At the Lycard Space Station training grounds, Warmaster was locked in a fierce duel with an Astral Knight.
During this time, Rigby was going at it tooth and nail, training frantically every time he logged on to level up. He wasn't just adapting to the incredible physique and strength he gained after being promoted to Astartes; he was boosting all his skill levels. His most-used skill, the Two-Handed Sword, had even hit the Grandmaster level.
Other players said this guy was already channeling the legendary Sword Saint Sigismund.
Clang!
Clang!
The sword and power axe collided, ringing out with a crisp, sonorous sound. Warmaster and his opponent danced in the gladiatorial cage. Swords and axes clashed; neither side gave an inch, both gunning for the other's weak spot.
After another violent collision, the Astral Knight stumbled back. Warmaster seized the opportunity, deflecting the opponent's battle axe with his sword. The tip of the blade, shining with cold light, stopped inches from the Knight's throat.
"I lost." The Astral Knight bowed his head and admitted defeat.
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted outside the cage.
"That was slick!"
"Brilliant!"
"It's only been a few days, and Warmaster has already upgraded his Two-Handed Sword skill to Grandmaster!"
"A man worthy of the title Warmaster. The only pity is he didn't get the Luna Wolf gene-seed."
"What's the matter? Did you need a big birthday celebration for that win or what?"
"…"
Lothar watched the young recruit with surprise. Just a few days ago, the guy was a total greenhorn. Now, he was taking down the Chapter's seasoned veterans. As expected of a warrior chosen by the Emperor, his growth rate was truly astonishing. If given a little more time, they'd be surpassing the Astartes themselves.
Lothar didn't have a jealous bone in his body about the Saints surpassing him; in fact, he was over the moon. The stronger the Saints got, the more hope there was for the Imperium, and the better chance humanity had to make a glorious comeback.
More importantly, the Guide had promised him: as long as the Astral Knights did a good job training the Saints, he would find a way to get the Chapter back on its feet with fresh troops, weapons, and gear.
Today, the biggest hurdle for the Astral Knights was the inability to train new warriors. The Progenoid Gland in the throat is removed after implant surgery and given up as a tithe, and the one in the chest can only be recovered after death. Because of this, they had no gene-seed supply at all. Add to that the fact that the Knight's Sword was just a Battle Barge with no resources to cultivate gene-seeds or suitable children for enhancement, and you have a real tough spot.
Getting help from the Guide was the Astral Knights' only hope for rebuilding.
"The Saint has off-the-charts potential, but he's not hitting the grindstone hard enough. He needs a little kick in the pants," Lothar racked his brain. For the Emperor and the Chapter, he had to figure out how to light a fire under these Saints.
The Grandmaster Challenge
The dueling cage opened, and the defeated Knight walked out, looking dejected. Lothar patted his shoulder encouragingly, then turned to Warmaster, whose face was beaming from his friends' cheers.
"Feel like you're up for a challenge? If you win, you can come aboard the Knight's Sword and pick any piece of equipment you like."
The players surrounding the cage showed immediate envy. This kind of hidden gameplay probably only appeared when the player's favorability rating was high enough, or other secret conditions were met. Rigby was just charmed, I tell you. Keep in mind the Astral Knights are sitting on a massive cache of ancient relics, some dating back to the Dark Age of Technology. Snagging just one good item would be a huge payday.
Warmaster looked at Lothar, eager to try. "What's the challenge?"
"If you can defeat five Astral Knights back-to-back, you can come to the Knight's Sword and choose a piece of equipment you like."
After observing them for a while, Lothar noticed that these Saints had an almost unimaginable obsession with tasks and rewards. If you posted a task and offered a reward, they became incredibly motivated to complete it. They'd even happily dismantle an antique suit of armor in the warehouse to complete a task for a single component. They enjoyed the process and were determined to obtain every part. If you offered them something next-level like a sacred relic, they'd be so excited they'd howl and shout slogans about wiping out several Necron dynasties to avenge the Astral Knights.
But if you tried to strong-arm them with direct orders, they instantly became rebellious. The more they were forbidden from doing something, the more they seemed to want to do it.
