"Unbelievable... this ship really is big enough!!"
Through the gunboat's observation port, Datch gazed at the gigantic hull, gradually filling his entire field of view, and couldn't help but marvel. As the most sacred beacon of the Human Imperium, the Chamber of the Astronomican had guided countless Imperial ships through the Warp. Its scale was so immense it defied human comprehension.
Compared to it, the gunboat Datch was piloting was like dust before a blazing star. But this once-magnificent structure was now covered in shocking scars—gaping fissures like giant wounds, scorched marks from explosions, and from the torn exterior walls, tangled pipelines and metallic structures were exposed.
At the site of the sentry tower, the charred wreckage of a landing craft lay on the ground. Scans and database comparisons indicated the crashed craft belonged to a Black Ship system specialized in psychic transport. The Black Ships, run by the Sisters of Silence, are responsible for hunting psykers across the galaxy, wielding such power that most soldiers would call for their support.
Suddenly, a piercing siren blared in the cockpit. The auspex needle struck violently at the top of the scale, accompanied by a rapid alarm. The psychic background readings in this area had exceeded the measurement limits of conventional equipment.
"This psychic concentration is a little exaggerated. If it explodes, it'll definitely be a ground-shaking blast," Datch remarked in astonishment. The Chamber of the Astronomican had gone out, but this hollowed-out mountain could still gather such terrifying psychic power. If it erupted at full force... the overflow would be frightening.
…
"Are we really going to face him head-on?"
Soldiers garrisoned in the outer fortress sought instructions from their immediate superior. When the Great Rift tore the galaxy, the psykers maintaining the Chamber of the Astronomican were affected by the Ether Frenzy. Many psykers went mad, transforming into monsters who massacred the Chamber of the Astronomican's guards and attendants.
Though the chaos was eventually suppressed, the Chamber of the Astronomican's core systems were severely damaged and completely paralyzed. The High Lords of Terra dispatched new troops to defend the area, but they could only control the outermost zones; the Chamber of the Astronomican's interior was designated forbidden territory. It wasn't that they feared heavy casualties or fighting the enemy deep inside, but rather, they feared a catastrophic secondary psychic explosion—or worse—that might cause the complete collapse of the Chamber of the Astronomican.
Thus, the garrison's mission was to maintain the periphery and keep the status quo.
"That's a Custodian gunboat. Let it through," the commander ordered. "And tell the brothers behind not to get distracted by it."
"Understood."
When the alarm was lifted, the guards watched as Datch's gunboat broke through the cordon and headed for the burned-out core. The gunboat's engine let out a low hum in the chaotic energy field of the hollow mountain. Finally, Datch landed shakily on relatively flat ground.
Datch disembarked, surveying his surroundings. The broken, charred spires were still filled with a faint whispering, and the atmosphere was eerie and terrifying.
"Tch! This would be the perfect set for a horror movie. Even the props are all here, just start rolling."
Exploring such a haunted, terrifying place alone was out of the question. Datch decided to call in some backup from his companions. He pulled out red and white Poke Balls from the game inventory and tossed them into the air.
"Come out and change the mood!"
As the Poke Ball landed, thick mist gushed forth, and the body of the Changeling Spirit took shape.
"Go—go in and scout. See what enemies are inside!" Datch pointed at the dark entrance.
The Changeling Spirit let out an indignant hiss but had no choice but to obey. Its form twisted and shrank rapidly, eventually morphing into a pitch-black crow that flew into the hollow mountain to scout.
Even after sending the scout, Datch still didn't feel safe enough. He took out another Poke Ball and summoned Skarbrand. This great daemon, having devoured the souls of many enemies, had recovered to 70-80% of his strength. Even his sanity and memories, once destroyed by rage, had returned.
Now, Skarbrand was a qualified companion—one who must be firmly restrained and enslaved.
After an ear-splitting roar that shook countless worlds, the Khorne daemon Skarbrand materialized in realspace, his presence as oppressive as a mountain. Driven by murderous rage and enslaved fury, he immediately swung his axe at Datch, intent on killing.
Suddenly, an unseen force intervened, making movement difficult for Skarbrand. He tried to resist, roaring repeatedly, but ultimately had to kneel under the immense force, cracking the floor.
Datch approached the kneeling Khorne daemon and gave an order.
"Advance, scout the way, and eliminate any enemies."
Skarbrand didn't answer, just glared at Datch with burning rage, clearly unwilling to submit.
"Yo, still stubborn? Got a personality, huh?"
Seeing Skarbrand's state, Datch grinned with a hint of anger and activated the punishment function on the Poke Ball.
"Ugh—!!"
Skarbrand's daemon body convulsed in agony, the flames of his rage visibly draining away until he was left weak and powerless.
"I... will... serve... just stop..."
Unable to bear the pain, Skarbrand finally yielded. As the pain faded and the flames of rage rekindled, his strength returned.
"Wouldn't it have been easier if you'd just done this earlier? Honestly, you're really a pain!" Datch kicked Skarbrand's body. "Hurry up and get moving."
Skarbrand's anger burned fiercely in his heart—this humiliation was too much. Remember this, human: three thousand years in the eastern galaxy, three thousand years in the west—one day, he would have his revenge.
To avoid the stench of sulfur, Datch ordered Skarbrand to retract his body's fire. Skarbrand, furious, tried to kill Datch with his axe but was forced to compromise, drawing back his flames and transforming into a blood-red giant.
As soon as they entered the hollow mountain, Datch was hit by the sharp, unavoidable scent of blood. The first corpse was soon discovered. From the dead man's uniform and implants, it was clear he was a Chamber of the Astronomican Court servant, and his body was horribly twisted.
A second and third corpse quickly followed—bodies twisted, dismembered, crammed into narrow spaces, or crushed alive. Some who tried to escape had been dragged back, hung from the ceiling, and bled out. Some even used what tools they had to commit suicide, fearing torture.
The deeper they ventured, the worse it got. Corpses became more horrific: spines ripped out, skin flayed, organs torn from bodies. The tragic state of these dead showed just how terrible things had become after everyone went mad.
Then, footsteps echoed. A vague figure stumbled into Datch's view, dragging his feet. In the flickering light, it was a truly horrifying sight.
"Stop! Are you still alive?" Datch called out.
The young man seemed not to hear, dragging himself closer. Datch caught the strong stench of death from the figure and instinctively readied his super shotgun. As he tried to ask again, the man suddenly looked up.
His face was ghastly pale, black veins visible, eyes pitch-black, his forehead horribly swollen, mouth twisted in a spiral, sharp teeth neatly lined up. The monster let out a horrifying scream and lunged at Datch.
…
Bonus chapter at 100 PS
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