Warhammer 40k: Melee Warriors

Having enjoyed the view for a while, Komi repeated his command, "Fitia, where are we?"

"Huh! What? We...we're..." Fithia quickly scanned the data from the ship's sensors. Three seconds later, she gave Komi an answer, "We're in a region that the Human Empire has never explored before. We're surrounded by...supermassive black holes with masses large enough to break the Empire's records! Even if you moved the entire solar system here, it would only be a tiny sphere with a diameter of five millimeters. The forces that attract these black holes have reached a theoretical equilibrium, making this place as calm as the eye of a storm. I can't believe what I'm seeing. Only the God of Machines could create such a miracle!"

A supermassive black hole?

When this word is mentioned, Komi immediately thinks of a joke about astronomy.

Low emotional intelligence: Aren't you part of the accretion disk of the central black hole?

High emotional intelligence: We are the outer ring of the galaxy.

Chapter 476: You call this thing Blackrock Fortress?

At this moment, Komi's thoughts were not limited to the scientific theories related to black holes; he began to think about how this place was formed.

The universe, or rather the Milky Way, is not young. Before humanity rose to power and became half-dead, it fought a battle in heaven that was countless years old.

The current human empire is nothing more than a civilization struggling in the ashes of destruction, desperately shoveling away the dust of the dead in search of anything that can help it survive.

Could this have been formed during the War of Heaven? Komi thinks it's very possible, since the area around these black holes is a void devoid of dust, and anything with mass could have become the raw material for forming black holes.

Just as he was speculating, Novia, who had remained silent during the voyage, sent a message. Her voice was filled with obvious excitement and joy. She placed all her hopes for saving her Ark people on that shining "black hole".

"We've arrived here, but this is just the easiest part of our journey ahead."

"Are you going to tell me we're going to plunge headfirst into that black hole? Our Void Shield can indeed ignore some physical laws, but getting close to a black hole? Even the Mechanical Ark of the Cult of Machines wouldn't do something so foolish. Gravity would tear us apart, making us even thinner than the soul fragments in subspace! Do you really think we're living metal space undead?"

"You also know about space necromancy?"

Komi was very dissatisfied with Novia's concealment. After learning about those supermassive black holes, he understood how they achieved faster-than-light travel.

If we compare space to an elastic membrane, then these incredibly massive supermassive black holes are like iron balls that are pressing the membrane down. Their ships were transported here by the falling space, a mode of transportation that is almost impossible to replicate.

Novia reassured Komi, explaining in detail, "It's true that what isolates this area from other places is a black hole, but I assure you that what exists at the center is not a black hole, but a mysterious black stone fortress."

"A Blackrock Fortress? You mean this thing is a Blackrock Fortress?" Komi couldn't believe it. Indeed, as Novia said, not all Blackrock Fortresses look like a rotating chaotic eight-pointed star, but to look like a Gargantua black hole? That's too outrageous...

“Yes, it was forged by the hand of my race’s god of craftsmen, Vaal! Legend has it that in the Battle of Heaven, which determined the fate of the galaxy, Blackrock Fortress once wounded the Star God who ruled over the laws of physics!”

"Okay...okay...so how do we get closer to this thing? Do we still have to rely on that admission ticket?"

“That’s right, pick a few guards. We need to go deep into this fortress to find the answer. The entrance ticket only allows a few people to enter safely. You can bring eight men. Oh, and remember to bring Fidelity... he might come in handy.”

"Is there a limit only on quantity? Or a limit on volume?"

Why are you asking these questions?

"Never mind that, just answer my question."

"The God of Laughter didn't seem to mention that if you want to bring in heavy weapons, it's best to keep them small..."

"very good."

Koji quickly determined his choice; he knew that the interior of Blackrock Fortress was not safe.

Various traps and ancient security facilities would kill any intruders, and Gu Jian did not believe that the Eldar would be recognized by the Blackrock Fortress's automated defense system.

Mechanical monk Fitea, psionicist Kranka, Ella piloting the H1 Redemption combat suit, Gate, and Mawen and Filyn.

Of course, Komi didn't think it was possible for the Knight Mechs to enter, but the two of them's experience in piloting mechs would come in handy when using the combat suits.

