1.25.2 The day of tentacles

"So this is your truck?" Girisia asked, looking at the black truck with glistening armor plates on it. 'Fuck, this bastard got stealth plates… will Tarkov be able to follow?' For the first time since Girisia met Yoshikov, he felt his plan may fail. "Wouldn't an aerial vehicle be faster and much safer?"

"Faster, yes. But not safer. That sort of vehicle will easily be detected by Wilkis's men and with a war going on, they will probably be pretty attentive toward any anomaly they detect. So a truck of this kind is perfect." Yoshikov assured, slapping the side of the truck.

"Mister Fedorov shouldn't worry too much. The truck has a stealth field making it so we don't have to worry over hiding too much. We can run to our destination full throttle without worry." One of the female mecha operators beside Yoshikov explained. She was the driver for the group.

And listening to this voice, Girisia paused. The voice was a bit too sweet and he understood the woman in the mechanical armor was young.

"No worries, I am just a bit jittery. I wanted to get away from this place as fast as possible. Wilkis probably noticed my absence by now."

"Don't worry about that, Wilkis already has his hands full with the war. He won't move from his place for now and it's the perfect time for us to leave."

There was not much to talk about after it. Girisia knew that the time for asking questions is not here. Yoshikov may act friendly, but anyone in his place will still have suspicions toward someone like Girisia. Until Yoshikov himself is sure that he left the field of control of Wilkis, he won't open up to any questions.

So asking them early didn't make sense.

"I feel bad for these NPCs… they are getting fooled by this bastard as we did previously."

"Man, two of them seem to be cute girls under the armor. I don't think I can follow up on killing them.

"What can we do about it? This is how it usually goes, we just need to make sure to complete this quest properly and we can take revenge for these poor people too."

"I will stab my rifle up to his ass for every mob that dies today."

"Don't be so sure everything will go so fine. We are just mere level nine and on the other side, there are four with mecha. The only ones we can even dream of handling are the other three mobs. And at least one needs to stay alive by the end of the mission to reap the rewards." Spoon scolded.

"Shit, you are right… But the bastard doesn't seem that worried. So I think we will be fine."

Unlike the group of players who were bunched together in one corner of the truck. Tara remained close to Girisia and sat close to him, acting as his bodyguard.

A thing that didn't bother Yoshikov one bit, he also had a certain understanding of how the players functioned.

"The inside is a lot more spacious than I thought," Girisia asked, his eyes darting around the truck, looking for escape or weaknesses. 'Too much space meaning no armor plates, only stealth ones. The defense of the truck is not high. Guess, this truly is only a stealth-focused vehicle.'

"I thought Mister Fedorov will bring a lot more of your friends. So I made some prior preparation for this." In truth, it was due to the war effort that most of the armored vehicles in the base were already active in the war, making it harder for Yoshikov to obtain one.

So he opted for a normal truck and reinforced its stealth capabilities.

"I thank you for being so thoughtful." Girisia was really getting tired. Talking to Yoshikov has always been a chore.

"Everyone is in?... Let's go then." After everyone took their place on the truck. The girl from before who introduced the capabilities of the truck to Girisia started it up.

'Beside the driver, none of them have bothered to leave their mechanical armor yet. They are smart and a bit too guarded.' While the truck started, Girisia started his work once again. Assessing the ones who were hidden before.

'Two long/mid-range attack focused and two close-range including the driver. The other three don't even seem combat professionals, but they are still adept at using weapons… They can be handled by the players.'

'The weakest of the bunch is currently those three, the driver and Yoshikov… Or at least it seems that way.'

'Yoshikov has probably modified his body extensively, hence the baggy clothes to hide it. The reason why he didn't wear any mechanized armor is that his body is one, to begin with.' Girisia was sure about this from his earlier meeting and how a tentacle flew out of Yoshikov's back.

'So, unless I am sure I can take him out in one blow, he shouldn't be my priority. There are still some things I am not sure about.' Girisia knew, the one sitting closest to him was the most dangerous. Any of his bizarre actions will be picked up by him and his opponent may retaliate in the worst way.

'As for the girl, I should forget about her. We are divided by a metal sheet, reaching to her and ending her life fast will be impossible.'

Girisia came to all these conclusions as the truck moved on a gravel path hidden in the jungle. The path seemed to be rarely frequented by locals. But there was still some activity.

"So Commander, if you don't mind… where are we going?" Girisia asked. It was time, Yoshikov should have put his guard down by now.

