Chapter 2 – The Starter Gift and the Issue of Kar'n

Chapter 2 – The Starter Gift and the Issue of Kar'n

"By the way… before I open the starter gift, where exactly am I?" Kent muttered softly, looking around with confusion.

A vast expanse of grassland stretched endlessly before him, merging with the horizon. In the distance, a dense forest stood tall, but aside from that, there were no roads, buildings, or even the sound of any living creatures—everything was eerily silent.

"This place… it feels like Earth from ancient times," he thought to himself. "Could this really be an uninhabited planet?"

A growing sense of unease crept into Kent's mind. The silence around him, the complete lack of any signs of civilization, all made the world feel even more alien.

"This is crazy… What if there are wild animals here that I don't even know the species of? Isn't this practically a death sentence?"

The stillness of the environment seemed to heighten his anxiety. For the first time, Kent felt how utterly isolated and vulnerable he was in this new world. But as his panic began to rise, the familiar mechanical voice of the system echoed again in his mind, breaking the silence.

(Host need not worry. Would you like to open your starter gift?)

Kent nodded slightly, despite still feeling uneasy. "Just open it already."

The voice was more organized and calm now, as if the system was prepared to continue.

*(Ding! Initiating host identification…)

(Race: Human)

(Installing Civilization System…)

(10%... 20%... 50%... 100%)

(Civilization system installed successfully. Starter gift distribution beginning...)

Instantly, Kent felt a shift in the air around him, almost as if the world had become more real. The system continued, its tone unchanging.

(This system allows the host to summon troops from various science fiction universes of your original world. Summoning is done using war points—which can be earned by conquering other universes, occupying planets, and achieving military victories…)

Kent processed the information quickly. "So, this is like a game system? I can summon troops from various fictional worlds and use them to build a powerful civilization, right?"

The system didn't respond immediately, as if waiting for further instructions, but after a pause, it continued the announcement.

***(Congratulations! Host has received:

A Command Center from StarCraft II

5 SCVs (Worker Units)

A full set of Emperor of Mankind armor from Warhammer 40K

All knowledge and genetics of the Emperor of Mankind – Would you like it integrated into your body?

Cadia's army and the fallen population from the Warhammer universe, revived by the system as the foundation of your strength…)***

Kent almost gasped at the sheer scale of what he was being given. These rewards were monumental, as if the system was giving him the tools to rapidly establish a powerful empire. However, the system wasn't done yet.

(Note: Host is currently alone on a desolate planet and has no commander for the Cadia Astra Militarum forces…)

"Wait… Don't tell me the system is going to give me—" Kent froze as the voice continued.

(Summoning: Kar'n the Betrayer, Company Commander of the War Dogs Legion – Warhammer 40K…)

Kent's mind went into a frenzy. "WHAT?! KAR'N?! Is the system trying to kill me?!"

As a hardcore Warhammer 40K fan, Kent knew exactly who Kar'n was. His blood ran cold. He was not only a terrifying character in the Warhammer universe, but also one of the most brutal beings ever created.

"He's the brutal butcher of the World Eaters! A devoted servant of Khorne! The Lord of the Knife! The space version of Conan the Barbarian! And you think he's the right choice as my first commander?!" Kent's voice cracked as he shouted, disbelief coloring every word.

The system responded as calmly as ever, almost unaffected by Kent's outburst.

(Please remain calm, host. I have prepared a surprise…)

"A surprise… for my brother-in-law?!" Kent yelled in frustration.

He was beginning to realize that his adventure had just taken an unexpected turn. What he had thought would be a simple task of building a powerful civilization now seemed more like a deadly game where survival would be the key. Legendary beings—ones that even gods feared—were now involved in his journey.

"I can't believe this," Kent muttered to himself. "I'm stuck with Kar'n, a commander who might very well turn on me. How am I supposed to control an army with someone like him at the helm?"

Kent could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on him. Though he had read and watched plenty of sci-fi and fantasy, he had never imagined he would be thrust into such a dangerous and high-stakes world.

But even as panic surged within him, there was also a small part of Kent that began to embrace the challenge. If he could find a way to control Kar'n and harness the power of the Astra Militarum, perhaps he could build something greater than he ever imagined. It was a huge risk, but Kent had never been one to back down from a challenge.

"Alright," he muttered, trying to calm himself. "Maybe this is an opportunity to become stronger. I need to face this head-on and use everything I've been given. If I can control these forces, I can start building my own empire. But for that… I need to deal with Kar'n and the Cadia forces first."

With new resolve slowly replacing the fear in his heart, Kent took a deep breath and turned his gaze back to the horizon. The alien world around him was full of uncertainty, and now, it seemed, so was his mission. His adventure was no longer just about creating a powerful civilization; it was about surviving, facing legendary beings, and navigating a galaxy teeming with dangers and possibilities. Kent knew, one thing was for sure—his journey had just begun.