Three months after Yuki reorganized his territory.
The rate of unnatural deaths had dropped by twenty percent. The homicide rate had also plummeted to just six incidents per hundred people per day. The Yuki Gang's level of control over the lower strata far exceeded that of any other gang. To be able to clearly track how many people died and how many were born each day was already a mark of a governing genius.
Yuki was extremely satisfied. Every day, sub-bosses from across his domain would travel to pay their respects and offer gifts. In just a few months, the corpse-starch factory had been transformed into a luxurious, gargantuan residence. On the lower levels, the incubation vats used by the Hive Fleet to breed new organisms continuously melted down raw materials, churning out various essential supplies. On the upper levels, Yuki received delegations from various factions, looking every bit the high-ranking figure.
Yuno remained the same as ever, fond of clinging to Yuki. She understood his personality; he was an incredibly stubborn man who would only truly change his mind after experiencing prolonged suffering. The wavering he displayed on the surface was inconsequential to his inner core. No matter how many times he told himself he was now a Tyranid, or how many reasons he gave himself for why betraying humanity was the better choice, it was futile. Deep down, he still identified with humans; deep down, he still wanted to be a "good person."
Unfortunately, the Warhammer world was about to teach him a lesson. What could Yuno do? Build a secret chamber to lock him up and train him every day? Use psychic force to forcibly rewrite his personality? A stubborn man and a yandere woman—we truly are a perfect match. Yuno felt a bit helpless.
Yuki was riding high these days. Seeing Yuno seemingly lost in thought, he walked over and took her hand. "What are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking about when we can finally start mating."
Looking at the blushing Yuki, Yuno teased, "Give me a straight answer, will you?" As she spoke, she even reached out to tug at his clothes. Yuki had never encountered such a situation and was just about to respond when Ilia pushed the door open and walked in.
"Boss! Someone from the Ecclesiarchy is here. Uh... should I come back later?" Ilia immediately prepared to close the door, but Yuki stopped her.
"What do they want?"
"They say it's a matter of extreme importance."
Left with no choice, Yuki followed her out. In the reception hall, a Bishop of the Ecclesiarchy was waiting. He wore the standard shroud-like robes of Warhammer, with half of his head replaced by machinery. Beside him hovered a Cherub. Its eyes were hollow and lifeless, its wings flapped stiffly, and a dark, bluish-black pus oozed from its body—evidence that the visitor held a high rank within the church.
"How should I address you?"
"Griffith, sir." He raised a hand, his tone more polite than expected.
"Yuki . Brother Griffith."
Without wasting words, Griffith cut straight to the chase. "We have observed you. Your situation is far better than that of the other dregs in the Underhive. Therefore, we have judged that you are someone we can cooperate with."
"Cooperate?"
"There is a threat of Chaos incursion in the Underhive."
"Wow, how fresh. I had absolutely no idea," Yuki remarked sardonically.
Griffith ignored the sarcasm and continued. "Our Astropath accidentally entered a realm of the future. Within it, he saw the birth of a powerful Daemon in the Underhive's future. This information is strictly classified, known only to a select few."
Yuki realized something. He said seriously, "Are you planning to handle this privately?"
"Believe me, there is no need to make a scene. You might not know, but symptoms have already appeared on a neighboring planet. We must deal with this risk before the Imperial authorities arrive."
Yuki understood. The 13th Black Crusade hadn't begun yet, Guilliman hadn't returned, and the Grey Knights—specialists in handling Daemons—still adhered to the philosophy of killing every witness. If a Daemon were to manifest here and the Grey Knights arrived, there was no telling how many people would die. Furthermore, no one knew when they might show up. If the Hive Fleet arrived in twenty years only to run head-first into the Grey Knights...
"What do you need me to do?"
"Monitor everything as best as you can. The Ecclesiarchy will provide you with a certain amount of assistance."
"This feels a bit strange. I suspect you want to extend your tentacles into the Underhive?"
Griffith remained silent. The sudden visit and request certainly had ulterior motives; it wouldn't be as simple as just eliminating the threat of Chaos. The power struggles among the high-level officials above the planet were just as fierce.
"The status of the Ecclesiarchy on this planet is far inferior to that of the Planetary Governor and the Adeptus Mechanicus. Mr. Yuki , we must implement some changes."
Yuki understood. Without saying more, it was clear the Ecclesiarchy was trying to recruit him. "One last question, Brother Griffith. Why choose me?"
"First, Mr. Yuki , you are a newcomer. Rather than letting you act freely, it is better for us to establish contact with you. Second, your appearance. You might not feel it yourself, but a standard face like yours is very reassuring to us. Third, you are capable—more capable than any of the other gangs."
Yuki was speechless. Those were solid reasons. "Fine. I'll do my best to help."
"Additionally, there is one more thing you need to handle. An alien incursion has been confirmed on another planet; it's highly likely there will be one here as well."
"Oh? Do you want me to wipe them out as well?"
The other party remained silent. Yuki knew full well that the value of an alien (Xenos) to the Imperium was not something he or the man before him could decide.
"If you handle this well, I can put you in touch with those over there."
"Haha! Truly incredible. I didn't think that as a newcomer, I'd be in contact with so many major factions already." The Ordo Xenos would certainly be interested in various alien data.
"Is there anything else?"
"This is the Litanies of the Holy Word. Always remember to be grateful for the Emperor's mercy."
Yuki accepted the book and saw Griffith to the door. Once the door was closed, he needed to confirm the most important thing. He went to Eleven's quarters. As a near-Alpha level psyker, she was the person among his subordinates most likely to be corrupted by Chaos. He had to ensure her reliability.
He pushed the door open to find Eleven sitting in a clearing, eyes closed in meditation. Sensing Yuki's arrival, she turned and bowed. "The Emperor protects."
"Ahem. Eleven, I need to confirm something. What does the Emperor look like in your psychic visions?"
"Why do you ask? Oh! I see the Emperor standing in a void of pure darkness, yet He radiates a purple glow. He has several arms, each holding swords, axes, and halberds..."
Yuki felt relieved. Honestly, seeing a Four-Armed Emperor was much more comforting than seeing a giant golden guy. Since that's the case, let's go look for some traces of Chaos.