"This… Well, I can't say much due to the secrecy of our group." Yoshikov didn't find the question weird. It was weirder than Girisia hadn't asked this question earlier and no one in their right mind handed over their autonomy before knowing the kind of place or organization they will be going to.

Though Yoshikov also somewhat understood why Girisia shows such an easy-going attitude towards him, Wilkis had probably scared him a bit too much and he was just looking for a way out. 'I should thank WIlkis someday.'

"No, I understand, the only reason your group has been able to protect humanity is that they are hidden," Girisia replied in understanding. But then continued his question, trying to make Yoshikov understand his own perspective. "But we are already going there and I like to know about the place before reaching there so that I am mentally ready."

"Oh no worries, there is no point in hiding it at this point." It was not like Yoshikov was going to hide this simple detail. "We are going to the Lavette house in Origin City."

The Origin City was the city where Citadel was based and was a place Girisia frequented a lot of times in previous life.

But he can't seem to recall the Lavette house or anyone with this surname from his previous life. 'So new information?... This seems too easy?' The readiness at which Yoshikov gave such important information made Girisia understand one thing. The importance of this Lavette house was not high.

Probably just a junction or small safe house that can be abandoned anything Utena wants.

"Lavette?... This is the first time I heard this name."

"It would have been weird if you knew. There is a reason Utena has been able to hide for so long." Yoshikov proudly said, "You will know when we get there."

'Shit, his face says he won't speak of more details.' Girisia knew it was time. He had a name in his hand and that's all he will get at this moment. 'Should I ask him about 'that'... No, it's too sensitive and it may antagonize him instantly. '

"That I will, even Tara is excited to see a new place," Girisia said, turning to Tara who was silently drinking some water, bored out of her mind. All she was doing was recording the quest and nothing much.

"Oh.. that she seems."

'Guess it's time… Just wish Tarkov is properly following us.'

Only thirty minutes have gone by since the truck moved from its place. Though not sure where he was, Girisia believed that Tarkov would be able to keep up with them.

'Now, all I need to do is give out a signal that the fight has begun… It needs to be flash!'

Girisai turned to look at the weakest three of Yoshikov's group. He had no choice. Better to end the weak mods.

The group of three that comprised two young men and a woman just sat there, oblivious of Girisia's thoughts. Lost in their work.

'Sorry for what I am about to do… I truly am.'

Looking toward his stat screen, Girisia ordered. ' Level up five times, add five stat points to the constitution and five to dexterity, and the remaining four to wits.

Race: Karabit

Class: None[9]/Mutant[6]

Trait: Volatile Mutation

Racial Trait: Blood Infusion

Title: Vessel of Seventh Daughter, Guest of Wilkis Riber, Beggar of Riber city

[FSP: 0] [KP: 10] [Exp: 10]

[Stats]x1.2

STR: 3

CTS: 12+5

DEX: 8+5

INT: 3

SPR: 0

WIT: 11+4

Biomass: 550/550

Health: 650/650

Passive skills: Tenacious lvl4, Danger Discernment lvl3, Madness Suppression lvl4

Active skills: Muscle Control lvl2

Creation skills: Geneticist lvl1

Status effects: Mark of ???, Possessed lvl1, Vitality infusion[30%],

Knowledge[Uninitiated]: none

Augments[Uninitiated]: none

Remark: A famous buffoon who keeps messing up his life. And due to harming a child, he is followed by her mother who wants justice. Just go and die already.

Warning: Due to conflict over the player and NPC template, some of the player rights have been revoked.

'Muscle Control active.'

"I truly am sorry…"

It was too late. Yoshikov was too slow. By that time he noticed the burst of strength inside Girisia. Three meaty tentacles stretched out of Girisia's sleeves and with a speed and accuracy of a sniper, all these tentacles entered the mouth of all three grade one personnel.

And before long, due to pressure. All the three heads exploded, causing pieces of brains, bones, and eyes to fly off and fall on everyone inside the truck.

And before Girisia could retract the tentacles, Yoshikov stopped him. His tentacles stabbed Girisia in the stomach and lifted him into the air. And before Tara could get up to save Girisia. Another tentacle came out and slapped her away.

"WHY DID YOU DO THIS…" Yoshikov was confused, he didn't understand what happened just now. But he felt it, Girisai's rise of energy levels and the sudden attack came at the same time. There is a chance he may have gone crazy.

"I said…'' Girisia took a deep breath, after taking hold of the two tentacles that penetrated his stomach, replied in a calm voice. "That I am… sorry."

<Adapting to current circumstances… Trauma prevention>

<Temp Mutation: Carbon Fiber skin>

[Cost:50 Biomass]