Act 0, Chapter 2: "I FUCKING KNEW IT!"
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"I FUCKING KNEW IT!"
Kardia's voice erupted in a primal scream, echoing through the dense forest that surrounded him.
His heart raced as his eyes widened in disbelief, fixated on a colossal creature emerging from the shadows.
The air crackled with tension, and the ground trembled slightly beneath his feet as the beast launched itself toward him with breathtaking strength and incredible speed.
Muscles rippled beneath its sinewy hide, and glistening fangs glinted menacingly in the dappled sunlight.
Adrenaline coursed through Kardia's veins, a mixture of dread and exhilaration flooding his senses.
Time seemed to slow as the creature closed the distance, each second amplifying the urgency of the moment.
He could feel the rush of wind as it barreled towards him, and instinct kicked in—he had to move, and fast.
"I fucking knew it!"
"I fucking knew it!"
"I just FUCKING knew it!"
"I just knew something was going to happen. That shit was not going to be easy."
"Of course I can do it! If I "spawn" right in front of a goddamn Tyranid!"
"WELL, I FUCKING JINXED IT! I SPAWNED IN FRONT OF A FUCKING TYRANID!"
Kardia screamed to himself as he glanced around frantically, trying to find a place to hide, his heart racing as he gathered every ounce of adrenaline coursing through his veins.
He felt like he was going to cry because of how fucking unlucky he was.
Where the fuck did his infinite luck go?
The air was thick with the stench of alien decay, and the dim light cast eerie shadows on the jagged landscape.
He could hear the menacing chittering of the Tyranid, a hulking beast lurking just out of sight, its scythe-like claws scraping against the rocky ground.
With a surge of desperation, he bolted, muscles straining and lungs screaming for air. The ground felt uneven beneath his feet, each step a battle against the oppressive dread that clung to him like a second skin.
If the creature caught up to him, he knew he would have to muster every last bit of strength left to fight back, to push away from its terrifying grasp, even if it meant giving everything he had.
The thought of being consumed by the monstrous horror fueled his flight, every instinct urging him to escape the impending doom.
"RAPHAEL! RAPHAEL! Where the hell are you!?"
In times like this, where were the ultimate skills he had asked for? Did he reincarnate, transmigrate, or whatever the fuck he experienced, without his abilities?
Kardia was getting tired, but there was nothing he could do. If he stopped running for his life, the alien creature would catch up to him, and that would definitely not end well for him.
"MAN! I HATE THIS! I JUST CAME TO THIS WORLD, AND THIS HAPPENS TO ME!?"
Despite his fatigue, Kardia couldn't help but scream as if that might somehow improve the situation.
Suddenly, while running for his life, an excruciating pain surged through him, like a relentless tidal wave crashing upon the shore.
The pain was immense, capable of bringing anyone to their knees. But the fear of being devoured by the alien creature seemed to override it; even with that pain, Kardia did not stop running.
He was no masochist, nor a sadist, and he had no allegiance to Slaanesh. He simply wasn't stopping because he was in pain.
The only thing he could do was run faster, clench his fists tightly, and dig his fingers into his own skin like a vise, and bite his lips until they bled, enduring the damage while he kept moving.
Why was he now in such a brutal situation?
Unknown to Kardia, the moment he screamed for Raphael, his acquired ultimate skill, all of the skills, abilities, templates, and other things he asked for were being forced to awaken.
Yes... Kardia was going through a forced awakening.
Normally, as a vast majority of his skills came from the world of Tensura, Kardia would have to wait around 90 days before his skills fully awaken.
This comes from the explanation that the novel gave to the readers.
Yes... that was the explanation that the Author of "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" gave as to why Great Sage did not awaken right after Rimuru reincarnated.
In the world of Tensura, skills are crystallizations of the soul.
This means that as they are acquired, a piece of the soul is separated and given form in the form of a skill.
The 90-day time period represents the time needed for soul-body synchronization, stability, and compatibility, enforced biologically, metaphysically, and spiritually, so that the Unique Skill can become, once again, a true part of the person instead of tearing them apart.
But that was the rule of the Tensura world.
In Kardia's case, the system of reincarnation was actually forcing the multiple powerful skills of Kardia to awaken correctly.
The only downside was the immense pain.
Something that Kardia was tanking very well.
Not even crazy maniacs like Feldway, Michael, and Yuuki in the world of Tensura would consider doing something like that.
Thankfully, the forced activation of his skills was not going to Kardia, nor going to injure him in the slightest.
As Kardia continued to run, the process of awakening his skills quickly completed. However, he didn't stop; the large Tyranid was still in pursuit.
In fact, it was gaining on him. Kardia was growing tired, but the Tyranid, a special species known for its incredible strength, speed, and vitality, showed no signs of fatigue.
