Datch's mind stirred, and the Power Claw stored in his game inventory appeared on his arm. The Power Claw was large, exuding a strong sense of force, easily able to grab and crush a human head. Once attached to his arm, it was as easy to use as his own hand. When activated, faint arcs of light danced around the claws, crackling.
Datch spotted a destroyed Leman Russ tank and ran an experiment. Gripping lightly, he tore off a scorched armored plate.
"This power is really strong—no wonder some famous NPCs equip Power Claws."
Datch examined the Ripper Power Claw's details. It was blue-quality gear, same as the Thunderfury Power Hammer. It had a special effect: "Bloodletting"—damage dealt to enemies in combat is converted into his own health. Stacking with his previously enhanced "Kill Desire" skill, it further boosted the lifesteal effect.
"Like any open-world game, weapons and skills can be combined at will. From now on, I'll need to collect gear with vampire traits and assemble a vampire set to maximize survivability."
Datch muttered to himself. He could revive indefinitely, but constantly dying was uncomfortable. He'd just exhaust the enemy with endless respawns, like a rookie with nothing to lose. Every noob dreams of high-level play. With full vampiric power, he could stand tall—if you have infinite lifesteal, who can say who's the real boss?
Scene Example: "After 30 days of intense fighting, I finally devoured that guy, but why hasn't the BGM stopped? The tempo just gets faster.
Ah, no, why is he still reviving!!
Hahaha, just imagining the reactions of those demonic primitives and Chaos traitors makes me happy. Even if they're hard to kill, how will they handle resurrection? Even players are expected to go down sometimes."
"I want to be a gutsy Emperor. Collect the vampire set, get stronger and stronger, and become the player bosses fear."
Datch quietly set his goal—to charge forth as the ultimate gutsy Emperor, striking terror into Warhammer's NPCs as the Fourth Calamity.
…
Meanwhile,
Roboute Guilliman, Archmagos Cawl, Chancellor Tyrion, and Grand Master Voldus gazed at the Blackstone altar.
"Blackstone has two properties: it can suppress the warp, but also amplify it. The key is in how it's used."
"Chaos traitors reforged Blackstone with sorcery to amplify the warp."
"And laying black stones on the eight most critical warp routes around Terra is clearly to stir up storms and fully seal off access to the outside world."
Archmagos Cawl opened a data projection, explaining the uniqueness of Blackstone and the traitors' intentions. Before heading to Cadia's fortress to fight the 13th Black Crusade, he'd researched Blackstone on Eriad-6, so he knew a bit about this material.
"I worry they're not just using Blackstone around Terra, but have even worse plans."
Guilliman's tone was solemn. The traitors' actions made him uneasy and pressed for time.
"The best defense is to seize the initiative. We must launch the Indomitus Crusade as soon as possible. We can't just react passively to the threat of Chaos."
…
Terra's political situation remained tense. To pursue reforms, even with transcendent minds, it took a long time to untangle all power relations. Only by clarifying contradictions and weaknesses between factions could reforms be targeted and promoted. The problem: the Imperium was out of time. The Lion's Gate battle, Arraissa's war, Magnus building a Psychic Empire—each was urgent.
Chaos traitors plotted to overthrow the Imperium. They wouldn't give Guilliman a chance to reform Terra or change the political landscape.
"I plan to bypass the existing High Lords' Council and create a new organization to serve the Indomitus Crusade,"
Guilliman proposed, seeking efficiency. He couldn't trust the High Lords' effectiveness, but for now, there was no solution. Crusade activities could only proceed independently.
"The High Lords won't agree. That's the same as overthrowing them,"
Tyrion frowned. "To protect their power, they'll do terrible things to sabotage the Crusade's preparations."
The High Lords weren't individuals, but chains of complex interests. Those with vested interests would never sit idly by while their benefits were threatened.
The Imperium is the Imperium.
It's possible to hurt the Imperium for personal gain. But it's impossible to harm oneself for the benefit of the Imperium.
"Their agreement isn't necessary. I brought you here, Chancellor, because you're ambitious for power, but also practical and diligent. I need your help."
"The Indomitus Crusade isn't just about the Astartes and the Cutodes. It's an issue for the whole Imperium. We'll need countless human resources for a war of this scale."
"We need a capable politician to coordinate all resources smoothly."
Guilliman looked at Tyrion. "You wouldn't refuse this mission, would you?"
Tyrion sighed. "Of course not. My duty is to serve the helmsmen of the Imperium—formerly the High Lords, now you, my lord."
"Good to have your guarantee. We must proceed as quickly as possible,"
Guilliman said.
At this moment, Datch hopped up to Guilliman. But before he could speak, Guilliman saw through his intention and spoke first:
"You arrived just in time, Nameless One. The Imperium is about to launch the Indomitus Crusade against Chaos. But traitors corrupted by the dark gods, or those greedy for power, are sabotaging the Crusade's preparations. I need your help to catch those schemers."
A curtain of light spread from the air:
*[Mission: Support the original force in preparing for the Indomitus Crusade
As warp storms tear reality and split the galaxy, the collapsing Imperium of Man teeters on the brink, its civilization facing its greatest crisis.
The Primarch Roboute Guilliman plans a crusade to reclaim the stars. But traitors seduced by Chaos lurk in the shadows, determined to prevent the Imperium from organizing its crusade.
Help Roboute Guilliman deal with the hidden enemies, and ensure the First Crusade fleet launches smoothly.
Mission Rewards: 3000 XP, 3000 points, +500 reputation, Rick's Portal Gun 1x]
Datch looked at Guilliman in surprise. He hadn't expected the NPC AI to evolve and issue tasks proactively. This game always caught him off guard.
Datch glanced at his original body a few times before looking at the mission's light curtain.
"Rick's Portal Gun?"
The moment he saw the reward, Datch's eyes lit up.
"This… this… This is definitely the most wonderful and powerful gadget. With it, I can go wherever I want!"
Datch immediately changed gear, putting on one lens, a trench coat, a deerstalker hat, and biting down on a pipe.
"Leave this mission to me, my lord. I'll find every last criminal."
...
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