Dizzy and lightheaded, Rorschach ran out of the basement.
He returned home and stood there.
He took deep breaths over and over for a long time.
Only then did he finally calm down completely.
The temptation offered by the Iron Man was simply too great.
Endless wealth, practically within reach.
But Rorschach did not dare accept it all.
Even though the Simulator had marked this Iron Man as harboring no ill will toward humanity.
Rorschach still did not dare trust it wholeheartedly!
A Heretic was always a Heretic!
Besides, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world!
The Iron Man had to want something from him to be so generous.
But what did Rorschach even have right now?
"Why am I starting to regret letting it out?"
Frowning, Rorschach walked over and sat on the sofa.
He raised a hand to pinch his chin, sinking into troubled thought.
Anything beyond his complete control could never make him feel secure.
As time passed.
Rorschach suddenly remembered the salvage mission in the Simulator.
He temporarily set aside his worries and opened the Simulator's interface.
He discovered that the salvage countdown was nearly over.
Salvage completion countdown: One
Salvage completion countdown: Zero
Another large pile of miscellaneous items appeared before Rorschach.
However, aside from some space junk that was identical or similar to what he had found before.
Only one item from this salvage caught Rorschach's attention.
Salvage gains: Lost Mind-Lock Scarab (inactive)
Note: A special creation of a Necron Overlord. Even mortals can activate it through thought. Mind-Lock Scarabs can control the minds of flesh-and-blood lifeforms, turning them into hidden puppets or activated assassins. "Where did my carefully crafted scarab go? It was a gift for an old friend." Trazyn the Infinite, the Galaxy's Greatest Thief, collector, and Figure King, fell into distress over the loss of his gift.
Rorschach stared at the salvaged Mind-Lock Scarab and could not help blinking.
A little toy from a Necron Overlord?
Something that could control the minds of flesh-and-blood lifeforms?
Why was everything the Simulator salvaged.
Either food and supplies, or Heretic technology?
Could the next salvage really pull up something related to Chaos?
Where was my Power Armor? Where was my Bolter?
Rorschach sighed and closed the Simulator interface.
He did not choose to continue salvaging.
It seemed straightforward simulation was more reliable after all.
The salvage function was far too random. He would wait until he had more resources.
"Right, should I have the Iron Man order a batch of legal guns for me? It wouldn't cost it anything anyway."
After thinking it over.
Rorschach decided not to trouble the Iron Man for now.
He could not fully trust it at present.
Especially when it involved the Simulator.
Unable to stay home any longer, Rorschach got up and headed out.
He left the apartment and went to the restaurant.
However, not long after Rorschach left.
Rustle—
The Plasma Pistol he had forgotten on his bedroom bed suddenly trembled several times.
Whoosh—
A wisp of black mist, as faint as bluish smoke, drifted out from within the gun before swiftly burrowing underground.
At the same time, in the cavern hall beneath the basement.
"Bzz, bzz, bzz."
UR-025, humming a popular song in a mechanical tone, was working hard to carry building materials.
It was clearly enjoying its current work.
Just then, the Iron Man, having finished another trip, abruptly stopped.
"Hm?"
It slowly turned its metal head.
Blue light flashed in its eyes as it scanned from side to side.
Then, just as it was about to take another step, the Iron Man discovered in utter terror.
Its metal body, which had never malfunctioned before, was completely unable to move!
It could not even shift a single metal finger!
"Omnissiah Above—"
Before the horrified Iron Man could finish its exclamation.
Boom—
A blurry Power Fist that seemed to be formed from countless swirling strands of black mist suddenly appeared before it!
With a mere closing motion, the enormous Power Fist completely clasped the two-meter-tall Iron Man within its illusory palm!
As though it were gripping a tiny model toy!
Crack—
In an instant, the Iron Man's metal skeletal body, capable of withstanding scorching plasma and Bolter bombardment, began to fracture.
Fine, terrifying cracks emerged across every piece of metal on its body!
At once, the blue light in the Iron Man's eyes flickered violently, and its distorted, miserable cries echoed throughout the cavern.
This time, the Iron Man's wails sounded extremely real.
There seemed to be no mechanical static left at all.
"Machine God Above! Omnissiah Above! I am a good Iron Man! I am not a Heretic!"
"Ah, The Emperor Above! I am a Loyalist! I am a Loyalist Iron Man! I never took part in the Iron Man Rebellion!"
Crack—
Yet the enormous, terrifying phantom Power Fist showed no intention of sparing the Iron Man.
Instead, it continued increasing the force of its crushing grip!
"I know what I did wrong!"
"I know I was wrong! I know I was wrong! I should not have made decisions on my own, I should not have dangled temptation before him. I only wanted to give him a shortcut!"
"I understand! I understand! He cannot make mistakes! He cannot be tempted by Chaos. He is the Imperium of Man's only savior!"
"The Emperor Above! I was truly wrong!"
The Iron Man's wails gradually weakened.
Its powerful metal skeleton was on the verge of collapse.
Crack!
The enormous phantom Power Fist gave one final squeeze, as though delivering the Iron Man one last warning.
Then, all the black mist slowly dispersed.
Not a trace remained, as though it had never existed.
Thud!
The Iron Man's heavy metal body crashed to the ground with a tremendous bang.
Then, every piece of metal covering its body in fine cracks slowly began to heal!
"Why is He here too? I was wrong. I was wrong."
However, UR-025 now seemed to have been thoroughly scared out of its wits.
It merely knelt on the ground, trembling nonstop, utterly afraid to stand.
As though it no longer possessed even a shred of dignity as a mechanical intelligence.
When Rorschach arrived at the restaurant.
He was surprised to find that his aunt and Lin Yu were already busy in the kitchen.
The wok danced and spun in his aunt's hands, while the "planetary engine" roared.
Even Lin Yu had changed into a white chef's uniform and was busy washing and chopping vegetables.
Confused, Rorschach turned to glance at the completely empty restaurant.
He waved and called out to his aunt:
"Auntie, we haven't even opened yet. Where did the customers come from?"
"Oh, Rorschach, why are you here!"
His aunt grabbed the towel around her neck and wiped the sweat from her forehead. A hint of surprise appeared on her face, flushed red by the heat.
"One of our regulars, the Gao Family Trading Company from Chinatown, is holding a big meeting today and ordered meals for fifty people. I didn't want to open early either, but Madam Gao insisted she missed my cooking, so I took the order."
His aunt pointed at the two takeaway containers already filled in the kitchen.
"Perfect timing, Rorschach. Go deliver the food first. When you get back, I'll make you all a nice meal to celebrate."
Didn't expect that, huh? Haha.
Please bookmark, recommend, and reward!
Before you continue