Sage Komi couldn't be summoned any further; that massive machine had gone to clean up the mess around the Void Shield Generator. Machine spirits don't like being in filth for long and must be kept clean.

As for Fuda... Koji doesn't think he has any fighting ability. Just give him a combat suit to ensure his survival and keep him at the back of the battlefield.

"Feses, you're in charge of the situation here for now." Komi dragged the still excited Fetia away and quickly gathered an expedition team to board the boarding torpedo.

They will first enter the Eldar Ark, and then proceed to the Blackrock Fortress before them.

The boarding torpedo pierced the spirit skeleton of the Eldar ark and arrived in front of Novia in a flamboyant manner.

The four H1 Redemption combat suits lined up behind Komi have received the latest upgrades. The black and gold mountain pattern armor plating is on top of the Xuan-style defensive armor, making these rugged combat suits look even more imposing and beautiful.

Opposite Komi was Novia's team. The Great Prophet Novia was the core of the team. Beside her was a bishop of the tribe warrior temple, two war wizards specializing in psionic killing, a ranger who used stealth shooting, a fire dragon warrior who could melt heavy enemy units, a spectral guard slightly larger than the Atonement Battle Suit and a spirit prophet who guided him in battle, and the last one was a howling banshee wielding a longsword.

"You didn't fill the team; even with you, there are only eight people," Novia kindly reminded her. The upcoming exploration would be difficult, and every extra bit of strength would provide an extra guarantee.

Gu Jian waved his hand dismissively and said, "These people are enough. It's about quality, not quantity, in the military."

"It's hard to imagine that a human could say such a thing... You've always been known for your endless human wave tactics."

The one who answered Komi was not Novia, but the temple bishop. Judging from the color of the armor and the feathers on the back, Komi guessed that the bishop should belong to the Temple of the Ferocious Avengers.

Compared to the hastily assembled Guardian conscripts, the ferocious Avengers, being tribe warriors, are considered elite.

After analyzing the bishop's identity, Koken didn't tolerate him and directly mocked, "Then why don't you use a human wave tactic? Is it because you don't want to? Oh right, 99.9999% of your race have been eaten up by the gods created by your incestuous party! A perfectly timed shell could bring your race one step closer to extinction."

The bishop's fair face instantly turned the color of a pig's liver. He gritted his teeth, wanting to have an honorable duel with Komi, but Novia would not allow such a thing to happen.

She stood between the two, staring at the bishop with displeasure, while sincerely apologizing to Komi, explaining that she had made many preparations for today.

“I’m sorry, Saint Otto. Bishop Alex is too straightforward. Please forgive his… offense.”

Koji felt that Novia uttering the word "offensive" was almost like being forced to say it with a knife to her throat. He silently vowed that once he found out how to leave this place, he would find an opportunity to crush these Elven race members and leave only the Ark for him to study.

"Then let's go."

Koji didn't bother to look at Bishop Alissa any longer; he ordered Novia to open the road to Blackrock Fortress.

Novia's face stiffened. She felt she should hate Komi's arrogant tone, but she couldn't ignore her own complicated feelings.

She felt that she had been too humble and submissive to Komi, like a slave without dignity.

Why do I have such a strange thought?

Was it because of that meeting?

Novia turned her face away so that Komi wouldn't see the unusual look in her expression. She silently vowed to herself that once she found a way to save the Ark at Blackrock Fortress...

Hmph... Otto, don't blame me for being ruthless and treacherous.

Those who are not of our race will surely have different hearts.

With the same thought in mind, the two entered through the gate opened by the admission ticket. For some reason, Koken felt that the gate looked like the Soul Path that he had been slowly expanding by piling up soul bricks in private.

One is round, and the other is arched.

Chapter 477: Our Spirit Race's genes were already written in the War of Heaven! What's the point of further evolution?

This door looks like the Soul Path, but the feeling when passing through it is completely different from that of the Soul Path.

There was no tranquility, no solemnity.

Only endless, fragmented sounds rang out around them, like the slow, agonizing torture of an entire civilization, their screams echoing in unison; like a forest ablaze, the crackling of burning vegetation filling the air; like the ocean evaporating, the dry, hoarse sounds of aquatic life unable to breathe.

