Chapter 64: 061, Space Necromancy: Bloody 100 Days (II) (2-in-1)
[In the fourth week, the fields stretched endlessly, filled with plump, ripened fruit hanging heavily on every tree.]
[But the harvest ship—symbolizing prosperity and anticipated like a giant, fat bird, as Zoya called it—had not arrived as scheduled.]
[You scanned your surroundings, eyes passing over the purple-skinned fruits, while your hand tightened on the laser gun.]
[Sitting in the sidecar of Zoya's hoverbike, you sped quickly over the crops.]
[The old man, Veder, wearing his windproof sunglasses, skillfully rode another hoverbike, following closely behind you both.]
[Decisive in his actions, Veder had taken your advice.]
[Now, the three of you were headed toward one of the few settlements on this planet, the town of Blessing.]
[Only there would you find the transit hub needed to leave this agricultural world.]
[You shifted slightly, casting a quick glance at Zoya's pale profile before catching Veder's form in your peripheral vision.]
[You were certain the old man was far more than a simple farmer who knew his way around machines.]
[His swift, purposeful movements suggested he was a seasoned Imperial veteran.]
[Fixing your gaze ahead, a hint of a smile played at your lips.]
[Suddenly, Zoya's voice reached your ears.]
[The recent supernova explosion of the twin stars Karakul had disrupted the planet's communication network with its energy surges.]
[This made it impossible for you to contact Zoya's brother.]
[As a member of the Imperial Defense Force stationed in Blessing, he had the authority to arrange a ship for your departure from this planet.]
[Zoya was even more worried about her brother's safety; bound by duty, he might not be able to leave with you.]
[You maintained a silent presence, listening closely to her concerns.]
[You had doubts about whether the three of you would make it onto that ship.]
[Yet the old man, Veder, appeared unfazed.]
[Believing he had a backup plan, you decided to follow his lead.]
[After a day and night of relentless travel, you neared your first rest stop.]
[The hoverbikes, having been pushed to their limits, needed refueling, and their engines required new parts and a chance to cool.]
[But upon reaching the rest stop, you found no signs of life.]
[Instantly on guard, the laser gun in your hand hummed, ready to fire.]
[The old man Veder's voice broke the silence.]
[He explained that the rest stop was manned by an old friend, someone who had considered this place home and wouldn't leave easily.]
[Taking a deep breath, you warned Zoya, who looked tense, to prepare for a quick escape.]
[Waving off Veder's offer to join you in the search, you leapt from the hoverbike, stealthily approaching the outpost.]
[You entered the warehouse smoothly.]
[The sight of a human body, skin stripped away, lay on the ground, blood pooling around it.]
[Around the body, shards of several broken servitors littered the area.]
[Despite a thorough search, you found no enemy; whoever had done this had vanished like a ghost, leaving no trace.]
[Exiting the warehouse, you informed Veder of the scene and urged Zoya to hurry with the repairs and refueling.]
[Inside, staring at his friend's body, Veder's expression darkened.]
[After a moment of silence, he told you why he trusted you: his faith was driven by the Emperor's divine will and the instincts of an old soldier.]
[The scene before him also confirmed that the peaceful agricultural world he once knew was gone.]
[Eventually, Zoya finished the repairs and refueling, then started gathering ripe fruits from the nearby crops for supplies.]
[With a heavy heart, Veder outlined the next steps.]
[Upon entering Blessing, you were to find Zoya's brother while Veder searched for other options.]
[Should her brother be unable to secure you a ship, you were to proceed to Broken Horn Alley in town and seek out a wanderer named Red Hand, who would help you leave, with or without Veder.]
["If… if I don't make it, will you look after Zoya?" Veder asked, hesitating, his tone calm.]
[You remained silent, then glanced at Zoya, joyfully gathering a large fruit, and nodded slowly.]
[And so, the three of you resumed your journey, fleeing across the land.]
[The outposts you passed were either deserted or strewn with blood and corpses.]
[Days later, dusty and tired, you finally reached the outskirts of Blessing.]
[Even Zoya, inexperienced in warfare, sensed something amiss.]
[Beside the road lay an abandoned Chimera troop transport and a Leman Russ tank.]
[Raising your laser gun, you moved in to investigate.]
[The heavy weapons were fueled, free from mechanical issues, with machine spirits still vibrant.]
[In the troop transport, you discovered some abandoned gear, including a Hellgun and scattered protective equipment.]
