AutoTerra: Operating Systems

Chapter 78: The Truth

“Deliver System Chip Re:Set to me.”

Astan and Edrick were almost made in disbelief. Tenma is willing to kill his own friends just for the sake of a life system chip whose performance and description are still gray.

“You...” Astan shook his head, almost out of words. “You killed all your own comrades just for the sake of a system? I thought we could be good partners. You saved me when Room C collapsed.”

“Do not misunderstand first.” Tenma pulled back her hand. “They are not my friends.”

“What do you mean—.”

“I'm not the real Tenma.”

Another amazing fact they got. Before them at the moment was not the real figure of Tenma. But, that's weird. When they left and had not been wearing armor, Astan was sure that the one who was with them was Tenma, it could be known from his posture and face.

Then, how could this person confess that he is not Tenma? This problem is getting more complicated.

“Let me be clear. I infiltrated your team when I was about to leave. The real tenma I've finished. My posture just happens to be similar to her. And about the face, can still be likened to using a silicone mask.”

Tenma, or rather the person disguised as Tenma, had his hands crossed over his chest. Seemed calm and did not feel at all guilty for all the heinous actions he had done since at headquarters.

“And about the incident in the Energy Generation Area, I didn't mean to save you, Astan. So don't get me wrong,” said Tenma calmly. “In addition to Re System Chip:Set, I also intend to take you.”

“Taking me?”

What other reason did this fake Tenma make? What is Astan to be brought with him? And to whom will he be brought? Edrick also wondered why Astan was also targeted by Tenma.

“Astan Pradipta Cornell, you are not aware, but in fact you were a military soldier from the Ribelo Orbit Force. Your last task that made you fall into a trap.”

Astan was flustered, confused and astonished by Tenma's intentions, although there was a slight sense of anger that appeared without cause.

“I don't really know the full incident, but my master explained that it started with an experiment made by Professor Arthanour Morphin's Team. He is the one in charge of the Re:Set System creation project from the initial version to the one currently in your hands.”

“System Re:Set has been tested several times to various objects, precisely humans, but the results always fail because of incompatibility. Of all the people who were on the Ferron 072 Ship, there were two candidates who had a match of various aspects with the Re:Set System. One of them is you, Astan.”

Tenma pointed at Astan, speaking in deep voice, “Ya, Astan…. Your brain has been implanted by System Re:Set.”

Like being hit by an explosion, Astan is shocked on the spot, as well as Edrick who has had an unpleasant prejudice since Astan found the system chip and admitted that he experienced something strange there.

It's unexpected that Edrick's conjecture is correct. Astan's amnesia, the AutoTerra System disorder as Mavin tells it, and the strange things that happen when Astan finds the chip, all occur due to the influence of the Re:Set System that has been implanted in his brain.

The guess that Edrick didn't expect was true. Astan is related to the Re:Set System.

As a result of Tenma's explanation, spontaneously one hand Astan held his head which was still attached to the helmet, slightly lowered, trying to convince himself.

The truth that he had received all of a sudden was enough to hit Astan mentally at this moment. Something disgusting, obscure, and unwanted embedded in his brain, has fused together with his soul and continues to interfere with his mind lately.

“So, all the bad events that happened to me lately were caused by System Re:Set.... in my brain..?” asked Astan with a slightly trembling tone.

Tenma replied calmly, “If you mean the disruption of the AutoTerra System and the appearance of mysterious system panels in your mind, then it's true.”

“Who is your master?” ask Astan again. “If your master told you about what happened to me, then you already know that I am a hunter now.”

“I did know from the beginning.” There was a pause before Tenma returned to reply, “...But, I won't tell who my master is.”

“Heh.”

Behind the helmet, Astan grinned in annoyance. His head lifted again, looking straight at Tenma, far ahead of him. Suddenly Astan tries to shoot Tenma, but his weapon instantly loses function.

Realizing what happened to Astan's weapon, Edrick also felt that the weapon he held also lost its function. Can be seen from the existence of strange electrical circuits enveloping their weapons both, a sign that the function of the weapon is being held.

“He hacked our weapons,” hiss Edrick.

From a distance, Tenma slightly chuckled at the reaction of the two of them. “This is anticipated. You'll shoot me later. So, I just hacked your weapon system.”

Astan watched his own rifle being hacked at in the hand. If this is the case, there is no other way but to fight in his own style. Immediately Astan galloped towards Tenma while carrying his rifle.

“You think I'm just a soldier who can count on gunfire?!”

Astan threw his rifle firmly until it shot towards Tenma fiercely. Tenma did not dodge, instead Astan threw a miss next to him.

Tenma underestimated, “You were too carried away by emotions until your throw missed.”

“Please note your position, Idiot!” instant shouted still running towards him.

Tenma did not understand Astan's intention until a violent impact pushed her head down. Apparently, Astan accidentally threw his rifle to the side, so the rifle bounced off the wall and shot back into Tenma's back head.

This time, Astan was very grateful to Mavin who deliberately gave him weapons with unique shapes and materials like this.

Just got bowed by the impact of a rifle, Tenma was immediately attacked from the front. This time, Astan banged his knees right on the belly of the armour, making the hard part of the advanced armor crack and causing great tremors throughout the armor. As a result of the vibrations from the Astan attack, Tenma immediately felt nauseous.

Was Astan forced to fight in his own style? Yes, his barbaric fighting style.

Tenma staggered back, trying to maintain his balance due to Astan's violent attack. In his mind, Tenma had not expected that Astan could be this strong.

Could it be the reaction of the Re:Set System?

On Astan's side, the man again lost focus. Grey holographic glitch screens reappeared, giving strange notifications that had happened to him before. This time, however, some parts of Astan's body were shrouded in thin black auras.

[Starting the process of synchronizing the user's soul and body]

[Synchronization Process: 1%]

[5%]

[20%]

[34%]

“Ergh…! I don't need you! Get you out of my mind!!”

As a result of Astan's loud scream, a small explosion occurred around him. Those black auras exploded, spreading out in all directions until they vanished.

[….]

[Synchronization: Failed]

Astan's breathing panted, bowed as some of his strength suddenly shot out from his body.

Now, Astan began to understand a little with similar circumstances that had happened to him just before. A memory of voices against something, fear, and strong rejection.

All of that happened because of the possibility of Astan's soul refusing to join the Re:Set System.

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