> I SEE YOU DID NOT GO WITH THE SLEEKER OPTION, MASTER.
"I wanted to, but there were just so many things to do that I had to adapt to it."
> WELL, IT'S NOT THAT MUCH BIGGER, SO I SUPPOSE IT IS A BIT SLEEKER WITH LESS PROTRUSIONS THAN MK. 1. I GUESS IT'S ALRIGHT. THE ENERGY REQUIREMENT HAS RISEN TO 520 MP PER MINUTE THOUGH.
"Yeah. For what I added, I had to do that. It makes the most sense, considering what we need to kill the Genestealers. And I also added some other things, like an Auspex."
> CLEVER. SO ARE WE READY TO GO? ONLY A WEEK HAS PASSED SINCE YOU 'QUESTIONED' THE GENESTEALERS, BUT I STILL DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD DELAY THIS.
"And we won't. Let me put Mk. 1.2 on."
[MK 1.2 Polymorphic Combat Suit – "Hans Integration" – Rank: Adept]
| A heavy combat exosuit created by Gerhard the Gamer using polymorphic alloy, salvaged Automaton components, and an Artificial Spirit core (Hans) as the central processing and energy system.
| Designed as a hybrid between powered armour and an intelligent combat platform, this suit integrates Mana, machine logic, and adaptive material science.
Stats:
| MP: 520/min (base)
| Durability: 2700/2700 (Self-repair slow)
| Energy Core: Hans (MP-based system)
| Armour Class: Heavy Exosuit
Defensive Effects:
| +100% Low-Class Physical Resistance
| +50% Mid-Class Physical Resistance
| +75% Low-Class Shockwave Resistance
| +50% Low-Class Energy Resistance
| +42 STR
| -25 DEX
Thermal Regulation Layer
| -50% heat generation
| Reduces plasma/energy damage
Polymorphic Alloy Structure
| Minor adaptation to repeated damage types
| +5% resistance after repeated hits
--
Power & Core System:
Artificial Spirit Core (Hans)
| Provides primary energy supply (MP-based)
| Enables real-time combat analysis
| Allows automated system optimisation
Mana-Conductive Reactor
| Converts Hans' MP and Gerhard's MP into usable energy
Dual Power Feed
| Primary: Hans
| Secondary: Gerhard
| Prevents total system shutdown
--
Limitations:
High Energy Demand
| MP-drain is mid-high under full load
Core Dependency
| If Hans is damaged, system efficiency drops
-
Gerhard had managed to significantly improve the Mk. 1 Polymorphic armour. On the one hand, the energy requirement under full load was no longer as high as it had been initially, and he had gotten rid of that pesky prototype status. It was now tested and was overall more efficient than the first one.
Another bonus was that Gerhard had made the suit more durable, which gave him some minor bulk. The durability had increased slightly, and so had the added STR he gained while wearing it.
It was now +42 instead of +40.
And what he was most pleased about was that, despite the suit weighing more, not by much but still, the DEX was now only -25 and not -30. So that was also good.
It was still an Adept-ranked item and not Special, despite his [Creation] having levelled up. But Gerhard hadn't done enough on it to warrant such an increase.
Finally, there was now storage for ammunition. Roughly 10,000 rounds for the assault cannon were now available. Gerhard had abused the fact that he could create Novice-grade items without needing resources. All he had to do was clasp a special connector to the magazine at the end of the assault cannon, and he was ready to go.
Gerhard had taken the assault cannon off as a permanent extension of the left arm. It was too bulky and had too little ammo to be there all the time. Now, Gerhard could take it out of his inventory and hold it like a Gatling gun. His +42 STR allowed him to do that.
He had also worked on the suit's hand parts. They were too big before, making it hard to use the weapons he had created. But now, that was no longer a problem. It looked a bit funny, but Gerhard could use his Power Sword or Bonesword and the Bolter Pistol with his hands without a problem.
It was finally time to end the Genestealer menace.
.
The Underhive district's battlefield was a tapestry of apocalyptic carnage. But in a way that showed that the forces had been spent. The forces of Khorne, once their usual screaming tide of blood red, had been ground into the mud by the combined weight of Nurgle's disgusting filth and the desperate, suicidal holding actions of the Imperial survivors.
