Chapter 898: Shadow Star (4)

Above the orbit of Shadow Star, the *Raven*.

First Company Captain Sairuoluo stood before the holographic table on the Bridge, reviewing the coordinate data and brief combat report transmitted back by Wudisi.

The Intelligence Officer spoke to report.

"Message source confirmed, Sergeant Wudisi's squad. Encountered attack by native Alien race 'Shadowborn'. Requesting cleansing operation, preserve valuable targets for intelligence gathering."

Sairuoluo looked at the map of the Shadowborn territory displayed on the holographic projection and spoke.

"Respond to Wudisi: Order confirmed. Third Company will execute the cleansing. Let them continue to carry out the Primarch's Task."

After the order was issued, the belly bay of the *Raven* opened, and three Thunderhawk Gunships flew out.

Inside the lead Thunderhawk Gunship, Third Company Captain Salafu checked his Bolter and issued orders over the communication channel.

"Intelligence indicates the targets possess advanced environmental camouflage capabilities; prioritize the use of vibration scanning and thermal imaging. Their melee weapons have energy burst effects, do not underestimate them."

"Captain, standard for live capture?"

A Raven Guard Sergeant asked.

"The Primarch needs to understand the intelligence of this planet. Each squad is to bring back at least two live specimens, prioritizing individuals that look like commanders. The rest... purge."

The Thunderhawk Gunship passed through the light-absorbing atmosphere of Shadow Star, approaching the target area in an environment with extremely low visibility.

"One minute to target area."

The pilot's voice came through.

Salafu stood up, the safety on his Bolter disengaged.

"For the Emperor and the Raven King. The purge begins."

"Victory or death!"

The hatch opened, and the Raven Guard warriors leaped directly from the low-hovering gunship.

Shadowborn territory, Shengsuo.

Shadowborn Elder Kalibo stood on the high platform of the Shengsuo, listening to the scout's report, and asked.

"Metal Giants? Accompanied by a Symbiote?"

Shadowborn scout Wake knelt on one knee and replied respectfully.

"Yes, Elder. Our crystal Spears can cause energy bursts on their shells, but cannot cause real damage. The weapons in their hands take the life of a kin every time they fire."

Another scout added.

"They are protecting the Symbiote; we tried to attack those traitors but failed. Eighteen of our kin... remained there."

Kalibo's tentacles trembled.

The Shadow whispers had indeed mentioned change, but he had never expected an existence like this.

Accompanied by a Symbiote? What did this mean?

Those surface Symbiotes and the underground Shu had been destroying the balance of Shadow Star, and now they were cooperating with those Metal Giants; what were they trying to do?

"In which direction are they advancing?"

"Toward the direction of the Shu mining area, Elder."

Kalibo fell into deep thought.

Ancient legends had mentioned visitors from outside the stars, but that was forbidden knowledge related to the awakening of the Dark Maw.

Could the legends be true? Were these Metal Giants related to the awakening of the Dark Maw? Or...

Kalibo's train of thought was interrupted by a loud noise that suddenly erupted outside, followed by a series of explosions.

"What is the situation?"

Kalibo stood up alertly.

More loud noises came one after another, accompanied by a rhythmic popping sound.

The Shadowborn Shengsuo began to vibrate slightly, and dust fell from the ceiling.

Wake pointed at the entrance of the Shengsuo in terror.

"Elder! All the communication crystals outside have gone dark!"

Kalibo walked toward the exit of the Shengsuo, with other Shadowborn following behind.

When they walked out of the Shengsuo, they felt that in the sky, several black metal objects were hovering at low altitude, from which more Metal Giants were continuously descending.

These giants were exactly the same as described by the scouts, but there were at least dozens of them!

Shadowborn warriors were organizing resistance, using environmental camouflage to launch surprise attacks, crystal Spears thrusting at the invaders.

Occasionally, an energy burst would light up on the dark armor, but the effect was minimal.

And the response of the Metal Giants was the fall of one Shadowborn warrior after another.

Kalibo felt a Shadowborn warrior succeed in thrusting a crystal Spear into the shoulder joint of a giant, the energy burst causing the giant to stagger a step.

But the giant simply turned around, grabbed the Shadowborn warrior's head with a massive metal hand, crushed it with ease, then tossed the corpse aside and continued to advance and fire.

"Oh, God of Shadow..."

Kalibo muttered, his skin turning pale from shock.

This was not a battle; this was a massacre.

The most elite warriors of the Shadowborn race could not inflict any useful damage in front of these Metal Giants.

Wake grabbed Kalibo's arm and spoke.

"Elder, we must retreat! We cannot fight these..."

Before the words were finished, a mass of Plasma energy flew past, melting a fortification not far away.

The scorching heat wave knocked Kalibo and the surrounding Shadowborn to the ground.

Kalibo struggled to climb up, feeling more Metal Giants advancing.

They divided into squads, covering each other, clearing every point of resistance.

A squad of Shadowborn attempted to launch a surprise attack using underground tunnels, but as soon as they appeared, they were Devoured by the waiting Metal Giant with a Meltagun, and shrill screams rang out briefly.

Kalibo felt a wave of despair.

These Metal Giants were not only powerful but also highly tactical, and they understood the Shadowborn's combat methods very well.

How did they do it?

Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed over Kalibo.

Salafu stood before Kalibo, looking down at him, and spoke.

"Are you the leader here?"

"I am Elder Kalibo. Why do you attack us? We have no intention of being enemies!"

Salafu looked at the answering Kalibo and spoke.

"You attacked a target under our protection. This is the price."

"That was a misunderstanding! We did not know..."

Kalibo wanted to explain, but Salafu interrupted him.

"Ignorance is no excuse. Surrender and provide valuable intelligence, and perhaps a portion of your kin may survive."

Kalibo sensed his surroundings; his home was burning, and his kin were being slaughtered.

They had provoked a terrifying existence.

Either submit or perish.

Just as Kalibo prepared to respond, a larger explosion came from the distance.

An underground storage vault was detonated, containing crystals and ancient relics collected by the Shadowborn.

"No! Records regarding the Maw of Darkness were there!"

"The Maw of Darkness? What do you know?"

Kalibo realized this might be the only chance to save his kin, and he hurriedly replied.

"I know much! Ancient knowledge, prophecies, methods of sealing! But if you destroy everything, you will gain nothing!"

Salafu said over the communication channel.

"All units pay attention, prioritize preserving documents and artifacts. Capture the Elder and all targets who appear to be scholars alive."

After the order was issued, the rhythm of the slaughter changed.

The Anya Shouwei began to attack selectively, attempting to capture certain Shadowborn alive.

Kalibo watched all of this, his heart feeling very bitter.

At the very least, a portion of his kin might survive.

Kalibo asked Salafu.

"What exactly are you?"

"We are the will of the Emperor, the Sharp Blade of the Raven King. We are the Raven Guard."