These sounds tormented everyone's spirits. The sensitive Eldar could hear more and more intense noises, and their faces grew increasingly grim as a sense of impatience and rage began to fester.

Soon, someone couldn't hold on any longer. The howling banshee used her long blade to brace herself against the ground, trying to keep her trembling legs from collapsing to her knees.

Novia rushed to her side, trying to soothe the howling banshee's spirit with her psychic powers, but it was no use.

With a shout from Bishop Alissa, "Watch out!" the howling banshee swung her blade at Novia.

In a flash, Novia used her staff to block the Howling Banshee's attack. "Yaniel, regain your sanity! Don't let Kane's curse control you!"

The howling banshee named Janir roared at Novia, "So much pain! So much resentment! You all must die!" Then she charged at Novia even more frantically, as if she would not rest until she killed her.

Damn it! This isn't the effect of Kane's curse! Some strange force is interfering with her mind!

Novia was unwilling to harm Yanir, as her race could not afford any more casualties. She tried to gather spiritual energy in her palm and use extreme cold to immobilize Yanir.

What?! This?! I can't even borrow a single bit of power from the warp?!

Novia was utterly shocked, knowing that she could also fight with psionic energy in the Net Path.

Do these pale, noisy passages around us actually have a stronger subspace isolation ability than the Netway?

Surprise affected Novia's next move. Her staff was knocked away by the Howling Banshee's attack, and the next attack was going to strike her chest. The Eldar's thin, close-fitting armor was completely insufficient to block this blow!

"No! Prophet Novia!" Bishop Alissa immediately lunged forward, his spear aimed at the Howling Banshee's forehead.

But someone was faster than him.

With a clang! Komi's swift longsword deflected the Howling Banshee's slash. Unlike Novia, he didn't hesitate; he concentrated all his strength in his fist and slammed it into the Howling Banshee's war mask, the force so great that it knocked the mask off Yanir's face.

This war mask, sculpted with a screaming, angry expression, can be seen as a second personality split off from the Eldar of the Ark. Its existence prevents the Eldar from falling into a fanaticism for blood and war, making them cold-blooded and ruthless when wearing it, and pure and reserved when taking it off.

The effect of knocking off the war mask was remarkable. One moment Yannier was full of bloodlust and madness, the next she became confused and dazed. Her first personality, which was sleeping under the mask, had not yet understood her situation.

Gu Jian didn't stop. Taking advantage of her weakness, he rushed forward and slapped the howling banshee's beautiful face repeatedly.

Clap clap clap clap!

After being struck five times in a row, Komi only held back on the critical hit, but this still sent the Howling Banshee flying and finally crashing to the ground unconscious.

Phew...what a resilient skin.

Komi exhaled and swung his wrist, clearly not satisfied with the slapping.

But Novia wouldn't give him another chance to hurt the howling banshee. She questioned Komi about why he continued to attack, and Yanir had clearly lost his hostility towards them after losing his war mask.

Komi retorted, "How do you really know she's lost her hostility? Her outburst was so sudden, did you expect me to show mercy?"

"But..."

“No buts.” Koken stared at Novia with displeasure and continued, “You Eldar are too sensitive to everything. I’m starting to suspect that this expedition will fail because of you.”

"How is this possible!"

"How is it impossible? Look at your Soul Prophet and the Nether Guardian she controls."

Novia was startled and turned around to see the Soul Prophet and the Nether Guardian, who seemed to be in a deep depression, squatting side by side with their backs to each other, sobbing. No one knew what they were crying about.

"This...this..." These circumstances were beyond Novia's expectations. She had to admit that Komi's dissatisfaction was justified. She gritted her teeth and said, "Then we have to leave here quickly. The method used to construct these passages must be extremely terrifying and painful..."

"Maybe." Komi looked around at his surroundings. The noise bothered him, but it wasn't enough to drive him crazy.

He was used to walking through a pale white passage, while the others were uneasy about the eeriness emanating from it.

The group endured the noise for a long time, and many people went crazy on the way, but Gu Jian brought them back to their senses with a merciless slap.

If that's not enough, Komi can also treat them to a 50-second suffocation service.

The surrounding pale environment gradually changed, and some bumpy outlines appeared around it.