[Consciousness synchronization complete. Welcome, Master!]
Suddenly, a voice echoed in the depths of Kardia's mind—a voice that felt both foreign and intimately familiar.
A wide grin spread across his face, illuminating his features with a mix of surprise and elation.
This voice belonged to Raphael, Lord of Wisdom, the ultimate skill he had harnessed.
In his unique case, it was known as "Raphael, Supreme Goddess Queen of Divine Wisdom.
"RAPHAEL! HELP ME!" he yelled, desperation seeping into his tone.
In that moment, Kardia couldn't care less about losing his dignity or the opinions of others.
Survival was all that mattered, and if it meant shouting for divine assistance, he would do so without hesitation.
[Analyzing.]
[Entering Auto-Battle Mode.]
[Confirmed.]
As those words resonated in his mind, Kardia felt an overwhelming disconnect from his physical self—his limbs felt weightless, as if they no longer belonged to him.
Yet, his vision remained intact, allowing him to observe the chaos unfolding around him.
Raphael had stepped in decisively, taking control of his body in an extraordinary effort to save him from impending danger.
The transition was seamless.
Raphael, who took control over his body, simply stopped running and instead turned to face the running, angry, giant, insensate creature that was trying to eat him alive.
Raphael didn't move.
Yes... she didn't move, nor did she scream. She did nothing.
She simply raised a hand and uttered a single sentence that changed Kardia's perception of the world.
"Devour it all, Azathoth!"
As soon as the name of "Azathoth" was uttered, it appeared in the form of a black substance that had the power to suck and devour everything in existence.
The ground, the trees, the moisture, and what seemed to be everything seemed to be sucked inside by that swirling black substance that acted like a black hole.
Azathoth.
This was the power of the Strongest Ultimate Skill in the world of Tensura, "Azathoth, God of the Void."
The targeted creature of that powerful skill, the large alien tyranid warrior, was captured and later devoured and sucked inside.
At the same time, Raphael, who had done its job, returned the control to Kardia, her Master.
[Task completed, Master.]
[The species known as "Tyranid" has been neutralized, absorbed, and analyzed.]
[After a brief analysis, you have also obtained the following Extra Skills, Master.]
[Extra Skill: "Self-Evolution" acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Regeneration" Acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Genetic Assimilation" Acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Environmental Assimilation" Acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Psychic Resistance" Acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Biological Energy Conversion" Acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Energy Conversion" Acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Synaptic Network" Acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Biomass Refinement" Acquired.]
[Extra Skill: "Danger Sense" Acquired.]
When Kardia finally regained control of his body and began to focus on what Raphael had to say, he was utterly speechless.
He blinked three or four times in a single second. Shit, he doesn't remember how many times he blinked; he knew the number was around there.
How was it possible that she could defeat a single Tyranid and gain such an impressive array of skills from it?
Well... he knew the reason.
It was fucking RAPHAEL who we are talking about. Not some weak-ass skill.
He was just dumbfounded that this shit was even happening. Or that he had powers.
The sheer magnitude of skills acquired left him in awe rather than in anger.
In truth, this was the most remarkable development he had encountered since arriving in this grim and war-torn realm.
Well... the only one.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Kardia allowed himself to sink down onto the cold, hard ground, yet wet and muddy, his body screaming in exhaustion.
He had never felt so depleted.
He had found himself thrust into a world embroiled in perpetual conflict, where the concept of normalcy was a distant memory for the average person.
Life here was a relentless struggle against powerful, alien Xenos forces or the insidious, corrupting influence of Chaos.
Humanity teetered on the brink; there was no respite, no sanctuary from the harrowing grind of warfare.
And when the battle subsided—an infrequent occurrence—it was often replaced by another form of strife: humans fighting against each other.
The planetary nobles, entrenched in their opulence, exploited the impoverished masses they derisively labeled "commoners."
The societal divide widened, and the downtrodden suffered even more abominably than they did during the ancient plagues on Earth.
In theory, humanity should have reached unprecedented heights of advancement and prosperity, yet the reality was one of survival, a bitter struggle against death and despair.
This was the grim truth of the Warhammer 40k universe: a relentless cycle of conflict and misery, where hope was a fleeting, elusive dream.
Kardia had felt the despair of the ordinary people in the Warhammer 40k universe, and he couldn't endure it.
Not because he was incapable, but because this was not the life that humans should have.
Humans shouldn't have to live in constant fear; they shouldn't have to resort to cannibalism to survive.
And since when did nobility regain power?
Wasn't nobility something that had been abolished thousands of years ago? Was humanity truly regressing instead of advancing?
Kardia was a devoted Warhammer 40k fan.
