The moment Yuki stepped into the Cult of the God-Emperor community, he sensed something was wrong. This unease stemmed from the eyes watching him from every corner. The place appeared open, but in reality, every movement was being observed by people in the shadows.
This community was more dangerous than he had imagined.
"Are you a guest?"
As he was thinking, two young women walked toward him. "Our community doesn't exactly welcome outsiders. May I ask what your business is here?"
Yuki made no attempt to hide his intentions. "A few of my friends accidentally ended up here during the gang war a few days ago. I've come to take them back."
"Hmm, that's something you'll have to discuss with our Bishop. Could you wait here for a moment?"
Yuki followed the two girls to a small chapel. It was crowded with people whose features were refined and clear, looking very different from the typical inhabitants of an Imperial Hive City. Many of the girls were even more beautiful than the Battle Sisters.
When things are too good to be true, there's usually a demon involved. Yuki already had his hand gripped around his dagger.
"Please wait here. Scott, please attend to this gentleman."
Scott was a young man who looked exceptionally healthy. He had just started a rare vacation and decided to spend it praying to the great God-Emperor. He didn't have many complaints, and Yuki observed him closely.
A healthy laborer. Slight scarring on the hands, likely from heavy physical toil.
"Sir, do you have faith?"
"Yes and no. To be honest, I'm starting to have my doubts."
Yuki gave a non-committal answer, not wanting to discuss the topic. Scott, however, seemed to grow more interested—perhaps he could become a missionary today.
"Sir, may I ask your name?"
"Yuki."
"Mr. Yuki, do you know the God-Emperor? Not the one those ignorant fools preach about. They worship the Emperor's cruel side, the one that faces his enemies. Our God-Emperor is merciful..."
Scott was a true devout, speaking with such conviction that Yuki began to wonder: which God-Emperor was he talking about, and could he actually save the Imperium of Man?
"So, Mr. Yuki, would you be willing to join us? We don't like outsiders, but we have great respect for those who truly wish to serve the God-Emperor. We can take care of your living needs. As long as we are followers of the Emperor, we are brothers..."
"No need. I have my own home. I'm just here for my friends."
"Oh, I see. Are you married? I just got married a few days ago, hahaha. It was quite unexpected."
Yuki thought for a moment. He and Yuno were currently dating and would surely get married later, but strictly speaking, they weren't yet. However, there was no need to explain the details to this man.
"Congratulations."
Yuki brushed him off. The girl from before returned, her expression solemn. "Sir, we did take in some people a few days ago. They have all chosen to stay here. Please leave."
Yuki wasn't here to rescue people; those Chaos cultists were dangerous. His tone turned sharp. "You decided that just by saying so? Bring them out to speak with me."
"Wait, there might be a misunderstanding, Mr. Yuki..."
"Mr. Scott, your wife is one of the people he wants to take away. To protect your family, please do not side with this man."
Scott was speechless, but Yuki sensed an anomaly. "You married an outsider? That quickly? You didn't use any unconventional methods, did you?"
The atmosphere turned eerie. Yuki prepared his psychic energy. Honestly, he didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble.
"Friend, there's no need for this," Scott tried to persuade him. "Your friends must have been moved by the God-Emperor. We can talk this through."
"Scott, outsiders are people who distort the Emperor's will. They have no piety. Don't be polite with him."
Yuki sensed many people outside, all armed. There were even people lying on the rooftops, ready to jump down at any moment.
"Scott, get the Priest. We have ways to bring him back to the righteous path."
Scott immediately left at a light run. The community was never friendly to outsiders, but after they were 'educated,' they would become new brothers in faith. The God-Emperor possessed such power—Scott and his family believed this firmly.
When he returned home, his new bride had changed into loungewear. She asked what was happening with a look of surprise.
"It seems to be an old friend of yours. He's come looking for you."
His wife smiled slightly. "Don't worry. My sisters are all devout people. They just need some time to attain enlightenment."
"I hope so. The world is too chaotic now. I just want to be with my family."
"Me too."
Scott hadn't forgotten his duty to find the Priest. He told his wife not to forget to prepare dinner. Just as he was about to step out the door, the scent of blood hit him.
"Scott, right? Let me see what you've actually done."
Yuki's face and body were covered in blood, looking like a demon.
Scott felt a surge of dread and told his wife to run. Yuki turned his gaze toward the woman and froze. He couldn't remember every Battle Sister led by Steff, but they were impossible to confuse with Underhive residents. Battle Sisters were well-fed, trained constantly, and had bodies as robust as men's. Some were even gene-enhanced, making them stand out even more.
Combined with that specific aura, Yuki could immediately confirm: this was the missing Battle Sister!
How the hell did they make a Battle Sister... Wait a minute?
Yuki realized something. This Cult of the God-Emperor was a goddamn Genestealer Cult!
Genestealer Cults, as vanguard forces for the Tyranids, use genetic contamination to expand their strength. Humans infected as Genestealer hosts suffer from cognitive errors, viewing the Great Devourer as the God-Emperor and worshipping it fanatically.
Everyone in this community was a Genestealer! Everything made sense now!
And this Battle Sister must have been forcibly infected after wandering into this place by mistake.
"Run!"
Scott tried to intercept Yuki, but Yuki was growing tired of this. He effortlessly tore Scott's head off, then moved with extreme speed. One hand pierced the Battle Sister's head while the other punched through her abdomen.
Sure enough, there was something inside.
Yuki didn't have much against Genestealer Cults. Strictly speaking, he and the cultists were more like the same species now. But for some reason, he found this intolerable. Perhaps it was just too disgusting, or perhaps he didn't want Steff to find out about this.
Regardless, he helped this unfortunate Battle Sister's soul return to the Golden Throne.
If this was a Genestealer Cult, then those Chaos cultists were likely being converted as well. As he pondered this, more Genestealers approached.
Yuki turned around. Several tall, purple Purestrain Genestealers appeared before him. They no longer possessed any human characteristics.
"Guh. I suppose this counts as an unexpected harvest."