AutoTerra: Operating Systems

Chapter 22: Loss of Focus

Astan does not intend to invite strangers to join his Squad. But now, the situation is very precarious. Astan had never been in a situation where he was on a Level D mission, but instead felt as difficult as Level C and B missions because of the endless number of enemies, he said, and the boss of the enemy herd had a very thick defense and Health Status.

Given this fellow, who also possessed General Martial and Shield Abilities, at least the burden of this mission would feel lighter.

Bodo really have to share income and Score again, Astan is tired of this army of one village!

“A-I was forced to ask you to join the Squad because we were unable to handle this many enemies. This only happens temporarily. So, remove your soapy tears!”

“Eh?”

Grim only realized that he had just cried because he was moved by someone who wanted to invite him to join a Squad.

Astan took off his grip from Grim's jacket, disgusted by the pitiful look.

“You ya—.”

“Iya! Cepetan, please! That virgin can't protect us much longer!”

Grim immediately gave a notification of the request to enter the Squad.

[Grimaelo User sends a request to join Squad. Did you accept it?]

[YES] [NO]

Instant instantly click ‘Ya’.

[Grimaelo users join the Squad]

While other notifications appear in the AutoTerra system owned by Grim.

[Congratulations, you're joining the Squad!]

[Members List:]

[Astan Pradipta Cornell]

[Siragan Art]

[Grimaelo Adrael Novane]

“Te-accept ka—.”

“Save your thanks!” Change the magazine. “Directly hit the herd of Mutant Frog! Give way to Alpha!”

“Si Alpha?” Grim had a look at Alpha frogs. “Means we—.”

“Just finish the toads near Alpha! After that, wait for my order!”

“Si-ready, Chairman!”

Grim immediately ran over, shooting several nearby Mutant Frogs using a Shotgun. Astan also started shooting at them, while Arni still helped from a distance.

Grim appears to be shooting at all the Mutant Frogs protecting the Alpha. When a mutant frog approaches, he shoots. Someone jumped on it, he shot.

[Reville]

Fill the bullet for a moment, turn the Shotgun, cocked it, then shoot it back.

Arni also shoots from a distance, hiding behind bushes or trees.

[Enabling Nerve Reflex Reader System]

[Invisible Type-1: Active]

When one mutant toad ambushed, the Invisible Ability automatically activated. Arni dodges with a somersault to the side, then shoots the frog several times to death, and re-fills the bullet.

It seems, Arni has begun to be able to adapt to this situation, although the movement of his body is still not as agile as Astan and Grim.

Astan also shot several times Mutant Frogs who always never end up chasing him, continuing to avoid while jumping from one tree branch to another tree branch. On top of the tree branch, Astan saw that there were already many gaps around Alpha. That is, there are almost no more Mutant Frog troops guarding the leader.

“Grim, if you have Martial, use it to destroy some of his Shield! Shotgun attacks are good enough to cause loopholes! Arni, you shot the part of Shield's crack that Grim had destroyed! Try to shoot the gap nonstop, his Shield can close back within a certain period of time! I'll distract his men!” instant commands to both of his Squad colleagues.

“Good, Bang!”

“Siap, Chairman!”

Arni and Grim immediately execute Astan's orders.

Astan gave such a plan because Arni and Grim were both high attack hunters, moreover Grim had the highest attack stats and Martial Ability to increase attacks, respectively, enough to dismantle Alpha's Shield.

While Arni uses Sniper Rifle weapons that have the opportunity to provide critical attacks and penetrating defense even though the Arni and Grade weapons statistics are still small.

If Astan itself is more in the direction of defense type. With his role as the bait of the Mutant Frog herd, at least he can give Grim and Arni a chance to focus on attacking the Alpha without any interference.

“Hiiiaaah!”

Red holographic details appeared enveloping Grim, his attack power instantly doubling by itself. Evidently, when Grim started shooting Alpha's body at close range, Alpha's hologram shield was instantly destroyed, giving it a wide enough gap.

“Ne-Zinc…. Well, who was that? Arni, shoot straight away!” grim's orders, confused to call Arni what.

Not wanting to waste a chance, Arni shot from a distance the Alpha Mutant Frog's body in the part that his protector had already successfully destroyed Grim.

[Health Status: 89%]

Grim shot back from close range using the Shotgun, continuing to destroy the Shield belonging to the Mutant Frog, and Arni also shot a split section. Occasionally Grim steals a shot at a body part without a Shield, thus giving considerable damage.

