Cherreads

Chapter 117 - 113, Space Devouring Shark: Axe in hand, follow me! Grab people, grab food, grab bombs! (c)

[You watched as streams of melta beams, sharp like lances, tore through the colossal body of the Void Kraken, severing several massive tentacles with ease.]

[However, the silicon-based creature, devoid of blood and bones, swung its remaining monstrous tentacles once again, swiftly wrapping around a nearby Gauntlet-class assault craft.]

[One craft, unable to evade, was crushed into metallic debris. Its still-active engines erupted in a violent detonation.]

[The explosion sent a shockwave rippling through the void, causing the immense body of the Void Kraken to shift slightly and slowing its forward momentum.]

[Seizing the brief moment of opportunity, you decisively disengaged the mag-boots of your power armor.]

[The sharp turn of the assault craft sent you hurtling into the cold expanse of space like an unstoppable projectile of death.]

[The juvenile Void Kraken, wounded and distracted, seemed unaware of your presence.]

[Its gaping maw, lined with rows of massive circular teeth, opened wide, releasing a terrifying, soundless roar.]

[You seized the fleeting chance to attack again.]

[With all your might, you swung your power-armored arm and hurled two activated thermite grenades.]

[The tiny grenades, minuscule compared to the Void Kraken, streaked through the dark, frigid void and disappeared into its cavernous maw.]

[An instant later, a blinding flash of orange and red erupted as the grenades detonated, obliterating nearly one-third of the silicon-based monster's body into countless fragments.]

[A devastating shockwave, carrying shards of the creature's remains and a torrent of cosmic dust, surged toward you.]

[You couldn't stop your body from hurtling forward.]

[With a calm expression, you spread your arms wide.]

[In your hands, you gripped the humming chainsaw axe, prepared to meet your end.]

[At that moment, three Gauntlet-class assault craft, engines roaring at maximum capacity, raced through the void and placed themselves between you and the deadly wave.]

[Your power armor slammed into the metallic hull of one of the craft with tremendous force.]

[Your heavily modified body absorbed the violent impact, allowing you to survive against all odds.]

[You had achieved the extraordinary—slaying a Void Kraken, single-handedly, for the sake of humanity.]

[Reboarding a damaged assault craft, you were met with awe and reverence from the surviving mortal auxiliaries.]

[One by one, they knelt on a single knee, bowing their heads in deep respect.]

[Removing your scarred metal helmet, you revealed your shark-like sharp white teeth.]

["In honor of our fallen comrades, we must work even harder to complete this mission," you declared solemnly, taking a deep breath.]

[Not long after, eight Gauntlet-class assault craft forced their way into the remains of the derelict merchant ships.]

[The surviving mortal troops combed through every deck and corner of the wreckage with fervor.]

[Their meticulous search yielded great rewards.]

[To your surprise, the wreckage contained 30,000 tons of unexpired Glaux meat and a large cache of ant-beef cans.]

[Fortunate mortal auxiliaries also discovered an ancient technological artifact safely stored in a cargo container.]

[You immediately ordered the communications officer to relay this information to the fleet.]

[Within the first week, the massive hull of the combat barge Leviathan plowed through countless asteroids, clearing a wide path for the arriving ships.]

[More transport vessels swarmed toward the merchant ship remains.]

[Carrying the precious ancient artifact, you returned to the combat barge.]

[There, you met with Lieutenant Savin, who awaited your report.]

[You detailed the discovery of the vital food supplies and handed over the artifact.]

[Afterward, you returned to your private quarters.]

[With Sponge's assistance, you removed your battered power armor.]

[Immersing yourself in a saltwater tank, you adapted to the cold environment and slowly entered a state of rest.]

[A ship-day later, the extensive damage to your power armor's structure proved too severe for the mortal technicians to repair.]

[You had no choice but to head to the mid-level armory of the combat barge and hand it over to the chapter's tech sergeant for repairs.]

[Just as you were about to leave, Lieutenant Savin intercepted you.]

["Padraic, come with me... The Chapter Master wants to see you," Savin said with his usual stoic demeanor, his black eyes glinting faintly.]

[You couldn't suppress a shark-like grin, baring your sharp white teeth.]

[Following Savin, you walked through the corridors and arrived at the upper deck.]

[You entered an ancient hall known as the "Hall of the Shark," where the walls were adorned with weapons and damaged relics of Astartes warriors.]

[Stepping cautiously onto a thick, transparent glass floor, you gazed at the rippling blue seawater below.]

[A massive shadow drifted beneath your feet.]

["That's a legendary creature from Old Terra and the true origin of our chapter's symbol… Its age likely surpasses the entire history of the chapter," Savin remarked coldly, his pitch-black eyes fixed on you.]

[You nodded and resumed following him.]

[Crossing the vast hall, you caught sight of an enormous figure far larger than a typical Astartes.]

[Clad in ancient Terminator power armor, the figure's arms hung loosely, bearing the fearsome weapons "Hunger" and "Thirst," a combination of chainsaw gauntlet and lightning claw.]

[That was the Lord of Space Sharks, the Great Reaper, Chapter Master of the Carcharodons, Tyberos the Red Wake.]

[You took a deep breath, standing before his three-meter-tall frame.]

["Chapter Master," you and Savin bowed slightly toward Tyberos.]

["Padraic 5020, why are you not wearing power armor?" the Chapter Master's hollow voice boomed like an explosion, echoing through the hall and into your ears.]

[Straightening your spine, you instinctively looked up at him.]

[Before you stood Tyberos, his skeletal, ashen-gray face exposed, lifeless black eyes staring down at you.]

[In his posture, you caught faint traces of exhaustion and weariness.]

["Reporting, Chapter Master. My power armor is severely damaged and currently under repair," you replied carefully, taking a deep breath.]

["Savin, find him a suitable Terminator suit... Padraic, your contributions to the chapter have earned you the right to wield those precious relics," Tyberos said, his hollow voice carrying a fleeting trace of satisfaction.]

["From this moment, you are the squad leader of the reconnaissance team, Sergeant Padraic," Savin said, his voice filled with rare praise.]

[But before you could react, a new command from Tyberos brought you back to focus, suppressing any joy stirring in your heart.]

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