Death World: Catachan

[The simulation has ended. Duration: one minute.]

[The following options from this simulation can be retained:]

[One, The Emperor's Gaze (Human Affinity)]

[Two, None]

[Three, None]

[Simulation duration was less than twenty-four hours. Simulator wear and tear has been waived.]

The second simulation ended swiftly.

Like a shooting star, here and gone in an instant.

"Well, at least I lived a few dozen seconds longer."

A burning urge to vent stirred in Rorschach's chest.

Then his gaze landed on the only reward available for selection in the simulator.

The Emperor's Gaze (Human Affinity): You will be blessed by the Emperor. Most humans will have increased favor toward you. The favor of Chaos and xenos will decrease.

Rorschach blinked and selected the reward.

His prayer to the Emperor had been nothing but a bold gamble.

He never expected it would actually draw the other's attention!

The Emperor. The founder of the Imperium of Man in the Warhammer Universe.

Those who adored Him called Him the God-Emperor, the Master of Mankind, the Omnissiah...

The monsters who hated Him cursed Him as the Corpse Emperor, the False Emperor, the salted meat who dabbled in sorcery...

The Emperor did not love any individual human. He loved all of humanity as a whole.

"I hope the next simulation doesn't bring the attention of the Chaos Gods... The Emperor protects..."

Rorschach swallowed unconsciously.

He had gained a new shadow of fear regarding skulls exploding and dying from a headshot.

At this moment, Rorschach seemed to have forgotten the troubles of reality.

Like an internet-addicted youth, he couldn't wait to start the next simulation.

[Simulation initiating--]

[You have descended into the Warhammer Universe.]

[Time: Unknown]

[Location: Imperium Nihilus · Catachan System · Catachan]

[You step onto the planet's surface. You are pleasantly surprised to find a small human outpost before your eyes.]

[You have no time to celebrate. You are already surrounded by countless deadly flora and fauna.]

[You survive by sheer luck. You do not die.]

[You are rescued and brought back to the outpost by a Catachan Human who was out hunting.]

[You express your loyalty to the Emperor. You are allowed to live, for now.]

[You discover that the small outpost contains only one Catachan Human. He is a Catachan Recruit, undergoing advanced training in wilderness survival.]

[You attempt to learn combat and survival techniques from him. Though he is taciturn, you still catch a glimmer of approval in his eyes.]

[First week, you undergo extremely intense Physical Training alongside the Catachan Recruit. You begin to frequently piss blood. After collapsing, you can't even move a single finger.]

[Second week, the Catachan Recruit teaches you about the local deadly flora and fauna—from shape and color to habits and traits. Fail to remember any single point, and you are forced to learn Catachan Combat Training. You seem to have lost a few teeth. You feel worse than dead.]

[Third week, you undergo basic firearms training with the Catachan Recruit. Your shooting scores are decent. You earn the Catachan Recruit's recognition.]

[You accidentally discover that the injuries from the past two weeks of extreme Physical Training have completely healed. You attribute this to the Ant-Grub Cans the Catachan Recruit had been hoarding. The taciturn Catachan Recruit falls into deep thought.]

[Fourth week, your survival abilities greatly improved, you request the Catachan Recruit to take you on a real wilderness survival exercise. The Catachan Recruit refuses.]

[Stubbornly believing this is the Catachan Recruit's contempt, you choose to go out alone, bravely challenging the jungles of Catachan.]

[You cleverly evade the parasitism of a Brain Leaf. In the bushes not far behind you, the Catachan Recruit's eyes show approval.]

[You nimbly sprint beyond the hunting range of Spike Grass. In the massive vines not far above your head, the Catachan Recruit nods in affirmation.]

[You bravely face a direct attack from a Catachan Catcher. Beside a foul-smelling swamp not far away, the Catachan Recruit, who had already intercepted three Catachan Face-Eaters ahead of time, shakes his head and sighs.]

[You dodge the Catachan Catcher's assault, but fail to notice the arrival of a Heretic Mosquito.]

[You are bitten several times by the Heretic Mosquito. The venom enters your body. Your internal organs begin to rot.]

[You are on the verge of death.]

[In your dying moments, your rotting eyes seem to catch the silhouette of the Catachan Recruit. Your ears hear a beautiful blessing from the Catachan Recruit. A Catachan Fang pierces your heart, ending your endless suffering.]

["The Emperor protects you, my friend." The taciturn Catachan Recruit, Sly Marbo, speaks his final eulogy.]

[You are dead.]

[This simulation has ended. Duration: twenty-seven days.]

[This simulation has obtained retainable options.]

[One, Catachan Flora and Fauna Compendium]

[Two, a Catachan Fang (melee weapon)]

[Three, Catachan Recruit Special Training (one month)]

[This simulation exceeded twenty-four hours. Simulator wear not waived.]

[Cooldown: twenty-seven hours.]

[Deposit resources to reduce cooldown (currently holding no resources)]

Rorschach felt baffled by his reckless behavior in the simulator, but there was nothing he could do about it.

So, Rorschach weighed the reward options listed by the simulator.

From a practical standpoint, the first reward was utterly useless.

The survival environment of Catachan was far too unique, rarely seen even in the Warhammer Universe.

As for the second reward, for Rorschach at his current level, it could only become a collection piece gathering dust.

The techniques for wielding a Catachan Fang were far too demanding for an ordinary person.

With some regret, Rorschach chose the third reward.

One month of Catachan Recruit Special Training.

"Hiss—"

In an instant, every muscle in Rorschach's body abruptly swelled a full size.

Even the loose clothes he wore became taut and tight!

Countless killing techniques—ambush assassinations, trap-laying, stealth—seemed to become innate instincts.

They were thoroughly etched into the depths of Rorschach's memory!

"Catachan's recruit training... the effects are extraordinary..."

Rorschach, having absorbed a vast array of combat skills, rolled up his sleeves.

He stared at the muscle lines pulsing along his forearm with every heartbeat, feeling a joy that came from deep within.

Ever since crossing over, Rorschach had always lacked a sense of security.

At this moment, Rorschach was brimming with confidence.

As long as he kept simulating, he could handle any future crisis!

However, the Warhammer simulator needed time to cool down.

If he didn't want to wait, he'd have to deposit resources to reduce the cooldown.

Unfortunately, Rorschach still didn't know what kind of resources the simulator required.

He could only wait for the right moment to find out.

Just then, Rorschach, lounging on the sofa and savoring the afterglow of his joy, seemed to remember something.

He subconsciously glanced at the wall clock in the apartment.

And was startled to realize that the hands had already moved—several hours had passed!

It was now twelve twenty.

He hadn't just skipped his morning classes—he'd nearly missed his afternoon shift!

"If I don't leave now, Aunt is going to scold me!"

Rorschach leaped up from the sofa.

In a flurry of motion, he grabbed his phone and keys and rushed out of the apartment.