"Host has completed Mission Objective 2.
Evaluating mission…
Evaluation passed; mission rewards are being distributed.
Received Random Draw x1.
Received Title: Tyranid Slayer.
Title Effect: Slightly increases damage against all Tyranid organisms.
When facing you, basic Tyranid creatures like Gun Worms and Hormagaunts have a small chance to trigger a fear effect, causing them to break free from the Hive Mind's control.
Codex unlocked: Venomthrope."
Marcus had just completed Mission Objective 2 slaughtering one thousand Gun Worms and Hormagaunts.
As with the Tyranid Warrior kill before, he earned another draw chance and a new title.
He examined the effects of "Tyranid Slayer."
The system's description didn't limit its scope, meaning everything from Ripworms and Gun Worms to Hive Tyrants and even the Swarmlord would take extra damage from him.
It was a significant boost to his killing power. With a few more such titles, Marcus might well become a one-man exterminator.
Additionally, the Codex now listed three more Tyranid types, further enhancing his Tyranid Legion trump card.
Marcus decided to use his draw immediately.
As before, a finely crafted card materialized on the system panel.
"Broken Red Bayonet
Source: Warhammer Universe
Effect 1: Waaagh! energy lingering on this bayonet makes it three times sharper than a standard one.
Remark: I reckon paintin' this knife red makes it more killly! — An unknown Mekboy."
The red-painted, rust-flecked bayonet made Marcus's mouth twitch.
Very Orkish.
He extracted the bayonet and fastened it to his waist. Combined with his Mind Power, this Mekboy creation could be deadly.
They pressed on through the swamp, felling the occasional Tyranid that crossed their path. Most of the swarm was still hammering the Astra Militarum's lines, so they encountered no more high-threat organisms after the first Venomthrope.
Half an hour later, they reached the swamp's edge. Ahead loomed the mountain-sized Plasma Railgun. From here, they could see the massive back gate of its base — and about twenty Astartes outside it.
Without pause, the group headed for the gate.
"It's the Emperor's Angels! We're saved!"
The soldiers knelt and saluted. An officer stepped forward.
"Sir, the base has been overrun. We sealed the xenos inside; there was nothing else we could do."
Titus looked at the gate. "Open it."
"Yes, sir!" The officer relayed the order.
As the gate began to creak open, a tide of Tyranid burst from the swamp.
The Astartes braced, but with no heavy weapons and barely twenty men, they couldn't hold against such numbers.
Fortunately, three of the Emperor's Angels now stood with them.
Gadriel's voice was calm but commanding. "Prepare to serve the Emperor, soldiers."
"Positions! Don't let them climb up!" the officer shouted.
Weapons roared. The Ultramarines, led by Titus, cut through Hormagaunts toward the Tyranid Warriors — the synapse creatures holding the swarm together.
Marcus unleashed his full power. Bayonets wrapped in Mind Power darted like steel hawks, piercing eyes and pulverizing brains.
Then a Tyranid Warrior with bone saber and tentacle whip charged him.
Marcus ignored his meltagun; this was a test of skill.
He cleared space with three bayonets, then met the Warrior head-on.
The tentacle whip lashed out. Marcus's red Ork bayonet, propelled by orkish beliefs, sliced it clean off.
Three other bayonets stabbed for the eyes and throat. At the same time, Marcus's plasma pistol vaporized one of the Warrior's arms.
It blocked two blades but couldn't stop the rest — its throat split open, foul ichor spraying.
Marcus pressed the attack. The red bayonet drilled into the creature's severed limb, cutting through dense muscle. Marcus swiped again and cut the creature down, felling it.