The archive of Pickmanburg was enormous, with a dome hundreds of meters high. Embedded luminous lights illuminated the entire space as if it were daytime.
Countless data terminals — tens of thousands of them — lined the surrounding walls. Each terminal was connected to the Imperium's largest database. Their lights flickered like countless eyes blinking in the darkness, silently watching every visitor.
The air was filled with the scent of ozone and coolant. Beneath the ceiling, countless servo-skulls flew back and forth. The sensors built into their eye sockets continuously scanned to confirm that each terminal was functioning normally.
Datch patiently searched for the necessary information.
The Ghoul Stars were unimaginably vast, encompassing tens of thousands of star systems and hundreds of thousands of planets. Dying stars emitted a sickly red light, forever cloaking this starfield in an eerie twilight.
Legends of the Void Beasts had been passed down in this region since time immemorial, but truly reliable eyewitness accounts were extremely rare.
He carefully sifted through the data, excluding the incoherent reports of clearly intoxicated crew members and discarding misjudgments that had been proven to be ordinary xenos phenomena or paranormal events.
Data points flowed past him one after another, being eliminated one by one — until his gaze stopped on a report.
The report had been submitted by a Deathwatch investigation team three months earlier.
[Mission ID: DW-4597 - Crimson Class]
[Mission Type: Space Debris Removal & Investigation]
[Mission Status: Completed]
[Summary: A massive wrecked spacecraft was discovered. Gene-stealers lurking inside were eliminated, and important navigation logs were obtained.]
Datch tapped on the detailed report and began reading it carefully.
Space hulks were the general term used by the Human Imperium to refer to the twisted wreckage of various spacecraft. Ships that were wrecked during Warp travel were distorted and deformed by Warp energy, becoming entangled with countless fragments of the void and eventually transforming into these hulks.
In most cases, they were enormous, and some even possessed their own atmosphere and gravity. They randomly entered and exited the Warp, drifting between reality and Chaos, becoming one of the most dangerous traps in the galaxy.
Many races and factions used abandoned spacecraft as a means of transportation. Aeldari pirates established temporary outposts on them, while Ork looters infiltrated them in search of usable scrap metal. Even Chaos traitors and Genestealers used them for secret movement.
For the Imperium, the sudden appearance of space hulks posed a serious threat. However, the recyclable technology and data aboard these abandoned ships were also unimaginably valuable treasures.
When a wrecked ship was discovered, the local Imperial forces immediately reported it. The matter would then be entrusted to an Astartes Chapter or the Inquisition for handling.
The core of the wrecked ship discovered by the Deathwatch was the Iron Glory, a Mechanicus Ark that had been listed as missing by the Adeptus Mechanicus. According to data provided by the Mechanicus, the Iron Glory was a colossal vessel comparable in size to a continent.
It contained numerous factories and production workshops, making it resemble a floating forge in space rather than a conventional spacecraft. Its outer hull was cast from refined gold, and it was equipped with the most advanced and reliable scanners, analysis devices, and research equipment of its time. Its weapon systems possessed the power to easily annihilate an entire fleet.
In the 37th Millennium, its master, the great Sage Hextech, ventured into the Ghoul Stars for exploration.
Sage Hextech was one of the most outstanding explorers in the history of the Adeptus Mechanicus and had unearthed numerous important STC templates. His brain had undergone multiple mechanical enhancements, and his memory banks stored tens of thousands of xenos languages and ancient scripts.
He had dedicated his life to exploring the truths of the universe and firmly believed that somewhere among the stars lay the secret of the Machine God's creation of the cosmos.
However, after entering the Ghoul Stars, Sage Hextech, his Iron Glory, and the entire exploration team vanished without a trace.
With no information available, the Adeptus Mechanicus had no choice but to classify it as lost.
Now that the Iron Glory had returned as a wrecked ship, it was easy to imagine that its owner must have met with misfortune.
Datch continued reading.
After landing on the hulk, the Deathwatch team eliminated the cunning creatures lurking inside and infiltrated the core database of the Iron Glory. Although some data had been corrupted by Warp exposure, most of the information was recoverable.