"Do you dare to accept the challenge?" Lothar egged him on with a sly tone.
"Why wouldn't I dare? Forget five, I'd dare ten!" Warmaster was young and full of piss and vinegar. When provoked, his blood boiled, and he immediately accepted.
The corners of Lothar's mouth curled into a cunning smile of success. He selected five Astral Knights to participate.
When the Astral Knights were annihilated trying to destroy the World Engine, only thirty recruits and Commander Thade were left.
After this training period, those thirty recruits were no longer rookies; they were turning into seasoned veterans. While their skills weren't as high as the Emperor-blessed Warmaster's, they were still combat experienced.
In the round-robin battle, the first three Astral Knights were defeated after a fierce struggle. The fourth Knight severely tested Warmaster, who barely defeated the opponent after a hard-fought battle.
By the time the fifth challenger stepped up, even with his high skills like Tenacity and Stamina, Warmaster felt himself drained and struggled to keep up with his opponent's movements.
In the end, he was struck in the face and fell to the ground with a thud.
The players outside sighed. So close, yet so far! Just one more win for the prize.
"It seems you failed," Lothar said with a smile. "But you still have a reward."
The previously downcast Warmaster's face lit up with excitement. "Really?"
The players outside the cage started shouting.
"Didn't you say you only get the reward if you defeat five challengers?"
"Something fishy is going on!"
"…"
Lothar looked at the players and comforted them. "Being able to defeat four veterans back-to-back is already a rare feat. In a standard regiment, they'd be a shoo-in for Company Champion. It's perfectly normal to reward such an achievement. There are no shady dealings involved."
"If you also want to challenge me, you can do so. All you have to do is prove your mettle in the arena."
"As a matter of fact, I hereby declare that the first Saint who can defeat five veterans in a row will be awarded the title of Company Champion. They will receive a special medal, as well as a holy relic of this Chapter."
"The three or four veterans who successfully complete the challenge will also receive a consolation prize."
To make sure the players bought into the challenge, Lothar even posted an official challenge task. When Daniel reviewed the submitted tasks, he simultaneously launched the duel rankings, stipulating that only the top ten players could accept the challenge mission. In a flash, the duel arena was packed to the gills with players hellbent on the combat route.
Warmaster received his reward from Lothar: a Gauss Rifle captured from the Necrons. Since he hadn't completed the challenge, he only got a consolation prize.
Warmaster left the arena with his loot, planning to eat something to replenish his energy, and then get back to the grind.
As he walked down a corridor, Arale's projection suddenly materialized next to him.
"Emperor's Saints, Warmaster, can you loan Arale that little gadget you have?"
"You want this?" Warmaster was a little surprised that Arale was interested in his prize.
"Yes," Arale nodded. "I'll give you a task."
The data board in Warmaster's arm rang, and he pulled it out to check the screen.
[Task: Reverse Research and Development Technology]
Introduction: Arale, the Machine Spirit of the Imperial Glory, seems to be in some distress. Go have a word with her.
Machine Spirit Arale: The reverse deduction project has hit a snag, and more technological creations are needed to crack the code.
Reward: 15,000 Contribution Points, 500 Honor Points
Warmaster's eyes widened at the task. Cough up the reward to Arale and get 15,000 Contribution Points and 500 Honor Points? That's a deal that's too good to pass up.
"How do I turn in the quest?" Warmaster asked.
"Just send it to the data scanning library."
Since Arale has no physical form, Warmaster just had to do the legwork and bring it to the designated spot. He followed her instructions to the scanning room and placed the Gauss Rifle into the device.
The scanning device activated with a buzzing sound. The Gauss Rifle was suspended by a force field, slowly turning on a dime in the light. A nearby screen scrolled data and code, and a holographic projection displayed the time remaining.
[Estimated time to complete analysis: 25 hours, 50 minutes]
"Well, thank you, Saint, Master Warmaster. May the Emperor watch your back."
"Anything else I need to do?"
"No, you can get back to your business. Once the analysis is complete, I'll notify you to come and retrieve the Gauss Rifle."
After Rigby cleared out, Arale found a swamped Daniel.
"Master, Arale has a new harvest."