However, knowing some of the lore while reading about it through a screen was one thing, but experiencing the despair and suffering of the people he read about was another.
...
While playing Space Marine 2 with friends, Kardia often joked, using the phrase that every Warhammer 40k fan knows: "FOR THE EMPEROR!"
But now that he found himself in the Warhammer 40k universe, Kardia began to reflect.
This was something that most people in this universe did not do; they did not think.
It wasn't that they were unintelligent; in fact, they are more intelligent than the people who came before them, but they had largely been conditioned to abandon reason.
There is only war in their minds. That endless sacrifice of lives is the only way forward.
It disgusted him.
Yet, Kardia was not one to forsake reason. He came from an era when logic and rationality were what propelled humanity forward.
SCIENCE was the way forward.
Kardia understood the underlying truth.
The High Lords of Terra, as he knew "Earth," were people who practically lived their best lives.
They wielded the power to effectively rule an empire while the so-called "Emperor" was forced to sit on a golden throne for ten thousand years.
They had essentially consolidated the power of the Imperium for themselves; why would they ever allow someone to take that power away from them?
Abandoning reason and logic was their modus operandi.
If someone with enough reason and logic were to analyze their actions, they would clearly see the mess they had created.
This was why the High Lords of Terra feared Guilliman's revival.
The Primarch of the Thirteenth Legion, the Ultramarines, was someone who understood how to govern, how to apply logic, and he was known as the Lord of Logistics.
With a mere glance at the Imperium, Guilliman could discern that it was rotten to its core.
Also, it was surprising that the forces of Chaos had not yet infiltrated Terra at all.
This was not the life that Kardia had envisioned for himself, nor was it one he intended to accept. He resolutely refused to allow others to endure the same fate.
But what was his place in this universe?
That was a question he didn't know the answer to.
Damn... he just reincarnated.
But he views his options.
Was he going to follow the Emperor? That is a maybe.
Join the Chaos Gods? Absolutely not.
That was the only answer he knew to his own questions.
HE WAS NEVER JOINING ONE OF THE CHAOS FACTIONS.
Or was he going to have to forge his own path?
He didn't know.
Following the Emperor seemed like the best choice, but Kardia was unsure about how he truly felt about it.
From what he knew of the Emperor, he was bad, a tyrant, but at least a CHAOTIC good person.
The Emperor of Mankind was a masterful commander, renowned for his strategic brilliance and martial prowess, yet he fell short as a leader.
He could issue orders with authority, but he lacked the compassion and understanding that true leadership requires.
While his love for the human race was undeniable, it was a dispassionate love—more a fascination with humanity as a COLLECTIVE than an affection for its individual members.
This was the Emperor's fundamental flaw.
He fixated on a grand vision for the future of humanity, prioritizing its survival and progress above all else, often at the expense of individual lives.
And THAT IS what is costing him the Imperium.
The planets that are under the jurisdiction of the Imperium apparently "work" to serve the Imperium. Still, the Imperium only asks more of them without giving in return.
This results in people dying, and instead of being properly buried, they are used as a food resource for other people.
Humanity had long ago reached an "inhumane" status.
Also, if you went from planet to planet asking if they believed in the Emperor, most people would say they did.
Is it true?
Absolutely not.
Most people don't even know if the Emperor truly exists or not. But they will always say that they do believe in the Emperor.
The Imperium of Man is so corrupted that if another human claims they don't believe in the God Emperor, they would be branded a heretic.
In their fight for survival, it is often better to lie than to tell the truth.
Except for the Space Marines, the Inquisitors, and the extreme fanatics of the God Emperor, a regular human being who is exploited and treated like a slave wouldn't care about the God Emperor.
All they care about is survival and providing food for their families.
But the nobles will never give them that, so how can you expect them to actually follow a man?
In the name of the Emperor, the nobles commit unthinkable acts. The more terrible things people do in the name of another, the more tarnished that reference becomes.
The humans of the Warhammer 40k universe need a new light.
A new hope.
While Kardia doesn't think he is a Messiah or a god-figure, yet, he definitely has the vision to change the lives of the people.
He also has the ABILITIES and SKILLS to be able to figure something out.
He just needed strength. I mean... look at him, he has insanely strong skills, but he was almost eaten to death by a Tyranid. He just needed time and strength.
Kardia believed in the value of each person, understanding that humanity, as a collective, is only as strong as its weakest link.
Ironically, this thought process reminded him of the very race that had tried to kill him just now.
The Tyranids.
The Tyranids do not possess the same emotions as humans or other races, but they function as a united front.
This collective nature is what makes them so dangerous.
They are not only physically strong, but they can also adapt to any environment. Additionally, they possess incredible psychic abilities—not as individual psychics, but as a collective force.