By restoring the navigation logs, they obtained a detailed report on the accident that had befallen the Iron Glory.
Datch opened the report.
A holographic image unfolded before his eyes, with images and text flowing one after another.
After the jump, Sage Hextech's expedition team unexpectedly arrived at a special galaxy of death.
This galaxy did not exist on any star map created by the Imperium. Its coordinates were chaotic, as if they were constantly changing and could not be accurately captured by any measuring device.
In that region, the expedition team's navigation systems completely failed, forcing them to rely on visual observation.
The galaxy was filled with unimaginably massive structures. They were larger than planets and floated in the void. Their shapes defied all principles of geometry, filled with spheres and dimensions incomprehensible to humanity.
They resembled the remains of higher lifeforms rather than the remnants of three-dimensional biological structures.
These structures were engraved with numerous blasphemous hieroglyphs that instilled fear in those who beheld them.
At the center of the galaxy towered an unimaginably massive portal, decorated at its entrance with enormous stars.
The hexagonal sages surveyed the galaxy, dispatching teams to land on the structures, collect samples, take images, and decipher the ancient hieroglyphs.
These documents were unimaginably ancient, predating not only the history of human civilization but even the rise of the Aeldari Empire.
Sage Hextech spent a long time attempting to decipher the codes, but made no progress.
Later, a group of Craftworld Aeldari also arrived via the Webway.
Upon seeing the humans present, an unconcealable look of terror and anger appeared on their faces. They demanded that the humans leave immediately, declaring that this place was a forbidden zone that must never be touched.
Sage Hextech refused.
He was an explorer, a seeker of knowledge. He had dedicated his life to searching for such relics. How could he leave simply because of a warning?
Since the two sides could not reach an agreement, conflict broke out.
Although the Aeldari's weapons were elegant and deadly, the firepower of the Iron Glory was terrifying and efficient. The exploration team made full use of the advantages of the Mechanized Ark, repelled the Aeldari, and forced them to retreat.
Sage Hextech continued his research.
Then, a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus responsible for the research discovered something horrifying.
Deep within this grand structure spanning the entire galaxy, something terrifying was slowly awakening.
The stars decorating the massive gate were being moved by an invisible force, slowly shifting toward the edge of the gate and lining up in strange patterns, as if performing an ancient ritual.
The portal slowly opened, and an eerie light brighter than stars leaked from the crack.
Then, a pair of eyes — larger than stars and impossibly exaggerated and terrifying — appeared.
The owner of those eyes slowly emerged from the doorway, revealing an octopus-like head.
The monster's skin was a deep purple, covered in dense scales, and its face had a somewhat human-like outline. However, the position and shape of each organ were wrong.
It continued burrowing outward, revealing a rubbery body also covered in scales. It possessed massive claws and tentacles, along with a pair of fleshy wings on its back.
The monster's breath stirred a terrifying storm in the void, violently shaking the massive Mechanicus Ark as if it were a lone ship on the verge of capsizing.
By studying the ancient hieroglyphs, Sage Hextech's mind became connected to that terrifying giant beast.
That connection destroyed his heavily enhanced brain in an instant, plunging him into a frenzy of screams.
Many of the crew members aboard the ship lost their sanity from sheer terror, completely breaking down. They clutched their heads in the corners, screaming in fear.
Even the machine servants, stripped of self-awareness, muttered incomprehensible and fragmented code.
However, not everyone lost their sanity from fear of the monster. Even the most foolish among Sage Hextech's disciples managed to retain a sliver of sanity until the end.
Sensing that something was wrong, he issued the order to retreat.
However, the massive power's influence had rendered the spatial structure extremely unstable. The ship pitched and rolled unpredictably, as if sailing through a raging sea.
Tentacles had wrapped around it — so thick they could envelop the entire Mechanicus Ark. They emerged from the void and slowly extended toward the Iron Glory. Their speed was slow, yet they exuded an irresistible sense of oppression.
All the ships of the exploration fleet were shattered into pieces, reduced to wreckage in the void. They were swallowed by the undulating waves of space.
