Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde [291]

"That's a good name—Warlock, one who uses daemon power. I'll develop the Warlock system.

All the methods for enslaving daemons, supporting spells, and mental training to resist Chaos invasion," Magnus said, nodding in satisfaction.

The title fit. The more Magnus looked at Rhodes, the more he liked him—this new brother got him! First, he'd persuaded him to return, then brought him to see his father.

"Warlock? Fine, call it that. But remember, Magnus, the class is still in development. You must be responsible for the entire Imperium and all psykers. If this goes wrong, it'll be a Chaos incursion," the Emperor said.

If not for the amulets—made from his psychic power and Emperor's Avatar flesh—the Emperor would never have agreed.

Rhodes now had two Emperor's Avatar, with two more stored at the secret base on Trazyn.

He hoped the plan would succeed and not be exploited by the Chaos Gods. If it did, humanity would finally have a way to control and suppress daemons.

"To be cautious, I suggest we first make these special amulets. Once they're done, let Draigo and Mephiston be the first to train in this new system," Guilliman said.

His own Librarian Tigurius was ideal, but Tigurius was stuck on Macragge. So only these two could start.

"I can learn too! My psychic power is strong, and I don't need to fear Chaos corruption," Rhodes volunteered.

Rhodes' Warp defenses were also extremely strong—not only protected by the Emperor's psychic power, but his powerful soul and the system's uniqueness ensured he wouldn't be corrupted by the four Chaos Gods.

Rhodes' psychic power was among the strongest in the Imperium, and would only grow stronger, making him perfect for this special system.

"Rhodes, you'll be fine. I know you can't be corrupted by Chaos," the Emperor said.

He and Rhodes were effectively partners—if Rhodes fell, he'd become a servant of the Chaos Gods, which was impossible given his personality.

"Hahaha, my new brother, if you're willing, I'll gladly teach you all my daemon knowledge. But please, let me research it first.

I want to perfect the system, confirm its safety, and then give it to you," Magnus said, smiling at Rhodes.

"No problem! Magnus, I'm sure you can do it," Rhodes nodded.

Rhodes had considered suggesting something like Warcraft's demon hunter or demon transformation but decided against it.

Daemons in Warhammer were far more vicious than those in Azeroth, with totally different forms.

Using special spells to enslave and control them with psychic power—that was workable, as long as protection was in place. The Warp's power could be harnessed.

But going the demon hunter route would mean fully becoming a daemonized being, which humans couldn't do in the Warhammer universe.

To become a daemon, you had to be favored by the Chaos Gods and ascend as a Daemon Prince—there was no other way.

Ordinary humans corrupted by Chaos would first become Chaos Sorcerers, then Warlords, Champions, or Chosen.

Finally, they'd become Daemon Princes—giving up their physical form for a Warp-made body.

So, the Warlock path worked, but not the Demon Hunter path. You couldn't just eat daemon flesh and become one; daemons in the material universe were just pure energy forms.

Otherwise, the Tyranids would have invaded the Warp to fight daemons long ago—the Warp had far more daemons than life in the material universe.

Moreover, the Grey Knights were already formidable in both magic and martial arts, as were other Librarians. In close combat, they were no less than daemons. Ordinary daemons were no match for Space Marines.

"Thanks for your trust, my new brother. I'll leave the amulets to you—that's the key to this new class," Magnus said, nodding at Rhodes.

As the saying goes, a true hero dies for those who recognize him! Magnus's fondness for Rhodes was soaring.

"OK! Let's split the work—I'll make the special amulets, you develop the new spells, and together we'll create the Warlock class," Rhodes said.

"All right, now let's get to the urgent task—removing the soul fragment of Magnus from Draigo.

Then, using the two Avatars, we'll help Magnus purge the Chaos energy and reshape his soul.

Rhodes, please prepare a new body. It's time to let you return to humanity," the Emperor said.

All this discussion was pointless until Magnus was fully restored.

"I can start anytime—once Magnus fuses his bright soul fragment, I'll create his new body," Rhodes said.

With two Emperor's Avatars on hand, materials weren't lacking. Once he fused the soul fragment, Magnus could be resurrected.

The super-beast synthesis machine was ready!

"Draigo, come here. Don't resist; I'm going to extract your father's soul fragment," the Emperor said.

Draigo nodded and knelt before the Emperor.

The Emperor's golden psychic power radiated holy light, turning into a golden beast that penetrated Draigo's body.

Draigo felt intense pain in his soul—a splitting pain.

Magnus's bright soul fragment was deeply bound to the Grey Knight's soul; normally, only the Supreme Grand Master's death would separate them.

"Relax!" The Emperor's psychic light bathed Draigo's body and soul, protecting this legendary Grand Master.

Guilliman came to Draigo's side, placing a hand on his shoulder, using his psychic power to heal Dragio's soul.

The power of a demigod's soul was unleashed.

After half an hour, the soul fragment was finally extracted.

Draigo was drenched in sweat, kneeling weakly on the ground, his entire soul exhausted.

He now realized how much the gene-father's soul fragment had boosted his power!

In the Warp, he'd felt inexhaustible strength, endless energy, and powerful psychic abilities without fear of depletion.

But with the fragment gone, his strength was cut in half—now only a bit stronger than a Librarian, comparable to Mephiston or Tigurius.

With Magnus's soul, he'd barely reached Alpha-level psyker status and could control it.

The most powerful Alpha-level psykers could affect entire planets, even freeze time, crush Titans with raw psychic force, or instantly alter the will of all planetary humans.

But such psykers' brains and bodies couldn't withstand their power—once awakened, they'd drag the whole world into the Warp and fall themselves.

So, upon discovering an Alpha-level psyker, the Imperium would immediately eliminate them, not train them.

With the soul fragment extracted, the Emperor began purifying Magnus's Chaos energy.

Two Emperor's Avatars infused Magnus's body with psychic power, the Emperor's golden light driving out the Chaos Gods' forces.

The Emperor was now almost as strong as the four Chaos Gods—he could even create his own Living Saints or his own Daemon Princes.

So, he could easily cleanse Magnus's soul and restore him.

Magnus's true soul merged with the bright soul fragment secretly nurtured for ten thousand years—a pure white light shining across the galaxy.

Even mortals and Space Marines on distant ships felt the overwhelming power of this bright soul—a warmth, a sanctity, and a force of justice.