When people work together, they can achieve more than they could alone.
Now, imagine a race endowed with super strength, super speed, and remarkable durability due to their bio-armor. They can also assimilate genes from other races.
Furthermore, they operate seamlessly as a connected unit, rather than as individual beings with their own thoughts and egos.
This is what makes the Tyranids such a perilous race—one that poses a danger to everything and anything.
But the main reason is that they are united.
If the Tyranids were like the Xenomorphs of the Alien Franchise, a hive attacking another hive, the Tyranids weren't going to be such a threat at all.
Perhaps the reason he had come face-to-face with a Tyranid was to understand the path humanity should take.
Instead of fighting against each other, they could work together.
This also brought to mind another powerful fictional race: the Protoss from StarCraft.
They, too, work collectively like the Tyranids and the Zerg. However, the Protoss are more akin to humans.
They have their own individual personalities, but can mentally connect to work together more efficiently.
Of course, that was later cut out, but in general, they used to work like that.
This is the path that humanity should aspire to follow.
However, this is where the problems arise.
The Warhammer 40k universe cannot operate in the same way as he envisioned.
This is due to the Immaterium.
The Immaterium is an alternate realm of purely psychic energy, or in other words, spiritual energy that underlies the familiar four dimensions of the material universe.
This psychic energy is derived from emotions and the power of the soul. Since the emotions of the souls shape the Immaterium, they can also influence it.
Throughout the War in Heaven of the Necrons, previously known as the Necrontyr, and their C'Tan allies against the Old Ones, and numerous other conflicts across the galaxy, both positive and negative emotions infused into the Immaterium began to take form.
This excess of emotions manifested as the Four Chaos Gods: Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, and the youngest of the four, Slaanesh.
Well... Slaanesh came after those three.
Each Chaos God represents a different aspect of emotions:
Tzeentch embodies change and manipulation.
Nurgle represents entropy, decay, and disease.
Khorne signifies bloodshed, slaughter, and war.
Slaanesh embodies depravity, excess, pain, and lust.
To create something like a Hive Mind was going to be extremely dangerous. Especially if someone gets possessed, and the other also gets possessed because the link is there.
"FUCK!"
That was the only thing that Kardia could say as he saw his situation. He was truly fucked.
But he can think of that later.
He now needs to find a way to survive.
On whatever planets he is on, he is currently in a bad situation.
The problem is the following.
He encountered a tyranid.
Even if a single Tyranid was following him, it means that the entire planet is swarmed by this alien race that only wants to devour anything and everything.
Although he escaped his fate because Raphael took over his body, it doesn't mean that he is completely safe.
Most probably, the Hive Mind received the information from the Tyranid Warrior that suddenly disappeared.
From what he knows of the lore, the tyranids, wherever they are, can send information back to the Hive Mind.
If the Hive Mind received the information or suddenly lost connection to another member of the race, it was going to send more tyranids to investigate the area.
"Man... This is so fucked up."
Why the fuck did he have to die?
Why the fuck did he have to come to a weird world?
Although he asked those questions, the initial fear was gone, and it was untraceable.
Only determination.
He was determined to live.
"Raphael, are you there? Is that you? I am not being corrupted by Chaos, right?" Kardia whispered, calling out to his new partner in crime.
[Indeed, Master. Here I am.]
[I am here for you for all of Eternity, Master.]
[You are not being corrupted by Chaos, Master. I would never allow that.]
Raphael, the female robotic angel inside the mind and soul, responded. Still, her response was laced with fanaticism, deep loyalty, and deep devotion.
'Don't tell me the cheat of infinite loyalty and devotion also works on her?'
'Wait... it says that it works on everyone who pledges loyalty to me.'
Yet, these thoughts escaped his mind.
This mere show of affection surprised Kardia very much, but he tried to stay calm and not diverge too much.
"Hey! Nice to meet you, Raphael! I am sure we'll have a lot of fun." Kardia tried to be optimistic, yet he couldn't actually feel like this world was going to be fun.
[Nice to meet you, Master.]
Raphael, who was inside his mind and soul, could feel that Kardia was not really happy about his situation, but that he was happy to meet her.
"Raphael, listen. Listen closely. We are in a dire situation. EXTREMELY DIRE. This planet must be infested with Tyranids, and I am weak right now."
"I'm desperate because I don't have the strength to fight against those monsters. Please help me. I apologize for relying on you so soon after we were introduced."
Kardia knew he sounded pathetic, but in a situation like this, it was better to communicate with someone who could provide a solution.
He could come up with a solution, but he was aware that Tyranid forces were likely approaching, directed by the Hive Mind itself. If he didn't act quickly, he was going to be eaten by those creatures.
[Right away, Master.]