Lieutenant Sera Vahl watched from a crumbling barricade as a swarm of Acolytes tore apart their last hope, the Sanctioner combat servitor. The humans were done, their ammunition spent, their hope a flickering light of a candle in a hurricane.
It had started out bad, then got worse, and then even worse. But it seemed the Emperor was watching over them. They had gotten a chance to fight back, to turn the tide.
The Sanctioner had walked out, firing his weaponry at the Khorn Cultists and killing them by the hundreds. The forces of Nurgle had even helped them, momentarily turning the tide red. Everything was going well; even the Xenos weren't attacking, but were retreating.
But then it started. The bad events.
One after the other, troops left, deserted their posts for no reason. And of course, even the Tech Priest took the road with his Kastelan Robot. Never to be seen again. Why? Probably looking for Archeotech.
That was bad for morale and even worse for their very tight formation that couldn't spare a single man or woman. And then, it was revealed that the forces of Chaos were doing their own thing by helping them. The toxins and rot only grew stronger with the disappearance of the Khornish cultists.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it, as the Genestealer Cult returned. As they turned their cold, fanatical, multi-limbed gaze toward the last pocket of humanity, the final flicker of hope died. Gone was the chaotic, uncoordinated way of fighting that had created days of hope for humanity in the first place.
They were back to their brutal and efficient way of death and merciless killings. No mercy and no respite.
Sera Vahl smashed her Plasma Gun into the head of a chaos cultist. It had long since lost power and was now used as a blunt weapon. The command post had been overrun. They were down to the last woman.
Suddenly, a commotion pulled her attention to the Xenos side. Several loud explosions and gunfire could be heard from that side, and a larger figure walked into view.
'Astartes...?'
The sight gave the woman strength, and she raised her weapon with a defiant shout.
"FOR THE EMPEROR!!!"
She stormed forward, choosing to go out in defiance rather than depression.
.
BOOM
[Acolyte Hybrid defeated]
[+60,000 EXP]
Gerhard had arrived.
The Genestealer Cult had set up scouts for his eventual return. It seemed like they had truly learned from the past—blasted broodmind. Now, they were most likely alerted that he was there.
The MK I.2 Polymorphic Combat Suit hummed as it transitioned to combat mode, the Mana-Conductive Reactor pulsed with a steady beat, like an artificial heart.
He had taken a high position from which he could get a picture of the battle below, and what he saw was hard to describe. It looked similar to the first time he was there, only that the amount of death on all sides seemed to have fuelled the power of the Nurgle Cultists.
"This is bad."
> AGREED. THE CHANCE THAT STRONGER WARP DENIZENS WILL BE SUMMONED AT THIS RATE IS HIGH. I SUGGEST YOU DESIGN A DESINFECTANT.
> A BIG ONE.
"That probably won't help much. The best would be a Culexus Assassin that runs amok on these pests. Then again, I should be able to find a solution for these shits. But I don't want to really touch them... you know."
> RESISTANCE TO TOXINS AND DISEASES HAS CONSTANTLY LEVELLED UP, BUT HAS NOT REACHED IMMUNITY. AND THINKING OF THE VOLATILE NATURE OF THE WARP, I BELIEVE KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE MIGHT BE THE RIGHT CALL.
"Anyway, let's focus on the insects first."
He took a knee, which was now thankfully possible due to the improvements. He grabbed the Long-Las he had created and looked through the scope.
Naturally, he had tested the Long-Las and was very happy with it. Sure, there were improvements to be made, but that was always the case.
Sniper Mastery (Passive) Lv. 1
| EXP: 0.00%
| A specialised combat skill focused on long-range precision, target analysis and lethal single-shot execution.
| Developed through disciplined aiming, breath control and battlefield awareness.
Effects:
| +20% accuracy when aiming (stacks with Firearms Mastery)
| +25% critical hit chance at long range
| +30% damage when using a sniper rifle
| Reduces weapon sway significantly while aiming
| Increased effective range of the firearm used
| Additional Effect:
| Gains increased benefits based on [Firearms Mastery] level
-
Firearms Mastery (Passive) Lv. 32
| A skill that allows the user to handle firearms freely.
