Chapter 30: Warhammer

Even though David knew full well this was an illusion, he still sensed the danger—this was his first time truly facing a Zerg, and it was a level one at that. He could clearly see the black-green sheen on the forelimbs of the Hunter Mantis, shimmering on its scythe-like arms, the serrated edges glinting ominously. A single blow from such a weapon would leave him gravely wounded.

Sensing danger did little good, however, as this body was not under his control. Of course, if it were, he’d most likely have turned and run, which, given the Hunter Mantis’s speed, would only have led to a swifter death.

Just as David tensed inwardly, the body moved. It stepped back, half a pace, lowering the handle of the warhammer in its hands. With a metallic clang, the warhammer’s shaft collided with the Hunter Mantis’s scythe. David felt a tremendous force, but it was deftly redirected by a pivot of the body, transferred entirely into the warhammer, which then struck again at the Hunter Mantis.

David didn't know if this Hunter Mantis had the same strength as the real thing, but the ferocity before him made the terror of the Zerg clear. This was the weakest, a level one, yet it was locked in vicious close combat with this body.

This body, too, was extraordinarily strong, wielding the warhammer as naturally as if it were an extension of itself.

In this near-constant dance with death, David’s mastery over the warhammer grew rapidly. In truth, no form of teaching could ever feel as visceral or real as this illusory training.

The body seemed tireless, the Hunter Mantis relentless, the two engaged in a ceaseless, close-quarters duel. Gradually, David’s focus deepened; he became one with the body, personally wielding the warhammer, battling the Hunter Mantis.

A flood of combat experience surged into his mind, searing itself into his soul.

The owner of the Warhammer Mastery (82% proficiency) knowledge orb, Amos, was an elite armored soldier returned from the War Star. Although a life of indulgence had dulled his will, his combat experience remained. This was evident in his instant decision when facing the unbeatable Captain Froman of the Sirius Mercenary Group—if not for an unexpected turn, he might have escaped unharmed.

What David received was a lifetime’s worth of warhammer mastery. Amos’s skill had been honed through countless life-and-death battles with the Zerg, and the sum of that experience was now translated into this illusory combat, playing out before David’s eyes.

David could no longer distinguish reality from illusion, for he was completely fused with the body, forced to control the warhammer with all his might against the Hunter Mantis.

A brief lapse in concentration, and the Mantis’s scythe swept across his back, opening a long gash.

The searing pain sharpened his focus. Just a single Hunter Mantis, yet it exerted an unprecedented pressure.

Under this pressure, the fight between him and the Hunter Mantis became a mirror of the initial battle he had witnessed, each side giving and taking blows.

He had no idea how much time had passed. The form of the Hunter Mantis slowly became transparent, and then the entire space began to shake violently. The warhammer in his hands, too, grew insubstantial.

David instinctively tried to clutch the warhammer tighter. To him, it felt like a part of his own body; its disappearance was as agonizing as losing a limb.

"Gasp, gasp, gasp!" David drew deep breaths of fresh air. The air was clear now, no longer reeking of blood and stench—the illusion had vanished, and he was back in his bedroom.

The clothes he’d soaked and dried after practicing the Eighteen Forms were once again drenched in sweat.

His empty hands gripped at the air; the absence of the warhammer’s familiar heft felt deeply unsettling after such a long battle in the illusion.

"Shadow Attendant, open my status panel!" he pressed his hand to the Shadow Attendant’s form and gave the mental command.

He saw at once that his abilities now included Warhammer Mastery (82% proficiency).

He understood, though, that while the panel showed 82% proficiency, he was still some way from wielding the warhammer at that level in reality—only repeated practice would bridge that gap.

But his practice would be unusually swift: what took others decades, he might achieve in mere days.

He didn’t rest at once; instead, he wanted to continue merging, since the next knowledge orb was only at the entry level and well within his physical limits.

Although the Heavy Axe Mastery (33% entry) orb would be of limited help, it never hurt to know how to use another weapon.

With this in mind, he ordered the Shadow Attendant to merge the Heavy Axe Mastery (33% entry) orb into his body.

This time, the illusion was normal: a training room, the body holding a heavy axe, practicing.

Standard heavy axe techniques were drilled again and again, hypnotic in their repetition. With warhammer mastery at 82%, David found the heavy axe training exceptionally easy.

When he opened his eyes, he realized this fusion had been the fastest yet—at least, that’s how it felt in the illusion. In truth, time in the illusion bore no relation to the outside world.

Even years of training in the illusion translated to only minutes in reality.

This transfer of experience on a soul-deep level defied scientific explanation; the Shadow Attendant’s power was simply too formidable.

After two such fusions, David felt a mental fatigue. He washed, changed into clean clothes, ignored the time, and collapsed onto the bed, sinking into deep sleep.

When he awoke and checked the time on his identity bracelet, he saw it was already four in the afternoon.

He rubbed his empty stomach. Despite having eaten so much fortified meat, he was ravenous again.

If not for his newfound wealth in credits, he feared he might eat himself into poverty.

Ever since he began training in body techniques, ordinary food could no longer satisfy his energy needs—only fortified meat could replenish his body’s losses.

When he reached the first floor dining room, he saw Myron dragging his legs, trembling as he moved.

"Myron, what happened to you?" David asked with a laugh.

"David, come give me a hand! I did the Eighteen Forms ten times today. Ten times!" Myron looked at David as if he’d seen his savior, his tone full of grievance.

David quickly supported Myron, fully understanding his predicament.

The Eighteen Forms was incredibly taxing, let alone doing it ten times in a day.

"Emma, prepare extra fortified meat for me and Myron," David called out to the smart housekeeper.

"Yes, sir!" Emma replied, already bustling about.

By the time David helped Myron to a seat, two plates piled high with fortified meat were already on the table.

"Myron, you really had them deliver level-one fortified meat!" David exclaimed in surprise, eyeing the distinctly different meat on the plate.

"Of course! My father can easily get level-one fortified meat. Just a word and someone brings it," Myron replied carelessly.

There were many groups in Peran City who hunted Zerg outside the walls. Though most level-one fortified meat was sent to distant big cities for greater profit, as mayor, Bernard could get some without difficulty.

David inwardly marveled at the perks of power as he placed a piece of level-one fortified meat in his mouth. The sensation of energy dancing on his tongue had his starving body singing with joy.

"Where’s Uncle Garen?" Only after his hunger eased did David notice Garen’s absence.

"Uncle Garen went out to investigate the Sirius Mercenary Group. Speaking of which, they’re so bold! My father said their warship has already been captured. Except for the ones who attacked you, the Sirius Mercenary Group has been wiped out!" Myron, always in the know, grinned broadly.

His tone was full of disdain for the Sirius Mercenary Group. Even though they were all armored soldiers, one had to know whom it was safe to provoke.

Even Myron himself was careful not to bring trouble to his family.

David felt little about the Sirius Mercenary Group—though they’d attacked him, they’d also delivered vast wealth and mastery in electronic warfare at 98% proficiency.

Of course, as his enemies, he preferred them dead rather than alive.