A smile crossed Tekot Smul’s face. “Ha-ha! The Technician of the Etor civilization skill once again proves itself useful.” He remembered, with a grin, how he had underestimated this skill years earlier. “Well, let’s start.” With that, he activated the newly created powerful hazard scanner.
The scanner hummed softly. Tekot Smul tensed, ready to escape through a short portal at a moment’s notice. However, the scanning of the enemy and his weapons revealed no dangers or defenses.
Tekot Smul rubbed his hands in anticipation. To be on the safe side, he checked the young man again, turning all the scanner settings to maximum. The scanner identified only two brightly shining objects and no complications.
“There’s a reinforcement tattoo on his chest,” Tekot Smul surmised. “I need to cut it out. Demon! I wasted so much time on him.”
He touched the weapon. The next thing he knew, he was flying through the air.
He hit the wall with such force that he smashed through it. And the one behind it. He felt searing pain in his arm, shoulder, and collarbone. He knew immediately they were broken. He also knew he had several torn ligaments and a twisted ankle.
A scarlet stream flowing from the corner of his lips, through which ragged breaths passed. He crawled on fumes.
Tekot Smul the Many-Faced well understood that he couldn’t control his paralyzed victim. He couldn’t do anything at all.
I must survive! was his only thought.
The work of the first aid kit improved his condition. At any rate, he no longer felt the approaching agony.
I failed, he thought, gasping for breath. So what are my chances? The easiest course of action would be to shoot myself and restart the mission. But, I’m short of time. I cannot destroy and leave the man here. Homo-54s will likely be here any minute.
He rolled onto his side, barely holding back a groan. I can either fail the mission, or risk it and use Occupation directly without a special box.
Tekot Smul knew his capabilities — his mana level, as well as his health, was down to almost nothing. He couldn’t use the portal.
He groaned, out loud this time. He had to make up his mind. The risks were too high – he could lose up to thirty percent of all his abilities! He treasured his many skills, obtained over centuries, though there were some nuances. The loss of thirty percent would only be possible if the object of possession had equal mental abilities.
Can a barbarian boy compare to me? he wondered. Not to mention, I can always reclaim my old body. I can return everything. I'm wealthy enough to afford it.
Try as he might, he couldn’t come to terms with the mediocre failure of the mission and shame. He’d lose not only a place in the Supreme Council: he’d lose real estate in the capital, his bank accounts, his palace on Gertika Island. He’d most likely have to give up his artifact treasury.
Tekot Smul bit his lip and growled like an animal. Rising, he coughed blood and spat, “Show me recommendations for direct Occupation. Immediately!”
.
Attention, Tekot Smul the Many-Faced!
Right ear injury 100 %
Right eye injury 90 %
Right mandible injury 70 %
Facial burn, right side
Burn of the left thigh
Spine injury 32%, (five ribs broken)
Left shoulder and collarbone broken (open fracture)
Left forearm broken (open fracture)
Ankle broken (closed fracture)
Ligament tears
*Spacesuit Shadow SDU 01M damage 30% (the recovery will take 3 hours 30 minutes)
Recommendation:
Full healing of Tekot Smul the Many-Faced with current suit resources not impossible. An urgent appeal to a medic is required. The "Full Recovery" order will take you to the nearest medical box.
Attention, Tekot Smul the Many-Faced!
Using Direct Sharing (body exchange) NOT RECOMMENDED! Complications and partial loss of skills are likely to result.
.
Tekot Smul gave a sibilant hiss at such recommendations. “Partial loss? I don’t care! Do you hear me, you artificial shit?! I don’t give a damn about that! I must destroy player Phoenix at all costs!”
He paused, catching his breath, then continued in a calmer tone. “Inject the Homo-54 with the antidote, with a delay of five minutes, starting from the moment the Occupation was realized.”
A small spider-like medical droid emerged from an aperture on his suit and scuttled towards the enemy.
“Good. Next, inject me with the maximum dose of stimulant.”
The result wasn’t long in coming. Tekot Smul felt a surge of strength. He swallowed in relief, licked his bloody lips, and added, “I need to crawl to this young red demon.”
The short journey seemed to last for ages.
“At last!” Tekot Smul gripped the man’s arm. “Entity exchange!” He immediately lost consciousness, but this did not prevent the activation of the skill.
Tekot Smul’s body started twitching. Five seconds later, small blue arc-shaped electrical discharges swept over his body. His shaking intensified. With each passing moment, the discharges multiplied, finally spreading to the paralyzed native. Soon, both were hidden within the crackling electric field.
The pain… it’s gone. It’s amazing… I once again have a strong body and a clear mind.
Tekot Smul staggered to his feet. “It’s both excellent and amazing…”
He liked his new body and voice. His perception of the gloomy world had also changed. A slight dizziness still permeated his consciousness, but he knew it would soon pass.
With great anticipation, he read the stats of his new body. Anticipation turned immediately to horror. “No… I don’t believe it!”
Chapter 12. Dark Master
Darkness fell. The pouring rain washed away the squad’s dirt and fatigue as they collected their trophies. The Earth itself seemed to feel that its offspring, both humans