Effects:
| + 72% increase in attack damage with firearms
| + 62% increase in accuracy when using firearms
| - 22% recoil
| + 18% firing speed
-
Now, one might ask, Gerhard, with all those buffs, how much damage are you essentially doing per shot?
Well...
PEW--
[Abominat defeated]
[+220,233 EXP]
Yeah, it was quite powerful. The Long-Las did 210 damage. Now that was Gamer statistic damage, and didn't translate into real life; it was more in reality. But even then, that 210 damage gained a +72% boost since he was using a firearm and an additional +30%, since he used a sniper rifle.
[Genestealer Primus defeated]
[219,222 EXP]
That was 414 damage per shot. And that wasn't even including the 50% chance of critical hits. Since the Long-Las had a 25% chance to hit a critical shot, and the sniper mastery skill did too.
[Acolyte Iconward defeated]
[+60,000 EXP]
[Nexos defeated]
[+60,000 EXP]
Gerhard was targeting those who supported the cult, hoping to plunge them into disarray again and reduce their combat effectiveness. And it was working somewhat, but the cult went through a change.
The broodmind was under secure hands, and it seemed they were even more effective this time around. The Genestealers turned, looking for him on the raised platform.
"Fascinating."
> JUDGING FROM WHAT YOU TOLD ME, THEY SEEM TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR YOU. I SUGGEST CHANGING POSITIONS NOW.
"Not yet. I might as well make use of this for a few more moments until they reach this position and spread out."
[Aberrant defeated]
[+120,000 EXP]
[Aberrant defeated]
[+120,000 EXP]
[Level up]
[Aberrant defeated]
[+120,000 EXP]
[Purestrain Genestealer defeated]
[+122,875 EXP]
> MULTIPLE HOSTILES DETECTED. YOUR PRESENCE HAS BEEN NOTICED. HYBRID AND PURESTRAIN WAVE INBOUND. ESTIMATED TARGET COUNT: 829...
> AND COUNTING
"Well then, let's cull the herd, Hans," Gerhard muttered.
He placed the Long-Las in his inventory and instead drew the Bolt Pistol and his newly grown Bonesword. A pack of Neophyte and Acolyte Hybrids and Purestrains rushed forward, screeching in their chittering tongue. Gerhard, however, didn't flinch. He reached into his inventory and took out a special item—one he had created just for these Xenos.
They rushed forward, having climbed to Gerhard's level and were right on him. However, he casually dropped the small, round and beeping object to the ground. Then, he walked right over the edge.
He plummeted to the ground, landing in typical superhero fashion and creating a crater. And at that very moment...
BBOOOMMM
The explosive he had dropped went off.
[Hybrid Metamorph defeated]
[+60,000 EXP]
[Neophyte Hybrid]
[+25,000 EXP]
[Purestrain Genestealer defeated]
[+122,875 EXP]
.
.
.
The notifications flashed across Gerhard's face, but he ignored them. He stood in front of the horde of Genestealer Cultists and was about to have the fight of his life.
"LISTEN UP, YA CUNTS! My name is Gerhard Valkyrie. You killed my species... prepare to die!"
Gerhard walked into the middle of the Xenos like a reaper.
BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM!
The Bolt Pistol barked four times. Four standard bolts, propelled by mini-rocket motors, buried themselves in the chests of the closest Hybrids. A microsecond later, the mass reactive detonator caps triggered. Because of the +70% internal explosion damage, the hybrids detonated in a mass of gore.
Ribcages shattered outward, shredding the unarmored, weaker Neophytes standing nearby as well. Yeah, Gerhard went all out this time.
A Hybrid Metamorph lunged, its whip-limbs lashing out towards him. Gerhard didn't even look. He spun the Bonesword through the air while firing the Bolter Pistol at another one coming from the opposite side. The Monomolecular Edge ignored the creature's chitinous armour entirely, cleaving it from shoulder to hip as if it were made of paper.
[Life Drain Active]
[Health at Maximum. Converting Health to Mana]
[+325 MP gained]
"Oh, I like that," Gerhard chuckled as he felt his Mana pool grow slightly.