[Health Status: 78%]

Astan himself was still trying to take many Mutant Frogs away from the Alpha, shooting at them nonstop. But, something happened to Astan's head.

“Why...?”

“Argh!”

Suddenly Astan stopped moving, his head suddenly dizzy. A strange shadow appeared in front of him, similar to a hologram panel that had a severe glitch accompanied by groaning sounds that were very similar to those that often appeared in his dreams.

“Why... You're not kemba—.”

[You get a mission]

[Kill all or—]

“Stop! I don't want to do it!”

“You are not a system! You just gave me the illusion!”

“What in— Agh!”

Unknowingly the defense of Astan is loose. One mutant frog attacked him with a bite. Spontaneous Astan held back the fangs of the mutant frog using the Assault Rifle. Keep holding back even though his body is getting tired.

“Back...”.

[Do the mission, or you'll get punished]

“Back…. That system keeps haunting me...!”

Astan completely lost focus due to the glitch and strange sounds not sourced around him. That made the Astan defense weakened, the Nerve Reflex Reader Shield feature was also completely inactive to protect it.

And even worse, Astan's Assault Rifle was suddenly destroyed, being bitten by Mutant Frog's fangs. His torso body was also bitten, causing severe injuries to his body and the jacket and shirt he used was destroyed.

“Astan Bang!”

“Chairman!”

Arni and Grim are shocked to see Astan's weapon destroyed. They were even more shocked when they saw one Mutant Frog landing beside Astan, wrapped around Astan's body using his tongue, then threw him down to fall on a tree until he fell.

“Astan Bang!” Arni seems so anxious to see the situation na’as Astan.

Grim also decided to retreat, moving away from Alpha Mutant Frog when he saw Astan end up like that.

Although Astan ended with a body wound with bleeding, at least Astan did not get hit by a fallen tree. He seemed still conscious, trying to stand up while shaking his head that felt dizzy.

“Bang Instant...!”

Arni was about to approach her, but Astan gave a warning not to come near.

Now, Astan's condition was filled with blood seepage, and only chest-speed because his upper clothes had been destroyed, vaguely showing the shape of his muscles even though covered in blood.

“No need to approach...” Astan tried to regulate his breathing, his mouth and nose were seen dripping blood. “I... is fine...”.

Now Astan gave rise to a red-and-white pill that was a healing pill.

“Well what?! You're hurt bad! Your weapon is also destroyed! And why did you end up like this?! You're not using Shield?!”

After taking the pill, slowly the open wounds of the Mutant Frog bite marks closed, the bleeding stopped as well.

“Already, Arni…! I just lack focus!” firmly Astan.

Astan's high-pitched speech instantly made Arni shrink.

Feeling that his attitude was quite rude, Astan tried to lower his tone.

“I-iya…. My weapon was destroyed because it was only a Grade-C weapon, and it had been used for a long time. And my Shield might not activate automatically because I lost focus?” Astan restores her hair that is soaked with blood. “Entahlah…. I'm also confused.”

Now his body had returned better after being healed by the healing pill. The healing pill did not merely heal all of Astan's wounds, but it could at least stop the bleeding in the middle of a fight like this. He still needed to check himself later into the Medical Deck after this mission was completed.

Astan also began to swallow the blue-and-white pill which was an energy recovery pill. The Mutant Frogs were still numerous, and the Alpha had not been defeated either with the Shield again growing to protect it. This mission still needs to be completed if they want to return alive.

After the fierce fight earlier, the Mutant Frog herd had also not given any movement. They looked alert, watching the movements of the three hunters, while waiting for orders from the Alpha to attack again.

“They still have not attacked because they want to recover power for a moment. We stick to the initial plan,” said Astan, “Grim and Arni focus on attacking Alpha. I'll try to finish off his men.”

“Ta-but, Chairman...” Grim began to say doubtfully, “Your weapons have been destroyed. You definitely don't have an Extra Weapon, do you?”

“Hah! I don't need any guns to finish them off.”

One black dagger appeared in Astan's hand from the system storage.

“Glodok...”.

Grim tensed when he heard Alpha sounding. A herd of mutant toads is seen gaping, displaying sharp fangs with tongues sticking out upwards, and some are also preparing to hit Astan, Arni, or Grim.

Just waiting for the next cue from Alpha Mutant Frog.

Astan watched all of his enemies with a sharp look on his heterochrome eyes, a wide grin shown on the face that was soiled by bloodstains.

Once Astan soared his dagger in the air until he caught it, and began to take the position of the horses ready to fight.

“Belati this alone is enough. Because I'm sick of these barbaric toads!”

...~*~*~*~...