[However, I need access to your skills, Master.]
Thankfully, Raphael didn't react negatively to his plea; instead, she began to work, which made Kardia feel relieved.
'Wait, what? Does she really need access to his skills? Since when?'
"Why didn't you gain access to them? Aren't they your skills as well? I mean, we share the same core, and we are kind of soulmates, after all."
Kardia felt a bit embarrassed for mentioning their bond. Still, he pushed those thoughts aside, given the urgency of the situation.
[My only desire is to protect you, cherish you, and be a partner for you, Master,] Raphael responded.
Honestly, it was an impressive answer that left him momentarily speechless.
Before he could reply, Raphael continued, [You are my Master. My loyalty to you is infinite. I belong to you and only to you.]
[With this in mind, unless you permit me, I do not have access to your skills, memories, or even other powers, despite being able to perceive and utilize them if I wanted. This is to preserve your authority as my Master and the Apex Predator.]
'Apex Predator? She makes it sound like I'm a T. rex or some shit.' Kardia couldnt help but joke.
"Well, that seems fair. Extremely fair. But right now is not the time for that. Access granted to EVERYTHING."
Kardia didn't care about anything else at the moment. He could take the time to understand his skills and abilities later. What he needed now was power.
To learn to have power, to learn to control.
Raphael seemed to understand his urgency and began to work immediately.
[Access to memory archives. Granted.]
[Access to all bio-data. Granted.]
[Access to all bio-spiritual data. Granted.]
[Access to all soul data. Granted.]
[Access to all astral data. Granted.]
[Access to all personal and class skills. Granted.]
[Access to skills and control of the Master's body in case of an emergency. Granted.]
[Access to all ultimate and unique skills. Granted.]
There was a pause as the last access was granted to Raphael. Not long after, she began to speak again.
[Analyzing.]
[Done.]
[Master, in this situation, we can do the following.]
There was a pause, and later continued.
[I can upload the perfected experiences, fighting styles, abilities, skills, and techniques of the multiple templates that define your new existence in this world.]
[This will allow you to engage in hand-to-hand combat against the Tyranids if they get too close.]
[I can also upload perfected information regarding the psychic and psionic abilities of the multiple templates that utilize Psychic and Psionic powers.]
[This will enable you to use multiple psychic/psionic abilities and become extremely proficient in them.]
Kardia smiled in satisfaction.
Raphael must be using the memory, experience, and fighting skills of the templates he had asked for that were saved in that data bank inside the sub-skill "Imaginary Space" of the Ultimate Skill "Azathoth, God of the Void."
Most of those people from the templates he got were kings, warriors, and powerful people. Yet, as he was told, he does not start with their strength.
He can have their abilities, but he will have to train or find other ways to get to their level and surpass them. Thankfully, he has Raphael on his side.
In terms of hand-to-hand combat, in the Warhammer 40k universe, you don't really need to worry about it.
Unless you were out of bullets, you fight hand-to-hand. Or if you are overwhelmed by Tyranids, you can choose to fight hand-to-hand with a superior physique.
The hand-to-hand would work for him, but in reality, right now, he needs to fight from a distance.
His material body is extremely weak, and he won't be able to repel many of the attacks that the Tyranids will send his way.
The best thing he can do is to try to use his unused psychic abilities to repel the constant onslaught of the Tyranids.
"What did my life come to this?" Kardia said as he began to think about why his life was now this.
"A normal person trying to fight against an alien race that not even the most powerful races of the universe have been able to kill? What a fucking joke."
Raphael, ignoring her Master's self-doubting himself, began to speak again.
[The uploaded information will enable you to fight as though you've been fighting since birth, Master.]
[However, as it was stated, this doesn't mean your physical strength has been altered; it simply means your body and mind have been revamped to fight better.]
Kardia understood what Raphael was saying, and that was more than enough for him. If he knew how to fight, he would have a better chance of defeating the Tyranids that had invaded the planet.
"Raphael, can you check my memory and help me recreate some skills? For example, could you replicate the breathing techniques from the anime Demon Slayer, even though you don't have the information?"
Though it might seem out of context, Kardia was aware that the Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer, also known as Kimetsu no Yaiba, optimized the body's breathing rhythm to enhance strength, speed, reaction time, and mental processing.
While he didn't possess the physical strength of the Astartes, he believed that with the right breathing techniques, he could learn to fight.
[It is possible,] Raphael replied.
[Calculating.]
[Analysis completed.]
[Congratulations, Master! You have acquired the Sun Breathing Style.]
[Congratulations, Master! You have acquired the Moon Breathing Style.]
[Congratulations, Master! After combining the sharpness and lethality of Moon Breathing with the adaptability, strength, speed, and coordination of Sun Breathing, you have acquired "Eclipse Breathing."]