The ground began to shake as a trio of Aberrants pushed through the crowd, followed by a newly arrived massive Abominant. The brute stood nearly ten feet tall, its mutated muscles under the purplish-blue skin, a massive Power Hammer held in its three-fingered grip.
But they weren't the only ones. The little 'distraction' was a good idea, but not really enough to stop the horde from converging on him. They came like a tidal wave now, throwing themselves at Gerhard and using the technique that humanity was proficient in... overwhelming numbers.
"Dakka time," Gerhard said, stowing his pistol and drawing the Assault Cannon.
He had a big grin behind his helmet as he gripped the cannon with both hands, clasped the connector to the storage on and activated it.
BRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTT—!
A stream of 3,000 rounds per minute chewed into the disgusting mass of Aberrants, the Abominant, Hybrids and even the Atalan Jackals on their Dirtcycles.
They were tough, but the sheer kinetic force of 4,000 available rounds in the assault cannon's magazine alone, backed by Gerhard's +70% damage increase because he was holding a firearm, was unquestionable.
The first two Aberrants were turned into unrecognisable meat-slurry in seconds. The Abominant roared, raising its hammer, before suffering the same fate.
Gerhard moved the assault cannon horizontally, mowing down the Xenos like weeds falling to a scythe. It truly looked like part of a field that had been pressed down.
...
> DAMAGE SUBSTANTIAL. I BELIEVE THE UPGRADES WERE A SUCCESS. 423 DIFFERENT XENOS SLAUGHTERED.
"The smell is going to hit hard in a few minutes. Better get this over with."
> INDEED, MASTER. THE SMELL, THAT'S THE TRUE PROBLEM HERE. AND NOT THE INCOMING HORDE OF FLESH-EATING AND DELUSIONAL ALIENS.
"I got an insecticide ready."
Another Abominant was approaching, but Gerhard used [Psychokinesis] to seize a discarded mining cart and hurl it at the brute's knees. There was no need to let the skill get rusty.
[Psionic Mana Shield]
As the Abominant stumbled forward, he came to a stop before the human. Gerhard jammed the spinning barrels of the Assault Cannon directly into its face and winked at the monster, pulling the trigger. The "bloated mutation" didn't stand a chance; it disintegrated in a fountain of gore and sparks.
He stepped forward, the heavy thud of his MK 1.2 suit echoing in the blood-soaked area, and brought the Bonesword down in a vertical arc. The blade hissed as it bisected a Metamorph's skull, the Psychic Disruption Field short-circuiting its nervous system before the physical edge even touched grey matter.
[Life Drain Active]
[Health at Maximum]
[Converting +800 HP to +400 MP]
"Mana's topping off nicely," Gerhard grunted. He felt the suit's servos whine as he pivoted.
A pack of Purestrain Genestealers, elite shock troops of the brood, leapt from the shadows of a rusted bulkhead. They were a blur of violet slashing with their powerful claws. These organic scythes, designed to peel open Terminator armour, approached Gerhard's suit.
Gerhard raised his left arm. The Bolt Pistol barked with each pull of the trigger.
THOOM. THOOM. THOOM.
He didn't aim for centre mass as he had practised "crowd control." One bolt caught a Purestrain mid-air, the depleted deuterium core punching through its chest before the mass reactive detonator turned the creature into a bloody frag grenade. The shrapnel from its own hardened chitin blinded the two behind it.
Gerhard waded into them, firing to the sides as he did so. He was a vision of industrial terror, a walking, metallic, small tank. A Purestrain managed to close the distance, without him being able to kill it. Its claws sliced across the suit's chest plate with a screech and almost reached Gerhard beneath.
This was material that once belonged to a Man of Iron, who had survived for 15 millennia. It was exceptionally resistant. But it was not invulnerable.
Sparks flew, and Hans flashed a warning:
> DURABILITY: 2310/2700. SELF-REPAIR IN PROGRESS.
> ADAPTING ALLOY...
> +5% PHYSICAL RESISTANCE IN PROGRESS.
"My turn," Gerhard growled.
He used the suit's massive +42 STR to swing the Bonesword. The crossguard of the sword smashed into a Genestealer's face, pulverising its snout and skull, followed instantly by a thrust that impaled a second one through its primary and secondary hearts.
