Warhammer 40k: Melee Warriors

Thanks to the Terminator power armor's inherent sturdiness and the ample shield energy, Komi was able to break through the Iron Warriors' lines. They were quite surprised by Komi's combat prowess, never expecting that this guy could actually tear apart a defensive line composed of 20 Iron Warriors.

The Terminator power armor is indeed sturdy, but it shouldn't be able to withstand so many explosive bombs.

But what's the point?

Tearing off the shattered helmet, Tie Duo, his face covered in blood, stared at Gu Jian's retreating figure and shouted, "You won't get through the gate! No one is allowed to enter the control room without Demas's permission!"

Clearly, this guy was unaware of Komi's passive position, otherwise he wouldn't have shouted it out so confidently.

Komi punched the tightly closed door several times, managing to create a narrow gap that he could pass through, all under Komi's astonished gaze.

At this moment, Komi's shield had lost its effectiveness and was slowly recharging by drawing energy from the subspace. The back of the Terminator power armor, which was more vulnerable than the front, was also covered with bullet holes, and some bullets even penetrated into it and exploded on Komi's flesh.

Despite the pain, Gu Jian ran tirelessly deeper into the control room.

Hearing the heavy footsteps inside the door, Tie Duo's expression became even more ferocious.

Seeing the 12 steel warriors still in shock, Tidus ordered his men to open fire on them.

Blood splattered all over the hall, and there were gruesome bullet holes everywhere.

Tie Duo stared coldly at the gap in the gate and used the communicator on his wrist to send a signal to his true master that the mission needed to start ahead of schedule.

Numerous warships pierced through the barriers of warp space to reach the Shattered Steel Fortress, and these ferocious and powerful warships were also filled with steel warriors.

However, they were not loyal to Demas, but only to another ruthless war blacksmith.

Steel Tycoon – Hong Suo.

Chapter 142: Demas Imprisoned

Blocking Komi's path were numerous turrets and traps personally created by Demas. The corridor before him was deadly dangerous, with almost every wall, floor, and ceiling capable of flipping out a turret and bomb.

These things were causing Komi a great deal of suffering, and the smell emanating from deeper within these turrets made his mouth water like a waterfall.

So it really was that ever-changing demon lord who was behind it...?

They should have killed him outright! Instead of hesitating for a moment to find a way to lift the curse.

Koken swore that if he ever had the chance to capture this damned, ever-changing Demon Lord, he would kill this treacherous fellow who was secretly plotting something in the fastest way possible.

With 72 turrets, it was extremely difficult for Koji to even peek out. He could only breathe softly and call over the dog that had crawled in with him through the gap.

The dog understood Komi's thoughts and immediately used its nose to tell Komi the locations of the turrets.

Click click click...

Komi's Terminator arm suddenly opened. This was a modification that Komi requested Demas to make for him. He sacrificed the protective function of this mechanical arm in exchange for the precise function of transporting the throwing knives loaded inside the mechanical arm to his palm.

Demas originally intended to install an arm cannon on Komi, but Komi quickly objected, saying that he loved it and felt extremely uncomfortable if he couldn't touch the throwing knife with his fingers.

Komi remembered that Demas had looked at him like he was an idiot, and had even asked if the Butcher's Nail in his head had worsened, which was why he made such a request that was almost an insult to his craft.

It took Komi a long time to explain before the blacksmith reluctantly modified the arm, and then asked Komi if the Butcher's Nail really didn't need to be checked.

Honestly, after Demas kept pressing him with these questions, Komi also became very curious about his Butcher's Nail. This terrifying instrument of torture, which had driven Angron mad and turned the entire World Eater Legion into bloodthirsty butchers, hadn't caused him any pain yet.

It's important to know that the Butcher's Nail can distort all normal sensations into intense pain acting on the brain. Even Bennett wouldn't dare say that his skills could surpass the torment of the Butcher's Nail.

The only thing that can alleviate the pain of the Butcher's Nail is endless killing. Each time the chainsaw axe cuts open an enemy's throat, the World Eater can temporarily forget the pain in its head, allowing it to vent its emotions without roaring.

Bang bang bang!

Several more bullets struck the wall where Komi was hiding. Komi held the throwing knives he had made from the makeshift cart in his hand and quickly threw them according to Gouzi's callouts.