Kardia was mesmerized. He blinked as he heard the last paragraph.
With a single question—without even a formal request—Raphael had created something that only existed in a fictional world in an instant, and even upgraded it to something never seen before.
[I need to advise you of something, Master.]
[While this breathing style is relatively similar, or perhaps even more effective than the original techniques, they are not of the same level.]
[I have downscaled the potency because of your current physical condition, Master. As your physical strength increases, I will gradually allow the full potential of the breathing style to take effect.]
Honestly, this was something Kardia had come to expect.
After all, in the original series of Demon Slayer, only Yoriichi Tsugikuni was able to use Sun Breathing.
The same applied to Moon Breathing, as it was the style used by Michikatsu Tsugikuni, later known as Kokushibo, which he never passed down.
Those Breathing Styles were incredibly powerful, and even Tanjiro, who was taught to use the Dance of the Fire God—later known as Sun Breathing—was not able to use it correctly until the end of the series due to the plot.
If Kardia could use Eclipse Breathing as if they were ordinary breathing techniques, he would still take the deal despite his weaker physique compared to those who trained in them.
After all, an advantage is still an advantage.
"Raphael, upload the information about the things you mentioned earlier. I can hear them coming."
[Right away, Master.]
[Request to upload information.]
[Notice: I have optimized the information, experience, necessary memories, and even some techniques. I have also created a new fighting style that combines everything perfectly, Master.]
[Do you want to proceed?]
[Yes/No.]
"YES."
Was that even a question?
While he doesn't know how Raphael is able to allow him to gain the experiences of the templates, he is more than happy to know that those experiences can be used to help him.
He was in a dangerous situation. He needed EVERYTHING in his current disposal.
The moment he said yes, Kardia felt it.
A wave, as colossal and powerful as a world-ending tsunami, surged through every corner of his mind and soul, crashing against the barriers of ignorance that had once housed his naivety.
This surge of information was not just overwhelming; it was transformative, reshaping him from within.
With each pulse, he felt a shift inside him, exchanging the innocent idealism of youth for the hard-earned wisdom, experience, and bravery of a seasoned warrior who had spent years battling life's challenges.
His posture began to change, too, as he straightened, shedding the weight of uncertainty. No longer hunched in self-doubt, he stood with a strong, erect back that radiated confidence.
His breathing, once erratic and shallow, found a new rhythm and purpose, transitioning to a steady and measured cadence that reflected newfound clarity.
In that moment, he was no longer just an observer of the world; he had become a formidable presence, ready to embrace the complexities of life head-on.
"Damn…"
That was all Kardia could say.
Truly, it was the only thing he could say.
The transformation of mind and soul felt monumental, but there was no time to revel in the excitement.
He heard them.
Not just the steps of a single person.
No, not steps at all.
He could hear the deranged sounds of insane creatures that wanted to tear flesh—the Tyranid race.
The Hive Mind had sent more members of its race to determine why one of them had suddenly lost connection.
"Raphael… if something happens, take control of my body." Kardia made sure to leave a failsafe in case something occurred.
While he wasn't sure if he could win, he resolved to fight until the end.
After all, he had just entered this world, and he wasn't going to die so quickly.
Hell no. He was going to fight back.
Not just against the Tyanids, but against everything. Even the Chaos Gods. Even the Emperor, if he wanted to cross blades with him.
"Additionally, we should explore how to convert the bodies of these Tyranids into energy and find a way to feed that energy into my body to enhance its strength."
[Right away, Master.] Raphael also understood what needed to be done.
Kardia had that idea.
In Tensura, in the light novels and in the anime, while it was not specifically mentioned, when Rimuru escaped the Cave where he was reborn, he had eaten the big monsters of that cave.
Their energy was given to Rimuru, which made Rimuru stronger. If he could do the same, he could cheat his way to getting stronger.
This is also something that certain characters in comics do. They absorb energy and become stronger than before.
Raphael had indeed poured all of the experience, memories, and fighting techniques of multiple templates into him. Hell! She even perfected it.
Don't know how she did that, but she did it.
She had even created a new fighting style that could make a warrior nearly untouchable, and without him asking for it.
However, even with all of that, he was still a normal human at this moment.
Kardia, whose name means "Heart" in the old Greek language, felt his heart begin to pump harder and faster as his breathing became more organized.
His muscles tensed, and his eyes were focused on the Tyranids that were coming his way. He saw them, and they saw him.
It was a mutual exchange.
Kardia was going to charge at those damn Tyranids. But before he could do it, he stopped.
Why was he going to face the Tyranids in hand-to-hand combat if he didn't have the physical strength to even pierce their bio-armor?
Also, at that same moment, he remembered something that made him feel embarrassed.