Just as the tentacles were about to wrap around the ship, the apprentice forcibly initiated a Warp jump.
The spacecraft tore through realspace and plunged into the Warp.
However, performing a Warp jump without proper preparation was a dangerous act that risked one's life.
The Iron Glory did not receive the Emperor's mercy. Its massive hull was torn apart and destroyed by the turbulent currents of the Warp, eventually becoming a wrecked ship.
All crew members perished. There were no survivors.
"This introduction feels like something straight out of the Cthulhu Mythos!" Datch thought of another dark IP universe that was just as grim as Warhammer.
Just then, a mission screen appeared in Datch's vision.
[Mission: Investigate the giant creature that attacked the Iron Glory. Sage Hex led an exploration team into the terrifying Ghoul Stars in search of ancient civilization relics and to explore the truths of the universe. The team was attacked by an unexpectedly horrifying monster and was completely wiped out. Investigate the terrifying giant beast that attacked the expedition team and uncover its origins, purpose, and potential threat.]
[Mission Rewards: 3,000 EXP, 3,000 Points, +500 Reputation, Investigator Medal ×1]
Datch's gaze fell on the final line of text.
Investigator Medal?
As he pondered, the item details slowly became clear.
[Item: Investigator Medal] Effect: Wearing this increases the likelihood of witnessing the true nature of the universe. Whether it be hidden dimensions or distorted truths, they will be revealed before your eyes. However, be warned — once you know the truth, it cannot be undone.
[Description: "Sanity is an isolated existence. Chaos and madness are the norm."]
Seeing the description, the corners of Datch's mouth relaxed slightly. He had been lucky enough to discover another side story.
The conflict between the Human Imperium and the forces of Chaos was the main storyline of the Warhammer game. However, aside from the main story, there were many side quests hidden throughout the galaxy waiting to be discovered by players — quests worth exploring.
They were like fragments that, when pieced together, revealed a complete worldview.
Having obtained the necessary information, Datch took out his teleport gun, set the teleport coordinates, and prepared to depart for the mysterious star system once discovered by the Mechanicus Ark Iron Glory, to confirm what had happened to that massive spacecraft!
If possible, it should be suppressed.
…
The next moment, Datch appeared in a vast, endless darkness.
There was nothing around him.
The information had mentioned structures and portals, but there was no sign of them. There was also no trace of the giant beast.
The nearest star to Datch was several light-years away.
He floated in the void like dust, completely swallowed by the vast cosmos.
Datch frowned slightly as he looked around.
"Wait, did I input the wrong coordinates?"
He took out his teleport gun and checked the entered coordinates.
Yes, they matched the location recorded by the Iron Glory.
But his eyes weren't lying. There was nothing here.
Just as Datch was about to return and investigate further, he suddenly noticed an Aeldari fleet in the distance.
The leading Aeldari ship in the fleet had an elegant, streamlined design. Its hull was made of a special spirit-bone-like material, and its surface was covered in complex curves and patterns.
After a moment of thought, Datch decided to head toward the Aeldari spacecraft to gather information.
He took the Infinity Gauntlet from his game items and chose to use the power of the Space Stone, opening a spatial passage leading to the Aeldari ship.
The next moment, he appeared inside the spirit-bone ship.
This was a wide corridor with walls on both sides made of milky-white spirit bone, its surface smooth as a mirror. A faint fragrance drifted in the air — a scent unique to the Aeldari that enhanced concentration and improved psychic perception.
Datch's intrusion was immediately detected by the Aeldari guards, who quickly surrounded him.
Just as the Aeldari guards were on high alert and ready to attack at any moment,
"Please do not treat our guest in such a manner."
A dignified voice echoed, carrying an indescribable calmness and power.
Upon hearing the voice, the Aeldari guards automatically parted to the sides, creating a path.
A Spiritseer in armor passed through the crowd and approached Datch.
He removed his helmet, lightly bowed his head, and showed respect.
"Honored Nameless One, I am Prophet Auric, from the Kostor Ark world. Please forgive our rudeness. We did not expect you to appear so suddenly."