The first four throwing knives were blocked by the hail of bullets, but the fifth knife easily sliced ​​through the bullets that collided with it, accomplishing the great feat of destroying the turret's firing port.

They followed the same method and destroyed them one by one.

The corridor soon fell silent. Some turrets even exploded due to the irregularity of their barrels, and could only helplessly unleash their mechanical hostility and hatred towards Komi.

The last blast door was brutally destroyed, and what came into Komi's view was a large mass of flesh and blood tangled with machinery, where the cables and blood vessels were indistinguishable.

Many narrow eyes looked toward Komi, their pupils shining as brightly as jewels.

The characteristics of the Tzeentch Demon... magnificent variations and unpredictable crystals.

The master of the Broken Steel Fortress was trapped in this mountain of flesh, and all his struggles seemed futile.

“Marcus…” Demas whispered to Komi, as if the flesh and blood had damaged his loudspeaker that could produce sound waves.

Komi immediately broke through the stare and crawled to Demas's side, tearing and biting at his flesh as he demanded to know what had happened to the Broken Steel Fortress during the short time he had been gone.

“A shameful rebellion!” Demas roared, his anger quickly turning into regret for his impetuousness. “Those skinless people…those warriors born from the demon’s womb are utterly unfaithful to my cause…”

"Demon's Womb?" Koji was shocked. Although he had known for a long time that the Iron Warriors relied on this evil thing to rapidly increase their numbers, he had not really expected that there was one in Demas's Shattered Steel Fortress.

He had assumed that this old, fearless man, filled with rebellious fervor, would use a simpler genetic procedure to cultivate his warriors.

The skinless man born was unfaithful to his cause... Could it be that!

Based on his knowledge, Komi quickly pressed, "Was it that bastard Hongsuo who gave you the technical support? You accepted it without doing any checks?"

Demas was surprised that Komi knew of Honso's existence, and secretly admired his quick thinking. "That's right... it was Honso... I made a deal with him. I lacked the manpower to maintain the Broken Steel Fortress, and he lacked the equipment for armed warriors. We made an exchange; he tried to recruit me into his cause. But I did a thorough check! Those demon wombs are pure!"

"You refused, so his revenge came?"

“Retaliation?” Demas swayed his massive fuselage slightly. “This isn’t retaliation…this is unification…a fist must be clenched to have power. I just didn’t expect Honso to act so quickly…he dared to do this because there are bastards supporting him in the Shattered Steel Fortress!”

Seeing Demas's furious expression, Komi remembered that damned, ever-changing demon lord.

If we include this vicious fellow, then Hunsso's sudden attack on Demas has a complete explanation.

Ha... I really am a jinx... I get into trouble wherever I go...

Komi gave a self-deprecating laugh, watching Demas completely break free from the flesh and blood, and said, "Is it possible that Honso has formed a temporary alliance with a demon and is interfering with your warriors through means unknown to us?"

Your guess might be correct...

This aged, fearless man showed no joy upon gaining his freedom. He connected to the main control console and, amidst a vast sea of ​​data, examined what the loyal soldiers of Hunsuo had done to his territory during the days he was trapped in flesh and blood.

"This! How could this be!" Demas suddenly cried out in anguish, his engine humming and trembling due to his loss of control, spewing out a lot of choking black smoke.

"What happened?" Koji asked. "Could it be that your trusted second-in-command has completely betrayed you?"

Demas slammed his iron fist into the control panel, confirming Komi's statement and demonstrating that the entire Shattered Steel Fortress was slipping out of his control.

The flames of rebellion didn't start today; those sparks ignited the moment Demas was trapped, even under the straw covering him...

“But I haven’t failed yet!” Demas seemed a little crazy, but when he looked at Komi beside him, he regained a bit of his senses. “How did you figure out that I was trapped by a conspiracy?”

Komi pointed to his throat and said half-jokingly, "I'm very sensitive to the smell of demons, especially those who are good at scheming."

"Hehehe..." Demas chuckled, placed one of his mechanical tentacles on Komi's shoulder, and then explained his entire plan to him.

Aren't you afraid I'll betray you too?

"I can tell you're not that kind of person."

"Then your taste isn't very good..." Komi pouted and complained.