He didn't have a weapon.
"FUCK! I don't have a weapon!"
Panic set in.
He was ready to fight, but facing the Tyranids unarmed was a foolish choice.
However, there was nothing he could do in that moment.
But then, Raphael came in clutch once again.
[Master, we can use the "Gate of Babylon."]
YES!
He had chosen the Gilgamesh template from the Fate Universe.
His version of that template included more weapons than usual, including some that weren't typically found in the Gate of Babylon, as well as divine weapons and other unique objects.
This was what the reincarnation system had promised him, and it was also what he had specifically requested.
Kardia did not realize that he would have to use this ability as soon as he arrived in this new world.
At least he was not like Gilgamesh, who would never use his skill to fight against the Tyranids.
The Gates of Babylon is Gilgamesh's signature ability—a dimension that solely belongs to him, which reportedly connects to the vault of Babylon, the capital of Uruk.
The kingdom of Uruk once encompassed the entire world.
"Raphael, find a suitable weapon for me in the Gates of Babylon. And take control of the Gates, shoot weapons at them, kill them all."
[Understood, Master. I will do that, I will also find a weapon for you.]
Not even a second had passed when Raphael spoke again.
[Done, Master.]
As those words were uttered, two portals of the most beautiful golden color suddenly appeared behind him.
These were the famous golden portals of Gilgamesh from the Fate series—the Gates of Babylon.
The moment Kardia saw the weapons that came out of the portal, he was excited as hell. It was a pair of weapons that he knew very well.
Two swords.
Two swords that had insane power, and that were perfectly made for this occasion.
Moralltach and Beagalltach.
Moralltach, also known as the Surging Sea of Fury, is one of the demonic swords of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, paired with Beagalltach.
Anyone who uses the demonic sword "Moralltach" is guaranteed victory.
Yes... a guaranteed victory.
It brings death to the opponents of its owner. You can think of it like a buff.
This sword does not harm its user. And it is completely loyal to its user.
This demonic sword was awarded to Diarmuid Ua Duibhne by the Celtic God of the Sea and Underworld, Manannán.
This sword is often paired with the demonic scarlet spear named Gáe Dearg, the Crimson Rose of Exorcism.
Beagalltach, known as the sword that can create Ripples in Passion, or known as "Ripples of Passion," is in the second hand of Kardia.
Beagalltach, the Ripples of Passion, is one of the armaments gifted to Diarmuid Ua Duibhne by the Sea God Manannán.
Just like Moralltach, Beagalltach is a special sword. Still, instead of giving guaranteed victory to its user, it is a sword that increases its user's defensive power and their overall performance.
It grants a buff of some sort.
This sword can increase his physical and his resistance to magical attacks, in Kardia's case, against psychic attacks made by the Tyranids.
Although normal Tyranids don't use psychic energy attacks, some of them do use psychic powers.
Others just use their overwhelmingly strong bodies to push weaker prey to the ground and later eat it.
"Raphael, you take control over the Gate of Babylon, and start shooting powerful Noble Phantasms against them. Push them away from me as much as you can if I am being overwhelmed."
Kardia reminded Raphael again.
This was the most important thing.
To keep the tyranids away from him as much as possible, to not allow them to overwhelm him, because if they get to overwhelm him, it is game over for him.
As the Tyranids were getting closer and closer, Kardia knew that he could get overwhelmed pretty fast.
He had the Gates of Babylon to support him, but... that was not going to be enough.
Then... Kardia remembered a certain skill that could help him in this situation.
In the world of Tensura, Rimuru Tempest gained the Extra Skill named "Magic Perception."
It is a skill that allows its user to see mana, or in Kardia's case, psychic energy, to perceive and see a full 360 degree around them, without leaving a single blind spot.
For example, for Rimuru, who was reborn as a Slime that couldn't see, by observing the fluctuations in the light and sound waves through their interaction with energy, he can process that information and convert it into perceptible data, allowing him to see and hear his surroundings.
With this skill, anyone who has it can literally see in complete darkness as if it were as bright as day, and they can even continue fighting if their eyes and ears were to be completely crushed.
Ambushes for people who have this important skill are virtually impossible, as the user is fully aware of their environment.
This also allows the user to understand the intent of spoken words by deciphering sound waves that carry meaningful information within them, even if the language of their conversation partner is unknown to them.
The reverse can also be done by producing sound waves that carry thoughts to converse with others.
Kardia tried to replicate the same process that he remembered from the anime.
Rimuru did it by trying to focus on feeling the outside world through magic.
In Kardia's case, he needed to replicate the same thing but with Psychic/Spiritual Energy.
So what he tried to do was to pour the psychic energy into every sense of his being: taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell.
