This is the bonus chapter for reaching 500 Powerstones
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The ship docked at the periphery of Terra, at a Hive City.
Acid rain, mixed with organic waste and radiating the peculiar rainbow sheen of oil slicks, dripped from high above onto Zeke.
Mixed in were the sounds of heavy objects hitting the ground—trash from the Spire, sifted through layers of the hive before finally plummeting into this abyss.
"Unwanted trash can be thrown into a cactus. It's eco-friendly and safe." Zeke carefully navigated around one mountain of garbage after another.
As the capital, Terra produced waste in the billions of tons; it was incredibly difficult to process.
This reminded Zeke of the Cactus Trash Can. A cactus could delete dropped items instantly, so some players used it as a garbage disposal.
"Cactus Trash Can." Chancellor Tieron, who was accompanying them, picked up on the fact that Zeke might have a solution for this waste.
"Hive City waste has always been a massive problem. It piles up into mountains, severely affecting the health of residents and breeding Nurgle cultists."
Tieron suggested that Zeke could come discuss waste management solutions with him later.
The group continued forward. From the dilapidated buildings lining the streets, a sense of being watched emerged from time to time.
Various cults hid in this area; if not for the fact that this squad clearly wasn't to be trifled with, they would have attacked long ago.
"I assume you know about the instability of the Astronomican."
Tieron introduced the current situation on Terra to Guilliman's party.
"As the sacred capital of humanity, Terra possesses an astronomical population but lacks the corresponding material supply and food production. Terra requires immense external shipments to sustain survival. Because of the Astronomican's dimming and the rampage of Chaos forces, a supply-starved Terra has fallen into riots. Various Chaos cults have taken the opportunity to wantonly propagate their doctrines and fan the flames."
Zeke looked at the skeleton-thin bodies hidden under black robes.
Some held skulls—likely their own relatives—muttering "kill, kill, kill."
Others dug through trash, swallowing unidentified vomit with satisfied expressions on their faces.
This situation only alleviated as they approached the center of Terra.
The wailing masses extended to the walls and then vanished abruptly, replaced by soaring golden temples.
On the walls, Valkyrie gunships bearing the sigil of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica aimed at the Outer City.
Anyone daring to approach the Inner City—whether Chaos or human—would be treated equally: incinerated by cannon fire.
Following Tieron's instructions, Guilliman's team arrived at a secret passage.
"This path leads away from those dangerous riot zones, entering directly into the Outer Palace Courts."
Zeke passed through the tunnel into the Outer Court.
Inside was a different world: magnificent buildings, command centers, libraries, and gardens with independent ecosystems.
The dignitaries had their own information channels; they learned of the Primarch's arrival immediately.
A slightly hasty welcome banquet was cobbled together on the spot.
Luminaries of the Senatorum Imperialis and power-brokers of the Terran Council toasted and mingled, craning their necks for the Primarch's arrival.
The moment Guilliman appeared, the frenzied crowd screamed and surged forward, swarming like elderly shoppers spotting free eggs at a supermarket.
A few gazes frequently darted toward Zeke.
This ordinary person walking beside the Primarch attracted a lot of attention.
"Why is an ordinary human following the Primarch?"
"He looks quite close to the Primarch. It's baffling. How did such a person gain the Primarch's trust?"
"Perhaps he will be a breakthrough point for us to understand the Primarch's intentions. Let me go meet him." A slightly slick voice spoke up.
The Custodes and Ultramarines beside Guilliman used their armored bodies to block the surging crowd.
Zeke, however, was squeezed by the mob. Drifting with the flow, he controlled his direction and surged toward the east.
Zeke's mod, [Spice of Life], was vibrating. There must be good food nearby.
Sure enough, on a table, Zeke saw a spread of various dishes.
The food in the plates was golden, rich in oil, and fragrant—some kind of carefully cooked animal rib.
The cooking style was different from Bela's; it was filled with over-decorated luxury.
Seeing no cutlery around, Zeke simply picked up the plate and Right-Clicked to use it.
Crunch, crunch. Only a clean plate remained.
[What a unique taste! You have eaten 5 new foods. Max Health +1]
Zeke's Max Health reached 26.
Watching the health bar, which hadn't moved in a long time, jump up, Zeke revealed a satisfied look. With so many dishes on Terra, it's enough to stack my health bar above 30.
Zeke's expression fell into the eyes of the man coming to strike up a conversation.
"Satisfied so easily?" Haemotalion suppressed the secret delight in his heart. Greedy for the pleasures of the palate, and makes no attempt to hide his desires. I like this kind of person.
"It seems the guest enjoys it. Why not have another portion?"
Zeke looked up and saw a tall man with a ring on his finger standing opposite him.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Master of the Administratum, Irthu Haemotalion." He extended a hand to greet Zeke. A High Lord. As for his position, Zeke only knew he wasn't as high-ranking as Chancellor Tieron, whom he met earlier.
"It seems the guest is interested in Terra's cuisine." He summoned a nearby guard.
Soon, a brand new plate of the same ribs was brought to Zeke.
Zeke didn't even look at it. Spice of Life required eating different types of food.
He had already eaten the ribs once. Zeke reached for a different dish from another cuisine.
Zeke began a gluttonous feast, eating each dish only once.
Extravagant wastefulness. Haemotalion added another label to Zeke. Simply the perfect candidate.
[What a unique taste! You have eaten 5 new foods. Max Health +1] x4
Zeke tasted every dish on the tables, and his health bar grew by another row. Only then did he stop.
Mouth full of food, Zeke looked toward Guilliman, who had already broken free of the crowd, and chased after him.
"Please wait a moment!"
Haemotalion's voice rang out from behind, carrying a trace of displeasure at being ignored repeatedly.
He walked up quickly, blocking Zeke again. The fake smile on his face showed cracks, but he struggled to maintain his demeanor.
Zeke still had the last bit of food in his mouth. Cheeks bulging, he looked impatiently at this persistent official.
Haemotalion suppressed the anger rising in his heart and took out a gilded card from his breast pocket.
"This is an invitation. A private exchange salon limited only to the true core circle of Terra's elite."
"I believe that with your extraordinary identity as one who returned with the Primarch, you will definitely be interested."
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Next Goal = 750 Powerstones.