[Bonesword Special Effect: Monomolecular Edge]
[+50% damage to flesh targets]
The creature was liquidated. Gerhard didn't even have to pull the blade free, as the corpse slid off. The organic weapon pulsed in a satisfied blue tone. Gerhard had his Bolter Pistol aimed and immediately fired into the face of a third.
The recoil was non-existent thanks to his -22% Recoil and the suit's stabilisation.
Dozens of ranged weapons hit the suit, but most bounced off without much damage. Nevertheless, it was noted. Gerhard continued to plough through the enemy lines, making sure never to be swarmed by Xenos. Numbers were their strong point, and they were capable of harming him.
> WARNING, MASTER: A MASSIVE THERMAL SIGNATURE HAS BEEN DETECTED. HEAVY MINING LASER HAVE LOCKED-ON.
[Danger Sense]
[Psionic Mana Shield]
"Identify."
> 2 ACHILLES RIDGERUNNERS MOUNTED WITH HEAVY MINING LASER. 120 METERS. SURROUNDED BY ACOLYTE ICONWARDS AND ACCOMPANIED BY A GOLIATH TRUCK.
The heavy vehicles roared over the rubble and corpses unbothered, their heavy stubbers and mining lasers lighting up the dark. They fired everything they had at Gerhard.
The mining lasers hit the shield, but the energy splashed harmlessly away. Gerhard didn't hurry at all. He acted quickly, but not hastily. He connected his storage to the assault cannon's magazine and filled it before stowing the cannon.
He gripped the Bonesword with both hands and charged.
Gerhard didn't retreat or move to the side. He broke into a heavy, loud run. Every step cracked the ferrocrete beneath him. A wave of Neophytes tried to block his path, wielding rusted autoguns and industrial saws.
Gerhard didn't even slow down. With his [Psionic Mana Shield] still active, he became a human battering ram. He fired the Bolter into the thickest part of the crowd...
THOOM-THOOM-THOOM—
... clearing a path of gore and blood, while his right arm kept the Bonesword in a constant, spinning motion, reaping lives like a harvester around him.
He was a Titan in miniature. Attacks that would have slain a dozen Imperial Guards or even bothered Space Marines simply bounced off his shield or were absorbed by the suit's internal dampeners. Small-arms fire on his suit sounded like hail on a tin roof.
"Time for some lore-accurate badassery!"
He was about to hit the first Ridgerunner. The crew was frantically trying to recalibrate the laser, but didn't stop.
Gerhard jumped.
Using [Psychokinesis] to augment his own jump inside the suit, Gerhard launched himself twenty feet into the air... and landed on the hood of the vehicle, the weight of the suit crushing the engine block instantly.
He leaned down, looked the frightened Neophyte driver in the eye through the viewport, and shoved the barrel of the Bolt Pistol through the glass.
"Delivery for the Star Children."
BOOOOOM
The Ridgerunner's fuel tank cooked off, sending a fireball into the cavern ceiling, affecting Gerhard as well. He used that force, supported himself through the use of Psychokinesis, and leapt off just as the vehicle erupted in a spectacular fireball and landed on the Goliath Truck.
As he crashed into the vehicle, he drove the Bonesword through the vehicle's roof with all of his strength. The Psychic Disruption Field fried and split the driver's brain instantly.
Gerhard dropped another explosive, and he used the sword as a pivot to position himself, then pushed himself onto the second trailing Ridgerunner.
[Psionic Mana Shield]
Gerhard turned into a cannonball and punched through the cockpit glass with a bang and splattered the driver beneath him and anything that was in the way.
BBRROOOMMM
Gerhard fell back, but Hans took control of the suit in that split second, guiding the limbs to position Gerhard upright and land in a crouch.
Thump
"That's why you're the GOAT, Hans. Nice one!"
He stowed the Bolter Pistol and stood up as more Xenos swarmed the "kill zone," grabbing the assault cannon once more, piercing the ground with the Bonesword.
"Come on then!" he roared ", I've still got a few thousand rounds in the hopper with your names on them!"
> REMAINING HOSTILES: 612. AND A POWERFUL SIGNATURE DETECTED AT THE CORE.
"Perfect," Gerhard grinned. "Stress testing at its finest."