But at the same time, he tried to feel the world beyond them, like using his mind to feel the world like a sixth sense.
Then he heard it from the beautiful female voice of Raphael.
[New skill acquired.]
[Extra Skill: Psychic Perception/Mana Perception.]
He turned on the new skill to see what was happening around him.
"Beautiful..."
This single word escaped Kardia's lips, a whisper filled with awe, as he stood immersed in a world transformed by a breathtaking kaleidoscope of color and light.
Kardia was seeing a new world through this new perception.
Through the perception of the skill "Mana Perception," now called "Psychic Perception," it was as though he had traded his eyes- once sharp yet limited, akin to a standard 720p camera- for a pair of eyes that were the equivalent of an ultra-high-definition camera capable of capturing life in vibrant 16k resolution.
Every detail sprang to life in vivid clarity.
He could perceive the subtle nuances of color in the sky as the moon cast its white light down, casting a radiant glow over the world.
The rustling leaves and the fluttering wings of birds danced before him with astonishing precision.
Kardia also felt it.
He didn't just see everything; he felt enveloped by it.
His perception expanded beyond a narrow viewpoint; it was as if he had been granted the ability to witness reality in an exhilarating 360-degree panorama.
Invisible to all, even to Kardia, from the depths of his heart, what appeared to be an ethereal circle began to unfurl, expanding outward in a dance of energy and light.
This circle that no one could see was actually the representation of the large radius of vision that Kardia currently had with his new skill.
But Kardia quickly came to his senses, the Tyranids were a couple of hundred meters away from him, and he needed to act, and he needed to act fast.
"Well... here we go," Kardia muttered, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through his veins.
The battle ahead demanded his full attention. Raphael rapidly began to optimize this new skill, ensuring that they would enhance his performance rather than hinder it.
"My first battle ever... and it's in space, in another universe. I'll be damned," he thought, a mix of disbelief and determination fueling his resolve.
As he was getting prepared, out of nowhere, Kardia heard something that made him stop in his tracks.
[Congratulations, Master! You have acquired the Divine Protection of the Sword Saint. EX+++.]
[Congratulations, Master! You have acquired the Divine Protection of the Weapon God! EX+++.]
[Congratulations, Master! You have acquired the Divine Protection of Projectile Evasion. EX+++.]
[Congratulations, Master! You have acquired the Divine Protection of Projectile Striking. EX+++.]
[Congratulations, Master! You have acquired the Divine Protection of Initiative. EX+++.]
"Wait, what?"
"Aren't these the 'Divine Protections' of Reinhard? I guess the "Reinhard" side of me came in clutch."
Kardia was excited, and his excitement was further amplified by what he heard next.
[Analyzing information.]
[Information perfected.]
[Uploading information.]
Reinhard Van Astrea—the most overpowered character he had ever seen in anime for no reason.
At the age of five, destined to become the next "Sword Saint," Reinhard gained the Divine Protection of the Sword Saint, which allowed him to defeat opponents who had spent years training in an instant.
From that point on, Reinhard continued to grow even more powerful. His original divine protection seems to connect him to Od Lagna, the World's Will, enabling him to acquire any divine protection he needs in any situation.
It seems... that Kardia is the Reinhard of this world. The chosen one to bring peace.
Well... maybe that is asking for too much. Especially when he himself knew that he had chosen that template himself.
However, he didn't expect that Reinhard's template could also work in this world. Yet, he doesn't want to use Reinhard's divine protection ability too much.
Expect the divine protections that he got, as he is about to face the Tyranids, and he needs those "Divine Protections" more than anything.
Kardia turned to where he could see the Tyranids coming.
The Tyranids, horrifyingly grotesque and relentless, were charging toward him, mere meters away, their monstrous forms barreling through the void like dark, predatory shadows.
When the Tyranids were close enough, about to come where he was, Kardia yelled at Raphael.
"NOW!" Kardia bellowed, his voice cutting through the tension in the air.
Raphael sprang into action without hesitation.
As she was the one controlling the aiming, precision, and so on, Raphael actually was doing better than anyone.
She was aiming the thousands of powerful swords, spears, and many other weapons at the disgusting creatures.
Kardia could hear the terrifying screams of the Tyranids, a cacophony of alien rage and agony, as the weapons struck their target.
The air crackled around him with the sounds of impact and destruction, and he felt a rush of adrenaline as the ground beneath them shook.
As he watched the projectiles explode upon the Tyranids, Kardia felt a sense of exhilaration mingled with dread.
This was it—the beginning of his journey, surrounded by destruction, aliens, and chaos, and where every moment and decision could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
"I just... fucking knew it."
Kardia sighed and later smiled. At least he needed to have "hope" and be optimistic about everything.
.