I'm not even sure if I'm human.

Chapter 143: Taking advantage of my illness? I'll kill you.

Besides this shattered steel fortress, Demas also possesses an unfinished warship that remains unknown to the public.

It was a Marauder-class battleship excavated from the wreckage of an ancient war. Demas paid a considerable price to clear out most of the foreign inhabitants residing on the warship and set about restoring it to its former glory.

"Battleship? My God..." Komi was shocked. Battleships are not something that everyone can have. The addition of such a void behemoth to the battlefield is enough to turn the tide of a desperate battle in an instant.

Demas was very pleased with Komi's surprise. This was his second greatest source of pride after the Shattered Steel Fortress, and one of the pillars that would sustain him in his conquest of the universe in the years to come.

"However, I have only repaired the propulsion system and installed the ship's internal production line. The repair of the macro cannon and the light lance is still a long way off. This great warship can only rely on torpedoes to strike its enemies."

"This doesn't sound good... so you're thinking of taking this warship away from Broken Steel Castle, and settling scores with Honso once you've recovered."

“Excellent!” Demas extended an olive branch to Komi, formally inviting the powerful warrior who had rescued him to join his ranks. “You are not my subordinate, nor am I your superior. We are reliable allies working towards a great goal.”

Komi did not agree to Demas's request. He was preoccupied with the curse of sharing life and death with Demas and inquired about the whereabouts of the others.

Demas was silent for a moment, then gave Komi the most likely answer.

Perhaps they were taken to the Demon Womb region, where the Space Marines shattered them into genetic material, which was then processed by mortal women into new Demon Wombs.

Koji's gaze turned cold as he asked Demas how to get to the Demon's Womb area as quickly as possible.

"Are they... that important to you?" Demas didn't understand Komi's stubbornness. The Demon's Womb District was obviously the area with the most supporters of Honso in the Broken Steel Fortress. Was Komi really going to go through fire and water for a few nameless people?

“Listen, Demas, I’ll ask you one more time. How do you get to the Demon's Womb area as quickly as possible?”

“Alright…” Demas sighed, “Come with me… I’ll get you there in seconds.”

The hidden door, which had never been opened before today, opened, and Demas walked ahead while contacting his old subordinates to learn about the battle situation.

Although the skinless warriors filled many positions in the shattered steel fortress, the most important positions still firmly belonged to the true steel warriors and veterans who had fought alongside Demas through thick and thin.

The Port Authority's communications were extremely poor, and Demas heard the terrible news through intermittent roars that Broken Steel Castle had been surrounded by the fleets of Honsau and other warbands.

Their boarding torpedoes and airdrop pods crashed into the anti-ship positions in the harbor without regard for losses, vowing to capture or destroy those massive cannons before the fleet suffered even greater losses.

The situation inside the Shattered Steel Fortress was equally dire. Iron warriors loyal to Honso and Demas fought in the shadows of the factory, and all life that stood in their way was utterly destroyed.

As slaves died in large numbers, the war gangs that had arrived in the port earlier also began to plunder amid the escalating turmoil in Broken Steel Castle, having long coveted its armory.

Intrigue, chaos, betrayal.

This information eventually made a bird's shadow clearer and clearer in Koji's mind. When the two of them finally walked out of the secret passage, a group of war gang raiders strode quickly toward the street that had been ravaged by artillery fire.

"Look who's there! It's the one-armed Iron-Toothed Markus! And the Demon Tedmas!"

The voice sounded somewhat familiar. It took Komi a while to recognize that this was the provocateur he had almost killed with a single Rising Dragon Slash.

Upon seeing Komi and Demas in such a sorry state, the raiders' awe vanished. At the warlord's shouts, their strangely shaped vassal army and their masters charged towards the two.

"These cowardly bullies!" Demas's anger surged, and he unleashed all his rage against Honso on the audacious madman before him.

How terrifying is an angry Dreadnought? Especially when its owner is a skilled craftsman?

Komi quickly realized this.

All of Demas's mechanical tentacles unfolded, and the gaps between the iron rings instantly flashed with a dazzling, intense light.

More than five hundred Chaos minions and fifty-seven Chaos Space Marines were so clearly visible on Demas's oracle that with a thought, those tentacles released scorching lasers that could easily cut through metal.