As Cain’s thunder hammer descended, a crisp system notification echoed in the ears of all players, confirming that Yarvis—the powerful Space Marine boss—had been completely eliminated.
The oppressive tension that had gripped the ruins finally dissipated. The players collectively exhaled in relief. As Yarvis himself had once claimed, he had not triggered any psychic self-destruction or mutual annihilation upon death.
However, new doubts quickly surfaced.
“The boss is dead… so why hasn’t the quest been completed yet?”
A quick-witted player immediately replied in the regional channel:
“You idiot! The Governor’s mansion collapsed, and there are still Space Marines trapped underneath! Not all enemies are dead—of course the quest isn’t over!”
“Damn… how long are we supposed to wait?”
“At least a week or two, right? Even without supplies, those Astartes can hold out for a long time.”
“If we’re unlucky… maybe a month or more.”
“Ah?! That long?!”
While the players were debating, Robert and Reddito approached.
Robert cleared his throat and announced loudly:
“Don’t worry! When the time comes, we’ll have Servitors excavate the ruins with heavy machinery and finish them off one by one. The Space Marines trapped below won’t have any combat capability left anyway!”
The players immediately understood.
“That’s right! I forgot this game has environmental destruction—just dig them out!”
“Sir Robert is thinking ahead!”
“Clear-headed as always!”
Meanwhile, Reddito had finished his initial scan of Yarvis’ corpse. His voice carried a trace of disbelief.
“Incredible…”
Robert walked over. “How is it? No chance of this corpse reanimating, right?”
“Not only is there no risk of reanimation,” Reddito murmured, “but the level of flesh mutation is almost nonexistent. Hard to believe… is this really a Space Marine corrupted by Chaos for ten thousand years?”
Robert’s eyes lit up. “Then… his Gene-seed is still usable?”
The moment those words were spoken, the surrounding players fell silent.
Hundreds of gazes shifted simultaneously toward Reddito—and more specifically, toward the corpse.
Reddito reacted violently.
“What are you planning to do?!” he snapped, spinning around. His voice carried an unusual sharpness as he scanned the players’ burning stares. “What exactly are you planning?!”
Robert immediately realized his mistake and coughed awkwardly.
“Just curiosity. A casual question. Magos Reddito, you’re overthinking it.”
“Whether I am or not…” Reddito said coldly, activating his anti-grav unit and lifting the corpse, “you already know the answer in your heart.”
“If you’re not afraid of death, that’s your problem. I’m not dying—for something this exposed and utterly unrewarding.”
Without another word, he departed with the body.
Robert stood in place, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“So… if it’s properly concealed, and the profit is large enough… then it’s fine.”
Three days later — the ruins of the Governor’s mansion
AlphaBravo, Name, and Garry returned to the collapsed estate. AlphaBravo paced across the rubble with his hands behind his back, testing the ground beneath his boots.
Finally, he stopped and shouted:
“Hey! Don’t dig there—dig here instead!”
“My designation is Zinc J24B5. I am not ‘Hey’,” the Servitor replied flatly. “Excavation protocols are pre-approved. Unauthorized deviation may expose a Fallen Space Marine without Helldiver oversight, causing uncontrolled risk…”
“We’re here, aren’t we? What are you afraid of?” AlphaBravo interrupted impatiently. “If no Helldivers are around, just stop digging. Simple.”
“Regulations require escalation to superior authority.”
“Damn it, you’re so rigid…” AlphaBravo muttered. “Fine. 9527, hurry up.”
“Sir, I am not 9527.”
He ignored it and turned to the others.
Garry asked, “Why did you call us here?”
“For that basement we talked about,” Name said calmly.
“Oh!” Garry brightened. “It didn’t collapse?”
“Most likely not,” AlphaBravo said excitedly. “Game logic—hidden areas always have loot!”
Soon after, machinery tore through the rubble, revealing a dark opening exactly where AlphaBravo had indicated.
“Sir…” the Servitor began.
“Alright, we’re going down,” AlphaBravo cut in immediately.
The three descended the slope with tactical lights raised.
Inside, faint rustling echoed through the darkness.
“Don’t move,” AlphaBravo whispered, raising his weapon.
No hostile identification triggered.
Then a voice came from the dark:
“Don’t shoot! I’m not an enemy!”
Their lights locked onto the speaker.
A man stepped into view—haggard, but dressed in preserved noble attire.
AlphaBravo already suspected who he was, but asked anyway.
“Who are you?”
“I am Kilan Perditia, Planetary Governor of this world.”
Recognition flickered in his eyes as he saw the Aquila insignia. His tone regained authority.
“You are Imperial soldiers? Has the enemy been eliminated? Tell me the situation outside immediately—”
“Governor,” Name interrupted evenly, “where is your family?”
Kilan hesitated.
“They’re… in the back room. I came out to check the situation after hearing the noise.”
“Then please lead us,” Name said. “We need to confirm everyone’s safety before deciding next steps.”
Command Center — later
Robert listened to the report in silence.
“Total of nine survivors,” AlphaBravo confirmed. “All in good condition.”
A murmur passed through the room.
Robert exhaled. “Let’s vote on how to handle them.”
“They brought a Slaaneshi warband here,” Mua’dib said immediately. “Treason. Execute them all.”
“Governance is already collapsed,” Joker added calmly. “They’ll only be a liability. Execute them all.”
“They cost us a Leman Russ,” the Second Company representative growled. “Execute them all.”
Robert looked around. “Any opposing opinions?”
Silence.
“Then it’s decided.”
He activated the communicator.
“After Soldier Committee deliberation, all are sentenced to death for treason.”
Basement — execution
AlphaBravo looked at the gathered family.
Nine people: the Governor, his wife, doctor, four daughters, and two sons.
“All present?” he asked.
“Yes,” Kilan replied, confused but uneasy.
“Good.”
AlphaBravo positioned them carefully.
“Doctor, step right.”
“Governor, forward.”
“Rosalia, Madam Frigga—closer together.”
He studied the alignment.
“All within line of sight.”
Kilan finally stepped back. “What… is this for?”
AlphaBravo drew his pistol.
“By order of the Perditia Helldivers Soldier Committee, you are sentenced to execution for treason.”
“What?! No—there’s been a mistake! I am the Planetary Governor—!”
Gunfire erupted.
Short. Efficient.
Silence followed.
AlphaBravo stepped forward, firing a final shot.
Then he knelt and tore open the Governor’s ornate clothing.
Jewels spilled out.
He clicked his tongue.
“So that’s why he survived so long… still thinking about loot while running.”
He stood.
“Clean this up. Servitors, take care of it.”