The Aeldari guards surrounding Auric were shocked by his words.
The intruder had turned out to be the infamous "Nameless One."
Rumors claimed that the other party possessed overwhelming power that even the gods feared.
Information about the Nameless One had already spread through various channels to the various Craftworlds of the Aeldari.
Whether it was the distant Ulthwé or the mysterious Saim-Hann, the prophets knew of the existence of a human capable of fighting against Chaos.
The Kostor Ark world was remote and isolated, wandering alone in the far east starfield where the Ghoul Stars were scattered, far from other Craftworlds.
However, they still maintained contact with other Craftworlds and troupes for information exchange.
All information regarding the Nameless One was considered important intelligence, and naturally, the Kostor Ark was also aware of it.
The guards silently sheathed their weapons and stepped aside.
Datch saw the text and exclamation mark above Prophet Auric's head and realized that the other party was a quest NPC.
Without wasting time, he immediately got to the point.
"What happened to that grand ruin that used to be here?"
Prophet Auric was momentarily at a loss for words before showing an understanding expression.
"It seems the Nameless One has also come because the Death City of Alaiye has reappeared in the real world."
Datch frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "The Death City of Alaiye?"
"This is a long story involving ancient secrets."
Auric moved his staff slightly, and a complex holographic image was projected into the air from the staff.
A grand city that occupied the entire galaxy slowly emerged from the projected image. Its design was mad and blasphemous, so much so that a single glance could damage the brain.
"This is the Death City of Alaiye. This ancient city and its rulers were banished to a dimensional rift and forbidden from entering the real world."
Datch did not say "skip it." He was very interested in such dialogue that supplemented the background setting.
Seeing that the Nameless One remained silent, Auric continued.
"The Milky Way has existed for over 10 billion years. Whether it was the ancient creators or the Star Gods who once waged war in the heavens, in such a long span of time, they all seem insignificant."
"According to ancient texts preserved in the Kostor Ark, before the rise of the ancient saints, the galaxy was ruled by other ancient beings."
"They possessed immense power and long lifespans, and were called the 'Old Ones' by the ancient saints."
"The Old Ones launched a war to suppress the rise of the ancient rulers. However, the ancient rulers used their wisdom and creativity to analyze the fundamental powers possessed by the Old Ones and successfully defeated them, seizing control of the galaxy."
"The victorious ancient saints sealed the remaining Old Ones in a dimensional rift and banished them for eternity. They forbade them from ever setting foot in the real universe again."
"However, as time passed, the ancient saints fell in the war in the heavens, our race declined, and the ancient seals weakened."
"The banished Old Ones began to influence the real universe, and it is largely thanks to them that the Ghoul Stars have become what they are today."
"The revival of the Death City of Alaiye is an important sign. Those ancient beings have returned to dominate this galaxy once more."
"The mission of the Kostor Ark world is to guard this place — to repair the seal as much as possible and prevent the revival of the ancient beings."
"..."
Datch patiently listened to Prophet Auric's words until the end and understood the truth and outcome of the matter.
This side quest supplemented the background setting from before the era of the ancient saints.
Although the ancient saints had dominated the galaxy for a long time, they had not ruled it for 13 billion years.
"What happened to the revived Death City of Alaiye?" Datch asked. "Why haven't we seen it?"
"That cursed city and its return to the past were prevented by the suicidal actions of your human fleet, forcing it back into the dimensional rift once more."
It turned out that the former Mechanicus Ark Iron Glory had forcibly performed a Warp jump, tearing the veil of reality and triggering an ether storm.
The newly formed Old Ones were destroyed by the violent storm of the Old Ones and were forced to retreat back into the dimensional rift.
After hearing the entire story, Datch was speechless.
The game designers of Warhammer were truly malicious.
They had even woven in an old joke about weak ships!
"However…" Prophet Auric continued. "Judging by the timing, those ancient beings should be returning soon."
"That is why we remain here — to prevent them from returning as quickly as possible and to stop them from accumulating enough power to carve open a passage to the true universe."
Upon hearing this, Datch's eyes immediately lit up.
They're going to revive soon?
That's great!