[Calling Zoya and Veder over, you placed an Imperial Defense Force helmet on Zoya's head.]
[Meeting her uneasy gaze, you gently fastened the chin strap.]
[Handing her the laser gun, you instructed her to shoot first and ask questions later if danger arose.]
[Emotionless, you hoisted the battery pack onto your back and took up the Hellgun.]
[Veder, with his mechanical limbs, picked up a fallen laser pistol, nostalgia in his eyes.]
[With everything prepared, you left the now-worn hoverbikes behind, choosing to walk into the town.]
[Desolation met your gaze as you entered, the ground littered with craters and skinned human remains.]
[Explosions rumbled from the direction of the Imperial garrison, suggesting ongoing resistance.]
[Even Zoya, usually fearless, shrank behind you, her fear palpable.]
[Instinctively, you tightened your grip on the Hellgun, eyes scanning for movement.]
[Veder surveyed the area, brow furrowing, and in a low voice, suggested heading directly to Broken Horn Alley.]
[Zoya, anxious for her brother, hesitated but stayed close.]
[At that moment, seven or eight armed humans rushed from a nearby corner, their expressions panicked.]
[You opened your mouth to speak, but they became crazed upon seeing you, raising their weapons.]
[Expressionless, you pulled the trigger.]
[Within seconds, Hellgun fire reduced the group to ash.]
[But the gunfire attracted a far deadlier foe.]
[In an instant, a ghastly figure emerged from the shadows, hunched like a ghoul.]
[Its skull-like metal head was bloodstained, its body of living metal reflecting the cold light.]
[Sharp, razor-thin blades replaced its fingers.]
[Its arms and neck were draped in human skin like a gruesome cloak.]
[Most horrifying of all, a skeleton hung from its back, swaying like a macabre banner.]
[The Necron Flayer.]
[Wide-eyed, you aimed the Hellgun and pulled the trigger.]
["Run—" you shouted, desperation evident in your voice.]
[The Hellgun roared, beams striking the metal, but had no effect.]
[Instead, the attack only enraged the Flayer.]
[With gritted teeth, you held the trigger down, buying time for Zoya and Veder to escape.]
[Then, Veder drew a deep breath.]
[He lifted his mechanical arm, revealing a larger weapon—a bolt pistol.]
[The muscular old man, wearing his sunglasses, moved past you.]
["Go! Find Red Hand in Broken Horn Alley!" he ordered, not looking back.]
[With a deafening roar, the bolt pistol fired, momentarily halting the Flayer.]
[You stopped shooting as the Hellgun overheated.]
[Turning, you grabbed Zoya, hoisting her onto your shoulder.]
[She clung to you, her purple eyes brimming with tears.]
["Grandpa—" she cried, but Veder replied without turning.]
["Live, child! Survive!" he shouted back.]
[He held the Flayer at bay with precise shots, while you carried Zoya into the alleys.]
[After several seconds, the bolts stopped.]
[With dry eyes, you pressed on, Zoya on your shoulder, tears falling silently.]
[As you moved, Zoya calmed, guiding you through the maze of buildings.]
[Minutes later, you were within sight of Broken Horn Alley.]
[But a shell from the direction of the garrison landed nearby, throwing you both to the ground.]
[Dizzy, you tried to get up, noticing your leg had been sliced by shrapnel, blood pooling around you.]
[Looking around, you saw Zoya a few meters away, her helmet shattered.]
[She seemed unharmed, save for a bleeding wound on her forehead.]
[Taking a deep breath, you crawled to her side.]
[But through the settling dust, a terrifying figure appeared.]
[You stared in horror as the Flayer emerged, wearing Veder's old, withered face on its metal skull.]
[A deep, unsettling whisper echoed from the creature.]
["Zoya—" the Flayer muttered.]
[Gritting your teeth, you reached for your last frag grenade, hurling it at the advancing monstrosity.]
[Crawling to Zoya, you tried to wake her, but blood flowed from her mouth and nose.]
[Your lips quivered as you realized her injuries were fatal.]
[Cradling her head, you mumbled apologies as tears fell onto her face.]
[The Flayer's heavy footsteps approached.]
[You reached for the final grenade.]
[The explosion consumed you and Zoya.]
[In a trance, you seem to see the unconscious Zoya slowly rising into the air, and a pair of white wings seem to grow behind her...]
Your consciousness is plunged into darkness. ]
You're dead. ]
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