2 Blood Baptism (2/2)

'' WHAT DO YOU MEAN ENGAGE AND HIDE WHERE, WE'RE ON THE SIDE OF A FU***** MOUNTAIN!!! ''

'' Hostile appears to be of class F, on par with hosts current physical condition. Combat is advised as to lengthen hosts lifespan. ''

'' How could fighting lengthen my lifespan, I COULD DIE !!! ''

'' Host's current lifespan is calculated at 6 days, past that, if no genetic material has been consumed, host will die. ''

'' WHY DID I NOT NOW THAT YET!!! ''

'' System had concluded that informing host on how short of a lifespan was left, He might have panicked ''

'' OF COURSE I'M PANICKING, WHO WOULDN'T YOU DUMB AI!!! ''

'' Hostile now at 20 meters, imminent contact. If host desires to engage, System will plot the best course of action and correct any necessary movements to achieve combat victory. ''

'' You better, because you will die too, you dumb machine. I can't believe you hid that fact from me. From now on, i need to know how long is my lifespan, every time it reaches a threshold worth noticing. ''

'' Hostile 5 meters away. Enemy has noticed you and is fast nearing from the sky. Best course of action is to dodge back now and jump back forward on enemy's back. ''

'' This has better work. ''

'' Hup, Hahh!! ''

'' Jumping course has been corrected by 10% strength. ''

'' Hah, already telling me I'm not doing good, this is promising. ''

As he was having his mental quarrel with the system, Karl hit an object mid-flight and started spiralling towards the ground, latched on its back. Just as they were about to hit the ground, he felt the system tugging his left arm back, sending the humanoid he was riding, right under him before ground impact.

* THUD * * CRACK *

He had landed 300 meters down hill, in a small forest, on the outskirts of the burnt village.

'' Hostile appears dead, please absorb genetic material to enhance lifespan. ''

'' AARGGHH, MY ARM, I THINK ITS BROKEN!!! ''

'' Please absorb target's genetic material to enhance lifespan. ''

'' I don't care about that now, how do I fix my broken arm, you dumb program! ''

'' We advise host to refrain from referring to System as 'dumb' or any other undermining insults, as host's conscience is fused with said System. ''

'' DAMMIT, I can't even insult you now. That's rubbish! ''

'' We remind system to absorb target's genetic material to enhance lifespan. Lifespan can also be expended to heal minor injuries and non lethal wounds. ''

'' Ahh, you should have started with that. How do I 'absorb' his genetic material then. ''

'' Host needs to consume blood or flesh of target. Other methods such as direct blood contact on user's skin can be used, but is not recommended, as user would have to bathe in target's blood to absorb enough genetic material. ''

'' That's DISGUSTING, isn't there another way. Like I don't know, blood to blood maybe ? ''

'' Option is viable, but would require Host to cut himself deep enough to bleed and have direct contact with bleeding foe. ''

Deciding that would be his option, Karl cut open his wrist and the Tamarain's and stuck them together. He immediately felt a suction coming from his wrist, as if it was siphoning the blood. When he looked, he realized why. It was indeed sucking the blood from the body's wound. He slanted to the side and vomited, the sight being too much for him to bear.

'' Sufficient consumption attained. Primary activation of blood nanobots achieved. Host has gained an extra 6 months of lifespan. Total tally now 6 months and 6 days of life expectancy. Would host like to heal broken arm, slit wrist and fractured rib. Price would 3 weeks of lifespan. ''

The moment he had slated to the right, he had felt the broken rib. Probably the adrenaline had kept him from feeling it before, but now, it was EXCRUTIATING.

'' Yes '' he shouted

'' Healing in progress, please remain still for 30 minutes. 3 weeks deducted from total lifespan. New tally 5 months 1 week and 6 days.

New threat detected, 3 slow-moving scouts detected. Please remain still to avoid detection. ''

'' How, their 100 meters away, they will surely find me before half an hour. ''

'' Negative, System has acquired longer detection range by reaching higher lifespan. Detection radius now 300 meters. Hostiles are sweeping at a pace of 9 meters per minute. Detection can be avoided if remaining immobile. ''

'' Fine, but you better be right. Remember, if I die, you die. ''

Remaining low to the ground and as still as he could be, Karl waited out the 30 minute healing process. When his interior clock rang, he decided it was time to make a run for it. He had asked the System to make a sweep for anything that could enable him to escape. The System had pointed out to a weak electrical signal, which it assumed was a vehicle battery. If the battery was fine, high were the chances of the vehicle being fine too.

Taking his breath, he sprinted out of the clearing he was in and headed straight for the signal. When he passed the tree line he saw what looked to him like the light of salvation. A military hummer. And it looked fine!

Good thing too, as his pursuers had locked onto him and were closing in fast. He made it to the humvy just as his 'fans' made it out of the tree line. They were all equipped with jetpack looking backpacks. They flew straight into the air and started firing at him with plasma rifles. With them being still quite far away, he was not threatened of being shot, at least for now.

After 4 tries of starting the humvy, its engine finally roared to life. Stomping on the accelerator, he fled in the opposite direction of his assailants. A few moments after, he noticed he wasn't losing his tail. Quite the opposite, they were gaining on him.

'' System, can't you do something to help me lose them, their shots are getting better and we might get hit! ''

'' Agreed. If host permits it, we could take over briefly to lose tailing assailants, as host's driving skills are sub-par. ''

'' WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SUB-PAR. SCREW YOU AI, I BET YOU CANT EVEN DRIVE!!! ''

'' As per mentioned earlier, System is equipped with pursuit driving capabilities. We could lose tail faster, as host is driving to carefully. ''

'' DAMMIT. Fine you take over, but you better give me control back when we lose them. No way you're keeping the wheel on this body. ''

'' Affirmative ''

Losing conscience instantly, the System took over and did as told. A little while later, Karl came back to himself, in a crashed vehicle, miraculously unscathed. Wondering what had happened, he vowed to ask the system later. But for now, finding shelter to hide was his first priority.

'' System, can you find the closest house, shack or cave nearby, where it would be safe to hide. ''

'' Affirmative. Cave located 200 meters to the north. No danger noticed on the trajectory there. ''

And with that he headed there, thinking his day had been enough of a catastrophe, it couldn't get worse.