again. Tarkov was not the only one to gain something from Yoshikov, he had his agenda and plans too.

He was not even sure whether he can gain any special information from someone like Yoshikov, and he probably had mental defenses that won't let him speak out about Utena in the open.

A fact, that is probably known by both Tarkov and Wilkis.

"Why… a coward like you?" Tarkov questioned, feeling something was not right. In his understanding, Girisia was nothing more than a coward who feared death.

"Being a coward is not the best path to take if I have to survive." Girisia was not embarrassed for being called a coward. He was a coward and no one knew this better than himself.

But what made him different from other cowards was that he was self-aware of his weaknesses. He understood himself better than anyone, the reason he could keep up with his brother.

He never had a powerful domain ability like his sister, nor a broken trait-like his brother. The only ability granted to Girisia in his life was being self-aware of the things he lacks, he was an insecure person by nature and it worked in his favor.

"Are you sure?... This is dangerous." Tarkov asked, he was still confused about how did Girisia turn so saintly. He knew for sure, Girisia was the kind of person who would go back on his words instantly if he had the opportunity. And with his current backing of Wilkis, there was no further need for Tarkov too.

But they didn't detain him and instead were helping him. He was not sure why.

"I will be sure about it as long as I obtain the thing in your hand." Once again, Girisia focused his attention on the marrow canister in Tarkov's hand. "The anoman that used it gained so much, I am sure the same will happen to me. And I will be able to help you without much trouble."

Girisia's eyes always remained on the canister, it was the item that will shape his future, and only he understood its importance at the moment.

"Then, if you are so interested in this canister, have at it." Tarkov, looking at how readily supported his desires, gave up the marrow canister to Girisia. "But tell me, who did this marrow belong to… who is the seventh daughter?"

"Or I should say.. Whose daughter was the donor of these 'things'" He said, putting the canister in front of Girisia as he still hadn't worn back his mechanical arms.

"What are you talking about?" Girisia asked, confusion filling his face. A thought carried by WIlkis too. He was already curious about the object that can easily help a person like Girisia walk on the path of transcendence and also wondered what kind of marrow it was.

So to feed his curiosity, WIlkis picked it up much to Girisia's dismay, he feared the old man may be having second thoughts about it.

"Lots of bizarre things happened to me in Hermat. And that canister is probably at the top of the list." Tarkov told his whole journey, as there was no reason to hide any details.

Most of the details were not much of a surprise for Girisia but those same points opened the eyes of Wilkis. He already had some idea why none of the beasts were found in the vicinity of Tarkov after he exposed his true lineage of Alwa in the open.

There is a high chance of Tarkov becoming the proxy to bring peace between the federation and the Leaders of the Hermat jungle. But what made his interest sore were the details about the facility under Hermat.

And the mention of "She".

"I don't know who this 'she' is… I didn't even know the contents of the canister once belonged to a child." Girisia showed his ignorance in the matter. But after hearing Tarkov's words, Girisia didn't remain as enthusiastic as before.

If experience had taught him anything. Warnings like these should never be ignored. There may be some unsaid danger that had not been exposed to the players on forums.

'New variables keep appearing… why does nothing go my way?' There was a slight resentment in Girisia after all his plans kept failing or led astray by the inclusion of factors outside of his control. But then, with resolute expression, he made up his mind.

'Can't let myself fall into self-pity… and as I said before, nothing can be gained if I don't take the initiative and face danger… Listen to your words Girisia, don't treat them as flavor text… this is not a game, this is real life.' Girisia inspired himself in his way. He used the only tool he could afford, self-awareness.

"I… I have heard about 'her'… from my mother."

"General?" Tarkov turned toward the voice, toward wilkis whose eyes were nostalgic and a bit scared. 'Finally an answer.' Thought Tarkov, but Wilkis was going to disappoint him.

"She is… We shouldn't open this canister… no matter what happens." Wilkis didn't intend to explain things he didn't understand properly. All he knew was that 'she' existed before the war and his mother dreaded 'her'.

'Only those that were alive five hundred years ago may know the proper details.' Wilkis understood this fact. But he didn't intend to tell the two in front of him.

Let them think he is holding the secret even if he is as ignorant as they are.

"No… I need to use this. Without it, the plan won't work."What Girisia feared had happened. But his thoughts at the moment were conflicted. From the words of Wilkis, he had learned of the danger that one canister may carry. And if he had other options, he wouldn't have touched the canister even if he gained a lot through it.

'FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!!!!!!! You stupid bastard!' Girisia cursed his stupidity. He didn't possess any alternatives besides that marrow canister if he wished to live. Time was too short, he won't live for long.

"Can't give this to you… it's too dangerous." Wilkis seemed pretty adamant about this decision. "I can support your life with as many resources as you need. You can probably find an alternative by then"

These words of Wilkis made sense to Girisia. He can always level and choose the path of Externalist by augmenting his brain. He can still fix the problem in his head. 'Can't delay… I need to take advantage of everything as fast as I can…' Like Wilkis seemed adamant on his decision, so was Girisia. He knew he can't be forced to go with the flow always, he needs to take initiative if his bad luck had to be changed.

"As for you." Wilkis turned to Tarkov and gave a suggestion. "Make a different plan, take your time and get stronger. I have another name you can use. Use her to reach your goal."

"For now… Both of you should forget about this canister and go on with your life, the pact will stay the same and I will provide you my full support in return for your information."

"And keep in mind… never to look for who or what 'She' is…"